Minutes of the Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 4th March 2008 at 7.15pm in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mr Beese, Mr Hatfield, Mrs McBride, Mrs Comyn, Mr Cannadine, Brigadier Hall (WCC), Mrs Zweck (KDC - Bedwyn Ward), Mrs Heard, Clerk and six members of the public.
1. Apologies: Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalbourne Ward)
2. The Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of 15th January were approved (unanimous).
3. Vote to Vary Code of Conduct to include secret ballots: Proposed by Mr Beese and seconded by Mrs Dudney, with unanimous agreement, to treat co-option voting by written vote.
4. Co-option of New Members: Ballots were held to vote for candidates to fill the two vacancies. Mr Hatfield proposed and Mrs Comyn seconded the four following candidates en bloc: Mrs Susie Brew, Mr Derek Evans, Mr Chris Garman and Rory Norman. Mrs Brew of Wexcombe was co-opted for Grafton South (Shalbourne) and Mr Garman of East Grafton for Grafton North (Bedwyn). Mr Lemon thanked all the candidates for putting themselves forward and welcomed the two new Members. All joined in Mrs Dudney’s proposed vote of thanks to Mr Symons and Mr Parkin for all their hard work for the Parish Council.
5. Matters Arising: a) Wilton - Flood Map. The Environment Agency has had contour readings of Wilton taken and an updated, accurate map is anticipated in the near future. b) Defibrillation in the Community: There was discussion regarding whether volunteers should take responsibility for providing care, versus the need for a faster, readily available, professional response. It was agreed to encourage parishioners to attend the forthcoming AGM on 25th March to discuss this and see a demonstration of the equipment. c) Rubbish behind Coronation Hall: This has now been cleared.
6. Hall Report: a) Fundraising Activities: Mr Lemon wholeheartedly thanked Ms Kate Davis and her colleagues at KDC who have granted £65,000 towards the re-build of Coronation Hall. Further fundraising events are soon to take place and all are welcome, in or out of the Parish, to attend the Game Fair on April 26 and Music on the Green on May 24. Funds currently stand at £90,000. b) Trustee of Coronation Hall: Mrs Dudney described a process to allow credit card transactions, and asked the Parish Council as Trustees to agree its use (proposed Mrs McBride, seconded Mrs Comyn, agreed, excluding Mrs Dudney). Coronation Hall Deeds: For the record Mrs Dudney advised that the Charities Commission were in the process of passing the Deeds to her.
7. Planning Update: Mrs Comyn brought the meeting up to date.
8. East Grafton Village Green – maintenance: Mr Lemon advised that at present no consensus of the owners could be reached regarding joint maintenance. In addition, after discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would look into taking over responsibility for the land outside the Hall, Mrs Dudney and Mr Lemon to investigate.
9. Cheques: a) CPRE Subscription - £27.00 b) Coronation Hall electricity bills to March 08 - £104.12. (Proposed Mr Beese, seconded Mr Hatfield, unanimous).

10. Correspondence: a) General: as listed, nothing to report. b) Audit Commission – Appointment of external Auditors: Mrs Dudney asked if there is a volunteer in the Parish who would conduct the internal audit of the Coronation Hall accounts (please contact Mrs Dudney – 01672 810717).
11. A.O.B. a) Brigadier Hall updated the meeting on the council tax increase of 4.8%, and the move towards Unitary Council; Mrs Zweck pointed out that the local council tax increase would be 2.9%. Brigadier Hall also recommended the WCC’s Meet and Greet events to Members, and congratulated Grafton for their impressively vibrant Parish Council. b) On behalf of Grafton Friendship Club Miss Gilbert advised the meeting of the Club’s 40th anniversary this April. It was agreed that the Parish Council will look into commemorating this event.

Date for future meeting:
25th March 2008 (AGM)