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Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 14th March 2022

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held at the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere.  BA12 6EW on Monday, 14th March 2022 at 7.00 pm. 

 

Present: Councillors Lesley Traves (Chair), Kate Symonds (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Nick Beale, Louise Bennett, Aubrey Colman, Rodney Coward, Rachael Hansford, Clive Hazzard, Glen Ings, George Jeans, John Jordan & Eric Mitchell

Also: Spence Gunn & Claire Shaddick

 

Meeting convened at 7.00 p, with Public Session

Rachael Hansford said she wanted to make Councillors aware of the work that has been going on to collect items to help the people of Ukraine with Anne Rich from the Toddler Group & Jenny Bell co-ordinating efforts. I also wanted to ask the Council’s thoughts about co-ordinating the efforts for people who want to have refugees staying in their homes – she said that it seemed to make sense to co-ordinate it with the school and the doctors surgery who she has already spoken to and wondered about putting together a working party to support the people who want to bring refugees to Mere and I wondered whether we could do this under the umbrella of the Town Council or the Resilience Forum although it is better if the Council are supporting anything we do as a community.  Kate Symonds said that she understood that the advice given out by the government was for individuals to apply and they have to make the application themselves and someone comes out to see if their home is suitable.  She understood that Wiltshire Council would be the authority that would coordinate this.  Clive Hazzard made the suggestion that if Rachael Hansford wants to do this then the Town Council should give her the authority to make those enquiries and investigations as a Town Councillor and with the Town Council’s backing and also said that perhaps the Town Council should appoint her as the Councillor in charge of finding out how to go about applying to house refugees in Mere.  Rachael Hansford said she had already been doing some of the work in the background and there is an immigration consultant who lives in Mere and someone else who would help do the admin work.  The clerk pointed out that this was the public session and should be raised in the Council meeting if the Council is to make a decision.

Clive Hazzard pointed out that the yellow lines outside the Lecture Hall are still in need of repainting.

Eric Mitchell pointed out that there was a hedge along Shaftesbury Road that was obstructing the Highway and said that he would provide the Clerk with the address of the property.

 

Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Philip Coward & Raymond Hill.

 

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

  • None Received

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7th February 2022 be approved as a correct record. Proposal made by Cllr. Aubrey Colman, seconded by Cllr. John Jordan and carried with a unanimous vote of those present on 7.2.22

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session

With reference to the discussion during the Public Session relating to the coordination of efforts to help people from Mere that wish to take in Ukrainian refugees to their homes, it was RESOLVED that the town Council supports Cllr. Rachael Hansford if she wants to use her role as a Town Councillor and the Mere Resilience Forum to help co-ordinate efforts and obtain information in which to advise residents.  Proposal made by Cllr. Hazzard.

 

*119.  Matters Arising from previous Meetings

  1. a) Mere Car Club –
  1. Report and analysis of survey results (electronic and paper) for suggestions for Mere Car Club and, if positive response received, to consider the plan for car park charging spaces and car parking replacement spaces, as identified by Cllr. Jeans.  (attached)
  2. Also, to confirm support for option (subject to finer details being confirmed) of the car club being run as a Town Council project on the basis that Co Cars manage the club, leaving no/minimal admin for Mere Town Council.

Members noted that the responses to the survey represented only 2% of the population. Cllr. Jordan said that he took this as a massive ‘no’ vote and thumbs down when compared to the hundreds of people that voted on the Fives Court survey.  Cllr. Rachael Hansford said that the Fives Court issue was a high-profile campaign and there was a lot of work involved in that survey.  Cllr. Jeans responded that the Fives Court campaign did not achieve what it set out to do and this survey is different in that it has a definite end result.   The car club are happy to proceed on the basis of the survey results and this will enable us to get a public charge point – the whole idea is to get people into the town and get them to go to the pubs and shops etc.  Cllr. Jeans said “we have got to move towards electrification and this is an interim measure”. This is one of the three initiatives for the whole area from Wilton to Mere.   Cllr. Mrs. Beale said that she supported Cllr. Jeans and said that Wiltshire Council is looking to see what Town & Parish Council’s are doing to help with Climate Change and this is an initiative that shows that we are moving forward.  The Clerk said that, following some questions and concerns she had, she had raised some queries with Karen Linaker who had got answers from the chap who co-ordinates the Salisbury Co Car Club:

There are three aspects to the role of local co-ordinator:

1) operational: recruit, retain and supervise car a checker/cleaner, with support from Co Cars’ Fleet Manager and Customer Service staff based in Exeter; checkers/cleaners make sure the cars are safe! & clean, take the car for MOT and service, react to incidents, e.g. check the car if someone reports damage.  NB Co Cars use an app to prompt the designated checkers/cleaners to perform their tasks, and also to record completed tasks.

2) promotional: make sure everyone in Mere knows there’s ca car club, how it works etc; participating in local events where the car can be promoted, plugging the car in meetings; leafletting the area around the car station, or conducting surveys; all this with support from Co Cars’ Marketing Manager based in Exeter.

3) liaison: being the local contact for Wiltshire Council in case of any problems that need to be fed back to staff in Exeter; or relaying request to the Council e.g. the “car club only” road markings need repainting, the parking permit needs to be renewed.

                Age limited: The age limits are listed in 2.4 at https://www.co-cars.co.uk/terms-and-conditions: 21 and 75                 years. These are stipulated by the motor insurance. Co Cars appreciates that these age limits restrict the                 potential pool of users, but there is little choice of policies in the insurance market at present.

                When the car is out with someone that has hired it, how would we stop other people from pinching the                 designated co car space in our car park?!

                Parking bays are usually marked “car club only” on the tarmac. If it’s on the highway, then there will also be                 a Traffic Regulation Order and signage on a post. Experience shows that bays get pinched occasionally; this is                 mitigated by arranging permission to park at an alternative nearby location (e.g. Council car park, residential                 parking zone or private drive); users are also required to inform Customer Service of the ‘pinching’ so that                 the subsequent user informed of the current location of the car, and/or the cleaner / checker can be tasked                 to reposition the car.
            Cllr. Jeans said that he would be quite happy to take on the role of checker/cleaner.

RESOLVED to agree for the Car Club to proceed as long as it has a public EV charge point and that the running of the Car Club is not to be undertaken by the Town Council on proposal made by Cllr. Hazzard, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. Beale and carried with a vote of 9 in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.

*b) Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

  1. Do we accept recommendations including conditions made by Historic England to be included in their advice that consent should be granted for Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent for the beacon on Castle Hill to be made to the Secretary of State?

With reference to the conditions imposed by Historic England, as outlined in the Clerks Report, Cllr. Rodney Coward said that he was not happy with all these restrictions – it would be too much mucking about and he had an alternative idea and suggested that the Town Council ask David Coward if the beacon can go up at Penn End.  Cllr. Hazzard suggested that the Town Council should go along with this suggestion.  Cllr. Ings said that although he supported Cllr. Coward’s idea, he thought he should ask the Jubilee Committee for their thoughts.  There was general support for Cllr. Rodney Coward’s idea but agreed that if the Jubilee committee felt very strongly that the Beacon has to go on Castle Hill then the Town Council would think again.

  1. Purchase of flags & bunting – members were happy to purchase the bunting and flags as outlined in the Clerks Report. It was RESOLVED that it would be too time consuming to try and claw back some money by selling the flags and bunting and that the Town Council should just give it out to the community and local businesses.
  • Suggestion by Town Clerk on gifting wild flower seeds to Mere School pupils – members thought the suggestion, as outlined in the Clerks Report was an excellent idea and agreed that the Town Council should purchase the seeds.
  1. Update from Jubilee Committee – The Clerk reported that, following the request for the Town Council’s ground staff to prepare the church field she had been to view the site and had some concerns as to its suitability given the fact that there was a large low-lying branch from the London Plane tree which would reduce the amount of available space. However, she was arranging for a meeting with Jubilee Committee members where this would be discussed further.

*c) Climate Change Strategy –

  1. suggestions for community survey & also Town Council strategy document – Cllr. Debbie Beale (information attached)

Cllr. Mrs. Beale said that the main outcome of the meeting was communication and she thought it would be a good idea to do some kind of survey in the community to find out what green initiatives people are currently doing and the ones they would like to do: i.e. Who’s got solar power, green energy, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps etc.    She also felt that, following this, there could be an opportunity to develop a town Climate Change strategy.

  1. adoption of Wiltshire Council Climate Strategy – The Clerk confirmed that on 1st February Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet had approved and adopted their Climate Strategy which would help to shape the next five years of Wiltshire Council’s carbon reduction and environmental plans.
  2. invitation to WALC Online Event – Fighting Climate Change – (learn more about the actions that councils can take locally to fight climate change and discover how councils are already doing this successfully) Wednesday, 25th May 2022 – 12.00 – 13.15 BST (£38.93 per ticket if paid by card.) – Cllr. Debbie Beale said that she would look to see if she can attend.
  1. d) The future of Sheltered Housing at Lynch Close – update on communication since last meeting and report from Chair & Vice-Chair on meeting attended on 8.3.22. The Chairman reported that she and the Vice-Chair & Cllr. Jeans attended this meeting at Lynch Close with Wiltshire Council officers and residents. The meeting was well attended and the residents spoke well. Wiltshire Council said that they were committed to delivering high quality affordable homes and had a target of 1000 such homes and has been reviewing 21 schemes in Wiltshire.  The Chairman said that she thought change was inevitable at Lynch Close as the bungalows are 60 years old and need to be brought up to modern standards of insulation as part of the Council’s commitment to upgrade all council owned properties.  Doing nothing is not an option and, at this early stage, there is no way of knowing whether the bungalows can be upgraded.  The action of residents has made Wiltshire Council very much aware of their worries and has lead to Wiltshire Council giving firm commitments about how the process will progress – these commitments were clearly stated in a document that was given to all those at the meeting.  Thus, a decision will not, therefore, be made this spring.  To quote “Our priority, now, will be to provide quality specialist accommodation for older people in Mere at the Fives Court site.  Only when these homes are nearing completion will we finalise the review process at Lynch Close.”  Other commitments are stated in items 2, 3 and 4.  If moving out is necessary, Wiltshire Council guarantee an opportunity for residents to move back to the Lynch Close site.  Residents will be compensated and given plenty of notice.  The residents have organised themselves very effectively and have won the right to be consulted fully.  It was very clear that the majority of residents see no need for change.  Nor do they wish to move away from Mere.  The Council offered to take residents to view their flagship accommodation in Amesbury and look around and talk to its residents.  There was no suggestion that any of them would be moved to Amesbury or, indeed away from Mere, against their will.  In summary, because of this commitment to make the refurbishment contingent with the development of Fives Court, it is clear that the timetable has been moved much further into the future and gives the opportunity for residents to be re-housed temporarily within Mere.  The Lynch Close committee with the help of the Town Council will need to keep a close eye as to whether the Wiltshire Council commitments are adhered to.  Jeans said that he would be against any flats being built either in Fives Court or Lynch Close and informed members that he received more complaints about flats than any other type of housing problems.  He said that the flats at Lynch Close are disgraceful and they should be the properties that need knocking down but he was aware that some of them had been privately sold.  He also pointed out that it was his understanding that there would no longer be an option for any health and well-being facilities at Fives Court or Lynch Close as the clinical commissioning group has not come back and requested any space at Lynch close. Cllr. Jeans said that he felt that Lynch Close should at least have some facility to enable visiting health visitors but said that he would be doing more investigations into this matter.
  2. e) Cemetery Wall- update on storm damage – the Clerk informed members that two builders quotations had been submitted to the Town Council’s insurance company and that the insurance company had, in fact, already paid out the sum being that of the cheapest quote. The Clerk had therefore instructed the builder of the cheapest quote to carry out the work at his earliest convenience and had relayed this information to the owners of the adjacent property.

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – although Cllr. Jeans had no wish to add anything, Cllr. Jordan said that he was upset over reading a report made by Wiltshire Councillor Mark McClellan boasting about a costly cycling and walking route that Wiltshire Council had created in Hilperton. Jordan had been told that it was not possible for Wiltshire Council to spend money on creating a cycling/walking routes. Cllr. Jeans agreed to pursue this matter.
  3. a) Government’s White Paper: Levelling Up the United Kingdom published 2.2.22 (the actual document is 305 pages so here is a link to the LGA briefing) – https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/levelling-white-paper-lga-briefing

The Clerk reported that the government’s long-awaited levelling up white paper was finally published in February.  The 300-page policy document sets out the government’s analysis of the scale and causes of geographic disparities across the country, as well as a programme of change to improve central and local decision making.   Of specific note to parishes – it states: Government will launch ‘a review of neighbourhood governance in England, looking at how to make it easier for local people and community groups to come together, set local priorities and shape the future of their neighbourhoods.  The review will also look at the role and functions of parish councils in England.’

 

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

 

Application No: PL/2022/01021
Application Type: Consent under Tree Preservation Orders
Proposal: Ash (T1) – re-pollard – pollards are heavy and worries they will fall
Site Address: 6 HILLSIDE CLOSE, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6LB
Planning Register link:  https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000017Rw5A

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by councillor Debbie Beale seconded by councillor Nick Beal and carried with a unanimous vote in favour.

 

Application No: PL/2022/00687
Application Type: Wiltshire Council R3
Proposal: Proposed extension of the car park at Mere Primary School/Mere Cricket/Bowling Club. The proposed changes facilitate more parking spaces for both teachers, visitors and community users, as well as increased pedestrian safety around the car park. The proposal will also enable coach access and turning to the car park and drop off area.
Site Address: Mere School, Springfield Road, Mere, BA12 6EW
Planning Register link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000017RBgJ

 

Cllr. Rachel Hansford aired concerns as to whether there actually was enough space for a bus to get around the car park. Cllr. Jordan said he thought it was a reasonably good solution to improve pedestrian safety but noted that there were no longer proposals to use the swimming pool site.  The clerk confirmed that a strip of approximately 1 m wide would be used from the swimming pool site in order to create a pedestrian footpath but that was all. RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. Hazzard, seconded by Cllr. Jordan and carried with a vote of 9 for and 2 against. In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this planning application.

 

Application No: PL/2022/00797
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Proposed extension over existing garage and then convert garage and build a new garage
Site Address: MARTONE, SPRINGFIELD ROAD, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6EW
Planning Register link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000017RO1f

 

Cllr. Ings pointed out that these garages are not wide enough for modern vehicles.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. Ings, seconded by Cllr. Rachael Hansford and carried with a majority vote in favour.  In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this planning application.

 

 

Application No: PL/2022/01346
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Single Storey Extensions and associated internal alterations.
Site Address: FORGURLS, MILL LANE, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6DA
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000017SDDs

 

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application on proposal made by Cllr. Ings, seconded by Cllr. Debbie Beale and carried with a majority vote in favour. In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this planning application.

 

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports – Cllr. Debbie Beale said that on social media there had been lots of conversation regarding drain clearance. Jeans said that ditches between Burton, Southbrook and Limpers Hill had been cleared but he was aware that there was now water coming out of one of the ditches and onto the road in one location. However, he pointed out that this matter was being dealt with.  No other issues reported.
  3. b) Report on CATG (Community Area Transport Group)meeting held on 23rd February – Cllr. Mrs. Beale said that she was unable to attend the meeting.
  4. c) Speed Limits on The Lynch – Rachael Hansford said that there was someone on social media who had raised concerns about the speed of vehicles travelling along The Lynch wondered if the Town Council had any thoughts on this. Cllr. Jordan said that the suggestion of putting a 20 mph speed limit throughout the whole of Mere has been discussed in the past and he confirmed that he had been through villages with 20 mph speed limits recently and he wanted to put a recommendation for a 20mph speed limit on all the roads feeding into Mere. Cllr. Jeans said that he had nothing against this proposal but pointed out that getting the funds would be extremely difficult and expensive. The proposal would need to be made to the CATG and the Town Council would be expected to make a 25% contribution. The Chairman asked for a show of hands in pursuing this matter further with the CATG: there were 5 in favour, 5 against and 2 abstentions.  The Chairman used her casting vote against the suggestion. It was therefore RESOLVED not to pursue this matter further.

 

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

*a) Report on survey of beech trees behind tennis courts in Recreation Ground – as carried out by Astill Treecare Ltd (report attached) and also to report on two other beech trees in Recreation Ground that have suffered storm damage this winter.  It was agreed to send the report to the Tennis Club but take no further action.  The Clerk also reported that in early October we lost a large limb from one of the beech trees further down this row (Tree No. 0939) and she asked the arboriculturist to look at this whilst he was there.  The Town Council RESOLVED to accept the arboriculturists recommendations and get a contractor to carry out a climbing inspection.

  1. b) To explore the provision/installation of 1, 2 or 3 solar powered street lights for Duchy Manor to be purchased & installed in conjunction with school car park expansion project – the Clerk said that the new proposals for the car park did not include exterior lighting and she was keen to try and provide something nearer the pavilion and she therefore wondered about asking the contractors if they would install some solar street lighting columns if the Town Council paid for the columns and solar heads. Members agreed to this suggestion. Jeans also pointed out that, if the planning application had been submitted after June then they would have been required to install EV charge points and wanted to also suggest that we ask the contractors to install conduits for us to provide battery stored EV charging points.  Cllr. Jeans said that there is a resident who owns a company called “Plus Charge” and would be prepared to supply and install these battery stored EV charging points at no cost to Wiltshire Council.   RESOLVED to put both requests to the contractors.
  2. c) Firework Display for Mere School – Cllr. Hazzard reported that The Friends of Mere School would like to run a community fireworks fundraising event for Bonfire Night and would like to hold this event at Duchy Manor Sports Ground. The Clerk had been to the Council’s insurance brokers for advice on responsibilities and passed on this advice to the school which was that the event organiser would be responsible for insuring the event as well as carrying out the risk assessment. Therefore, the school needed to determine and agree which party had overall responsibility for the event.  Members were happy to agree for the event to take place at Duchy Manor Sports Grounds on the basis of the advice passed on from the Clerk to the School.
  3. d) Tree planting in Kingsmere Open Space – Cllr. Ings reported that the Jubilee Committee have received requests from four different groups who want to plant trees for the Jubilee. He had identified four trees for planting in this Open Space. The Clerk pointed out that one of the young beech trees planted in 2000 had died so that could be replaced and Cllr. R. Coward said that the little copse of fruit trees could be extended with this small number of trees.

*e) Tree planting in Mere for Queens Platinum Jubilee – Members noted, with interest, the information in the Clerks Report relating to the tree planting work being carried out by the Duchy of Cornwall and their offer of help.  Also, members considered the idea of using the Queens Green Canopy programme to plant the new hedge in the cemetery but agreed that the saplings would be unsuitable for this.  They did, however, agree that the Town Council should ask for a small pack to give out to parishioners to plant in their gardens/land.

  1. e) Update on minor refurbishments for Public Toilets – the Clerk reported on work that had been carried out so that the current ladies toilet block can be made into a unisex toilet block, alongside the existing disabled toilet which is now a unisex accessible toilet:
  • New lighting has been installed in both so that it is on a PIR and activated by movement, i.e. lights not on all night any longer (this is a Climate Change action)
  • New toilet pans/seats have been installed in the old ladies block
  • Drainage has been power washed through and checked with camera and confirmed that it is all clear
  • Interior decoration in ladies block has been completed (walls, ceiling etc)
  • Wallgate hand wash units have been serviced and confirmed that they are working
  • Water refilling station has been installed (this is a Climate Change action)
  • Uniform signage has been ordered for all doors and water refilling station
  • Footfall counter will be installed as soon as signage sorted
  • Once signage has been received and installed, we will transfer over the ladies toilet block and close the gents toilet block which can then be used for storage & caretakers facility.

We have, however, recently suffered a spate of vandalism in the accessible toilet:

  • The baby changing unit which was mounted on the wall has been broken off the wall and vandalised two weeks ago.
  • The soap dispenser which was also mounted on the wall was broken off & vandalised this weekend.
  1. f) Flying or display & purchase of Ukrainian flag to show solidarity – members were happy to fly the Ukrainian flag on Castle Hill in order to show solidarity. However, it was agreed that the Union flag should be flown for the Queens Birthday on 21st April and the St. Georges flag should be flown on St. George’s day.
  2. g) Spring Clean – Community Litter Pick – Jordan said that it had been confirmed that Wiltshire will pick up all the bags of rubbish if given notice of the litter pick date and therefore he was suggesting that the Great British Spring Clean community litter pick should take place on 9th April. The Clerk agreed to arrange for the grounds staff to deliver the materials and the risk assessment/insurance company notification and also agreed to co-ordinate publicity with Cllr. Jordan.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a) Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached) – Cllr. Jordan raised a question about the payment to Mere School for office electricity wondering what the period of supply was for.

The Clerk explained that this was for electricity for the changing rooms, floodlights in the Multi Use Games Area and the Town Council office for the period 29.9.21 – 31.1.22 (4 months).  Cllr. Jordan said he was happy with that response as his concern was that it was for one month only.  RESOLVED to authorise payments identified in the schedule.

  1. b) To review online banking payment controls – The Clerk explained that the Town Council moved over to online payments during the first COVID-19 lockdown as this saved the risks involved in having to get cheques signed by two councillors. However, the Town Council needed to review the current practice to be in accordance with regulations. This would involve the Town Clerk having the ability to set up payments and two councillors having the ability to authorise the payments as signatories (although this would be done via a SMS notification). Cllr. Jordan said that he would be happy to authorise payments and Cllr. Mrs. Beale said that she, too, would be happy although she pointed out that she did not bank with Lloyds.
  2. c) Recommendations & finance options for purchase of tractors and possible implements – Cllr. Hazzard reported that he, with the help of Cllr. Mitchell had done some research and investigations and had shortlisted four different makes of tractor for consideration. All of them are 50 hp tractors and we have also ensured that all the tractors we have looked at are as environmentally efficient with the leanest and cleanest engines. All four tractors were very similar and all were fairly similar in price. Our grounds team, Simon and James, drove the tractors and had some adverse issues with one or two but by far the best was the John Deere and that is the tractor we would like to recommend for purchase. The cost of this machine is £32k and we have been offered £7.5K for our old Kubota tractor. Our ground staff would also like a front-end loader which will be very helpful with a number of other jobs. At a later date, it would also be possible to purchase a Power Arm side mounted flail in order to carry out our own hedge cutting which would save having to use a third-party contractor and enable the Town Council to be more responsive to requests from residents.  Hazzard said that the Town Council had a budget allocation of £10k for a machine which can be used as a deposit on a lease hire option. Cllr. Jordan said that it was not financially viable to take a lease hire agreement when the interest rates on borrowing money are so much higher than the interest rates on our reserves and he recommended that the Council should vire reserves and purchase the John Deere tractor and loader outright.  Cllr. Colman asked if the tractor would be able to cut the grass with the grass cutter we already have and Cllr. Hazzard confirmed that it would and would also act as a power base for other purposes.  Members were in agreement to purchase the tractor by some means and gave Cllr. Hazzard authority to make the purchase order.  The clerk agreed to look into options and make suggestions for the Council in order to vire reserves to pay for this machine outright.

 

  1. General Items

*a) To consider draft agenda for Annual Town Meeting to be held on 20th April (attached) – members considered the draft agenda for the Annual Town Meeting and it was agreed that the items highlighted in yellow should be removed from the agenda and the items highlighted in pink should be included in the agenda. RESOLVED on proposal made by Cllr. Mrs. Beale, seconded by Cllr. Rachael Hansford and carried with a unanimous vote.

 

 

  1. Future meetings and events
  2. a) Wiltshire Council South West Wiltshire Area Board meeting – Wednesday, 16th March 2022 at 6.30 pm at Wilton Community Centre, Wilton, SP2 0DG.

 

  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:

 

  1. a) Report on survey of beech trees behind tennis courts in Recreation Ground – as carried out by Astill Treecare Ltd (report attached) and also to report on two other beech trees in Recreation Ground that have suffered storm damage this winter.

Trustees of the Mere Peace Memorial Sports & Recreation Ground Charity were happy to endorse the decision made by the Town Council during the Town Council meeting of 14th March (see Minute Reference 123a)