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DRAFT Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 11th May 2026

 

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held on Monday, 11th May 2026 at 7.00 pm in Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW

Note: Meeting recorded for minute-taking purposes

Present: Councillors Sandra Catley (Chair), Rachael Hansford (Vice-Chair), Nick Beale, Aubrey Colman, Rodney Coward,  Clive Hazzard, Raymond Hill, Glen Ings, John Jordan and Steven Porter.

Lindsey Wood – Town Clerk & RFO

 

17+ members of public.

Public Participation Session

Travellers’ Site – Burton

A resident spoke regarding the unauthorised traveller encampment at the former nursery site and requested that consideration be given to ensuring access to clean water and appropriate waste management arrangements.

A further resident expressed concern regarding the planning position and alleged lack of transparency between Wiltshire Council officers and elected members. Objection was also raised regarding the apparent breach of planning regulations and lack of enforcement action.

Carnival Update

A representative of the Carnival Committee confirmed that the Mere Carnival would proceed on 19 September 2026. An update was also provided regarding forthcoming traffic management arrangements associated with works in Salisbury Street car park so that information can be provided to residents for the agreed funfair.

Memorial Service

Members were reminded of the memorial celebration service for former Cllr Jane Hurd.

Speed Limit Signage

A query was raised regarding the inconsistency between existing 40mph signage and newly marked 30mph road markings on Shaftesbury Road. It was noted that clarification had been sought from Wiltshire Council Highways.

Mere-athon Walking Weekend

Members were reminded that the Mere-athon Walking Weekend would take place from 23–25 May 2026.

Reports from Local Police Representatives

The Clerk read a written policing report covering the period 1 January 2026 to 1 May 2026.

Discussion

Members noted:

  • 62 crimes had been reported within Mere during the period, compared with 54 during the equivalent period in 2025.
  • Theft offences had increased significantly, largely attributable to increased reporting from retail premises.
  • There had been 14 recorded road traffic collisions, seven of which occurred on the A303 bypass.

Decision

The report was noted.

  1. Election of Chair of the Town Council 2026/27

RESOLVED that Cllr Sandra Catley be elected Chair of Mere Town Council for the municipal year 2026/27.

The Chair signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

  1. Election of Vice-Chair of the Town Council 2026/27

RESOLVED that Cllr Rachael Hansford be elected Vice-Chair of Mere Town Council for the municipal year 2026/27.

The Vice-Chair signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

  1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received and accepted from:

  • Cllr George Jeans
  • Cllr Sam Dean
  • Cllr Debbie Beale
  • Cllr Stephen Pester
  • Cllr Philip Coward
  1. Declarations of Interest
  • Cllr Nick Beale declared an interest for reasons of transparency in relation to matters concerning the traveller site.
  1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 6 April 2026 were reviewed. Two amendments were identified- both relating to the public participation session:

  • The donation referred to in the Carnival update should read £1,000.
  • “Castle Grove” should read “Castle Lodge”.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2026 be approved as a correct record subject to the above amendments.

  1. Standing Orders

Discussion

The Clerk recommended adoption of the Standing Orders subject to amendment of the procurement threshold from £60,000 to £125,000 to provide greater operational flexibility in relation to tendering procedures.

RESOLVED that the Standing Orders be adopted subject to amendment of the procurement threshold to £125,000.

  1. Financial Regulations

RESOLVED that the Financial Regulations be approved and adopted without amendment.

  1. Appointment of Internal Auditor

Discussion

The Clerk advised that Mrs Kate Houlihan who had been appointed by the Local Council Consultancy Service continued to provide satisfactory & independent internal audit services.

RESOLVED that Mrs Kate Houlihan be reappointed as Internal Auditor for 2026/27 if she is happy to continue.

  1. Committee Structures

Discussion

Members reviewed the current committee arrangements.

RESOLVED that the existing committee structure be retained, comprising:

  • Annual Budget Committee
  • Staffing Panel
  • Appeals Committee
  • Ad hoc Working Groups as required.
  1. Working Groups

RESOLVED that Working Groups continue on an ad hoc basis as required.

  1. Staffing Panel

RESOLVED that the Staffing Panel membership remain as:

  • Chair of Council
  • Cllr Colman
  • Cllr Philip Coward
  1. Appeals Committee

RESOLVED that the Appeals Committee membership remain as:

  • Vice-Chair of Council
  • Cllr Debbie Beale
  • Cllr John Jordan
  1. Appointments to Outside Bodies

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

Organisation 2025/26 Representative 2026/27 Representative
Youth Club, Seeds4Success, CAYPIG (Community Area Young People) Cllrs. S. Catley, A Colman & G. Ings. Cllrs. S. Catley & G. Ings
Cricket Club Cllr. G. Ings Cllr. Steve Porter
Health & Community Care Cllr. R. Hill Cllr. R. Hill
Tennis Club Cllr. G. Jeans Cllr. G. jeans
Football Club Cllr. S. Catley & Cllr. S. Pester Cllrs. S. Pester & A. Colman
Public Transport Cllr. John Jordan Cllr. John Jordan
Mere & District Linkscheme Cllr. A. Colman & Cllr. Sam Dean + Adrienne Howell Cllrs. A. Colman & Sam Dean
Museum Committee Cllrs. G. Jeans and C. Hazzard Cllr. G. Jeans & G. Ings
Footpaths & Rights of Way Cllr. Alan Mead Cllr. John Jordan
Chamber of Trade Chair & Cllr. Hazzard Chair & Cllr. Hazzard
Friends of Mere Museum Cllr. J. Jordan Cllr. J. Jordan
School Governor Cllr. Ings Cllr. Ings
St. Michaels PCC Cllr. P. Coward Cllr. P. Coward
Mere Croquet Club Cllr. A. Colman Cllr. A. Colman
Mere Bowling Club Cllr. Ings Cllr. Ings
Carnival Committee Cllr. J. Jordan Cllr. J. Jordan
Area Board & LHFIG Chair & Vice-Chair 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. Cllrs. R. Coward, C. Hazzard, G. Jeans + Mrs. Ann Rich & Mr. 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.

RESOLVED that the appointments to outside bodies be approved as amended.

  1. Asset Register

RESOLVED that the Asset Register as at 31 March 2026 be approved.

  1. Insurance Policy

Discussion

The Clerk advised that the insurance renewal remained under review due to lease-related insurance requirements concerning Duchy Manor.

Decision

The matter was deferred pending further information from insurers.

  1. Banking and Financial Policies
  2. a) Banking and Signatory Arrangements

RESOLVED that the existing banking and signatory arrangements be retained.

  1. b) Standing Orders and Direct Debits +
  2. c) Memberships and Subscriptions

RESOLVED that:

  • the schedule of Standing Orders and Direct Debits; and
  • memberships and subscriptions for 2026/27

be approved.

  1. Policies
  2. a) Scheme of Delegation

RESOLVED that the Scheme of Delegation be adopted with delegated authority for urgent repairs being increased to £2,000.

  1. b) Annual Reserves Policy

DEFERRED

  1. c) Governance & Management Risk Register

RESOLVED that the Governance & Management Risk Register be adopted without amendment.

  1. Meetings of the Council

RESOLVED that ordinary meetings of the Council continue to be held on the first Monday of each month at 7.00 pm.

  1. Matters Arising from Previous Meetings

Old Nursery Site, Burton

Discussion

Members considered:

  • whether to lodge a formal complaint to Wiltshire Council regarding planning process concerns; and
  • whether to convene a public meeting involving relevant agencies.

A detailed chronology of Council actions and correspondence regarding the unauthorised traveller encampment was presented by the Chair.

Members expressed significant concern regarding:

  • perceived failures in Wiltshire Council’s planning processes;
  • lack of a five-year traveller site supply;
  • highway safety;
  • environmental concerns; and
  • communication with residents.

Members also discussed obtaining independent advice from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

RESOLVED that:

  1. Mere Town Council lodge a formal complaint to Wiltshire Council concerning the handling of the planning process relating to the former nursery site.
  2. CPRE be contacted to seek planning advice and support.
  3. The Clerk prepare a draft formal complaint for circulation to Members prior to submission.
  4. The Chair to contact Andrew Murrison MP for support
  5. The Town Council would not convene a public meeting directly.
  6. Wiltshire Council be pressed to hold a public meeting to explain the current position to residents.
  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Proposed Fire Station Closures

Members received an update regarding the campaign to retain Mere Fire Station.

The Council noted:

  • intervention by local MPs at national level;
  • ongoing consultation activity;
  • strong community engagement within Mere; and
  • the importance of public responses to the consultation.
  1. b) Wiltshire Councillor’s Report

No report received.

  1. c) Project Co-Ordinator’s Report

Members discussed proposals relating to improvements to the Recreation Ground Play Area and the MUGA and associated grant funding opportunities.

  1. Planning
  2. a) Planning Applications
Application No: PL/2026/01882
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Rear and side extensions to house, with internal alterations
Site Address: Wheelwrights Cottage, Burton, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BR
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000KNj7N

RESOLVED that Mere Town Council raise no objection to the application.

Application No: PL/2026/02465
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Construction of steel frame storage barn
Site Address: Longmead, Barrow Street, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6AB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000KwS6r

 

RESOLVED that Mere Town Council raise no objection to the application.

  1. c) Southern Area Planning Committee – Woodlands Road

Members received a report regarding the Southern Area Planning Committee meeting concerning application PL/2025/07327 for up to 28 dwellings at Woodlands Road.

The Council noted that the application had been refused following a tied vote and the casting vote of the Chair.

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) Parish Steward / MyWiltshire

Members discussed potential works for the Parish Steward

  • cut back footpath across The Meads.

Decision

Members to submit suggested works to the Clerk.

  1. b) LHFIG – Salisbury Street & Hazards Hill

Members considered revised proposals for waiting restrictions.

RESOLVED that the revised proposals be approved for submission to LHFIG who will obtain a quotation and advise on what our contribution will be.

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
  2. a) Allotment Rent Audit – deferred.
  3. b) North Chapel – Structural Concerns

Members discussed the deteriorating condition of the North Chapel and potential grant funding opportunities.

Concern was expressed regarding water ingress and structural movement.

RESOLVED that a structural survey be commissioned in order to assess the condition of the building and identify necessary works. In the meantime Cllr. Jordan will consider grant funding ideas to bring back to the next meeting.

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources
  2. a) Schedule of Payments

RESOLVED that the schedule of payments be approved.

  1. b) Bank Reconciliations

The bank reconciliations for March 2026 were noted.

  1. General Items

Members noted Briefing Note 26-04 regarding the Crisis & Resilience Fund.

  1. Future Meetings and Events

Noted.  Next Town Council meeting would be Monday, 1st June 2026

  1. Future Agenda Items

None raised at this time.

Meeting Closed

The meeting closed at 8.12 pm.

ACTION LOG

Ref Action Responsible Timescale
22/01 Draft formal complaint to Wiltshire Council regarding former nursery site Clerk Prior to next meeting
22/02 Seek planning advice/support from CPRE Chair / Clerk Ongoing
22/03 Liaise with MP Andrew Murrison regarding support for complaint and public engagement Chair Ongoing
22/04 Explore methods of publishing Council timeline relating to traveller site Chair / Vice-Chair Prior to next meeting
23/01 Continue public promotion of Fire Station consultation response All Members Before consultation deadline
25/01 Submit Parish Steward work requests to Clerk Members Ongoing
26/01 Obtain structural survey for North Chapel Clerk Prior to future consideration
26/02 Explore external grant funding opportunities for North Chapel restoration