Annual Parish Minutes - Meeting 24 Mar 2025

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

HELD AT THE STALLS MONDAY 7.30 PM ON 24th MARCH 2025

Attendance:  Cllr. H. Collins, Chair. Cllr. Mrs. K. Clutterbuck, Vice Chair, Cllr. M. Howes, Cllr. M. Charlick, Cllr. Mrs J. Green

Mrs. Jane Childs, Parish Clerk

9 residents were also present

The Chair welcomed all who had attended.

1)  APOLOGIES: There were no apologies

2)  MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD 29 04 2024: These had been accepted as a true record and signed.

3)  TO HEAR ANY MATTERS AND CONCERNS RAISED BY RESIDENTS: A resident had noted barbed wire on one side of a hand support over a stile on SM9 but not visible from the other. Cllr. Clutterbuck reported that the matter had been raised with the land owner.

The gate opposite Townsend Wood and Woodside giving access to SM17 opened outwards on to the road. There was a request for replacement, perhaps one for horse riders. The Chairman emphasised that safe access to ROWs was important. The land owner had been made aware and the matter was in hand.

Concern was expressed about holly tree growth by the descent from SM9 opposite Angel Cottage. The Chairman confirmed that sides and hedges close to ROWs were the responsibility of the landowner.

It was noted that some WC ROW signs, and even posts, required replacement. A request would be made to WC.

4)  REPORTS:

Wiltshire Councillor: There was no report

Parish Clerk: The Parish Council had enjoyed another busy year and again Councillors had given much time to consideration of planning applications. The aim of planning meetings was to ensure that concerns were heard and to ensure that the process was transparent.

Councillors continued to welcome improvements to all ROWs, most recently to SM17 above the Walter Allotment managed land. An LHFIG Footpath Improvement Request remained listed for work on the descent from SM9 to Glasses Lane. Councillors wished thanks to be recorded to all landowners who maintained ROWs, stiles, adjacent hedges and undergrowth and who maintained paths across land under cultivation. Sutton Mandeville enjoys many ROWs and the work and care of landowners is greatly appreciated.

Roads remained a concern for Councillors. There had been some successes. Network Rail had repaired the guttering causing drips on to the road surface beneath the railway bridge on C126 to Fovant. There had been resurfacing at Panters and on Sutton Row. However, problems remained. Drainage of C24 at Ham Cross and Lower Chicksgrove and overflow of the R. Nadder at Panters. Councillors would continue to work to secure improvements.

The Chairman reminded all present that all residents could report defects on My Wilts which meant all defects were recorded and a case number given which could be quoted if chasing up became necessary.

Unfortunately with tight budgets at WC resilience and self help within the parishes was important and Councillors wished thanks be recorded to all residents who assisted in all activities within the parish including litter picking, snipping overgrowing brambles and clearing drain covers of debris after bad weather all of which contributed to making Sutton Mandeville such a pleasant parish in which to live.

More and more communication with and from WC was online, thus our now well established parish website was vitally important in enabling all of us to keep up to date. Thanks were due to Cllr. Charlick for keeping our website such a valuable source of information. If possible do subscribe.

The Chairman thanked all Councillors for their hard work throughout the year.

Horticultural Society: Mrs. Lynne Gailey reported on the Nadder Valley Flower and Produce Show held on 31st August 2024 which had been a great success, both well attended and with an increased number of exhibits and classes. Several factors contributed : the change of name to make it more inclusive, a simplified entry process, electronic distribution of entry forms and publicity, the inclusion of a committee member for Fovant resulting in entries from Fovant Youth Club and increased entries for the children’s section and all capped by the serving of delicious cream teas.

Lynne announced that in 2025 the Show would take place on Saturday 30th August at 3.00pm at Fovant Village Hall.

If anyone would like to add their name to the contact list please get in touch with lynnegailey@hotmail.com

Walter Allotments and Cemetery: Sir Jack Deverell reported a busy year. As reported previously the generosity of local residents of Sutton Mandeville in raising £3650 had allowed the felling of ash trees suffering from ash dieback on Sutton Hill.

Sir Jack was pleased to report progress in the management of the woodland bordering the allotments, previously let to a local landowner. The Trustees aimed to increase public access by clearing some of the brush and bramble and to refurbish the bridleway SM17. They had been greatly helped by securing an eventual 95% grant through Farming in a Protected Landscape (FiPL). The work completed included the felling of some non-native spruce subsequently used to shore up the edge of SM17 as well as clearing some areas of scrub. All present were delighted to hear this report and welcomed the new, improved walking and riding opportunity it offered. The Chairman thanked the Trust for their hard work.

There had been 12 allotment holders. There were now 2 whole plots and 2 half plots available for rent at a charge of £40 and £20 respectively.

Sir Jack was sad to report that high winds had brought down trees from neighbouring land which had crushed the northern fence. The Trust is seeking Local authority grants to replace this part of the fence and would endeavour to make use of self-help to repair the remainder hoping that in the meantime the deer would not prove too hungry.

The Chairman thanked Sir Jack for his report.

There followed a short discussion about how SM17 might best be routed to drop down to Sutton Hill.

Parochial Church Council: In her written report Lady Jane Deverell reported that there had continued to be services held on three Sundays each month: Evensong between April and October on the first Sunday of the month, Morning Prayer on the second and an All Age Service on the third.

The Church was in good repair, an Electrical Safety Report had been made in December and both the Churchyard and the Cemetery were kept neat by volunteers to whom PCC members were most grateful.

The Chairman thanked Lady Jane Deverell for her report. It had been proposed that Sutton Mandeville would be part of the new Lower Nadder Valley Benefice, to be formally announced when final arrangements were completed.

Special mention was made of the very successful and well attended whole benefice service held recently in Teffont. It had been much enjoyed by all who attended.

Sutton Heritage Trust: Mr. John Gailey reported, in writing, that wet weather had intervened to curtail the planned maintenance programme to keep the badges free from weeds. Strimming of the badges, originally planned for spring when the contractor had pulled out, had been completed in late summer.

Financially the Trust was in good shape.

The Clerk wished to record her apologies to Mr. Gailey for having misdirected the request for a report from the Sutton Heritage Trust. The Badges were an important landmark within the parish and within a beautiful landscape.

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5) ANY OTHER BUSINESS: A few matters for the Parish Council followed:

Planning – PL/2025/01088 Conversion of the Barn at Lagpond Lodge to two holiday lets, Councillors agreed no objections. The Chairman thanked the owner for his attendance.

Online Banking – Councillors had received all they needed for online banking to begin. Procedures still needed finalising.

A donation of £25.00 was agreed to Wiltshire Digital Drive, an organisation which supplies refurbished computers.

All who intended to stand in Local Elections were reminded of the need to complete nomination forms to be handed in to Bourne Hill by 4pm on April 2nd. Sutton Mandeville Parish Council enjoyed an allocation of 5 Councillors.

The First Meeting of the Parish Council would take place on Monday 6th May. Full details would follow.

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.

There was no further business for the Parish Council.