EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held
at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 1st July 2025
Chair: Cllr D Bottomley.
Present: Cllr A Earle, Cllr H Waight, Cllr P Evans, Cllr T Martin and Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows
In Attendance: Ms H Boulton (Parish Clerk)
- Chair’s Opening Remarks. The Chair announced that there were 2 main objectives for the meeting:
- Look forward to village events for the remainder of the year and in particular to launch initial planning for the Bonfire Night on Saturday 8th November.
- To review flags policy within the village.
- Apologies for Absence: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair), Cllr C Williams (Wiltshire Counci); PC J Kinge & PCSO R Kaur (Wilts Police).
- Declaration of Interest in Items on the Agenda. None declared.
- Co-option. None. There are currently no vacancies.
- Minutes of Previous Meetings.
- Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 13th May 2025. The minutes of the Parish Council Meetings on 13th May 2025 were signed by the Chair as a true record. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.
- General Public. No members of the public were present.
- Wilts Council. Wilts Cllr C Williams submitted a written report with the following key points:
- Local Elections changes:
- Wilts Council: Chair – Cllr Laura Mayes; Leader – Cllr Ian Thorn.
- Tidworth Area Board (TAB):
- Chair – Cllr Dave Lumsden;
- Vice Chair – Cllr Chris Williams;
- Chair Tidworth Local Highways & Footways Implementation Group (LHFIG) – Cllr Keith Allen
- The Tidworth Area Board Health and Wellbeing group met on Teams on Monday 16 June. The minutes are posted on the Wits Council website.
- The next TAB meeting will be on Monday 1st September at 7pm; location to follow.
- Wilts Police Report. The Ludgershall and Rural Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) report for May 2025 had been circulated to Parish Councillors prior to the meeting. Incidents relating to Everleigh include an abandoned vehicle with a smashed window at the A342 TANGO tank crossing. This vehicle has now been removed.
- Correspondence.
- Reimbursement for Councillors. Following a previous consultation on a Wilts
Council Independent Review Panel proposal for a policy for reimbursement of
councillors for time and effort, as well as materials, the Panel’s report has now
been received. Recommendations have been made on maximum basic
allowances based on the size of the Council’s electorate, travel expenses and
subsistence payments . Parish Councils would be under no obligations to pay any
allowances. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to maintain the volunteer ethos,
serving our community with no financial gain.
- Star Council Awards. An invitation for nominations for the annual Star Council
Awards. Key points:
- Nationwide recognition.
- Qualities: Innovation; Dedication; and Outstanding Achievements.
- Categories: Council of the Year; Cllr of the Year; Young Cllr of the Year (Aged 30 or under); Climate Response; Clerk of the Year.
- Nominations are to be submitted by 5th September 2025.
- Awards Presented: Parliamentary Reception House of Lords on 24th February 2026.
After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to take no further action on these awards.
- Street Flags and Flagpole. Two village residents have raised concerns about the
type, frequency, authorisation, funding and consultation on the Everleigh street
flags and flagpole. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED:
- Set a time limit of up to 2 weeks for the flying of each street flag.
- No more additional types of street flags are to be procured at present.
- The situation on street flags is to be reviewed on a regular basis, at least annually.
- Forecast of Events. After reviewing the latest Forecast of Events Cllrs RESOLVED
to confirm the plan and that Cllr Earle was to liaise with a local Ramblers Association concerning a work party to clear the footpath Right of Way (RoW) 13.
Action: Cllrs Bottomley & Earle.
- Planning. Planning Applications as received from Wiltshire Council:
11.1 PL/2024/10610 – Lower House Farm. Following a Wilts Council decision to refuse
planning permission on 31st July 2024, a revised planning application was
submitted retrospectively on 20th November 2024 for conversion and rebuild of 6
barns into a single dwelling house with a swimming pool, gymnasium and
garages, as constructed now, The Parish Council have raised no objections. A
Wilts Council Eastern Area Planning Committee reviewed this revised planning
application on 27th March 2025 and issued a decision notice to refuse planning
permission on 28th March 2025. This decision may be subject to an appeal.
Item Closed until there are further developments.
11.2 PL/2024/04371 – 6 Pigleaze Cottages. Full planning permission for the
extension of the existing house at front, side and rear, resulting in 2
independent dwellings. Wilts Council have granted permission for this planning
application on 4th October 2024. Construction of this extension started on 1st
February 2025 and is ongoing. Item Closed until there are further developments.
11.3 PL/2022/02731 – Lower House Farm. Change of use and refurbishment
of existing agricultural barns for commercial use B8 (Storage and
Distribution) and B2 (General Industrial). Wilts Council gave permission
for this planning application on 6th July 2022 subject to 17 conditions,
one of which (Condition #6) states: “Before the development hereby
approved is first brought into use, the existing access shall be stopped up
and the new access will be relocated.” A new access track has now been
constructed. Item Closed until there are further developments.
- Property.
12.1 Grass Cutting. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that the current regime for grass
cutting is working well and is in line with the agreed plan.
Action: Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows and Earle.
12.2 Play Area. Cllr Earle reported that the play area remains in good order.
12.3 Streetscene Minor Works and A342 Road Safety. Situation:
- Drainage Sump Pond – Lower Everleigh. HQ SPTA have reported that the pond is working and that dredging is not required. Wilts Council, through Ms Grish Lohani, will now keep the drains clear using a gully tanker or vactor.
- A342/ Marlborough Road – Safety & Infrastructure. Requirements remain:
- Tabled for Action (with contractor):
- Repaint the SLOW road markings on the A342 in Everleigh.
- The grips on the verge of Marlborough Road near the Linden Farm entrance need repair.
- Repair the Summerdown Farm bend chevrons on the Marlborough Road (reported on the MyWilts App).
- On hold: Repainting of roundel and countdown markings on the A342 eastern 50mph gateway.
- General Streetscene Matters. The procurement of signs for The Street
and Marlborough Road has been submitted to the Tidworth LHFIG
and will be considered at the next LHFIG meeting on 30th July 2025.
Ms Grish Lohani, Wilts Council Highways Engineer, has been invited to Everleigh
to review these matters. Afternote: A meeting with Ms Lohani has been
provishional arranged for 12 noon Wednesday 16th July in Everleigh.
Action: Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows and Bottomley.
- Finance.
13.1 Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation. A bank reconciliation to date
Is showing a balance of £6,652.37.
13.2 To authorise payments made since last meeting:
13.2.1 Superior Plants for planters £240.00 £40 VAT to reclaim
13.2.2 Lloyds Bank charges £4.25
13.2.3 Community First insurance £436.74
13.2.4 Sydenhams playground repairs £12.32 £2.05 VAT to reclaim
13.2.5 Lloyds bank charges £4.25.
13.2.6 Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall hire 13th May and 1st July – £24.
Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments. Action: Clerk.
13.3 To note payments received:
13.3.1 Mrs Matton Marquee hire £100
13.3.2 Mr Martin Marquee hire £50
13.4 Parish Council Fixed Assets.
13.4.1 Register and Insurance. As agreed at the Parish Council meeting on 13th
May 2025, adjustments to our insurance policy have been made to Part
C of the Schedule as follows:
- Increase cover for 2 marquees from £1,379 to £2,600.
- Retain cover for 3 picnic benches @ £1000
- Retain cover for Reformed Bench No 1 (Playground) @ £414
- Add Reformed Bench No 2 (Crown bus shelter) @ £414
Our intent to remove office contents from the Schedule is not possible as
it forms part of the core cover package.
Consequently, the Community First quote for renewal of our insurance
policy on 1st June 2025 has increased from £364.88 to £436.74.
Cllrs RESOLVED to:
- Agree to this proposal which has been actioned by the Clerk.
- Research the purchase of computer equipment for the Clerk up to a cost of £700, for consideration at the next Parish council meeing on Tuesday 9th September. Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
13.4.2 Data Protection. Insurance cover for Data Protection is at Page 43 of
the Zurich Local Councils Policy Document 2023 and includes cover up
to £1m during each period of insurance. There is no extended cover for
Data Protection. After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to take no further
action on insurance cover for Data Protection. Item closed.
13.5 Everleigh Enhancement. Updates:
13.5.1 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle reported that planting has taken place and all
was well with the village planters. Action: Cllr Earle.
13.5.2 Christmas Tree. The budget for the tree in this FY remains £100.
Action: Cllr Waight
- Village Events.
14.1 Everleigh Village Walk Saturday 7th June. The event was cancelled due to the
forecast of heavy rain including the possibility of thunderstorms. After discussion
Cllrs RESOLVED to reschedule the event next year, with a Plan B alternate date.
Action: Cllr Evans.
14.2 Collingbourne Ducis Church Fete/Games Saturday 6th September. The
Collingbourne Ducis St Andrew’s Church Fete takes place this year on Saturday
6th September from 12 noon until 5pm in the Ducis Village Hall and on the
recreation ground. Refreshments will include a bar, BBQ, teas and cakes, and
there will be a variety of stalls and activities including Tri Village games which
this year will comprise of tug of war only. All volunteers for the Everleigh male
and female tug of war teams will be most welcome; Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows
agreed to organize a female village Tug of War team
Action: Cllrs Bottomley and L Wheeler-Mallows.
14.3 Harvest Festival Service Saturday 4th October. The Everleigh Harvest
Festival Service will take place on Saturday 4th October at 3pm at St
Peter’s Church. Planning for this Service includes: two lesson readers;
decorating and cleaning the Church; and harvest gifts to the Trussel
Trust. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
14.4 Litter Pick Saturday 18th October. A village litter pick will take place
on Saturday 18th October, meeting up at The Crown bus shelter at
11am and finishing by 1230pm. After issue of equipment, volunteers
will be split into several groups to clean up the verges of all arterial
roads approaching and running through the village.
Action: Cllr Evans.
14.5 Bonfire Night Saturday 8th November. Cllrs reviewed the planning
checklist for the village Bonfire Night, Saturday 8th November, and RESOLVED:
- To retain timings as: Open 6pm; Bonfire Lit 6.30pm; Fireworks 7pm.
- To consider a flyer at the next Parish Council meeting, with the Collingbourne Ducis Cricket Club consulted on the wording.
Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows,
- To select the British Heart Foundation as the charity for donations.
- To retain use of a clicker to control attendance which is limited to 500.
- To retain a gazeebo as a 1st Aid Post and a 2nd BBQ stand.
- To hire a portaloo at c£150. Action: Clerk.
- To retain the layout as for 2024: cordon; firing area; and drop zone.
- To retain the use of a PA system.
- To review car parking: signs; capacity; marshals; & advertise as limited.
- To retain BBQ and drinks refreshments for sale, with the Collingbourne
Ducis Cricket Club requested to provide a bar & First Aid representative. Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
- To retain both cash and card payments
- To retain a qualified First Aider, covered by Parish Council insurance.
Action: Cllr Bottomley
15 Highways and Footpaths.
15.1 Footpath RoW 15. The Wilts Council RoW Officer is exploring options for
clearing the permissive path for RoW 15 around the outside of the site of the
former Everleigh Household Recycle Centre (HRC). An update was received
from the Wilts Council RoW Officer on 13th May to report that this issue remains
ongoing. Item closed unless there are further developments.
16. Date of Next Meeting: The date of the next Parish Council meeting was confirmed as
Tuesday 9th September 2025 at 7pm at the Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 8.32 pm.
Signed: date:
Name:
Chairman
