Draft Minutes of EPC 3rd September 2024

 EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held

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

Chair:        Cllr D Bottomley.

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

                   Cllr P Evans and Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows.

In Attendance:   Ms H Boulton (Parish Clerk); 

                             PC J Kinge (Wiltshire Police)

                             Cllr C Williams (Wiltshire Counci)   

             

1. Chair’s Opening Remarks.  The Chair welcomed all present and noted that the meeting was being recorded by the Clerk for notes to support the minutes only.

      The Chair announced that the main effort of the meeting was to focus on the

      planning for the Bonfire Night on Saturday 2^nd November this year.

• Apologies for Absence:  Cllr T Martin.

• 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 Meeting 9^th July 2024. The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 9^th July 2024 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 Cllr Report.  The Tidworth Area Board will meet on Monday 7^th October at 7pm at the Tidworth Civic Centre. The deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday 6 September; it was noted that access to grants available has changed.  Finally, the Pewsey on demand bus service has been extended to Tidworth. There were no questions.
• Wilts Police Report.   PC J Kinge provided June to August statistics which showed that in the Everleigh area  8 emergency calls were made and no rural crimes were reported.  It was however confirmed that various WhatsApp groups had numerous mention of possible criminal intent. It was noted that the Police do not monitor these platforms.  It was agreed that it is very important that these incidents are reported in the proper manner so that they can be included in the official statistics.

• Correspondence. 

•   The Wiltsire Association of Local Councils (WALC) AGM will take place at  Community First, Hopton Industrial Estate in Devizes on Wednesday 25^th   September at 6.30pm and will be attended by Cllr D Bottomley.
•   A Neighbourhood Police County Parish Forum will take place on  Wednesday 20^th November at 6pm at HQ Wilts Police in Devizes and will be  attended by Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.  The Invitation is to be extended to NHW rep for Everleigh, Mr T Bradford. 

  Afternote: Mr Bradford has confirmed that he will attend.

•   The Wiltshire NHW AGM is scheduled for Saturday 5^th October at 10am at HQ Wilts Police in Devizes. The Everleigh NHW rep has indicated that he is not available to attend.
•   Wilts Council have launched a consultation on Gypsies & Travellers to assess permanent and future accommodation in Wiltshire.  No sites permanent or otherwise are planned for the Everleigh area.  Responses are required by 4^th October.  It was agreed that there is no change to the Parish Council stance submitted  in 2021: “Accomodating Gypsies and

  Travellers in Wiltshire should remain clearly focused on utilising and  developing existing permanent sites, with a small number of temporary emergency stopping sites as a reserve.”  Therefore, Cllrs RESOLVED that no  further action is required.

1.  Forecast of Events.  After reviewing the latest Forecast of Events Cllrs RESOLVED

 to add a work party to clear Right of Way (RoW) 13 footpath between No 6 and 7 Pigleaze Cottages next year at a date to be decided at the next Parish Council meeting.    Action:  Cllr Bottomley.

1. 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. 

          In a Decision Notice issued on 31^st July 2024, Wilts Council have refused 

                this planning application at Lower House Farm and is considering

                enforcement proceedings noting that all works to date are unauthorised

                on the basis that the “development as built comprises a wholly new

                dwelling in the countryside for which permission has not been granted.”

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.

    The details of the previous meeting on 9^th July were summarized for the benefit of the visitors to the meeting with particular attention to the process of a planning application and the powers held by the Parish Council within that process.  Following the meeting a complaint against the Parish Council was received together with further particular complaints against two of the Councillors. Reference was made to a code of conduct breach.  A full investigation was carried out by Wilts Council and the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.  The decision date on this application has been delayed from 19^th July to 30^th September. 

1.  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 the play area is in good order.  However, the goal posts will need attention in the near future.   

            Action:  Cllr Earle

   12.3   Streetscene Minor Works.   Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that there has been no change. The sump issue in Lower Everleigh has been ongoing for four years.  Action:  Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.

PC J Kinge & Cllr C Williams left the meeting

1.  Finance.

13.1   Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation.  The Parish Clerk submitted a bank reconciliation to date showing £5946.73 at the bank with no outstanding payments or receipts.  A report was produced showing a breakdown of all transactions since the start of the current      financial year which included the Fixed Asset (FA) values.  A report was also supplied summarizing the situation regarding authorisation at the bank and it was agreed to set up a two factor authorisation for the internet access. Finally, it was agreed to review the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations at the next Parish Council meeting.

          Action:  Clerk

13.2   Authorise cheques for payment and those cheques issued since last

         meeting or presented for payment:

            13.2.1   £52.74 Med UK    ref 12 De Fib pads      VAT £8.79

            13.2.2   £144.00 Ab Fab Loos   ref Bonfire Party hire one loo   VAT £24.00

            13.2.3.   £399.96 Jack Sealey Ltd   ref portable gas BBQ   VAT £56.66

                 Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments.

       13.3   To note payments received.   £Nil.

       13.4   Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Signs.  It was reported to the Parish Council by the Everleigh NHW Co-ordinator that objections had been raised by Scottish and Southern Electric (SSE) regarding the proposed attachment of the new NHW signs on certain poles within the village. 

The NHW Co-ordinator was now proposing the use of scaffolding poles.  The Parish Council, whilst agreeing with the use of external fixings, wished to make the NHW Co-ordinator aware of his responsibility for the proper use of a Parish Council donation, should any signs be subsequently removed.

                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 the planters have not done as well as previous years and suggested an increase in budget for the following year to accommodate the purchase of compost.  He is currently sourcing bulbs for next year.  Action:  Cllr Earle.

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

    13.5.3  Future Enhancement Aspirations.  Cllr Earle reported that the new BBQ had been a huge success and that small Christmas trees would be procured later this year. He also reported that defibrillator pads had been purchased, although the new pads do not attach directly to the defibrillator.  They are used by being placed directly onto the chest of the patient. 

               Action: Cllrs Earle & Martin.

All Cllrs were asked to have suggestions ready for the next meeting with regards to budget for the FY 2025-26.

1.  Village Events.

       14.1   Ducis Church Fete/Games Saturday 7^th September.  The Collingbourne Ducis St Andrew’s Church Fete is scheduled for Saturday 7th September from 12 noon until 5pm in the Ducis Village Hall and on the recreation ground.  After discussion, Cllrs RESOLVED to provide £101-65 funding to purchase 20 T-Shirts for Team Everleigh.    Action: Cllr Bottomley.

                 Afternote:   Team Everleigh put in a great effort at the Ducis Fete and Tri Village Games.  The event was well organised and very successful.

       14.2   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.

        14.3   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.  Action:  Cllr Evans.

        14.4  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:

• Not to adopt a ticketing regime; use a clicker to monitor attendance.
• To make donations to the Salisbury Hospice and future village events.
• To amend the flyer as discussed.
• To set up both Parish Council marquees, with one for the Cricket Club.
• To have a gazeebo as a 1^st Aid Post and a 2^nd BBQ stand.
• To review the layout in late October: cordon; firing area; and drop zone.
• To review car parking:  capacity; marshals; and advertise as limited.
• To have a qualified First Aider, covered by Parish Council insurance.
• To have BBQ refreshments on sale, with a budget of £400.
• To have drinks on sale, which the Collingbourne Ducis Cricket Club having kindly agreed to provide.
• To have cash payments and review an additional option of a card reader.
• To request electricity from Kingscote bungalow 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 The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) have bought gates ready to be installed in order to open up this RoW. We await further developments.  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 update on 20^th March 2024.  The RoW Officer continues to explore options for clearing the permissive path for RoW 15 around the outside of the Everleigh Household Recycle Centre site. 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.   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.  The next LHFIG meeting will take place on Wednesday 2^nd October at 5.30pm at the Ludgershall Town Council office.

                    Action:  Cllrs Bottomley and Martin.

1.  Policies – Social Media.   A social media policy was adopted and is to be added to the list of Parish Council policy documents. Action: Clerk.

17.  Digital Voice Changeover and Broadband.  

       17.1  Cllr Evans reported that BT Openreach is upgrading phone lines from the old analogue system to a new digital system. This is a long term programme due to be completed by 31st January 2027. For most people the upgrade should be straightforward and is managed by service providers (Vodafone, Sky etc) who should give at least four weeks notice of the proposed change. Local information sessions will be held on the following dates, with an opportunity to ask any questions:

• Thursday 10th October from 10.00 to 13.00 at Amesbury Library, Smithfield St, West Amesbury, SP4 7AL.

• Tuesday 29th October from 10.00 to 13.00 at Pewsey Library, Aston Close, Pewsey, SN9 5Q.

The programme in our local area should follow these sessions in Octoberbut at the moment we don’t have any further information.  In the meantime, if you change or renew your broadband contract you may be advised that they will move you on to a digital phone line, as has happened with several people in Everleigh already.

       17.2  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, has been delayed slightly and is now scheduled to be complete by the end of October.

       Action:  Cllrs Evans and K Wheeler-Mallows.

1.  Coronation Orchards.  After further consideration, Cllrs RESOLVED to withdraw

 from making a grant application for a coronation orchard.  Item closed.

1.  The LINK Scheme.  Cllr Evans gave an overview brief of the good work

 conducted by the Collingbournes, Chute and Everleigh Link Scheme,  

 providing excellent support to our local community. Item closed.

•   Royal Mail Post Box – Marlborough Road.  Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows has

        contacted Royal Mail Customer Services concerning the closure of the Royal

        Mail post box in Marlborough Road.  We are awaiting further developments.

        Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows.

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

 on Tuesday 22^nd October 2024 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Signed:                                                                                               date:

Name:

Chairman