The Parish council held its monthly meeting on 5th January at the village hall with 4 parish councillors present also the county councillor and 16 members of the public in attendance.
During the open part of the meeting the chair-holder of the village hall committee, Lesley French, gave a report mentioning that the improvements needed to the side approach to the hall would proceed although an application for a grant has been unsuccessful.
Members of the public expressed their concern about a recent robbery at the White Lion Inn.
The main meeting commenced with a lengthy discussion on the prospect of re-opening the village shop and post office. The sub committee reported on progress with a community survey which was still in progress and which appeared to be inconclusive based on the number of responses received to date. After animated discussion it was proposed that a further meeting would be held two weeks later in order to arrive at a firm decision.
A report on progress with the parish plan was submitted by chairman John Cunliffe who explained that the village design statement had been amended where the Borough council had indicated and stated that 300 copies of the plan would be printed for distribution to the 206 households in the parish.
Councillor Swindell gave a report on Neighbourhood Watch and stated that he has received some 20 names of concerned residents willing to re-energise this important crime prevention organisation.
The County Councillor Phillip Morris-Jones gave a report from Warwickshire County Council mentioning the principal items discussed at the Fosse Locality Panel meeting held on 12th December at Clifton. The next quarterly meeting will be held at Pailton Village Hall on 31st March 2009.
A report on the Borough Council was given by Councillor A. Gillias who mentioned that he had given much support for rural communities when discussing the subject of parish plans.
A further meeting of the Parish Council took place at St. Denis Church on 16th January to finalise a decision on the proposal to re-establish the post office and shop as a community venture.
The recent survey of residents had been completed resulting in 313 responses showing a vote of 223 in favour of the shop premises being purchased by the Parish Council enabling a community shop and post office to be established funded by a Public Works loan. There were 70 votes against this plan, with 20 abstentions. A lengthy debate followed after which Councillor B. Brindley proposed that the Parish Council should submit a formal offer to purchase the business premises. The motion was passed by a majority vote.
Pailton branch of Rugby Conservative Association held its annual general meeting in Monks Kirby on 29th January.
The chair-holder, Mrs. Kay Pechal, welcomed the members and invited an address by the prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate Mark Pawsey who outlined his campaign strategy and stressed the importance of achieving favourable results at the County and European elections taking place on 4th June.
Reports were given by County Councillor Phillip Morris-Jones for Warwickshire County Council, also by Councillor Tony Gillias and Neil Campbell on Borough Council matters.
The forthcoming fund-raising activities for the year were outlined which will include a grand clay pigeon shoot at Pailton House on Sunday 12th July.
Neighbourhood Watch was re-established in Pailton at a meeting on the 21st January. More than 20 residents had shown interest in forming a network of co-ordinators who will receive information from Rugby Police on crimes in the area and pass it on to their neighbours to ensure that the whole village is aware of crimes committed in the locality.
Signs declaring Pailton to be a “Neighbourhood Watch” area are to be placed at the entrances to the village and at road junctions. Each household will be given window stickers for the front and rear of their houses.
Police Community Support Officer Wilhelm Weininger will be the contact between Rugby Police and the local co-ordinators. It is hoped to have the Pailton Branch fully operational very soon.