Minutes of the Fittleton cum Haxton Annual Parish Meeting 1900hrs Tuesday 19th May 2026 @ The Phoenix Hall Netheravon

Chairman’s Report

Chairman’s Report delivered by Cllr PC.

2025/26 has taken the form of years past but there is always something going on within the parish. I will start on a some what down side,vandalism. Haxton has been hit three times over the past 3 months, graffiti on a cob wall and a dwellings garden wall, spray paint on the Haxton PC Notice Board and finally our new Finger Post on the X Roads has ‘lost’ 2 of its fingers. Wiltshire Police have been involved and crime numbers issued. On a lighter vein.. The 6 councillors continue to work at their various roles within the Parish and this year a welcome addition to the fold is Cllr Julian Lamont. Laura Turner remains as Parish Clerk and Finance Officer. Cllr Symes is our representative (rep) on the Phoenix Hall Committee and the allotments rep. Cllr Gowman looks after planning applications and the Jubilee Committee. Cllr Jago is our second rep on planning and also looks after the flower tubs in the parish. Cllr Friery deals with the Parish Steward and Highways. Cllr Lamont is our ‘fix it’ man which has yet to have a designated title! For the keen eyed of you who read this you will note that we have a vacancy on the council as we are scheduled for 7 councillors….

A number of ‘events’ have taken place in the past 12 months and in no particular order they are listed here… the sycamore tree near the Church Path was deemed unsafe by Wiltshire Council who own and maintain that piece of ground. After some 6 months the tree was taken down and replaced like for like. A great shame to see the old tree gone especially as it looked so well in full leaf. We hope the new tree will be a worthy replacement and in years to come will look equally good. Christmas drinks took place in Fittleton Manor's barn with kind permission from Mr & Mrs Philipps, a great success and enjoyed by all those that attended. Christmas lights were not erected in 2025 due to the previously mentioned tree being unsafe, an alternative route for them will be hopefully sought for 2026.New 30mph road signs were erected in Haxton in the summer along with new ‘gates’ which enhance the 30 signs. The cost to the parish was £1375, the balance paid by Wiltshire Council. Downs View Close had a new street sign erected in early summer after a vehicle reversed into the existing one. We intend to upgrade further signs during this year as finances permit. The allotments continue to be popular and have all been taken up. A vote of thanks must go to Sheila & Martin Symes for maintaining the site and shed. 2026 has seen a rise in our running costs hence the increase in our precept for this financial year. The list is quite long for such a small parish but it includes liability insurance, audit costs, clerks wages, website costs, defibrillator maintenance to name but a few. Planning applications filter through to us on a fairly regular basis and that includes those that wish to carry out works on trees within the Conservation Area of the villages. We continue to have new residents move into the parish, a welcome addition to our relatively small community.

Finally your Parish Council meets every other month where all are welcome, details on our website, Parish Magazine and Notice Boards. That concludes the Parish report.