EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held
at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 28th October 2025
Chair: Cllr D Bottomley.
Present: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair); Cllr A Earle; Cllr H Waight; Cllr P Evans;
Cllr T Martin; Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
In Attendance: Ms H Boulton (Parish Clerk); Cllr C Williams (Wiltshire Counci);
- Chair’s Opening Remarks. The Chair announced that the main effort for the meeting was to fine tune preparations for the village Bonfire Night on Saturday 8th November.
- Apologies for Absence: 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 Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 9th September 2025. The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 9th September 2025 were signed by the Chair as a true record. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising. There was one matter arising. At Item 7.2, the closure of the Marlborough Road Post Box since October 2024 will be followed up with the Royal Mail. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.
- General Public. No members of the public were present.
- Wilts Council. Wilts Cllr C Williams submitted a report with the following key points arising from a Full Wilts Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st October:
- The Lib Dems Our Wiltsire Plan 2025-2035 was adopted.
- The Council’s response to the Climate Emergency was updated.
- Charges for Blue Badge holders were removed after lengthy debate.
- An update on the Local Visitors Economic Partnership was approved.
- More training for Wilts Council staff and councillors is to be introduced.
- A motion calling reduced sales of Ready to use Screenwash was approved.
- 3 policy documents were adopted: plans to mitigate the impact of development on the Stonehenge and Avebury world Heritage Site; New Air QualityGuidance for developments in Wiltshire; and a draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
- Wilts Police Report. The Ludgershall and Rural Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) report for September 2025 had been circulated to Parish Councillors prior to the meeting. There were no Incidents relating to Everleigh. Police priorities remain speed enforcement and to combat theft and anti social behaviour (ASB). Cllr Wheeler-Mallows highlighted that hare coursing activity continues in our area and that Wilts Police are reviewing their funding situation.
- Correspondence.
- Tidworth Community Area Health and well Being Event Spring 2026. A generic
invitation has been received to take part in a proposed Tidworth Community
Area Health and Well Being Event in Spring next year. After discussion, Cllrs
RESOLVED to take no further action on this matter.
- Forecast of Events. After reviewing the Forecast of Events for the remainder of this
year and the DRAFT for 2026 Cllrs RESOLVED to confirm the plan with no changes.
Action: Cllrs Bottomley.
- Planning. No newPlanning Applications have been received from Wiltshire Council.
- Property.
12.1 Grass Cutting. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that the current regime for grass
cutting is working well and that he will confirm the number of cuts completed
this year. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows
12.2 Play Area. The annual RoSPA Playground inspection took place on 24th
October 2025, resulting in an excellent report, with equipment in good order.
Only minor remedial work is required and will be conducted on the next
playground work party on Saturday 18th April 2026. Action: Cllr Earle.
12.3 Streetscene Minor Works and A342 Road Safety. Situation:
- A342/ Marlborough Road – Safety & Infrastructure. Update:
- Actioned in September 2025:
- The SLOW road markings on the A342 in Everleigh have been repainted.
- The roundel and countdown markings on the A342 eastern 50mph gateway have been repainted.
- The Summerdown Farm bend chevron has been repaired, but has been badly damaged again. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows has reported the damage on MyWilts to Wilts Council.
- Verge Marlborough Road: Repair of the grips on the verge of Marlborough Road near the Linden Farm entrance is subject to further consideration.
- 40mph Sign Marlborough Road. At the northern 40mph gateway signs on Marlborough Road, one 40mph sign is missing and has been reported on MyWilts to Wilts Council. Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.
- General Streetscene Matters. Update on the procurement of signs for The Street and Marlborough Road:
- Timeframe for Implementation: By the end of this FY.
- The requirement is for 2 street signs for Marlborough Road and one for The Street. The residents of Blacksmith Cottage have agreed to The Street sign being fitted to their wall.
12.3.3 Everleigh Street Map. A second village street map was proposed.
After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to take this forward as follows:
- Cllr Martin will review the content of the current version of the map.
- Cllr Bottomley will consult the residents of Heathside to explore the option of installing a street map in the vicinity of the junction The Street/West View.
Action: Cllrs Bottomley and Martin.
- Finance.
13.1 Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation. A bank reconciliation to date
Is showing a balance of £4022.87.
13.2 To authorise payments made since last meeting:
13.2.1 19.09.25 Lloyds Bank chages £4.25
13.2.2 07.10.25 Ms Boulton Clerk costs (1/4) £496.18
13.2.3 07.10.25 Ms Boulton Clerk costs (2/4) £496.18
13.2.4 07.10.25 Ms Boulton Clerk costs (mileage)£27.00
13.2.5 07.10.25 WH Smith Stationery £19.98 £3.33 VAT
13.2.6 07.10.25 Courier Bonfire Advert £30.00
13.2.7 07.10.25 Jamieson Br. Bulbs £47.99 £8.00 VAT
13.2.8 07.10.25 Collingbourne Hall hire 09.09.25 £12.00
13.2.9 07.10.25 Ab Fab Loo Bonfire loos £138.00 £23.00 VAT
13.2.10 09.10.25 Diva Store Compost £41.93 £7.00 VAT
13.2.11 09.10.25 Botanico Plug plants £42.94 £7.15 VAT
13.2.12 17.10.25 Roses Fireworks £800.00 £133.36 VAT 13.2.13 19.10.25 Lloyds Bank charges £4.25
Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments. Action: Clerk.
13.3 To note payments received:
13.4 Parish Council Fixed Assets and IT Situation. After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to:
- Not purchase computer equipment for the clerk at present.
- Review the provision of an official e-mail address for the clerk
- Review the provision of web site cover for the Parish Council.
- Seek further advice on 0365 Cloud storage.
- Approve a DRAFT Parish Council IT Policy with minor amendment.
- Approve minor amendments to the Parish Council Social Media Policy.
Action: Cllr Bottomley, Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows and the Clerk.
13.5 Everleigh Enhancement. Updates:
13.5.1 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle reported that all was well with the village
planters.
13.5.2 Christmas Tree. The budget for the tree in this FY remains £100.
Action: Cllr Waight
13.5.3 Plan for FY 2026-27. After discussion of future proposals for FY 2026-27,
Cllrs RESOLVED to:
- Maintain budgets of £350 for planters and £100 for a Christmas Tree.
- Replace the Defibrillator at the 7 year point in September 2026 at an estimated cost of £1,100. Options for a new defibrillator remain under consideration. Action: Cllrs Bottomley, Earle and Martin.
- Village Events.
14.1 Harvest Festival Service Saturday 4th October 2025. A Harvest Festival service
took place in St Peter’s Church on Saturday 4th October, attended by 19
parishioners. The Church was decorated beautifully by volunteers,
who arranged a stunning floral display. Rev Jo Reid conducted an
excellent service. Harvest gifts were gratefully received and donated to the
Trussel Trust food bank. Item closed.
14.2 Litter Pick Saturday 18th October 2025. A village litter pick was conducted
on Saturday 18th October. 9 volunteers collected 11 bags of rubbish, to
clear the verges of roads running through the village. Cllrs RESOLVED to
continue with 2 litter picks per year, in the Spring and the Autumn. The next
litter pick will take place on Saturday 7th March 2026. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
14.3 Bonfire Night Saturday 8th November 2025. Cllrs reviewed the latest planning
checklist for the village Bonfire Night, Saturday 8th November, and RESOLVED:
- To retain use of a clicker to control attendance which is limited to 500.
- To continue liaison with the British Heart Foundation to support donations. Action: Cllr Evans.
- To retain a gazeebo as a 1st Aid Post. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
- To note that a portaloo has been hired from ABFAB Loos. Action: Clerk.
- To retain the 2024 Bonfire Night layout: cordon; firing area; & drop zone.
- To retain the use of a PA system. Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
- To apply DTI Safety Guidelines.
- To note that fireworks have been purchased. Action: Cllr K Wheeler- Mallows
- To retain the car parking plan used for the 2024 Bonfire Night.
- To provide a BBQ, less hot dogs. Action: Cllr Earle
- To retain drinks refreshments for sale, kindly provided by the Collingbourne Ducis Cricket Club. Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
- To retain both cash and card payments
- To confirm that Mr Baz Reed has agreed to provide First Aid cover. Action: Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.
Action: Cllr Bottomley
14.4 Christmas Carol Service 13th December. The Everleigh Christmas Carol Service is
scheduled for Saturday 13th December at 5pm at St Peter’s Church. The
Service will follow a traditional format with 8 carols and 6 readings, and
will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies. After discussion Cllrs
RESOLVED that planning was on track. 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). Updates have been
received from the Wilts Council RoW Officer on 13th May and 17th October to
report that this matter remains a complex issue which is being considered at
Head of Service level. Further elaboration has been requested.
Action: Cllr Bottomley.
16. Community Governance Review. Wilts Council is reviewing Community
Governance by Town and Parish Councils, with a focus on structure and organisation
(including numbers of councillors and boundaries) in order to ensure efficient and
effective local governance. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to maintain the status
quo and not to request to be prioritised for review. Action: Cllr Bottomley & Clerk.
17. Oaks @ 80 Project. Wilts Council have asked for bids for £80 funding for an English
Oak tree to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2. After
discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to take no further action on this project.
18. Exercise AUTUMN LEAVES Saturday 29th November 2025. The Army Motorsports
Association will be holding a navigation event, Exercise AUTUMN LEAVES, on Saturday
29th November around the Salisbury Plain area. The exercise will consist of about 30
landrover type vehicles setting off at one minute intervals from Larkhill. From 9.30-
10,30pm individual vehicles will be moving eastwards along the A342 through
Everleigh and then turning South onto Salisbury Plain via Netheravon Road. This
event has been included in our article for the November Courier.
19. Date of Next Meeting: The date of the next Parish Council meeting was confirmed as
Tuesday 13th January 2026 at 7pm at the Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.
Signed: date:
Name:
Chair
