EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held

at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 13 December 2022

Chairman:      Cllr D Bottomley

Present:           Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair), Cllr H Waight, Cllr T Martin and Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows,

In Attendance: Mr P Gill (Parish Clerk) and Wilts Cllr C Williams

1. Chairman’s Announcement.  The Chairman announced: The main effort of the meeting was to review and update the Everleigh Enhancement 4 Year Plan and to set the budget and Precept for FY 23/24.

• Apologies:  Cllr P Evans and  Cllr A Earle.

• Disclosure of Interest.  None declared.

• Co-option.  None.

• Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 25 October 2022. 
  • The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25 October 2022 were signed by the Chairman as a true record.                                                                                     Action: Clerk
  • Matters Arising.  None.

• General Public.  No questions asked

• Wilts Cllr Report.  Wilts Cllr C Williams reported the following:  Thankfully we have enjoyed some warm days in September and October, but many people are concerned as more colder temperatures are forecast. Wiltshire Council is focused on supporting residents, businesses and communities – there is detailed information online at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6665/Council-tax-benefits-and-financial-support  Please do take a look, as there may be additional help available for our residents.  Assistance has already been provided to residents through schemes such as the Household Support Fund (£2.7m to vulnerable households), the Council Tax Energy Rebate to residents in Council Tax bands A-D and the School Holidays Activity and Food programme.  The discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme for households in bands E to H is now open for those in in receipt of Council Tax reduction, or if the property has been adapted to accommodate a disabled person (including severe mental disabilities).  The £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme is payable to every household – the discount will be applied to monthly household electricity bills for 6 months from October 2022 – you’ll get £66 in October and November and £67 in December, January, February, and March.  The discount is paid monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card.  Prepayment meter users will get equivalent vouchers that will need to be redeemed.  Alongside this, the Government’s Energy Price Guarantee – the “Energy Price Cap” ensures that a “typical” household will pay no more than £2,500 per year until April 2023 when there will be a Treasury-led review into how energy bills are supported going forwards.  Of course, many households in the Tidworth Community area, and the majority of those in the rural parishes are off the gas grid, and rely on heating oil or LPG, in addition to electricity.  The Government is also providing an additional payment of £200 (recently increased from £100) to compensate for the rising costs of these other fuels and I know our MPs are lobbying ministers for more detail about how this payment will be distributed.  In the meantime, Wiltshire Council is focused on supporting residents, businesses (including schools) and Wiltshire Council staff.  Area Boards are being asked to work with their communities to ensure that local support is in place for the most vulnerable, including food banks.  The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub is supporting residents with financial wellbeing concerns.  The 09:30hrs restriction on concessionary fare bus passes has been lifted, so that they can be used at any time and Warm and Safe Wiltshire will continue to offer free and impartial energy advice to reduce fuel poverty.  It goes without saying that these are challenging times – but I am confident that with these measures, and the fabulous community spirit in parishes across Tidworth Community Area that our more vulnerable neighbours will be properly supported over the coming months.  In response to a question Cllr Williams asked Cllr Waight to email him direct reference the situation with the Travellers at the old Everleigh Recycling Centre.                                                                              Action:  Cllr Waight

Cllr Williams then answered other questions and the Chairman thanked him for his report.

• Police Report.  No report was received since 26 Oct 22 and Cllrs noted that the last recorded incident was a Drink Driving Offence and that the Police & Crime Commissioner had contacted all Wiltshire residents reference his Precept increase suggestions and asked them to complete a survey.  Cllrs encouraged villagers to engage with the survey.

Cllr Wheeler-Mallow reported that he had attended an online meeting hosted by the local police but he had nothing to report from it.

• Correspondence.  Having considered an offer from GreenThumb Salisbury to nominate an individual, a family or a group in the local area whose wellbeing could be improved by enjoying a year’s worth of FREE treatments from Green Thumb’s Standard Programme and being unable to identify suitable nominations Cllrs RESOLVED to take no further action.

Item Closed.

1. Forecast of Events.  Cllrs reviewed the latest Forecast of Events and made no changes.

1. 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 gave a summary of the situation and the fact that the decision notice listed 17 separate conditions to be complied with. During discussion several Cllrs expressed their concerns that the applicant may be failing to comply with several conditions and there was an unexpected change of use i.e B8 / E(g)(iii).  Cllr Wheeler-Mallows reported thathe had spoken to WC Planning Officer, Georgina Wright (GW) about the general concerns of over-development or extending permissions already granted at the above address. Regarding comments about conversion of barns into light commercial units, and access rights of way sequencing, the replacement stabling and other comments of what has already been approved but possibly extended beyond the permission(s) granted, he was advised that WC Planning Officers are not likely to engage with the applicant at this time, and should there be any concerns then they should be broached with the Enforcement Team (part of WC Planning department).  He was reminded that the Planning Officers cannot act on or speculate as to the direction of travel that the applicants may take in future.  Cllr Waight offered some information from a conversation with the DIO Land Agent which Cllrs noted.  After discussion Cllrs decided that Cllr Wheeler-Mallows was to monitor the situation and to remove the item from the agenda for the time being.        Action Cllr Wheeler-Mallows

11.1.2 PL/2022/08900. Consent under Tree Preservation Orders. Work to involve

trimming back of significant overhanging branches of 2 beech trees off the boundary and removal of dead branches at THE OLD POST OFFICE, MARLBOROUGH ROAD, EVERLEIGH SN8 3EX.  Having previously considered the above application Cllrs RESOLVED to support the proposals as specified in planning application and raise no objections. Action:  Cllr Bottomley

1. Property.

12.1     Grass Cutting Contract.  Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that Mr J Bowen has finished cutting for this season and the number of cuts was as budgeted for and that the invoice had been paid. Action:  Cllr K Wheeler Mallows

12.2    Play Area.  In the absence of Cllr Earle Cllr Bottomley reported that the Annual RoSPA Inspection had graded the Play Area mostly Green. There are minor items for repair which will be actioned by the next works party on 15 Apr 23.  It was noted that one item for remedial action in the report had been copied and pasted from the last report in 2021, despite having been rectified last year.         Action:  Cllr Earle

12.3   Streetscene Minor Works.  Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows stated that apart from the perennial issue of road sign issues there was little to report.  However, it should be noted that the recent fire/ pollution damage to the Street was dealt with very effectively and that there had been a visit to the village by the road sweeper.  Cllrs congratulated Cllr Wheeler-Mallows on his work to produce the “Flood Warning” Signs.

Action:  Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows

12.4.  Repairs.  Cllrs thank Cllr Earle for carrying out the repairs to the table and BBQ.

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 9 Dec 22) £4322.59

13.1.5   Reconciled Balance as 12 Dec 22 £3,980.51

Members noted the statements but had no comment at this time.

13.2   Authorise cheques for payment and those cheques issued since last meeting or presented for payment.

               13.3 To note payments received

         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:

1. . Cllr Martin reported that the project was now complete and had come in under budget other than the possibility of putting a small patch on the map to rectify a minor error. Cllrs thanked Cllr Martin for his fine work.
   1. . Cllr Earle had previously reported that the annual plants had been lifted and that the spring bulbs had been planted.

Action: Cllr Earle.

1. . Cllr Waight the tree was in position with all lights working. Cllrs offered their thanks to Cllrs Earle & Waight.
   1. .Cllr Bottomley led a discussion on possible projects and costs as set out in his latest draft and after discussion Cllrs RESOLVED 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 new bench, new planters and a Xmas Tree with the budget set at £950.00. Action:  Cllr Bottomley

1. Having considered in some depth the draft budget presented by Cllr Bottomley and the Clerk Cllrs RESOLVED to accept the budget as presented and as a result further RESOLVED to set the precept for FY 23-24 at £3,972.90.

This is an increase of £87.05/2.16% (£0.90) for Band D.                           Action: Clerk

1. 1. The Everleigh Bonfire Night took place on Saturday 5^th November at Jubilee Field. The event had been highly successful due to the huge effort and team work from a number of key players, both parish councillors and villagers. A financial reconciliation summary was circulated; this included a donation of £200 to Wilts Air Ambulance. There were several lessons learned which will be considered in the planning of the next event.                                     Action:  Cllr Bottomley          

1. Cllr Bottomley reported that service had been well attended and a great success, under budget and that congratulations should go to all involved. It should be noted that the budget for the 2023 service has been reduced from £150.00 to £100.00                                                                             Action: Cllr Bottomley.                                  

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.  To date the RoW Officer has yet to make further contact.  However, Cllr Waight informed Cllrs that the DIO Land Agent was aware of this bid and Cllrs agreed that Cllr Bottomley should contact the RoW Officer to seek an update.                    Action: Cllr Bottomley.

1. Date of Next Meeting: The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7.00 pm on Tuesday 14 March 2023 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 20.35hrs

Signed:                                                                                     date:

Name:

Chairman