Shaw-cum-Donnington parish is bordered on the east by Shaw Hill and Long Lane, the south by the River Lambourn, the west by Bagnor and the western edge of Donnington Valley Golf Course, and the north by Snelsmore Common. Boundaries can be reviewed from time to time by the District Council and the Electoral Commission. The 2016 register of electors showed over 1,342 people residing in the Parish but as of 11/2022 it is over 1,650.
A parish council must have at least 5 members by law. The usual ways to become a councillor are election, or co-option if a vacancy arises. The normal term of office is 4 years.
The Parish Council owns Donnington Recreation Ground, and Owen Road Field, and is responsible for the maintenance of both, including the Cricket Pavilion and play area. The Council also owns and maintains over 60 lampposts in the parish, four noticeboards, and a number of dog bins and grit bins. The parish council also organised the popular Donnington Fete held on a Sunday in June each year, and litter picks in Spring and Autumn. A newsletter is printed quarterly and distributed by councillors to all residences in the parish, it is also published on this website.
Councillors also work hard to represent the concerns of residents. In particular with regards to road safety the councillors work with volunteers to hold Community Speed Watch sessions on Long Lane and Oxford Road, and have purchased two Speed Indicator Devices which are circulated around five locations in the parish to encourage motorists to stay within the speed limit. The Council is currently campaigning for a safer road crossing by the Castle Pub, and is working with West Berkshire Council for improved road signage in the parish.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend Parish Council meetings, held in the Village Hall on Love Lane on the third Wednesday of every month except August, at 7.30pm. There is an item on every agenda for questions from the public. Also in May each year we have the annual parish meeting where a report is given of the Council’s work in the previous year, and residents are encouraged to attend to ask questions of councillors. A guest speaker is often invited to attend. This meeting is normally held on the first Wednesday of May, also at 7.30pm, and refreshments are served.
In order to contact the Parish Council, please contact Gillian Durrant, Clerk to the Parish Council, tel 07419 323252 or email clerk@shawcumdonningtonparish.gov.uk
