The meeting of the Pailton Parish Council was held on Monday 3rd September in the village hall at 7.30pm.
Five parish councillors, County Councillor Phillip Morris-Jones and two members of the public were present
During the open part of the meeting the chairman Cllr A. Gillias welcomed the guest speaker Mr Phil Ward, Rural Housing Enabler for the Warwickshire Rural Communities Council. Mr Ward spoke to the meeting about affordable rural housing in villages, explaining the criteria required of those eligible for this type of housing supplied by the council and housing associations. It was explained that these houses could not be sold on the open market but would remain available to those families requiring affordable homes. Members were shown illustrations of existing groups of housing and were impressed by the quality of homes provided. The housing survey carried out by the parish council had identified some families within the parish who would benefit from the availability of this type of home. Mr Ward offered the parish council the help, experience and expertise of his department should they wish to identify suitable sites within Pailton for such development and proceed with the provision of affordable housing. Mr Ward was thanked by the chairman for his most informative presentation.
A member of the public drew the council’s attention to two faulty streetlights.
The Village Trust representative reported that a Grant of £6000 had been approved by the Rural Development Fund and that the final stage of improvements to the equipment in the playing field will be carried out in the near future.
Cty Cllr Phillip Morris-Jones reported that an application for a grant for improvement to the bridal path leading from Pailton to Monks Kirby had been forwarded to the Highways Fund for consideration. He also reminded the meeting of a letter he had written to all local parish councils informing them of a vacancy for a local authority nominated school governor at the Revel School, interest was shown by a parish councillor and further discussions will take place.
Cllr M Barnett reported that work on the Parish Plan was continuing with further detail on the housing need survey being added to the Plan before final submission the Borough Council and publication.
The serious subject of flooding in the centre of the village was discussed. Mr Paul Cowley of the RBC Highways department visited the village to inspect the drainage and established that a blocked culvert was preventing excessive rainfall from draining away. The chairman reported that there are four different owners of the culvert. Each is to be approached by the council and reminded of their responsibility to keep the culvert maintained and clear to prevent future flooding.
The Clerk reported that the Grant to fund the provision of bollards to protect the War Memorial area at the centre of the village has been awarded by the RBC.
A report on an inspection of the playing field has been received. A copy was handed to the Village Trust representative for consideration at their next meeting.
Cllr Fitzsimons reported that many drains in the village wee covered in straw following the harvest. Cllr Gillias said that he had reported this to the RBC and had been told that the road sweeper was not in use. A promise was made that the road would be swept. Cllr Gillias has also spoken to Mr. Paul Cowley about the level of the roadway outside the Post Office. This level rises every time the road is resurfaced obstructing the flow of rainwater to the drain increasing the likelihood of flooding. Cllr Gillias has requested that this raised level be reduced.
A report from the Police Community Support Officer, Ken Wyre was read to the meeting. Only one suspicious incident occurred in Pailton during the last month. The council are to ask PCSO Wyre to monitor the parking in the village centre and other areas of the village where parked cars or vans can be hazardous to other road users.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 pm.
A meeting of the Village Trust was held at the village hall on Monday 10th Sept.
Apologies were received from Maria Swindell ( Chair person) Patricia Barnett and Buddy Perriera.
The meeting was conducted by the Secretary Helen Cunliffe. Also present were Tony Grimshaw (treasurer) and members Julie Blogg, Lesley French and Joanna Morris-Jones.
The minutes of the previous meeting, held in June, were read and accepted.
The meeting was told that work at the rear of the hall was now complete, providing a paved play area with safety fencing for the young Revellers to enjoy during fine weather, and an outside seating area for any of the groups using the hall.
Plans for the completion of the improvement of the playing field are well advanced. A Grant of £6000 has been approved by Rugby Borough Council through the Rural Development Fund, work on surfacing the final two play areas should start soon.
A programme of entertainments to be held in the village hall is planned for the coming season, the first of these will be the Live and Local presentation on Saturday 20th October at 8pm starring Mervyn Stutter, a guitar-playing comedian, who has appeared to great acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival and is heard regularly on radio 4. We look forward to an evening of laughter supported by a bar and light refreshments served during the interval. All will be welcome, tickets will be available from the Post Office and members of the committee.
The Hall
continues to be used regularly by various groups; the Little Revellers toddler
group, the Friendship club, Keep Fit, Patchwork group, Sing & sign
group all benefit from the pleasant atmosphere and excellent facilities at
the hall and many private parties are held at the weekends. Anyone wishing
to hire the hall for an event can arrange a booking with Julie Blogg on 01788
833384.
On Friday 14th September a group of committee members and friends formed a
working party to re-hang the hall doors and add a fresh coat of paint where
needed in preparation for the social events to come.