Monkton Farleigh Parish Council
Minutes
Wednesday 8th January 2025
Those attending from Parish Council: Frances Longmore (Chair), Jane Ghali (Clerk), Pauline Adams, Elliot McBryde, Dan Sharp
Other attendees: Liz Watts (Agenda item 12 brought forward for LW to update. LW left the meeting prior to Agenda item 11 – Parish Councillor vacancy)
- Apologies for Absence: Suzanne Stansfield, Andrew Tucker, Tom Firbank, Johnny Kidney and Zoe Tinkler. There were no Declarations of Interest
- Items from the public – none, Liz Watts to report under item 12 on agenda
- Minutes of Meeting 4th December 2024 – agreed and signed
- Matters Arising – items that aren’t on the agenda: guidelines for gov.uk transfer Action JG and EM, Farleigh Rise bus stop repainting – add to next agenda Action JG, break up salt in all green grits bins Action AT, ask for more solicitor recommendations for transfer of playground land Action JG, look at Unity Bank charges Action JG.
Agreed that Gooding Accounts will undertake PAYE for Clerk and annual audit.
Emergency contact hub has been given village hall key holder contact details, need to also contact John Davies and Steve Magee Action JG
SLCC membership paid.
- Report from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) – absent
- Report from Johnny Kidney – absent but report sent as follows:
Devolution White Paper
An Extraordinary Full Council meeting of Wiltshire Council has been called for this Thursday (9th) regarding the Heart of Wessex devolution proposal. It is clear from the Government’s recently published Devolution White Paper that all of England is going to end up in Strategic Authorities with mayors at their head. Whilst many, including me, are not convinced of the need for a mayor in a rural area, Government has made it clear that if strategic authorities are going to maximise the funding opportunities available, devolution deals will require a mayor. Wiltshire Council has therefore essentially been forced by Government to either look now to create a Strategic Mayoral Authority in a geographical footprint that works for Wiltshire or wait and be forced by the Government into an authority in a few years that may not suit our needs. Therefore Wiltshire has joined with Somerset and Dorset to express an interest in forming “Heart of Wessex” combined authority. As I explained at the December meeting, this does not mean that the Councils are merging. They will remain independent unitary councils, but will form a combined authority under an elected mayor for strategic regional matters, much like the current West of England Combined Authority which sees B&NES, Bristol and South Gloucestershire work in a similar arrangement.
As part of this process, along with colleagues in Dorset, Somerset Councils, Wiltshire has been invited to meet with the Minister in January to discuss our potential inclusion in the Devolution Priority Programme. This invitation underscores the Government’s desire to progress at pace.
Leaders have been asked to confirm if they wish to be considered as part of the Priority Programme by 10 January 2025 and therefore Wiltshire Council will be holding an extraordinary full council meeting to discuss devolution at 6pm on 9 January 2025. This will provide members with the opportunity to discuss the Heart of Wessex devolution deal and ensure all views are heard before we formally indicate if we wish to be considered as part of the Devolution Priority Programme.
Looking ahead, if we are invited to take part in the Priority Programme a public consultation on the proposed decision-making framework for devolution is scheduled for early next year. This will be run by central government in all priority areas and provide a vital opportunity to engage with stakeholders and the wider community, to ensure they are involved in shaping a vision for the future.
If the Heart of Wessex is included in the Devolution Priority Programme this could lead to the establishment of a new strategic mayoral authority and election of a mayor for the region in May 2026. Contrary to some media reports before Christmas, it is not anticipated that there will be any delay to the regular Wiltshire Council elections scheduled for May 2025.
You can view the paper’s for Thursday’s meeting here: Agenda – Democratic Services – Wiltshire Council
Reminder of support available to help with cost of living this winter
Financial support is available to some groups and more than £2.7m has been allocated from the Government’s Household Support Fund to support low-income households that would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living costs. This funding will primarily be used to help people in crisis in partnership with local charities. More information about the Household Support Fund can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/10672/HSF6-overview-eligibility-and-how-funds-can-be-used.
There is cost of living advice and support (https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6665/Council-tax-benefits-and-financial-support) available on the Wiltshire Council website, covering a range of topics including advice on energy costs, housing and a directory of warm spaces throughout the county.
Anyone over the state pension age is encouraged to check their eligibility with the Government for Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment. Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Checking entitlement is easy with the Government online calculator, which can be found at www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator. In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support such as help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.
Wiltshire Council’s libraries continue to be warm spaces where residents can sit and stay, chat with the volunteers and connect with people. There are activities including board games, crafts and book chat groups available and some libraries also offer hot drinks. Library staff can also refer people to Warm and Safe Wiltshire for advice and support. All the usual library services, including free access to books, newspapers, computers, Wi-Fi and digital support, continue as normal.
The council also provides a home library service for people who are housebound or struggle to get to a library. Anyone interested in this service should contact their local library.
The council’s Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub continues to be available to anyone who needs it. Anyone can access the Hub, originally established during the pandemic, and it can provide confidential advice, information, and signposting from the council’s friendly team. The Hub is available on normal working days Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 4pm. People can email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 003 4576.
Frustration at lack of Government funding to support flood recovery
Following Storm Bert, which caused widespread flooding to both businesses and residential properties around the county and especially in Bradford-on-Avon in December, Wiltshire Council was very frustrated that there was no extra funding from the Government to support with the recovery efforts as there had been in previous storms.
Anticipating some funding being made available, the council had originally asked both residents and businesses that had experienced flooding as a result of Storm Bert to contact them. The council then planned to get in touch with all affected residents and businesses to let them know of the Government grant funding and how they could claim this funding, should it be forthcoming. Funding had been made available from the previous Government in similar circumstances.
However, the new Government confirmed that there will be no grant funding available to residents or businesses following the Storm Bert floods, which was hugely disappointing.
New Trowbridge Leisure Centre secured planning permission in December
The proposed new Council leisure centre for Trowbridge received planning permission in December. Now that planning permission has been granted, a report will be presented to Cabinet early next year and they will be asked to consider the final plans. Construction partners can then be confirmed, and it is then expected that construction work will begin in 2025.
To support the council’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030, the project has been designed with a fabric first approach to ensure it will be as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels will be installed on available roof space, helping to power the all-electric building. This will be further supported by the external landscaping that will create a green island in Trowbridge with walking, cycling and wheeling travel routes woven in.
It is proposed that the new facility will contain the following:
A six-lane, 25m swimming pool ,7m x 13m learner pool, gym with 120 exercise stations, two studios, immersive spin studio, community meeting room, café, adventure play – providing activities for young people in the form of TAGactive (main target age group 12-16yrs) and live well suite – providing a dedicated space for older people to exercise
- Report from the Tree Warden – absent, but advised that nothing to report. Document from Wiltshire Council – Parish/Town Councils, Tree Wardens and Tree Surveys’ has been circulated to PC and ZT.
- Playground land at Farleigh Rise and Broadstones – at the last meeting it was agreed to take on both Broadstones play area and the small play area at Farleigh Rise. The small play area at Farleigh Rise will be on 125-year lease. The Broadstones play area is a freehold asset transfer.
Wiltshire Council have now issued open space notices, the date for objections is 30th January 2025. There will also be three adverts issued to ensure full coverage of the county (Salisbury Journal, Wiltshire Times & Wiltshire Gazette &Herald) and plans are available in the County Hall for inspection.
PC to meet with Craig Campbell from Streetscene to discuss what equipment is to be removed. Meeting open to any Monkton Farleigh Parish Councillor (MFPC). Hoping Wiltshire Council will pay for this removal.
Sovereign Play are also coming to give a quote – also open to any MFPC.
PC felt that starting afresh with new equipment would be better than trying to maintain the old items. Also thought equipment should be different from Broadstones, so village children could use both areas.
EM said he would ask for suggestions on FR WhatsApp. Action EM
Westwood and Holburne Museum have recently installed a new play area after lots of consultation. JG to look what’s there. JG to also contact DBD play to ask them for an updated quote and revisit. Also to find another provider for a quote. Action JG
Need a project team for this as there are many strands. Will also need on-going volunteers to undertake tasks (eg checks).
PC will look at access to Broadstones play area from the back lane once the land has been transferred.
- Finances and budget – at 31st December there was £2,608.18 in the current account and £9,533.72 in the savings account. Total £12,141.90. The budget was also updated.
- Precept for 2025/26 – after some discussion agreed to apply for a precept of £11,000 for 2025/26, representing a £1k increase. We also need to ensure a reasonable reserve and factor in inflation/rising costs and new play area costs. PC will monitor play area costs this year. May need to increase more next year. JG to add precept request to Wiltshire Council website. Action JG
- Parish Councillor vacancy – it was decided to co-opt Liz Watts as a Parish Councillor, as this option was available. There were two applications but Liz Watts application came in much earlier in December and would have been processed if it hadn’t been for the Christmas break, the PC also were keen to have a representative from Broadstones. JG to contact the other applicant regarding elections in April/May. Action JG
- Speed signs/road markings update – PA and LW checked all speed sign information sent through from Kirsty Rose. They updated the PC and will report suggested amendments to KR. Both thanked for all of their on-going hard work on this. Action LW
- Updating standing orders and policies – JG, FL and SS looked briefly at the policies, JG to progress. Action JG
- Work for the Parish Steward – pots holes and footpath is overgrown with grass towards Pinckney Green. Action JG
- Parish update:
- football goals Broadstones Action AT
- phone box – looks like work complete other than a few glass panes. JG to check status with Neil Evans. Action JG
- noticeboards – suggest marine ply for back of noticeboard at church to make it more waterproof. JG to contact Steve Calpin. Action JG
- zip wire – bark & edge maintenance – JG to contact Playdale re costs and get bark quotes. AT to inspect wood edges with view to replacing. Action AT ad JG
- litter notice for layby near Restore – JG to purchase one from Amazon – Action JG
- defibrillator Pinckney Green – PA and JG applied for British Heart Foundation Grant, but it was refused. Other option is to pay £750 but this plus costs that SSE quoted are too expensive. This project is put on hold for now. See item below about defibrillator training.
- computer maintenance – agreed that JG could contact computer maintenance company (Avon IT based in Holt recommended by another PC) to back up information and look at possible transfer to another laptop. Action JG
- Correspondence received
- An email had been received asking if PC could look into village electricity and broadband resilience. PC thought it was up to individuals to contact electricity and internet suppliers but JG will send a letter to both suppliers to express concern over recent regular power cuts. PC decided not to consider generator installation as too many factors involved, including potential costs and access to it etc when needed. Felt that the village community looks after vulnerable people well and SSEN also provide assistance to vulnerable people.
- The PC is asked to complete the online Wiltshire Council Registry of Interest forms sent by the Clerk. Action All PC
- A complaint has been received from a resident in Farleigh Rise regarding the security lights at Restore making it difficult to see at junction when approaching from Blackberries Campsite direction. FL to write to Restore about this. Action FL
- Parish Matters
- PA wondered if path should be left through ploughed fields which are a public right of way. PA to contact Wiltshire Council to ask. JG to also find out from Ramblers Action PA and JG
- It was thought defibrillator training for interested residents would be a good idea. JG to contact The Circuit to see if there are any local trainers. Action JG
- Agreed to pay £36 for a WALC training course ‘Being a successful Chair’ for FL. Action JG
- Agreed that it would be useful to pay Clerk to attend some SLCC meetings. One coming up in Warminster with details about elections. It was noted that the Clerk is currently working more than contracted hours due to general volume of work and projects. Clerk to keep track of hours and possible reimbursement to be considered at a future meeting. Action JG
- Lock on gate into land owned by Restore (opposite Blackberries) has been replaced but still lots of letter around this area. FL to include in letter to Restore. Action FL
- Date of Next Meeting – Wednesday 19th February 2025 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Meeting ended at 8.45pm