EVERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall on Tuesday 22nd October 2024
Chair: Cllr D Bottomley.
Present: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows (vice Chair), Cllr A Earle, Cllr H Waight,
Cllr P Evans, Cllr L Wheeler-Mallows and Cllr T Martin.
In Attendance: Ms H Boulton (Parish Clerk);
Cllr C Williams (Wiltshire Counci)
- Chair’s Opening Remarks. The Chair announced that the main effort of the meeting was to fine tune planning for the Bonfire Night on Saturday 2nd November this year.
- Apologies for Absence: PC J Kinge.
- 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 3rd September 2024. The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 3rd September 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. Wilts Cllr C Williams briefed the Parish Council on the following key points:
- A full Wilts Council meeting took place on Tuesday 15th October 2024. Items on the agenda included the Wiltshire Local Plan Review – Submission of the Draft Plan. Approval was given by the Council to submit the draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State for scrutiny. This follows on from statutory Regulation 19 consultation which took place at the end of 2023. This new Local Plan will help meet the Council’s legal requirements to have an up-to-date Local Plan in place, covering housing, infrastructure and employment up to 2038.
- An updated Enforcement Policy was endorsed, the aim of which is to reinforce a “one council” approach to enforcement across Wiltshire Council.
- There were Statements of both Licensing Policy and Gambling Principles, and various members’ motions were debated, including one on Winter Fuel Payments, requesting the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, urging a review of Labour’s decision to end the Winter Fuel Payment and, after a lengthy debate on whether to accept amendments or not, the motion was approved with no amendments.
- Private Motor Vehicles. The motion was passed, again with no amendments, that the Council refuses to support any scheme that seeks to force people out of their cars without a high quality, efficient, reliable and cost-effective alternative in place.
- The Tidworth Area Board met on Monday 7th October 2024. There were various partner updates, the main one being from the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership. Grants were approved for repairs to the St James Church Bells in Ludgershall, and winter maintenance of the green at Castledown Bowls club. The Castle Practice also made a request for a grant towards a carer’s café being set up. The next Tidworth Area Board meeting takes place on Monday 9th December 2024 at the Ludgershall Memorial Hall.
- Wilts Police Report. The Ludgershall and Rural Neighbourhood Police Team report for September 2024 had been circulated to Parish Councillors on 7th October 2024. There was one activity relating to Everleigh: “Unknown suspects have caused damage to crops whilst hare coursing near to the vicinity of East Lodge of the Manor.”
- Correspondence.
- Update from the Wilts Association of Local Councils (WALC):
- The WALC Annual Conference 2024 takes place on Tuesday 5th November 09.30am – 4pm at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. No parish councillors were available to attend.
- Six WALC Training modules by zoom are available in November and December 2024. There were no volunteers to attend any of these modules.
- A Wilts Council Independent Review Panel are considering reimbursement for
councillors, whereby Councils may reimburse councillors for their time and effort
as well as materials if they wish, subject to guidelines and a standard scheme yet
to be devised. After discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to maintain the volunteer ethos,
serving our community with no financial gain and to respond to a survey
accordingly. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
9.3 Wilts Council have launched two surveys seeking residents’ views on priorities for
Wilts Council spending and where electric vehicle chargers might be installed.
Cllrs RESOLVED that the village web master be requested to publish these surveys
on the village web site for individuals to respond to. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
- Forecast of Events. After reviewing the latest Forecast of Events Cllrs RESOLVED
to agree the proposed plan for 2025 with dates for a Right of Way 13 work party in
February and August 2025 to follow. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
- 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.
In a Decision Notice issued on 31st 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.
Wilts Council have granted permission for this planning application
subject to conditions. Of note, conditions 7 and 12 seem to have taken
account of neighbours’ concerns about privacy:
“7. Before the dwelling hereby permitted is first occupied/brought into use the landing/stairwell window on North East side elevation shall be glazed with obscure glass only and the window shall be maintained with obscure glazing in perpetuity.
12. The dwelling hereby approved shall not be first occupied until the 1.22m (4ft) high fence has been erected along the North East boundary of the site as shown on the approved plan (ref: 2312/02_104) and shall be maintained at that height in perpetuity.”
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) and repositioning of access.
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 in accordance with the approved details; and the new access will be relocated and completed in accordance with the approved drawings. The sole
means of vehicular and pedestrian access to the site from then on shall be as shown on the plans hereby approved.”
A new access track is currently under construction.
- 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 remains in good order.
- One of the goal posts is prone to collapsing and will be monitored.
- The Clerk is to arrange the annual RoSPAs Playground Inspection. Action: Clerk
12.3 Streetscene Minor Works. Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows reported that:
- The drainage on the sump pond in Lower Everleigh remains an issue which has
been ongoing since February 2020. Having raised the matter once more,this
issue has now been passed to HQ Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) for the
MoD as the landowner and the Wilts Council Maintenance Engineer for the
Everleigh area, for the safety of both the A342 and the residents of Lower
Everleigh.
- Work by the Wilts Council Discretionary Gully Service has taken place in Everleigh over the period 21-25 October 2024.
- Damage to one of the Summerdown farm bend chevrons on the Marlborough Road has been reported on the MyWilts App.
- Finance.
13.1 Current Liquidity State and Bank Reconciliation. The Parish Clerk
submitted a bank reconciliation to date showing £5885-09.
13.2 Authorise cheques for payment and those cheques issued since last
meeting or presented for payment:
13.2.1 £101.65 Amazon ref Green T-Shirts (VAT £10.86)
13.2.2 £56.99 Gt British Bulb Company ref Autumn bulbs (VAT £10.00)
Cllrs RESOLVED to authorise the payments.
13.3 To note payments received.
13.3.1 £100 Donation for use of Parish Council marquees – 20-22 September 2024.
13.4 Card Reader. After consideration of the various options Cllrs RESOLVED
retrospectively to apply for a Lloyds Cardnet reader at a cost of £49 and then
1.57% per transaction.The card machine has now arrived and will be tested
before use at the Bonfire Night on Saturday 2nd November 2024.
Action: Cllr Evans.
13.5 Parish Council Financial Regulations 2023. Cllrs reviewed the
current Parish Council Financial Regulations, focusing on Paragraph 6:
“Instructions for making payments” and RESOLVED to make no changes.
13.6 Parish Council Fixed Asset Register. Cllrs reviewed a DRAFT revised
Parish Council Fixed Asset Register and Policy and, after discussion, RESOLVED to
defer this matter until the next Parish Council meeting on 10th December 2024.
Action: Clerk.
13.7 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Signs. The Everleigh NHW Co-ordinator is
still considering options for the deployment of NHW signs in light of restrictions on
utilizing certain poles within the village.
Action: Cllr K Wheeler-Mallows to liaise with the NHW Co-ordinator.
13.8 Everleigh Enhancement. Cllr Bottomley briefed Cllrs on his latest draft of
the Everleigh Enhancement Plan, after which Cllrs gave the following
updates:
13.8.1 Replacement Bench. Cllr Waight was congratulated on his excellent
installation of the new park bench on The Crown bus shelter grass verge.
Item closed.
13.8.2 Flower Planters. Cllr Earle reported that Autumn bulbs have been planted.
13.8.3 Christmas Trees. Cllr Earle reported that small Christmas trees would be
procured in December, together with a main Christmas Tree in the vicinity
of The Crown bus shelter. Action: Cllr Earle.
13.8.4 Future Enhancement Aspirations. Proposals for the next FY:
- Planters – Spring and Autumn plants – £350 (Cllr Earle)
- Flagpole vicinity Crown Bus Shelter £329 + £65 VAT (Cllr Earle).
- Village Events.
14.1 Ducis Church Fete/Games Saturday 7th September. The Collingbourne
Ducis St Andrew’s Church Fete took place on Saturday 7th September
in the Ducis Village Hall and on the recreation ground. Team Everleigh
put in a great effort, particularly in the Tug of War competition. The event
was well organised and was a great way to develop community spirit
with our neighbours from Kingston and Ducis. Item closed.
14.2 Harvest Festival Service Saturday 5th October. The Everleigh Harvest
Festival service took place in St Peter’s Church on Saturday 5th October,
attended by 24 parishioners. The Church was decorated beautifully by
the Ladies of Everleigh, 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.
14.3 Litter Pick Saturday 19th October. A village Litter Pick took place on
Saturday 19th October. Many thanks go to the 15 volunteers who took
part and commented that there was less rubbish than previous litter picks.
Everleigh appears to be getting cleaner!
14.4 Bonfire Night Saturday 2nd November. Cllrs reviewed the planning
checklist for the village Bonfire Night to be held on Saturday 2nd
November and RESOLVED:
- To use a clicker to monitor attendance.
- To make donations to the Salisbury Hospice and future village events.
- To set up both Parish Council marquees, with one for the Cricket Club.
- To have a gazeebo as a 1st Aid Post and a 2nd BBQ stand.
- To review the layout in late October: cordon; firing area; and drop zone.
- To confirm the traffic control and car parking plan as briefed.
- To have a qualified First Aider, covered by Parish Council insurance.
- To confirm the risk assessment in the event Management Plan.
- To follow the Dept of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Explosives Industry Group guidelines for fireworks and bonfires.
- 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. Wilts Council have issued a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) on 16th August 2024.
- To have cash payments and an additional option of a card reader.
- To request electricity from Kingscote bungalow and to consider a generator.
Afternotes:
- The layout for the cordon, firing area and drop zone was reviewed on Monday 28th October 2024
- The availability of electricity from Kingscote bungalow is confirmed.
Action: Cllr Bottomley
14.5 Christmas Carol Service. The Everleigh Christmas Carol Service is
scheduled for Saturday 14th December at 5pm at St Peter’s Church. The
Service will follow a traditional format with 8 carols and 6 readings, and
and will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
15 Highways and Footpaths.
15.1 Footpath Right of Way (RoW) 8. The cattle pen has been opened up but we
await further developments on the provision of stiles and signs. Action: Cllr
Bottomley
15.2 Footpath RoW 15. An ISO container has been placed at the front entrance of
the former Everleigh Household Recycle Centre (HRC). The RoW Officer
is still exploring options for clearing the permissive path for RoW 15
around the outside of the site. Action: Cllr Bottomley.
- Road Safety Enhancements A342.
- The Senior Engineer Wilts Council supporting the Tidworth Local
Highways and Footways Implementation Group (LHFIG) has produced a
revised plan to enhance signs and road markings on the A342 in
Everleigh. At an LHFIG meeting on 2nd October 2024, due to the high
cost of the enhancement plan (£4200) with a potential Parish Council
contribution of £1050, it was decided to refer all maintenance tasks to
the Wilts Council Maintenance Team. Action: Cllrs Bottomley & Martin.
- A traffic speed limit survey has taken place in the week beginning Monday 30th September 2024. Cllr Martin is reviewing the outcome. Action: Cllr Martin.
16. Digital Voice Changeover and Broadband.
16.1 Cllr Evans reported that BT Openreach plan to upgrade phone lines from the
old analogue system to a new digital system has been delayed from completion
by 31st January 2027 until the end of 2027. This will be a national roll out plan, not
regional. There is one more local information session to be held on Tuesday 29th
October from 10.00 to 13.00 at Pewsey Library, Aston Close, Pewsey, SN9 5Q.
16.2 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 the year.
Action: Cllrs Evans and K Wheeler-Mallows.
17. 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 10th December 2024 at Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall.
Meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Signed: date:
Name:
Chairman
