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Minutes of Town Council meeting held 29th March 2021

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 29th March 23021 at 6.00 pm online at Zoom.us

 

Present:  Cllr. C. Hazzard (Chairman), E. Mitchell (Vice-Chairman), Mrs. D. Beale, A. Colman, P. Coward, R. Coward, R. Hill, G. Ings, G. Jeans, J. Jordan, B. Norris, R. Sims, Mrs. L. Traves

Also: Mr. & Mrs. Hollick, Hayley Mundy, Patrick Sumner & Mrs. Elaine Stallard, Chairman of Mere PPG

 

Public Session

Hayley Mundy spoke in support of planning applications 21/00640/FUL & 21/01974/ADV stating that she had purchased 5 Wyvern House and planned to turn the downstairs into a hairdressing salon and upstairs into a flat.  She said that the current premises her hairdresser’s business operated from was desperately short of space and also the access was not great with 2 steps into the salon.  She said that she was certain it was rare that someone was taking a residential premises and asking to change its use to a commercial premises in a high street location but felt it was time to move the business forward and hoped that the Town Council would view this as a positive step.  She planned to use the existing signage but to move it across the wall and would like to add 2 lights over the sign.  Lastly, she said that she felt it was vital to keep car parking free in Mere’s car parks and said that she would continue to sponsor the Town Council in order to support this free facility.

Mr. & Mrs. Hollick spoke in support of their planning application 21/01809/FUL.  Mrs. Hollick explained that the application was to provide parking for 2 Edgebridge and pointed out that there had been a dropped kerb there for many years where there was a gated access to a paddock.  This provision of off-road parking would help to keep cars from parking on Clements Lane.  The Chairman said that he could remember that there was an old wooden gate in the hedge.

Roy Sims said that as a volunteer at the local police station, he was extremely upset that he was not invited to attend the commemorative farewell photo opportunity for PCSO Peter Tscherniawsky’s retirement.

John Jordan commented on how nice it was to walk across The Meads now that the footpath had been widened and thanked the Sparkle Team for carrying out this job in co-operation/co-ordination with the Town Council.

Apologies for absence received from Cllr. Mrs. Symonds.

 

  1. To receive declarations of interest from members and to consider 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.

(a) 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.

  • Mrs. Beale declared a pecuniary interest in Minute No. 208b)
  • Jeans declared a pecuniary & personal interest in planning application refs: 21/00640/FUL & 21/01974ADV & a personal interest in planning application ref: 21/02292/TCA
  • Hill declared a personal interest in planning application refs: 21/00640/FUL & 21/01974ADV
  • Hazzard declared a pecuniary interest in Minute No. 210b)

(b) To consider any dispensation requests received by the Town Clerk.

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED to approve Minutes of Annual Meeting to assess the effectiveness of Internal Controls – meeting held on Thursday, 18th March 2021. Proposal made by Cllr. Mrs. Traves, seconded by Cllr. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote of those present.

 

  1. Planning
  2. a) Applications: (All applications can be viewed on Wiltshire Council’s website http://planning.wiltshire.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/ApplicationSearch.aspx – and type in the relevant application number)

 

Application Ref: 21/01808/FUL
Application for: Full Planning
Proposal: Construction of dwelling for agricultural worker together with associated works
At: Dew Pasture, Burton Farm, Mere.  BA12 6BR

Cllr. Jordan said that he was familiar with the site and felt that the application was of sympathetic design that would not cause an overlooking issue for any neighbours.  Cllr. Mrs. Beale said that she was familiar with the area and thought it would make sense for someone to live on site to support the business that they are proposing.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the application on the understanding that the property will have an agricultural occupancy condition.  Proposal made by Cllr. Mrs. Traves, seconded by Cllr. Jordan and carried with a majority vote in favour. In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from discussion or voting.

 

Application Ref: 21/00640/FUL
Application for: Full Planning
Proposal: Change of use for downstairs into a hairdressing salon and upstairs remaining as a residential flat which will benefit from a parking space.  Erection of signage.
At: 5 Wyvern House, Salisbury Street, Mere.  BA12 6HA

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval on proposal made by Cllr. Colman, seconded by Cllr. R. Coward and carried with a majority vote.  Cllr. Jeans and Cllr. Hill, having declared an interest in this planning application, refrained from discussion or voting.

 

Application ref: 21/01974/ADV
Application for: Advertisement Consent
Proposal: Installation of 3 x fascia signage and lighting.
At: 5 Wyvern House, Salisbury Street, Mere.  BA12 6HA

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval on proposal made by Cllr. P. Coward, seconded by Cllr. Ings and carried with a majority vote.  Cllr. Jeans and Cllr. Hill, having declared an interest in this planning application, refrained from discussion or voting.

 

Application ref: 21/01809/FUL
Application for: Full Planning
Proposal: Retrospective approval for the construction of vehicle crossing of verge and associated parking area off Clement’s Lane
At: 2 Edge Bridge, Mere.  BA12 6DB

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. P. Coward, seconded by Cllr. R. Hill and carried with a majority vote.  There was one vote against the application and in order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from discussion or voting.

 

Application Ref: 21/02292/TCA
Application for: Work to Trees in a Cons Area
Proposal: T1 Ash – remove lowest limb (overextended epicormic growth) extending in a south west direction

T2 Silver Maple – bifurcated stem.  Shorten peripheral growth of westerly stem by up to 3m.

T3 Horse Chestnut – included union of lowest limb extending due south.  Shorten peripheral growth by up to 2m.
At: Sandells, Water Street, Mere.  BA12 6DY

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. P. Coward, seconded by Cllr. Jordan and carried with a majority vote.  Cllr. Jeans had declared a personal interest in the above application and therefore abstained from discussion or voting.

 

Application Ref: 21/01960/FUL
Application for: Full Planning
Proposal: Construction of new timber framed double garage
At: Homemere, Southbrook, Mere.  BA12 6BG

Cllr. Jordan confirmed that the width and route of the Right of Way would be unaffected by this application.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. Jordan, seconded by Cllr. Sims and carried with a majority vote.  In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from discussion or voting.

 

*b) Notification of Enforcement Appeal for Land at the Old Nurseries, Burton, Mere.  BA12 6FH – Cllr. Mrs. Beale, having declared a pecuniary interest in this matter, left the meeting room whilst this matter was discussed.  The Clerk confirmed that Wiltshire Council has provided us with notification of two enforcement appeals that have been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate. The appeals are against two alleged breaches of planning control:

  1. Without planning permission, the material change of use of the land for the siting of a caravan for residential purposes. (Appeal Ref:  APP/Y3940/C/20/3262575)
  2. Without planning permission, operational development consisting of the construction of an earth bund on the Land in the approximate location identified by a green line on the attached plan as well as shown in the photograph attached to the Notice shown as ‘Notice Photograph’. (Appeal Ref: APP/Y3940/C/20/3262563)

Both the appeals are against Enforcement Notices in respect of the site and are to be decided on the basis of the Written Representations procedure.

The Clerk had prepared a suggested written submission for the planning inspectorate which had been distributed to members with their agenda papers.  Cllr. Jeans said that because the Clerk had drafted the submission, it needed to be approved and proposed by the Town Council.  The Chairman proposed that the Clerk’s suggested submission be adopted as the Town Council’s formal written submission without amendment.  This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Jeans and carried with a unanimous vote.  Cllr. Jeans requested that the Clerk point out to the Planning Inspector that this view was the unanimous view of the Council so that the inspector knows the strength of feeling.

*c) Request from Mere Surgery Patient Participation Group for support to undertake a research project into proposals for a Community Health Centre at Fives Court, Angel Lane – Mrs. Elaine Stallard, Chair of Mere Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) said that she had two requests: one is to hold a qualitative research survey of all housesholds served by Mere Surgery to establish whether there is local support for a Mere Community Health Centre to be established in Fives Court, Angel Lane, Mere.  She explained that many of the community health services that used to be offered from Mere have now moved to The Nadder Centre in Tisbury.  It is felt that whilst the Nadder Centre is a good resource, it is not the most accessible location for residents of Mere as the 11 mile journey each way across the A303 and through Hindon is not an easy one and is off-putting for many people, particularly the elderly.  There is no public transport and the cost of a taxi is prohibitive.  We would be able to present a much stronger case if our research was supported by the Town Council. The second request is for support in exploring the availability of Fives Court as a building to provide these community health facilities, should the research prove a demand.  Cllr. Jordan said that he would support any move in this direction.  He said that in the Local Plan Review, Wiltshire Council refer to Mere as a local service centre but they have been rapidly removing all the services so it would be nice to actually provide more services to support the status. Cllr. Jeans said that Tisbury seems to be the epicentre for a lot of facilities.  However, he questioned how it would affect the Tisbury Health Centre if the Mere facilities were moved from the site.  The Chairman proposed that the Town Council should give backing to the PPG to carry out survey research on the residents of Mere to localise services by utilising the Fives Court building in Angel Lane.  Proposal carried with a unanimous vote of approval.

 

  1. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
  2. Reopening of facilities – the Clerk said that the Town Council would be reopening all facilities with risk assessments and in accordance with government guidelines and with individual sporting association guidance over the course of the next few weeks.
  3. Request from Mere Literary Festival for banner on clock tower – RESOLVED to approve the use of the Clock Tower for a banner to advertise the Mere Literary Festival in accordance with the Town Council’s banner policy.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resource

*a) To adopt recommendations of annual working group meeting held to assess the effectiveness of internal controls (Minutes of meeting attached) –   RESOLVED to adopt recommendations on proposal made by Cllr. Norris, seconded by Cllr. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote.

Cllr. Mitchell in The Chair

  1. b) Payments -To approve payments as set out in the payment schedule attached – Cllr. Hazzard, having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, left the meeting room and took no part in discussion or voting. Councillors questioned the payment to North Street Nurseries and it was confirmed that this was rental for the workshop compound for the Council’s grounds staff and that the rental figure of £25 per unit, per week, had previously been approved. Mitchell confirmed that the Council staff now have a good set-up which is in a far more secure location with good facilities in this compound area.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the payments as shown in the payment schedule on proposal made by Cllr. P. Coward, seconded by Cllr. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote of those present.

 

  1. Forthcoming elections & pre-election period (purdah)

The Clerk said that there is specific guidance for members and officers on the management of council business and publicity in the run-up to the elections on 6th May.  Although it is permissible to publish factual information which identifies the names, wards and parties of candidates at elections, we must take care not to publish any information relating to individuals involved directly in the elections or any political parties.

 

The Clerk reminded members that she had offered to submit nomination papers to Wiltshire Council offices in Salisbury and had booked an appointment for Thursday, 1st April.  Therefore, Wednesday evening was the last opportunity for people to get their nomination papers to her if they wished to take advantage of this offer.

 

  1. Forthcoming meetings/events – the Clerk said that the next meeting of the Town Council would be held on Monday, 12th April. She also informed members that, following a request from the National Association of Local Councils, the government had declined to extend s.78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 enabling local councils to hold remote meetings beyond 7th May.  She understood that this decision has now led to a court case.

 

Meeting closed at 19.05 p.m.

 

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