Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in the Phoenix Hall On Thursday, 15th May, 2024 at 7.00 p.m.
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| Parish Councillors Present: | Cllr. R. Ayling | Outgoing Chairman |
| Cllr. D. Burke | Vice-Chairman (new Chairman) | |
| Cllr. P. Perry | ||
| Cllr. A. Brown | ||
| Cllr. P. Mackay | New Vice Chairman | |
| Cllr. S. Perry | ||
| Cllr. B. Covil | ||
| Cllr. P. Padgett | Newly elected Councillor | |
| In Attendance: | Mrs DA Corbett | Clerk of the Council |
WELCOME BY OUTGOING CHAIRMAN
Cllr Ayling welcomed everyone to the meeting, his last as outgoing chair. He especially welcomed and thanked our allotment volunteers in attendance and our new councillor.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
2 members of the allotment volunteers attended and raised the concern of lack of help at the community allotment and the addition of the Community Orchard. Going from 12 volunteers to 3 in recent months. Also, the cost of buying seeds and other outgoings that they have bought themselves. It was stated by the chair that the volunteers had done an outstanding job of the allotment and the Council agreed that any support they could give they would. Clerk to readvertise in the Newsletter for volunteers and on social media. Volunteers asked if they have any expenses to please contact the Clerk who will bring to the Council and will be looked at favourably. Cllr Mackay has been nominated to look after the Community Orchard and will liaise with the allotment volunteers. The village Handyman will strim the Orchard area when needed. Chairman thanked the residents for bringing their concerns to the meeting
REPORT BY WILTSHIRE COUNCILLOR
Cllr Blair-Pilling spoke about the election, and although he kept his seat as Councillor for the area the turnout was poor at just 20% and 10% in Larkhill. Two Conservatives lost their seats, and they will find out Tues 20th who will lead the council, as no one has a majority.
The A345 Speed trial for Netheravon is top of his agenda with the report still not issued. He will chase it up.
POLICE REPORT
Sent out before the meeting, the community PC was unable to come to the meeting.
25/10
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Burke was nominated for Chairman by Cllr Coslett, proposed by Cllr A Brown and Seconded by Cllr Covil, unanimously voted in.
25/11
TO RECEIVE CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Cllr Burke signed the declaration of office.
25/12
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Mackay was nominated by Cllr Coslett proposed by Cllr P Perry and seconded by Cllr Burke, unanimously voted in.
25/13
DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Cllr Padgett signed the declaration of office and was welcomed onto the council.
25/14
APOLOGIES
Apologies received and accepted from:
Cllr. Bridewell
Cllr O’Grady
25/15
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest
25/16
MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March be accepted as a true record.
25/17
FINANCE
a. Bank Reconciliation -The bank reconciliation was passed out to councillors before the meeting. All at zero.
b. Approval of Annual Govenance Statement- clerk read out the statements and it was agreed to ask an accountant to look over the accounts as in first year. When completed a short meeting will be called to agree and complete sign off.
c. Approval of Accounts – as above
d. Internal audit – completed
e. Expenditure approved for insurance quote
25/18
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Planning – no planning applications currently
- Flooding & Adverse Weather – all ok at the moment
- Highways plus Parish Steward – Cllr Covil asked the Parish Steward to clean around the War memorial ready for VE day, which they did.
- Cemetery /enhancement /Netheravon in bloom – Cemetery- Cllr Perry to look at whether green bitumen would be best for the cemetery shed and let Clerk know. Cllr Brown suggested that we make the commonwealth War Graves a bit tidier in the Church Cemetery. Chairman asked him to put together a proposal for the Council to look through at the next meeting.
Clerk to reiterate a request for volunteers to plant the tubs again and also to water the hanging baskets in the High St. in the newsletter and ask people to contact the Clerk to the Parish Council on Clerk@Netheravonparishcouncil.co.uk or 07519 503377. Clerk to purchase 8 hanging baskets for the High Street. - Recreation - the solicitors have come back regarding Old School close transfer, and we are now awaiting transfer of funds to solicitors.
- Allotments - All ok. We have 2 spare at the Dog and Gun site, Clerk to advertise in the newsletter and online.
- Community Allotment and Community Larder We need to have a new Tenancy agreement for the Community allotment now that Cllr Ayling has stood down. Clerk to ask Cllr O Grady. Handyman to be asked to strim the Community Orchard regularly.
- Rights of way nothing to report
Representatives on other groups:
a. Phoenix Hall
With 10 months to go we are already up on bookings by approx. £200. Expenditure will increase over the next few months as some maintenance is required.
Maintenance & Improvements
We are required to have a fire risk assessment which is booked for the 29th May. This may result in some further actions to comply with current regulations.
Some of the fences repairing.
Looking at getting lights in the toilets moved to sensor ones to save on electric.
Looking ahead
Pam has been busy showing people round
The Hall has bookings for most days and is always grateful for the support of our regular hirers.
We are now advertising in the Newsletter
b. Jubilee Committee
VE Day was a great success with positive comments all round, Chairman thanked all those involved for a great village day, especially the Cheerful Cuppa Team, the School and the Royal Artillery Museum for all their efforts.
c. Stonehenge Area Board
next meeting is online on the 2nd July Cllr Mackay to attend, Clerk to send details.
d. All school liaison – going well.
e. Netheravon Speedwatch Group
Still awaiting the official report, The team are still continuing their tasks and recently had 500 cars with just 2 hits, so it has been positive. We need to move the SIDS that is up near Mill Road as in the wrong place, it was agreed to wait for the report.
25/19
REPORT by the Clerk
Looking at updating the council’s policies and the website.
Resignation of one of our litter wardens – it was agreed that the other warden take on the hours, all agreed.
Handyman tasks
Village Handyman got the Remembrance Poppy wreath cleaned and painted ready for VE day, agreed future tasks for him.
Complaint from member of the public regarding inconsiderate parking in the turning point at the bottom of Court Farm Road turning circle making it impossible for parishioners using mobility vehicles to get through. – Agreed to erect a no parking sign, Clerk to purchase.
25/20
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Email from MOD regarding Safety on the range campaign. Clerk to make contact to see how we can support.
25/21
LIBRARY AND WAR MEMORIAL STATEMENT
The Library or Reading Room belongs to the village with the Vicar and two Churchwardens being the Trustees. The War memorial belongs to the Parish Council. The land is leased from the MOD on a 999-year lease.
It was agreed that this should be transferred to the Chair and Vice Chairman of the Council. It was thought that this had been agreed before, Clerk to look back at notes
25/22
GENERAL PARISH MATTERS
Cllr Coslett has an idea about purchasing poppies to put out at either end of the village ready for Remembrance Day.
Council agreed it could be a good idea and we will look into it further.
25/23
DATE OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting of the Netheravon Parish Council will be on 12th June, 2025.