The monthly meeting of the parish council was held on Monday 6th November in the village hall. Four councillors were present with three members of the public in attendance.
The meeting was also attended by two Police Community Support Officers who assured the meeting that patrols were carried out in the village at various times during the day and night and that all reports concerning anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and speeding were logged and acted upon as appropriate. They encouraged residents to report their concerns to the Rugby police station, the CSO would either receive this report in person or by voicemail. The meeting was assured that all messages would be acted upon. The PCSOs, who patrol a total of 19 villages, then left the meeting to continue their evening duty.
Concerning the matter of closure of rural Post Offices Cllr Mark Barnett showed the meeting two letters to be sent to local MPs Bill Olner and Jeremy Wright. These letters, which stressed the importance of the Post Office and shop to the community, were approved by the councillors and will be sent on their behalf to the MPs as an urgent request for their support.
Application is to be made to fund the provision of a Christmas Tree with lights to be erected within of the village, Cllr Mark Barnett was thanked for his work towards this project.
A site visit is to be arranged at the village triangle to discuss the feasibility of erecting bollards around the grassed area to prevent damage by vehicles. Extra street lighting near the triangle will also be discussed.
The continuing problem with drains in the village was raised once again. A report had been made to the Highways Department. The problem appears to be county-wide and it is hoped to give more responsibility for drains to the RBC in future rather than the Highways Dept.
Cllr Hodge has discussed grass cutting with Quality Landscapes. The areas to be included are: the grass verges along main roads, the foot path to Monks Kirby, the park area, the grassed area at the village centre, the grass surrounding the war memorial and the area in front of the telephone exchange. Brookside Avenue will also be included. Cllr Gillias highlighted to need to have a contract in place before the spring and to present the estimated cost to the RBC in order to receive the appropriate funding.
Concern has been expressed about the exterior appearance of the Ex-Servicemen’s Club premises. Beer cans, bottles and other litter are left outside and in the playing field area. This matter will be discussed with the Club Chairman.
Members are to consider whether to apply for funding from ‘Quality Town Councils’ project fund. Pailton, being a ‘Quality Parish’ is eligible to apply to this fund.
Warwickshire County Council have offered 100 unfilled sandbags as a contribution towards flood protection for the village. This offer was accepted and would be discussed further at a future meeting.
The annual Play Area Inspection is to be carried out by Rugby Borough Council at a cost of £53.
It was decided that the oak bench, which has been in store since the alterations at the village centre, is to be given to the District Church Council and sited at the entrance of St. Denis churchyard. The DCC are to be asked to install the bench facing the centre of the village.
A member of the Village Trust Committee reported that the cost of gas, electricity and water supply at the village hall had totalled £2000 during 2005. After deliberation the parish council agreed to give £500 as a contribution towards these utility expenses during the coming year. A further contribution may be made later in the.
The new parish clerk Mrs Josephine Pharoah was authorised to purchase a manual to assist her in her duties also to become a member of the Society of Local Council Clerks.
In a discussion on the Budget and Precept the financial requirements of the council, over the coming year were calculated and following a brief review of previous years it was decided to apply for an increase in the precept for this year.
The council’s accounts were presented to the meeting and were accepted.
The meeting closed at 9pm
The next meeting will be held on 4th December at 7.30pm in the village hall to which all are welcome
On Sunday 12th November worshippers filled St Denis Church for the traditional service of Remembrance
The service was conducted by the Reverend Beth Smith who, in her address, reminded the congregation that the country has enjoyed 60 years of peace since the second world war apart from lesser conflicts which had left civilians largely untouched. She stressed the need to strive for peace and justice towards repaying the great debt to all those who had given their lives for this country.
As the eleventh hour approached, the congregation made their way to the war memorial where the Act of Remembrance took place in the cool November sunshine.
The Roll of Honour was read out by ex Army officer Dick Moss mentioning each of the 14 names of young Pailton men who gave their lives in the Great War followed by that of Private Mick Skeet who lost his life in the Second World War for whom flowers had been placed on the memorial by his sister Grace who makes this moving gesture each year.
The standard of the Pailton Branch of the Royal British Legion was proudly borne by Simon Boyle representing the Ex Servicemen’s Club.
On the eleventh hour the Reveille and Last Post were sounded by trumpeter Edward Latham who had travelled from Norfolk to make this annual contribution.
Following the Last Post wreaths were laid by Cty Cllr Phillip Morris-Jones on behalf of the parish council, another by Fiona Hoggard on behalf of Pailton Ex Servicemen’s Club and finally a community wreath laid by ex WRAC Captain Ann Moss.
This was the first annual Service of Remembrance held at the village centre since the re-dedication service held during the spring to mark the refurbishment of the War Memorial which, accompanied by an exciting flypast by a Spitfire, attracted one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the parish.
The Village Trust are finalising the plans for the forthcoming ‘Live & Local’ presentation
of ‘Daniel Smith’s Blue Band’. This very popular group will
visit the Village hall on Friday, December 1st to the delight of their many
fans (the bar opens at 7.30pm). Tickets are selling fast but are still available
at the Pailton Post Office or from Helen Cunliffe (Tel: 01788 833366). All
are welcome.