Minutes - Parish Council Meeting - 9 Feb 2026
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SUTTON MANDEVILLE PARISH COUNCIL
including Sutton Row and Lower Chicksgrove
DRAFT MINUTES of a meeting of the Parish Council held at The Stalls on 9th February 2026 at 7.00pm - subject to later approval by Councillors.
PRESENT: Cllr. H. Collins – Chairman, Cllr. M. Charlick - Vice Chair, Cllr. Anna Strang, Cllr. I Lester, Cllr. T. Mockridge, Mrs. J. Childs, Parish Clerk.
Cllr. N. Najjar, WC.
11 residents attended.
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting
1. APOLOGIES: 2 residents had sent apologies.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: No interests declared.
3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS:
4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS HELD ON 24 11 2025: These were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
SMAN13 - Concerns were expressed about the order for the diversion to the footpath to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The Chairman was asked whether the Parish Council intended to re submit its objections. A further concern was expressed about the way in which the many planning applications and revisions of plans for the Homestead had been handled by the Planning Officers at WC.
The Chairman stated he had received a report that in heavy rain the diverted route had not been accessible due to flooded ground. This was confirmed by Cllr. Strang. Cllr. Lester added that the application for the diversion was a direct result of previous planning applications for extensions, additions and alterations. The Chairman added that the Parish Council had responded to all planning applications relating to the Homestead and had objected to 3, namely the erection of an agricultural building, the relocation and enlargement of a solar array and the diversion of SMAN13 and had then appealed the decisions made by the Case Officers. There was a comment that screening of the extensions at The Homestead had become an important issue, significant for the landscape as well as residents.
Cllr. Najjar, WC, serving since 2021, firstly commended the Chairman for representing the views of the Parish Council and residents at two Southern Area Planning Committee meetings in December 2024 and 2025 at which both appeals above had been turned down. He explained that the Committee could only look at the applications before them and that each was considered on its individual merits. He stated that he struggled to see any reasons for the decisions, taken by professional officers, to be reversed. Further, WC favoured installation of renewable energy schemes.
Cllr. Najjar agreed to read the objections from the residents and agreed that the incremental planning applications meant that they could not be looked at in a way that reflected the total combined impact.
In response to Cllr. Charlick the Chairman confirmed that no Planning Enforcement was outstanding.
C126 - flooding of R. Nadder at Panters – several residents expressed concerns about the road being impassable and about a possible threat to domestic drainage services. Discussion centred on how the problems could best be mitigated. The Clerk explained that Highways were aware, that grips had since been cleared but that the ditches on both sides of the road were not on WC land and were thus the responsibility of the landowner. It was noted that the sluice gates were open. Cllr. Strang advised that the Countryside Steward Scheme could offer some funding for the clearing of silt and debris from ditches. One resident suggested the placing of water level gauges roadside to deter drivers from becoming marooned in deep flood water. Cllr. Najjar agreed that this was an excellent idea, cheap, easy to install and that he would take it to Highways. He added that the recent accumulation of rainfall had been excessive, further consultation would take place and that he would ensure the PC was informed.
The Clerk added that there had been flooding at the river bridge at the bottom of Sutton Row which had also been impassable, that there had been an outflow of debris from SMAN20 to the C24.The road had been cleared promptly by WC.
Election poster/publicity – At the time of the meeting the Chairman explained that this remained in evidence on one property. There had been a verbal request, followed by an email requesting its removal. Cllr. Najjar agreed that election publicity should be removed promptly as stated by the Electoral Commission. He advised first contacting Democratic Services.
6. WILTSHIRE COUNCIL:
Wiltshire Councillor's Report: Cllr. Najjar reported repairs to the B3089 between Barford and Ugford and imminent changes to speed limits at Ansty and Bishopstone and along the ChalkeValley road.
Area Board funding would continue. Applications from parish councils required 50% match funding. Funding would be available for pedestrian gates on footpaths.
Since the May election there had been no overall control at WC and no budget for the new financial year had yet been finally agreed.
Area Board / LHFIG: There had been no attendance by SMPC so far this year at Area Board Meetings. LHFIG: 2 issues remained listed: markers to warn of the sharp bend at Lower Chicksgrove – the design statement had been sent to Councillors who had recommended an amendment to the order of proposed warning signage approaching the bend.
Access/ descent from SMAN9 to Glasses Lane. Estimated cost was £21,061.20 including contingency of 20% with the PC’s contribution set at £5265.30 should LHFIG agree to fund the proposal. Councillors agreed that this was unaffordable and the request should thus be withdrawn.
7. FINANCE:
a) The Chairman undertook to remove former signatories from the PC bank account and to secure access to the account for a second councillor as well as a new bank card to be held by Cllr. Charlick – confirmation of these was still required from the Chairman.
b) Payments were approved totalling £322.29.
c) Expenditure remained in line with budget.
8. NOMINATED ITEMS:
Rights of Way (ROW): The Chairman asked that problems noted should be forwarded to the Clerk with ROW no. and exact location.
Notice Boards: Cllr. Strang advised that repairs to the notice board at Lower Chicksgrove were in hand.
The Walter Allotment Trust – allotments and area to the west of the allotments: Parish Council support was again sought for the work of the Trust in improving accessibility to the area of land adjacent to the allotments, to its improvement, and opening up as an area of recreation for the village to enjoy. The Clerk noted that SMAN 17 was a WC designated ROW. Work, mainly stump removal and bramble clearance, to improve access to the area was due to begin following receipt of a further FIPL grant. Whilst the Trustees were grateful for the allocation of £250, agreed a number of years ago, they were now seeking further and more regular financial support from the PC’s precept, which would have to be levied by WC on all householders in the parish and paid to the PC. The possibility of holding an Extraordinary Meeting to consider the matter was discussed.
It was reported that the Trust had sufficient funding in place for repairs to fencing around the allotments.
Highways: No further comments.
9. PARISH WEBSITE: Cllr. Charlick reported that the number of subscribers continued to rise. Councillors emphasised once more the importance of the website as a source of information and to the links available on site.
10. PLANNING: No further planning applications for consideration.
11. CORRESPONDENCE:
WC was again supporting the Great British Spring Clean to be held this year between 13thand 29th of March. Litter picking equipment, bags and designated waste collection would be available for larger events. The Chairman noted that more recently residents had gathered litter and disposed of it in their own bins as when convenient. Councillors were grateful to all residents who collected litter.
Councillors had been informed of and very much supported the idea of reviving the Badges Fete involving the three parishes of Sutton Mandeville, Fovant and Compton Chamberlayne to be held on Saturday 18th July at the cricket ground in Fovant. Plans were already in progress and details would appear on the Parish website.
The Nadder Valley Flower and Produce Show, this year advanced to Saturday 13th June at 3pm in Fovant Village Hall. Stallholders and ideas for activities would be welcomed.
The Chairman thanked all those organising these summer events.
The Council had been informed that the Discretionary Gulley Service would be present in the parish some time in the week 2nd – 6th March 2026
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: No further business.
13. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: The Annual Parish Meeting, followed by a short Parish Council meeting for any essential business, would be held at 7pm at The Stalls on Monday 11th May 2026, with the next Parish Council Meeting on Monday 22nd June
The meeting closed at 9.12 pm.
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