Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 7th December at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac (Chairman)
Councillor P Trull (arrived at 7.50pm)
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor J Jones (left at 9.05pm)
Councillor A Parris
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
Representatives from WOOSC attended to discuss the plans to build an outdoor classroom at Wickwar Community Centre. Following investigation of products available from other suppliers such as Marmax a preferred quote from Kensington Shade and Shelter was presented to the Council. The company will supply and build the classroom and are locally based with a good record of working with schools and early years settings.
See agenda item 20 for the Council’s resolution to support the project. The project will cost in the region of £25K with WOOSC and the Community Centre having between £4K and £10K to contribute. The clerk to take legal advice regarding the purchase and the treatment of the funds which WOOSC and the Community Centre have to contribute to ensure any VAT reclaim is made correctly.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.12.22 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllr Fielding sent his apologies
2.12.22 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None
3.12.22 To AGREE whether the minutes from the ordinary meeting held on 9th November 2022 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9th November 2022 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.12.22 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
A response has been received from South Gloucestershire Council regarding the traffic monitoring strips which appeared through the village. The strips were put in place to check the impact of the current traffic calming measures and to compare this data with previous data. The clerk to ask for the results of the comparison to be made available to the Parish Council
5.12.22 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required
PLANNING
6.12.22 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions
6.1 P22/05414/HH – Honey Cottage Hall End Farm Hall End Lane Wickwar. Erection of single storey rear extension to provide additional living accommodation. Decision: Approve with conditions
Decision noted
6.2 P22/05925/HH – 22 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Erection of single storey rear extension and installation of Velux windows to facilitate loft conversion. Decision: Approve with conditions
Decision noted
6.3 P22/05296/HH – 38 Turnpike Gate Wickwar. Erection of first floor front and side extension to form additional living accommodation. Decision: Approve with conditions
Decision noted
7.12.22 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P22/06382/CLP – 7 Isaac Close Wickwar. Installation of rear dormer and 3no Velux roof lights to front to facilitate loft conversion
Resolved: objection as encroaches on the privacy of neighbouring properties to an unacceptable level
7.2 P22/06700/HH – Pound Barn West End Wickwar. Erection of 1 no. detached garden outbuilding
Resolved: no objection
7.3 P22/06698/TCA – Southfields 148C Inglestone Road Wickwar. Works fell, 1 no. goat willow, 2 no. conifers, 1 no. holly, and 1 no. bay, all trees situated in the Wickwar Conservation area.
Resolved: no objection
ITEMS FOR DECISION
8.12.22 To AGREE to the clerk attending the ICCM training course on Cemetery Management and Compliance. (£135 plus VAT) Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 14th March.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to agree to the clerk attending the training and a place will be booked
9.12.22 To CONSIDER further locations within the village for a defibrillator and training for the new units already installed.
The Council have approached the village hall committee and Country Style Supplies as potential further sites for units. Country Style Supplies have agreed to site a unit but the electrics situation needs to be checked to ensure that it can be fitted. Clerk to liase with the owner and electrician. Regarding the village hall the committee will consider and update the clerk.
Defibrillator training is booked at the Community Centre in February. It was agreed that as this training is for the village as a whole there is no need to book any further sessions at this time.
10.12.22 To AGREE a date for the budget/ action plan working group meeting to discuss the budget for 2023/24 (proposed date Weds 4th January 2023).
Due to the absence of Cllr Fielding this date remains under review
11.12.22 To APPROVE the localism contract with South Gloucestershire Council for 2023/24. (Circulated)
The localism charges for grass cutting and bin emptying have been increased by South Gloucestershire Council by 16.68% for the year 2023/24. However, as it would be difficult to find another supplier for these services and due to the good service received from South Glos it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to agree to the contract for 2023/24 and it was duly signed by the Chair.
12.12.22 To CONSIDER quotations regarding the tree works required at King George’s Field
Following discussion and comparison of the quotes presented it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the quotation Tree Management to complete the required works.
13.12.22 To CONSIDER the quotation from South Glos for removal of graffiti on the shutter on the side of the pavilion at King George’s Field
South Gloucestershire Council’s Streetcare team have quoted £75 per hour for graffiti removal. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the quotation and instruct the work to go ahead as soon as possible as further graffiti has appeared on the back of the play area sign.
14.12.22 To CONSIDER the updated position regarding the dropped kerbs needed to provide a disabled access route from the new housing developments to the primary school
South Gloucestershire Council raised potential issues with the Parish Council using a private contractor and have sent the clerk a detailed list of required permissions and standards. Taking into account the potential extra costs that could occur to meet these, including traffic management and utilities searches, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the quotation of £31K from South Gloucestershire Council to carry out the works and manage the project from start to finish.
REPORTS
15.12.22 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillor.
Ward Councillor Trull reported on the Government’s planning white paper changes where there should be changes made to the system of setting targets for housing and also more pressure on developers to use brownfield sites and not buy sites and delay development.
16.12.22 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary
16.1.12.22 King George’s Field
An appeal for help with the pavilion extension project has been made, with posters around the village, an article in the Parish News and items on the village website and Facebook page. However only one parishioner has come forward to offer their services. The clerk to investigate building companies that have experience of similar buildings. Further discussion to take place at the King George’s Field Charitable Trust meeting which is due to take place in January.
The clerk has revisited the legionella risk assessment for the pavilion and will arrange for a plumber to inspect the showers and water tanks to ensure compliance whilst the refurbishment is still in the planning stage.
16.2.121.22 Wickwar Community Centre
Cllr Jones reported that the toilets at the Community Centre are not compliant as there is no disabled toilet. He will approach South Gloucestershire Council as the building owners.
16.3.12.22 Wickwar Town Hall
Nothing has been heard from Bryan Gibbs regarding the scheduled works to create a downstairs meeting room. Clerk to contact.
16.4.12.22 Wickwar Cemetery
The next stage in the cemetery extension project is to send the groundwater report to the Environment Agency for their input. The clerk has been advised that they will be a consultee in any planning application meaning their agreement/approval is essential.
16.5.12.22 Wickwar Youth Club
Nothing to report at this meeting.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
17.12.22 To RECEIVE the play equipment inspections for November (circulated)
The inspection was noted, particularly that the surface around the roundabout has been replaced as well as the bearings. The telephone number on the sign has also been updated with a permanent sign.
18.11.22 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received
• The clerk has been contacted by Pryor and Rickett Silviculture regarding the woodland management plan for dealing with ash dieback at Horwood Farm. The draft map and plans were discussed and the Parish Council have no objection.
• South Gloucestershire Council requested support for motion 3 regarding the local bus network and support for their negotiations with WECA. Councillors were of the opinion that the motion is a political move by South Glos and, as the Parish Council is a non-political organisation, the motion will not be supported.
• Pete Adams the Chair of Wickwar Wanderers Football Club contacted the clerk to express the club’s thanks for the provision of a defibrillator at the King George’s Field pavilion.
• A parishioner contacted the Parish Council to offer their services as a 2d/3d draughtsman for the pavilion extension project.
• The Road Safety Team at South Gloucestershire Council wrote to offer the provision of an older driver’s presentation aimed at helping people to drive safer for longer. Councillors felt that this would be a good initiative to support and that the Town Hall could be used.
19.12.22 To RECEIVE the notes from the recent SGC Planning Enforcement department presentation
Notes from Cllr Trull were circulated and noted
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
20.12.22. WOOSC regarding the outdoor classroom project
Following the discussion detailed in public time it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide the sum of £30,379.20 to enable the construction of an outdoor classroom at Wickwar Community Centre
BURIAL MATTERS
21.12.22 None to note at this meeting
FINANCE
22.12.22. To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliation for October 2022. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliation for all accounts as of 31st October 2022 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
23.12.22. To APPROVE accounts for payment
It was RESOLVED that the payments as listed in the following payment schedule should be made and NOTE additional payments made in line with Financial Regulations.
Staff salaries November 1804.42
HMRC November PAYE 343.34
Sarah Quick November expenses 17.04
Octopus Energy Pavilion November 38.62
Octopus Energy Town Hall November 25.84
PlusNet November broadband 21.60
South Glos Council Localism charges for October, November and December 1058.15
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Annual charge for AdvantEDGE accounting system 434.40
Active Electrical Installation of pavilion and youth club defibrillators 352.80
The Cumbria Clock Company Ltd Town Hall clock annual service 156.00
GB Sports & Leisure UK Ltd replacement of matting underneath roundabout at KGV play area 941.40
GB Sports & Leisure UK Ltd supply and fit new bearings to the roundabout at the KGV play area 1409.59
24.12.22 To CONSIDER further options for a savings account with the Cambridge and Counties Bank as the previously selected product has been withdrawn
The 95 day notice account with the Cambridge and Counties Bank has been withdrawn along with the one year saver. The shortest time now available is 2 years which will need to be considered along with the budget proposals for 2023/24.
25.12.22 To COMPLETE internal controls of a selection of invoices
Cllr Parris completed a random check of the bank account and bank reconciliation, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
26.12.22. To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business or items for the next agenda the meeting was closed at 9:40pm