Annual Parish Meeting 11th May 2026
All residents and representatives of groups based within the parish are invited to join us for the Annual Parish Meeting at the Old Sarum and Longhedge Community Centre
Monday 11th May 6.30pm to 9.00 pm
21 Pheasant Drive, Old Sarum, SP4 6GH
We will hear from local representatives about activity across the parish including an update from the Police and Crime Commissioner about the proposed police hub at Old Sarum, the Bobby Van Trust on cyber crime, and Age Uk on our Community Connector program.
Teas and Coffees will be provided
We’d love to see you there.
The Annual Parish Council Meeting will begin at 7pm.
Agenda
1. Refreshments
2. Election of Chair for Annual Parish Meeting and welcome
3. Approval of Minutes of last year’s APM held on March 4th, 2025
4. Resolution on the charitable status and lease for Laverstock Village Hall. Report
APM26.004.
5. Discussion on cyber-crime protection delivered by The Bobby Van Trust
6. Discussion about the Community Connector program: a support service for
older residents delivered by Age UK on behalf of the Parish Council
7. Presentation on the proposed new Police Hub development at Old Sarum, given
by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire
8. Chair’s Report. Laura Jones: summary of LFPC’s past year and future plans
This meeting has been convened by the Chair of Laverstock and Ford Parish
Council and due notice is given in accordance with the Local Government Act
1972, Schedule 12, Part III.
This meeting has been convened by the Chair of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council and due notice is given in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12, Part III.
L Jones (Chair) Wednesday 29th April 2026
Laverstock & Ford Parish Council
Draft Minutes
Chair of the Annual Parish Meeting: Cllr Laura Jones, Chair of Laverstock and Ford
Parish Council (L&FPC)
Parish Councillors present: Cllr Ian McDonald, Cllr Lesley Waller, Cllr Estelle
Williams, Cllr Lainey Barker, Cllr Patrick Schneider, Cllr Cindy Vanstone, Cllr Liz
Holland.
11 members of the public were present, including representatives from Neighbourhood
Watch, Wiltshire Police and the Parish Council C&CE Officer and RFO.
Minutes taken by Parish Clerk, Jon Sloan.
1. There was an opportunity for all to take on refreshments and socialise.
The meeting commenced at 7:05pm.
2. Election of Chair for Annual Parish Meeting and welcome
Cllr Jones offered to chair the meeting, which was agreed by all present. The
Chair welcomed everyone and outlined the agenda for the meeting. She then
delivered her report as Chair of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council.
This opened with thanks to residents. And a statement on the diversity and size
of the Parish.
Community and local services were discussed. L&FPC has supported a wide
range of community groups and initiatives this year. In total, the Parish Council
awarded over £6,000 in grants, with further financial support in excess of
£39,000, to organisations working directly with residents across the parish. This
includes support for youth provision, community transport, breakfast clubs,
coffee mornings, the Pantry, the Old Sarum & Longhedge Community Centre,
and local charities providing first aid, wellbeing and social support. The Chair
also thanked the Speedwatch volunteers, who continue to give their time week
after week to help keep our roads safer.
The parish continues to experience major development pressures. The Council
has reviewed dozens of planning applications, including the large site at Land
North East of Old Sarum; and has worked hard to ensure that residents’
concerns are reflected in responses to the planning authority.
A Section 106 Side Agreement for Westside Close has been signed, unlocking
over £143,000 in developer contributions for open space, play areas and leisure
facilities. This funding will directly benefit residents and help maintain
high-quality community spaces.
Highways issues remain a major part of the Council’s work. Over the past year it
has supported improvements across the parish, including contributions to
Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) schemes in Ford,
Laverstock, Bishopdown and Old Sarum. These include new signage, speed
limit reviews, waiting restrictions, and improvements to crossings and footways.
Green spaces have been a focus too. This year the Council adopted a new Tree
Management Policy, which forms the foundation of a longer-term tree
maintenance strategy. It delivers a structured plan for identifying and
prioritising essential maintenance across the parish over a three-year cycle. It is
the Council’s intention to strengthen this with a green space strategy and a
specialist report has been commissioned to begin that project.
One of the most significant pieces of work this year has been the future
management of the Parish’s community venues. After extensive research and
professional advice, the council agreed to pursue the creation of a new
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to manage venues in a sustainable,
community-focused way. This is a major project and will continue into the
coming year, but it represents an important step in securing the long-term future
of our halls and community buildings.
Finances remain strong. Thanks to careful budgeting and prudent investment,
there are healthy reserves which have earned significant interest and dividends
throughout the year. There is a balanced budget and precept for
2026/27, totalling just over £436,000, and the Council continues to meet all
audit and governance requirements.
The Chair closed with thanks to fellow councillors for their commitment and
hard work, especially during a year of significant projects and complex
decisions. And to the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, RFO, Operations team and
Community Engagement staO for their professionalism and dedication. Her final
thanks focused on residents. Their feedback, questions, ideas and involvement
shape the decisions the Council makes.
3. Approval of Minutes of last year’s APM held on March 4th, 2025
Resolved: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4th March 2025.
4. Resolution on the charitable status and lease for Laverstock Village Hall.
Report APM26.004.
Resolved: to accept the resolutions proposed in Report APM26.004 in full,
specifically about the establishment of a CIO, the transfer of assets and
liabilities from Laverstock Village Hall charity to the new CIO and for the CIO to
enter into a new lease with the Parochial Church Council.
5. Discussion on cyber-crime protection delivered by The Bobby Van Trust
The Bobby Van Trust gave a presentation on the subject of cyber-crime. This
summarised the history of the subject, the estimated costs of this type of fraud
to individuals and institutions, and described the various approaches taken by
criminals to execute such frauds. Ending with measures that people can take to
stay safe and to report incidents.
6. Discussion about the Community Connector program: a support service for
older residents delivered by Age UK on behalf of the Parish Council
AgeUK Wiltshire branch gave a presentation on the Community Connector
program it will be running with support from L&FPC. This covered what it is, who
will benefit, its work with other parishes within Wiltshire and its steps to recruit a
Community Connector to work one day per week within the parish.
7. Presentation on the proposed new Police Hub development at Old Sarum,
given by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire
The PCC gave a presentation on the proposal to build a new police hub at Old
Sarum. It is part of his public engagement process seeking views and comments
on this matter. Questions were raised by both Councillors and residents. They
focused on financing, design and the facilities the hub may have now or in the
future, especially a custody suite. This last element is linked to residents’
concerns about a possible increase in crime and ASB in the locality after
individuals are released from custody.
8. Chair’s Report. Laura Jones: summary of LFPC’s past year and future plans
This was delivered within agenda item 2.
There were no further questions from residents and the meeting closed at
8.27pm.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Annual Parish Meeting?
It is a yearly meeting held between March 1st and June 1st, which offers local groups, organisations and electors to meet and discuss matters arising in their local area. Attendees can speak openly and ask questions, answered by the Clerk, the Chair or a designated Councillor.
2. What is the purpose of the Annual Parish Meeting?
Predominantly, it is to give local groups a platform to speak to residents about what they have been working on in the community for the past year, as well as their plans for the future.
The Parish Council’s Chair will also provide an overview of the Council’s main actions over the past year, as well as a summary of the annual finances.
Because of the informal set-up the Annual Parish Meeting has, electors can openly raise questions or concerns relating to any of the presentations.
3. What else can be expected at the meeting?
Electors will have the opportunity to vote on any decisions that need to be made. Each elector will be given voting cards to hold up to indicate their decision when required.
Even if not presenting, many local groups and clubs are invited to attend.
4. How long will the meeting last?
The length of the meeting is dependent on the number of electors present, how many questions are asked, and the discussion points that are raised. Generally, the meeting will not last longer than two hours.
5. I can’t attend. How can I find out what happened?
Minutes of the proceedings of the Annual Parish Meeting shall be drawn up and reviewed shortly after the event. Draft minutes will be published on our website and displayed on noticeboards.
Legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/70/schedule/12/part/II
