Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
The annual meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 6th May 2026 at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor G Fielding (Chaired meeting)
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Ward Councillor A Rush
Apologies:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor B Walter
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
PUBLIC TIME
A member of the public attended to ask Councillors if they were aware of any suitable venues in the village that could be purchased to turn into a shop. At this time no-one could offer any suggestions, but the Clerk will keep the gentleman’s details for any future suggestions.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.5.26 To ELECT the Chairman of the Parish Council.
Councillor Stephen Isaac was nominated for the office of Chairman. There were no other nominations. This was seconded and RESOLVED.
2.5.26 To ELECT the Vice Chairman of the Parish Council
Councillor Gareth Fielding was nominated for the office of Vice Chairman. There were no other nominations. This was seconded and RESOLVED.
3.5.26 To RECEIVE the Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms from the newly elected Chairman and Vice Chairman
Cllr Isaac, having been nominated in his absence, will sign his Acceptance of Office form at the next meeting. Cllr Fielding duly signed his Acceptance of Office
4.5.26 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Isaac, Walter and Williams sent their apologies.
5.5.26 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Parris and Walter declared an interest as trustees of the Youth Club and did not take part in the discussion regarding the tap box purchase.
6.5.26 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 1st of April 2026 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 1st of April 2026 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
7.5.26 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The Clerk updated Councillors that she will be away on annual leave for the w/c 11th May.
8.5.26 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
9.5.26 To REVIEW and ADOPT terms of reference for Council committees and working groups
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the terms of reference for the Staff Committee and flooding working group without changes.
The following membership of Council committees and working groups was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED.
Committee/ Working Group Representative(s)
Flooding Working Group Cllr Fielding
Cllr Houghton
Cllr Williams
Staff Committee
Cllr Fielding
Cllr Carroll
Cllr Walter
10.5.26 To REVIEW and ADOPT Standing Orders and Financial Regulations (circulated)
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations with only minor amendments made.
11.5.26 To REVIEW and AGREE Parish Council representation on external bodies and arrangements for reporting back
Wickwar Community Centre Management Committee Cllrs Fielding and Ford
Report verbally to Full Council
Quarry Liaison Group Cllr Carroll
Report verbally to Full Council
Wickwar Youth Club Cllrs Parris and Walter
Report verbally to Full Council
Wickwar Village Hall Cllr Isaac
Report verbally to Full Council
Rag Lane Solar Farm Liason Group Cllr Ford
Report verbally to Full Council
PLANNING
12.5.26 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
12.1 P26/00399/LB – 3 High Street Wickwar. External alterations to replace 2no first floor sash windows on front elevation with similar heritage glass double glazed units made from accoya. Decision: Approve with conditions
12.2 P26/00153/HH – 53 High Street Wickwar. Erection of rear garden room. Decision: Approve with conditions
13.5.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
13.1 P26/00778/HH – 9 Amberley Way Wickwar. Repositioning of rear boundary wall to facilitate the creation of 1no. parking bay (resubmission of P25/02824/HH)
Following the Parish Council’s last comment around the loss of the hedge it is good to see that the hedge is to remain. Consideration also needs to be given, however, to the surrounding communal parking and amenity land.
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
14.5.26 To CONSIDER funding the emptying of a bin next to the Wickwar Pump Track
With 4 votes in favour and 2 votes against it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to agree to fund the emptying of a bin next to the pump track at a cost of £363 per year.
The Clerk will liase with WPFA and South Glos Council.
15.5.26 To CONSIDER next steps regarding the defibrillators at the Village Hall and Wood Yard.
As discussed at last meeting SWAST are requesting payment of £3,360 for a further 4 year contract for the defibrillators at the village hall and wood yard. This does cover pads, batteries and training however a brand new unit can be purchased for less than £1,000. It was therefore AGREED that the contract with SWAST will be terminated and the Clerk will source quotes for new units.
16.5.26 To CONSIDER the purchase of a security box for the new outside tap to be installed at Wickwar Youth Centre
Following previous agreement of a quotation from Tony Gardner to install an outside tap at the Youth Centre to enable easier watering of the Sodbury Road trough it was AGREED that a security box can be purchased at a cost of £84 to ensure that the tap cannot be tampered with or knocked into when young people are playing football etc.
17.5.26 To CONFIRM arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks
The renewal quotation from the insurer has been amended to include hirer’s liability cover and the new quotation of £2,464.66 was accepted.
18.5.26 To CONSIDER a response to the South Glos consultation regarding special expenses
Councillors and the Clerk discussed concerns around changes to the special expenses system where Town and Parish Councils will be required to charge for grass cutting and other services via the precept. In Wickwar this would add over £14K to the current precept of £70,040 meaning a large percentage increase. In theory the PC can use other contractors to do the work but getting quotes for the type of work could prove difficult and will be time consuming. These points will be made via the consultation.
19.5.26 To DISCUSS the poor state of Frith Lane and West End Road and to receive an update regarding the Sodbury Road/Pennington Road speed bump
Unfortunately Ward Cllr Romaine wasn’t in attendance but the Clerk will contact her for help dealing with SGC regarding the issues with the roads. A response in time for the meeting had been requested from the Highways Manager at SGC but nothing had been received.
REPORTS
20.5.26 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillors
Ward Councillor Rush reported that South Glos Council’s local plan is now with the planning inspectorate for its final review.
The special expenses consultation and road issues were also discussed.
Ward Cllr Rush is to be appointed Chairman of South Glos Council and Cllrs passed on their congratulations for this.
21.5.26 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
21.1.5.26 King George’s Field
The Clerk has been approached by another fitness instructor wishing to use the field for classes and is liaising regarding pavilion use.
21.2.5.26 Wickwar Community Centre
During the Easter holidays there was a burst pipe at the Community Centre resulting in a huge flood and lots of damage meaning that the hall and other rooms are currently out of action. The repairs will be covered by SGC insurance policy but are expected to take several months to complete.
The process of handover of bookings etc to the school administrator is still in progress, Cllr Fielding reported that the account balance pre handover will be recorded and would be ringfenced.
21.3.5.26 Wickwar Village Hall
No report for this meeting.
21.4.5.26 Wickwar Town Hall
The part for the broken window has now been made, and we await warmer and drier weather when it can be fitted.
The downstairs room has been used for several meetings providing a useful asset to the village.
21.5.5.26 Wickwar Cemetery
Nothing to report at this meeting.
21.6.5.26 Wickwar Youth Club
Damage to one of the CCTV cameras at the centre was paid for by a parent which was much appreciated by the trustees.
22.5.26 To RECEIVE updates following the recent meetings with WPFA trustees, the Rag Lane Solar Farm Community Engagement meeting, the Breedon Quarry Liason Meeting and Wessex Water
A positive meeting was held with the WPFA trustees, and it was agreed that the two organisations should work more closely together. A plan to increase safety in the lane up to the playing fields was also discussed.
Representatives from the Parish Council met with Councillors from Rangeworthy and Cromhall to discuss the split of the £10K community fund to be provided once the Rag Lane Solar Farm is operational. It was agreed that the monies should be split equally between the three Councils and the Clerks will liase on the best way to do this.
At the Breedon quarry liaison meeting the new washing plant was discussed which shouldn’t cause any more disruption or noise as its operation will be governed by the existing rules around the quarry’s operation. The quarry manager was absent from the meeting.
Wessex Water are still working on a plan to deal with flooding at the stank although another winter has passed by. They have promised a solution over the summer months and a meeting with residents is scheduled for later this month.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
23.5.26 To RECEIVE the April play equipment inspection from ROSPA and the April assets inspection (circulated)
The Clerk’s inspection was duly noted but the ROSPA inspection has not yet been received.
24.5.26 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• Thanks were received from Wickwar Youth Centre for last month’s donation towards running costs.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
25.5.26 Nothing for this meeting.
BURIAL MATTERS
26.5.26 Nothing for this meeting.
FINANCE
27.5.26 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for March 2026. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
Bank reconciliations for all accounts as at the 31st of March 2026 were noted and signed by the Chairman
28.5.26 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 April PAYE 589.55
Staff salaries April salaries 1882.63
Sarah Quick April expenses (ink, stationary, cleaning items and hand towels) 44.67
Angie Carroll April expenses (liners and pulleys for Town Hall hanging baskets) 44.24
BT April broadband 39.54
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 114.42
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.95
Octopus Energy Town Hall April 45.02
Octopus Energy Pavilion April 59.23
PWLB Loan repayment 968.00
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting contract, cemetery and KGV (includes £65.62 not invoiced last month) 743.98
South Gloucestershire Council Pavilion rates installment 2 of 2 66.00
EDGE IT Systems Ltd End of year bronze package 50.40
ALCA ALCA and NALC membership subscriptions 643.48
ICCM Annual membership fee 110.00
Cloud Next Limited Annual renewal of website hosting 119.98
Clear Councils Ltd Annual insurance premium (hirer’s liability now included) 2572.46
Tony Gardner Property Maintenance Supply and fitting of youth club tap along with secure protector box 254.00
Wickwar Youth Centre Grant agreed at April meeting 4000.00
Wickwar Entertainment Committee Grant agreed at April meeting 500.00
Paid between meetings using delegated powers:
SK Cleaning & Housekeeping Pavilion clean 59.50
29.5.26 To REVIEW the bank account mandates
Signatories on the Unity Trust account are Councillors Isaac, Carroll, Jones and Houghton.
Signatories on the Redwood account are Councillors Isaac and Carroll.
The Clerk has the authority to view accounts and set up payments but not to approve them and can transfer monies from the Redwood account but only to the Unity current account.
The following direct debits are set up and were APPROVED to continue:
Direct Debit Frequency End Date Amount
Water Business (Pavilion) Quarterly No end date Variable based on usage
Water Business (Park Field trough) Quarterly No end date Variable based on usage
Water Business (Town Hall) Quarterly No end date Variable based on usage
Octopus Energy (Pavilion) Monthly Fixed contract until October 2026 Variable based on usage
Octopus Energy (Town Hall) Monthly Fixed contract until October 2026 Variable based on usage
Tesco Mobile (Clerk’s phone) Monthly Rolling monthly contract from £7.95 with unlimited calls
BT Broadband Monthly £32.95
NEST pensions (Clerk’s pension) Monthly No end date Confidential
South Gloucestershire Council (Business Rates for pavilion) April May No end date £132.00
Public Works Loan Board (loan for WPFA field) 01 May 01 November £8,000 remains £968.00
ICO (Information Commissioners Office) registration Annually No end date £40
30.5.26 To REVIEW the Council’s and/or staff subscriptions to other bodies (See Agenda Report)
• ALCA (Avon Local Councils Association including NALC)
• GPFA (Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association)
• ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management)
All subscriptions to remain in place
31.5.26 To REVIEW the Council’s expenditure incurred under s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the financial year 2025/26 and to NOTE the s.137 limit for 2026/27 (See Agenda Report)
The Parish Council spent £5,950 on section 137 transactions for the 2025/26 financial year. Against a limit of £10,023.30.
The limit for 2026/27 has been set at £11.60 per elector. For Wickwar this will be 907 therefore a total of £10,521.20.
32.5.26 To REVIEW the Council’s expenditure of CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) for the financial year 2025/26 and note the amount of unspent CIL (See Agenda Report)
CIL spending for the financial year 2026/26 was £1,125 on security gates for the rear of the pavilion and £7,300 on cemetery extension survey work.
With a balance of £3,934.05 remaining at the end of the 2024/25 financial year this means that all of the CIL monies are now spent.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
33.5.26 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.45pm.