Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 1st September 2009
at Village Hall & Grafton School, East Grafton.
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Brew, Mrs Comyn, Mr Garman, Mr Pearson, Mr Beese, Mr Evans and Mrs Evans – Clerk and two members of the public.
Apologies: Mrs Dudney and Mr Hatfield.
The meeting began at at the new Coronation Hall for an update. Mr Lemon and Mr Pearson advised everything was on schedule. The under floor heating coils and their screed are now in place inside the main section of the hall and this require 3 weeks to dry before the sprung floor is installed. During this time work will begin on wall plastering and light fittings and furnishing of kitchen area. Mrs Brew and Mrs Comyn updated on said furnishings. The type of surface to be laid on the outside ground area around the hall was discussed, and no decision has yet been taken with regard to the final colour of the tarmac. Quotations are currently being sought for the various options. There is the possibility of block paving but this would take the re-build approximately £5,500.00 over budgeted costs. Also the hedge alongside the hall will be cut to the same height and width as neighbouring hedges in Green Close and a shrub will be lifted to enable a gate to be installed. Mrs Comyn will contact and discuss this matter with a Tree Surgeon.
Mr Lemon advised that it is planned to have 8 – 12 activities going on in the Hall at the official opening and asked for ideas to give real impact to Press and publicity.
The Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 7th July 2009 were adopted unanimously, proposed by Mrs Comyn, seconded by Mrs Brew.
Matters Arising:
Defibrillator Training: Mrs Brew advised that the first Training session in July was well attended and that Richard was an excellent instructor. Leaflets relating to future meetings on 12th September and 19th November have been delivered around the Parish in the hope that younger people, especially teenagers would attend. Some places are still available and anyone wishing to book a please can contact Mrs Brew. The remaining 2 training sessions are free of charge but future sessions will be chargeable. She also offered thanks to Sue Vallis, Ann Dudney, Phil Baldwin, Hilary Arnold-Baker and Caroline Pearson for distributing the leaflets. A fund raising committee needs to be arranged for the end of the year to deal with fund raising and Mrs Brew told the committee she had one person totally committed already and any fund raising ideas would be appreciated. The British Heart Foundation has no funds available at this time but Mrs Brew has joined a web site which gives advice on how to apply for trust funds which may help.
Hall Report: Mr Lemon said it was still intended that the annual Christmas Party at the Coronation Hall will take place and all work was right on course to be finished in time.
Planning update: As per attached list but Mrs Comyn advised that 2 trees on the Green are badly diseased and that she will consult with a Wiltshire Council and a Tree Surgeon regarding making them safe. Mr Lemon thanked Mrs Comyn on behalf of all for all her efforts and hard work regarding Planning issues, this was agreed by all.
Parish Accounts: Mr Lemon explained Accounts to all Councillors’. Mr Bees proposed they be accepted, Mr Evans seconded, unanimous agreement that they should be adopted.
Cheques: Mrs Evans advised no cheques were required but told the Committee she had applied for a Cleaning Grant to help with litter picking and the Council had been awarded £70.00.
Correspondence: Mr Bees advised nothing received to date and Mrs Evans passed on various leaflets.
Pewsey Area Board Update: Mrs Brew advised there will be a Board meeting in September with Highways and Police attending and she would be submitting forms relating to Highways as discussed last year, these include road flooding, heavy vehicles, road maintenance, speeding and verge maintenance to Caroline Brailey who would present them to the Board.
Mr Garmen advised there was nothing to report at this meeting regarding the Partnership.
Any other business: Mrs Brew informed the Committee that The Grafton Gazette was unfortunately no longer being printed due to lack of funds. It was decided that a monthly Parish magazine benefits everyone and it was agreed that Mr Bees, Mr Lemon and Mrs Comyn will arrange a meeting with the Editor of the Grafton Parish News to discuss possibility of it being published every month.
Mr Dobson showed the Committee a set of 2009 commemorative coins he had purchased from the Royal Mint along with a wooden shield he had produced from 200 year old timber and suggested a design using the smaller coins which could be attached to one of the beams in the new hall, the committee all agreed he should proceed.
Mr Evans asked Mrs Brew if the signs he had reported in need of re-painting had been completed, these have not and Mr Evans will discuss this at his next meeting with Parish Steward. The Parish Steward will contact Mr Lemon direct regarding a gulley near the Roman Road in the hope of stopping flooding in Wilton in future.
Mr Bees commented that members of the public walking between Grafton and Wilton are walking on the road and not the footpath whilst dogs were on footpath. Mr Lemon advised that people and their pets were walking inside his field and that the grass area is actually for birds and wildlife. Mr Evans advised that the Parish Steward is unable to clear the footpath due to lack of time but will contact the Engineer to widen and clear the footpath.
The meeting ended at 2025 hours.
Next meeting: Tuesday 3rd November 2009