Minutes of the Meeting held in the Phoenix Hall On Thursday, 11th September, 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
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WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL
Cllr Mackay welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially our well deserved Netheravon in Bloom winners, a special thank you must also be given to Phil Drayson, Brian Colvill, Selina Shephard and the lady from Veranda Villas (sorry name not known.) for watering the hanging baskets, particularly during the very hot and dry summer, they have looked stunning.
REPORT BY WILTSHIRE COUNCILLOR
Cllr Blair-Pilling was not in attendance and no report sent.
POLICE REPORT
Sent out before the meeting, community PC was unable to come to the meeting, this report did not include anything from Netheravon, with Tidworth and Ludgershall having anti-social behaviour problems at the moment
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public present after the Netheravon in Bloom winners collected their prizes
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APOLOGIES
Apologies received and accepted from:
Cllr Burke
Cllr Coslett
Cllr Padgett
Cllr O Grady
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest
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MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 2nd July 2025 be accepted as a true record.
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FINANCE
a. Bank Reconciliation
The bank reconciliation was passed out to councillors before the meeting, all agreed
b. Clerk Pension
Clerk enrolled into a pension and also opted out a few days later.
c. Extended warranty on SID’s (Speed Indicator Devices)
It was agreed not to take out an extended warranty, bank has sent a letter asking for interest charges, account closed, so not sure how they will get it. Leave for now.
d. Cob Wall
Cob wall completed and it is looking good, discussion around the use of fence panels and posts. It was agreed to ask Chairman on his return if he could ask the local farmer to take them out and perhaps lay them down as a buffer to stop cars hitting the wall. It was also agreed to take the fence panels around to the patio area, stack them, cover them up to stop them getting ruined. Cllr Brown to speak to Fence contractor about completing work to put them around the patio.
e. Bus Stop
Not sure if ecological work completed, getting closer to winter, where it is getting hazardous to be at the bus stop. It is hoped that we will find out more at the LHFIG meeting on the 8th October.
f. War Graves
Proposal regarding the War Graves from Cllr Brown, he contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and also the church. The church told him that when they last addressed the improvement to the war graves CWGC said they would not provide the grant usually paid for maintenance.
g. Insurance Overlap
Cllr Brown has read the council insurance and there is no duplication of insurance between that and the Phoenix Hall, as the council do not insure any buildings.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
1 . Planning
Since the last Parish Council meeting there have been four new items for the planning committee to consider.
PL 2025 05825 – Highview Farm Buildings – 11/7/25 - conversion of farm buildings to 6 dwellings under class Q submission. Public meeting held on 30/7/25.
Separate minutes of that meeting are already in the public domain. NPC objected to this application for many reasons, all stated at the meeting. These were submitted to WC within the shortened timetable required by class Q applications.
Subsequently Wiltshire Council (the Planning Authority) refused permission on 1/9/25.
PL 2025 – 06106 – Wexland Avenue – 25/7/25 - side and rear extension of the house, not adversely impacting view from the road. NPC chose to support this application.
PL 2025 – 06403 – Land adjacent to 118 High Street – 7/8/25 – retrospective application to change the roof tiles and add solar panels to a new build house. NPC supported the application as being environmentally sound, although it dislikes the use of retrospective planning applications.
PL 2025 -07003 – Yew House – 2/9/25 – tree works, of which NPC supports the application, being good management of mature trees in a conservation area.
2 . Flooding and Adverse Weather
Nothing to report
3 . Highways and Parish Steward
State of the the road at Wains Way up the hill to the camp, Potholes have been reported to the MOD including a near miss with the school bus, they painted around the holes, which is now disappearing into the holes. Clerk to report again.
Complaint to Wiltshire Council regarding the access to East/West Court and needing a path up the A345. This was passed to the clerk, who sent it to Cllr Blair-Piling in his post as Chair of LHFIG, and was also raised at the meeting. MP Danny Kruger is meeting with the resident who complained next Friday.
Post meeting note: Cllr Kruger has asked to meet up with Chair or representative on the council on the same date
4 . Cemetery/Enhancement/Netheravon in Bloom
Cemetery, complaint to MOD about inaccurate bill for water use that has been going on for the last 2 years is still ongoing.
Netheravon in Bloom winners awarded their prizes before the meeting. Cllr Coslett to be asked to take down the hanging baskets on his return.
5 . Recreation - Old School Close Park
The money has now been transferred from the Wiltshire Council and is in the savings account. We will arrange a special meeting with the residents when it has all gone through and also put in place a memorandum of understanding to make sure the money is spent on amenities.
ROSPA inspection of play parks is happening this month, there may be some work coming from those inspections that may need to be done. Cllr Perry is trying to organize a village showcase in the near future and thinks it would be a good idea to include this then. We received a quote from Hurdcotts Landscaping regarding the maintenance of the bushes and plants around the flats and library in Old School Close and to the right of the memorial. Council proposed to accept it, all voted and agreed unanimously to accept it.
6 . Allotments
All allotments now in use.
We need to winterise the allotment taps. Clerk to talk to RGV.
7 . Community Allotment and Community Larder
Lots of produce put into the larder from our Community Allotment by our amazing volunteers. The larder seems to be going well at the moment with 4 people looking after it.
8 . Rights of Way
May need to report some of the trees along the river walk, as some not in a good state.
REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GROUPS
a . Phoenix Hall
CHAIR PERSON REPORT FOR PHOENIX HALL SEPTEMBER 2025
There has been a lot of expenditure this period which totals £4784.15 with 2 more invoices expected.
Maintenance and Improvements
Following the fire assessment, we have now had the fire doors corrected and a new one hung into the committee room.
Over the weeks break in August, we had the main hall floor revarnished, the committee room redecorated, carpet shampooed curtains washed. New sensor lights have fitted in all of the toilets.
Looking ahead
We welcome a new board games group this month and a weekly counselling session.
b. Jubilee Committee
Nothing to report
c. Stonehenge Area Board
Next meeting is 25th September at 6.30 pm in Phoenix Hall, Netheravon
d. All Saints School Liaison
Cllr Bridewell has a meeting with the School Governors on the 22nd October. Coffee club held in the Working Mans club recently donated to the school in order for them to buy bean bags books etc.
e. Netheravon Speed Watch Group
Report finally received and will be discussed further at the Local Highways Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting on the 8th October.
f. Newsletter
Funds are looking healthy at the moment, with a promise from a couple of areas of holding fundraisers for it.
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REPORT BY CLERK
Some policies still need to be updated. Health & Safety, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity Clerk to ask Stephen for support
Trees Mill Road reported Trees in residents garden spoke to Martin Browne (River Warden) very helpful and way forward sorted
Fence at Millennium for sheep – dog worrying quote for fencing given, presented quote to council, who all agreed not to take forward. Clerk to write back to the Fencing Contractor
Village Clock Handyman will repair when able Cllr Perry to help – Post meeting note – All done and clock now working
Road sign for Queensway – ready to go back up post meeting note, delivered to handyman and will be put up.
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CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Police report, complaint regarding the A345 access to East/West Court, quotes for Old school close and fence in Millennium Park
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GENERAL PARISH MATTERS
The hanging baskets to be brought down.
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DATE OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting of the Netheravon Parish Council will be the 9th October 2025 at 7 pm.