Minutes of the Meeting held in the Phoenix Hall On Thursday, 3rd July, 2025 at 7.00 p.m.
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| Parish Councillors Present: | Cllr. P. Mackay | Vice-Chairman (acting Chair) |
| Cllr. P. Perry | ||
| Cllr. S. Perry | ||
| Cllr. S.O. Grady | ||
| Cllr. C. Coslett | ||
| Cllr. A. Brown | ||
| In Attendance: | Mrs D. Corbett | Parish Clerk |
| Cllr I. Blair-Pilling | Wiltshire Councillor | |
| One member of the public |
WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN
Cllr Mackay welcomed everyone to the meeting, he is Chair as Cllr Burke away.
REPORT BY WILTSHIRE COUNCILLOR
Cllr Blair-Pilling reported that Liberal Democrats are now the controlling council, not sure of what changes they will make yet. He has reviewed their draft action plan, and there will be emphasis on consultation /joint decision making.
Cllr Blair-Pilling informed us that he is now the Chair of Stonehenge Area Board and the LHFIG (Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group). He will be changing the way it is run and as members we need to think about objectives. There are lots of issues affecting Shrewton and Larkhill, especially since the cancellation of the Stonehenge Tunnel. He confirmed that we are still waiting for the report regarding Netheravon Speed Trial and will write to the Cabinet member about this and other outstanding issues.
Cllr Blair- Pilling spoke about the £5 million deficit and explained that it was part of a £500 million budget, and said at the end of the day wrong forecasting was at the heart of it. This will mean there is a gap in the revenue budget coming forward.
POLICE REPORT
Sent out before the meeting, community PC was unable to come to the meeting
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
One member of the public present, no actual question
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APOLOGIES
Apologies received and accepted from:
Cllr Burke
Cllr. B Covil
Cllr Padgett
Cllr Bridewell
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were declarations of interest from 1 councilor, book completed.
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MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 12th June 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. Newsletter
It was agreed unanimously to transfer the donation to the Newsletter now to make sure it is able to continue – clerk to complete.
c. Clerk Contract
Contract was agreed, we just need to sort out the pension enrolment and report back on cost at the next meeting.
d. Basketball Hoop
It was agreed not to fund a basketball hoop as there was already one at the park at the top of the hill next to the football fields. Clerk to make sure it is advertised
e. Extended warranty on SID’s (Speed Indicator Devices)
Action was for Cllr Coslett to speak to Cllr Wright as he has lots of experience of using the SIDS, and to report back to see if we should take out an extended warranty.
f. Cob Wall
Council agreed to pay the proposed amount suggested by Acorn Trust, Clerk to write to Chair of Acorn with agreed comments.
g. Bus Stop
Council agreed to pay their 25% portion of the topographical survey, as work cannot continue until it is complete.
h. War Graves
Proposal regarding the War Graves from Cllr Brown – Council supported the proposal, Cllr Brown to write to the Parochial Church Council and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the first instance for advice.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
1 . Planning
It was agreed to accept the updated Planning Committee regulations.
We had received one application for a new House at Thorne Road: Council resolved to support the application with some comments; NPC has concern about highway access, and the need to add a drop kerb for this property on Mill Road to satisfy the number of car park spaces required. Mill Road is already highly congested with parked cars and the frequent bus service already has difficulty on this road passing these vehicles. A new drop kerb will remove 2 parking slots, and those cars have no where else convenient to park. That whole part of the village is very congested, adding more cars is not practical.
NPC request that WC Highways establishes that there will be visibility for those cars exiting Thorne Road to Mill Road, NPC has some doubts that this is achievable.
There is a concern that this property may be planned to be connected to the MOD sewerage system, which is already overloaded and sometimes backs up. NPC suggest it should connect to the Wessex Water sewage system to avoid further problems for existing householders.
Because of the nature of this residential road there needs to be a plan from the contractors as to when deliveries are made to site, the road cannot take 2-way traffic and HGV vehicles will block the road for residents
2 . Flooding and Adverse Weather
Nothing to report
3 . Highways and Parish Steward
Cllr Mackay has met the Steward now so is able to assist Cllr Covil.
4 . Cemetery/Enhancement/Netheravon in Bloom
Resident has reported a hole in relative’s grave. It is thought that it was animal related, no action from Parish Council needed.
5 . Recreation - Old School Close Park
Will be transferred to the Parish council imminently. We will arrange a special meeting with the residents when it has all gone through. Netheravon in bloom – Tubs and allotments will be judged by the Council judges week commencing 21st July. Thank you to all for their efforts, allotments and tubs are looking splendid.
6 . Allotments
We have got the Wexland Avenue allotment (s) available and Clerk has advertised it in the Newsletter.
7 . Community Allotment and Community Larder
Clerk needs to speak to the organiser of the larder, produce from the allotment is being put in.
8 . Rights of Way
The broken gate has been replaced
REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GROUPS
a . Phoenix Hall
CHAIR PERSON REPORT FOR PHOENIX HALL JULY 2025
The total for last year was £14085 this means with 8 months to go we are already up on bookings by £988.38 for the full year.
Expenditure will increase as we head towards the hall floor upgrade, and a new fire door to the committee room following the fire assessment.
Maintenance and Improvements
Following the fire assessment, we have now purchased smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide monitor.
We still need to obtain a new fire extinguisher and signs.
We are also looking to get the lights in the toilets moved to sensor one to save electric
b. Jubilee Committee
Nothing to report
c. Stonehenge Area Board
Cllr Mackay attended the meeting, nothing to report.
d. All Saints School Liaison
Cllr Bridewell not available, School fete being held this week.
e. Netheravon Speed Watch Group
Still awaiting the official report, Councillor I Blair-Pilling to write to the cabinet meeting and emphasised that it is not something to worry about. Road safety meeting on the 4th July was cancelled. It was agreed unanimously to close the speed watch bank account and transfer it to the Parish council, as we are losing money monthly on fees that the bank is now charging. Cllr Coslett to take forward.
f. Newsletter
It was reported that the newsletter is getting low on funds, donation agreed, see above
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REPORT BY CLERK
Policies have been updated and all agreed at the meeting – some still to be done, will work with Cllr O’Grady. Some actions from the IT policy for the clerk to action. – gov.uk email addresses and back up the Council laptop with an iCloud account.
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CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
Solicitor wrote regarding Old School Close Park. – It was agreed that we will need to set up an amenity account, clerk to put on the agenda to discuss at the next meeting.
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GENERAL PARISH MATTERS
Cllr Brown reported back that there appears to be duplication with the insurance policies for the Parish Councils and the Phoenix Hall. It was agreed to ask a broker to have a look at them to try and avoid this. Cllr Brown to liaise with Fittleton cum Haxton Parish Council and the Phoenix Hall Committee and find a specialist in local government and councils to have a look at them for us
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DATE OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting of the Netheravon Parish Council will be the 11th September 2025 at 7 pm.