Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 5th February 2025, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Ward Councillor A Rush
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
Several parishioners attended to update the Parish Council on the flooding situation at the Sodbury Road end of the village. South Glos have sent contractors to inspect and unblock the drains however it appears that there is a problem with a drain that has been narrowed and therefore below its previous capacity. Names and details were taken and those concerned will join the Council’s working group.
The lack of yellow lines outside Southend House was discussed as traffic now regularly backs up into the village as it has to give way, this also makes pulling out of Back Lane more hazardous. Unfortunately, as this was part of the traffic management scheme, both Ward Councillors have confirmed that South Glos will not alter the lines. The Clerk continues to follow up the bollards through the traffic lights with the chief engineer of the project and has ensured that the old village sign posts have been removed.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.2.25 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding, Jones, Walter, Ford and Williams sent their apologies along with Ward Cllr Romaine.
2.2.25 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None for this meeting.
3.2.25 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 15th of January 2025 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 15th of January 2025 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.2.25 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Government has provided extra funding to fix potholes and this has been received by South Glos Council therefore, despite the resurfacing that Wickwar has had, any issues should still be reported.
5.2.25 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.2.25 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P23/02850/F – The Willows Hall End Lane Wickwar. Change of use of land to 4 plots for travelling showpeople comprising 4no. caravans for residential occupation and 4no. detached garages for ancillary residential use with each plot and a shared storage yard (Retrospective). Decision: Approve with conditions
6.2 P24/02551/RM – Land To The Rear Of South Face Cowship Lane Cromhall. Demolition of existing barns and erection of 1 no. dwelling with appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale to be determined. (Approval of Reserved Matters to be read in conjunction with outline permission P21/05331/O). Decision: Refusal
7.2.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/00008/F – Land at Tanhouse Lane, Yate. Erection of 1no. barn/stable building (part retrospective)
Resolved: No objection.
7.2 P25/00045/F – Land at Hall End Lane Wickwar. Erection of 1no. dwelling with associated works
Resolved: As with the previous application in 2022 objection on the grounds of visual amenity. Not in keeping with the surrounding area and not within the village boundary
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.2.25 To AGREE attendance for the Clerk on the SLCC Water Compliance and Legionella Control training webinar
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED for the Clerk to attend the training course at a cost of £50.
9.2.25 To AGREE to hand over the completed pavilion building to the King George’s Field Charity Trustees
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to hand over the completed building to the King George’s Field Charity Trustees.
10.2.25 To DISCUSS signage to discourage dog fouling around the village
The Clerk has approached the dog warden team at South Glos Council regarding some signage to display. If nothing is received then the Parish Council will consider purchasing some signs to encourage people to pick up after their dog.
11.2.25 To CONSIDER commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE-Day on the 8th of May
Following successful beacon lighting events in 2022 and 2024 it was AGREED to support other events in the village rather than light the beacon again. The flags will be displayed on the Town Hall.
12.2.25 To RECEIVE an update from the flooding working group and CONSIDER any requests for approval for action or expenditure
As detailed in public time several parishioners attended to discuss the flooding that has been experienced at the Sodbury Road end of the village. Their details have been taken so that they can become part of the working group going forward.
13.2.25 To CONSIDER a request to use the Town Hall for village drop in coffee mornings
A group in the village, supported by The Keepers in Wotton, have been looking for a suitable site in the village to run a monthly Pay as you Feel café. Following the downstairs refurbishment the ground floor of the Town Hall is now a perfect space and it was requested to use the room on the last Friday of every month from 10am to 1pm. The coffee shop have been consulted and are very supportive, Fridays being one of their busiest days. Fridays are also the day when the mobile Post Office is parked in the village.
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to allow the group to use the space and the Clerk will liase with the group regarding arrangements and the facilities that would be available.
14.2.25 To CONSIDER purchasing crockery and utensils for the new pavilion kitchen and the Town Hall
Cllr Carroll and the Clerk have sorted through all of the crockery etc. that was stored at the Town Hall, setting aside items for each building and making a list of required items which will be purchased.
15.2.25 To AGREE a date for the annual meeting of the Parish
The Community Room at the pavilion was considered as a new venue for the meeting however regulations state that the meeting cannot be held before 6pm meaning that the Town Hall is more suitable. It was therefore AGREED to run the meeting in a similar format to past years at 7pm on Wednesday the 14th of May 2025. A separate open afternoon will be held at the pavilion for parishioners to view the new facilities there.
16.2.25 To CONSIDER quotations for gates to secure the rear of the new pavilion building
Cllr Carroll has approached several contractors to manufacture posts to fit the salvaged metal door guards from the pavilion as gates to secure the rear of the building. Due to the bespoke nature of the work only one quotation was received and it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to accept the quote from Geoff Tuck for £895 plus VAT.
REPORTS
17.1.25 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
Ward Cllr Rush attended and reported that South Glos Council have agreed their budget for the 2025/26 financial year with a 4.99% increase.
The Community Engagement Forum meetings in their current format are to be phased out due to lack of attendance, these will be replaced with community meetings.
The final draft of the new local plan has been published which again shows no new housing allocation for Wickwar.
18.2.25 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
18.1.2.25 King George’s Field
Further sets of keys are needed for the new pavilion building. A meeting to be arranged with the football club to assess how many sets of keys have been handed over from the builders and how many need to be cut. Pavilion storage and cleanliness also need to be discussed.
The Clerk to check rental rates for other facilities in the village in order to set costs to rent the new Community Room at the pavilion.
The mole issue has now been dealt with and the football club updated.
18.2.2.25 Wickwar Community Centre
No further update since last meeting.
18.3.2.25 Wickwar Town Hall
The open morning on the 18th of January was a great success with many parishioners dropping in to view the new room and the Town Hall building as a whole including the clock. The Parish Council sent huge thanks to Amanda Isaac for catering the event free of charge and providing several delicious cakes.
The downstairs space is soon to be put to good use with the monthly drop in café, a booking for a meeting and another booking for an exhibition of Wickwar in the past set for early June.
18.4.2.25 Wickwar Cemetery
The cemetery extension is still at the pre-planning stage with South Glos Council.
18.5.2.25 Wickwar Youth Club
The new Youth Leader in Charge is now in position and sessions remain popular.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
19.2.25 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for January (circulated)
The inspection was duly noted.
20.2.25 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• A complaint had been received regarding a mole trap found in the play area at King George’s Field. The Clerk reported this to Mole Management and has been assured that the area is clear. An extra litter pick took place to ensure that nothing dangerous had been left by the building contractors. Apologies and reassurances were sent by the Clerk as well as an explanation about why the moles needed to be dealt with.
• A parishioner had been in touch about the proposed electric vehicle charging point on North Street. South Glos Council have an open consultation about this and the Parish Council will respond suggesting that whilst it might be a suitable location thought needs to be given to the vehicles which currently park in the lay by and whether extra parking bays can be designed at the point of the EV charging installation. If not then this may not be the best location.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
21.2.25 None for this meeting.
BURIAL MATTERS
22.2.25 None for this meeting
FINANCE
23.2.25 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for January 2025. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as at the 31st of January 2025 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
24.2.25 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.
HMRC January PAYE 492.09
Staff salaries January salaries 1829.27
Sarah Quick January expenses (cleaning set for pavilion, mirror and Xmas lights box for Town Hall, printer ink and paper) 61.65
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 January 81.57
Octopus Energy Pavilion January 56.05
The SLCC Water compliance and legionella training course for the Clerk 60.00
Paul Flett Mole Management Trapping and removal of moles from King George’s Field 470.00
Tony Gardner Property Maintenance Hanging Town Hall pictures and walking route maps to the Pavilion 75.00
RO Williams & Son Hedge trimming at KGV and Park Field (7 hours) 487.20
The PCC of Wickwar Grant towards publication costs of the Parish News agreed at January meeting 1000.00
25.2.25 To CONSIDER the purchase of an end of year package from EDGE IT to assist with the end of financial year procedures
Due to the extra transactions this financial year relating to the pavilion project it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to purchase a Bronze package from EDGE IT which includes a one to one call at a cost of £40 to assist with the year end processes.
26.2.25 To AGREE to appoint an internal auditor and ensure their independence from the Council
Unfortunately, the Council’s previous auditors GAPTC are no longer providing the service to non-members therefore the Clerk has approached other providers and will report back to the next meeting.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.2.25 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.15pm.