Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 4th February 2026, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor A Parris
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
PUBLIC TIME
It was raised that the ticket machine on the Y8 bus is often broken. There are concerns that passenger numbers may not be accurately recorded and therefore the demand for the service will not be properly understood. Ward Cllr Romaine will note this and feed back.
Cllr Ford recently attended the Solar Farm Community Liason Meeting and reported back that there will be Community grant funding available however this will be split between Wickwar, Rangeworthy and Cromhall Parish Councils. The Clerk will liase with our neighbouring Councils to ensure that we can cooperate to access these funds.
Cllr Parris reported that a wooden fence on the edge of Turnpike Gate is rotting away. It is difficult to report on the South Glos Report It system as it doesn’t fall under any of the categories and seems to suggest it’s private land. Ward Cllr Romaine will investigate and report back.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.2.26 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding, Jones and Houghton sent their apologies.
2.2.26 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Walter is a member of the PCC so declared an interest in item 10.
3.2.26 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 7th of January 2026 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 7th of January 2026 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.2.26 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
It was noted that the Heidelberg quarry planning application regarding a link road at Brinsham has been upgraded by the planning inspectorate to a full public enquiry.
5.2.26 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.2.26 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P25/02409/HH – Celestine Cottage Limekiln Road Yate. Erection of annexe ancillary to the main dwelling. Decision: Refusal
6.2 P25/02740/TRE – The Old Rectory Church Lane Wickwar. Works to trees as per the attached schedule of works received by the Council on the 26th November 2025. Covered by Tree Preservation Order SGTPO 16/16. As covered by tree preservation order SGTPO 16/16 dates 20th July 2016. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.3 P25/02824/HH – 9 Amberley Way Wickwar. Demolition of existing boundary wall. Change of use from open amenity land to private C3 amenity space for the erection of 2.2m and 0.85m fence to facilitate 1No. parking space. Decision: Refusal
7.2.26 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P26/00046/TCA – Arnolds Field Estate The Downs Wickwar. Works to fell 1no Sycamore Tree (T1) Works to 5no of Sycamore Trees (T2) to crown reduce by 1-2m in height within Wickwar
Conservation Area.
Resolved: No objection.
7.2 P26/00119/F – Arnoldsfield Trading Estate The Downs Wickwar. Demolition of existing industrial building and erection of 2no. new employment units for mixed use of storage (Class B8) and light industrial processes (Class Eg(iii)) with parking and associated works.
Resolved: Objection on the grounds that the proposed buildings are not in keeping with the existing and in addition concerns around drainage. Current plans indicate that water run off will increase and flow into the existing culvert which we know contributes to flooding around the stank and Station Road. More work needs to be done to understand the impact of the building works.
7.3 P26/00153/HH – 53 High Street, Wickwar. Erection of rear garden room
Resolved: No objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.2.26 To CONSIDER quotations for painting outside the Town Hall
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to employ Tony Gardiner Property Services to complete the work at a cost of £446.
9.2.26 To CONSIDER the response from SGC regarding meeting with developers
The circumstances of the meeting between South Glos Council and Hannick Homes were noted, particularly that it was stated that SGC confirmed that there is no new housing planned for Wickwar in the new Local Plan.
10.2.26 To DISCUSS the church buildings and Garden of Remembrance
Following the theft of lead from the roof of the church porch back in October 2024 the PCC have been working with the Diocese of Gloucester to facilitate repairs. This has been a long drawn out process and unfortunately during this process the initial temporary repair failed causing further water damage. A second temporary repair has been completed and it has been confirmed that the insurance company will pay for all of the damage. Sign off from the Diocese in the form of a faculty has been applied for and it is hoped that this will be received soon.
The PCC were unaware that the memorial in the Garden of Remembrance is broken and will look into this.
11.2.26 To CONSIDER purchasing storage for the home changing room at the KGV pavilion
In principle Councillors agreed that storage on the wall of the changing room would be better than the current metal tables however at this time the Parish Council will not fund the purchase. Any storage should only be used for items directly needed for football matches.
12.2.26 To RECEIVE an update following the site meeting with SGC regarding flooding
South Glos engineers now have a good understanding of the issues in Wickwar and the causes. At the Sodbury Road end of the village a pipe has been narrowed and a drain blocked off meaning that in periods of heavy rain the water backs up. Possible solutions include a new ditch away from the road and removal of brambles but any solution needs to be mindful of flooding issues further down the village. Wessex Water are still to respond regarding the drain under the stank.
13.2.26 To AGREE a date for the annual meeting of the Parish
It was AGREED to hold the meeting at the Town Hall at 7pm on Wednesday the 20th of May. Further thought to be given to any catering for the meeting, to be discussed at next meeting.
14.2.26 To DISCUSS contacting South Glos Council regarding the ongoing potholes and litter in the lanes
Since the agenda was published the most pressing potholes on the Wickwar Road have been filled but it has been frustrating that this has taken time and in these instances the Report It system is difficult to use. Concerns were raised with Ward Cllr Romaine and she will feed these back.
15.2.26 To RECEIVE an update on the situation regarding the Community Rooms committee
After failing to recruit any new committee members the running of the Community Rooms will be carried out by the school as a short term measure, although finances will remain split to ensure that the arrangement does not put financial pressure on the school. This will be reviewed at the end of the academic year.
16.2.26 To DISCUSS the response from South Glos Council regarding overweight lorries and the Highway Improvement request submitted by the Parish Council
Disappointingly, after all of the work put into the Highway Improvement Request, South Glos have categorised the scheme as non urgent meaning that it will be unlikely to be looked at even in the next financial year. They have requested that the Police carry out spot checks and this has been agreed.
REPORTS
17.2.26 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
The next full Council meeting is due on the 11th of February and will agree the budget. There has been reallocation of the flooding budget but monies have not been reduced, just removed from areas which don’t flood and directed towards areas that do.
Black bin collections will move to three weekly from May, with the soft plastics scheme being extended to the whole Council area.
A 30mph limit is being put in place for New Road in Rangeworthy with a proposal to include all of the lanes however there was some debate as to how enforceable that would be and whether it is necessary to add signage to every lane.
18.2.26 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
18.1.2.26 King George’s Field
The football club now have their own permanent license meaning that they can open the Community Room for more matches. The Coffee Shop have operated their first Saturday morning although this will only happen when their team is playing at home.
18.2.2.26 Wickwar Community Centre
Per item 15.
18.3.2.26 Wickwar Town Hall
Repairs to the window have been put on hold until some drier weather, whilst the quotation for painting has been agreed again the work will be scheduled for the Spring.
Defibrillator training has been organised for the 3rd of March and will be promoted.
18.4.2.26 Wickwar Village Hall
The bookings secretary is now staying on which is good news. There are several maintenance issues which need looking at.
18.5.2.26 Wickwar Cemetery
Warnings regarding memorial testing appeared in the last Parish News. The Clerk will undertake this work over the next month or two.
18.6.2.26 Wickwar Youth Club
Nothing new to report for this meeting.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
19.2.26 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for January (circulated)
The inspection was duly noted.
20.2.26 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• A thank you card was received from the Little Avon Club for the grant agreed at December’s meeting
• An anonymous letter has been received regarding a boundary wall at Pennington Road. Unfortunately, as an outdated stamp was used, the Council had to pay £2.50 to receive the letter. The Clerk will investigate and if required refer to Planning Enforcement at South Glos Council.
• A parishioner wrote to the Council and attended the meeting to discuss Neighbourhood Planning. It was agreed to add this matter to the next agenda to allow more time to discuss.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
21.2.26 None for this meeting.
BURIAL MATTERS
22.2.26 To note the interment of the ashes of Tullio Vettori into plot 3A at Wickwar Cemetery
The interment was duly noted.
FINANCE
23.2.26 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for December 2025. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as at the 31st of December 2025 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
24.2.26 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 588.75
Staff salaries January salaries 1879.64
Sarah Quick January expenses (printer ink and paper, stationary and postage) 28.69
BT Town Hall broadband 35.94
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 114.42
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Town Hall January 60.13
Octopus Energy Pavilion January 99.41
Water Business Town Hall water and sewerage July 2025 – January 2026 103.71
South Gloucestershire Council Pavilion rates 59.00
SK Cleaning & Housekeeping Pavilion clean 51.00
Citizens Advice South Glos Grant agreed at January meeting 300.00
25.2.26 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 work involved at year end and the excellent help given last year by EDGE IT 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 procedures.
26.2.26 To NOTE the s137 expenditure limit for the 2026/27 financial year
The Section 137 limit has been set at £11.60 per elector, up from £11.10. Wickwar’s tax base is 907 therefore the spending limit for 2026/27 will be £10,521.20.
Currently 2025/26 spending is at £5,650 against last year’s limit of £10,023.30
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.2.26 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.55pm.