Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 3rd July 2024, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac (Chairman)
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Ward Councillor A Rush
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A Bromford property in North Street has erected a high fence without permission from Bromford or planning permission from South Glos. The Clerk reported that Bromford are supporting the tenant with an application for planning permission and this will be followed up. Telegraph poles have been enclosed within the fence and vehicular access onto Back Lane created, again without permission.
Due to the road surfacing on The Downs Road the weight limit through Wickwar was suspended over the course of several days. This resulted in at least 368 overweight lorries passing through the village, causing disruption and potential damage. Ward Councillor Rush was asked to determine who within South Glos Council authorised this suspension. As the suspension seems to have primarily benefited the Breedon quarry a representative from the Parish Council will also attend the next quarry liaison meeting.
The campaign against overweight lorries continues, with a meeting to be set up between Ward Cllr Romaine, the new Police and Crime Commissioner and a representative from the local Police.
A parishioner attended to report an increase in electric scooters seen in the village. It remains illegal to ride private electric scooters on the roads and this will be raised at the next Police beat surgery in August. The local Police beat officers are also attending Wickwar Youth Club in the near future and this can be discussed.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.7.24 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding, Jones and Williams sent their apologies along with Ward Cllr Romaine.
2.7.24 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Walter declared an interest in item 19 as a member of the PCC and did not take part in discussions.
3.7.24 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on 5th of June 2024 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5th June 2024 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman and thanks given to Councillor Fielding for chairing the last two meetings.
4.7.24 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The clerk reported that the defibrillator outside the Youth Club was used last week and returned afterwards by the Police. A new set of pads and a spare set of pads has subsequently been ordered and thanks go to David Owen from Kingswood Defib Awareness for his help in obtaining replacement equipment quickly enough that the defib was back in service the same day.
5.7.24 To determine which items, if any, of the agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.7.24 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P24/00898/HH – 61 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Erection of two storey and single storey rear extension and first floor extension over existing garage to form additional living accommodation. Decision: Approve with conditions
7.7.24 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P24/01473/HH – 1 Kites Nest Cottage Bagstone Road Rangeworthy. Erection of two storey side extension to form additional living accommodation and Annexe ancillary to main dwelling. Installation of glass balustrade to facilitate creation of rear balcony. Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement detached garage.
Resolved: Neutral
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.7.24 To further CONSIDER the request from the Wickwar Village Games committee for a contribution towards the £603 needed to print the programmes
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £250 to Wickwar Playing Fields Association to assist with the cost of the programmes. It was thought that in the future the Games could be advertised in a different way, with either less programmes printed, smaller programmes or a cheaper print cost, potentially using the church printer.
9.7.24 To CONSIDER a quotation to address the action points from the play area ROSPA inspection
The Clerk has contacted GB Sports for a quotation and is awaiting their response therefore will report back to the next meeting.
10.7.24 To DISCUSS the potential loss of the 84/85 bus service
Funding for the 84/85 bus service has only been agreed until September this year. Councillors feel strongly that the service is a vital link and will write to South Glos Council to express their support for continuation of the service.
A march has been organised from Wotton to Yate on the 19th of July to highlight the loss of the service and Councillors agreed that the Town Hall can be used as a stopping point and will provide refreshments and facilities for those taking part. Cllrs Carroll and Walter will coordinate this as the Clerk will be on annual leave.
11.7.24 To CONSIDER the invoice for the stank trees
As the stank is a well used public right of way the Parish Council instructed the pollarding of the large lime trees despite not owning the land. Four of the trees are owned by a nearby landowner with the remainder on the stank being the responsibility of the church. The landowner has offered a contribution of £1,500 and it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to request payment of one third of the invoice from the PCC of Wickwar. The clerk will prepare and send an invoice for E2,145 to the PCC.
12.7.24 To CONSIDER an extension to the paving outside the new pavilion building
Work continues on the pavilion refurbishment with groundworkers attending shortly to commence the outside work. The original plans included paving along the front of the pavilion under the canopy however, now the community room and bi-fold doors are installed, it was thought that an extra patio area outside the doors would be beneficial. It was therefore proposed, seconded and AGREED to spend an extra £2,956.23 plus VAT for an additional 18 square metres of paving.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
13.7.24 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for June (circulated)
The inspection was noted.
14.7.24 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received
No correspondence to note for this meeting
15.7.24 To NOTE the conclusion of the KGV stile insurance claim
Following the Council’s position that the stile is neither owned or maintained by the Parish Council the claim has not been taken any further and the insurance company have closed their file.
REPORTS
16.7.24 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillor
Ward Councillor Romaine sent her apologies and Ward Councillor Rush was in attendance. Due to the election purdah period there has not been any full Council meetings. Cllr Rush has tried to get answers about Wickwar’s traffic scheme, village sign and potholes however has not heard back. The Clerk will continue to chase the promised action.
17.7.24 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
17.1.7.24 King George’s Field
Work continues to progress well on the pavilion project. The football club, after liasing with the building contractor, have agreed a date of the 21st of September for their first home game of the season.
Method have begun to investigate options for security shutters on the new building, these are particularly needed for the new bifold doors. Costs for this to be reported at next meeting.
A group from Alexander Hosea school wish to hold an after-school celebration at the field on the last day of term and require an electricity supply for an ice cream van. The Clerk has spoken with the building contractor who are happy to help with this and also a power supply for the village games on the 13th of July.
17.2.7.24 Wickwar Community Centre
Nothing to report at this meeting.
17.3.7.24 Wickwar Town Hall
The PCC meets later this month and will discuss giving the bier a permanent home in the church.
The downstairs refurbishment is now complete and snagging has taken place. The Clerk and Cllr Carroll will investigate options for purchasing tables and chairs and report back to next meeting.
17.4.7.24 Wickwar Cemetery
The geographical survey of Park Field has been instructed and will be carried out on the 23rd of July. A further cut of the grass will be required ahead of this date.
The contractor is liasing with the planning department at South Glos Council regarding their requirements from the survey.
The ivy on the far wall of the open cemetery adjacent to the cremation plots is becoming overgrown and the Clerk will ask Hathaways to look at cutting it back and provide a quote for the next meeting.
17.5.7.24 Wickwar Youth Club
Two applications have been received for the youth worker vacancy which is good news. The trustees continue to plan for September, possibly trialling a new way of moving young people up from the juniors to the seniors. Several new trustees have joined however a new secretary is still required. South Glos are undertaking a building survey as there are some leaks which will need to be looked at.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
18.7.24 Green Community Transport for advertising costs
Green Community Transport have successfully been advertising their services in the Parish News to raise awareness and gain more customers from Wickwar. The Parish Council wishes to support this, particularly with the issues surrounding the 84/85 bus service and it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to give a grant of E252 for 6 months of advertising.
19.7.24 The PCC of Wickwar for their storeroom renovation project
Cllr Walter declared an interest in this item and took no part in discussions or the vote.
The church storeroom building dates back to around 1840 and the PCC wishes to restore it and make is safe and secure. Agreement has been obtained from Gloucester Diocese and a building contractor has been found. Applications have been made to several other organisations for funding with proceeds from the fireworks display and a donation from the Friends of Wickwar Church also being put towards the project.
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a CIL grant of £2,500 to the PCC to help with the cost of the project.
20.7.24 Read With Me for reading volunteers at Alexander Hosea school
Alexander Hosea School have confirmed that they have one volunteer in school from the organisation however it was felt at this stage that, as the group is Gloucestershire based and have running costs themselves, that at this time funds are better directed to village groups. This could be revisited later in the financial year depending on requests received.
BURIAL MATTERS
21.7.24 To note the ashes interment of Joan Elizabeth Brazill into plot 134
The interment was duly noted
FINANCE
22.7.24 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for April and May 2024. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 30th April and 31st May 2024 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
23.7.24 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 June PAYE 577.71
Staff salaries June salaries 1859.55
Sarah Quick June expenses – printer ink 11.99
Angie Carroll June expenses – changing table, paper towels, dispenser etc. for Town Hall 245.27
BT Town Hall broadband 28.46
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 117.13
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Pavilion June 24.62
ALCA Trust and Charity Law in Practice training course for the Clerk 50.00
Glos Playing Fields Association Annual membership fee 50.00
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting at play area and cemetery 586.50
DB Isaac & Partners Topping Park Field 96.00
Cloud Next Ltd Website hosting annual fee 119.98
SLCC Annual membership fee 229.00
Lawrence Tree Services Ltd Pollarding of stank lime trees 7722.00
PATA Payroll Payroll services April to June 77.10
Kingswood Defib Awareness Group Two sets of replacement pads (one used and one for a spare) 84.49
GM Wintle Building Final 5% of Town Hall refurbishment invoice 1009.80
WPFA Grant agreed at June meeting for portaloos 168.00
WPFA Grant agreed at July meeting for Village Games programme printing 250.00
NIKE Explorers Grant agreed at June meeting for camping equipment 300.00
WOOSC Grant agreed at June meeting for summer holiday activities 200.00
Method Construction Valuation 3 (£40,227.50 plus VAT) 48272.50
24.7.24 To NOTE the latest CIL monies reconciliation
The latest reconciliation was noted. £25,307.78 of CIL money remains with a commitment this year of £1,007.22 to empty the newly installed bins and a balance of £841.50 to pay for the Town Hall refurbishment. The remaining monies are earmarked for the cemetery extension, security shutters, fittings and furniture at the pavilion so far however a grant of £2,500 was agreed to the PCC for the church storeroom restoration project.
25.7.24 To AGREE delegated authority for the pavilion works scheduled payment in August
It was agreed to hold site meetings on the 31st of July and the 28th of August to view works associated with each of the stage invoices and valuations to be provided by Method. At least three Councillors will be present at each meeting and payments will be set up by the Clerk following checking of the figures and then authorised by two Councillors.
26.7.24 To AGREE to transfer funds from Redwood bank and review the Council’s reserves position
As at the end of June 2024 the Council’s reserves totalled £74,423.05 with some of those monies earmarked for the cemetery extension, the burial ground wall and play equipment replacement.
As a result of spending on the Town Hall refurbishment it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to transfer £25,000 from Redwood Bank to Unity Bank.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.7.24 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.15pm.