The Parish includes all of Cholsey village and extends north to include the Winterbrook area. The Parish Council is a Local Authority and the 'first' level of Government. It is responsible for managing village property, notably The Pavilion, the Recreation Grounds, the Allotments, and the Burial Grounds. In addition the Council acts on a consultative basis for Planning Applications. Parish Council representatives are appointed to the School Board of Governors, and to the Committees for the Day Centre, the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway, and Cholsey 1000 Plus.
The Council comprises 13 Councillors, and employs three part time staff: a Clerk, an Assistant Clerk, and a Handyman. Council meetings are held in The Laurence Hall at 7.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the month. They are advertised, together with the agenda, on the Council notice board outside Tesco Express shop. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings, and there is always an item on the agenda for individuals to make a short presentation on any village issue. The Minutes of the meetings are displayed at the Post Office. Vacancies for Parish Councillors arise from time to time - any interest in being co-opted can be registered with the Clerk.
The Office in The Pavilion ( The office has been temporarily relocated to the Fairmile Sports and Social Club in Ferry Lane) is open to the public on Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings between 9 am and 1 pm. At other times messages can be left on the answer phone on 01491 652255 or by email. Services provided by the Clerk include the receipt of Allotment rents. He is also the first point of reference for comments or complaints regarding services in the village.
The 'second' level of Local Government is South Oxfordshire District Council, located at Crowmarsh, and responsible for the Environment, Refuse Collection and Re-cycling, Planning and Social Housing and collection of Council Tax.. The 'third' level is Oxfordshire County Council, responsible for Highways, Education, and Social Services.
Alan Dawe
