News & Notices

July and August has certainly been busy in Mere Town and our office.

On the 15^th August a two-minute silence was held at the town clock and poppy wreaths were laid by Kit Stallard, George Jeans and myself for the 80^th Anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.  I would like to thank Col. Stewart Walker for arranging the ceremony and his heartwarming speech, Mary Burfitt for taking the time for her amazing bugle playing, the Vicar Michael Malano for a lovely service and most of all to all that turned up to pay tribute to the fallen.

Eric Mitchell Way: To bring you the latest news, a meeting has taken place to identify what the hold-ups are that need to be completed on the Eric Mitchell Way and I am pleased to say we are on target to have the lights working by the change of clocks at the end of October 2025.

Police Station:Mere Police station has now been closed, unfortunately we were unaware of this action until it was closed.  This will now be replaced with drop-in days to a police van at the Fire Station.  Please keep your eye out on social media for dates in Mere.

Police and Crimestoppers:I have had an opportunity to meet with the Sergeant for our area to highlight issues that I have been approached with by the community; from here we will be building a better relationship to communicate the safety for our community.  It is quite often that crime is not reported due to fear of the consequences of the perpetrator.  I have spent time with Crimestoppers and Fearless to understand the process of reporting crime anonymously.  I do have a little more work to do, though I will start to place information around the town via posters and leaflets.  Please keep an eye out, if we report crimes then we can make a difference in stopping it.  I hope in the future to arrange informational presentations from the police and Crimestoppers for anyone who wants not only to gain more information but also to get involved in spreading the education of the great work the police, Crimestoppers and Fearless do.

We received the Reserved Matters planning application for the development of the old Beaumont’s Business Centre in Woodlands Road during July and held a meeting in August in order to consider this.  As outline planning permission for the erection of 70 houses had already been approved, the Town Council felt able to support the application for 58 houses that had been submitted by the new owners of the site, Redcliffe Homes.  The 58 homes will be a mix of housing with 41 mixed dwellings to go on the open market and 17 mixed dwellings as affordable homes (either rented through a housing association or shared equity).

Mere Cemetery Buddies:I would like to announce that Cllr Mead has organised a group of volunteers to support the Town Council’s grounds staff in caring for the cemetery. I look forward to seeing the progress of this teamwork.  Cllr Mead would be happy to include any volunteers that wish to help.  He will be starting this project on August 26^th at 11am.  Please feel free to go and have a chat with him or contact Lindsey Wood.

Seeds4Success:Cllr. Rod Coward met with Jaki Farrell from Seeds4Success up on Castle Hill and Long Hill to assess scrub clearance work that the youth can help with. Jaki’s youth team have been working hard and have achieved a lot of scrub removal. We are very fortunate to have Jaki and Seeds4Success.  These young people work hard which gives a sound foundation for future employment. WELL DONE all of you.

Recreation Ground: Living so close to the Recreation Ground, I wanted to say how great it is to see all the activities buzzing, Tennis, Football, Seeds4Success, families enjoying the lovely weather having picnics while the children enjoy the skatepark and play area.

Dog fouling: Having spent time wandering around Mere, I have been pleased to see a reduction in fouling in the areas I have been such as Dark Lane.  As a dog owner myself I thank each and every other dog owner that picks up after their dogs, to the few that don’t please be more mindful of our lovely town and keep it clear of mess.

Training:I am now 4 months into the role of Chair of the Mere Town Council, and I am enjoying learning and building relationships in areas to be the best I can for our community.  This has been made possible by the knowledge of current councillors and thanks to George Jeans for answering my constant phone calls and questions.  But a big shout out to Lindsey Wood our very knowledgeable Clerk who always points me in the right direction and makes sure I have access to any training to enhance my role to serve the community.

Halloween: Halloween is fast approaching.  Halloween is always popular in Mere and we would like to have a Halloween event this year. Please volunteer to help so that we can make this event as creative, fun and scary for all ages-  we really want to hear your ideas. If you are keen to get involved, please either send me an email: sandracatley@hotmailco.uk or phone: 07975558102.

I have asked Anne Rich to give a little feedback on what has been happening with the Foodbank –  Anne thank you for all the hard work that you and your team do:  Within one busy week in August, the kind hearted people of Mere, Kilmington and Bourton were able to help two families in the town, with donations of many pieces of furniture, bedding, towels, toys and various other things. The voluntary help of local businesses to transport these items was also invaluable. Mere Toddlers Foodbank and Mere Forest Charity are very grateful for the assistance, as are the families involved who were overwhelmed by such generosity.

Vice Chair Rachael Hansford attended the Area Board meeting on my behalf and her feedback and comments are as follows.

What is an Area Board?

The SouthWest Wiltshire Area Board is one of 18 Area Boards set up by Wiltshire Council to connect them more closely with local communities. South West Wiltshire covers places like Mere, Tisbury and Wilton.

Quarterly Area Board meetings are a chance for Wiltshire Councillors to tell Wiltshire Council about the key problems and opportunities in their areas, and to keep up to date with what is going on in Wiltshire as a whole.

What was discussed at the 16^th July meeting?

Policing: There was an update from the local neighbourhood policing team. They highlighted a successful operation in Mere in July which prevented a daytime robbery at Quarryfields industrial estate – thanks to a member of the public who called police, and the rapid response of several police vehicles. One man was arrested, but five others got away. The first police officers on the scene were luckily in Gillingham already but George Jeans reinforced that since police response has moved recently from Warminster to Trowbridge, response times will only get worse. We were glad to hear that the local PCSO would be returning from an extended sick leave.

Funding: The Area Board gives grants of up to £5000 to support local projects/events in our community. For more information, contact Karen Linaker, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk, or speak to George Jeans or any town councillor.

Support for vulnerable people: The meeting heard about the Shared Lives project. This is an adult social care scheme supporting vulnerable adults in the homes of trained carers rather than in institutions, either short or long term. See https://adults.wiltshire.gov.uk/Services/1366  Alzheimer’s Support spoke about the services they offer, like a one hour ‘understanding dementia’ workshop. If you need help or want to volunteer, email AnnieC@alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk or call 01985 624005.

New Mere bus service: A new demand-led transport service is coming to Mere from 1st September. It’s a bus which can be booked via an app/phone up to half an hour before you need to travel, and has no fixed routes – it will take you where you need to go in the area. Visit Wiltshireconnect.co.uk or call 01225 712900 to book. See https://www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk/south-west-wiltshire-mere-warminster/ for more information.

Free Event: Harmony for Health takes place on 25^th September, 11am-2pm at the Lecture Hall. You can sing, have a light lunch and find out what else is available in Mere to keep you healthy and well. Call Karen on 01722 434697 for more information.

Mere Town Council

Town Clerk – Mrs. L. C. Wood

Duchy Manor,

Springfield Road,

Mere

Warminster,

Wiltshire

BA12 6EW

Phone: 01747 860701

e-mail: lindseywood@merewilts.org

www.merewilts.org

7^th May 2025

Dear Councillor,

You are summoned to the ANNUAL MEETING OF MERE TOWN COUNCIL to be held on Monday, 12^TH May 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW.  The meeting will consider the items set out below.

Before the meeting there will be a public session to enable the people of Mere to ask questions of, and make comments, regarding the Town Council.  Questions not answered at this meeting will be answered in writing to the person asking the question, or may appear as an agenda item for the next meeting.  Members of the public are asked to restrict their comments, and/or questions to three minutes.

Please Note: By entering the meeting room you are consenting to the use of your name being recorded in the Minutes.  The meeting may also be recorded by the press or members of the public.  Any person or organisation choosing to film, record or broadcast any meeting of the Council or its committees is responsible for any claims or other liability resulting from them so doing and by choosing to film, record or broadcast proceedings they accept that they are required to indemnify the Council, its members and officers in relation to any such claims or liabilities.

Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk by email (lindseywood@merewilts.org) at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access.

Yours sincerely,

Lindsey Wood,

Town Clerk & RFO

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any issue over which it has a power. This session will be limited to 15 minutes (3 minutes per speaker).The Chairman will convene the Town Council meeting after the public session (please note that once the meeting has been convened members of the public are no longer permitted to speak unless invited to do so by the Chairman).

REPORTS FROM LOCAL POLICE REPRESENTATIVES

AGENDA

1. TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FORMS FROM ELECTED COUNCILLORS
2. TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

3. VOTE OF THANKS TO OUTGOING CHAIR

4. TO ELECT VICE-CHAIR OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2025/26 AND TO RECEIVE THE VICE-CHAIR’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

5. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record to be kept of the members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting.  Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

• 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.

7. MINUTES – To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday, 7^th April 2025 ( attached)

8. STANDING ORDERS – To approve and adopt the Standing Orders for Mere Town Council (attached)

9. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS – To approve and adopt the Financial Regulations for Mere Town Council (attached)

10. INTERNAL AUDITOR – To appoint an Internal Auditor

11. COMMITTEE STRUCTURES – To review Committee Structures and appointment of any committees in accordance with standing order 4 and, if appointing committees, to consider Terms of Reference and membership.

12. WORKING GROUPS – To appoint members, including Convenors, to serve on Working Groups as required.

13. STAFFING PANEL – To appoint members, including the Chairman to serve on the Staffing Panel

14. APPEALS COMMITTEE – To appoint members, including the Chairman, to serve on the Appeals Committee

15. APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES – To appoint representatives on the under mentioned bodies as required:

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

16. ASSET REGISTER – To review the Town Council asset register for 2025/26 (attached)& Asset Management Policy (attached)

*17. INSURANCE POLICY – To review the Council’s Insurance Policy and discuss/decide on alterations. (see Clerks Report)

18. BANKING AND FINANCIAL POLICIES
19. To review the Council’s banking and signatory arrangements including Draft Business Debit Card Policy (attached)
20. *To approve the schedule for Standing Orders and Direct Debits (in Clerks Report)
21. *To approve membership and subscriptions for the council year (in Clerks Report)

19. POLICIES

To review and decide on amendments to Council policies:

1. Scheme of Delegation (attached)
2. Draft Safeguarding Policy (attached)
3. Investment Policy (pending review)
4. Reserves Policy (pending review)
5. Governance & Management Risk Register (pending review)

20. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL

To fix the dates and times of ordinary meetings of the Council and Committees (if any) for the ensuing year.

21. 21. Matters Arising from Public Session

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

*a) Request for the use of a part of Salisbury Street Car Park for Charles Coles Family Funfairs to have a small funfair for the Mere Carnival event on 13.9.25  – Mr. Tim Thorn representing Charles Coles Family Funfairs will be attending the meeting to answer questions and provide more details to clarify points raised at the last meeting.

23. Reports & Consultations
24. a) Wiltshire Councillors Report

24. Planning
25. a) Applications for consultation response:

25. 25. Highways, Rivers, Footpaths, Traffic & Transport
26. a) To identify jobs for the Parish Steward, Sparkle Team and MyWiltshire reports.
27. b) Wiltshire Council – Highways Capital Programme 2025/26 – the Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Schene and Flooding has approved the funding allocations and scheme lists for 2025/26. For further information please see page on Wiltshire Council’s website: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?id=2135&LLL=0

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

27. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – To review and authorise schedule of payments (attached)

1. b) To note the bank reconciliations for March 2024; the Chairman to sign and verify against the bank statements seen
2. c) The Heritage Revival Fund has been created to help communities across England rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings.

28. General Items

29. Future meetings and events

30. 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

On Thursday 1st May, elections will take place for 98 unitary Wiltshire Councillors and across the Parish and Town Councils in Wiltshire.

Information for candidates is published on Wiltshire Council’s website Local elections – Wiltshire Council

The Town Clerk is happy to give further information to Town Council candidates on request. Please email lindseywood@merewilts.org or phone 01747 860701

South Parish Notice Of Election

South Unitary Notice Of Election

Statement of Persons Nominated for Parish Councils

Wiltshire Council has published the draft Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document which sets out the vision and framework to allocate land for Gypsy and Traveller communities in Wiltshire.  Comments are invited during the consultation period which runs to 5pm on Friday 4^th October.

The Gypsies and Travellers DPD and supporting evidence documents are available to view and download at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-gypsy-travellers  and people can also download a representation form and a simplified guidance note from this page.

Here is a link to the recent NPPF webinar from Wiltshire Council: National Planning Policy Framework webinar, 14 August 2024 – YouTube

Mere Town Council has requested, through Wiltshire Council’s Local Highways & Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) process, that the 30mph speed limit currently in place on the C59 Shaftesbury Road, Mere be extended to cover the section of road currently subject to a 40mph speed limit to ensure that there is a consistent speed limit in place along the road.

An independent speed limit assessment arranged through the South West Wiltshire LHFIG considered the introduction a 30mph speed limit to be appropriate for the length of road in question when assessed against the criteria for introducing a 30mph speed limit detailed on DfT Circular 1/13 Setting Local Speed Limits.

The Traffic Regulation Order currently being consulted upon proposes the extension of the 30mph speed limit to cover the length of the C59 Shaftesbury Road currently subject to a 40mph speed limit.

Deposit copies of the Order, plans and Statement of the Council’s Reasons for proposing to make the Order may be inspected at the offices of Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge during normal office hours. Details of the proposed scheme may be seen at Mere Library, Barton Lane BA12 6JA during the hours of 10am to 7pm Monday, 9.30am to 5pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 2pm Wednesday and 9.30am to 1pm Saturday until 23rd September 2024.   Details of the proposed scheme may be seen at Mere Town Council offices, Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere BA12 6EW during the hours of 10 am to 3 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.  Documents can also be viewed online at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/troconsultations

Comments on the proposal together with the reasons for which they are made should be sent in writing to reach the Sustainable Transport Group, by email to TrafficOrderConsultations@wiltshire.gov.uk or via the website by 23rd September 2024 quoting reference LJB/TRO/MERE30.

During August this year Mere Town Council will be organising an event that promotes activity and fun.

The Activities in Mere (AIM) event will take place between 9^th and 11^th August and will encourage, this year, the over 50’s in Mere to try or retry sports and leisure activities, some of which will be adapted to promote participation.  We hope that the event will not only encourage people to try something new, but that they may boost the membership of clubs and societies in Mere, as well as promoting health and wellbeing. We are providing this event using funds we have obtained from the Wiltshire Towns Fund.

More details will be provided in the coming weeks, in the meantime we would be grateful for any offers of assistance to help organise or provide a sport or activity. For further information please contact Roger Pipe, Project Co-ordinator at Mere Town Council Tel 860701.

Each month, the Town Council looks at planning applications and we decide on our support or objection with reasons.  I must make it clear that the decision is made by the Wiltshire Planning team based on planning regulations but they do take into account comments made by us and by interested parties.  Your voice can be heard on planning applications so do take the opportunity to go to the Wiltshire website and add your comment.

Feedback from residents has prompted us to consider a new approach to the format of the Annual Town Meeting. This will take place on the Wednesday, 24^thApril from 6 to 8 pm in the foyer at Duchy Manor where we will be providing information boards with details of the various groups in Mere such as the Carnival and the Link Scheme.  There will be information boards, and councillors to talk to, on the work of the Town Council and how this relates to the work of Wiltshire Council.  There will be boards with ideas and future plans with space for your comments and, importantly, a suggestions board where you can add your suggestions.  We are hoping that this format will give residents more of an opportunity to ask questions, comment and generally participate, rather than at a formal meeting.  We are required to have some formalities and so at 6:15, I shall give the Chairman’s report and minutes from last year.  Comments posted on the boards will be gathered together to form minutes and will be considered at our next council meeting.

In our last meeting we considered the implications of Martyn’s Law (which relates to the protection of premises in acts of Terrorism) for Mere and commented on the public consultation website.  We also took note of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s Community Safety plan. One interesting fact is that they are attending fewer emergency callouts and spending more time going out to residents and companies to discuss safe measure in the home and business.

As a result of a recent announcement made by Gillingham Town Council that their cemetery is now closed for new burials as they have run out of space, Mere Town Council has taken the decision not to permit any burials for non-residents.  This means that if you do not live in Mere, you will not be able to be buried in Mere cemetery unless you have already purchased a plot.  This decision has been taken to preserve our cemetery space for Mere parishioners.  We will, however, still permit the purchase of cremation plots by non-parishioners, at double-fees as per the previous policy.

I was determined not to mention it but must say…    ….I do hope that, after this wet winter, we are spared the April showers!

John Jordan

Chairman, Mere Town Council

for information on Town Council activities, minutes, agendas, etc lindseywood@merewilts.org 860701 merewilts.org

Due to the fact that the Clock Tower is a Listed Building in the centre of the town which is in the centre of the Conservation Area, the Town Council has a policy for the erection of display banners on the Clock Tower.   The Town Council will only permit a maximum of 4 banners for community/charity events held within the town per year.  The four banners for 2024 have now all been allocated as follows:

• Mere Spring Fair & Family Fun Day – 20^th April 2024
• Proms in Mere (Tower Stories project) – 13^th July 2024
• Activities in Mere (Activity event for weekend of 9^th – 11^th August)
• Mere Annual Carnival – 14^TH September 2024

Lindsey Wood

Town Clerk

Mere Town Council welcomes suggestions from residents and businesses which may help to improve existing town facilities or enhance safety or ease of use, or alternatively new or additional facilities which could benefit the town, its residents or visitors.  In order for suggestions to be considered by the Town Council and assessed both in terms of viability and budget all such proposals should be made by filling in the form below or downloading and completing the attached form. This can be sent to the Town Council by post, or delivered to the Town Council office at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere BA12 6EW (adjacent to Mere School). If a paper copy of the blank form is required please telephone Mere Town Council 01747 860701.

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Contact Phone No: *

Email

Location of issue:

Nature of issue:

Your suggestion/proposal to resolve this issue:

Submit

Download form in .pdf format

March has been described as a month pulled back by winter’s cold and forward by spring’s warmth, this year I think we would all ask for it to be either, but dry! At the last Town Council meeting we heard from a group of councillors about ways in which we might make the most of the grounds and open spaces available to us in Mere.  There are a great many activities which take place here from archery to tennis and much more, but we will be looking to extend what is available to residents.  Our plan looks to find enthusiasts in activities which do not already have a place on the Mere calendar and to hold an event later in the year for others to try these activities out, watch this space for news of what will happen.  One such newcomer, which you will have seen information about on these pages, is pétanque and we shall be improving the facility on the old swimming pool site.

I have been to the LHFIG (Highways) meeting where, with our Project Co-ordinator and our County Councillor, we were able to put forward plans to make Hazzards Hill, Edgebridge and the end of Manor Road safer places for all road users.  This is one step in a process which can take some time, but we will keep engaged until we realise our aim – of safer roads in Mere.

I had asked for suggestions for the commemoration of 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June and am pleased to report that we have had representations and will be holding a quiet tribute at the War Memorial.  Though it will not be large, in the way of some recent commemorations, it will be important and will mark this day with due respect.

While it is not our business to provide banking in Mere, we are concerned about news that the Lloyds Bank mobile service is due to end in May.  My thanks to Ted Hanson for drawing our attention to this.  Here is a link to the information about this: https://www.lloydsbank.com/banking-with-us/mobile-branch/closures.html.    If this change is going to affect you then do contact Lloyds Bank. If you let us know as well, we would then make a representation from the Council about the impact on the community.

The Town Council has embarked upon a joint project with Wiltshire Council to make improvements to the footpath running from Clements Lane to Angel Lane – which is to be named ‘Eric Mitchell Way’.  Work will start on 4^th March which will mean that the footpath will be closed for the duration of the works.  The official footpath closure is for 8 weeks but we will endeavour to re-open the footpath as soon as it is safe to do so.

John Jordan

Chairman, Mere Town Council

for information on Town Council activities, minutes, agendas, etc lindseywood@merewilts.org 01747 860701 merewilts.org