EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held
at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 14 March 2023
Chairman: Cllr D Bottomley
Present: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair), and Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows, Cllr A Earle. Cllr H Waight.
In Attendance: Mr P Gill (Parish Clerk), Wilts Cllr C Williams and one member of the public.
- Chairman’s Announcement. The Chairman announced: The main effort of the meeting was to take stock of the Everleigh Enhancement 4 Year Plan and to progress the plan for King’s Coronation event.
- Apologies: Cllr P Evans and Cllr T Martin
- Disclosure of Interest. None declared.
- Co-option. None.
- Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 13 December 2022.
- The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 December 2022 were signed by the Chairman as a true record. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising. None that do not appear on the agenda.
- General Public. A member of the public raised a complaint about noise emanating from a
the Army Parachute Association, Netheravon, and Andy was going to broadcast it on the village WhatsApp group. Cllrs noted the complaint and Cllr A Earle agreed to broadcast it on the Village WhatsApp Group the email addresses of those persons who should be contacted regarding this issue. Action; Cllr Earle
The member of public also raised the issue of a lack of a footpath leading all the way from the Street to the Goa restaurant on the A342. Cllr Bottomley agreed to raise this at the next Local Highway Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting. Action: Cllr Bottomley
- Wilts Cllr Report. Wilts Cllr C Williams reported the following: Wiltshire Council’s proposed budget has gone through a detailed programme of overview and scrutiny and was finally approved by the Full Council on Tuesday 21 February. Wiltshire Council’s budget for 2023/24 stands at £465m – it is legally obliged to set a balanced operating budget and the budget planning is intended to ensure there is a strong financial foundation in place over the coming years given the economic challenges and high levels of inflation. The most significant spending in 2023/24 will be on: Whole life pathway (mental health, autism spectrum conditions and learning disabilities support services) – £96m, an increase of £11m. Living and ageing well (adult care) – £83m, an increase of £15m. Families and children – £63m, an increase of £2m. Environment (which includes waste and recycling services) – £48m, an increase of £4m. Highways and transport – £41m, an increase of £3m. Education and skills – £29m, an increase of £6m.The council’s last reported budget gap for 2023/24 to 2025/26 in November 2022, stood at £45m, but following confirmation of the Government’s financial settlement this was reduced to £33m. Delivering on efficiencies means that budget for this three-year period, does not require the council to use reserves to fund ongoing service delivery. The council is also able to release £13 million of reserves to spend on business priorities, particularly in supporting housing provision during the cost-of-living crisis. Therefore, Wiltshire Council is proposing a 2.99% general increase for the council’s element of council tax, plus a 2% levy to be spent solely on adult social care. This will mean an increase of £1.57 per week for those in a Band D property. A number of other measures are proposed including an increase in fees and charges for some council services such as leisure and garden waste collection; making better use of the council’s own buildings; and a more streamlined Street Scene service. However, despite the challenges, the council will continue to invest in the improvement and maintenance of the county’s infrastructure, with almost £200m due to be spent on capital projects in 2023/24.
Future meetings:
Mon 20 March Tidworth Area Board, Memorial Hall Ludgershall 7pm.
Neighbourhood Police quarterly update – TEAMs meeting Thursday March 16, 6pm
The Chairman thanked him for his report.
In reply to a question from Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows regarding the broken chevrons on the Marlborough Road Wilts Cllr Williamsasked him to send him an email outlining the details of the issue. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows
- Police Report. Having considered the Community Police report as at March 2023 Cllrs noted the details of the new police team and looked forward to working with them.
- Correspondence. Wilts Air Ambulance have written to the Chairman expressing gratitude for the £200 donation arising from contributions at the Everleigh Bonfire Night last November. The Chairman will acknowledge this appreciation in the next edition of the Courier.
Action: Cllr Bottomley.
- Forecast of Events. Cllrs reviewed the latest Forecast of Events and made no changes. However, Cllr Earle agreed to put a message on the Village WhatsApp Group asking for a co-ordinator to run the Church Midsummer Tea Party. Action: Cllr Earle
- Planning.
11.1 Planning Applications as received from Wiltshire Council.
PL/2022/02731. Full planning permission for change of use of existing agricultural barns to B8 / E(g)(iii), retention of existing building for use as covered cycle/car parking; associated additional parking; turning; landscaping and the repositioning of access Lower House Farm, Everleigh, Wilts, SN8 3EU. Having reviewed the Wilts Council Decision Notice issued on 6 July 2022, Cllr Bottomley reported that he had received an email from a member of the public asking if anyone is monitoring the development as they felt it was an eyesore driving into Everleigh and looks very industrial. Cllr Bottomley emailed the member of the public assuring them that the Parish Council monitors all planning developments in the village. In this case, some key points were that on 6th July 2022 Wilts Council granted planning permission for refurbishment and change of use of agricultural barns to commercial use, primarily for storage and distribution. This planning permission is subject to 17 conditions, including the stipulation that development can occur but the site may be not be brought into use until a new access track is complete.
The Council will continue to monitor the situation in liaison with Wilts Council planning department who have ultimate responsibility for compliance. Item Closed
- Property.
12.1 Grass Cutting Contract. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that Mr J Bowen is ready to start the new season’s cutting regime and that Mr Bowen had requested that some low hanging branches in front of Everleigh Manor be removed in order to allow him free access to the cutting area. Cllr K Wheeler- Mallows agreed to remove the offending branches. Action: Cllr K Wheeler Mallows
12.2 Play Area.
12.2.1 Work Party Sat 15 Apr. Cllr Earle confirmed the timings as 09.30 – 12 noon, outlined the tasks to be carried out and Cllr Bottomley agreed to arrange power and water supplies. Volunteers are welcome. Action: All Cllrs
12.2.2 Annual RoSPA Report. Cllr Earle reported that most of the tasks arising from the RoSPA Report had been completed and any remaining will be completed on Sat 15 Apr. Action: Cllr Earle
12.3 Streetscene Minor Works. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows has reported the broken 50 MPH speed limit sign at the bottom of Church Hill on the A342.
Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows
12.4 Fly Tipping. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows raised the issue of suspected fly tipping on DIO land in the village and after discussion Cllrs agreed that it would be best if he emailed Anna Rogers at DIO to report the issue. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows
13. Finance.
13.1 The Clerk presented a bank reconciliation and current liquidity statement as follows:
13.1.1 Balance at Lloyds CA (statement date 1 Feb 23) £3780.51
13.1.5 Reconciled Balance as 10 Mar 23 £2987.06
Members noted the statements but had no comment at this time.
Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments.
13.4 Future Projects – Everleigh Enhancement. Cllr Bottomley briefed Cllrs on his latest draft of the Everleigh Enhancement 4 Year Plan, after which Cllrs gave the following updates:
13.4.1 FY 22-23 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle had previously reported that the annual plants had been lifted and that the spring bulbs had been planted.
Action: Cllr Earle.
13.4.2 Future Aspirations.Cllr Bottomley led a discussion on possible projects and costs as set out in his latest draft which showed feasible options for a replacement bench at Everleigh Centre. Cllr Earle also agreed to explore other local options for benches, to establish a further 2 planters and to conduct Spring planting. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to confirm that the Everleigh Enhancement plan was to be a 4 Year Plan and that for FY 23/24 the focus was to be on a replacement bench for Everleigh Centre, new planters and a Xmas Tree with the budget set at £950.00 and that a decision on which bench was to be purchased would be postponed to later in the year.
Action: Cllrs Bottomley and Earle.
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- Cllr Bottomley reported that the Everleigh Spring Litter Pick took place last Saturday, 11th March 23. The event went well, with 7 volunteers turning out to collect 12 bags of rubbish, which is less than normal (previously 16/18 bags). Everleigh appears to be getting cleaner! Cllrs noted the report. Item closed.
- King’s Coronation Sat 6 May 23. Cllr Bottomley briefed Cllrs on the previously circulated Checklist, Management Plan and draft Event Flyer. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to endorse the Checklist and Management Plan as drafted and that Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows was to draft a Flyer for circulation to the Cllrs prior to it being distributed. Action: Cllrs Bottomley & L Wheeler-Mallows.
15.1 Everleigh Footpath No 8. Cllr Bottomley briefed Cllrs on the history of his bid to the Highway Footway Improvement Groups (LHFIG’s) regarding RoW 8 and that he had met with the Wilts County RoW Officer on site on 2 August. Several actions regarding signage, stiles, gates, scrub clearance and a 2 phase outline plan were agreed with the RoW Officer including her liaising with DIO and then reporting back to Cllr Bottomley on the way ahead for the outline plan. The following email was received from the RoW officer on 15 Dec 22 “I appreciate it’s been quite a few months since I met you to look at footpath Everleigh 8. After our meeting on site I raised the issues we found with this path with the MOD. I recently chased them to get an update and have been informed that they are going to meet with the tenant to get this footpath available. I hope this is something they will pick up in the New Year. I appreciate it’s taking a while but it is still on my radar. Once I have further updates from the MOD I will make sure to keep you in the loop”. Cllrs noted the email. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
15.2 Everleigh Footpath 15. Cllr Bottomley reported that the ROW Officer at Wilts Council had provided the following update by email on 8 Mar 23: “We have now had the opportunity to meet with our colleagues in Waste Services and Estates to discuss the issue of this footpath. The legal line is a long term issue on our network that we are aware of. There is a permissive path around the edge of the now closed Household Recycling Centre which during a recent inspection we discovered is overgrown. Due to ongoing legal issues at the site we are unable to send contactors in to clear the permissive path immediately. Once the current situation at this site has been resolved then we will arrange for this permissive path to be made available as soon as possible.” Cllrs noted the update. Action: Cllr Bottomley
- Date of Next Meeting: The date of the APM & APCM were confirmed as 7.00 pm on Tuesday 16 May 2023 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 2045hrs.
Signed: date:
Name:
Chairman
