EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held
at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 13th May 2025
Chair: Cllr D Bottomley
Present: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows, Cllr A Earle, Cllr H Waight, Cllr P Evans
and Cllr T Martin
In Attendance: Ms H Boulton, Parish Clerk.
1. Election of Councillors and Officers:
- Acceptance of Office. Following uncontested local elections, all councillors were duly elected and signed an Acceptance of Office. Councillors were reminded to submit an election expenses return and update their Register of Interests. Cllrs RESOLVED that those councillors not present were to sign their acceptance of office after the meeting. Action: Clerk.
- Chair: There being no other nominations Cllr Bottomley was
proposed. Cllrs RESOLVED to elect Cllr Bottomley as Chair. He signed the Acceptance of Office at the meeting.
- Vice Chair: There being no other nominations Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows was proposed. Cllrs RESOLVED to elect Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows as Vice Chair.
2. Apologies: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
3. Disclosure of Interest. None declared.
4. Co-option. No applications received.
5. Allocation of Appointments.
5.1. Planning Committee:
5.1.1 Members. Cllrs Bottomley, Evans, L Wheeler-Mallows and K
Wheeler-Mallows are to be Members of the Planning Committee.
5.1.2 Chair. Cllr Bottomley is to be Chair of the Planning Committee.
5.2. Property Committee:
5.2.1 Members. Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows, Earle, Waight and Martin are to be Members of the Property Committee.
5.2.2 Chair. Cllr Earle is to be Chair of the Property Committee.
5.3 Cllr Bottomley is to be the Representative to Tidworth Area Board.
5.4 Cllr Bottomley is to be the Representative to The Courier magazine.
5.5 Cllr Bottomley is to be in charge of the grass cutting of Playground.
5.6 Cllr Bottomley is to be the Data Controller.
5.7 Cllr Evans is to be assistant Data Controller
5.8 Cllr A Earle is to be in charge of the Defibrillator.
5.9 Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows is to be the Highways/Streetscene Representative.
5.10 Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows is to be Police Liaison Representative.
Members RESOLVED to allocate the appointments at items 5.1 to 5.10 above.
6. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 4th March 2025. The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 4th March 2025 were signed by the Chair as a true record. Action: Clerk to file.
7. Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.
8. General Public. No members of the public were present.
9. Correspondence.
9.1 Community Infrastructure Levy. A Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was
adopted by Wilts Council in May 2015. This levy is a charge against property
developers to support local infrastructure, with a proportion of CIL receipts
being required to be passed on to Parish and Town Councils. We have been
notified of an allocation of £841for Everleigh Parish Council. Some key points:
- CIL funds may be used for the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure.
- CIL funds must be spent within 5 years of allocation.
- CIL income and expenditure is to be submitted to Wilts Council in an annual report.
After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED:
- To allocate £441.41 CIL funding for the new village flagpole and flag.
- To query whether the rebuild of Quickset House in 2020 merits CIL funding. Action: The Clerk was requested to seek clarification from the Wilts Council CIL Technical Support Officer.
9.2 Scottish and Southern Electricity network (SSEN) Community Grant. The Wilts
Council Resilience Team are encouraging bids for SSEN grants. Having
considered this in previous years, Cllrs RESOLVED to maintain the following
approach:
- As a small parish council we do not have the capability to meet the criteria for funding and the provision of close support for the supply, maintenance and storage of equipment such as generators and space blankets.
- We have therefore concentrated on signposting individuals to where and how they can get SSEN support in the event of prolonged power failure.
- Consequently, we have included the following paragraph in our View from Everleigh Courier article in the past and will continue to do so in the future:
Scottish & Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) maintain and repair our
electricity infrastructure. They can also provide support during prolonged
power cuts for people who may have a disability, a chronic illness, a need
to use medical equipment that requires power or be over 60 years of age.
During a power cut, SSEN can provide priority treatment, emergency power
supplies (generators) and moral support. In order to qualify for these priority
services, please register with SSEN by calling Freephone 0800 294 3259.
10. Forecast of Events. After reviewing the latest Forecast of Events Cllrs RESOLVED to confirm the plan with no changes. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
11. 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.
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.
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.
11.4 PL/2025/00379 – Quickset House. Proposed orangery to the East of
existing house. A Parish Council response to support this planning
application was submitted to Wilts Council on 8th February 2025. A
decision notice was issued by Wilts Council to approve this
proposal on 18th March 2025. Item Closed.
12. Property.
12.1 Grass Cutting Contract. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that the
current regime for grass cutting is working well and would continue to
be monitored by Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows and Earle. Action: Cllrs K
Wheeler-Mallows and Earle.
- Play Area. Cllr Earle reported that the Play Area Work Party on
Saturday 19th April went well, with 7 volunteers conducting 4 main
tasks: cleaning; painting; strimming; and minor repairs identified by
the last ROSPA’s inspection on 24th October 2024. A new goalpost
was erected. Action: Cllr Earle.
12.3 Streetscene Minor Works and Road Safety. Update:
- Drainage Sump Pond – Lower Everleigh. The situation remains: The MoD have confirmed that dredging is not required and Wilts Council will now keep the drains clear using a gully tanker or vactor.
- A342/Marlborough Rd – Safety & Infrastructure. The road markings at the junction of the A342/Marlborough Road have been repainted. Requirements remain:
(1) Tabled for Action (with contractor):
• Repaint the SLOW road markings on the A342 in Everleigh.
• Repair the grips on the verge of Marlborough Road near the
Linden Farm entrance.
• Repair the Summerdown Farm bend chevrons on the
Marlborough Road (reported on the MyWilts App).
(2) On hold: Repainting of roundel and countdown markings on the
A342 eastern 50mph gateway.
- General Streetscene Matters. The situation on signs for The Street, Marlborough Road and High Trees remains: procurementmay have to be submitted to the Tidworth Local Highways and Footpaths Implementation Group (LHFIG). This will be raised with Ms Grish Lohani on her liaison visit in the Spring this year. Action: Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows and Bottomley.
13. Finance.
13.1 Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation. A bank reconciliation to
date is showing a balance of £7199.93.
13.2 Internal Audit. Having reviewed the effectiveness of the internal audit
and the subsequent report submitted by the Internal Auditor and after
discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to increase the Reserve from £2100 to £2500, that
the internal audit was effective and to accept the Internal Auditor’s report
and Page 4 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
or FY 2024 -25.
13.3 Annual Governance Statement. Having considered the Annual
Governance Statement for the year ended 31st March 2025 Cllrs RESOLVED
to approve the statement which the Chairman and the Clerk then signed.
13.4 Accounting Statements. Having considered the Accounting Statements to
31st March 2025 Cllrs RESOLVED to approve the Accounting Statements,
which the Chairman then signed, and to congratulate the Clerk on the
management of the accounts.
13.5 Limited Assurance Review Exemption. Having considered the criteria to
allow the Council to certify itself as exempt from a Limited Assurance
Review and having noted the advice of the Internal Auditor Cllrs RESOLVED
to certify the Council as exempt from a Limited Assurance Review which
negates the need for the accounts to be sent to the External Auditor and
which the Chairman and the Clerk then signed. Action: Clerk.
13.6 Period for The Exercise of Public Rights. Having considered the dates for
the period for the exercise of public rights Cllrs RESOLVED to set the dates
as 3rd June to 14th July 2025. Action: Clerk
13. 7 Appointment of Internal Auditor. Having considered appointing an Internal
Auditor for FY 2025-26 Cllrs RESOLVED to appoint Mr Phil Gill.
Action: Clerk
13.8 To authorise payments issued since last meeting.
13.8.1 MOD rent for the playground £45.00
13.8.2 Staff Costs £737.82
13.8.3 CD Village Hall hire £12.00
13.8.4 Lloyds Bank charges £4.25
13.8.5 Ab Fab Loos VE Day £156.00
13.8.6 Amazon Goal Post £88.00
13.8.7 WALC subscription £92.50
13.8.8 Staff Costs £48.00
13.8.9 Flagmakers pole £395.40
13.8.10 Cement for flag post £39.00
13.8.11 Hants Flag £95.29
13.8.12 Lloyds Bank charges £4.25
13.8.13 Mr P Gill Audit £100.00
13.9. To note payments received
13.9.1 Wilts Council grant £841.42
13.9.2 HMRC VAT refund £427.49
13.9.3 Wilts Council Precept £4220.84
13.10 Standing Orders. Having reviewed the current Standing Orders Cllrs
RESOLVED that the Standing Orders were appropriate. Action: Clerk
13.11 Financial Regulations. Having reviewed the current Financial Regulations
Cllrs RESOLVED that the Financial Regulations were appropriate.
Action: Clerk
13.12 Fixed Assets Audit and Insurance. An annual audit of assets and review of
insurance cover was conducted in March/April by Cllr Earle and the
Clerk. After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to amend the insurance policy
Schedule for renewal on 1st June 2025 as follows:
- Remove Office Contents (Clerk) £2,500
- Increase cover for our 2 marquees from £1,379 to £2600.
- Retain cover for our 3 picnic benches at £1,000
- Retain Reformed Park Bench No 1 at £414.
- Add Reformed Park Bench No 2 at £414
Action: The Clerk is to request that Community First implement these changes and issue a revised policy schedule.
13.13. Everleigh Enhancement. Updates:
13.13.1 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle reported that all was well with the village
planters. The budget for planters in this FY remains £350.
Action: Cllr Earle.
13.13.2 Flagpole. A flagpole has been erected in the vicinity of the Crown
Bus Shelter. Cllr Earle was congratulated on a job well done.
13.13.3 Football Goal Post. The damaged goal post at the playground has
been replaced.
13.13.4 Christmas Tree. The budget for the tree in this FY remains £100.
Action: Cllr Waight
14. Village Events.
14.1 Spring Litter Pick Saturday 8th March. A village litter pick took place
on Saturday 8th March, with 12 volunteers collecting 11 bags of rubbish.
The next litter pick willl take place on Saturday 18th October 2025.
Action: Cllr Evans
14.2 Playground Work Party Saturday 19th April. See Item 12.2.
14.3 VE Day 80th Anniversary Thursday 8th May. A village commemoration of
the 80th Anniversary of VE Day took place on Thursday 8th May at 6pm
at Jubilee Field and included the lighting of a beacon bonfire at 9.30pm in
line with national commemorations. The event was attended by about 30
parishioners who all enjoyed a successful evening.
14.4 Walk the Parish Boundary Saturday 7th June. A village event to walk part of
the Everleigh Parish boundary will take place on Saturday 7th June 9am –
1pm. The Start/Finish Point will be the village playground. The plan was
confirmed and includes a safety vehicle and risk assessment.
15. Highways and Footpaths.
15.1 Footpath Right of Way (RoW) 8. New gates and signs have been installed to
open up RoW 8. Item Closed.
15.2 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. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
16. Digital Voice Changeover and Broadband.
16.1 Cllr Evans reported that BT Openreach intent remains to complete the plan to
upgrade phone lines from the old analogue system to a new digital system by
the end of 2027. A drop in discussion event on Digital Voice will be held at
the Marlborough Library on Thursday 22nd May 10am-1pm.
16.2 On broadband, Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows announced that the situation remains
no change: the initiative now lies with individual subscribers to liaise with Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) who should be sending out adverts and offers in the near
future. Traditional copper cabling should be phased out in the next few years.
Items Closed, unless the situation changes.
17. Date of Next Meeting. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7.00 pm on
Tuesday 1st July 2025 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.15pm
Signed: date:
Name:
Chairman
