Annual Parish Meeting 2024 – Minutes of Meeting

Georgina Dahl.

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 23^rd May 2023 were approved for accuracy and adopted (proposed Cllr Franklin, seconded Cllr Cole).

Cllr Rayward, Chair of the Parish Council 2023-2024, tabled the PC’s Annual Report  for 2023-2024 and presented his Chair’s report for the year, a copy of which is included in the Annual Report.

Wiltshire Councillor Suzanne Wickham reported the following:

·         Thanked the PC for its work during 2023-2024 and highlighted the active nature of members and the high level of volunteer input in the village, which contributed so much to the life of the parish.

·         Drew attention to the Ethandune Pollinator Corridor and the areas being developed in Bratton, reporting that the Primary School were now engaged in the project.

·         Acknowledged the fantastic assets the village had in the two halls available for the community and the work which went into them to make them such viable facilities.

·         Referenced her work on the LHFIG, reporting that the villages were well represented and received a good share of the available funding in the Westbury area.

·         Reported on the proposal to develop a footpath to Fitzroy Farm, which had been referenced during the Chair’s report, highlighting that the costs and doubts over its long term feasibility had contributed to the decision not to take this project forward.

·         Highlighted the sound financial position of Wiltshire Council and reported on the work done in early intervention across WC services, which did so much to support residents as well as reducing WC costs.

·         Reported on how each £100 of WC council tax was spent; information on which is copied below.

·          Reported that WC children’s services had recently been inspected by OFSTED and achieved Outstanding, which was a significant achievement.

For every £100 of core funding Wiltshire Council receives to fund services, it spends:

·         £38 on caring for vulnerable adults

·         £21 on supporting and safeguarding our children and young people

·         £9 on managing Wiltshire’s waste

·         £9 on maintaining Wiltshire’s highways, and subsidising local bus services

·         £8 on funding the investment in Wiltshire’s schools, roads, and housing

·         £6 on running the council and holding elections

·         £4 on the council’s extensive property assets

·         £3 on our online and digital services

·         £1 on Wiltshire leisure and libraries

·         £1 on improving Wiltshire’s economy

PCSO Alice Moore provided the policing report for 2023-2024, a copy of which is included in the Annual Report.

Georgina Dahl had provided a report, which is copied below:

In the last 12 months, the CSW team had conducted 67 sessions with a total of 17,285 vehicles passing and a total of 279 in excess of the speed limit.  A total of 198 letters were issued to motorists.

There was one reported incident of verbal abuse towards volunteers in person which was formally reported to the police and there were approximately 5 other motorists reported for a finger gesture or comments being shouted from the window.  These motorists generally receive words of advice which is supported by the Police.

As always, the CSW Team are looking for new volunteers and I am pleased to confirm that we have had one new member join the team who is currently going through training but if anyone else is interested, they can get in touch via email at brattoncsw@gmail.com.

Mr Rob Drummond, Chair of the NPSG, provided a report on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan for Bratton, a copy of which is included in the Annual Report.

Mr Mike Manson, Chair of the BRGC, provided a report on the Recreation Ground for 2023-2024, a copy of which is included in the Annual Report.

The agenda item also included the Annual General Meeting of the Bratton Recreation Ground Committee and the nomination of three volunteer members for the Committee; Mr Mike Manson, Mr Peter Sharland and Mr Graham Preuveneers were duly elected (proposed Mr Drummond, seconded Mr Davis).

Reports from local organisations and community groups were received from the following:

·         Village Green Committee – Report included in the Annual Report.

·         Jubilee Hall Committee – Report included in the Annual Report

·         Reeves Orchard – Report included in the Annual Report.

·         Bratton Primary School – No report.

·         Bratton Pre-School – No report.

·         Tidy Bratton Group – Report included in the Annual Report

·         St James Church – Report included in the Annual Report

·         Bratton Baptist Church – Report included in the Annual Report

·         Bratton History Association– Report included in the Annual Report

·         Women’s Royal British Legion – Report included in the Annual Report

·         Women’s Institute provided the following report:

o   The W.I was thriving with 40 members

o   A variety of clubs were provided; book club, walking, craft and an ad hoc club for trips and visits

o   The meetings were held in the afternoons during winter months to help with accessibility. This had proved a successful change.

·         Royal British Legion – No report

·         Bratton Community Brass Band provided the following report:

o   The Silver Band had changed its name to the BCBB.

o   It now comprised a silver band, brass band and 3 levels of beginner groups.

o   The Proms in the Playground events with local schools had proved popular and would be re-run and expanded on in 2024.

o   The Families Day had generated further interest and the number of beginners, both children and adults, was expanding.

o   Equipment had been purchased for the beginner groups, especially instruments suitable for children, with the help of grants from the Area Board.  New storage had been arranged and the PC was thanked for its grant towards this project.

o   A 3 day holiday club was being arranged and the traditional events, such as the Picnic in the Park and playing at the Church Fete, would continue.

o   The BCBB had attended the national championships and played a specially commissioned piece and it was hoped that this, and the other events, were helping to put Bratton on the map.

o   The BCBB continued to be active in organising concerts, which assisted with the income stream however, as well as ticketed events free events continued to be provided.

o   Music Medals were being presented to the children in the beginners groups, which was a precursor to the exams.

o   The BCBB was investigating charity status.

o   The community was encouraged to visit the website and follow the BCBB on Facebook.

A resident asked whether the PC would be arranging any hustings for the General Election.  The Chair reported that this would not be a matter for the PC.