Westleigh Parish Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday 22nd April 2026, at 7 pm Westleigh Village Hall
Attendees – Cllrs Moores, Heard, Gear, and Saxby, & Parish Clerk.
Min 01 26/27 – Apologies received – DCCllr Biederman, NDCllr Coombs, and Cllr Stewart
Min 02 26/27 – Declarations of Interest – none declared
Min 03 26/27 – Minutes – To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 4th February. Unanimously confirmed.
Min 04 26/27 – Matters arising – DCCllr Biederman confirmed by phone that he had been out to see the ‘flooding site’ at Eastleigh, and it would appear that engineering work could be necessary as it maybe that some drainage has collapsed. He also confirmed that he had heard nothing back regarding the 2 accidents at the bottom of Westleigh Hill, but would chase it up.
Min 05 26/27 – Planning Appeal 6003960 – nothing had been heard back from the Clerks’ email to the Secretary of State, and it was suggested that through our NDCllr and DCCllr, Iam Roome could be asked to chase this on our (Parish) behalf. Clerk to instigate. It was noted that John May’s application for a sileage pit with roof over had been approved by NDC.
Min 06 26/27 – Open Forum – in the absence of any members of the public, this point was moved on
Min 07 26/26 – Correspondence – a letter had been received from Tapeley to enquire about the Strawbale Cottage. Cllr Gear as Tapeley representative was able to answer their query on the Councils’ behalf. The Clerk also notified the Council that Parish Councils were being quite strongly advised to take up a gov.domain for their website and email addresses. After some discussion, it was felt that the cost outweighed the advantages, but asked the Clerk to examine the possibility of piggy-
Min 08 26/27 – No written reports had been received from DCC or NDC Councillors
Min 09 26/27 – Cllr Saxbys’ report on Bulworthy Solar Farm, Community Funds update, and Village Emergency Plan is attached as Appendix 1
Min 10 26/27 – Finance – the finalised input/output figures for 2025/2026 had been sent out to all Councillors, and with Cllr Gear proposing and Cllr Saxby seconding, they were unanimously accepted for presentation to the internal auditor. As our previous internal auditor had passed away last year, it was unanimously accepted that James Hellyer be appointed in Michael Greens place. The clerk also presented some slightly altered ‘budget’ figures for 2026/2027, and explained the rationale for the changes, in the light of saving monies. They were unanimously accepted. The Clerk also expressed his concern that for the past seven years, he had been using his own IT equipment, and if a new Clerk should be appointed, it would the Parish Council in an awkward position. It would appear that asking for a grant from the Community Fund is not an option, but the Chair seemed to think that DCCllr Biederman might have some ideas on where a suitable grant could come from – Clerk to instigate!
Min11 26/27 – AOB – as our previous Chair is moving out of the Village, and he has been overseeing the maintenance of the Westleigh defibrillator, someone else should take on the responsibility of ensuring that batteries, pads etc., are kept up to date. In his absence, Cllr Stewart was volunteered, and the Clerk agreed to speak to him.
Min 12 26/27 – Next Meeting – AGM on the 20th May at 6.30pm, followed by the Council meeting at 7pm
Appendix 1. 
Solar Farm Updates
9. Bulworthy
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10. Litchardon Cross Fund
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o Westleigh Village Hall £2500 to renovate wooden floor
o Lovacott Village Hall £8750 solar panel/battery storage project
o Instow Village Hall £4560 towards their Go Green project
o Littlemoor Green Community Group £7500 accessible pathway
o Newton Tracey Cricket Club £8490 youth playing area refurb
o Woodcock Players £2000 new state lights and scenery boards
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11. Emergency Plan
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