- Review of 2008-2009

 Woodchester Parish Council– Rhiannon Wigzell, Chairman

In May 2008 a new Parish Council was elected, unopposed as seven people stood for seven vacancies. Councillors Brown, Lead and Syrett joined Councillors Bastin, Hamilton, Swait and Wigzell. Councillors Chestnutt, Hemming and Warnes, having served Woodchester for many years, did not stand for re-election.

 Following the election the councillors each took on areas of responsibility:

Councillor George Bastin: chairman of the finance committee, the website and reviewing the Parish Plan;
Councillor Penny Brown: village events, member of the planning committee and footpaths;
Councillor Gervase Hamilton: vice chairman of the Parish Council, the village emergency coordinator, member of the planning committee, and reviewing the parish plan;
Councillor Peter Lead: chairman of the planning committee and the Village Design Statement;
Councillor Malcolm Swait: roads and traffic, member of planning and the finance committees, Parish Council representative on the Village Hall committee, snow warden;
Councillor Paul Syrett: flood warden, planning committee member, youth and environment;
Councillor Rhiannon Wigzell: chairman of the Parish Council, member of the finance committee, reviewing the Parish Plan and events.

A new Clerk to the Council, Simon Peirce, was appointed in March 2009.  Duncan Hayes and his immediate successor Barbara Lewis both resigned due to changes in other areas of their lives.  We were delighted to appoint Simon but sorry to have to choose only one of the high calibre applicants, all of whom had close connections to Woodchester.

The Parish Council has played a role in organising the litter pick, open gardens, carol singing and moving nativity play.  It has considered all planning applications in the Parish, responded to consultations, and addressed concerns raised by Parishioners.  It has funded the Woodchester Word, provided wreaths for Remembrance Sunday and maintained the website www.woodchestervillage.co.uk.   A village emergency plan has been formulated in case there is ever a major disaster.  The bus shelter opposite Frogmarsh Lane has been replaced.  Councillors have attended training courses.  The routine mowing, weed control and general maintenance has been carried out.   Reviewing the Parish Plan has been delayed, a casualty of the necessity to focus on recruiting a new clerk twice in the year, but a Village Design Statement is now in preparation.  A fete is also being planned for 12^th September 2009.  Finally, the Council is always encouraged by the enthusiasm of the residents of Woodchester and appreciative of their help and support.