Minutes of the Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 2nd May, 2006 at 7.15p.m. in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mrs Fleckney, Mr Lemon, Mrs McBride, Mr Beese, Mr. Haddrell, Mr Symons, Mr Baxter, Mrs Dudney, Mr Parkin, Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalborne Ward), Mrs Heard (Clerk) and two members of the public.
1. Apologies: Mrs Cummins (KDC – Bedwyn Ward)
2. Election of Officers: Mrs Fleckney announced that she would not be standing for re-election and Mrs Heard asked for nominations for Chairman. a) Mr Beese proposed Mr Lemon, Mr Haddrell seconded. Mr Lemon accepted and the nomination was unanimously agreed.
Other posts were accepted as follows: b) Vice Chairman – Mrs Dudney, proposed by Mrs Fleckney, seconded Mr Parkin, c) Planning Chairman - Mr Symons, proposed Mr Haddrell, seconded Mr Beese, d) Village Hall Function Committee Chairman – Mr Baxter, proposed Mrs Dudney, seconded Mrs Fleckney, e) f) g) Transport, Police, Footpaths – Mr Parkin, proposed Mrs McBride, seconded Mr Haddrell. Mr Lemon called for a vote of thanks to Mrs Fleckney for all her hard work as Chairman, unanimously agreed.
3. The Minutes: The Minutes of the meetings of 7th March were approved. (Proposed Mrs Dudney, seconded Mrs Fleckney and approved by the P.C.)
4. Matters Arising: a) Dropped Curb at Hungerford Road, East Grafton – Mrs Fleckney reported that the work is now in KDC’s budget and will proceed. b) Community Policing – Mr Parkin will liaise with P.C. Chrissie MacDonald, the local community policing officer, to address the concerns raised by residents of Lynden Close regarding antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood. c) Rail Service from Great Bedwyn – Following the action of Jane Goldstein and members of local pressure groups First Great Western have issued a press release advising that major cuts will not be made to the service in the near future.
5. Hall Report: a) Building Works – Mr Symons reported on progress regarding obtaining funding for a new Hall from such as the Lottery Fund and the Sports Council; he also awaits news from KDC. Draft plans have been drawn for consideration to go forward for planning permission. There was discussion regarding possibly relocating to another site in the village. b) Village Halls Meeting, Health and Safety Regulations – Mrs Fleckney reported on the meeting, which gave useful information on necessary safety obligations.
6. Planning Update: General discussion took place.
7. Cheques: a) Allianz Cornhill – insurance - £886.56, b) Clerk’s salary – Mrs Heard, half year/expenses - £500/£52.45, c) Information Commissioner – Data Protection Act - £35, d) Hall Electrical Repairs - SEC - £978.19, e) WALC Subs - £176.78. (All proposed Mr Beese, seconded Mrs Dudney).
8. Parish Lengthsmen – The Kennet workforce have undertaken repairs to potholes in Hollow Lane, at Dodsdown and on the un-adopted road leading to the Village Hall. They have checked the road drains by the Old Bakery and Dark Lane in Grafton. Mr Parkin will act as liaison officer in future.
9. Correspondence: a) Possible Closure Savernake Minor Injuries Unit – Mrs McBride is to act as PC representative regarding Primary Care Trust issues and will attend the Public Meeting on May 8th to support resistance to any possible closures and report back to the Council. Mr Veasey advised that KDC will mount a fierce campaign in opposition to any proposals to close facilities at Savernake Hospital. He believed the Hospital provided a first class service in a superb atmosphere. b) Annual Highways Meeting, 10th May – Mr Parkin will take responsibility for monitoring.
10 A.O.B:
1) Mr Lemon advised that in addition to the above the following would be responsible for reporting to the Council on designated ongoing matters: a) Mrs Dudney – The Welcome Pack and the Parish website, b) Mr Symons – Hall renovations (also Mr Haddrell post-July), c) Mr Parkin – Kennet’s new waste collection proposals,
d) Mrs McBride – Kennet strategic development plans e) Mrs Fleckney/Mr Beese – specific new projects.
2) Mr Lemon reported on the very successful clay-shoot school fundraiser that took place in Wilton and raised over £3,000. The Easter Eggstravaganza in the village also raised over £200 for charitable purposes. Mr Lemon thanked all those involved.
3) Mr Veasey suggested that any questions regarding operating the new waste collection proposals be addressed to Mr Mark Smith’s department at KDC.
Dates of future meetings
4th July 2006, 5th September 2006, 7th November 2006,
2nd January 2007, 6th March 2007, 27th March 2007 (AGM) |