Minutes of Codford Parish Council Meeting Monday 30th March 2026 at 7 pm
Present: Councillors Tom Thornton TT, Sarah Dorrington SD, David Williams DW, Nicola Carpenter NC, Simon Howe SH and Lorna Platt CB
In attendance: Karungi Grant KG, Clerk & RFO Matthew Hutchings
Public Participation No attendance
Report from Unitary Councillor None
164. Attendance and Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Brendan Smith and Chris Brayne and accepted.
165. Dispensations
None
166. Declarations of Interest
None
167. Exclusion of the Press and Public No items that the Press and Public would need to be excluded, on the agenda
168. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2026 were approved and signed by the Chair.
169. Matters Arising and Chair’s Announcements Annual Village Meeting - The Chair reminded members that the Annual Village Meeting will take place on 11 May. Wiltshire Wildlife Natural Flood Management Walks - The Chair reported that Wiltshire Wildlife can undertake catchment walks within the parish to identify opportunities for Natural Flood Management to help slow water flow and reduce flood impact. The cost is £250 per day, with Wiltshire Council contributing 50%. This also provides an opportunity for collaboration with neighbouring parishes within the same catchment. The Chair
proposed that the parish register for the scheme. Agreed. Emergency Hub Meeting - The Chair reported that the first meeting of the Emergency Hub group had taken place and initial plans were made to establish the scheme. The Clerk confirmed that most of the required equipment has now been ordered. Youth Provision - Cllr Howe reported that a volunteer has been found to lead the Survival and Bushcraft Club for young people in Codford. The Clerk will confirm dates. The Clerk also provided an update on progress with the two additional youth activities. LHFIG Meeting 16 January - Cllr Dorrington updated the Council on the status of applications submitted to the LHFIG. She will complete the request for a metro count on the High Street near St Peter’s Church.
Matthew Hutchings left the meeting
170. Co-option of a Parish Councillor The vacancy had been advertised in accordance with statutory requirements, enabling the Parish Council to fill the seat by co‑option. One application was received from Mr Matthew Hutchings, and his expression of interest had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Howe proposed that Mr Hutchings be co‑opted, and Cllr Platt seconded the proposal. Following a vote, Mr Hutchings was elected by an absolute majority and duly co‑opted onto the Parish Council. Clerk to follow up with signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
170. Parish Accounts
Reconciliation of Parish Accounts for January & February 2026 was presented and approved. Bank reconciliations for January & February 2026 were checked and signed by Cllr Williams. The Clerk reported that the Lloyds Bank balance as of the 24th March 2026 was £10,094.91
170.1. Payments LGA 1972 s150 (5) PC noted and approved the items of expenditure listed below:
HMRC - £115.63
JANUARY WAGE - £663.43
ICO ZB855806 - £47
BANK SERVICE CHARGES - £4.25
IDVERDE LIMITED - £7.80
SCRIBE ACCOUNTS - £37.20
NOTICE BOARD - £74.70
FEBRUARY WAGE - £663.43
BANK SERVICE CHARGES - £4.25
IDVERDE LIMITED - £7.80
SCRIBE ACCOUNTS - £37.20
HMRC - £36.96
SCHOOL GRANT - £110
IT SUPPORT - £60
MARCH WAGE - £663.43
Cllr Dorrington checked and signed the invoice list presented. 170.2. Receipts: PC noted receipt of income
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL CIL - £2018.17
COMMUNITY WEBSITE - £100
The Clerk requested that the two CIL payments received be ring‑fenced as contingency funding to support forthcoming grant applications for the refurbishment of the basketball court and the Youth Chillout area. The Parish Council agreed.
171. Internal Audit
Clerk reported that the internal audit will be conducted shortly and documents will be shared ahead of the May meeting.
172. Planning Applications
Application PL/2026/01391 was discussed. No objection. Application No: PL/2026/01391 Proposal: 2 no free standing business sign boards Site Address: Boyton Old Station, Station Road, Codford, Warminster, BA12 0JX
No objection.
173. Parish Council Policy Document Retention & Management
Council adopted the Document Retention & Management Policy as presented.
174. Traffic Speed Restriction Request – New Road
Council noted the Metro Count results summary below: The traffic survey recorded steady flows throughout the day, with peak periods in the morning and late afternoon. Average speeds remained consistent, typically in the low–mid 30 mph range, and the 85th‑percentile speed stayed close to this, indicating that around 85% of drivers were travelling at or below roughly the mid‑30s. Only a small minority of vehicles fell into higher speed bands, and heavy vehicles accounted for a low and stable proportion of total traffic across all time periods. Overall, the data does not indicate a significant speeding issue on this section of road and shows no speeding issue; no further action required.
175. Parish Steward
Clerk reported that the Parish Steward had done potholes. Tasks for the Month: The following tasks were identified for completion this month:
•Graffiti removal at: 1 Chitterne Road bridge 2. Gates at St Mary’s Church 3. Footpath from The Grove to the A36 4. New gates on the route to Stockton
•Clearing the verge along Green Lane.
Cllr Platt will report the graffiti incidents to the police.
176. Litter Bin Collection Service
Council noted Idverde’s withdrawal from the bin collection service with effect from 31 March. Codford had one commercial arrangement with Idverde for litter‑bin emptying, which Wiltshire Council has agreed to adopt; therefore, the parish will not be affected.
177. Community Annual Litter Pick The Clerk reported that the Wylye World Warriors group from the school carried out a litter pick on 20 March. Litter‑picking equipment was made available throughout the weekend for residents to undertake additional litter picks at times that suited them. Chair reported that two residents had done a litter pick on Green Road.
178. Youth Provision in Codford
Covered under Matters arising from previous minutes.
179. Village Hall Request Clerk reported that CVHMC had proposed installing a bleed kit at the Village Hall as an additional facility for the community and had asked whether the Parish Council would consider funding it. The cost of a bleed kit is £85 + VAT. It can be housed in an unlocked, security‑sealed plastic cabinet (£100 + VAT) or a locked metal cabinet similar to a defibrillator cabinet (£350 + VAT). If space permits, a bleed kit can also be placed inside an existing defibrillator cabinet, with appropriate signage added. Parish Council requested further information on the reasons CVHMC considers this equipment necessary. Cllr Carpenter to look explorer other sources that may be part of the already existing defibrillator package.
180. Correspondence
Council received and noted the correspondence listed in the agenda
181. Upcoming Meetings
Council noted the upcoming meeting dates as listed. 1. LHFIG – Thursday 18th June 10am, Wednesday 11th November 2026 10am, Thursday 4th March 2027 10am 2. Warminster Area Board – 2nd July 7pm and 19th November 7pm 3. WALC Environment Network – 26th March 12 noon 4. Town and Parish Clerk / Council Meeting – 26th March 9.30 am
182. Items for Next Meeting
Councilors were invited to submit items for inclusion in the next agenda.
•Cllr Platt reported concerns regarding the burnt‑out Manor House, noting that children have been seen entering the site. She will report this to Wiltshire Police. The Clerk had previously contacted Building Control regarding the safety of the remaining gable end and has been asked to will follow up.
•Cranborne Chase National Landscape is preparing a small bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a project entitled ‘Wild About Cranborne Chase’ over the next two years (2026-2028). PC asked to include this on the next agenda.
183. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 5th May 2026.
Meeting ended at 8.37pm