Minutes of the Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 8th May, 2007 at 7.15p.m. in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mr Lemon, Mr Beese, Mrs McBride, Mr Hatfield, Mr Symons, Mrs Heard (Clerk) and one member of the public.
1. Apologies: Mrs Dudney, Mr Parkin, Ms Zweck (KDC, Bedwyn Ward)
2. Election of Officers:
a) Chairman - Mr Lemon proposed by Mr Beese.
b) Vice Chairman – Mrs Dudney proposed by Mr Symons.
c) Planning Chairman – Mr Symons proposed by Mr Lemon.
d) Village Hall Committee – Mrs Dudney, Chairman, proposed by Mrs McBride. Committee to be established.
e) and f) Transport & Police Liaison – Mr Parkin proposed by Mr Symons.
g) Footpaths – Mr Hatfield proposed by Mr Lemon
All unanimously approved.
3. Co-option of Council Members: Mr Lemon proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Haddrell for all his work for the Parish Council as Chairman and Councillor, his contribution will be missed. There are potentially four candidates for the two vacancies and following some discussion it was agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting to consider the candidates and take a vote.
4. The Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of 6th March 2007 were approved (unanimous).
5. Matters Arising: a) Traffic in Dark Lane, E.Grafton. Awaiting further reports. b) Wilton Flood Map. A representative of the Environmental Agency is to attend a meeting in Wilton in June and affected householders to be invited. c) Rubbish at Windmill car bay. KDC have advised that the bins were removed because they were damaged and there is no plan to reinstate them. They will monitor and litter pick in the event of any fly tipping. Any fly tipping reports to KDC on their website below or phone 01380 724911. d) Rain ditch on Grafton Green. Mr Lemon has spoken to the local farmer who cites difficulties caused by a high volume of water and the lie of the land. The farm is organic and DEFRA found no noxious substances in the overflow. The farmer will look at what else might be done.
6. Planning Update: a) Procedure – There was discussion to clarify internal procedures when dealing with Planning Applications. Mrs Heard to ask KDC their policy regarding advising neighbours. It is possible to track planning applications on Kennet’s website: www.kennet.gov.uk. b) General – as notice boards.
7. Hall Report:
a) New build/restoration –Mr Lemon thanked all those who helped make The Game Fair a success. £10,600 was raised at the event to support the Hall project, and after discussion it was agreed to make a one off donation of £1,000 to the Grafton School for their considerable contribution to the running of the Fair. Mr Lemon outlined to the meeting Mrs Dudney’s proposals regarding advising the public about how to maximise any gift aided donations to the fundraising – details to appear in Parish magazines. b)Hall Management, General – Nothing to report.
8. Role of Council’s Police Liaison Officer: For the sake of clarity it was re-stated that Mr Parkin’s role is to liaise between the Parish Council and the Police in support of parishioners, but that all crimes or misdemeanours must be reported directly to the Police by the public in the first instance.
9. Grafton Parish Website: Discussion deferred to the July meeting.
10. Finance: a) Bank Signatories – It was agreed that Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mrs McBride and Mrs Heard be signatories to both the current and deposit accounts (unanimous). b) Cheques – WALC subs £195.29, Allianz Cornhill insurance £910.51, Clerks half-year salary expenses – Mrs Heard - £500/£66.75, Village Halls Assocn. £10.00 (to Mr Lemon), Coronation Hall bookings (max £100, tbc). (All proposed Mrs McBride, seconded Mr Lemon, unanimous).
11. Correspondence: Nothing to report
12. A.O.B. Mr Peter Davenport from Wilton attended the meeting to explain to the P.C. plans for the ‘Music on the Green’ Hall fundraising event taking place on July 20th. Posters will soon appear publicising tickets for sale and the variety of music, including jazz and pop, to be performed by the military band. Following suggestions Mr Davenport will look into clearing any permissions regarding use of Rights of Way. Ticket monies, for this and other events, will be accounted for by the individual events and the final net sum donated to the Hall fundraising account. Mr Lemon thanked Mr Davenport and all involved for their hard work in organising the concert.
Date of future meetings
10th July 2007, 4th September 2007, 6th November 2007,
8th January 2008, 4th March 2008, |