Minutes of the Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 5th May 2009 at 7.15 p.m. at Grafton School, East Grafton
Present : Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mrs Comyn, Mr Pearson, Mr Garman, Mr Beese, Mrs Brew, Mr Hatfield, Mr Evans and Parish Clerk Mrs Evans.
1. There were no apologies.
2. The Minutes:
The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2009 we unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.
3. Election of Officers:
(a) Chairman: Mrs Dudney asked for nominations. Mr Garman nominated Mr Lemon, Mr Beese
Seconded. There were no other nominations and Mr Lemon was unanimously electd as chairman.
All other members of the Parish Council kindly agreed to fulfil their present responsibilities as follows
(b) Vice Chairman: Mrs Dudney.
(c) Planning Chairman: Mrs Comyn.
(d) Village Hall Function Committee: Mrs Dudney.
Rebuilding project : Mr Pearson.
(e) Police, Transport and Safety: Mr Garman.
(f) Correspondence: Mr Beese.
(g) Communications: Mrs Brew.
(h) Footpaths: Mr Hatfield.
(i) Parish Stewards: Mr Evans.
4. Hall Report:
(a) Progress of Building Operations: Mr Pearson advised that the re-building work is progressing very well. The kitchen layout and heating system have been agreed. The heating and electrical contractors have been appointed and the electrical specification and lighting is currently under discussion and will be available in two weeks time. The internal ceiling trusses should be in place in three weeks time and the project is running to schedule.
Mrs Dudney advised it would be beneficial for another “Have your say” meeting to discuss the type of functions at the Hall. She agreed to make enquiries as to how to apply for a full licence at the Hall and time it is likely to take to obtain this licence.
The meeting was advised that Carty’s have ‘lost’ large equipment from site to a value of £750.00; no local residents heard any noise at the time, thought to be Monday night at approximately 10.00 p.m. The Police have been informed.
(b) Meeting Venues: Mrs Dudney advised that the arrangements for meetings being held at the school were working well apart from the forthcoming Election on 4th June 2009. The school would have to be shut and the School Board have not been contacted to this date. Mrs Dudney has made numerous telephone calls and sent endless e-mails requesting information but to date has received no replies.
5. Planning Update:
E/09/0038/FUL: Mr McKay. 238 Hungerford Road EG: New Access: Refused
E/09/0085/TCA: Mrs Hoogeweegen. Little Pipers, EG: Trees: Granted
E/09/0087/TCA: Mr Bennet. Green Hall, EG: Trees: Granted
E/09/0114/FUL: Sherbourne Props, Midden Hollow, Wilton:
Swimming Pool and Pool House: Granted
E/09/0134/TCA: Mr Parking. Hopcroft, EG: Trees: Granted
E/09/0149/TCA: Mr Eady. Culverleaze, EG: Trees: Granted
E/09/0185/FUL: RWS Props, Lalland, Wilton: Demolish and Build new House: Granted
E/09/0223/FUL: Ms Goldstein. 13 Wexcombe: 1 & 2 Storey Extension: Granted
E/09/0276/TCA: Mr Easter. Willow Bank, Wilton: Trees: Granted
E/09/0307/FUL: Mr Dobson. 1 Green Close, EG: Extension and Carport: Outstanding
E/09/0310/FUL: Mr Bennett. Green Hall, EG: Conversion of Garage to
Domestic use: Granted
E/09/0311/FUL: Mr T Beese. Freewarren Farm, EG: Alterations and extensions: Outstanding
E/09/0358/FUL: Mr Stone. Sheppys, 3 Wexcombe: Alteration to Ridge: Outstanding
6. Cheques:
(a). Allianz Insurance Premium - £367.83 (b). K.D.C. – 3 skips to be arranged and cost advised. (c). Bedwyn Link – to be advised (£120.00 - £150.00). (d). C.P.R.E. - £29.00 (e). WALC Subscription - £194.30 (f). Mr Beese and Mr Garman asked for £350.00 for upkeep of Church Car Park and War Memorial, proposed by Mrs Comyn, seconded by Mr Evans. Mr Garman will supply official request letter.
7. Correspondence:
Mr Beese advised no correspondence to report.
8. Speeding Signs:
Mr Garman mentioned a recent article in The Grafton Gazette to which he and another Parishoner had replied. The Flashing Speeding Signs can be purchased by the Parish at a cost of approximately £6,000.00 but it was decided that they would lose their impact if in place permanently. Wiltshire Police have advised that they can come back in 12 months for the same operation but would not install a Speeding Camera as it was deemed traffic was too slow to warrant one. Various methods of slowing traffic were discussed and it was decided to make enquiries with the Pewsey Partnership regarding purchasing a Flashing Speed Sign and sharing between various villages. This to be discussed further at next meeting.
9. Pewsey Area Board Update:
Mrs Brew advised she has received a letter from Wiltshire County Council confirming the move to Pewsey Area Board and a Partnership agreement. She told the Council that she and Mr Garman were made very welcome at the Pewsey meeting they recently attended.
10. Review Parish Clerk’s Contract.
Mr Lemon advised the Council that Mrs Evans’ temporary contract ends in May 2009 and a meeting will be held between Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney and Mrs Evans to discuss a new contract. This was unanimously agreed.
11. Any Other Business:
Mr Evans told the Council that the Parish Steward would be back in our area on June 19th 2009. The state of the roads is deteriorating rapidly and Mr Lemon asked Mr Evans to enquire as to whose responsibility it is to repair the pot holes within the Parish as well as those on the major roads leading to the Parish. Mr Evans will contact the relevant department and advise of outcome at next meeting.
Mrs Brew has received an invitation to the North Wessex Local Action Group to be held in Devizes on 2nd June 2009 and hope to attend and seek out funds for the Defibrillator.
Mr Hatfield advised a new route has been proposed for footpath 8 & 37 in Wilton. He has walked both the routes and reported that the new owner of Midden Hollow has installed a style and gate. He said that if a ditch is levelled then the new route would be fully accessible to the public. He will forward his comments agreeing to the planned new route.
Mrs Brew had a meeting with Mr Philip Schofield from Ham who has offered three free introduction sessions to go through basic CPR and related training between now and the end of 2009. He will then run 3 hour courses during 2010 at a cost of approximately £15.00 per person.
Mr Pearson told Meeting that although final tally is not yet available from the Grafton Game Fair, the Parish had put on an extremely good show. He said not many Parishes would be able to put on such a large and successful event and thanked everyone involved for their contribution.
Meeting ended at 8.15 p.m.