We were delighted to welcome PC Hawkes to the meeting. He gave an update on criminal activity in Elstead and answered questions. He and his colleagues have been occasionally coming to St James School in the morning, and he praised parents and carers dropping off children for their considerate parking and driving. He has been conducting regular speed checks on Thursley Road, and he was pleased with the average speed of 32 mph, which he considered to be on the low side. He also added that most speeding offenders lived in the village.

With over 20 people expressing interest in the allotments, Councillor Pat Murphy said the two plots previously ear marked for allotments would not be big enough. He thought the Council-owned Burford Lodge back land was the obvious choice for allotments in Elstead, especially as it already had a water supply. A sub committee was set up. Preparing the ground for allotments will have to be accounted for in next year's precept costs.

Councillor Anne Thomas presented the results of her survey on traffic movements following requests by parishioners for a pedestrian crossing on the Milford Road. She has prepared a petition to ascertain the level of local support for a crossing and suggested that this could be placed in key sites such as the Spar and Post Office. The Council gave the petition its full support. It was noted that the school is also preparing a survey on safety issues and had included a question specifically about the Milford Road.

It was agreed that Councillors should review a questionnaire on the Settlement Hierarchy and fill it out with a collective response from the Council at the next meeting, rather than as individuals. The questionnaire is incredibly important for Elstead, because it is has been set up to enable Waverley to establish and promote sustainable communities by bringing housing, employment opportunities and services closer together in an attempt to reduce the need for travel, particularly by car.

A general review was undertaken about the Burford Lodge Pavilion. It was agreed that it should be offered to the Elstead Football Club to maintain and pay any accounts on it as they are the main club users. This will be reviewed at a later date.

The allotments were once more under discussion. The sub committee will meet before the year-end to finalise a plan of action. The first step is to work out exactly how many plots can be accommodated, carry out soil testing to check suitability of land and to decide how the land can best be accessed. Chairman Denis Holmes suggested contacting neighbouring parish councils to ascertain as much information as possible about setting up allotments.

The Council agreed that Surrey County Councillor David Harmer could put up a leaflet to encourage more Elstead families to consider fostering. He also asked if we could publicise that the new SCC call centre number for reporting road and traffic issues, such as pot holes, is 03456 009009, 8 am-8 pm.

A request for a grant for refurbishing the war memorial was discussed, and although the Council are in favour of providing support, decided it would be easier to make a decision if three quotes for the work required were obtained.

Councillors looked at a report detailing road problems such as overgrown hedges and potholes in Elstead and suggested courses of action prepared following a meeting with Ian Fowler, SCC Highways Inspector, and Councillors Denis Holmes, Tic Jeffery and Anne Thomas.  Much of the work needed has either been carried out or is due to be completed shortly.

Councillors reviewed a thorough and cogent report produced by Councillors Denis Holmes and Andrew Jones answering the questions posed on the Settlement Hierarchy questionnaire. It looked at areas relevant to the village such as housing, employment, community facilities, transport, current village issues and aspirations as well as what makes Elstead so unique.

Councillors discussed and agreed the Finance Committee's report following its meeting in November. The precept for next year will be marginally increased but no allowance was made for any additional expenditure imposed by Waverley BC under delegated powers.

The next meeting is at 7.30 pm on 16^th February 2009 at the URC Hall, Milford Road, Elstead.

The public is welcome and anyone wishing to raise a matter relating to Council business is able to do so at 8 pm. See you there!