A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 2nd July 2025, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor B Walter (Chairman)
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Apologies:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A parishioner attended to update the Parish Council with the latest figures on overweight lorries coming through the village. Disappointingly there were 170 passing through during June, the second worst month since records have been kept. On the 10th of June 20 passed through in one day. It is thought that some of the increased traffic may relate to a large building site in Kingswood.
The Parish Council has submitted a Highway Improvement Request to South Glos Council to request an AMPR camera be installed, this is currently under consideration and the Clerk will write to highlight that the problem is ongoing and serious.
Many of the offending hauliers are written to and this does have a positive affect however there are many individual hauliers and unmarked lorries making this task difficult. As ever the PC’s thanks go to the parishioner who gives up his time to work on this on behalf of everyone in the village.
The Parish Council has been advised that the road through Rangeworthy is due for resurfacing and, during the time that the road is closed, the weight limit through Wickwar will be lifted. The Clerk will request further clarification and request that an alternative route is found. Last year when the limit was lifted for three days due to resurfacing on the Downs Road some 372 lorries passed through which is dangerous and unacceptable.
Another parishioner attended to request an update from Ward Councillor Romaine and the Flooding Working Group however members were not in attendance. An update will be requested.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.7.25 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Isaac and Williams sent their apologies along with Ward Cllrs Rush and Romaine.
2.7.25 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None for this meeting.
3.7.25 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on 4th of June 2025 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2025 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.7.25 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The clerk reported that it looks as if the bus service will be amended to include the loop to Wotton Under Edge. The funding has been agreed by WECA but only runs from August 2025 to March 2026 so further campaigning may be needed.
5.7.25 To determine which items, if any, of the agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.7.25 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P25/00925/CLP – 68 High Street Wickwar. Installation of solar panels to rear roof slope. Decision: Approve Certificate of Lawfulness
6.2 P25/01125/TCA – 3 The Buthay Wickwar. Works to fell 1no Hawthorn Tree within Wickwar conservation area. Decision: No objection
6.3 P25/00782/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) (resubmission of P24/02551/RM). Decision: Refusal
7.7.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/01405/F – Land at Wickwar Road, Wickwar. Retention of 1no. mobile home as a permanent rural workers dwelling
Resolved: No objection.
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.7.25 To confirm Parish Council representation at the upcoming installation of the new Priest-in-charge of Wickwar Benefice on the 14th of July
Cllr Isaac will attend on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllrs Carroll, Fielding and Walters also confirmed their intention to attend the service.
9.7.25 To CONSIDER placing seating outside the pavilion at King George’s Field
Councillors are in agreement that some seating outside the pavilion is needed. The Clerk and Cllr Carroll will work on some options and costs, ensuring that there will be sufficient space underneath the canopy for wheelchair users/buggies etc.
10.7.25 To AGREE the Clerk’s attendance on an ICCM Memorials Inspection Workshop
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Clerk should attend the upcoming training at a cost of £175 plus travel costs to Shrewsbury.
11.7.25 To receive an update about the Village Hall committee
The committee has a new bookings secretary and Cllr Isaac has taken on the role of Chairman. There are potentially also two or three other committee members so the future of the committee has been secured.
12.7.25 To receive an update about the Community Rooms committee
The committee has a new treasurer and Cllr Ford agreed that she will join. Cllr Fielding also hopes to continue as Chairman.
13.7.25 To CONSIDER a quotation for the Town Hall guttering and repair of the vandalised bench at King George’s Field
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to accept the quotation from the Wickwar Handyman of £75 to attend to the bench and the guttering. He will also review the leaking Town Hall windows and give a quote for repainting the render at the bottom of the Town Hall walls.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
14.7.25 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for June (circulated)
The inspection was noted.
15.7.25 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received
• The Clerk will liase with WEAG regarding the opportunity for Park Field to be involved in the Green Canopy Project.
• A letter of thanks was received from Wickwar Youth Centre following the recent grant given
REPORTS
16.7.24 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillors
Both Ward Councillors were absent however sent an update that Wickwar Road by the quarry will finally be resurfaced next week.
17.7.25 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
17.1.7.25 King George’s Field
As covered in minute 13.7.25 the vandalised bench will be repaired next week. The new play area sign has been installed and the roundabout bearings replaced although some further work is needed.
17.2.7.25 Wickwar Community Centre
See minute 12.7.25.
17.3.7.25 Wickwar Town Hall
As covered in minute 13.7.25 the guttering is scheduled to be fixed and quotes will be obtained for painting the outside walls and windows. The windows need attention as there are some leaks.
17.4.7.25 Wickwar Cemetery
South Glos planning have agreed the scope of the archaeological works that are needed and this detail has been passed to Churchill Archaeology with the hope that the works will be able to start on site soon.
17.5.7.25 Wickwar Youth Club
The application extension for new staff has been extended and several enquiries have been received. Two new staff members are needed for September. CCTV has now been viewed and repaired following the recent vandalism, trustees are to approach those responsible.
18.7.25 To receive an update from the Flooding Working Group
There has been an update regarding the pipe running under the stank, Wessex Water have inspected the sewer and confirmed that it is live therefore they are responsible for removing the blockage.
There has been little update regarding the Sodbury Road end of the village, the group will chase Ward Cllr Romaine who was going to chase the South Glos team.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
19.7.25 Green Community Transport for a new warehouse style ladder
Green Community Transport regularly support users from Wickwar and the service continues to be invaluable due to the lack of public transport at certain times. It was therefore proposed, seconded and AGREED to give a grant of £150 towards the cost of the ladder.
BURIAL MATTERS
20.7.25 Nothing for this meeting
FINANCE
21.7.25 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for May 2025. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of the 31st May 2025 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
22.7.25 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 June PAYE 560.00
Staff salaries June salaries 1834.31
Sarah Quick June expenses – printer ink, paper, kettles for pavilion 46.63
BT Town Hall broadband 31.37
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 109.74
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Pavilion June 68.02
Octopus Energy Town Hall June 52.47
Glos Playing Fields Association Annual membership fee 50.00
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting at play area and cemetery 586.50
Geoff Tuck Fabrication Rear security gates at KGV pavilion 1350.00
Arebee Signs Replacement play area sign 306.00
Arebee Signs Fixing of new play area sign, materials and labour 522.00
PATA Payroll April – June payroll service 81.51
SK Cleaning and Housekeeping Pavilion clean (3 hours at £17ph) 51.00
Wickwar Out of School Club Grant agreed at June meeting 400.00
Paid between meetings using delegated powers:
Churchill Archaeology Paid promptly to reflect amount of work put into the pre-planning application 600.00
26.7.24 To review the Council’s cashflow position and AGREE to transfer funds to Redwood bank
Following a review of the Council’s cashflow forecast it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to transfer a sum of £40,000 to Redwood Bank to ensure the maximum amount of interest is received on the Council’s reserves.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.7.25 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8pm.