1

Present:

Cllr William Godman-Dorington Chairman

Cllr Paul Cluse Vice Chairman

Cllr Martin Buckley

Cllr Hilary Major

Cllr Maggie Paterson

Cllr Terry Davy

Cllr Lawrence Paine

Cllr Rosemary Robson

In attendance:

Lt Col Leslie G A Clarke Parish Clerk

1 member of the public was present.

Apologies for non attendance were received and accepted in

respect of Cllr Pemberton, WSCC and Cllr Elliott, CDC

It was proposed by Cllr Patterson and seconded by Cllr Cluse

that Cllr Godman-Dorington be re-appointed Chairman of the

Council.

The proposition was carried unanimously.

It was proposed by Cllr Davy and seconded by Cllr Buckley

that Cllr Cluse be re-appointed Vice Chairman of the Council.

The proposition was carried unanimously.

Members AGREED to serve on Committees and Other

Bodies as follows:

Highways, Footpaths and Rights of Way (ROW)

Cllrs Major and Davy.

Planning and Affordable Housing Committee

2

All Cllrs.

Waste and Minerals

Cllr Buckley.

Recreation and Social Club

Cllrs Cluse and Major.

Empire Hall

Cllr Major.

Village Website

Cllr Buckley.

Local Development Framework (LDF)

Cllrs Major and Robson.

Chichester Local Committee (CLC)

Cllrs Davy, Major, Patterson and Robson.

NW Frontier

Cllr Paine.

Sustainability Forum

Not appointed.

Police, Crime Prevention, Fire and Safety

Cllr Buckley.

No Member any declared any Personal or Prejudicial interest

in respect of any agenda item.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 Mar 09,

having been previously distributed, were accepted as a true

record and sign by the Chairman.

Bus Shelter Provision

Cllr Major reported that she had been given a copy of a letter

received by a former Parish Cllr, from WSCC, stating that if

site conditions had not altered from that to be found in

2002then it was unlikely that permission would be given. Give

that she had had verbal agreement from several departments

in WSCC to the affirmative a meeting had been set for 14

May 09 to resolve the issue."

Assets Register

Background

At the 9 Mar 09 meeting (Minute 4b refers) the Clerk reported

that the present Assets Register did not conform to the proper

current format and undertook to re-format the Register and to

submit it to the Council for approval at the next meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had sent the Draft Register by post

that had not arrived with the Cllrs in time for the meeting.

It was AGREED to defer the item to the next meeting.

Recreation Ground and Social Club

Cllr Major reported that the Committee had met two weeks

previously; that the roof had still not been repaired and the

contractor has been given his last chance to complete the

3

work and has until the end of June to do so after which a new

contractor would be sought.

Quotes were also being sought for the fencing along the

track.

Cllr Major also reported that both the Chairman and Secretary

of the Club Committee were standing down from their

respective offices at the forthcoming AGM.

The Clerk reported that he had obtained a copy of the missing

2004 accounts which had been forwarded to the Charity

Commissioner and that he was awaiting their response..

Mrs Dimmer raised the issue of the heavy increase in traffic in

the Village particularly at specific times of the day such as the

opening and closing times of schools in the area and was a

little quieter at other times. At heavy traffic times she

considered pedestrian's safety was put at risk which

adversely affects their environment and prevents them

venturing out at critical times as they cannot walk in the

Village at the bad times of the day and even more so during

the darker winter months.

In the absence of the NSO no report was received.

In the absence of the Cllr Elliott, CDC, no report was

received.

In the absence of the Cllr Pemberton, WSCC, no report was

received.

CDC who are still looking at various options and have been

invited to attend the APM on 3 Jun 09 and brief and update

the Council on the current options.

It was AGREED that an Extraordinary Parish Council should

be held on 23 or 25 Jun 09 to debate and draft the Parish

Council's response to the CDC proposals.

No Planning Applications had been received nor CDC

decisions notified.

Seafood College - Development

The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting at the

College at which representatives of East Lavington and

Duncton Parish Councils had also been present.

The College are proposing a development of 18 executive

4

houses at the security gate to raise cash for the development

of other assets at the College which would include a new

Boarding House, gym and indoor swimming pool complex at

the College.

No construction traffic will use Graffham Village for access.

The College expected to be submitting their Planning

Application to CDC during the next few weeks.

A further meeting is to be held at the College on 15 May 09

which would be attended by the Chairman and Cllr Major to

try address the impact traffic issues in the Village

Rural Health Check

Cllr Paine will make a full report to the APM.

Path Watch

No report was received.

Playground

Cllr Cluse reported that the remedial work was almost

completed at a cost of £3,206.00 and that the only task

remaining was to re-paint the swings.

He also reported that the H&S Inspection was due to be

completed by Fields in Trust within the next few weeks.

The Clerk reported that the previous year's report had now

been located.

A circulation file was distributed.

Invoices Paid Out of Committee £

Transfer of reclaimed VAT from Parish A/C

to Playground A/C 1,323.48

Invoices for Payment

Members AGREED the payment of Invoices as follows:

Allianz - Insurance Premium 1,005.95

Norwood Contractors Grass Cutting Apr 09 138.00

HMCR - PAYE 119.00

Sussex Emergency Air Ambulance Service 500.00

Clerk's Salary and Expenses Apr - May 09

Postage 13.00

Photocopying 4.75

Telephone Rental 2 months @ £8.85 17.70

Use of Home as Office 2 months @ £15.00 30.00

Travel 3 journeys of 26 miles

@ 54.4p per mile 42.43

Salary (less PAYE) Apr May 09 303.12

Pay Roll Management

Background

At the 9 Mar 09 meeting the Clerk advised Members that he

had engaged the services of a Pay Roll Manager at a

5

personal cost to him of £115.00 for one year; as a result of

that the end of year tax return was submitted to HMCR on line

which will cause a credit to Graffham Parish Council of

£75.00.

Members AGREED that the sum of £75.00 should be

refunded to the Clerk.

Cllr Robson reported that she had attended the recent Tree

Course which had been both interesting and useful.

The Clerk advised Members that under the terms of the Code

they are required to confirm annually whether they had any

changes to the Declaration of Interests they had previously

signed.

All Members confirmed that they had no amendments to

make to their original Declarations.

Members AGREED unanimously that a Vote of Thanks

should be recorded in respect of all Cllr Major's hard work for

the Council and Village in regard to Highways matters

generally.

The Chairman reported that he had not yet collected the

archives, bank details etc from the Youth Club but would do

so in the next few days.

Cllr Davy agreed to act as custodian of the archives.

The Chairman reported that no volunteer had yet come

forward to offer his or her services as a Parish Councillor.

The Chairman advised Members that all correspondence with

outside official bodies must be conducted through the Clerk.

The next meeting is the APM to be held on Wednesday 3

June 2009 at 7.30 PM, which will be followed by the next

Parish Council meeting on Monday 13 July 2009.

Published 30 May 09