The parish council held its monthly meeting at the village hall on Monday
3rd March
All parish councillors were present with the county councillor, the chairman
of the parish plan working group, 2 representatives of the Village Trust
committee and 7 members of the public in attendance.
During the open part of the meeting Mrs. H. Cunliffe presented the minutes
of the recent Village Trust committee and outlined a report on its activities.
The subject of the village shop and post office was again discussed at
length and reference was made that the questionnaires which had been circulated
around the parish. The status and responsibility of the Working Group was the
subject of much discussion while various members of the public expressed their
own opinions on the future viability of the shop.
The county councillor, Phillip Morris-Jones, stated that local authorities
were unable to intervene with public funding to support commercial enterprises
of this type and recommended that all available effort should be directed
towards the possibility of attracting a possible purchaser of the business such
as a retired couple from elsewhere in the country seeking a
lifestyle opportunity in a pleasant rural community. He stressed the urgency of
adopting such an approach before the final Government review of post offices
takes effect as a prospective purchaser would regard its possible availability
as an enhancing facility.
Progress with the Parish Plan was reported by Mr. J. Cunliffe who
recommended its submission in its now-completed form to Rugby Borough Council.
The parish council chairman, Cllr A. Gillias, commended everyone involved in
the production of this important document for their diligent and successful
endeavours.
During a discussion on community enhancement measures, suggestions were
raised about the possibility of purchasing large plant receptacles or
decorative blocks of granite at each approach to the village. Further discussions to continue in due course.
Cllr Phillip Morris-Jones gave a brief report on WCC issues mentioning the
recent setting of the budget which involved a council tax rate of 3.9%. He gave
notice of the forthcoming meeting of WCC’s Rugby Area Committee to be
held at 7.30 on 27th March at Rugby Town Hall to which visitors are welcome to
submit questions on relevant issues for public discussion.
Reporting on Police Authority matters he explained that the recent
above-inflation increase in the police element of council tax of 12.8% had
arisen from un-funded pressures on policing costs together with certain major
contingencies. He stressed that the relatively small increase resulted in a
cashable rise of only 5p a day for an average residence.
The chairman, as Borough Council representative, gave a report on RBC
matters including the Borough’s council tax increase of 4.5%, the
introduction of another ‘Link’ bus service, the re-opening of the
Hunter’s Lane re-cycling unit and a mention of the major Borough
developments including the Western Relief Road, ASDA, Rugby Station and the
cattle market.
The forthcoming Pailton Parish council elections will take place on 1st.
May. This will be advertised by posters. The chairman stressed the benefit of
being a Quality Parish Council and listed the recent achievements of the
council and its encouragement of community participation.
A report on the playing field and footpath drew attention to damage caused
by vandals which was to be reported to the local police community support officer
as well as remedial measures being taken.
The next quarterly meeting of the WCC Fosse Division locality Panel will be
held at its usual venue of Pailton Village Hall on Tuesday 18th March
commencing at 7.30pm.
The Agenda will include a range of county council and community issues which
all residents of the 18 parishes of the Fosse Division are welcome to discuss.
Villagers are already looking forward to the next event on the social
calendar which will be a barn dance to be held at the village hall on Saturday
12 April.
This lively and active form of entertainment has proved extremely successful
and enjoyable in the past so residents are urged to make this a date and bring
along their fellow enthusiasts who should be encouraged to appear in
appropriate attire.
Joanna Morris-Jones