Draft Minutes - Everleigh Parish Council 9th July 2024 |

EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held

at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 9^th July 2024

Chair: Cllr D Bottomley.

Present: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair), Cllr A Earle, Cllr H Waight, Cllr P

Evans and Cllr T Martin.

In Attendance: Ms H Boulton (Parish Clerk) and three members of the public:

Mr T Bradford and Mr and Mrs G Alderton.

Chair’s Opening Remarks. The Chairman announced that the main effort of the meeting was to fine tune plans for the Summer Party taking place next Saturday, 13^th July, and to launch planning for the Bonfire Night on Saturday 2^nd November this year.

Apologies for Absence: PC J Kinge; Wilts Cllr C Williams; Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows

Declaration of Interest in Items on the Agenda. None declared.

Co-option. None. There are currently no vacancies.

Minutes of Previous Meetings.

Minutes of Parish Council Meetings 20^th May 2024. The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 20^th May 2024 were signed by the Chairman as a true record. Action: Parish Clerk

Matters Arising – Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.

Item 23: Potential Insurance Claim. There have been no further

developments on a potential insurance claim arising from our last Bonfire

Night on Saturday 4th November 2023. After receiving advice from the

Parish Council insurance company (Zurich), Cllrs RESOLVED to request that

the file be left open until the 12 month point, ie November 2024 and

thereafter the file can be closed as it can be easily reopened.

General Public. See Items 11.2 and 13.4.

Wilts Cllr Report. A report from our Wilts Cllr had been circulated prior to the meeting.TheTidworth Area Board met on 24^th June and Cllr Williams was elected to Chair the Area Board until the end of this current Council in 2025. Main agenda items were the Area Board End of Year Report, a presentation on the Community Area Joints Needs Assessment and the Area Board priorities for the coming year.

Wilts Police Report. Overall communication from the police has been improving. The following police updates have been received:

8.1 The April Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) report highlighted a theft of a

toolbox taken from a landrover on Salisbury Plain in Everleigh.

8.2 Op SCORPION 10-16 June 2024 was an operation against drugs and

weapons and resulted in 10 arrests and the seizure of £103k worth of drugs

and 5 weapons in Wiltshire.

8.3 The Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has launched a survey

to seek residents’ views on future policing priorities, in order to inform the

PCC plan 2024-29. The closing date for the survey is 2^nd August 2024. This

survey is on the village website.

Afternote: The NPT report for June included destruction of a flagpole and flag in Everleigh and a report of anti social behaviour and criminal damage in the area of Linden Farm and Summerdown Farm, Everleigh.

Correspondence.

The Bobby Van Trust have advertised their services and are seeking

funding support.

Swindon & Cricklade Railway have requested that a flyer be posted on the

village website. Action: Parish Clerk

Forecast of Events. Cllrs reviewed the latest Forecast of Events and RESOLVED

to confirmthe change of date for the next Parish Council meeting from

Tuesday 10^th September to Tuesday 3^rd September. It was also noted that the

meeting to set the budget for FY 2025-26, normally held in January 2025, has

been brought forward to Tuesday 10^th December 2024.

Action: Cllr Bottomley and the Parish Clerk.

Planning. Planning Applications as received from Wiltshire Council:

11.1 PL/2024/03416 – Lower House Farm.

Full planning permission for the conversion of a redundant group of Barns

(Barn 2,3,4 and 5) and rebuilding of a Barn (Barn 1) to form a single

dwelling house together with the conversion of a detached Barn (Barn 6)

to form associated garages. This supercedes a previously approved

planning application for conversion under ref: PL/2022/07305 at Lower

House Farm, Everleigh, Marlborough, Wilts, SN8 3EU.

After consideration by the Planning Sub Committee, the following

response was submitted to Wilts Council on 11^th June 2024:

“Everleigh Parish Council raises no objections to this revised planning application for conversion and rebuilding of 6 redundant barns at Lower House Farm, Everleigh. In our view, proposals remain:

In line with Wilts Council planning policy for residential use of rural sites.
Utilising existing access routes
Hidden from public view
In keeping with the local environment.”

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.

After an initial response was submitted on 20^th June 2024, with a stance of

“No objection – subject to conditions” to reflect a neighbour’s concerns,

the Planning Sub Committee met to reconsider this planning application

on 23^rd June 2024 in order to take account of a second neighbour’s

concerns and after a site visit RESOLVED to “Object” with the following

comments:

“Everleigh Parish Council appreciates that this planning application for an extension at No 6 Pigleaze Cottages to create 2 independent dwellings is an infill opportunity, in line with Wilts Council Strategy No 2 for development in small rural villages.

However, after further consideration, Everleigh Parish Council raises concerns that proposals will be:

Too large for the size of the plot, resulting in overdevelopment.
Not sympathetic to the local environment and may not be in keeping with the rest of the village.
Overbearing and overshadowing a neighbouring property, resulting in a loss of privacy and light.

We therefore recommend that Wilts Council take these concerns into consideration in their scrutiny of this planning application.”

Cllrs then fielded questions from Mr and Mrs Alderton, the residents of 6

Pigleaze Cottages, after which there was a debate about the process for

consideration of planning applications and the role of the Parish Council

in that process. It was noted that the authority for adjudication on

planning applications rests with the Wilts Council Planning Department.

Property.

12.1 Grass Cutting Contract. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that Wilts

Council and the Parish Council are successfully cutting the grass each

month and are maintaining a good result.

Action: Cllrs K Wheeler-Mallows and Earle.

12.2 Play Area. Cllr Earle reported that sleepers had been removed and that

there were no issues at the Village Playground. Action: Cllr Earle

12.3 Streetscene Minor Works. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that the grips

require clearing to keep surface water off in Lower Everleigh. In addition

the drainage on Lower Everliegh pond requires attention. There is a

single drain from the pond which goes under the A342 into a sump pond

and the water level is below the silt level. It has been requested for the

past three years that the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) dig

this out. It was agreed that this is a matter for the MOD and Mr Paul

Bollen has subsequently liaised with the DIO.

Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.

Finance.

13.1 Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation. The Parish Clerk reported

that the access to the Parish Council bank account was still pending and

therefore a financial reconciliation will follow. Members RESOLVED that

access to the internet authorisation for the Parish Clerk would be singular.

Cllrs also requested to know how much the charges on account

transactions are. Action: Parish Clerk.

13.2 Authorise cheques for payment and those cheques issued since last

meeting or presented for payment:

13.2.1 Community First (Annual Insurance) £366.62 – 11th June 2024.

13.2.2 AB FAB Loos (Portaloo) £156 incl VAT £26 – 12th June 2024.

13.2.3 Mr Jack Seeley (BBQ Stand) £339.96 incl VAT £56.66 – 9^th July 2024

Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments.

13.3 To note payments received. £Nil.

13.4 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Signs. To consider a request for funding to

purchase new NHW signs.

Mr Tony Bradford, the Everleigh NHW Co-ordinator, presented a report

regarding the status of NHW signs currently in situ and requested financial

support to procure 10 new metal NHW signs and fittings for which he has

located a recognized supplier. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to

donate up to £260 plus VAT for NHW signage in the village.

Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows to liaise with the NHW Co-ordinator.

13.5 Everleigh Enhancement. Cllr Bottomley briefed Cllrs on his latest draft of

the Everleigh Enhancement 4 Year Plan, after which Cllrs gave the

following updates:

13.5.1 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle reported that all the planters have been

replenished and are looking good. Action: Cllr Earle.

Replacement Bench. Cllr Waight reported that the new park bench for theCrown bus shelter grass verge would be installed by October 2024. Action: Cllr Waight.

Future Enhancement Aspirations. Cllr Earle reported that street flags had been a success, that a 2nd BBQ stand has been purchased for the sum of £339.94 incl VAT and that small Christmas trees would be procured later this year. He also reported that defibrillator pads would be replaced at the 5 year point in September this year. Action: Cllrs Earle & Martin.

Village Events.

14.1 80^th Anniversary D Day Thursday 6^th June. The village commemoration

to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D Day landings took place on

Thursday 6th June in the Jubilee field. The event was well attended, with

about 40-50 parishioners. Thanks go to Cllr Evans for laying on the BBQ

stand, to Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows for organizing the music and to Cllr

Waight for building the bonfire and cutting the grass.

Financial Reconciliation: Budget £150; Expenditure £132 (Portaloo).

14.2 Summer Party Saturday 13^th July. The annual village Summer Party takes

place on Saturday 13th July in the Jubilee field, starting at 5pm. Flyers

have been distributed and Cllr Earle has advertised the event on the

village WhatsApp group. Cllrs reviewed the planning checklist and

RESOLVED that:

Cllr Earle will co-ordinate the delivery of the portaloo.
Cllr Waight will be responsible for grass cutting.
Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows will inform the police.
Residents have been asked to bring their own food and drink.
Setting up for the event will take place at 9.30am on the day.

Action: Cllr Bottomley.

Afternote: The village Summer Party took place as planned on

Saturday 13th July. Although the turnout was low, villagers enjoyed an

excellent evening despite the inclement weather, with some light

hearted games and utilising our new BBQ stand which proved to be

extremely effective.

Financial Reconciliation: Budget £150; Expenditure £156 (Portaloo).

14.3 Ducis Church Fete/Games Saturday 7^th September. The Collingbourne

Ducis St Andrew’s Church Fete takes place this year on Saturday 7th

September from 12 noon until 5pm in the Ducis Village Hall and on the

recreation ground. There will be a variety of stalls, activities and

refreshments including a bar, BBQ, teas and cakes. Everleigh has

been invited to participate in fun games activities in a Tri Village

Tournament with Ducis and Kingston folk at this fete.

Action: Cllr Bottomley.

14.4 Harvest Festival Service Saturday 5^th October. The Everleigh Harvest

Festival Service will take place on Saturday 5th 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.

14.5 Litter Pick Saturday 19^th October. A village litter pick will take place

on Saturday 19^th 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.

14.6 Bonfire Night Saturday 2^nd November. Cllrs reviewed the planning

checklist for the village Bonfire Night to be held on Saturday 2^nd

November and RESOLVED:

To set timings as: Open 6pm; Bonfire Lit 6.30pm; Fireworks 7pm.
That marshals are to be in position about 45 minutes before gates open.
To consider a flyer at the next Council meeting, with the Ducis Cricket Club consulted on the wording.
To consider a charity for donations at the next Council meeting.
Not to adopt a ticketing regime.
To have a gazeebo as a 1^st Aid Post and a 2^nd BBQ stand.
To review the layout: cordon; firing area; and drop zone.
To consider the use of a PA system.
To review car parking: capacity; marshals; and advertise as limited.
To have a qualified First Aider, covered by Parish Council insurance.
To have BBQ and drinks refreshments available for sale, with the Collingbourne Ducis Cricket Club having kindly agreed to provide a bar.
To have cash payments and review an additional option of a card reader.
To note that 100m of waterproof cable is available and to consider a generator.

Action: Cllr Bottomley

15 Highways and Footpaths.

15.1 Footpath Right of Way (RoW) 8. There is no change to the situation

since the Wilts Council RoW Officer’s last updateon 1st May2024: “We

have met with the DIO and the tenant farmer and agreed everything

to get the path open on the correct line. The DIO have bought gates

ready to be installed but the ground conditions over the autumn and

winter months meant getting anything ground was impossible. We

intend to install them over the coming summer months, so there should

be progress soon, and we’ll update the parish when we have formal

plans in place.” Action: Cllr Bottomley

15.2 Footpath RoW 15. There has been no change to the situation since the

travellers have been moved on and the Wilts Council RoW Officer’s

last updateon 20^th March 2024: “I have visited footpath RoW15 with

our contractor to look at clearing the permissive path around the

outside of the Everleigh Household Recycle Centre site. Unfortunately

this task isn’t going to be as straight forward as we first thought as we

can’t enter the site with any vehicles due to the security blocks which

have been placed around the entrances. Having spoken with our

colleagues in waste and estates, we have been made aware of

another option but I need to visit the site again to see if this is possible.”

Action: Cllr Bottomley.

15.3 Road Safety Enhancements A342. The Senior Engineer Wilts Council

supporting the Tidworth Local Highways and Footways Implementation

Group (LHFIG) has produced an excellent plan to enhance signs and

road markings on the A342 in Everleigh. This plan has captured the 3

issues we raised on 28th September 2023[1] and the enhancements

identified at a meeting in Everleigh on 16th November 2023. At an

LHFIG meeting on 5th June 2024, due to the high cost of the

enhancement plan (£4600) with a potential Parish Council

contribution of £1150, it was decided to refer all maintenance tasks to

the Wilts Council Maintenance Team and for the Senior Engineer to

redraft an enhancement plan to include new tasks only.

Action: Cllrs Bottomley and Martin.

Policies – Social Media. A social media policy will be considered at the next

Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 3^rd September 2024.

Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.

17. Digital Voice Changeover and Broadband. Cllr Evans reported that the switch

to digital voice has been delayed until early 2027, that the NHW organization

have been approached to assist in the transition to digital voice and that any

change to a telephone contract will initiate an immediate digital service

being provided. On broadband, Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows announced that the

Openreach plan to roll out fibre optic broadband to 90 properties within our

community, less Marlborough Road, is scheduled to be completed by the end

of July 2024. Action: Cllrs Evans and K Wheeler-Mallows.

Coronation Orchards. Cllr Wheeler-Mallows has obtained the application

procedure and forms from Wilts Council concerning the national initiative to

plant Coronation Orchards in the Autumn/Winter 2024-25. The intent is to bid

for funding for 5 trees which will be purchased, planted and cared for by the

village community, co-ordinated by the Parish Council. Bids for grants are due

to be submitted by 31^st August 2024 and, if successful, the project is likely to

commence in November 2024 Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.

Date of Next Meeting: The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7.00 pm

on Tuesday 3^rd September 2024 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 2140hrs.

Signed: date:

Name:

Chairman

[1] The 3 issues the Parish Council raised on a Highways Improvement Form dated 28^th September 2023 were all on the A342 in Everleigh: Replace a 50mph sign at the western gateway at the bottom of Church Hill; Repaint the change of speed limit and countdown road markings on the eastern gateway; and replace or repair the double bend sign on the eastern approach to the village.