The monthly meeting of the Pailton parish council was held on Monday 5th March in the village hall.
Four councillors were present with 6 members of the public in attendance.
During the open part of the meeting Fiona Hoggard and Simon Boyle, who represent the Pailton Club, told how the members have redecorated the club and increased the numbers of groups using the entertainment room. Cllrs Barnett, Swindell, and Fitzsimmons are to form a sub-committee to assist in raising funds for further refurbishment to the Club building. The members hope that the Club will play a more inclusive part in the life of the village in future.
Helen Cunliffe, secretary of the Village Trust, reported that the Trust’s AGM will be held on 21st May at 8pm in the village hall. The Trust is planning further improvement to the playing field equipment and grants are now being sought. The next event in the village hall will be on 24th March when the group ‘Hickie’ will present an evening of Indie Rock music.
Police Community Support Officer Ken Wyre spoke to the meeting. Patrolling of the villages is now carried out on a regular basis. A specially adapted police van will visit villages, parking centrally either during the day or in the early evening giving residents the opportunity to discuss any problems with the officers. SmartWater postcode markings of vehicles and farm equipment was being offered free of charge for owners of farms and rural businesses. Such markings and accompanying warning signs are an excellent deterrent to potential burglars. A spate of recent break-ins at homes and business premises in the village should prompt increased vigilance.
A quotation for improvement to the playing field received from Mr. C. Fouracre with the amendment that the large area of nettles should be treated and not merely strimmed. This work will greatly improve the appearance and safety of the field.
Complaints regarding heavy vehicles passing through Pailton continue to be made. Mr. John Cunliffe has sent a photograph of a vehicle to Roy Davies of Magna Park. Mr Davies has reminded all firms to comply with the arrangement for all heavy vehicles to use A roads and motorways. Cllr Fitzsimmons noted that at least 10 such vehicles pass through the village every day.
Mr. P. Cowley of the Highways Department of WCC has arranged for all drains in the village to be cleared. This work is now complete.
Cllr. M.Hodge has sent a letter formally resigning from the council. He had been held in very high regard by his fellow members who had proposed him unanimously for the position of vice chairman. Mr. Hodge felt that he could no longer remain on the council due to business commitments. Cllr Gillias asked the clerk to write to Mr. Hodge thanking him for his hard work on behalf of the council. An election for a new vice chairman will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
The parish council are keen to enter the ‘Calor Village of the Year’ competition.
A review is to take place to ensure that the village streetlight bulbs are energy saving and cost effective.
Cty Cllr P. Morris-Jones reported that he would attend the Rugby Area Committee at which the closure of Bishop Wulstan School would be discussed. Cllr Gillias pointed out that there were many Catholic families among the immigrants now coming to live in Rugby and that at least 1000 new homes were planned for the Rugby area. Catholic families would have to find a school outside Rugby if Bishop Wulstan School were to close.
Cllr Morris-Jones reminded the meeting that the spring meeting of the Electoral Division Panel meeting would be held at Pailton village hall on Monday 26th March.
Pailton’s annual litter pick will take lace on Saturday14th April starting in the centre of the village at 10am.
Cllr J. Fitzsimmons agreed to take over responsibility from Cllr Hodge for the grass cutting contract for the village.
The chairman of the Parish Plan committee, Mr. J. Cunliffe, and Cllr M. Barnett have been working on 13 additional actions highlighted at a recent meeting with Rugby Borough Council. The most pressing was ‘the Housing Needs Survey’. The new model for 2007 received from the RBC will be used for this. This survey, with a covering letter inviting response, will be distributed to every house in the village in the near future.
A request has been made for the erection of signs to control the speed of vehicles proceeding along Lutterworth Road past the junction with Montillo Lane and Little Walton. This is considered to be a danger to vehicles coming out of the side roads.
Friends of Coombe Abbey have publicised an event on March 17th when there will be a talk about the gunpowder plot and the associated history with Coombe Abbey.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.57 pm
The next parish council meeting will be held on Monday 2nd April
On Saturday 17th March the parish council and friends formed a working party to plant three silver birch trees at the centre of the village. The trees were about three years old and 5m tall and are the only trees planted on parish council land in the village.
Plans were submitted to the Rugby Borough Council over a year ago requesting permission to plant the trees on the grassed area opposite the war memorial. Approval was granted and the trees were donated by the Borough Council. As they mature they will further enhance the appearance of our village centre.
On Mothering Sunday, 18th March, the family service at St Denis Church placed due emphasis on motherhood and traditional family life.
The service was conducted by Nigel Baxter with readings by his wife, Mrs Zoe Baxter and Mrs Ruth Bilson.
A talk was given by Mrs Patricia Barnett on a mother’s love for her children and invited quotations appropriate to the occasion from other mothers present.
At the end of the service small bunches of daffodils were presented by Mrs. Ruth Bilson and Mrs. Ann Latham to each member of the congregation.
Afterwards all present enjoyed light refreshments and conversation before heading homewards in the turbulent weather which had suddenly overtaken the bright sunshine of the earlier morning.