Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Thursday 15th June 2017 Commencing at 6.00 pm at the Phoenix Hall, Netheravon

Cllr John Tighe opened the meeting and welcomed everyone for attending and their continued support in the village.

PCSO Maria Downham explained the current priorities of the policing team and gave an overview of incidents that the team had dealt with in the last year.  Overall, the ability of the Police to attend incidents was improved and they were focussing their non-emergency responses on local issues, for example the weed killer incident in the village.  PCSO Downham encouraged the use of 101 to report concerns as while the Police may not always respond to reports, they would be logged and analysed to provide intelligence and shape future responses.

WO1 Kev Morris Explained about the current use of Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) and future plans.  He also emphasised the importance of using 101 to reports concerns that could be later actioned. He was asked for his contact details which will be passed to the Parish Clerk and published in the Parish newsletter.  He also summarised the proactive approach to anti-social and criminal behaviour on SPTA, with joint operations involving Wiltshire Police, the Royal Military Police and SPTA staff; which was having success and acting as a deterrent.

Richard Aubrey-Fletcher was pleased to announce the appointment of Reverend Phillip Bromley as the Senior Vicar of the Avon Valley Team. This would mean that the team would be able to conduct more Church Services across the area and there would be a Church Service every Sunday in Netheravon. All Saints Church is open daily should anyone wish to visit it for private reflection.  The Village carol service was popular and successful last year and will take place again this year. Parishioners were encouraged to attend and support Church fundraising activities as the church is a Saxon Building and funds raised are put towards maintaining it.

Richard Aubrey-Fletcher gave a report on behalf of the Day Centre.  It is run by a committee of three trustees and has seven volunteers with nine volunteer drivers.  It currently looks after fourteen members, meeting on Wednesdays in the Phoenix Hall between 10am and 3pm.  Lunch is provided from Avon Valley College and the members receive visits from Age Concern and the local Doctor as required.  It provides essential social interaction, games and days out. The Day Centre runs on donations and goodwill and continues to seek volunteers able to give up some time to help.

Cllr Trevor Barker gave an update on the Phoenix Hall. He explained the improvements that had been made to date and the intended improvements in the future, mainly a new kitchen with better catering facilities. Bookings and overall use of the Hall was up which was very reassuring.  He thanked everyone present for their continued support and to the Parish Council who had helped to fund the improvements.

The Youth Club is gaining strength and currently has 97 members of which 90% come from the village.  The committee is established and doing well. The children attending thoroughly enjoy themselves and the main request at present if for more adult volunteers.

Cllr John Tighe summed up the Parish Council activity in the last year and the focus for the forthcoming year.  The precept had been increased by 29% (approximately £20 per Band D house) which had been allocated to projects for the good and benefit of the village.  The main effort at present was traffic calming on the A345, which was making progress. The next stage was to consult with the Tidworth Area Board Community Area Transport Group (CATG) regarding having a more prominent Village Sign installed at the entrances to the village on the A345.

Closing Remarks

The Chairman thanked all those who spoke and gave briefings and for attending and closed the Annual Parish Meeting at 7 pm