Minutes of Westleigh Parish & Parish Council Meeting AGM 2026 – Thursday 14th May 2026
Attendees – Cllrs Moores, Saxby, Heard, & Gear (by phone), plus Parish Clerk
Min 1 AGM 2026 - Apologies – DCCllr Biederman, NDCllr Coombs, & Cllr Stewart
Min 2 AGM 2026 - Declaration of Interests – none
Min 3 AGM 2026 - Chairman’s report – see appendix 1
Min 4 AGM 2026 – Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman 2025/26. Cllr Gear proposed and Cllr Saxby seconded that on the assumption that the Chair and Vice-Chair were willing to stand, that Cllr Moores be elected as Chair, and Cllr Heard Vice-Chair. Carried!
Min 5 AGM 2026 – Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on the 21st May 2025 had already been given in June’s 2025 meeting
Min 6 AGM 2026 – To nominate representatives as follows:- The Parish Clerk would continue as contact point for the Village Hall, and St Peter’s Church, Internal Auditor subject to his acceptance, James Hellyer, Solar Farm liaison Cllr Saxby. It was felt that there was no need for a representative to be appointed to the TTEF Forum, and that Environment responsibilities would be shared by the whole Council
Min 7 AGM 2026 – Approval of 2025/26 accounts – Cllr Heard proposed and Cllr Saxby seconded the motion that the accounts be accepted as a true and accurate representation. Unanimously approved. Also that the Chair & Clerk could complete the AGAR forms on behalf of the Council. Also approved
Min 8 AGM 2027 – A provisional date for the 2026/27 AGM was not booked as yet
Min 9 AGM 2026 – At this point Cllr Gear informed the meeting that she would be resigning from the Council due to moving home outside the Council’s catchment area. The Council expressed their appreciation for all Cllr Gear’s years of service, and wished her well for the future. She will be a hard act to follow as Tapeley contact.
Min 10 AGM 2026 – The AGM closed at 7.10pm
Appendix 1 – Chairman’s report
Welcome all as I complete my first year as Chairman of the Parish Council. I would like to acknowledge the good work David Fairbrother did over the previous 6 years as Chair. I have always had an interest, and a `soft spot` for Westleigh, and I was delighted to be co-opted onto the Council, and even more pleased to be asked to stand as Chair last year. Regarding the last year of business, I would like to mention the following:- Finance - Year-end accounts have been provided which show as of 31st March 2026, we have a bank balance of £4686.16, which is slightly above the previous year, Further details can be found on the finance report. I would like to thank Roger for overseeing the finances this year, and putting the accounts together in preparation for James to audit. Solar Farm Updates:- Litchardon Cross - The first round of funding (2 years so double the amount) has now been allocated to 6 local village groups, Westleigh village Hall received £2500 to renovate the wooden floor. The next round is already open and we will be looking at projects within the Parish. I would like to thank Cllr. Selaine Saxby for the enormous amount of work she has dedicated to this scheme, and point out that we are very fortunate to have her experience and knowledge in this area. Bulworthy - This has been a very contentious issue and is still not resolved. Again huge thanks to Cllr. Saxby for the work she is doing on behalf of the Parish Council. I`m sure she will keep us up to date with any further developments.
Planning - Update on the village development application. The original application was dismissed followed by an appeal by the Christie Estate. The Parish Council wrote to the Secretary of State to request the appeal not be upheld, as yet we have not had a response. (Update – appeal rejected by Minister). This just leaves me to thank my fellow Councillors, DCC Cllr. Beiderman and NDC Cllr. Coombes for their support over the last year. Last but not least thanks to our Clerk for keeping the ship afloat.
Brian Moores - Chairman, Westleigh Parish Council
Appendix 2 – Finance
Bank Reconciliation
Balance as at 31st March 2025 £3397.05
Precept £6196
Total £9593.05
Cheques paid out and presented £4906.89
Cheques outstanding £0
Total £4906.89
Balance c/f to 2026/27 £4686.16
