Annual Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 25th March, 2010 at 7.15pm in Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mr Hatfield, Mrs Brew, Mrs Comyn, Mr Garman, Mr Evans, Mr Beese, Mr Wheeler, Mrs Evans (Clerk) and 22 members of the public.
1. Apologies: Mr Pearson.
2. Minutes of APM 24th March 2009: Mr Lemon summarised the Minutes which were approved unanimously and signed by Mr Lemon.
3. Chairman’s Report: Mr Lemon informed this is his 4th and last APM and thanked all of the Council members for being an efficient team in representing the Parish. He also thanked all Parishioners’ who live on the Green for their efforts in keeping the Green tidy and their patience during the re-build. Mr Lemon mentioned the busy year and matters dealt with during the year including flood damage, pot holes, fly tipping and Community Grants received, and mentioned plans to develop and extend plans for the Grafton Parish web site, the Community News, Defibrillator, continued support to the Grafton Primary School, acoustic problems and the refurbishment of all Parish seats. Mr Lemon also told the meeting that the three years of work to raise £420,000, design and build the new hall received Royal approval with the Duchess of Cornwall formally opening the Hall during February. His report on this work is attached and will be published on the web site: www.graftonparish.com
4. Noise Monitoring System: Mr Garman advised meeting of two options to prevent noise levels at functions disturbing local residents and discussed how these would work. After much discussion Mr Garman proposed option 2 and Mr Beese seconded, all other members agreed in principle.
5. Defibrillator update: Mrs Brew advised training had taken place during 2009 and that 2010 would be a fund raising year as it is hoped to have 5 defibrillators, one in each Hamlet. The first fund raising event, a Sausage tasting and quiz will be held on Saturday 17th April where an S.O.S. Kit for raising the alarm will be launched. Tickets are now on sale. Further events are planned for the year.
6. Wilton Telephone Box: Mrs Hogarth thanked the Parish Council for their support and informed the Adoption fee is £1.00. Wiltshire County Council are supporting the application and B.T. are also in favour. It is proposed that the telephone box will be used as a Tourist Information area advertising events in the Parish including Open Studios and there will be fund raising events twice a year.
7. Reports from local organisations:
(a). PC Derrick Foord informed that East Grafton and its surrounding villages have once again been crime free over the past two months other than a couple of domestic situations being reported. Night crime in Wiltshire as a whole has been a problem with the Police in the area working night duties to catch or deter would be offenders. This appears to have been successful with no similar crimes reported in the past month. His priorities in the past 3 months have been Hare Coursing and Anti Social behaviour in Great Bedwyn. Community Speed watch is being instigated in East Grafton following training of volunteers. Anyone who wishes for home or site visits is asked to contact PC Foord direct at derrick.foord@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
(b). Parochial Church Council. Mr Beese advised meeting that funds are required for the Church to install under-floor heating. The current Vicar is due to retire in 13 months time but Mary Edwards from the Collingbourne’s and four Readers’ are available to take services.
(c). Grafton C.E. Primary School. Mrs Reay told the meeting there are now 19 children attending the school. OFSTED recently graded the school as satisfactory and noted improvements in Maths and Writing among the children. Research has recently been done to find out why more children are not enrolled and the general consensus is that the school is too small, however the school is in partnership with other local schools so the children can enjoy trips and other activities. There are vacancies for School Governers’ and volunteers are required to help the children with reading etc,.
(d). Sunflowers. Mrs Chandler informed there are 30 children on the list and that the group had had a busy year. They were also given an OFSTED satisfactory grade and a new Play Leader is now in situ offering great enthusiasm and ideas.
(e). Toddler Group. Mrs Pearson told the meeting a new toddler group, the Grafton Goslings will be hold regular Friday groups beginning on Friday 23rd April between 10.30 – 12.00 noon during term times. This is for all babies and children under school age who can enjoy arts & crafts, toys, activities, songs and story-telling with their parents, grandparents or carer.
(f). Wilton Cricket Club. Mr Fleckney advised it had been a year of enthusiasm rather than winning, with 3 games won and 7 games lost. Net practice will begin on Friday evenings with better weather and lighter nights and anybody wishing to join the side is welcome to attend.
(g). Grafton Friendship Club. Mrs Lemon told the meeting that the club used to be for the over 60’s but they are now short of members. The club is now being re-named as Friendship to the Parish Club and will hold meetings throughout the year on the first Wednesday of each month from 2.00/2.30 – 4.00 p.m. with a view to helping the Parish in whatever they can. Anyone is welcome to join them at any age.
(h). Wilton Windmill Society. Mr Talbot informed the society is thriving and has sound finances. They now have a Publicity agent and articles are appearing in the local and national press. The next open day is Saturday 15th May 2010 for a Victorian Food Fare.
(i). Grafton Horticultural Society. Mrs Craig informed they have had an enjoyable year with evening outings being very popular. They have received 4 guest speakers for their meetings, had 3 lovely garden visits and a very good Christmas party in the new Hall. One Committee member has left and is very missed and Hilda will be leaving soon. Membership is just £12.00 a year and more members are very welcome.
(j). Wiltshire Council. Mr Wheeler told the meeting that this is the first year of the Unitary Council and he felt it was going very well with only a few problems. The Parish is now in the Pewsey Area Board which he informed had many advantages as any problems will be the same as other villages to easier to resolve. The next Pewsey Area Board meeting is on 29th March 2010 and Mr Wheeler informed all are welcome to attend. Mr Lemon thanked Mr Wheeler for all his help.
8. Any other business. Mrs Dudney informed the Cinema will begin on Thursday 13th May, details of the film to be shown will be on the web site. Mr Fleckney told the meeting of the sad passing of Mr Robin Plank in September last year, Mr Plank had been very keen to help the Parish amongst other things the Christmas decorations and Sleigh used every year. Mr Fleckney’s son and Mr Plank’s son are both doing the London Marathon and require sponsorship please, all monies raised are going to The Anthony Nolan Trust.
Mrs Pearson offered thanks to everyone involved in the big tidy up, 55 people attended in five villages and 20 large bags were filled with rubbish from hedgerows and footpaths leading into the various villages. Mrs Craig commented on dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs.
The meeting finished at 20.30 hours.