Minutes of the meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 5th January 2010 at 1915 hrs in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton.
Present: Mrs Dudney, Mrs Brew, Mrs Comyn, Mr Garman, Mr Evans, Mr Beese, Mr Pearson, Mr Wheeler, Mrs Evans – Clerk, and two members of the public.
1. Apologies: Mr Lemon, Mr Hatfield and PC Foord.
2. The Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of 9th November 2009 were adopted unanimously, proposed by Mrs Brew, seconded by Mrs Comyn.
3. Planning: Mrs Comyn referred to her latest planning update. One new item arrived on 5th and would be discussed separately after the Parish Council meeting. Both diseased trees on East Grafton Green are to be removed and replaced by the owners, one probably during next week.
4. Hall Report: Mr Pearson informed the meeting that the new hall had been put to good use over the Christmas and New Year period. A meeting is planned for next week to sort out any loose ends including the fan which leaks onto the path outside.
5. Community Grants: Mrs Brew had collated all grant applications.
Mr Wheeler informed the meeting that these would be discussed next Monday at Burbage when grants will be issued; details will be available at next meeting.
There are 4 projects:
Access to Technology: Applied for 2 P.Cs and printer to enable training for various groups.
Parish Communications: Applied for 3 months of printing.
Youth Club: Documents being prepared.
Defibrillator: Mrs Brew advised fund raising would start this year.
It was suggested that “air horns” may be purchased. Other Parish Councils have found these to be a good alarm system in remote areas to provide recognisable “calls for help”. Mrs Brew has contacted a company for information regarding costs and will inform Parish Council at next meeting.
6. Accounts and Precept: Mrs Dudney advised that a Manager at Mazars had confirmed the accounts for 2008/2009 were correct. Paperwork was received by Parish Clerk Monday 4th January 2010.
Precept: Mrs Dudney outlined why costs differed from previous years; largest increase is due to insurance of new hall. Mr Wheeler informed he would query Election Fee and advise outcome at next meeting. Mr Pearson asked why Village Design Statement costs were so high and Mrs Dudney informed that a professional would need to be employed to advise on technical issues and that it involved public meetings, questionnaires and other administrative expenditure. Mrs Brew asked if funding was available, Mr Wheeler offered to make enquiries. Approval of figures was proposed by Mr Pearson and seconded by Mr Evans, all other members agreed unanimously.
7. Finance: Mazars (Accounts Audit) £80.50 – Proposed by Mr Garman, seconded by Mr Evans.
Mrs Evans (Parish Clerk) six months salary to end of December 2009 - £600.00 – Proposed by Mrs Brew, seconded by Mr Pearson.
Mr Hatfield had previously requested a deposit for work to village benches and notice boards but Mr Hatfield did not attend meeting and no invoice was produced, it was unanimously decided to wait for an invoice before issuing a payment.
8. Police Report: Mr Garmen read out the report from P.C. Foord who informed the meeting that there was little crime over the Christmas and New Year period in the Grafton Parish.
Speeding issues:
Metro equipment will be installed in Grafton and on the Fairmile.
Vehicle weight signs are under discussion for Wilton in response to the Parish Councils concern regarding traffic through the village.
9. Pewsey Area Board: Mrs Brew informed there is a meeting next Monday where discussions will include large vehicles using the A338 and speeding in East Grafton. She will update Parish Council at next meeting of outcome.
Mr Garmen advised that Wiltshire Development Plan for the period to 2026 had been discussed. Wiltshire requires 40,000 new homes of which 6,000 need to be in East Wiltshire. 500 are allocated to the entire Pewsey Community area but as 60% have already been built the remaining total new homes for construction between 2010 and 2026 is only 200.
10. Any other business: Mrs Brew requested that the decision not to purchase the telephone box in Wilton be looked into again as other Parish Council’s appear to have used them to benefit. After discussion this was proposed by Mrs Brew and seconded by Mrs Comyn. A vote was taken and unanimously agreed. Mrs Brew will now contact Mrs Nunu Hogarth to reactivate this project.
Meeting ended at 2005 hours. Next meeting: 2nd March 2010