ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS FOR: 25 March 2008, 27 March 2007 and 28 March 2006 are shown below:
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 25th March 2008 at 7.15 p.m. in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton (Draft)
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Dudney, Mr Beese, Mrs Comyn, Mr Cannadine, Mrs Brew, Mr Garman, Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalbourne Ward), Mrs Heard (Clerk) and approx. 20 members of the public.
The meeting was preceded by refreshments and a chance for parishioners to meet and talk to the Parish Councillors.
1. Apologies: Mr Hatfield
2. The Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting of 27th March 2007 were approved and signed by Mr Lemon (unanimous)
3. Matters Arising: Nothing to report.
4. Chairman’s Report: Mr Lemon thanked all Members for their help and
support over the past year and welcomed the new Councillors. He took the opportunity to thank Mr Parkin and Mr Symons for their considerable contribution. During the year the Parish Council have made representations on a wide range of matters, including ‘One Council for Wiltshire’, signs at Dark Lane, flooding, the Coronation Hall rebuild project, and gave support to the retention of Savernake hospital and the Bedwyn commuter train campaign. Seven major activities have taken place in the Parish to raise funds for the Hall with many parishioners meeting and working together and deriving satisfaction from their efforts.
5. Reports from Local Organisations:
a) Wiltshire Constabulary – PC Bayliss reported that there had been 16 crimes in the area, not including hare coursing, which was a particular problem locally. Crimes included a burglary, and some street fighting - for which two people were arrested. PC Bayliss advised that metal stealing was on the increase and householders should disguise lead, etc where possible, and there was evidence of mistreatment of horses, for which people should be vigilant.
b) Parochial Church Council - Godfrey Beese told the meeting that the church was attracting a younger congregation and experiencing increased numbers, e.g. 110 attended at Christmas. Financing the church continued to be challenging and Mr Beese encouraged everyone to attend the fundraising concert on April 12.
c) Bedwyn Link – Vanessa Fleckney advised that four Grafton families use this service regularly and its local drivers work together with Bedwyn organisers to take people to medical appointments, etc. More drivers are needed and the Link welcomes news of other potential users of the service
d) Grafton Friendship Club – Libby Gilbert said that the membership was steady at 12, and they had a varied program of outings, bring and buys and demonstrations. The Club celebrates its 40th birthday in April and has recently changed its joining age to 50 and over. New members always welcome.
e) Coronation Hall - .Ann Dudney reported on the work done by a small committee to produce a plan for the new hall. Outline permission has been given for an oakframed building. Parking would be on hard standing honeycombed concrete outside the Hall. £26,000 has been gift aided, with promises of £71,000. A Lottery application has been made for the remainder. Mrs Dudney thanked Mr Symons for all his guidance and help.
f) Wilton Windmill – Andy Pack reported that the mill was in good condition and working well. It has been inspected and approved by the Council for flour production and hygiene. There are plans for more milling as well as a Wild West Open Day on June 29 – tickets from The Swan or Bedwyn Post Office. John Talbot reminded the meeting that the Windmill has marquees that can be hired by the public
g) Music on the Green – Major General Walsh advised that preparations for the event were going very well and thanked all the people, including those living around the Green, for their help. Sponsors are needed for this fantastic event which includes a Red Devils parachute drop, a fly-past, a variety of music, and refreshments from ‘The Swan on the Green’. Tickets are available now and information is on the www.graftonparish.com website. Proceeds will benefit the Hall rebuild and army benevolent funds.
h) Grafton C.E. Primary School – Sue Winstanley reported that the School now has 31 pupils. There are plans for further building improvements and making space for Key Stage 1. Inspiring teachers and experts are being brought in for special couching, e.g. singing, and the School’s profile and reputation are growing thanks to the teamwork of staff, governors and committees.
i) Wilton Cricket Club – Fixtures for the coming year are soon to be finalised and there will be 10/12 matches. New members are always welcome – contact Mike Fleckney
j) Grafton Horticultural Society – The Society has approximately 30 members and has a program of talks and visits planned for the coming year. New members are very welcome – contact Gwenda Merriott.
6. Community First Response: Susie Brew explained that this was an initiative to provide initial care and improve the survival rate of cardiac arrest patients. There was discussion about the effect on responders in dealing with emergencies, as well as the training and commitment involved. On a show of hands it was decided that the PC would get more information and hopefully organise a representative to attend our May meeting.
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Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 27th March 2007 (Agreed)
At 7.15 p.m. in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mr Lemon, Mrs Fleckney, Mrs Dudney, Mr Haddrell, Mr Parkin, Mrs McBride, Mr Beese, Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalbourne Ward), Mrs Heard (Clerk).
1. Apologies: Mr Symons, Brigadier Hall (WCC).
2. The Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting of 28th March 2006 were approved and signed by Mr Lemon (Proposed Mrs Fleckney, seconded Mrs Dudney and approved by the P.C.).
3. Matters Arising:
a) Traffic in Dark Lane – Following discussion it was agreed to consider further the positioning of the sign, its wording and whether signs should be at each end of the Lane. Mr. Lemon and Brigadier Hall to report back.
b) Community skips – One each have been ordered for Wilton and The Severalls for April 13th.
c) The Environmental Agency has offered to visit Wilton to discuss their Flood Map of the village. Mrs Heard to organise with interested parties.
4. Chairman’s Report: Mr Lemon thanked the members for their help and support over the last year. He gave special thanks to Mrs Fleckney, who is standing down after many years of working on behalf of the Parish. During the year the PC has made representations on a wide range of matters, including the potential closures of Savernake Hospital and Bedwyn Station, and has dealt with concerns such as anti-social behaviour, and dog fouling. 82% of the parish responded to a survey with 3:1 in favour of rebuilding the Coronation Hall, and the results of Stage 1 of the application to the Big Lottery for funding should be known by the end of August. The Parish Council wish to encourage everyone to join in with all the activities in the Parish, and we want to hear about ideas to improve the wellbeing of our community.
5. Reports from Local Organisations
a) Wiltshire Constabulary – P.C. Bayliss reported that since July 2006 there had been two burglaries and two other thefts from a shed and a renovation project in the area. There had been four thefts from vehicles, four communications offences, one assault, one fraud reported, fly tipping, hare coursing nearby and offensive behaviour – totalling seventeen crimes. Four of the reported cases, including the assault, were solved. Consultations have shown there to be three areas of concern in the community: - rowdy behaviour, speeding and dog fouling.
b) Parochial Church Council: Mr Beese reported that the church continues to build on improved attendance. In order that the PCC is not competing with the Hall’s fundraising efforts he asked for liaison to benefit all local organisations.
c) Bedwyn Link: Mrs Fleckney reported that Bedwyn have expressed their gratitude for Grafton’s £100 towards running costs, which are not covered by general donations. The Parish Council is very grateful to Bedwyn for including Grafton in its area of operation.
d) Grafton C.E. Primary School: Headteacher Mrs Parr sent a report that the children were working hard towards SAT Tests. Pupil numbers have been increasing and they were encouraging this trend. People from the community are always welcome to visit and see the work of the school, or lend a hand with activities.
e) Wilton Cricket Club: Another successful year with six wins and three defeats in the summer season, and participation in the winter leagues. There are practice nets in the village, where children are also welcome, although they must be supervised by their parents. New members are always welcome.
f) Grafton Friendship Club: Mrs Hatfield sent a report that there had been another active year of enjoyable talks and lunches. Mr Lemon praised the Committee’s hard work in maintaining this important community project and asks everyone to contribute ideas for its future success.
g) Coronation Hall: (see Chairman’s report)
h) Grafton Horticultural Society: Mrs Merriott sent a report that 20-40 members attend the seven talks plus garden visits during the year, with members coming from Burbage and Bedwyn as well as within the Parish. Future talks include Garden Design and Autumn Colour. New members always welcome.
i) Wilton Windmill: Mr Lemon reported that milling is to take place as soon as the winds allow. The mill will open once again at Easter and a Wild Food Day will take place on June 9th. More guides are needed to keep this popular venue open through the season.
j) WCC – One Council for Wiltshire. Brigadier Hall and Councillors Veasey and Cummins feel a single council would not be beneficial to the community. He advised that there will be more Government meetings and some local consultation on introducing unitary councils.
6. A.O.B. – Nothing to report
7. Meeting open for public discussion: The meeting was closed during the early stages to allow public discussion of the traffic flow in Dark Lane.
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Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Grafton Parish Council held on 28th March 2006 (Agreed)
At 7.15 p.m. in the Coronation Hall, East Grafton
Present: Mrs Fleckney, Mrs Dudney, Mr Parkin, Mr Symons, Mrs McBride, Mr Veasey (KDC – Shalborne Ward), Mrs Cummins (KDC – Bedwyn Ward), Mrs Heard (Clerk).
1. Apologies: Mr Haddrell, Mr Baxter, Mr Beese, Mr Lemon, Brigadier Hall (WCC).
2. The Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting of 29th March 2005 were approved and signed by Mrs Fleckney. (Proposed Mr Parkin, seconded Mrs Dudney and approved by the P.C.).
3. Matters Arising: Speed Limit Grafton – After some discussion regarding continued speeding P.C. Macdonald offered to look into periodic speed checks with colleagues.
3. Chairman’s Report: Mrs Fleckney reported that due to good financial management over many years the precept has been held at £3,000 for four years now, despite rising costs relating to the Hall. There have been various instances of antisocial behaviour, which have been reported to the police, and speeding remains an issue. Mrs Fleckney proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Dennis Compton of the Highways Department, who is retiring this year, for his helpful and friendly advice over a long period, including recent help regarding visibility issues relating to the hedge at The Windmill Restaurant. The scheme to show films in the Hall was not a success due to lack of support but may be revived in the future. Mrs Fleckney thanked Mr Symons for his work as Planning Chairman. She also thanked the Parish, District and County Councillors, and the Clerk, for their help and support over the past year.
4. Reports from Local Organisations
a) Local Police – P.C. Macdonald joined the Wiltshire Constabulary in August. She reported 12 crimes in the Parish comprising burglaries and vehicle thefts. There were rising numbers of burglaries in neighbouring Burbage and the public should be vigilant. Also noted were problems with cold callers, beauty spot thefts, and hare coursing with lurchers. There was some discussion about litter louts and damage to personal property in Linden Close and Mrs Dudney requested a police presence.
b) Parochial Church Council: Over the past year attendance numbers at services have been consistently above those of previous years. St Nicholas Church PCC is actively reaching out to new and existing members of the community, and seeking new ways of raising much needed funds. A successful Sunday School has been established and the Church is striving to maintain its own identity and individual church service timetable within the local cluster group of churches. It was noted that some parishioners have registered their disappointment that the popular Mother’s Day Service was cancelled despite growing numbers.
c) Bedwyn Link: Grafton Link was recently absorbed into Bedwyn’s volunteer driver scheme, who have expressed their gratitude for Grafton’s £100 donation towards running costs. The Parish Council is very grateful to Bedwyn for taking on this responsibility.
d) Grafton C.E. Primary School: The Chair of Governors, Ms Goldstein, outlined the extensive range of activities organised for the pupils, including residential trips and professional sports coaching. The new teaching area is working well and SATS results
are very good. There is a strong and active body of eleven Governors and close links with the Church. The pre-school club and after-school activities have also forged strong links with the community. There is a five-year strategic plan in place and pupil numbers are growing.
e) Wilton Cricket Club: Another successful year with over twelve games during the
season and the team winning more than it lost. There is a pool of 40 players and the club additionally competed again this year in Marlborough’s Winter League. New members are always welcome.
f) Grafton Friendship Club: Mrs Jenny Hatfield reported on the enjoyable talks and
lunches attended by the fifteen members. There were talks on such as VE Day, tea at Manor Farm and a bring-and-buy that raised £415. Although numbers have dwindled volunteers are very much needed for this much appreciated Club.
g) Wilton Windmill: Mr Bill Marchant-Smith reported that the maintenance programme
has been completed and milling is to take place as soon as the winds allow. The mill will open once again at Easter and a family Fun Day will take place on June 4th.
h) Grafton Horticultural Society: It was another good year for the Club with lots of
interesting talks on such as clematis care. Garden trips are planned, including on to Biddestone Manor in June. Membership costs £10 p.a. and new members are always welcome.
i) Village Hall: Mr Baxter reported that for commercial and financial reasons the Parish
Council took over the running of the Coronation Hall in 2005. In the past year the Committee have dealt with issues such as the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and health and safety. Remedial work has been done to the electricity system and consideration given to other structural problems. As a result of extensive discussion a decision has been taken to look into replacing the existing building and cost implications are being considered before obtaining the views of parishioners.
5. A.O.B.
a) School Fundraising: A one-off clay shoot will take place on 23rd April.
b) Planning: Mrs Cummins commended the Council on its handling of the recent application to build a Marina at Crofton. She recommended continued vigilance in protecting the site.
Future Meetings
2nd May 2006, 4th July 2006, 5th September 2006, 7th November 2006,
2nd January 2007, 6th March 2007, 27th March 2006 (AGM)