The Parish Council

Parish Councils

Civil Parish Councils were first created in 1889 and through evolving legislation emerged in their current form in 1997.  The word “parish” is the old English word for local territory or catchment area.  A Parish Council is the most local elected body within the system of English Local Government. The Government's White Paper on devolving more power to local authorities, including Parish Councils, has recently been published.  However, as yet there is little information about how these new powers are to be financed.

Shiplake Parish Council

Our Parish Council should consist of nine councillors elected every four years to represent a population of approximately 1,400 electors. (Click on the following link to see the boundaries of the Parish: Parish Boundaries).  The Councillors elect their Chairman and Vice Chairman annually in May.

Council Responsibilities & Budget                                                 

Council Members

Future Meetings  2012

Meetings are usually held in the Memorial Hall on the second Monday starting at 7.45pm.

Latest Parish Council Meeting Minutes:      Click: Parish Council Latest Minutes

Ann Law

Ann hails from Yorkshire, but she moved to  Shiplake 42 years ago with her family. She wanted to put something back into the community that became her new home and has been a Shiplake Parish councillor for over 20 years.  Ann’s main work on behalf of the Council has focused on her role as their representative on the Governing Body of Shiplake Primary school.  Ann is also on the Editorial Panel for this Newsletter.

Joy Arnott

Joy was born in Hendon and after finishing her education moved to Australia where she spent the next 35 years.  She worked initially as a property manager and latterly she managed business centres in Brisbane.  She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.  In 2004 she moved back to the UK and has lived in Shiplake for  four years. She works for Simmons & Sons in Henley and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Henley Bridge. She has been very impressed by the community spirit in Shiplake and is keen to play a part in retaining that character and charm.

Roger Head

Roger has lived in Binfield Heath all his life and is the third generation of his family to do so.  He has taken an active role in the community from early age and has been a Parish Councillor for over thirty years, including a period as the Chairman.  Roger is also an active member of the local branch of the Royal  British Legion and he currently represents both the Parish Council and the British Legion on the Memorial Hall Management Committee.   

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Geoff Thomas

Geoff moved to Shiplake with his wife, Pippa, and family in 1981, attracted by its village and riverside environment.

His three daughters all went to Shiplake Primary School, where he served on the PTA and became Deputy Chairman.

Having recently retired from his role as Personnel Director with an international organisation, Geoff joined the council  at the end of last year and is a member of the Planning Working Party. His interests include sailing, rowing, rugby and the arts.

Tudor Taylor - Chairman

Tudor his wife Sally and his two sons have lived in the village for some 15 years. He has had a long association with Shiplake through his wife's family and was married in St Peter and St Paul's church over 30 years ago.

Tudor has spent all of his working life in UK Financial Services taking a number of senior roles across the industry. He joined the Council in September 2009 and is keen to to do whatever it takes to protect the village and it's environment; to build on it's great sense of community and to ensure it remains the great place it is to live in.

Tudor's interests include walking, travelling, the arts and, not surprisingly, given his Welsh roots - rugby.

David Pheasant

Originally from Yorkshire, David moved south at the start of his career and was introduced to Shiplake forty years ago, when he met his wife Vivien, who was living in Henley. Living in Shiplake was always one of their long term aims, which they realised 8 years ago. One of their daughters also lives in the village with her family.  For the past 30 years he has been a director of international technology and software companies working in Europe, America and Asia. David is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Member of the British Computer Society.

He joined the Council in 2011 wanting contribute to the good work of the Council in ensuring the village retains its character, community and desirability as a wonderful place for individuals and families of all ages to live.

Gregg Davies

Born in North Wales but having lived most of his life in Scotland, Gregg  has been Headmaster of Shiplake College since 2004. He is married to Alison, a Magistrate in Reading and a part time teacher at the College and they have a daughter, Anna. Since his appointment Gregg has worked hard to increase the College’s involvement with the community. An active sportsman in the past, Gregg also refereed rugby up to international standard .

He joined the Council in 2011 with a wish to work with others to improve the village. His interests include log chopping and loud singing and he recently invested in a 30 year old motor boat which his family will no doubt enjoy once he can make it work!

Chris Smith

Chris Smith has lived in Shiplake for 10 years with his wife, Liz and two teenage sons.  I spend much of my time working from home so I feel very much part of the community, even though I also travel often into London and sometimes overseas.  I have over 20 years experience as a consultant, coach and business manager working with a range of industries.  I am a Director at Bath Consultancy Group, which is now part of General Physics Inc, a US based consulting firm.   I joined the Parish Council because I want to give something to my local community and to quietly make a difference to the lives of people.   I think I would bring lots of experience in being part of a team, on a board etc.  I enjoy looking at issues and working with others to identify the best way forward.  I am also used to getting things organised and making things happen.  

Councillor Profiles