Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 3rd April 2024, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Apologies:
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor B Walter
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A parishioner attended to enquire about the permitted path which enters the Southern corner of King George’s Field. As noted previously the Parish Council have contacted the landowner with a view to making a permanent footpath however they wish the permitted path to remain.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.4.24 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Jones, Houghton and Walter sent their apologies along with Ward Cllrs Rush and Romaine.
2.4.24 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None noted for this meeting.
3.4.24 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 6th of March 2024 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th of March 2024 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.4.24 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Nothing else for this meeting.
5.4.24 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.4.24 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P24/00123/TRE – Ladyswood Mapleridge Lane. 1Works to fell 1 no. Goat Willow (T1) and 2 no. Oak trees (G1A and T4) and crown reduce 2 no. Oaks to leave finished heights of 12 m (G3A) and 12m (G3B) and radial spreads of 27 m (G3A) and 27 m (G3B). Trees covered by Preservation Order SGTPO 24/16 dated 20th December 2016. Decision: Refusal
6.2 P24/00208/TCA – Wickwar Parish Cemetery Church Lane Wickwar. Works to re pollard 3no European Lime trees, remove basal epicormic of 1no European Lime and remove basal epicormic, growth between walls and trees. Works to 1no European Lime to remove 2 lower wood stems. Trees situated within the Wickwar Conservation Area. Decision: No objection
6.3 P24/00207/TCA – Alderley House The Downs Wickwar. Works to fell 2no Pine trees (T1 and T2) and crown reduce 2no Ash trees (T3) by 1-2 metres both height and laterally. All situated in the Wickwar Conservation Area. Decision: No objection
6.4 P24/00438/LB – 38 High Street Wickwar. Internal and external alterations for the removal and replacement of 2no. ground floor front bow windows. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.5 P24/03414/TCA – The Rectory 75 High Street Wickwar. Works to 1no Conifer to cut back by 1-1.5m and works to fell 1no. Ash and 1no. Holly shrub situated in the Wickwar Conservation Area. Decision: No objection
7.4.24 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P24/00543/F – Wickwar Playing Field The Downs Road West End Wickwar. Formation of cycle pump track for bikes, skateboards and scooters.
Resolved: Support
7.2 P24/00587/HH – 3 Arkells Court Wickwar. Conversion of garage to additional living accommodation.Installation of window from existing french doors
Resolved: No objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.4.24 To AGREE to continue to pursue a new village sign and completion of the Wickwar Traffic Management Scheme with South Gloucestershire Council
Unfortunately no Ward Councillors were present at the meeting but the Clerk will follow up with them by email as no action has still been seen regarding implementation of Wickwar’s Traffic Management Plan despite the scheme being agreed back in February 2023. There has also been no village sign at the Southern entrance to the village since the new housing developments were started and the Parish Council would like to see this reinstated as soon as possible.
9.4.24 To CONSIDER costs for hanging baskets at the Town Hall
Following quotations from Merediths and Wotton Farm shop it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to purchase hanging basket flowers from Ormonds Nursery in the village at a cost of £25 per basket. Cllr Carroll will provide baskets and will drop them to the nursery.
10.4.24 To CONSIDER options for continuation of the King George’s Field pavilion project
The Clerk has met with several different contractors and liased with the administrators in order to obtain quotations to complete the project. Some quotes have been received but it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Council in two week’s time to fully assess the contractors and quotations.
11.4.24 To AGREE to invoice the PCC of Wickwar for extra costs relating to the administrator working from the Town Hall
Electricity costs and usage for the period from September 2023 to February 2024 were reviewed and compared with the previous two years. The bills have increased by £293.66 when compared to the average bills from the past two years. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to invoice the PCC of Wickwar for the sum of £275 for town hall usage from September 2023 to February 2024. The system of invoicing in arrears will continue, particularly as the summer months approach when less heating will be required.
REPORTS
12.4.24 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillors
Neither Ward Councillor was in attendance and no reports were submitted.
13.4.24 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
13.1.4.24 King George’s Field
See separate minute re the pavilion project.
The new grass cutting contractor has completed the first cut of the play area and benches etc. and the quality of their workmanship is good.
The cricket club have been unable to secure funding this year for cricket facilities but remain hopeful of gaining further funding in the future. The Parish Council remains supportive.
13.2.4.24 Wickwar Community Centre
The AGM was recently postponed and will have been held in time for a report at next meeting.
13.3.4.24 Wickwar Town Hall
Work has begun on the downstairs refurbishment. As the floor levels have been raised and were uneven the door frames need to be changed. A quote of £1728 has been provided to cover the full cost of new lintels etc. although not all of that work may be needed. The contractor will be advised to carry out the investigative work needed to establish whether new lintels are required and a full decision will be made at the next meeting.
Consideration needs to be given to purchasing flexible tables and chairs for the new space so that it can be used and rented out.
13.4.4.24 Wickwar Cemetery
The new grass cutting contractor has also completed the first cut of the open cemetery and the quality of their workmanship is good.
The pre-planning stage of the Cemetery extension has gone well with South Glos Council and CDS will provide a full update. Enquiries continue regarding the water well at the industrial estate with the Clerk liasing with the landlord of the Wickwar Trading Estate.
13.5.4.24 Wickwar Youth Club
The Youth Club have had some interest in their appeals for new trustees but their campaign continues.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
14.4.24 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for March (circulated)
The inspection was duly noted. ROSPA are due to complete their annual inspection during April.
15.4.24 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• A parishioner contacted the Parish Council regarding the Amberley Way/Burleigh Way green and the possibility of installing a small fence to protect children playing on the green from vehicles which can often be travelling quite quickly. The green and roads are all owned by South Glos Highways and so the Clerk will respond to suggest contacting our Ward Councillors. It was also noted that the new Wickwar Traffic Management Scheme will include a 20mph blanket speed limit for all of the estate roads.
• The verge at the entrance to Church Lane has been churned up by vehicles turning. As this land is owned by South Glos Council the Clerk will report the damage.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
16.4.24 The Brightwell Centre
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £100 to the Brightwell Centre
17.4.24 Wickwar Youth Centre
A formal request has not yet been received from the Youth Centre and the Parish Council awaits this.
BURIAL MATTERS
18.4.24 To NOTE the interment of the ashes of Ann Dorothy Mettler into cremation plot 7 at Wickwar Cemetery
The interment was duly noted.
FINANCE
19.4.24 To APPROVE accounts for payment and NOTE additional payments made between meetings in line with Financial Regulations
It was RESOLVED that the payments as listed in the following payment schedule should be made.
HMRC March PAYE 560.82
Staff salaries March salaries 1772.78
Sarah Quick March expenses (printer ink) 11.99
Octopus Energy Pavilion March 13.30
Octopus Energy Town Hall March 91.30
BT March broadband 25.14
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 111.02
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
PATA Payroll Payroll service January to March 2024 77.10
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Cut exterior of King George’s Field 90.00
South Glos Council Installation of new dog bin at Westend Road/Cowship Lane 536.81
The PCC of Wickwar Printing of the Welcome to Wickwar Booklets 126.49
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Microsoft 365 annual fee 183.90
EDGE IT Systems Ltd End of year finance Bronze Package 48.00
Tree Management Install KGV play area tree guards and prune trees around the beacon 237.90
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting at play area and cemetery 586.50
Wickwar Brownies Grant agreed at March meeting 250.00
Wickwar Entertainment Committee Grant agreed at March meeting 350.00
20.4.24 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllrs Parris and Ford completed a random check of the bank accounts and bank reconciliations, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices.
21.4.24 To NOTE the increase to the National Living Wage for the clock winder from the 1st of April
The increase was duly noted.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
22.4.24 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
The request for financial assistance from Wickwar Youth Centre will be added to the May agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.30pm.