Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 15th January 2025, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor B Walter
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Ward Councillor A Rush
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A member of the public attended to discuss the amount of dog mess that is currently being seen around the village, particularly around routes to school. This is an ongoing problem which is often worse in winter with the dark mornings and evenings. Unfortunately, whilst fines can be given, it is difficult to enforce. The Clerk will enquire about whether there are some posters etc. that can be obtained, and an appeal will be put out to villagers.
Several drains appear to still be blocked by tarmac following the recent resurfacing works. The Clerk has photographs and will raise with the chief engineer of the project at South Glos Council.
South Glos have advertised that they have new powers to install traffic cameras. With the High Street weight limit in mind the Clerk will raise this with Ward Cllr Romaine to see if cameras would now be allowed.
The new yellow lines along the High Street appear to be encouraging parking outside Southend House which does cause an obstruction. Ward Cllr Romaine has raised this with South Glos but there will not be any changes made. The obstruction does slow traffic down around the bend by the Youth Club which is where the 20MPH limit starts.
A parishioner pointed out that some of the bollards near the pub have been removed to make way for a new crossing point. The Clerk will follow up with South Glos to see if there are plans to reinstate them.
Now that the Church have purchased a new vicarage in the village the Parish Council enquired as to whether the church administrator will be able to work from there, however the property remains inaccessible to villagers until a new vicar is in place. Another advert has been placed for a new vicar.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.1.25 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding, Jones and Walter sent their apologies along with Ward Councillors Rush and Romaine.
2.1.25 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Parris declared an interest in item 18 as a trustee of the Youth Centre and did not take part in discussions.
3.1.25 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 4th of December 2024 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 4th of December 2024 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.1.25 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Nothing for this meeting.
5.1.25 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.1.25 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decision was noted:
6.1 P24/00257/F – Land Off Tanhouse Lane. Erection of 1no. self-build dwellinghouse with car parking and associated works. Application withdrawn
7.1.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
None for this meeting.
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.1.25 To CONSIDER options for a disabled access ramp for the Town Hall
The style of ramp has been agreed however the exact measurements are needed in order to provide an accurate price. Cllr Carroll and the Clerk will follow up for a decision at next meeting.
9.1.25 To DISCUSS options to improve visibility of the zebra crossing on Station Road
The Clerk had raised the issue with Ward Cllr Romaine before Christmas however nothing has been heard back. In the absence of Ward Cllr Romaine from this meeting the Clerk will follow up and report back to next meeting.
10.1.25 To RECEIVE an update from the flooding working group and CONSIDER any requests for approval for action or expenditure
The group met before Christmas and have also had a site meeting with officers from South Glos Council’s Flood Management Team. It is thought that there may be a blockage around the area of the Stank and further investigation work is needed in that area. The group are investigating costs of such a survey and sources of funding and will continue to report back to the Parish Council.
11.1.25 To NOTE the completion of the project to refurbish and extend the pavilion at King George’s Field
The building works are now complete and the Clerk has been handed the keys. The final invoice has been received from Method and the final figures noted.
There are still some snagging works to be done, payment of the final invoice of £9055.48 was agreed however the payment will not be made until the snagging is complete and the correct certificate is received from building control.
At the next meeting of the Parish Council the completed building will be handed over to the trustees of King George’s Field.
REPORTS
12.1.25 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
Neither Ward Councillor was present at this meeting.
13.1.25 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
13.1.1.25 King George’s Field
There is a problem with moles at the field, with the mole hills getting closer to the main football pitch. The Clerk has contacted several companies and has instructed Paul Flett to carry out the works at a cost of £470.
With interest growing to hire the Community Room at the pavilion a solution needs to be found for storage for the football club. The Clerk will contact the club and set up a meeting.
Following the recent fire alarm it was noted that there are no contact details displayed on the building. The Clerk to investigate signage.
13.2.1.25 Wickwar Community Centre
No representative at this meeting.
13.3.1.25 Wickwar Town Hall
The open morning is scheduled for Saturday the 18th of January. Cllr Carroll and the Clerk have worked to put together a selection of pictures for the walls and these will be put up in time for the event. The caterer is also arranged, and the event has been advertised on the noticeboard, website and forums along with the coffee shop and the Gazette.
13.4.1.25 Wickwar Cemetery
Cllr Williams has spoken with the planning department at South Glos and agreed on a programme of targeted trial trenching. An initial plan has been sent and we await their approval before finding contractors to quote for the works.
13.5.1.25 Wickwar Youth Club
The new Youth Leader in Charge is now in post and is settling in well. The Club were delighted to receive a donation of £327 before Christmas from the social club’s Bingo sessions.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
14.1.25 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for December (circulated)
The inspections were noted.
15.1.25 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
Thanks were received from the Clock Winder for the framed photograph that was given.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
16.1.25 The PCC of Wickwar for costs associated with publication of the Parish News
As discussed at last month’s meeting the Parish News is losing money. Advertising prices have been increased however it is too early to tell if this will increase the income or if advertisers will cancel.
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to give £1,000 to the PCC for production of the Parish News but this is to give time to assess the future of the publication. Other avenues must be explored, including how many in the villages read the publication and if it can continue to be delivered to every house.
17.1.25 Wickwar Playing Fields Association for extra costs relating to the new pump track
Whilst the Parish Council is supportive of the pump track project many of the costs such as insurance and maintenance would have been anticipated and are also likely to occur annually. If this is funded by the Parish Council’s precept then all Council tax payers in the village will have to pay, regardless of whether they support the facility.
The Clerk will write to WPFA to express these concerns, however an increase in the donations budget has been proposed in order to potentially cover the costs in the next financial year.
18.1.25 Wickwar Youth Centre for next year’s operating costs
£3,000 has been earmarked in the 2025/26 budget for the Youth Centre as in previous years however the increased donations budget could potentially be used to provide the requested further funding in the next financial year.
BURIAL MATTERS
19.1.25 None for this meeting
FINANCE
20.1.25 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for November and December 2024. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 30th of November and 31st of December 2024 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
21.1.25 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.
Sarah Quick December expenses (printer ink subscription) 11.99
BT Town Hall broadband 28.46
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 109.74
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Town Hall November 56.18
Octopus Energy Pavilion November 89.87
PATA Payroll Payroll service October to December plus back pay calculation 92.10
Clear Councils Increased insurance premium with pavilion having full cover 65.96
TI Quick Treatment and painting of pavilion benching 160.00
Method Construction Final invoice for completion of works at Wickwar Sports Pavilion 9055.48
Paid between meetings using clerk’s delegated powers (meeting later due to budget work):
HMRC December PAYE 491.69
Staff salaries December salaries 1829.67
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Annual fee for accounting software 492.00
Flawless Spaces Town Hall gutter clean 50.00
22.1.25 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed budget for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2025/26. (Circulated)
The proposed budget was reviewed in detail along with the current financial year’s position and the funding requests that have been received. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to approve the proposed budget for the financial year 2025/26.
23.1.25 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed precept demand for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2025/26. 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 £64,852 to South Gloucestershire Council and the precept request form was duly signed by the Chairman.
24.1.25 To NOTE the increase to localism charges from South Glos Council for the 2025/26 financial year
South Glos Council are proposing an increase of 7.78% for their grass cutting and bin emptying services. The price increase was duly NOTED and included in the above budget
25.1.25 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllrs Parris and Ford completed a random check of the bank account and bank reconciliations, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
26.1.25 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.25pm.