Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 6th May 2008 at 7.15pm in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mr Beese, Mr Hatfield, Mrs Brew, Mrs Comyn, Mr Cannadine, Mr Garman, Mrs Zweck (KDC - Bedwyn Ward), Mrs Heard, Clerk and eight members of the public.
1. Apologies: Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalbourne Ward)

2. Election of Officers:
a) Chairman: Mrs Heard asked for nominations. Mr Beese nominated Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney seconded. Mr Lemon appointed uncontested. The following were also appointed uncontested:
b) Vice Chairman: Mrs Dudney proposed by Mrs Brew, seconded by Mr Hatfield
c) Planning Chairman: Mrs Comyn proposed by Mr Lemon, seconded by Mrs Dudney.
d) Village Hall Function Committee: Mrs Dudney proposed by
Mr Lemon, seconded Mr Hatfield.
e) Police, Transport and Safety: Mr Garman proposed by Mr Beese, seconded Mr Cannadine.
f) Correspondence: Messrs Beese/Cannadine proposed by Mr Lemon, seconded Mrs Brew.
g) Communications: Mrs Brew proposed by Mrs Dudney, seconded
Mr Garman.
h) Footpaths/Parish Stewards: Mr Hatfield proposed by Mr Beese, seconded Mrs Comyn.

3. Co-option of New Members: Ballots were held to vote to fill the vacancy left by Mrs McBride’s resignation. Mr Lemon proposed and Mr Beese seconded the two candidates en bloc. Mr Lemon gave a decider vote following a dead heat and Mr Derek Evans was appointed. Mr Lemon thanked both Mr Evans and Mr George Weldon for putting themselves forward. Mrs Dudney proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs McBride for her work for the Parish Council.

3a The Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of 4th March 2008 were approved (unanimous).

4. Matters Arising: a) Community First Responder Scheme. The ambulance service was unable to provide a demonstration by a responder but Mrs Brew outlined the options available to the Parish. It is likely that any equipment provided would need to be shared with a neighbouring Parish and may be withdrawn. It is possible that a public access defibrillator could be available but would have to be bought by the community. A further option would be basic first aid training for all. Mrs Brew will look into costs in either case. b) Wexcombe – road conditions: Mr Hatfield reported that despite having had assurances from Highways that work would be quickly organised to deal with the water run off from the Fairmile, etc., nothing had happened.
Mrs Zweck kindly agreed to talk to those concerned and report back.


5. Hall Report: a) Fundraising Activities: Mrs Dudney advised that the application for Gift Aid was in. Mr Lemon reported that the Game Fair had achieved a profit of over £17,000, plus £3,000 auction takings for the Great Western cancer care unit. Mr Beese proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Lemon and his family for their hard work, all agreed. Mr Lemon thanked all those who had helped with the event. Mr Lemon asked members to give consideration to what sums might be given to the School and/or the Church. b) Village Fete - Chairman: Mr Lemon pointed out that while there was enthusiasm for a 2008 village fete so far no-one had come forward to act as its Chairman. Mrs Comyn agreed to discuss with the School, but it was generally felt it may be too late to organise for this year.

6. Planning Update: Mrs Comyn brought the meeting up to date, and reported that she had received an apology from KDC for their not taking the PC’s comments into account when reviewing the application for Wilton Cottage.

7. Cheques: a) WALC Subscription - £192.62 b) KDC – 3 community skips @ £55.32 + VAT - £195.00. c) Allianz – insurance premium - £830.13. d) Mrs Heard – Clerk’s ½ year salary/expenses - £600/£70.78. e) Bedwyn Link - £120.00. f) Wiltshire Village Hall Assoc. subs. - £35.00. (Proposed Mr Beese, seconded Mr Garman, unanimous).

8. Correspondence: As listed to the PC. Mr Cannadine advised that there was nothing significant to report.

9. A.O.B. a) Parish Website: Mrs Brew reported that there was high activity around the time of the Game Fair, which has since fallen away. It was agreed that postering the community generated interest, and this should be repeated for Music on the Green. b) Footpath 7: Mr Hatfield agreed to talk to the landowners regarding this footpath’s overgrown state. c) Public disorder incident at the Severalls: Mr Garman has now been advised by PC Bayliss that four were arrested and have been bailed to re-appear on May 21st.
d) Speeding – W. Grafton: Mrs Comyn reported a complaint and it was suggested that the parishioner be advised to contact the Highways Department. e) Mrs Dudney proposed a vote of thanks to Gail Harman for her diligent hall caretaking by filling potholes on the Green, all agreed. f) Proposed removal of the BT Payphone in Wexcombe: Mr Hatfield has spoken to villagers, and the box appears to be little used; the PC will therefore advise BT there is no substantial objection. f) It was agreed that Grafton PC will once again participate in the Emergency Planning exercise – 20th or 27th October.
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Dates for future meetings:
1st July 2008, 2nd September 2008, 4th November 2008,
6th January 2009, 3rd March 2009, 24th March 2009 (AGM)