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DRAFT Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 1st December 2025

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 1st December 2025 at 7.00 pm in the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW. 

 

Note: Meeting recorded for minute-taking purposes

 

Present:  Councillors Sandra Catley (Chair), Rachael Hansford (Vice-Chair), Aubrey Colman, Rodney Coward, Sam Dean, Clive Hazzard, Raymond Hill, George Jeans, John Jordan & Steven Pester.

5+ members of public.

Public Participation Session

With reference to the planning application PL/2025/08412 for Elmsleigh, Pettridge Lane – residents raised concerns about traffic and safety on Pettridge Lane. Historical planning refusals from the 1990s referenced.  Another resident raised the concern that a number of the windows of the proposed new dwelling would overlook his garden.

Carnival Committee held successful quiz night and arranging Xmas Lights switch on with Father Xmas in the Grotto which should be a good event for the town and businesses staying open.  Thanks to the Town Council for erecting the lights.

New Year New Bottom walk to take place on New Year’s Day.

Reports from police representatives

  • None

Apologies for absence

  • Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Debbie Beale, Nick Neale, Philip Coward & Alan Mead.

91. Declarations of Interests

Cllr. Raymond Hill declared a pecuniary interest in Planning Application PL/2025/08412 and a non-pecuniary interest in the Minutes of the Budget Meeting

Cllr. John Jordan declared a personal interest in planning application   PL/2025/09007 and a pecuniary interest in the payments Minute No. 99a (recipient)

Cllr. Rachael Hansford declared a personal interest in planning application PL/2025/08412

92. Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 3rd November 2025 be approved as a correct record and the Budget Committee approved the Minutes of Annual Budget Meeting held on Wednesday, 19th November 2025

93.  Matters Arising from Public Session

None

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

a) The Old Nursery site off A303 at Burton (Minute Ref: 82a)

Discussion:

  • Clerk confirmed that a letter had been sent to multiple authorities but was disappointed at the limited responses that had been received.
  • Jeans provided an explanation regarding Core Policy 47 and enforcement limitations

Decision:

  • Continue following up.

Action:

  • Clerk to chase Wiltshire Council and others.

 

b) Report on Wiltshire Council Parking Plan engagement sessions

Deferred

95.  Reports & Consultations

a) Wiltshire Councillors Report

Discussion:

  • Jeans reported on local fundraising events, library warm spaces and highway maintenance updates. He also mentioned the issue of dog fouling and the need for people to pick up their dog mess.

Decision:

  • Report noted.

Action:

  • Warm space info to be publicised.

 

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

Discussion:

  • Colman asked about the colour change of the door strips for the new exterior doors. Cllr. Jordan said the refurbishment project had made a huge improvement to the toilets and Cllr. Jeans thanked the Project Co-Ordinator for his work on this.

Decision:

  • Present white door strips to remain

Action:

  • None

96.  Planning

a) Applications for consultation response:

Application No: PL/2025/09007
Application Type: Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area
Proposal: T1 Small Apple tree nearest house – Thin crown by 10%. T2 Apple tree – Thin crown by 30% and reduce the long branch tips by 2 metres where needed. T3 Apple tree – Thin crown by 30% and reduce the long branch tips by 2 metres where needed. T4 Small Apple tree growing against the rear fence – Fell.
Site Address: GIFFEN, CASTLE STREET, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6JF
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000HqdoH

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval.  Cllr. Jordan, having declared a personal interest in the above application, abstained from voting.

Application No: PL/2025/08412 – Full planning permission
Site Location: Elmsleigh. Pettridge Lane. Mere, Warminster, BA12 6DG
Proposal: Demolish outbuildings and lean-to, form new vehicular access and erect two storey dwelling
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000HNJL7IAP/pl202508412

RESOLVED to object to the above application for reasons of 1) Highway Safety and 2) Overlooking, Loss of Privacy and Loss of Residential Amenity.  Cllr. Hill, having declared a pecuniary interest in this planning application, left the room whilst the item was considered and took no part in discussion or voting.  Cllr. Rachael Hansford, having declared a personal interest in this planning application, refrained from discussion and abstained from voting.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

b) Does the Town Council wish to ‘”call in” any planning application consultation responses?

RESOLVED to ask Cllr. Jeans to ‘call in’ the planning application PL/2025/08412 if, upon investigation, it seems that the planning officer is minded to recommend approval of the application.

97.  Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport

a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward and MyWiltshire reports.

  • Request that Parish Steward fills pothole by kissing gate entrance into FP 51/10 at the bottom of Angel Lane.

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

a) For Chair & Vice-Chair to sign lease for Duchy Manor (office & old Children’s Centre)

RESOLVED that Chair & Vice-Chair should sign the lease for Duchy Manor Admin suite.

b) CCTV for Duchy Manor

The Clerk explained that the school had recently installed a CCTV system which is monitored from their office.  The company that installed it have said that they would be happy to install some extra cameras for us on our part of the building with the footage being viewed on the school’s monitoring system.  The Clerk wanted to know if the Council wanted her to make further investigations on the installation and costs.

RESOLVED to provide more details for the next Town Council meeting.

c) Feedback on firework event at Duchy Manor and request for 2026 date

The Clerk reported that the firework event had raised over £12,500 for the school children and that the Friends of Mere School would like to organise the 2026 event for Saturday, 7th November with the Town Council’s permission.

Decision

  • Agreed to grant permission and to congratulate the organisers for their hard work and efforts that has gone into making the evening such a success.

 

d) Residents’ concerns about the management of Kingsmere Open Space  Further information in Clerks Report

Members noted the concerns of the residents but acknowledged  that it was very difficult to keep everyone happy and acknowledged that the work we do sometimes pleases some residents but upsets others and that cost savings and risk mitigation are also factors for consideration.

 

e) To consider requests for Banners to go on the Clock Tower for 2026  Further information in Clerks Report

RESOLVED that the four applicants for advertising banners for the Clock Tower for 2026 be granted permission:

  • Michaels Church – Church Event to be held 12th – 14th June 2026
  • Mere Carnival Committee – 2026 Carnival – 12th September 2026
  • Mere Literary Festival – Date to be confirmed
  • Mere Carnival Committee – Xmas Light Switch On & Father Xmas Grotto – 4th December 2026

99. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments (Schedule of payments attached)

Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, Cllr. Jordan left the room and took no part in discussion or voting.

RESOLVED to authorize the payments as listed in the schedule of payments

 

*b) To note the reconciliations for September & October 2025; the Chairman to sign and verify against the bank statements seen

The Chair confirmed that she had verified that the bank statements accord with the reconciliation for September and October 2025 and had signed the reconciliations accordingly.

 

  1. c) Order of priority for next round of S.106 expenditure – are you happy for Project Co-ordinator to work on these three projects: (Please see Project Co-Ordinator’s scoping report requiring decisions) Scoping report attached
  • MUGA refurb
  • Recreation Ground Play Area
  • Calisthenics area adjacent to pétanque

Project Co-Ordinator, Roger Pipe, reported – “Our MUGA is almost double the size of some of the ones we have seen and our MUGA has the potential to be split into two – this and choosing the right surface will allow us to offer the most diverse range of activities.  There is currently £227k section 106 monies remaining. Whilst it may be possible to get up to £20k grant support for the MUGA.”

Cllr. Colman expressed his concern about spending the remainder of the S.106 funds in one hit pointing out that it may be a couple of years before we get any more S.106 funding but the Clerk pointed out that it was likely to take that time to see these projects completed.  Members felt that splitting the MUGA into two was an extremely good idea.  It was agreed that paths for disabled access and trees to provide shade within the Children’s Play Area would be welcomed and the Chair suggested that the size should be extended.  Agreed to prioritise the MUGA and Children’s Play Area and to ask the Project Co-Ordinator to get designs and quotations utilizing the remaining S.106 funds.  Any future work on Calisthenics should only take place following a consultation exercise to ensure that it is wanted and would be used by the community.  Cllr. Hazzard said that the Council was very lucky to have Roger Pipe as Project Co-Ordinator to carry forward these projects.

 

  1. d) To adopt recommendations made by Budget Committee at Annual Budget Meeting including staff review proposals (as per Minutes). Minutes and reports attached – NB Some of this information is Private & Confidential.

The Clerk confirmed the precept increase of 3.89% rising by £6.47 from £166.60 to £173.07 per year for a Band D property.  RESOLVED to adopt the recommendations made by the Budget Committee without amendment.  on proposal made by Cllr. Jordan, seconded by Cllr. Hazzard and carried with a unanimous vote.  The Clerk was thanked for providing the spreadsheets and information for consideration.

 

  1. e) To approve Precept on Wiltshire Council for 2026/27 – RESOLVED to approve a Precept of £223,956.47 for 2026/27 on proposal made by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. A. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote. The Clerk was authorised to submit the signed precept form via email to Wiltshire Council.

100. General Items

  1. a) Xmas Light competition – Steven Pester and his wife volunteered to carry out the judging and the Chair agreed to present the prizes. Clerk to record the winners in the January meeting Minutes.
  2. b) Town of Culture Competition/funding – Further information in Clerks Report – Rachael Hansford said that she had read this information and felt that it looked like a lot of work and said she had forwarded it to someone who had been successful at grant applications to see if she might be interested in taking this forward. Roger Pipe said that there was £60k for towns to work up a bid and it would be great for Mere but it was felt that we should wait until we have got more information before we commit anyone or any group to consider bidding.  Agreed to register an interest with Wiltshire Council at this stage.

101.  Future meetings and events

  1. a) Next Town Council meeting date – Due to Xmas and New Year holidays it was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday, 12th January 2026.
  2. b) South West Wiltshire Area Board meeting to be held on Wednesday, 10th December at Wilton Community Centre.

 

The Clerk reminded members to book their place direct if they wanted to attend the opening of the Care Home.

 

102.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED “That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be considered (confidential staffing matters), the press and public are excluded from the Meeting, pursuant to section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960”. [The Council entered into exempt business (confidential) in order to discuss staffing matters.]

 

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.

Actions Summary

  • Clerk to chase up responses to letters sent to multiple authorities regarding safety and environmental concerns at the old nursery site.
  • Mere Library “warm spaces” information to be publicized.
  • Submit planning consultation responses and request ‘call in’.
  • Clerk to submit request to Parish Steward to fill pothole by kissing gate entrance into FP 51/10
  • Clerk to submit signed lease to solicitor.
  • Clerk to make further investigations on the installation and costs of extra cameras on our part of the building to add to school CCTV system.
  • Clerk to write to Friends of Mere School regarding permission for 2026 Firework event and congratulate them for 2025 eevent.
  • Clerk to inform organisations regarding advertising banner permissions for 2026.
  • Project Co-Ordinator to commence project work on MUGA refurbishment and Recreation Ground Play Area improvements. 
  • Clerk to submit Precept request to Wiltshire Council
  • Register interest with Wiltshire Council for Town of Culture Competition
  • Councillors to attend upcoming meetings and events as appropriate (SWW Area Board meeting).

 

Minutes of meeting approved at Town Council meeting held on Monday, 12th January 2026

 

Signed …………………………………………………………………………Chair of meeting.