Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Author: Lindsey Wood

Agenda for Town Council meeting to be held on Monday, 4th August 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

30th July 2025

Dear Councillor,

 

You are summoned to a meeting of Mere Town Council to be held on Monday, 4th August 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

 

Before the meeting there will be a public session to enable the people of Mere to ask questions of, and make comments, regarding the Town Council.  Questions not answered at this meeting will be answered in writing to the person asking the question, or may appear as an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members of the public are asked to restrict their comments, and/or questions to three minutes.

Please Note: By entering the meeting room you are consenting to the use of your name being recorded in the Minutes.  The meeting may also be recorded by the press or members of the public.  Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.

Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk by email (lindseywood@merewilts.org) at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Lindsey Wood,

Town Clerk & RFO

 

Public Participation Session

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker). The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

 

AGENDA

  1. Apologies – To receive apologies for absence.

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.

2.1 To receive declarations of interest from councillors on items on the agenda

2.2 To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any)

2.3 To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate

A request for dispensation must be made on an individual basis

 

Members are invited to declare disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in items on the agenda as required by the Mere Town Council Code of Conduct for Members and by the Localism Act 2011.  The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.  If you become aware, during the course of a meeting, of an interest that has not been disclosed under this item, you must immediately disclose it.  Whether you can remain in the meeting and the extent to which you can participate depends on the type of interest you have.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/05709
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Alternative scheme to Class Q Permitted Development for one dwelling
Site Address: The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000FFFCb

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/05965
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Demolition of existing single storey rear conservatory. Erection of single storey and two storey rear extension.
Site Address: 8 Old Hollow, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6EQ
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000FR7Hh

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/06080
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Erection of 2 no. new dwellings with associated vehicular entrance, car parking and landscaping
Site Address: Red House, Pettridge Lane, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6DG
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000FVWCf

 
 Application No: PL/2025/06047
Application Type: Approval of reserved matters
Proposal: Reserved Matters Application for the Erection of 58 Residential Dwellings with Associated Amenities and Infrastructure Following Outline Planning Permission ref 20/07469/OUT
Site Address: BEAUMONT BUSINESS CENTRE, WOODLANDS ROAD, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6BT
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000FTaSU

 

 

  1. 4. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
  2. a) Charitable & Community Lettings – Letters and terms of abatement from the Duchy of Cornwall reducing our rent for Castle Hill and Allotment Lands in Mere to one peppercorn [i.e. £nil]
  3. b) To authorise signature of Lease of office suite at Duchy Manor + Landlord’s warning notice and declaration.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached)

 

  1. Future meetings and events
  2. a) VJ Day – 15th August
  3. b) Health & Wellbeing Event Mere – from 12 pm on 25th September in the Lecture Hall, Mere.

 

 

 

 

  • 31 July 2025

Agenda for Town Council meeting to be held on Monday, 7th July 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

2nd July 2025

 

Dear Councillor,

 

You are summoned to a meeting of Mere Town Council to be held on Monday,7th July 2025 at 7.00 pm at the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

 

Before the meeting there will be a public session to enable the people of Mere to ask questions of, and make comments, regarding the Town Council.  Questions not answered at this meeting will be answered in writing to the person asking the question, or may appear as an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members of the public are asked to restrict their comments, and/or questions to three minutes.

Please Note: By entering the meeting room you are consenting to the use of your name being recorded in the Minutes.  The meeting may also be recorded by the press or members of the public.  Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.

Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk by email (lindseywood@merewilts.org) at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Lindsey Wood,

Town Clerk & RFO

 

  1. Report from local police representatives – Sergeant Lyndsey Smith from Warminster Neighourhood Policing Team will be attending the meeting.

 

  1. Presentation from Redcliffe Homes on their proposals for development on land at Beaumont’s Business Park, Woodlands Road, Mere.

 

Public Participation Session

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker). The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

 

AGENDA

  1. Apologies – To receive apologies for absence.

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.

2.1 To receive declarations of interest from councillors on items on the agenda

2.2 To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any)

2.3 To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate

A request for dispensation must be made on an individual basis

 

Members are invited to declare disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in items on the agenda as required by the Mere Town Council Code of Conduct for Members and by the Localism Act 2011.  The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.  If you become aware, during the course of a meeting, of an interest that has not been disclosed under this item, you must immediately disclose it.  Whether you can remain in the meeting and the extent to which you can participate depends on the type of interest you have.

 

  1. Minutes – To resolve that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 2nd June 2025 and Minutes of meeting with Redcliffe Homes held on 3rd June 2025 be approved as a correct record. (attached)

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)
  2. a) Minute Reference 40 h) *h) Wiltshire Towns Programme – Action Plan for 24/25 and 25/26 – to consider briefing for proposals for funding for a Halloween Event (briefing attached) [Cllr. Colman has been unable to prepare a briefing for proposals for an Arts & Crafts Event & would like this to be considered for the next round of funding for 26/27 if offered]
  3. b) Minute Reference 40 i) SSEN funding (see Clerk’s Report) & PCC Community Action Fund 2025 (see Clerks Report) – Report on SSEN funding application and consideration of application for PCC Community Action Fund 2025 (application deadline 18.7.25 – see last month’s Clerk’s Report)
  4. c) Minute Reference 42a) VJ Day – 15.8.2025 – (see Chair & Clerks Report).
  5. d) Minute Reference 43a) Safer Together: Strengthening Community Safety Through Partnership & Anonymity (virtual briefing hosted by Crimestoppers) – (see Chair & Clerks Report).

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report
  3. b) Project Co-Ordinator’s Report
  4. i) Update on public toilet refurbishment (report attached)
  5. ii) Lease for Duchy Manor – Schedule of Condition, plan and key points relating to lease

(information attached)

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/05199
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Construction of new self-build/custom-build house.
Site Address: Land at Linden Barn, Castle Hill Lane, Mere, Warminster, Wilts, BA12 6JB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000EqUTN

 

Application No: PL/2025/02106   – Amended Plans/Additional Information
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Erection of two storey dwelling to replace existing bungalow
Site Address: The Lodge, Gillingham Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6LH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D9jo1

 

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/04752
Application Type: Removal/variation of conditions
Proposal: Variation of Conditions 2 and 6 of PL/2024/05361 – To allow for alterations to the construction of the approved dwelling
Site Address: The Drying Fields, Castle Hill Lane, Mere, BA12 6JH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000ES369

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/05657
Application Type: Consent under Tree Preservation Orders
Proposal: T1 London Plane – Crown raise to 16 feet.
Site Address: THE VICARAGE, ANGEL LANE, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6DH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000FCyJ7

 

 

Application No: PL/2022/09365    AMENDED PLANS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: New employment building (Use Class B2) with associated offices, access, car parking, service space, landscaping and associated development infrastructure.
Site Address: Land adjacent to Quarryfield Industrial Estate, Castle Street, Mere, BA12 6LA
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000019AweX

 

 

  1. b) Does the Town Council want to ask Wiltshire Councillor to call in OL/2025/04320 – application for Three Oaks Farm, Gillingham Road, Mere (considered last month)?

 

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. To identify jobs for the Parish Steward and MyWiltshire reports.
  3. Report on LHFIG meeting held on 25th June 2025– (see Chair & Clerks Report).
  4. Manor Road – pending works
  5. Request for Traffic Survey in order to set up a Community Speedwatch Committee for Shaftesbury Road

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached)

*b) To note the reconciliations for May 2025

 

  1. General Items
  2. a) Clarification on the situation relating to the provision of fibre-broadband to premises in Mere – Cllr. Jeans.

Briefing Notes

  • Briefing Note No. 25-04 – Wiltshire’s Housing Land Supply Statement (attached)
  • Briefing Note No. 25-05 – Wiltshire Community Air Network (attached)

 

  1. Future meetings and events

South West Wiltshire Area Board Meeting – Wednesday, 16th July 2025 at 6.30 pm at East Knoyle Village Hall, Hindon Road, East Knoyle, Salisbury SP3 6AE

 

  1. Future agenda items

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

  • 3 July 2025

Minutes of a meeting with Redcliffe Homes held on Tuesday, 3rd June 2025

Minutes of a meeting with Redcliffe Homes held on Tuesday, 3rd  June 2025 at 1.00 pm in the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW

Present:  Councillors Sandra Catley (Chair), Rachael Hansford (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Nick Beale, Aubrey Colman, Rodney Coward, John Jordan & Alan Mead.

+ David Hagan and Andrew Godden from Redcliffe Homes

 

The chairman thanked the representatives of Redcliffe homes for coming along to this meeting saying that the Town Council was grateful to have this opportunity to let them know what our concerns are for this site so that we can be proactive rather than reactive but also stressed that any views expressed at this meeting would be provisional as not all of the information would be available to councillors. Furthermore, the meeting would be recorded and minutes will be published and publicly available.

David Hagan said that Redcliffe Homes was a privately owned company and so is not driven by standard house design and they therefore have flexibility in their design approach and take sustainability and ecology very seriously.  He said that the Beaumont’s Business Park site benefits from outline planning permission. Redcliffe homes have purchased the site and are concerned about unauthorised access and so they will be erecting solid fencing around the site and have recently submitted a planning application for demolition.  He explained that whilst the outline permission included demolition of the site, they wouldn’t be in the position to carry out the demolition until reserved matters had been approved and that could be some way down the line and so this extra planning application was viewed as necessary in order to speed up the demolition process.

Andy Godden said that Redcliffe Homes were using Clifton Emery Architects for the design of this scheme. The outline consent did not have a design access statement which usually sets out parameters of the design.  He explained that the concept plan that forms part of the outline consent has two access points and these are designed to stop a left turn onto Woodlands Road.  There will be an attenuation pond in the bottom corner and the ecology plan showed some mitigation for wildlife concentrated around the pond area on the southern boundary.  Redcliffe Homes are not looking to achieve quite the same density as that which is on the adjacent development and they are mindful that parking is an issue. Our architects are carrying out an assessment and it is likely that we will not have quite so much rendering in our fenestrations. We are looking to bring the density down from 70 to probably under 60 with a mixture of detached semis and terracing to give it some character with a mix of 2 bed, 3 bed and 4 bed, predominantly 3 bed properties. There is not a lot of open space in the outline planning but we are trying to make green potentials so our attenuation ponds will be permanently wet so they will create a wildlife oasis and we plan to create a wildlife corridor along the boundary allowing wildlife to move through the development freely.  In gardens we include hedgehog highways, bug hotels and bird & bat boxes & swift bricks throughout.  The houses will be timber framed for sustainability and we are looking at predominantly stone material, maybe  with an element of brick, in a traditional style.  Gardens will have low walls and only wooden fencing in back gardens. We try and avoid courtyard parking areas and will try and keep the parking within property boundaries. Our houses will have triple glazing, high insulation and ground source heat pumps.

 

Questions were raised by councillors and the following responses given:

  • We do include solar panels but usually only on large detached properties but we do have ground source heat pumps on all properties. There then followed a discussion on ground source heat pumps and whether or not they were noisy. There will be EV charging points on each house as standard.
  • Redcliffe Homes will be meeting the section 106 requirement of 30% affordable housing. This will be a mixture of shared ownership and housing association affordable rented with a mix of 1 bed, 2 bed, 3 bed and 4 bed properties and the percentages of these are defined in the S.106 agreement but will be proportioned down as we are planning to reduce the density.
  • We will meet parking standards of 2 spaces per house but will also provide additional visitor parking as well.
  • There was no public open space requirement in the outline planning but the S.106 will require us to pay a contribution (£75k) to spend the money elsewhere.
  • It is likely that some of the houses will need to be constructed using pile driven foundations because the ground conditions are too soft.
  • There was more discussion about the electricity demand on the development and the sustainability and energy. Redcliffe Homes make more effort to make the houses efficient with insulation & triple glazing and save energy in that way. We have not yet got to a stage where we can incorporate solar panels and battery storage for electricity.
  • No plans for live/work units
  • We will be required to improve visibility splays and provide two informal crossing points by installing dropped paving
  • A transport management plan will be produced and we will make every effort to try and get suppliers & contractors to use the routes identified
  • If we get permission to demolish the site we are expecting that we won’t start until after the bird nesting season as we are fairly sure there are birds nesting on the site and demolish it in the autumn when it is not as dry and dusty.
  • Councillors stressed the importance of communication during and prior to the construction process.

 

Meeting closed at 2.00 pm

  • 3 July 2025

Minutes of a Town Council meeting held on Monday, 2nd July 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 2nd June 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW

Present:  Councillors Sandra Catley (Chair), Rachael Hansford (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Aubrey Colman, Philip Coward, Rodney Coward, Sam Dean, Clive Hazzard, Ray Hill, Glen Ings, John Jordan, Alan Mead & Steven Pester.

Public Participation Session

  • None

 

Reports from local police representatives

  • None present

 

  1. Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Nick Beale & George Jeans.

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.
  • Clive Hazzard declared a pecuniary interest in Minute Ref: 40a) [Payments – recipient]

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 12th May 2025 be approved & signed as a correct record.

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session
  • None

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)

*a) Mere Cemetery Ancestry & Heritage Project and potential funding opportunity: The Heritage Revival Fund has been created to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings.  (Project brief prepared by the Clerk in 2016 attached)

Cllr. Jordan said that he had seen this project brief some time ago and was happy to volunteer to do a bit of work on it with others that he had in mind.  Cllr. Mead said that he would like to get involved in this project.  Cllr. Hill said he had reservations about leaving a debt or large maintenance costs for the Council to pick up in future years.

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – None received. The Chairman announced the names of the new Area Board Chair, Cllr. Pauline Church and Vice-Chair, Cllr. Nabil Najjar & LHFIG representative, Cllr. Bridget Wayman.

*b) Project Co-Ordinator’s Report (attached) – Having read the report Cllr. Jordan said that he was interested to see that if we attract the right sporting bodies we may be able to get some capital funding for the MUGA.  Cllr. Hill said he was aware that our MUGA was not big enough for football training and at the moment the football club pays to train in Gillingham and said that if there is plenty of money going then let’s make it bigger.   It was generally felt that the Council should aim to attract as many sports as possible for the refurbishment of the MUGA and that the lighting system should be improved.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/04535
Application Type: Prior notification: Development by telecoms operators
Proposal: The removal of existing 20m monopole, 3 no. antennas and 3 no. dish. Proposed replacement with 22.50m monopole, 3 no. antennas, existing 3 no dish to be re-supported on replacement monopole and ancillary development thereto including existing equipment cabin upgrade.
Site Address: Land adjacent to Charnage Quarry, Off the A303, Charnage, Warminster, BA12 6AP
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000EJNqT

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

Application No: PL/2025/04320
Application Type: Lawful development: Existing use
Proposal: The erection of a dwellinghouse and the use of outbuildings and land for purposes ancillary to the residential use. Change of use of a building to a dwellinghouse (The Bungalow) and the use of land for the stationing of a caravan for permanent residential occupation independently of Three Oaks Farm.
Site Address: Three Oaks Farm, Gillingham Road, Mere, BA12 6LH
Planning Register Link: https://developm ent.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000E8x1K

The Clerk said that as far as she was aware, the Town Council was being asked to confirm whether or not it believed that the development was immune from enforcement due to the passage of time and that planning permission is not required for the abovementioned developments because they have already been in place for so long.  The Clerk said that as far as she could remember, the owner started living in a caravan on the site approximately 30-35 years ago.  The Planning Authority took enforcement action for the unauthorised use of the site for residential purposes which was eventually taken to inquiry and the Human Rights Act which had only just come into force in 2000, was applied and the owner was allowed to stay living in the caravan on the basis that the owners children were now in school and so they were allowed to stay living on the site until the youngest child had finished school.  As this was 25 years ago, it must be the case that the youngest child has finished school.   The Clerk said that as far as she was aware there had been a great deal of enforcement activity over the last 25 years relating to unauthorised residential use and unauthorised business use.   Members of the Town Council were not aware that there was any residential activity on the site other than the one occupied caravan/unit which was only authorised for a defined period.

RESOLVED to reply that the Town Council is unable to confirm that the development is lawful due to the amount of time it has been there as the Town Council was only aware of one unit of residential occupation which was authorised for a limited period of time.  The Town Council is cognizant of the fact that there had been a great deal of planning enforcement activity for the site over the last 25 years although we have not been privy to the detail, investigations or findings of this enforcement activity.

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/04203
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Construction of an outdoor equestrian arena/manege with pedestrian access
Site Address: Burton Grange, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000E4xxV

 

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

 

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward and MyWiltshire reports.
  • Clean dirty road direction signs including the ones that say Mere Museum and other local facilities -Cllr. Jordan
  1. b) Manor Road & Angel Lane priorities for Highway Maintenance for Mere? – RESOLVED to send a letter to Wiltshire Council to support Cllr. Jeans in asking for Manor Road and Angel Lane to be treated as priorities and also to ask the Chair to speak to Cllr. Jeans regarding the highway surface issues along White Road and Hazzards Hill and how best to request that these are attended to.

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
  2. a) Re-location of Town Council’s Honours Boards – RESOLVED to relocate the two Town Council’s Chair’s Honours Board from the Lecture Hall to the Duchy Manor site in order to make it easier for them to be updated and also so that people can view them when they are attending meetings here etc.
  3. b) Castle Hill & Long Hill
  • Environmental Stewardship Scheme & scrub management
  • Replacement/repair fencing
  • Grazing

The Clerk said this item had been raised because she wanted Councillors to be aware that the Town Council has entered a legal agreement a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme with Rural England for scrub management in order to restore Chalk grassland.  The Clerk advised members that the Town Council has to supplement the goat grazing with manpower but has not supplied the manpower over the last 3 or 4 years because our grounds staff keep being asked to do other jobs. The Chair has been to Seeds4Success who have said that they may be able to do some manual scrub management and fencing repair work.  Cllr. R. Coward corroborated the Clerk’s assessment of the situation and said that something needed to be done soon to manage the scrub regrowth and also there was a lot of dead ash trees on the hill.  Cllr. R. Coward proposed that the Council should engage contractors as the work would be too much for Seeds4Seccess to get on top of.  With regards to fencing, a number of stakes have rotted off and need replacing but the wire looks pretty good and he said that fencing repairs should also be contracted out if Seeds4Success cannot do the work.  Cllr. Coward said he would be happy to walk round and survey the stakes and liaise with a contractor and also to walk around with Jaki.

  1. d) Car Park Sponsorship update (see Minutes December meeting) – The Chair said that she and Cllr. Jeans had agreed that they would get together and visit the businesses to see if more sponsorship could be generated.

*e) Proposed works on adult football pitch to be carried out by Mere Town Football Club (see Clerks Report) – RESOLVED that the Football Club be authorised to carry out the works, as detailed in the Clerks Report on condition that all vehicular access is made from the Duchy Manor site.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – RESOLVED to authorise the payments as shown on the schedule of payments (attached) and including two extra invoices (Jeans Electricals and Wendy Hill Cleaning).  Cllr. Hazzard, having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, left the room whilst the matter was discussed and took no part in discussion or voting.

  1. b) To note the reconciliations for April 2025 – the Chairman confirmed that she had verified that the bank statements accord with the reconciliation for April 2025 and had signed the reconciliation accordingly.
  2. c) To report on delegated decision on insurance quotation assessment – Woolley & Wallis provided us with new property reinstatement valuations which has increased the value of our assets and it also included a valuation of our walls which came to £752k. The Clerk gave a detailed report of the insurance quotation comparisons. The delegated decision was in favour of Gallagher insurance but without insuring the walls.

*d) To note and approve the End of Year Budget/Expenditure report and associated financial summary documents (attached) – RESOLVED to approve the End of Year Budget/Expenditure report.

*e) To approve the Town Council’s Reserves Policy 2025/26 (attached) – Cllr. Colman raised an error in the Policy report.  Cllr. Jordan said he was worried about increasing the general reserves and explained why he thought the general reserves were also built into some of the earmarked reserves.  He said that increasing the general reserves in this way would have too much of an impact on the precept.  RESOLVED not to adopt the policy at this moment but to consider it again when carrying out the budget/precept meeting in October/November this year.

*f) To approve the Town Council’s Investment Strategy 2025/26 (attached) – RESOLVED to adopt without amendment.

  1. To approve the transfer of £75,000 from our National Savings Account into our Lloyds Bank general account
  2. To approve the transfer of £50,000 from the Lloyds Bank general account into our CCLA Public Sector Deposit Fund Account

RESOLVED to approve the above transfers.

*g) To approve DRAFT Vexatious Complaints Policy (attached) – Cllr. Colman said that it didn’t conform to other Acts and suggested that he would go through it with the Clerk for consideration again at a future meeting.

*h) Wiltshire Towns Programme – Action Plan for 24/25 and 25/26 (attached) – now had funding for both years and this is the action plan we put forward to get the funding and so we need to make sure we carry out these actions although there is one that we cannot do because it is no longer taking place i.e. the art installation on Castle Hill.  Cllr. Rachael Hansford proposed that the Town Council should organise a Halloween Event for Mere for teenagers.  She said that people already come to Mere for Halloween because it is such a good atmosphere in Mere and a lot of people go to a lot of effort.  Cllr. Colman suggested a craft market in the town and said that there was a lot going on for younger people and not a lot for older people in the town. Cllr. Ings said that he was not aware of any events that the Town Council had put on for young people and yet we put on an activities weekend for older people last year. It was agreed that both Cllr. Colman & Cllr. Hansford submit a report for their proposed activities for the Council to consider at the next meeting and decide which should be put forward to Wiltshire Council for funding.

Cllr. Jordan explained how the funding would be spent for the walking events.

*i) SSEN funding (see Clerk’s Report) & PCC Community Action Fund 2025 (see Clerks Report)

It was agreed that Cllr. Rachael Hansford would talk to David Hytch regarding the possibility of applying for the SSEN funding for EV chargers and possibly solar panels for the public toilets.

With regards to the PCC Community Action Fund – The Chair informed members that there is a lot of crime issues going on in Mere that people don’t hear about.  She said ‘we have got knife crime, drug abuse, violence, County Liners and people that have been cuckooed and young people are getting pushed into selling drugs and we have drug dealers in Mere that are increasing their network.’  It was suggested that the Town Council might use the money to get educational speakers to come and talk to the schools/youth clubs and parents to raise awareness and/or pay someone to open a drop-in centre for people to access help and advice.  Members asked why the police weren’t doing anything about these problems.  RESOLVED to invite the police to the next Town Council meeting in order to discuss these problems and ask them how we could bid for this money in a way that would be really helpful.  In the meantime, it was agreed that the Chair, Cllr. Dean and Cllr. Pester would get together and produce a report that could be distributed to councillors for the next meeting.

 

  1. Audit and Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024/25

*a) Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024/25

  1. To receive and note the Annual Internal Audit Report – the Final Report following the end of year Internal Audit Review carried out by the Internal Auditor Katherine Houlihan on 27th May 2025, had been distributed to members. A copy of Page 3 of the AGAR, completed and signed by the Internal Auditor was also distributed to members prior to the meeting.  The Clerk explained that due to an oversight the Noice of Conclusion of Audit for 2023/24 had been published on the website but for some reason the External Auditor’s Report and Certificate was not on the website which meant that the Town Council had not complied with the publication requirements for 2023/24 AGAR.  The Clerk also pointed out that the Internal Auditor had not been able to answer ‘Yes’ to assertion C as although the Town Council had reviewed their Internal Controls in April 2024, which covered many of the financial risks that the council faces, it had not approved the full risk assessment and risk register until May 2025 which was outside the period of this review.  The Clerk also pointed out that the other issues raised by the Internal Auditor i.e. Incorporating the Debit Card Policy into the Financial Regulations and adopting a Reserves Policy were underway and would be addressed over the course of the next few months.
  2. To approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1) – Points 1 – 9 of the Annual Governance statement 2024/25 (Section 1 of the AGAR) were read out to members and members answered ‘yes’ to each of the statements except statement 5 as the full risk assessment and risk register had not been approved until after the period of review (as explained in 41a)i)   The Annual Governance Statement was signed by the Clerk and by the Chair in the presence of the Town Council.
  • To approve the Accounting Statements (Section 2) [attached] –The Accounting Statements 1 – 11a & 11b (Section 2 of the AGAR) were approved by the Town Council. Confirmation of approval of the Accounting Statements was signed by the Clerk/RFO on 20th May 2025 and by the Chair in the presence of the Town Council at the meeting on 2nd
  1. To set the commencement date for the exercise of public rights – the Clerk confirmed that, as required by the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2015, the Town Council must now publish Sections 1 & 2 of the AGAR and the Notice for the Commencement of the Period for the Exercise of Public Rights and a sufficiently detailed explanation of the reasons why we have answered No to assertion 5 in Section 1. Publication is on the Town Council’s website: www.merewilts.org .  The Clerk anticipated that the commencement date would be 27th June 2025.
  2. To note other information to be sent to the External Auditor and required by External Auditor as part of Intermediate Review 2024/25 – the Clerk pointed out to members that because the Town Council had income exceeding £200k we were required to have an Intermediate Audit Review which required providing extra information to the external auditors. The extra information to be submitted for the 2024/25 intermediate review applicable to Mere Town Council is:
  • A copy of the relevant minutes and agenda papers from the meeting at which the annual review of risk management arrangements during 2024/25 was discussed
  • If the 2023/24 external auditor report included any ‘except for’ matters, copies of minutes and any agreed plan showing the corrective action taken to address these matters

 

  1. General Items
  2. a) VJ Day in 2025 will be observed on Friday, August 15th.This marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allies, effectively ending World War II – the Chair explained that she would be meeting with Stuart Walker who is the Royal British Legion representative and would report back to the next Town Council meeting.

 

  1. Future meetings and events

*a) Invitation to attend Safer Together: Strengthening Community Safety Through Partnership & Anonymity (virtual briefing hosted by Crimestoppers) – 12th June 2025 at 17.30 Online  (see Clerks Report) – the Chair said that she would register to attend this briefing.

 

 

  1. Future agenda items

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

  • None requested

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

 

 

Meeting closed at 8.49 pm

 

 

 

 

 

MERE PEACE MEMORIAL SPORTS AND RECREATION GROUND

Registered Charity No. 1093497

 

For Trustees to consider the following:

 

RESOLVED to approve payment to Mere Town Council for maintenance charges               £16752.34

as per Recreation Ground Summary in End of Year Budget/Exp report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 3 July 2025

Minutes of Annual Town Council Meeting held on Monday, 12th May 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of the ANNUAL MEETING OF MERE TOWN COUNCIL held on Monday, 12TH May 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

 

Present:  Councillors John Jordan (Chair), Glen Ings (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Nick Beale, Sandra Catley, Aubrey Colman, Philip Coward, Rodney Coward, Sam Dean, Rachel Hansford, Clive Hazzard, Raymond Hill, George Jeans, Alan Mead

+ 8 members of public

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker). The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

Mr. Hopkins spoke in support of his planning application PL/2025/02086

Mr. Lear spoke in support of his planning application PL/2025/02106

 

REPORTS FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

None present

 

 

  1. TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FORMS FROM ELECTED COUNCILLORS

All Councillors in attendance signed their Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

  1. TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr. Alan Mead nominated and Cllr. Rachael Hansford seconded for Cllr. Sandra Catley to be elected as Chair.  Cllr. Rodney Coward nominated and Cllr. Nick Beale seconded for Cllr. John Jordan to be elected as Chair.  A secret ballot was carried out amongst councillors with Sandra Catley receiving 8 votes and John Jordan receiving 6 votes.  Cllr. Sandra Catley duly elected as Chair and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Cllr. Sandra Catley in The Chair

 

  1. VOTE OF THANKS TO OUTGOING CHAIR

The outgoing Chair, Cllr. John Jordan, was given a vote of thanks for his hard work as Chair during the last year.

 

  1. TO ELECT VICE-CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE VICE-CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Cllr. Sandra Catley nominated Cllr. Rachael Hansford to be elected as Vice-Chair, seconded by Cllr. Ings,  There being no other nominations, this proposal was put to the vote and carried with a unanimous vote.  Cllr. Rachael Hansford duly elected as Vice-Chair and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record to be kept of the members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting.  Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

Apologies for absence received from Cllr. Steven Pester.  Members gave authority for Cllr. Steven Pester to sign his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the Clerk at a later date

 

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
  • To receive Declarations of Interest relating to matters contained in this agenda, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect of officers and the Localism Act 2011 in respect of members.
  • To receive written requests for new DPI dispensations.

Members are invited to declare disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in items on the agenda as required by the Mere Town Council Code of Conduct for Members and by the Localism Act 2011.  The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.  If you become aware, during the course of a meeting, of an interest that has not been disclosed under this item, you must immediately disclose it.  Whether you can remain in the meeting and the extent to which you can participate depends on the type of interest you have.

  • Jeans declared a personal interest in Minute No. 22a)
  • Jordan declared a pecuniary interest in Minute No. 27a) (recipient)

 

  1. MINUTES – RESOLVED to approve as a correct record, the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7th April 2025.

 

  1. STANDING ORDERS – To approve and adopt the Standing Orders for Mere Town Council (attached) – the Standing Orders (updated 6.5.25) were approved subject to the statutory procurement threshold amendment.

 

  1. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS – To approve and adopt the Financial Regulations for Mere Town Council (attached) – Agreed to defer consideration of the Financial Regulations until after the Internal Audit as the Clerk said that she had some questions for the internal auditor relating to this matter.

 

  1. INTERNAL AUDITOR – To appoint an Internal Auditor – RESOLVED to re-appoint the services of Kate Houlihan via the Local Council Consultancy service if she is happy to continue.

 

  1. COMMITTEE STRUCTURES – To review Committee Structures and appointment of any committees in accordance with standing order 4 and, if appointing committees, to consider Terms of Reference and membership – It was agreed that the Town Council would continue with the present arrangements of having an Annual Budget Committee + Staffing Panel & Appeals Committee only and an ad-hoc structure of Working Groups as and when considered necessary and required.

 

  1. WORKING GROUPS – To appoint members, including Convenors, to serve on Working Groups as required – as above.

 

  1. STAFFING PANEL – To appoint members, including the Chairman to serve on the Staffing Panel – It was agreed that the Staffing Panel member make-up should be Chair, Cllr. Colman & Cllr. Philip Coward.

 

  1. APPEALS COMMITTEE – To appoint members, including the Vice- Chairman. It was agreed that the Appeals Committee member make-up should be the Vice-Chair, Cllr. Debbie Beale and Cllr. John Jordan.

 

  1. APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES – To appoint representatives on the under mentioned bodies as required:

 

Review of representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back;

Organisation 2024/25 Representative 2025/26 Representative
Youth Club, Seeds4Success, CAYPIG (Community Area Young People) Cllrs. S. Catley, A Colman & G. Ings. Cllrs. S. Catley, A Colman & G. Ings.
Cricket Club Cllr. G. Ings Cllr. G. Ings
Health & Community Care Cllr. R. Hill Cllr. R. Hill
Tennis Club Cllr. G. Jeans Cllr. G. Jeans
Football Club Cllr. S. Catley Cllr. S. Catley & Cllr. S. Pester
Public Transport Cllr. John Jordan Cllr. John Jordan
Mere & District Linkscheme Mrs. Adrienne Howell Cllr. A. Colman & Cllr. Sam Dean + Adrienne Howell
Museum Committee Cllrs. G. Jeans & Mrs. K. Symonds Cllrs. G. Jeans and C. Hazzard
Footpaths & Rights of Way Cllr. Jordan & Cllr. Stone Cllr. Alan Mead
Chamber of Trade Chairman & Cllr. Hazzard Chair & Cllr. Hazzard
Friends of Mere Museum Cllr. J. Jordan Cllr. J. Jordan
School Governor Cllr. Ings & Cllr. S. Catley Cllr. Ings
St. Michaels PCC Cllr. A. Colman Cllr. P. Coward
Mere Croquet Club Cllr. A. Colman
Mere Bowling Club Cllr. G. Ings Cllr. Ings
Carnival Committee Cllr. J. Jordan Cllr. J. Jordan
Area Board & LHFIG Chairman & Vice-Chairman Chair & Vice-Chair
Mere Film Shows Mrs. Rosie Jordan-Barr Mrs. Rosie Jordan-Barr
Rivers Group Cllrs. R.  Coward & Cllr. Debbie Beale Cllrs. R.  Coward & Cllr. Debbie Beale
Trustees of Mere Forest Charity Cllr. Rodney Coward, Clive Hazzard, George Jeans, Ann Rich & Andrew Rees. Cllr. Rodney Coward, Clive Hazzard, George Jeans, Ann Rich & Andrew Rees.

The Clerk pointed out that councillors listed above should contact the groups and organisations to inform them that they were the Town Council’s representative for the ensuing year.

 

  1. ASSET REGISTER – To review the Town Council asset register for 2025/26 (attached) & Asset Management Policy (attached) – approved without amendment.

 

*17. INSURANCE POLICY – To review the Council’s Insurance Policy and discuss/decide on alterations. (see Clerks Report) – Members noted the building reinstatement valuations.  The Clerk pointed out that she was hoping for two insurance quotations to compare today but only one had been received in time.  It was therefore agreed to delegate the decision on the insurance policy to the Chair and Vice-Chair.

 

  1. BANKING AND FINANCIAL POLICIES – the following (a-c) below were considered and approved en bloc.
  2. To review the Council’s banking and signatory arrangements including Draft Business Debit Card Policy (attached) – the Clerk confirmed that the Council’s banking was currently paced with Lloyds Bank and that there were two councillors that verified the payments by physically signing each invoice.
  3. *To approve the schedule for Standing Orders and Direct Debits (in Clerks Report)
  4. *To approve membership and subscriptions for the council year (in Clerks Report)

 

  1. POLICIES

To review and decide on amendments to Council policies:

  1. Scheme of Delegation (attached) – RESOLVED to adopt the Scheme of Delegation without amendment.
  2. Draft Safeguarding Policy (attached) – RESOLVED to adopt the Safeguarding Policy without amendment. Jordan said that the policy should be made available in all of our facilities.
  3. Investment Policy (pending review) – deferred.
  4. Reserves Policy (pending review) – deferred.
  5. Governance & Management Risk Register – RESOLVED to adopt both documents without amendment.

 

  1. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL – RESOLVED to continue with current arrangement of holding meetings

on the first Monday of every month unless it is a bank holiday, in which case the Town Council will meet on the following Monday. The Town Council does not have a scheduled monthly meeting in August.  It was agreed that meetings would continue to start at 7.00 pm.

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session
  • None

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)

*a) Request for the use of a part of Salisbury Street Car Park for Charles Coles Family Funfairs to have a small funfair for the Mere Carnival event on 13.9.25 – Mr. Tim Thorn representing Charles Coles Family Funfairs will be attending the meeting to answer questions and provide more details to clarify points raised at the last meeting.

Mr. Thorn confirmed that Coles Family Funfairs would arrive on the Friday night after business hours (6pm – 7pm), set things up (it would be a couple of rides, a couple of children’s rides and some games), open for Carnival Day and pack up on Saturday night and take it all away.  No-one will be staying on site and all the equipment will be confined within the area shown on the plan with rights of access maintained.  There was a discussion about where residents would be able to park if they found themselves displaced by the Funfair but Cllr. Hazzard said that this wasn’t really the responsibility of the Town Council.  Mr. Thorn confirmed that signage would go into the car park beforehand to warn people and that they would deploy someone into the car park during the day to advise people that they would need to move their cars by a certain time.  Members felt that the Carnival needed the funfair in order to survive and it was RESOLVED that the Funfair could use the car park on Carnival Day as indicated.  Having declared a personal interest in the above matter, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting.

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – Cllr. Jeans reported on the lack of progress being made on fibre broadband to premises for Mere. It was agreed to raise this as a future agenda item.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/02086 – Re-consultation with additional information (please see Clerks Report)
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Self build bungalow
Site Address: The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link:

 

 

 https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D93Yf

 

Cllr. Jeans explained that this kind of ‘exchange’ has happened in the past whereby a Class Q permission is exchanged for a new build.  Cllr. Debbie Beale said that this planning application has not changed since it was considered last month.  Cllr. Nick Beale said that he thought the application should be refused as it seemed like it was a way round getting a new build on agricultural land.  Mr. Marshall was invited to speak and said that the bungalow would be 25m away from the barn.  Cllr. Ings said that providing the bungalow was tied to the farm he felt that it was preferable considering that the barn was on a flood plain.  Cllr. Nick Beale proposed that, since the application has not been amended, the Town Council should object to the proposal for exactly the same reasons as last month.  Seconded by Debbie Beale.  Vote 3 for and 7 against & 4 abstentions.  Substantive motion was put forward by Cllr. Ings to support the application subject to the bungalow being occupied by a person solely or mainly working or last working at the agricultural enterprise known as The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere.  Seconded by Cllr. Alan Mead and carried with a vote of 7 for, 3 against and 3 abstentions.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

Application No: PL/2025/02106
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Erection of two storey dwelling to replace existing bungalow
Site Address: The Lodge, Gillingham Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6LH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D9jo1

 

Cllr. John Jordan said that this property is not visible from the road and he couldn’t see an issue here.  RESOLVED to recommend that this application is recommended for approval.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/03735
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Demolition of all existing buildings.
Site Address: Beaumont Business Centre, Woodlands Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BT
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DhJ7x

 

RESOLVED to recommend that this application is recommended for approval.  Following a suggestion from the Clerk, members agreed to invite Redcliffe Homes to a future Town Council meeting for a pre-application discussion prior to them submitting a Reserved Matters application.

 

Application No: PL/2025/03944
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Single storey cattery enclosure
Site Address: Ashwell Nursery, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DsQkP

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

 

  1. 25. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports.
  • Property on North Road with a hedge causing an obstruction to the pavement and visibility obstruction on Denes Avenue/North Road junction.
  1. Wiltshire Council – Highways Capital Programme 2025/26 – the Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scheme and Flooding has approved the funding allocations and scheme lists for 2025/26. For further information please see page on Wiltshire Council’s website: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?id=2135&LLL=0

Cllr. Jordan said that the document was disappointing with the programme included some repairs to Whitehill Lane, Limpers Hill would have some repair work for the little bit by The Pax in 2027/28, Burton Lane has some repair work identified but with no date and then they have said that there are access issues for Manor Road.  After having raised the last issue with our Wiltshire Councillor, their response was that they had to consider the safety of operatives, buildings and members of the public when assessing sites for access.  There was some work identified for Park Corner Farm.

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, Cllr. Jordan left the meeting room whilst this matter was discussed.  RESOLVED to authorise schedule of payments (attached).

  1. b) Bank Reconciliation – Cllr. Jordan confirmed that he had signed and verified the bank reconciliation for March 2025 against the bank statements whilst he was still Chairman.
  2. c) The Heritage Revival Fund has been created to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings – Cllr. Jordan said that some time ago the Clerk had shared a document outlining a vision that she had for restoring and using the two chapels and he was keen to see if this fund might be suitable for this funding. It was agreed to raise this as a future agenda item.

 

  1. General Items

 

  1. Future meetings and events

The Clerk reported that there was an Extraordinary SWW Area Board meeting on 20th May at 11 am at County Hall, Trowbridge where they would be electing Chair, Vice-Chair and appointments to the LHFIG.

 

  1. Future agenda items

The Clerk gave a list of some of the agenda items that were pending and would be raised for discussion over the next few months.

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

 

Meeting closed at 8.30 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 29 May 2025

Agenda for Town Council meeting to be held on Monday, 2nd June 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

Duchy Manor,

Springfield Road,

Mere

Warminster,

Wiltshire

BA12 6EW

Phone: 01747 860701

e-mail: lindseywood@merewilts.org

www.merewilts.org

28th May 2025

 

Dear Councillor,

 

You are summoned to a meeting of Mere Town Council to be held on Monday, 2nd June 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

 

Before the meeting there will be a public session to enable the people of Mere to ask questions of, and make comments, regarding the Town Council.  Questions not answered at this meeting will be answered in writing to the person asking the question, or may appear as an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members of the public are asked to restrict their comments, and/or questions to three minutes.

Please Note: By entering the meeting room you are consenting to the use of your name being recorded in the Minutes.  The meeting may also be recorded by the press or members of the public.  Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.

Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk by email (lindseywood@merewilts.org) at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Lindsey Wood,

Town Clerk & RFO

 

Public Participation Session

 

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker). The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

Reports from local police representatives

 

AGENDA

  1. Apologies – To receive apologies for absence.
  2. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.

2.1 To receive declarations of interest from councillors on items on the agenda

2.2 To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any)

2.3 To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate

A request for dispensation must be made on an individual basis

 

Members are invited to declare disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in items on the agenda as required by the Mere Town Council Code of Conduct for Members and by the Localism Act 2011.  The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.  If you become aware, during the course of a meeting, of an interest that has not been disclosed under this item, you must immediately disclose it.  Whether you can remain in the meeting and the extent to which you can participate depends on the type of interest you have.

 

  1. Minutes – To resolve that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 12th May 2025 be approved as a correct record. (attached)

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)

*a) Mere Cemetery Ancestry & Heritage Project and potential funding opportunity :The Heritage Revival Fund has been created to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings.  (Project brief prepared by the Clerk in 2016 attached)

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report

*b) Project Co-Ordinator’s Report (attached)

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/04535
Application Type: Prior notification: Development by telecoms operators
Proposal: The removal of existing 20m monopole, 3 no. antennas and 3 no. dish. Proposed replacement with 22.50m monopole, 3 no. antennas, existing 3 no dish to be re-supported on replacement monopole and ancillary development thereto including existing equipment cabin upgrade.
Site Address: Land adjacent to Charnage Quarry, Off the A303, Charnage, Warminster, BA12 6AP
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000EJNqT

 

Application No: PL/2025/04320
Application Type: Lawful development: Existing use
Proposal: The erection of a dwellinghouse and the use of outbuildings and land for purposes ancillary to the residential use. Change of use of a building to a dwellinghouse (The Bungalow) and the use of land for the stationing of a caravan for permanent residential occupation independently of Three Oaks Farm.
Site Address: Three Oaks Farm, Gillingham Road, Mere, BA12 6LH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000E8x1K

 

Application No: PL/2025/04203
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Construction of an outdoor equestrian arena/manage with pedestrian access
Site Address: Burton Grange, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000E4xxV

 

 

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward and MyWiltshire reports.
  3. b) Manor Road & Angel Lane priorities for Highway Maintenance for Mere? – Cllr. Jeans

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
  2. a) Re-location of Town Council’s Honours Boards
  3. b) Castle Hill & Long Hill
  • Environmental Stewardship Scheme & scrub management
  • Replacement/repair fencing
  • Grazing
  1. d) Car Park Sponsorship update (see Minutes December meeting)

*e) Proposed works on adult football pitch to be carried out by Mere Town Football Club (see Clerks Report)

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached)

  1. b) To note the reconciliations for April 2025; the Chairman to sign and verify against the bank statements seen
  2. c) To report on delegated decision on insurance quotation assessment.

*d) To note and approve the End of Year Budget/Expenditure report and associated financial summary documents (attached)

*e) To approve the Town Council’s Reserves Policy 2025/26 (attached)

*f) To approve the Town Council’s Investment Strategy 2025/26 (attached)

  1. To approve the transfer of £75,000 from our National Savings Account into our Lloyds Bank general account
  2. To approve the transfer of £50,000 from the Lloyds Bank general account into our CCLA Public Sector Deposit Fund Account

*g) To approve DRAFT Vexatious Complaints Policy (attached)

*h) Wiltshire Towns Programme – Action Plan for 24/25 and 25/26 (attached)

*i) SSEN funding (see Clerk’s Report) & PCC Community Action Fund 2025 (see Clerks Report)

 

  1. Audit and Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024/25

*a) Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023/24

  1. To receive and note the Annual Internal Audit Report (attachment pending)
  2. To approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1)
  • To approve the Accounting Statements (Section 2) [attached]
  1. For the Chairman and Clerk to sign the Annual Governance Statement and the Chairman to sign the Accounting Statements
  2. To set the commencement date for the exercise of public rights
  3. To note other information to be sent to the External Auditor and required by External Auditor as part of Intermediate Review 2023/24

 

  1. General Items
  2. a) VJ Day in 2025 will be observed on Friday, August 15th. This marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allies, effectively ending World War II

 

  1. Future meetings and events

*a) Invitation to attend Safer Together: Strengthening Community Safety Through Partnership & Anonymity (virtual briefing hosted by Crimestoppers) – 12th June 2025 at 17.30 Online  (see Clerks Report)

 

 

  1. Future agenda items

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MERE PEACE MEMORIAL SPORTS AND RECREATION GROUND

Registered Charity No. 1093497

 

For Trustees to consider the following:

 

To approve payment to Mere Town Council for maintenance charges                    £16752.34

As per Recreation Ground Summary in End of Year Budget/Exp report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 29 May 2025

Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7th April 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7th April 2025 at 7.00 pm in the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW

Present:  Councillors John Jordan (Chair), Glen Ings (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Nick Beale, Aubrey Colman, Rodney Coward, Clive Hazzard, George Jeans, Linden Stone, Kate Symonds & Lesley Traves.

1 member of public

 

Public Participation Session

Mr. Fineman spoke in favour of his planning application at Breaches Barn.

Clive Hazzard congratulated the Clerk on her April Fools email.  He also asked whether any potential Town Councillor candidates had thoughts on putting together an election leaflet and suggested that a candidate may like to gather a few lines from each candidate and put them all together on a leaflet that could be published on social media etc.

John Jordan thanked the volunteers who came out to do the Spring Clean litter pick with him yesterday.  He said that there was good turnout and the litter pick was carried out with great enthusiasm.

John Jordan also suggested that perhaps an experienced ex-Chair might want to take on the role of Vice-Chair to add support to a new Chair for the new Council after the elections in May and stressed that it is an honour to take on the role of Chair to the Town Council and encouraged someone new to take on the role.

 

Reports from local police representatives

  • None present

 

  1. Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Sandra Catley & Raymond Hill.

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.
  • Hazzard declared a pecuniary interest in Minute No. 557a) Finance (recipient).
  • Jeans declared a personal interest in Minute No. 556 in respect of Coles Funfair’s request to use Salisbury Street Car Park.

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 3rd March 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record. RESOLVED that the Minutes of the working group meeting held to review & assess the effectiveness of Internal Control Measures held on Tuesday, 25th March 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session

Cllr. Jeans said that he thought it would be a good idea for candidates to get together and produce a leaflet.  He did, however, suggest that if these are to be published on social media then it would be advisable to turn off comments because he said that people can be very rude on social media.  The Chairman said that this was not a Town Council responsibility but could be done outside the Council by a group or by individual councillors.

The Clerk said that the Notice of Poll would be printed off and placed on the noticeboards, post office window and put on social media sites as a reminder for people to go and vote (with comments turned off).

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)

*a) Annual Town Meeting – draft Agenda attached.  The agenda was approved without amendment.  The Chairman encouraged members to attend the meeting.

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – Cllr. Jeans reported that he had made 6 trips to Salisbury with 45 sets of nomination papers for Town & Parish Council candidates in the last couple of weeks. He said that he had received a lot of reports of dog fouling in public places. Double yellow lines in Salisbury Street have been painted in the wrong place and are covering three on-street parking spaces.  Horse riding has now been included in the LTP4 document.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/01982
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Single Storey Extension
Site Address: THE PAX, LIMPERS HILL, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6BD
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D7N8U

 

As the extension has an exterior door and could, potentially, become self-contained it was RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application with the following condition:

That the extension remains ancillary to the occupation of The Pax and cannot be occupied separately, rented out as self-contained accommodation or sold off separately.

[In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

 

Application No: PL/2025/02086
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Self build bungalow
Site Address: The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D93Yf

It was pointed out that this proposal was an alternative development scheme for the barn at The Acorns which was approved under Class Q on application number PL/2024/07389 and that if this proposed development were to receive planning permission then the barn, subject to the Class Q conversion would be demolished.  The Clerk also pointed out that the Class Q permission on the barn was subject to an agricultural tie.  The Chair pointed out that the location of the proposed bungalow was closer to footpaths.  RESOLVED to raise an objection to the above planning application as the proposal would place development in agricultural land in the open countryside and would place a detrimental visual impact on the landscape when viewed from Bridleway MERE45/10 and Footpaths MERE 27/10 & MERE 44/10.  The fall-back option is preferable as the residential conversion of the barn approved under PL/2024/07389 is closer to the concentration of existing farm buildings and will have less of a visual impact on the rural landscape.

Application No: PL/2025/02348
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Demolition of an existing dwelling and barn and the proposed replacement dwelling comprising of a three bedroomed property
Site Address: Breaches Barn, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DDSc6

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

Application No: PL/2025/02698
Application Type: Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area
Proposal: T1 Cherry, Remove lateral branch overhanging no 3 Castle Lane. Reduce lateral branch by 1.5m to leave at 1.5m
Site Address: THE MALT HOUSE, CASTLE STREET, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6JE
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DOGlh

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval.

Application No: PL/2022/09365 AMENDED PLANS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: New employment building (Use Class B2) with associated offices, access, car parking, service space, landscaping and associated development infrastructure.
Site Address: Land adjacent to Quarryfield Industrial Estate, Castle Street, Mere, BA12 6LA
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000019AweX

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval.

Application No: PL/2025/01494 & PL/2025/01909
Application Type: Full planning permission & Listed Building Consent
Proposal: Replacement front and rear door, replacement kitchen windows, replacement dormer windows, new dormer roof with slate tiles and timber fascia to be painted
Site Address: The Stone Cottage, Salisbury Street, Mere, Warminster, Wilts, BA12 6HE
Planning Register Links: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning -application/a0iQ300000CkzMX

https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D5Md7

 

RESOLVED to recommend the above applications for approval subject to the following condition:

The Town Council could find no mention for the materials of the replacement doors, windows, and dormer windows and assume that, as this is a Listed Building, that these will be made of timber.  Can this please be conditioned.

 

  1. 555. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports.
  • Potholes in Manor Road and Denes Avenue

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries

*a) Request for the use of a part of Salisbury Street Car Park for Charles Coles Family Funfairs to have a small funfair for the Mere Carnival event on 13.9.25 (information in Clerks Report + attachment)

Cllr. Jeans declared a personal interest in this matter and left the meeting whilst it was discussed.  The Clerk confirmed that she had made an approach to Wiltshire Council who had agreed, in principle, to depart from the terms of the lease for this one occasion and use part of the car park as detailed.

Members noted that it was not clear whether the area identified was just for rides or whether it would also include trailers and vehicles for the funfair operators.  There were no proposals as to how the area would be made clear beforehand.  Members felt that, generally, the area that was marked on the plan was too big an area and would take up too many car parking spaces but felt that they should go back to Charles Coles Family Funfairs and ask if it might be possible for them to use a smaller area for just toddler rides etc. and provide a bit more detail about how they plan to maintain access, consult with residents that need access, consult with the doctors surgery and how they proposed to stop people from parking on the area that they want to use.  There was a brief discussion about whether or not the Town Council could offer alternative parking spaces for those that might be displaced.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – RESOLVED to authorise schedule of payments (attached)

  1. b) To note the reconciliations for February 2025 – the Chairman confirmed that he had verified the bank reconciliation against the bank statements and signed accordingly.

*c) Effectiveness of Internal Control Measures – RESOLVED to adopt recommendations of working group as outlined in Minutes of Working group meeting held to review & assess the effectiveness of Internal Control Measures held on Tuesday, 25th March 2025 (Minutes attached) and RESOLVED to approve and sign the Statement of Internal Control 2024/25 (draft attached).

*d) To report on allotment rent audit (see Clerks Report) – Noted without comment.

  1. e) 2023/24 Annual Governance & Accountability Return external auditor instructions – the Clerk reported that instructions had now been received from the External Auditor and that the Town Council would be subject to an intermediate review – the additional requirements for this year related to the Annual Review of Risk Management arrangements was discussed.

 

  1. General Items

Briefing Notes

  • Briefing Note no. 25-02 Management of Council business and publicity, during the pre-election period.
  • Briefing Note 25 -03 – Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) update

The Clerk pointed out that she had viewed the map and it would appear that Castle Hill & Long Hill had been identified as wooded areas in this strategy.  Cllr. Rodney Coward felt that this strategy was possibly contradicted by the governments new ruling to stop all new applications for Sustainable Farming Initiative grant.  It was agreed that members would spend more time looking at this.

 

  1. Future meetings and events

Annual Town Meeting – Wednesday, 23rd April 2025

 

  1. Future agenda items

NB – Please note that the next Town Council meeting will be the Annual Town Council meeting and will be held on Monday, 12th May 2025

 

Cllr. Jeans asked for the resurfacing of the uneven paved surface by the bus stop outside Balcony Cottages in The Square to be discussed at a future meeting.

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

 

 

 

 

Meeting closed at 8.09 pm

 

 

Approved at Mere Town Council meeting held on 12th May 2025

 

 

Signed:                                                                                                                                                                 Chair of meeting.

 

 

 

Signed by the Chair of the meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MERE PEACE MEMORIAL SPORTS AND RECREATION GROUND

Registered Charity No. 1093497

 

Meeting convened at 8.09 pm

 

For the Trustee to consider the following:

 

  1. Lease between Mere Peace Charity and Seeds4Success – please see attached documents:
  • Project Co-Ordinator’s Report (attached)
  • Draft Lease prepared by Wellers Hedley (attached)
  • Rental Valuation report for Youth Centre Building (attached)
  • Schedule of Condition for Youth Centre Building (attached)

 

RESOLVED to send the Draft Lease and the two commercial documents to Seeds4Success for comment and review.

 

  1. RESOLVED to authorise the following payment:

Water2Business – Standing Charge for water supply to old cricket shed                 £ 30.99

Wiltshire Council – Business Rates for Recreation Ground                                        £  0.00

 

 

 

 

Meeting closed at 8.12 pm

 

Approved at Mere Town Council meeting held on 12th May 2025

 

 

Signed:                                                                                                                                                                 Chair of meeting.

 

 

 

Signed by the Chair of the meeting

 

  • 7 May 2025

Agenda for the Annual Meeting of Mere Town Council to be held on Monday, 12th May 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

Duchy Manor,

Springfield Road,

Mere

Warminster,

Wiltshire

BA12 6EW

Phone: 01747 860701

e-mail: lindseywood@merewilts.org

www.merewilts.org

7th May 2025

Dear Councillor,

 

You are summoned to the ANNUAL MEETING OF MERE TOWN COUNCIL to be held on Monday, 12TH May 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

 

Before the meeting there will be a public session to enable the people of Mere to ask questions of, and make comments, regarding the Town Council.  Questions not answered at this meeting will be answered in writing to the person asking the question, or may appear as an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members of the public are asked to restrict their comments, and/or questions to three minutes.

Please Note: By entering the meeting room you are consenting to the use of your name being recorded in the Minutes.  The meeting may also be recorded by the press or members of the public.  Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.

Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk by email (lindseywood@merewilts.org) at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Lindsey Wood,

Town Clerk & RFO

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker). The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

 

REPORTS FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

 

AGENDA

 

  1. TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FORMS FROM ELECTED COUNCILLORS

 

  1. TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

 

  1. VOTE OF THANKS TO OUTGOING CHAIR

 

  1. TO ELECT VICE-CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE VICE-CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record to be kept of the members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting.  Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

 

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
  • To receive Declarations of Interest relating to matters contained in this agenda, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect of officers and the Localism Act 2011 in respect of members.
  • To receive written requests for new DPI dispensations.

Members are invited to declare disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests in items on the agenda as required by the Mere Town Council Code of Conduct for Members and by the Localism Act 2011.  The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.  If you become aware, during the course of a meeting, of an interest that has not been disclosed under this item, you must immediately disclose it.  Whether you can remain in the meeting and the extent to which you can participate depends on the type of interest you have.

 

  1. MINUTES – To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7th April 2025 ( attached)

 

  1. STANDING ORDERS – To approve and adopt the Standing Orders for Mere Town Council (attached)

 

  1. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS – To approve and adopt the Financial Regulations for Mere Town Council (attached)

 

  1. INTERNAL AUDITOR – To appoint an Internal Auditor

 

  1. COMMITTEE STRUCTURES – To review Committee Structures and appointment of any committees in accordance with standing order 4 and, if appointing committees, to consider Terms of Reference and membership.

 

  1. WORKING GROUPS – To appoint members, including Convenors, to serve on Working Groups as required.

 

  1. STAFFING PANEL – To appoint members, including the Chairman to serve on the Staffing Panel

 

  1. APPEALS COMMITTEE – To appoint members, including the Chairman, to serve on the Appeals Committee

 

  1. APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES – To appoint representatives on the under mentioned bodies as required:

 

Review of representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back;

Organisation 2024/25 Representative 2025/26 Representative
Youth Club, Seeds4Success, CAYPIG (Community Area Young People) Cllrs. S. Catley, A Colman & G. Ings.
Cricket Club Cllr. G. Ings
Health & Community Care Cllr. R. Hill
Tennis Club Cllr. G. Jeans
Football Club Cllr. S. Catley
Public Transport Cllr. John Jordan
Mere & District Linkscheme Mrs. Adrienne Howell
Museum Committee Cllrs. G. Jeans & Mrs. K. Symonds
Footpaths & Rights of Way Cllr. Jordan & Cllr. Stone
Chamber of Trade Chairman & Cllr. Hazzard
Friends of Mere Museum Cllr. J. Jordan
School Governor Cllr. Ings & Cllr. S. Catley
Mere Bowling Club Cllr. G. Ings
Carnival Committee Cllr. J. Jordan
Area Board & CATG Chairman & Vice-Chairman
Mere Film Shows Mrs. Rosie Jordan-Barr
Rivers Group Cllrs. R, Cowand & Cllr. Debbie Beale
Trustees of Mere Forest Charity Cllr. Rodney Coward, Clive Hazzard, George Jeans, Ann Rich & Andrew Rees.

 

  1. ASSET REGISTER – To review the Town Council asset register for 2025/26 (attached) & Asset Management Policy (attached)

 

*17. INSURANCE POLICY – To review the Council’s Insurance Policy and discuss/decide on alterations. (see Clerks Report)

 

  1. BANKING AND FINANCIAL POLICIES
  2. To review the Council’s banking and signatory arrangements including Draft Business Debit Card Policy (attached)
  3. *To approve the schedule for Standing Orders and Direct Debits (in Clerks Report)
  4. *To approve membership and subscriptions for the council year (in Clerks Report)

 

  1. POLICIES

To review and decide on amendments to Council policies:

  1. Scheme of Delegation (attached)
  2. Draft Safeguarding Policy (attached)
  3. Investment Policy (pending review)
  4. Reserves Policy (pending review)
  5. Governance & Management Risk Register (pending review)

 

  1. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL

To fix the dates and times of ordinary meetings of the Council and Committees (if any) for the ensuing year.

 

 

  1. 21. Matters Arising from Public Session

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)

*a) Request for the use of a part of Salisbury Street Car Park for Charles Coles Family Funfairs to have a small funfair for the Mere Carnival event on 13.9.25  – Mr. Tim Thorn representing Charles Coles Family Funfairs will be attending the meeting to answer questions and provide more details to clarify points raised at the last meeting.

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/02086 – Re-consultation with additional information (please see Clerks Report)
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Self build bungalow
Site Address: The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link:

 

 

 https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D93Yf

 

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/02106
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Erection of two storey dwelling to replace existing bungalow
Site Address: The Lodge, Gillingham Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6LH
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D9jo1

 

Application No: PL/2025/03735
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Demolition of all existing buildings.
Site Address: Beaumont Business Centre, Woodlands Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BT
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DhJ7x

 

 

Application No: PL/2025/03944
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Single storey cattery enclosure
Site Address: Ashwell Nursery, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000DsQkP

 

 

  1. 25. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports.
  3. b) Wiltshire Council – Highways Capital Programme 2025/26 – the Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Schene and Flooding has approved the funding allocations and scheme lists for 2025/26. For further information please see page on Wiltshire Council’s website: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?id=2135&LLL=0

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached)

  1. b) To note the bank reconciliations for March 2024; the Chairman to sign and verify against the bank statements seen
  2. c) The Heritage Revival Fund has been created to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings.

 

  1. General Items

 

  1. Future meetings and events

 

  1. Future agenda items

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 7 May 2025

Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 3rd March 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 3rd March 2025 at 7.00 pm in the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW

Present:  Councillors John Jordan (Chair), Nick Beale, Sandra Catley, Aubrey Colman, Philip Coward, Rachael Hansford, Clive Hazzard, Raymond Hill, George Jeans, Kate Symonds & Lesley Traves.

Also 10 members of the public.

Public Participation Session

Mel Wilkinson representing the Carnival Committee introduced the new Chair and Vice-Chair of the Carnival Committee (Victoria Johnson & David Hytch) and said that enough volunteers had come forward to give the committee the confidence to plan for a carnival for September 2025.  Last year’s event was successful and although we spent a lot of money, our finances are healthy.  John Jordan said that many people in this room had played a part in organising the carnival and paid his respects to the committee members past and present.

Mr. Birch of Oaktree House, spoke in favour of his planning application.  He pointed out that there was an error in the planning application – it wasn’t going to have 16 parking spaces but could accommodate 16 people if all accommodation was used to capacity at the same time.  The equestrian use is low key and will not be commercial.

Elaine Stallard thanked the Council for support with the Solstice Beacon proposal but unfortunately, after all our hard work, we are sorry to say that the Solstice Beacon will not now go ahead.  The beacon’s value means that it is uninsurable for malicious damage and it cannot realistically sit within the Tower Stories project although they would support a separate application for another time in which we may have to include funding to provide 24-hour security cover.

David Hytch explained that he had been working with the Town Council to get an electric vehicle charger into the car park in Salisbury Street but this project had now reached a déjà vu situation in that the company that I was working with has been bought out by another business and the new business has decided that they no longer wish to support the work in Mere to install an EV charger.  He said that this was very disappointing news for him personally and he thought it was a poor decision but he has not yet given up on the project as he was looking to find alternative providers/suppliers

 

Reports from local police representatives

  • None present

 

  1. Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Debbie Beale, Glen Ings and Linden Stone.

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.
  • Jeans declared a pecuniary interest in Minute No. 544a) [payment recipient]
  • Lesley Traves declared a personal interest in planning application PL/2025/01213

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 3rd February 2025 be approved & signed as a correct record.

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session
  • None

 

  1. Matters Arising from previous Meetings (not covered by other agenda items)
  2. a) For Chairman & Vice-Chairman to sign Operating Agreement and Licence for EV chargers to be installed in Salisbury Street Car Park – the Chairman said it was disappointing news that this project with Pluscharge would not now be realised (see public session) and said that the Town Council would remain hopeful that another company could be found to provide EV chargers in the car park.
  3. b) Public Toilets Refurbishment – update – Rachael Hansford reported that the planned meeting with Healthmatic did go ahead, although Roger Pipe was not able to come along as he was taken ill. However, we got the answers to the queries that we had which have now been fed back to Roger and when he is back he will schedule the electrical work, plumbing work and doors etc. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Rachael Hansford & Aubrey Colman and wished Roger a speedy recovery and the Clerk confirmed that he was doing well.  The Clerk confirmed that she would be writing to Wiltshire Council to make sure that they would be happy for us to charge for using the toilets in the way that we were planning.  (i.e. overnight usage).
  4. c) Report on South West Wiltshire Area Board meeting held on 19th February 2025 – the Chairman reported on the meeting which he said was rather abrasive at times, largely due to the distribution of LHFIG funds and progress of projects.

*d) Resources, timetable & information for Town & Parish Council elections (information in Clerks Report) – noted.  The Clerk said that she would be happy to print off some nomination papers & also confirmed that Cllr. Jeans had volunteered to take nomination papers in to the council offices and that she and Cllr. Jeans would make convenient appointments for this.

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – Cllr. Jeans reiterated that Wiltshire Council will increase its council tax by 4.5% rather than the full 4.99 % permitted by Government. He said that he had provided a full report in Mere Matters.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications for consultation response:

 

Application No: PL/2025/00844
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Change of use of equestrian land to (sui-generis) mixed equestrian and holiday accommodation with the erection of three holiday cabins, the conversion of a stable building to holiday accommodation, ground mounted solar PV array, associated landscaping and works
Site Address: Land north of Oaktree House, Limpers Lane, Mere, BA12 6BB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000CH2Mf

 

Cllr. Hazzard said that although he hadn’t been to the site, he had spoken to residents that live nearby and reported that they were positive about the application.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application and to ask Cllr. Jeans to call this application in to committee if the planning/highways officers are making recommendations for refusal. [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

 

Application No: PL/2025/00956
Application Type: Listed building consent (Alt/Ext)
Proposal: Installation of an alarm and CCTV camera
Site Address: The Cottage, Wet Lane, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BA
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000CKBTR

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

 

Application No: PL/2025/01324
Application Type: Prior approval Part 3 Class Q: Agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses
Proposal: Prior notification under class Q for change of use of existing agricultural building to form a single dwelling and associated works.
Site Address: Land and buildings at Woodlands Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6BY
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000ChF4vIAF/pl202501324

 

The Chairman reminded members that there was a similar application for this barn in 2015 but was not supported as there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that agricultural usage was in place on 20.3.2013 and also the application did not contain any form of structural assessment that demonstrated that the existing building was structurally strong enough to take the loadings associated with external works required for conversion to residential use. The Chairman read out the criteria for determination as to whether the prior approval of the LPA would be required.

RESOLVED that the Town Council object on the grounds that this application does not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the officer’s recommendations made to the application for this barn in 2015 under Application Reference: 15/04655/PNCOU have been overcome.

 

Application No: PL/2025/01213
Application Type: Removal/variation of conditions
Proposal: Variation of condition 2 of PL/2022/09675 – To reposition the approved annex
Site Address: 1 Lordsmead Road, Mere, Warminster, Wilts, BA12 6BZ
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000CZCoz

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.   (Cllr. Lesley Traves declared a personal interest in this application and abstained from voting.)  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

 

Application No: PL/2025/01439
Application Type: Listed building consent (Alt/Ext)
Proposal: Removal of decayed floor timbers and replacement with damp-proof course and concrete slab to meet existing floor.
Site Address: Burton Grange Barn, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000Cj7OG

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

Application No: PL/2025/02113
Application Type: Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area
Proposal: 889 Yew Crown lift by removing branches below 3m that overhang adjacent lanes 890 Yew Crown lift by removing branches below 2m on eastern side 891 Beech Crown lift by removing branches below 4m on eastern side 892 Yew Crown lift by removing branches below 3m on eastern side 893 Yew Crown lift by removing branches below 3m on eastern side 894 Reduce height of crown by 3-4m and sides by 1.5 -2m. lift crown by removing lateral branches below 4.5m that overhang lane
Site Address: ELM COTTAGE, CHURCH STREET, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6DS
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000D9wZx

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

*b) Integrated planning for a sustainable future – correspondence from Mr. Nick Gosse (see Clerks Report) – members noted the information.  Cllr. Philip Coward said that a very long time ago there was a plan to take a road into Woodlands at a time when Beaumont’s were trying to get very large chimneys off site but to take a road across the route suggested would be like HS2.  It was also pointed out that Wiltshire would not build a road unless there was a financial incentive to do so and that would likely be hundreds if not thousands of houses.  Mr. Gosse was invited to speak and said that the issue was a safety one and if someone gets run over there because there are no warning signs then it will come down on the Town Council’s and the County Council’ shoulders.  Mr. Gosse asked if the Town Council would suggest to Wiltshire Council that some form of traffic calming is introduced when the detailed planning application for the Beaumont’s site is under consideration. The Chairman also reiterated that pedestrian safety proposals had been submitted to the LHFIG some time ago but no progress had been made by Wiltshire Council on this.  RESOLVED that, if a planning application for the old Beaumont’s site is presented in the future, then the Town Council should suggest that finance be sought to help improve Clements Lane corner.

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports –
  • Potholes on the zebra crossing at White Road
  • Foliage obstructing signage at Downside Close and Underdown

*b) Response from National Highways to letter relating to flooding of A303 and ramps on bypass bridge at Manor Road (see Clerks Report) – Noted.

  1. c) Report on LHFIG meeting held on Wednesday, 5th February – the Chairman reported that sadly, there has been no progress on pending projects. The Chairman said that he had spoken to Paul Shaddock and asked for the contact details for our lighting engineers to speak to their lighting engineers and unfortunately, he would not permit this. Cllr. Jeans asked for this to go back on the agenda for the Town Council to consider whether or not it should power up the lights along Eric Mitchell Way.

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a) Payments – RESOLVED to review and authorise schedule of payments (attached) [Having declared a pecuniary interest, Cllr. Jeans left the room whilst this matter was discussed.]

  1. b) To note the reconciliations for January 2025 – the Chairman confirmed that he had verified the bank reconciliation against the bank statements and signed accordingly.
  2. c) To set date, venue and member make-up for Annual Assessment of Internal Control Measures – it was agreed that the Chairman + Cllrs Lesley Traves & Sandra Catley would meet to consider the draft assessment and make recommendations for the Town Council.

*d) Actions from Interim Internal Audit Report (report attached) – the Clerk to prepare draft policy/RA for the debit card, draft Reserves Policy, review the Financial Regulations & standing orders and the Clerk confirmed that she is currently seeking insurance quotations and building valuations.  The Clerk acknowledged that she was currently using two financial software packages but said that she did not have the confidence to stop using the old system at the present time although she was hopeful that this would be the case in the near future.

  1. e) Funding for Mere Matters – is the future of the magazine in jeopardy and what sort of money would make a difference? It was confirmed that the future of the magazine was not in jeopardy and the Clerk said that the editor had given her an assurance that he would contact her if lack of finance was an issue going forward.

 

  1. General Items

 

  1. Future meetings and events

*a) Town & Parish Council Planning Forum 5th March (information in Clerks Report) – Noted

  1. b) VE Day – 8th May & VJ Day – 15th August – the Chairman confirmed that he had been working with Stuart Walker and he was keen that we should commemorate VJ Day and will be working with the new vicar to take part in that but was not keen to hold two commemoration events as they would likely become diluted. The suggestion was that we would lay a wreath on VE Day but spread the word via Mere Matters and Social Media that we would be commemorating the end of the war VJ Day on 15th

 

  1. Future agenda items
  • None

 

Note:  Members are reminded that the Town Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability), Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.

 

*Further information on these items enclosed/attached

Meeting closed at 8.23 pm

 

 

Approved at Mere Town Council meeting held on 7th April 2025

 

 

Signed:                                                                                                                                                                 Chair of meeting.

 

 

 

Signed by the Chair of the meeting

  • 2 April 2025

Minutes of a working group meeting held 25.3.25 to review and assess effectiveness of internal control measures

Minutes of a working group meeting held on Thursday, 25th March 2025 at 3.30 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere.  BA12 6EW

 

Purpose of the meeting: To review and assess the effectiveness of internal control measures:

 

In attendance – Cllr. John Jordan (Chairman) + Cllr. Lesley Traves + Cllr. Sandra Catley + Lindsey Wood (Town Clerk & RFO).

 

Two draft documents had been presented to working group members prior to the meeting:

 

  • Statement of Internal Controls 2025
  • schedule for Internal Control Measures

 

It was pointed out that the Council’s Risk Management is still undergoing review with Guardian Advisors Ltd who the Town Council appointed in April last year.  The following aspects were covered during the year:

  • General Health & Safety training event for all Town Council staff was held in August
  • Fire Risk Assessment for the Andy Young Pavilion was carried out in August
  • Keith Roser of Guardian Advisors had visited all the Town Council assets and inspected the grounds compound with a view to analysing the Town Council’s needs and requirements to create a functioning Health & Safety management system
  • A First Aid At Work training course had been held for some Council staff in January
  • Some Draft Risk Assessments had been received but these are currently awaiting further discussion/review
  • A Draft Health & Safety Management Policy has been received but this is currently awaiting further discussion/review.

 

The Schedule for Internal Control Measures highlighted the Internal Control Measures & Risk Assessments that were likely to be reviewed in the next year.  Members were happy to present the Statement of Internal Controls to the Town Council for adoption and signature. (Draft Statement of Internal Controls 2025 attached)

 

 

In respect of recommendations made by the Internal Auditor from the current year audit – the Clerk confirmed that she would be:

  • drafting a policy for the use of the Town Council’s newly acquired business debit card.
  • Revising the Town Council’s Financial Regulations to reflect the changes introduced by NALC
  • Reviewing the Town Council’s insurance coverage, including a valuation of all properties and insurance quotations.

 

 

With the adoption of these new and/or amended documents, members of the working group recommended that the Town Council should confirm that it had made proper arrangements and accepted responsibility for safeguarding the public money and resources in its charge.  Members recommended that the Council should agree that they had considered and documented the financial and other risks the Council faces and dealt with them properly.  These assertions would enable the Town Council to agree ‘yes’ to assertions 2 and 5 in the Annual Governance & Accountability Report for the year ending 31.3.2025.

 

 

 

 

  • 2 April 2025