Codford Parish Council minutes - January 2026 meeting

 Meeting Minutes – 12th January at 7.00pm

Present: Councillors Tom Thornton TT, Sarah Dorrington SD, David Williams DW, Brendan Smith BS, Lorna Platt LP, Nicola Carpenter NC and Simon Howe SH.

In attendance: Karungi Grant KG, Clerk & RFO and Matthew Hutchings

Public Participation

None

Report from Unitary Councillor None

146. Acceptance of apologies for absence Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Brayne CB

147. Dispensations

None

148. Declarations of interests

None

149. Exclusion of the Press and Public

No items that the Press and Public would need to be excluded, on the agenda

150. Minutes of the meeting held on 24th November 2025 (Previously circulated) LGA 1972 Sch 12 para 41(1) Parish Council approved the minutes were a true record of the meetings decisions and were signed by the chairman.

151. Matters Arising from previous minutes and Chair’s announcements

•

Clerk to put a temporary sign on the bin in the lay by to ask residents not to use it for domestic use. Cllr Thornton to follow up with resident.

•

LHFIG meeting on the 26th November. Cllrs Williams and Dorrington to update. (this was skipped)

152. Casual Vacancy – Codford Parish Council

A statutory notice of vacancy published on Friday 9 January 2026. If by 29 January 2026 (14 days after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN registered electors from the Parish of Codford, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option. If an election is called, it will take place no later than 2 April, 2026.

153. Approval and signing of reconciliation of Parish Accounts for the month of October 2025 Internal Audit Accounts & Audit Regulations 2003 reg 2 Council appointed Cllr Williams to undertake the review and signing of bank reconciliations prepared by the RFO. The reconciliations for November and December 2025 were duly checked and signed by Cllr Williams. The Clerk reported that the Lloyds Bank balance as of the 6th January 2026 is £10,384.47

153.1. Payments

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LGA 1972 s150 (5)

Council reviewed and approved the items of expenditure listed below. Invoices were checked and signed by Cllr Smith.

NOVEMBER WAGE £714.41

COMMUNITY WEBSITE £19.96

SCRIBE ACCOUNTS £298.80

IDVERDE LIMITED £7.80

SERVICE CHARGES £4.25

SCRIBE ACCOUNTS £37.20

CLIMBING TRACK £17,040.00

IDVERDE LIMITED £7.80

DECEMBER WAGE £663.43

SERVICE CHARGES £4.25

SCRIBE ACCOUNTS £37.20

153.2. Receipts: To note receipt of income

SSEN FUND GRANT £2,812.00

154. Budget 2026-2027

Members considered the final budget and resolved to set the precept for 2026/2027 at £21,795. Based on a Council Tax Base of 363.84, this represents £59.90 per household per annum (£1.15 per week). The Clerk will now submit the precept request to Wiltshirecouncil.

155. Speeding New Road

The Clerk reported that the metro count on New Road has now been completed and the council is awaiting the results. Speeding on this road continues to be reported by residents.

156. Parish Steward.

“The Clerk reported that the Parish Steward had cleared leaves from the drains, cleaned the sign in the lay‑by on Salisbury Road, and made the footpath in Cherry Orchard safe. It was also noted that the two‑man team from WC had worked alongside the road sweeper to address the leaf build‑up Jobs for December: 1. Clear back verge - Greenhill Place.

2. Clear drains of leaves

157. Youth provision in Codford

Cllr Platt reported that, following the meeting with the youth provision team and the local PCSO, it was evident that the responsibility for providing activities for young people in Codford rests with the Parish Council. Members noted that efforts were being made to encourage young people to join existing clubs such as badminton, football, and tennis. The Clerk has already contacted these clubs and will follow up. A survival and bushcraft activity was also suggested, with Cllr Howe to explore this further

2. The Clerk outlined the options discussed at the recent meeting, including the potential to apply for funding from the Area Board. A range of external providers is available to support youth work in Codford, each offering different styles of engagement and activity.

- Area Board: An initial contribution of a few hundred pounds may be available from the Rural Youth Fund, with the option to submit a full grant application for further funding.

- Detached Youth Work: A few hours per session at £35 per hour for two youth workers.

- Wiltshire Youth for Christ – Pop‑Up Youth Café: Mobile youth café providing structured activities and informal engagement. Sessions include staffing, fuel, and equipment. Cost £200–£425 per session.

- Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – Outdoor Activity Sessions: Nature‑based activities on the Playing Field, including tree identification, bug hunts, art, and survival games. Cost £510 for two half‑day sessions.

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The Clerk will explore these options further and bring recommendations to the Parish Council regarding which provider(s), if any, should be engaged for youth provision in Codford. Funding may be available through the Rural Youth Fund and a potential Area Board grant application

158. Village Hall

The Clerk reported that the VHC had proposed holding an exercise to practise the village’s response to an emergency and to test the use of the Village Hall as an emergency hub. The Clerk has contacted the Emergency Preparedness Team, who have agreed to assist. A meeting will be scheduled with the volunteers on the Emergency Team.

159. Grants Council considered the grant application from Wylye Valley School and agreed to award £110

160. Emails sent to Councillors

Local Highway Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) Survey (01/12/25)

Operational Flood Working Group – South (09/12/25)

Seasons Greetings from Cranborne Chase National Landscape (15/12/25)

Briefing Note no. 25-10: Us Girls Melksham Pilot, Summary of a successful programme (15/12/25)

Help Strengthen Wiltshire Communities with Digital Wiltshire (06/01/26)

161. Meetings

1. WALC Executive Meeting is scheduled for 18:30 on January 19th.

2. SLCC January Branch meeting – 16th January 2026. Clerk to attend

162. Notice of items to be taken into consideration at the next meeting.

Cllr Smith reported that vehicle break‑ins continue to occur in the area and reminded residents to remain vigilant.

If Councillors have been approached by parishioners with an issue/item for Council to investigate, please can Councillors send it to the Clerk within 6 clear days of the next meeting. If Councillors wish motions to be included on the next Agenda, they need to be sent to the Clerk before the 29th April 2025 as per Standing Orders. (Standing Orders 9. Motions for a meeting that require written notice to be given to the Proper Officer)

145. Date of the next meeting – 30th March 2026

Proposed meeting dates for 2026: 5th May, 11th May (Annual Village Meeting), 27th July, 7th September, 19th October and 30th November

Council is asked to note that in the exercise of their functions they must take note of the following: Equal opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, and any disability); Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights. Any person who may find difficulty in access to the meeting through disability is asked to advise the Clerk01985 850523 email clerk@codfordpc.org.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting so that every effort may be made to provide access

Standing Orders; Parish Council will exercise the right to exclude the public and press by resolution from a closed meeting due to the confidential matters to be discussed.