Minutes of the Meeting held in the Phoenix Hall On Thursday, 3rd October 2024 at 7 pm

Download this document

- - -
Parish Councillors Present:Cllr. R. AylingChairman
Cllr. D. BurkeVice-Chairman
Cllr. C. Coslett
Cllr O’ Grady
Cllr Brown
Mrs DA CorbettParish Clerk
In Attendance2 Netheravon Residents

WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the Cheerful Cuppa for their very generous donation to the Newsletter. He also thanked the resident who has been litter picking at the Corfe, it is appreciated.

It was discussed that due to various reasons we did not have a Quorum, but there were decisions that needed an urgent response to, i.e. Old School Close and transfer of money to the Newsletter. It was agreed to discuss these items, reach a preferred way forward and then email all other councillors to make sure they agreed. Post Meeting note This was done and all agreed by email with the decisions put forward, these will be ratified in the November Parish Council meeting.

Police Report

No report received before the meeting – Post meeting note emailed all when it arrived.

REPORT BY WILTSHIRE COUNCILLOR

Cllr Ian Blair Pilling gave his apologies but was attending the Trowbridge Area Board meeting but did submit a report:
Household Support Fund 6 – Gov has now funded it for another 6 months Oct 24-Mar 25. I shall be taking a paper to Cabinet next week seeking delegated authority. We need to submit our plan to Gov by early Nov, but more importantly as we are already in the 6 months we need to get on with it With the loss of winter Fuel Allowance affecting some who were already close t o or in difficulties, we shall be looking for how we can ease that, but there is little room for manoeuvre as all the other issues remain.

Chair announced the instigation of warm spaces at the meeting.

Youth Fair - Held last Sunday at Durrington Rec. A great success and likely that we shall repeat before next Summer. Brings youths, families and a range of those who provide activities: sports clubs, ACF, Air Cadets, Girls Brigade etc etc together.

HighView Farm – DO not believe rumours of withdrawal. Still ongoing, await key report from Highways.

Local Plan comes to Cabinet next week and Council the week after. Very important to get it approved and submit to the Inspector as it gives us all the best chance of protection from unplanned developments.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

A resident spoke about donating a Christmas tree that the Children from Playgroup and school can decorate.

There was an objection from another resident who did not feel it would be keeping with the Conservation Area in the High Street.

The council discussed and agreed to look at the tree to see if it would be better put by the library in place of the tree that the council would normally purchase.

24/49

APOLOGIES

Apologies received and accepted from:

Cllr Covil.
Cllr. P. Mackay.
Cllr. P. Perry.
Cllr S Perry.
Cllr A. Bridewell.

24/50

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None received

24/51

MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12th September be accepted as a true record.

24/52

FINANCE 

Start Balance Debit Credit
1-Sep-24Wages636.2213,998.67
1-Sep-24Hurdcott Landscapes Cemetery and car park144.6313,854.04
1-Sep-24Hurdcott Millenium Park99.7913,754.25
1-Sep-24Hurdcott Allotment cut byway216.0013,538.25
1-Sep-24Transfer to journal460.4213,998.67
1-Sep-24Transfer from Lloyds Instant Access460.4213,538.25
3-Sep-24Mary Towle - Training of Clerk150.0013,388.25
4-Sep-24External Audit Conclusion PKF Littlejohn252.0013,136.25
10-Sep-24Parchment paper for certificate Netheravon in bloom26.9313,109.32
12-Sep-24Parchment paper for certificate Netheravon in bloom Log roll for base of cherry trees in Queensway14.9713,094.35
13-Sep-24Debbie Corbett for gift cards for Netheravon in Bloom winners140.0012,954.35
17-Sep-24Wilt. Bobby Van Trust donation50.0012,904.35
17-Sep-24Black ink for printer x2 Viking office supplies36.8212,867.53
24-Sep-24Bulbs for village bought by G Allen10.9812,856.55
24-Sep-24Tool box talk on finance WALC48.0012,808.55
24-Sep-24Coffee tea etc for meetings11.6012,796.95
27-Sep-24Wages1041.1011,753.85
27-Sep-24Admin11,753.85
Totals3,341.46460.42
New Debit2,881.04
Netheravon Parish Council 24 6.49pm 30-Sep-24

It was RESOLVED to approve the payments for September 2024.

2 .    Bank Reconciliation

The second half of the precept has arrived £14, 282

Balance of transactions entered26,587.91
Total uncleared deposits460.42
Total uncleared withdrawals3,603.26-
Balance to agree with bank statement29,730.75

24/53

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

1 .   Planning

PL/2024/07460 – Highview Farm Buildings -Netheravon Road. Proposal to change use from agricultural to residential and convert the buildings in to dwelling houses (2 smaller and 2 larger). Meeting with Enford Parish Council completed on 24th September and a number of objections were put forward and submitted online.

Cob Wall update

Richard Marsh (Acorn Trust and School Governor) has had meetings with the head of Estates for Acorn Trust and also the resident. A site visit was arranged, and we are now waiting for a quote on costs.

2 .   Flooding and Adverse Weather

Increase in rainfall and signs have been put out, Chairman thanked Councilor’s Brown and Burke for completing this. We can only have the Flood signs that were on the list, not Slow down, so Cllr Burke has ordered them.

3 .  Highways and Parish Steward

Chairman reported that there was a positive meeting with Grish Lohani from the Highways on Monday 23rd September, where we discussed the most pressing problem areas. We toured round the village pointing out the various issues and they were photographed and documented. These were blocked drains and gullies and broken pavement outside Old Post Office Lane. She responded with the actions she has taken to date. Post meeting note all drains in Mill Road and the High Street were cleared by Friday 4th October.

4 . Cemetery/Enhancement/Netheravon in Bloom

The prizes were given out before this Parish Council meeting, those unable to make it had their certificates and vouchers taken to their homes on Friday 4th by the clerk. Chairman thanked all for their efforts and also to the people that have watered the Hanging Baskets down the High Street, they have looked amazing.

5 .  Recreation

We have received documents about Old School Close park transfer, which now includes other areas of land that Wilts Council want the Parish Council to take responsibility for A Meeting was held on Friday 20th September with the Wilts Rural Parks Officer. It was discussed at the meeting, and all agreed to take on the Old School Close in principle but not the 2 other areas put forward. This was the grass areas in Vicarage Gardens and Walnut Close. We would then have a public consultation on what to do with the space. After the meeting it was emailed to the rest of the Councilors to make sure they agreed, the majority have responded with agreement to go forward with this option. This will be ratified at November’s meeting.

Draft Lease for Court Farm Road Play Area was studied by Chair and Clerk. We also consulted with the previous clerk. There were two areas that were different. Clerk telephoned Tom Broome and discussed these. I.e. us being responsible for the grass cutting and all the fences, gates and hedges (that was not in the previous lease).

Tom is having a meeting with someone in their legal department on Friday 12th October and will put these changes to them and come back to us.

Vandalism at the BMX track

There have been reports of vandalism at the BMX track, Chair thanked the resident who has agreed to litter pick up there, the Council decided not to invest anymore time/money into this amenity at the moment.

6 .   Allotments

Access Egress to the allotments is through someone’s drive, but there appears to be someone not respecting this with times being used. Council has asked if the resident can write to the council explaining the issue.

7 . Community Allotment and Community Larder

Nothing to report at the moment.

8 .    Rights of Way

Nothing to report.

24/54

REPORT FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GROUPS

 

a .  Phoenix Hall

No report from the Chairman, but Cllr Brown reported on the finances, which show a current bank balance of £13,743.20 with an additional £5719.12 in deposit.

b.    Jubilee Committee

Cllr Burke reported that we still have the Pedal cars, he will write to the Jubilee Committee about the idea of selling them with Christmas coming soon,

c.  Stonehenge Community Area Board

Cllr Ayling reported that there was poor attendance, but there was a discussion on the Afghans living amongst us. There had been rumours of crime going up, the Police Officer present reported this was not the case. It was reiterated that all Afghans here had been helping us during the Afghan conflict and had been through a lot before they got here to live.

d.  All Saints School Liaison

Nothing to report from Cllr Bridewell, Clerk needs to ask him if they have come up with a date to lay the poppies yet.

e.    Netheravon Speed Watch Group

The Netheravon Speed reduction trial finishes in November, we may not have the results straight away Cllr Mackay reported that we have Enford’s camera for a couple of weeks too. Chair said thank you to everyone for their efforts especially the resident who co-ordinate it all.

f.  Newsletter

Cheerful Cuppa have fundraised for the newsletter and a cheque for £500 has been sent. Council voted on money they had put aside to be donated £725, this was agreed and rest of the council asked if they agreed by email. They did, it will be ratified in next month’s meeting

Newsletter hope to have a meeting on the 16th November before the next deadline.

g. Remembrance

1 wreath and 100 crosses have been ordered with the British Legion, Clerk to ask the village handyman to tidy the area around the memorial, sweep leaves etc.
Poppy erecting day will be Saturday 26 th October meeting outside Old Post Office house in the High Street at 0900 hrs. Clerk to source where the poppies are that go on the lampposts.

24/55

REPORT BY CLERK

Clerk completed finance course and election coming up in October and Tool Box Talk 4 in November booked.

In person course for new councillors is now 30th October, any interested councillors to liaise with Clerk as a matter of urgency who will make a group booking.

 

24/56

CORRESPONDENCE

No correspondence received apart from a letter from Cllr Brown discussed in general parish matters

24/57

GENERAL PARISH MATTERS

Cllr Brown asked about the rules around banners and advertising in the village that can be distracting on the Highway. Clerk to ask small saints to look at their sign, as it is looking a bit messy. Clerk to ask Highways about rules regarding signs. Etc

24/58

DATE OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

The next meeting of the Netheravon Parish Council will be on Thursday 14th November at 7pm