Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
Please note that these minutes are draft until approved at a subsequent meeting of the Council
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac (Chairman)
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor B Walter
Councillor J Jones
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Apologies:
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A parishioner attended to present figures relating to overweight lorries passing through the village. Unfortunately, May 2026 saw a higher number than 2025, 158 this year compared to 115 last year. 110 of those passing through in May 2026 were single companies which represents a huge task to contact all of them. The work to contact hauliers has resulted in a lower number of repeat offenders however the volume of different companies means that numbers just aren’t falling. The Parish Council will continue to follow this up with South Glos Council.
It was noted that the old telephone box is being used as a book exchange however it is not watertight. The Clerk will make enquiries as to how maintenance may be carried out.
Cllr Isaac stated that he does not intend to stand as Chairman from May 2027, whilst remaining as a Councillor he feels that it is time for another Councillor to chair.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.6.26 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Ward Cllrs Rush and Romaine sent their apologies
2.6.26 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None for this meeting.
3.6.26 To AGREE whether the minutes from the annual meeting of the Parish Council held on the 6th of May 2026 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2026 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.6.26 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Nothing for this meeting
5.6.26 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required
PLANNING
6.6.26 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P25/02505/HH – 4 Back Lane Wickwar. Erection of a two storey and a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.2 P25/02780/LB & P25/02779/HH – 40 High Street Wickwar. Installation of 10.no Solar panels to roof of single storey rear extension Decision: Refusal
6.3 P26/00647/PIP – Land to the North of Frith Lane Wickwar. Permission in principle for the erection of 1no dwelling. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.4 P25/01843/F – Littlewood Park Mapleridge Lane. Creation of 10no. additional caravan plots (part retrospective). Decision: Approve with conditions
7.6.26 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 7.1 P26/01078/TCA – Hill Cottage West End Wickwar. Works to 1no Ash Tree (T5) to crown reduce by 6m. Works to 1no Ash Tree (T1) to crown reduce by 4m. Works to 1no Oak Tree to pollard whole tree at secondary forks at 9-10 m height all within Wickwar Conservation Area.
Resolved: To defer to the Tree Officers from South Gloucestershire Council however the tree report submitted suggests that the works are all necessary
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.6.26 To APPROVE the agreement between Wickwar, Cromhall and Rangeworthy Parish Councils regarding the Rag Lane Solar Farm Community Liason Fund.
The agreement that has been drafted between the three Parish Councils was reviewed and APPROVED with the Chairman adding his signature. The Clerk will circulate the copy signed by all three Councils.
9.6.26 To DISCUSS the siting of a composting bin and dog bin at the Holy Trinity Church car park
It was agreed that a compost bin at the car park would be very useful and could potentially be used instead of the green bin for which a subscription is now paid. Cllr Jones offered an unused compost bin free of charge.
Regarding a dog bin the black bin is usually used for dog poo and signs have been placed on the bins to highlight this. The situation will be monitored to see if a separate bin is necessary.
10.6.26 To CONSIDER the purchase of road signs for the lane to King George’s Field
Councillors are supportive of installing signs, the Clerk will report back to the next meeting with options and costings.
11.6.26 To CONSIDER the purchase of replacement defibrillators for the Wood Yard and Village Hall
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to purchase two defibrillators and with cabinets from London Hearts at a cost of £950 plus VAT each. The clerk will liase with South West Ambulance Service regarding the removal of their units.
12.6.26 To CONSIDER the findings from the recent ROSPA play equipment inspection and AGREE to replace the roundabout bearings
The ROSPA report was duly noted, there is a small list of minor jobs to attend to which the Clerk will review.
13.6.26 To DISCUSS the hire fees for the Pavilion and Town Hall
It was agreed to keep the hire rate at £10 per hour for pavilion hire. The room has been popular with plenty of bookings for parties and family gatherings.
At the moment no fees have been charged to the Jigsaw club or Community Hub Café for Town Hall hire as these groups are to be encouraged along with other village group meetings.
14.6.26 To RECEIVE an update following the recent meeting with Wessex Water regarding flooding at the stank
Following the meeting a way forward is being worked on with the adjacent landowner. The plan being to install a catchment chamber to prevent silt from working it’s way into the culvert. In addition the drains will also be flushed and a camera put down to check for any other issues.
15.6.26 To DISCUSS the Community Rooms committee situation and to CONSIDER remaining funds
As reported at the last meeting there has been a flood at the Community Rooms and this has delayed the transition to the school looking after bookings as the regular hirers have all had to relocate. The committee’s treasurer has also now resigned. The aim is still for the school to take over responsibility for the out of hours bookings. There is a balance of some £11K remaining in the Community Centre bank account which would be transferred to the Parish Council to be ringfenced for future repairs/projects relating to the premises.
REPORTS
16.6.26 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillors.
Neither Ward Councillor was present.
17.6.26 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
17.1.6.26 King George’s Field
The football season has now ended and an end of season clean will be arranged. Correspondence has been received from the football club, covered in minute 20.
17.2.6.26 Wickwar Community Centre
See item 15.
17.3.6.26 Wickwar Town Hall
The hanging baskets are up and are looking good already, thanks to Cllrs Isaac and Carroll. Watering is in hand.
17.4.6.26 Wickwar Village Hall
The AGM has recently been held and the current committee are staying on which is good news. Works are currently taking place to repaint the soffits etc. and to check for any roof repairs.
17.5.6.26 Wickwar Cemetery
Nothing to report at this meeting.
17.6.6.25 Wickwar Youth Club
An advert has been put out for a new Youth Worker in Charge. The rest of the staff are staying on and two are keen to do their level 3 trainings. Numbers of young people are steady although the current year 6 group is a small year. Cllr Parris is to step down as Chair of the trustees in September. An open morning is planned for June.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
18.6.26 To RECEIVE the play equipment inspection for May (circulated)
The inspection was noted.
19.6.26 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received
• A near neighbour of the primary school had written to the school and copied in the Parish Council regarding the insensitive parking of many of the school parents. This was particularly bad during the recent sports day. The school have apologised and agreed to write to parents.
• Wickwar Wanderers football club wrote to thank the current Councillors for their support and to request discussions re possible future promotion and requirements for the field.
• A parishioner has written regarding their vulnerable daughter and her social housing. Whilst the Parish Council has no responsibility for social care the Clerk will forward the request to Ward Cllr Romaine to be taken up with South Gloucestershire Council.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
20.6.26 Wickwar Brownies for outdoor games equipment
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to give a grant of £200.00 to the Brownies towards the items needed.
21.6.26 WEAG for plants for the Sodbury Road planter
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to give a grant of £50.00 to WEAG to purchase the items needed.
BURIAL MATTERS
22.6.26 To note the burial of Beryl Bennett into plot 22A at Wickwar Cemetery
The burial was duly noted.
Finance
23.6.26 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliation for April 2026. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
Due to the extra audit work undertaken the Clerk has not yet completed the April bank reconciliations.
24.6.26 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 May PAYE 589.55
Staff salaries May salaries 1882.63
Sarah Quick May expenses – printer ink and paper. Refreshments for Annual Parish Meeting 41.69
Octopus Energy Town Hall May 40.97
Octopus Energy Pavilion May 54.23
BT May broadband 39.54
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.95
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 114.42
Hathaways Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting per contract 665.24
Anthony Jay Internal Audit 2025/26 150.00
Cloud Next Limited gov.uk domain hosting 60.00
ROSPA Play Safety Annual play area inspection 152.40
25.6.26 To REVIEW and APPROVE the end of year accounts for 2025/26.
The end of year accounts for the financial year 2025/26 were duly noted
26.6.26 To CONSIDER the Council’s reserves position at the end of the 25/26 financial year to include earmarked reserves
As at the 31st of March 2026 the Parish Council’s reserves position was as follows:
General reserve £50,767.79
Play area improvements £9,337.40
Cemetery extension £10,000
Burial Ground wall repair fund £2,270
Total £72,375.19
27.6.26 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the Annual Internal Audit Report and report from the Internal Auditor for 2025/26. (Circulated)
The contents of the internal auditor’s report were noted
28.6.26 To REVIEW and APPROVE the Annual Governance Statement for the year 2025/26 (Section 1). Chairman to sign.
The Annual Governance Statement was approved and duly signed by the Chairman
29.6.26 To REVIEW and APPROVE the Accounting Statement for 2025/26. (Section 2). Chairman and Clerk to sign.
The Accounting Statement was approved and duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk
30.6.26 To REVIEW and APPROVE supporting documentation to be supplied to the external auditor – (i) explanation of variances and (ii) explanation for NO responses.
The supporting documentation was viewed and duly noted
31.6.26 To NOTE the dates of the Notice of Public Rights
The dates of the Notice of Public Rights were duly noted, being from Thursday the 4th of June to Wednesday the 15th of July 2026. The Clerk will post on the Town Hall noticeboard and on the website.
32.6.26 To CONFIRM that there is no conflict of interest regarding the Council’s external auditors BDO
Councillors confirmed that they have no conflict of interest regarding the appointment of BDO to undertake the Council’s external audit.
33.6.26 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllrs Parris and Ford completed a random check of the bank accounts and bank reconciliations, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices.
Items for the next agenda
34.6.26 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.40pm.