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Minutes of Town Council meeting held on Monday, 2nd December 2024

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

 

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 2nd December 2024 at 7.00 pm in the Andy Young Pavilion, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere

 

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

 

6 members of the public

 

Public Participation Session

Margaret Wilson Smith & David Luard spoke in objection to the planning application PL/2022/06955

Nicholas Gosse stated that he had sent Wiltshire Council a Freedom of Information request relating to covenants and conditions regarding the disposal of the site by the Clifton Diocese which currently has the old St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Mr. Graham Sheppard raised some questions regarding the lighting and drainage in the Lordsmead Footpath

Mrs. Debbie Beale said that a resident had asked her to share her objection to advertising banners being displayed on the clock tower.

Reports from local police representatives – None present

  1. Apologies for absence received from Cllrs Rodney Coward and Sandra Catley

 

  1. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.
  • R. Hill declared a personal interest in Planning Application PL/2024/09884
  • Rachael Hansford declared a personal interest in Planning Application PL/2024/09884
  • The Clerk declared a personal interest in Planning Application PL/2024/10645

 

  1. Minutes – RESOLVED that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 4th November 2024 be approved as a correct record (Minutes attached). The Budget Committee RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Budget Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 20th November 2024 be approved as a correct record (Minutes attached).

 

  1. Matters Arising from Public Session

As all matters raised in the public session were covered in the agenda there was no further discussion.

 

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

None

 

  1. Reports & Consultations
  2. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report – Cllr. Jeans raised the point of judging the Xmas Lights and Cllrs Debbie Beale and Nick Beale agreed to do the judging on behalf of the Town Council. Jeans also said that a recently published consultation document LTP4 may be of interest and could contain information that may be relevant to help with the Town Council’s concerns for pedestrian safety along Edgebridge.

*b) Project Co-Ordinator’s Report (attached) – With regards to the Public Toilets, the Chairman informed members that Cllr. Hazzard and Cllr. Hill were working on ideas for the public toilets and there would be more proposals/suggestions to be put to the Town Council for consideration at a future meeting.  The Chairman also confirmed that there had been some information today on the lighting of the Lordsmead Footpath which was still not conclusive although did require us to provide some more information before they would be willing to adopt the lighting. The Chairman proposed that, in order to push this matter forward, the Town Council should agree to pay the lighting invoice which had been estimated at an annual cost of between £40 & £160 for electricity usage although there would be more for maintenance – total an annual cost estimated to be less than £450 p.a. & then take steps to try and address the matters that Wiltshire Council have listed in order to try and get the lights adopted, subject to costs involved.  However, this proposal was not carried with a vote of 6 for and 7 against.  RESOLVED that this be raised as an agenda item for the next meeting so that members are fully aware of Wiltshire Council’s requirements and some idea of the costs.

 

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

 

Application No: PL/2022/06955 AMENDED PLANS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Carry out alterations to access, erect 6 no semi-detached dwellings and 1 no detached dwelling with associated parking and access arrangements (demolish existing church).
Site Address: Land North of St Marys Catholic Church, Pettridge Lane, Mere, BA12 6DG
Applicant: Clifton Diocese
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z000017btXd

 

*Representation letters in respect of the above application have been received and redacted copies are included in the Clerks Report.

Cllr. Jeans explained that it may be possible to argue that this was overdevelopment although this was subjective and he also explained how, should the highways department not raise any objections, the residents could mount a campaign to challenge this.  He also explained that it was difficult to enforce any covenants that may be attached to the site.

RESOLVED to reiterate the Town Council’s previous response to this planning application.  i.e. approve with all the same conditions that were applied previously.

Cllr. Hill asked if the Town Council could write to the Diocese and say that it has been brought to our attention that there may be conditions or covenants relating to the bequest of this land/site in relation to it being used for the benefit of the community in perpetuity and ask them if they are able to clarify the situation.

 

Application No: PL/2024/09884
Application Type: Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area
Proposal: T1 Birch 1/3 Reduction, shaping, target pruning
Site Address: THE HURDLES, WATER STREET, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6DZ
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000APuPR

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.  (Cllrs. Rachael Hansford & R. Hill declared a personal interest in this planning application and refrained from discussion or voting).

Application No: PL/2024/09811
Application Type: Householder planning permission
Proposal: Attic conversion and installation of dormer window and 4no rooflights.
Site Address: 8 Lovage Way, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6RU
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000AKK1e

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application but to provide an informative that the householder is required to seek permission from the Duchy of Cornwall for the proposed works as well as planning permission from the planning authority.

Application No: PL/2024/10147
Application Type: Notification of proposed works to trees in a conservation area
Proposal: 1 – Sycamore tree – crown raise lower limbs to clear garage roof and Council land 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 – 6 x Sycamore trees – crown raise lower limbs to clear driveway 8 – Ash tree – crown raise to clear driveway 9 – Ash tree – crown raise to clear driveway and footpath
Site Address: LINDEN BARN, CASTLE HILL LANE, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6JB
Planning Register Link: https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000AcSfE

 

RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application.

 

Application No: PL/2024/10645
Application Type: Full planning permission
Proposal: Create new agricultural field entrance into field where no road access currently exists.
Site Address: TWO COUNTIES FARM, SHAFTESBURY ROAD, MERE, WARMINSTER, BA12 6BJ
Planning Register Link:  https://development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0iQ300000AtOS9

As this planning application had arrived after the agenda had been published, members were asked whether they wished to consider it at tonight’s meeting or leave it until the January meeting.  RESOLVED to consider the application tonight.  RESOLVED to recommend approval of the above application subject to no objection being raised by the Highway Authority.

* b) NEW APPLICATION for Premises Licence in respect of Sprout and Flower, The Square, Mere.  BA12 6DJ (details in Clerks Report & application form & plans attached))

RESOLVED to support the above application.

*c) Consultation for redevelopment of Fives Court into Affordable Housing Independent Living apartments for people of 60 years and older – deadline for comments is 12th December 2024.  (Consultation Boards attached)

Members were encouraged to submit their own individual consultation responses, but it was agreed that a collective ‘Town Council’ response would be submitted as follows:

On the whole members felt that the plans provided had been coherently developed with provision for mobility scooters, recycling and refuse facilities.  The individual accommodation appeared to be of a reasonable size with good living spaces for residents.  Keeping to the existing footprint of the building is to be applauded with redevelopment to provide 20 affordable independent living apartments for those aged over 60 with a modern emergency call system although there was no information as to how the response to those emergency call systems would be made.  Given that 20 apartments were being proposed, a big concern, however, was the adequacy of parking provision at only 14 or 15 parking spaces, particularly as it would be likely that some vehicles used by residents would need disabled access.  An assurance that residents would be less likely to have their own vehicles seemed to be based upon assumptions about vehicle requirements of residents in similar properties in other towns/locations but it needs to be pointed out that Mere is not served well by public transport and, in our experience, the majority of our 60+ population would have either 1 or two cars and only a very small minority would have none.  (Amesbury is well served by public transport whereas public transport in Mere is extremely limited by comparison).  Furthermore, Mere town centre already suffers from parking congestion with much of the town centre parking restricted to a one-hour time limit during the day, so on-site parking provision will be a key consideration.  Members also stressed the importance of the car parking areas being designed for cars to be able to manoeuvre properly and that there should be provision for visitor parking and delivery vehicles.

  1. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
  2. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports –
  • Castle Street – the pavement towards Gillingham Corner has narrowed due to encroaching soil on the path.
  • Clements Lane – hedge overhanging pavement and forcing pedestrians out onto the road.

*b) Invitation to North Dorset Transport Action Group Meeting, Monday, 9th December 2024 at 2.30 pm the Council Chamber, Shaftesbury Town Hall. (details in Clerks Report & agenda attached) – The Chairman said that he would attend this meeting on behalf of the Town Council.

  1. c) Report on LHFIG meeting held on Wednesday, 13th November 2024 – the Chairman confirmed that 40% of next year’s LHFIG budget has already been allocated and there were general complaints from other Parish Councils about how long their pending issues were taking to implement. It was explained that only 1.5 days of the Wiltshire Council Officer’s time was allocated to LHFIG projects per week and he deals with other highway projects during the other 3.5 days of the week. Jeans thought it might be likely that the LHFIG would not be able to take on any new tasks next year.

 

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

*a) Evaluation of Mere Firework event held on 9.11.24 and approval for next year’s event to be held on 8.11.25 – Cllr. Ings confirmed that all the money raised from this event, over £10,000 this year, goes directly to the children – theatre trips, science days, new laptops, enhanced internet and it makes a big difference to the pupils.  Members felt that the event was well organised and were happy to support this event.

*b) To consider banner requests from organisations for events in 2025 – as per Town Council’s banner policy – the Clerk confirmed the requests for banners for 2025 had been received for:

The Tower Stories Event (Medieval Fair) – 20-22 June

Mere Carnival – mid September

The Mere Literary Festival – 13-19 Oct

Mere Gardening Club – Scarecrow Festival – 13-15 June

Stars Appeal, Spring Fair OR Autumn Fair

Cllr. Debbie Beale reiterated that there was a resident that was not happy about having a banner on the Clock Tower as it was a Listed Building, and she said that she concurred with this view.   As all were very good causes, members found it very difficult to prioritise, but it was eventually agreed that the Mere beneficiaries should be selected.  Cllr. Jeans said that the Stars Appeal and any other worthy funding raising activities taking place in Mere were very welcome to use the wall on his building for an advertising banner.

 

  1. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – RESOLVED to authorise schedule of payments (attached).  The Chairman said he was very pleased to hear the Clock Tower chiming again.

*b) To note the reconciliations for October 2024; the Chairman confirmed that he had verified the bank reconciliation against the bank statements and signed accordingly.

*c) To adopt recommendations made by Budget Meeting, as shown in Minutes of Budget Meeting held on Wednesday, 20th November 2024 (Minutes attached) – The Chairman pointed out that the precept increase would be 4.98%, taking the Band D charge from £158.69 to £166.60 for the 2025/26 financial year and proposed that this be adopted.  Proposal seconded by Cllr. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote.  Cllr. Colman thanked the Clerk for preparing the figures and dealing with the Minutes following a long and difficult meeting.

  1. d) To approve Precept on Wiltshire Council for 2025/26 – RESOLVED to approve a Precept of £213006.30 for 2025/26 on proposal made by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. A. Colman and carried with a unanimous vote. The Clerk was authorised to submit the precept form via email to Wiltshire Council.

 

  1. General Items

 

  1. Future meetings and events
  2. a) Cranborne Chase National Landscape (AONB) Planning Seminar – 3rd December 2024 Arrival from 9.30 for 10:00 am start until 4:00 pm. The New Remembrance Hall, Charlton, Nr. Shaftesbury, SP7 0PL – the Chairman said that he would be attending this meeting.
  3. b) Mere Xmas Light switch-on – Friday, 6th December at 6.00 pm
  4. c) Community Xmas Lunch – the Gillingham Christmas Lunch is being held at Milton on Stour this year and invitations have been extended to people from Mere as well. Booking forms are at the Post Office so please spread the word.
  5. d) Date of January 2025 Town Council meeting – It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday, 13th January

 

  1. Future agenda items
  • None

 

Meeting closed at 9.07 pm

 

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