Working Groups

What Are Working Groups?

Our ongoing work and key projects are shared across a series of working groups and subgroups. Each working group has a lead councillor and features at least one other councillor. In some cases, local residents or a local group may be invited to be affiliated with a working group, and/or to lead or be a member of a sub group.

A working group is responsible for progressing specific areas of work and projects and for submitting plans, recommendations and proposals related to these to the Parish Council for its consideration. Working groups are not empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Parish Council. This sets them apart from a formal Committee of the Council, such as the Planning Committee, that does act on behalf of the full Council.

Our Working Groups

For full details of our working groups, subgroups and committees:
Download Our Structure and Working Groups (PDF, 118kb) 

Communication 

Oversees our ongoing communications, projects and actions. This includes our website, newsletter, social media and annual report, media liaison and crisis and reputation management.

TBA – Lead, Laura Edmonds, Margaret McDonald, John McDermott

Environment & Rural Affairs

Proposes and monitors projects and actions in relation to our green spaces and the natural environment. This includes areas such as The Marshes, Van Demans, Swallowfield Meadow and the Community Orchard, as well as footpaths. It also involves maintaining links with Wokingham Borough Council, having a biodiversity plan, waste and recycling and NAG and RCAG meetings. Also proposes and monitors projects and actions to help address the climate emergency, working in collaboration with our other working groups where relevant.   

Louise Smith – Lead, Margaret McDonald

Van Demans (Sub-group)

Angela King (Resident) – Lead, Louise Smith, Margaret McDonald, plus residents

Finance

Oversees our finances, including budgets, investments, accounts and annual returns, bank accounts and reserves, the precept, grants, CIL receipts, asset management, risk assessment, health and safety, audit and insurance.

John Anderson – Lead, Catherine Drew, Laura Edmonds

Halls

Oversees the general maintenance, upkeep and running of our halls. This includes marketing, compliance, health and safety, engagement with users and safeguarding.

Margaret McDonald – Lead, Catherine Drew, John McDermott

Health and Wellbeing

Proposes and monitors projects and actions in relation to local health and wellbeing issues, including Wokingham Borough Council Health and Social Care, South Central Ambulance Service, the Clinical Commissioning Group, Swallowfield Medical Practice, Swallowfield Community Responders, Heartstart Swallowfield, Citizens’ Advice Wokingham and the Calico Trust.

Simon Taylor – Lead, Margaret McDonald, John Anderson, Louise Smith (Schools)

Human Resources

Overseas our members of staff and all HR matters, including performance management and appraisals, recruitment, staff training, remuneration, staff wellbeing & discipline.

Catherine Drew – Lead, John Anderson, Margaret McDonald

Property

Overseas our premises and properties including Fieldfare Court, Swallowfield Parish Stores, our halls and clubhouse buildings (structure, fixtures & fittings), leases, grazing licences and land titles.

Catherine Drew – Lead, John Anderson, Simon Taylor, John McDermott

Recreation

Proposes and monitors projects and actions in relation to our recreation grounds and play areas, football pitches, tennis courts and RSF Tennis Club, the skate park; allotments and Swallowfield Parish Allotment Association (SPAA).

Simon Taylor – Lead, Louise Smith, Laura Edmonds

Resilience

Proposes and monitors projects and actions in relation to certain threats and issues, including flooding, ditches, rivers and sewerage. This also includes wider involvement with issues relating to public safety, a Local Emergency Plan and emergency equipment. 

Margaret McDonald – Lead

Flood Resilience - (Subgroup)

Graham Stanley (Resident) – Lead, Margaret McDonald plus residents

Transport

Proposes and monitors projects and actions in relation to road issues, Speedwatch, public and private transport.

Simon Taylor – Lead