We welcomed PC Rob Hawkes to our September meeting. It was interesting to hear about the work he is doing to reduce anti social behaviour in Elstead. He has been running evening and daytime surgeries and is keen for more parishioners to attend these. They are advertised in the Elstead Village News. PC Hawkes emphasised that subjects raised don't necessarily have to be on police matters, because he can often help residents with their queries by pointing them in the right direction.

Parents and carers collecting their children from St James C of E Primary School continue to park across the Moors Lane entrance on Thursley Road, and he advised that offenders could receive a penalty notice.

Following the Council's objection to the plans by St James to accommodate a children's centre on behalf of Surrey County Council, Headmistress Ann Tann, attended the Council meeting to explain why she felt the centre was an excellent opportunity to help families in the local community. She stressed that she did not think it would create extra traffic congestion, and indeed would do only good by providing support and advice for parents on various issues, including health, diet and behaviour. Mrs Tann told the Council that she has seen the benefits that these centres have provided elsewhere in the country and was keen for a centre to be built in Elstead.

One piece of possible good news was given by SCC's David Harmer, who said that the SCC Haslemere & Western Villages Transportation Task Group in early October, to be attended by Councillor Roger Holroyd, would very likely be discussing the need for a zebra crossing on Milford Road. He mentioned that John Hilder, SCC Local Highway Manager for the South West Area Office, had been present when a large group of children alighted from the after-school Rodborough bus and crossed the road. He was able to see for himself the inherent dangers that the sheer number of students trying to cross the busy Milford Road posed.

The allotments are now operational and Councillors were invited to the official opening. There are still a number of ongoing jobs, but allotment holders are now able to start preparing their plots. The Allotment Sub-committee: Councillors Pat Murphy, Andrew Jones, Bryn Morgan and Tic Jeffery worked really hard to get this project up and running - well done!

During discussion of Waverley Borough Council's waste minimisation and recycling, it was suggested that Elstead holds a regular Recycling Exchange, similar to the popular and well-attended initiative in Thursley. Chairman Denis Holmes agreed to push this forward. If anyone has ideas or would like to volunteer a little time to help, please contact Councillor Sally Place (see below for contact details).

Following its amalgamation with Chiddingfold's football team, Elstead Sharks Under 12s asked, and were granted, permission to practise on Wednesday evenings on Burford Recreation Ground using the floodlights.

The next meeting is at 7.30 pm on 16^th November 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!