Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 11th January at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac (Chairman)
Councillor P Trull
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor J Jones
Councillor A Parris
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
Representatives from 1st Wickwar Brownies attended to discuss their application for a small grant. The Brownie group is currently thriving with 48 girls attending and a further 14 on the waiting list. This year the leaders would like to take the Brownies away on camp and wish to purchase camp neckers and rucksacks. See item 16 of the agenda where the decision was made to support the application.
Residents of Turnpike Gate have enquired as to whether a further grit bin could be located at the bottom of one of the cul de sacs as during the recent freezing weather it was impossible to get out and the grit bin at the top of the road could not be accessed.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.1.23 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllr Fielding sent his apologies
2.1.23 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None
3.1.23 To AGREE whether the minutes from the ordinary meeting held on 7th December 2022 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th December 2022 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.1.23 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
The clerk was contacted over the Christmas period by residents of Rag Lane and Westend where there was a large amount of flooding. The drainage and gully chargehand from South Glos council attended and attempted to remove some of the water from the road however the issue is mainly from the run off from the adjacent fields. A flood report has been lodged and further work to remove some of the surrounding debris will be scheduled for the new year.
5.1.23 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
Item 23 relating to the clerk’s salary
PLANNING
6.1.23 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions
6.1 P22/05582/F- Land West Of Lattimore Farm And East Of Bury Hill Lane Yate. Erection of 1 No field shelter. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.2 P22/06768/RVC– RMC Aggregates Wickwar Quarry The Downs Wickwar. Variation of condition 1 attached to planning permission PT17/3550/MW to state the following – ‘This permission shall expire within 6 months of the cessation of minerals extraction at Wickwar Quarry or by the 31st December 2038, whichever is the sooner. Within 12 months of the expiry of this permission the plant, buildings and other structures, together with their foundations, shall be removed from the site in accordance with a scheme of restoration which shall have been previously submitted to and agreed in writing with the Minerals Planning Authority.’ – Variation of conditions 5, 6 and 7 of planning permission PT12/2717/MW to make permanent the currently permitted hours of operation of the coated stone plant. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.3 P22/06382/CLP – 7 Isaac Close Wickwar. Installation of rear dormer and 3no Velux roof lights to front to facilitate loft conversion. Decision: Approve certificate of lawfulness
6.4 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. Decision: No objection
7.11.23 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P22/06982/F – Land At Little Birdbush Wickwar Road Yate. Erection of 1 no. agricultural building with associated works
Resolved: no objection
7.2 P22/07110/LB and P22/07111/HH – Westend House West End Wickwar. Internal and external works to include demolition of existing ground floor rear extension and erection of new single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. Demolition of existing first floor conservatory to form first floor terrace. Infill of existing rear undercroft area to form garden room and bathroom.
Resolved: no objection
7.3 P22/07114/F – Varley Farm Talbots End Cromhall. Construction of a solar farm with associated works, equipment and infrastructure.
Resolved: the Parish Council has no objection in principle to the solar farm, but would like to see a condition applied whereby a fund is put in place to allow the site to be restored to its original condition at the end of its term
ITEMS FOR DECISION
8.1.23 To CONSIDER a proposal from Wickwar Wanderers Football Club for the siting of bins at the King George’s Field pavilion
Wickwar Wanderers would like to site wheelie bins at the King George’s Field pavilion to collect their extra rubbish and recycling. Bins can be located at the rear of the pavilion and a bin store to house them has been identified. The football club will also organise and pay for the emptying. Whilst Councillors have no objection to the bins being put in place, due to the pavilion extension project spending on a bin store will be delayed until the design of the project is agreed and until after the building work. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to agree to the siting of extra bins at the KGV pavilion
9.1.23 To CONSIDER the response from South Glos Council regarding the village gates project
Cllr Trull has heard from South Glos Council regarding the village gates proposal. They require the Parish Council to agree that the gates will not be placed too close to the road, therefore smaller size gates may need to be considered, and mowing around them needs also to be thought about along with future maintenance. The Parish Council considered these points and still wishes to proceed, the clerk to chase up with the Assess and Decide team at South Glos regarding our application.
10.1.23 To CONSIDER jobs for the South Glos Streetcare maintenance team due to visit Wickwar in February
South Glos council will send a two man team of operatives to Wickwar during February or March. Jobs to be given to them include;
• The grass verge around the new bus shelter on the Sodbury Road
• The overgrown hedge around the North Street/Inglestone Road junction
• Litterpicking, particularly on the main roads in and out of the village
• Visibility and lighting around the station road zebra crossing including a request for LED lights
• Drainage issues particularly around Westend/Rag Lane
REPORTS
11.1.23 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillor.
Ward Councillor Trull reported on South Glos council’s plans to revisit the Wickwar traffic calming consultation. Current proposals are to reduce the number of proposed speed humps. There is still speeding into the village following the section of speed humps, but the speeds are much less than previously recorded. Proposed changes to be circulated to Councillors for their information.
Yate Library have a new scheme whereby Councils can hire a heat camera. A heat camera can be used to review the amount of heat escaping from a property to therefore help with locations for extra insulation etc. The clerk to investigate borrowing a camera for residents to use if they wish.
12.1.23 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary
12.1.1.23 King George’s Field
A separate meeting of the King George’s Field Charity trustees is to be held following the council meeting, see separate minutes.
12.2.1.23 Wickwar Community Centre
Cllr Jones reported that the outdoor classroom shelter has been ordered. He is still following up with South Glos regarding the need for a disabled access toilet.
12.3.1.23 Wickwar Town Hall
The builder due to start work at the Town Hall has requested a meeting to discuss changes to the original quote due to changes in the price of materials etc. Meeting due to take place on Monday the 16th of January at 4.30pm.
Wickwar Scout Group requested to use the Town Hall for their meeting on the 12th of January as the church rooms are currently out of action due to a burst pipe. Councillors agreed that the room can be used, clerk to liase with the Scout leaders regarding a risk assessment and which areas to avoid.
12.4.1.23 Wickwar Cemetery
The clerk has requested that the groundwater report to the Environment Agency for their input regarding the cemetery extension and we await their response.
The tree report for the Stank trees has been received. Whilst there are no concerns about the condition of the trees, the usual pollarding is necessary and recommended. Cllr Carroll to approach local tree companies to obtain quotes for the work required.
12.5.1.23 Wickwar Youth Club
The Club remains very busy and are still running 2 sessions per week for their Junior members with a waiting list in operation.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
13.1.23 To RECEIVE the play equipment inspections for December (circulated)
The inspection was noted
14.1.23 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received
• A parishioner has contacted the Council regarding the dead tree on the grass verge at the bottom of North Street. The Parish Council would be in favour of replacing the tree and would consider funding such a project.
• A company called Clarke Telecom has approached the Parish Council regarding the siting of a mobile phone mast on the grass verge on the Sodbury Road opposite the Youth Club. The mast being 20 metres high led Councillors to feel that this is not the best position for the mast. Whilst it is necessary to boost the mobile phone signal in the village the current proposed site falls within the conservation area and is also at the site of the proposed crossing. The clerk to respond to the company with an alternative suggestion to use the land at the back of the Youth Club.
• Several parishioners have been in touch regarding the changes to the footpath at Pound Barn. South Glos Rights of Way are aware and are liasing with the property owner as no proposals have been submitted to divert the footpath.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
15.1.23. Wickwar Wanderers re a bin store and wheelie bins at the KGV pavilion
As previously noted whilst the Council is supportive of the siting of wheelie bins at the KGV pavilion due to the ongoing plans for building works at the pavilion the purchase of a bin store would not be an appropriate use of funds at this time.
16.1.23. 1st Wickwar Brownies and Guides
As noted in the public time discussion it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide 1st Wickwar Brownies with £500 towards their camp neckers and rucksacks.
BURIAL MATTERS
17.1.23 To sign the ERB transfer for Vettori
The ERB transfer for plot 3A at Wickwar Cemetery was noted and duly signed by the clerk, the Chairman and two Councillors.
18.1.23 To sign the ERB for Clarke
The ERB transfer for plot 35A at Wickwar Cemetery was noted and duly signed by the clerk, the Chairman and two Councillors.
FINANCE
19.1.23. To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for November and December 2022. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 30th November and 31st December 2022 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
20.1.23. 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.
HMRC December PAYE 352.26
Sarah Quick December expenses (HP Instant Ink) 9.99
Octopus Energy Pavilion December 107.03
Octopus Energy Town Hall December 29.40
PlusNet December broadband 21.60
Wotton Tree Consultancy Tree survey and report at the Stank 390.00
Prestige Grounds Cut KGV field from March – November. Feed and weed two pitches and goal mouths 2256.00
South Glos Council Graffiti removal on KGV pavilion and play area sign 90.00
ALCA Budgeting training with the Parkinson Partnership 30.00
Paid between meetings using clerk’s delegated powers;
Staff salaries December 1390.65
WOOSC Grant for deposit for new outdoor classroom 6075.84
21.1.23. To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed budget for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2023/24. (Circulated).
The proposed budget was reviewed in detail along with the current financial year’s position. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to approve the proposed budget for the financial year 2023/24.
22.1.23 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed precept demand for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2023/24 – £56,608.80 notification to South Gloucestershire Council to be signed. (Circulated).
Further to the budget proposal it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to submit the precept demand for £56,608.80 to South Gloucestershire Council.
23.1.23 To CONSIDER a recommendation from the staffing committee meeting to review the clerk’s salary
In the absence of all members of the staffing committee this item to be delayed until the February meeting.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
24.1.23. 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 9:10pm