Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 10th January 2024, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
The owners of Oxwick Farm attended to present the findings of their questionnaire carried out following last year’s festival season. 164 people completed the feedback survey with the majority being positive about the events but requesting assurances about noise, licensing and finishing times. The main problem with the 2023 year was one particular festival which did not adhere to the terms of their license or the management plan that they submitted to South Glos Council. They will not be returning and future events will be more spread out.
The Parish Council accepts that the particular festival was an isolated event and remains supportive of future events if they are open to parishioners and the organisers are mindful of people living nearby.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.1.24 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllr Fielding sent his apologies.
2.1.24 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None for this meeting.
3.1.24 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 6th of December 2023 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 6th of December 2023 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.1.24 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The Clerk raised the South Glos Local Plan and enquired as to the Council’s response. Details are covered in the Ward Councillors report.
5.1.24 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.1.24 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P23/03027/HH – 38 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Demolition of existing boundary wall. Alteration to access and erection of new boundary wall. Erection of single storey rear extension. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.2 P23/02849/F– Castle Mews Sodbury Road Wickwar. Subdivision of existing domestic building to form two self contained dwellings (retrospective). Decision: Approve with conditions
6.3 P23/02997/LB– School Yard Cottage 2A High Street Wickwar. External alterations to replace 3no. single glazed timber windows with bespoke, matching double glazed timber windows. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.4 P23/03081/PNGR – ‘Cow Shed’ At Barbers Court Farm West End Wickwar. Prior notification of a change of use from agricultural building to 1 no. residential dwelling (Class C3) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to include operational development. Decision: Refusal prior approval
6.5 P23/03080/PNGR – ‘Central Barn’ At Barbers Court Farm West End Wickwar. Prior notification of a change of use from agricultural building to 1 no. residential dwelling (Class C3) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to include operational development. Decision: Refusal prior approval
6.6 P23/03057/RVC – Boarding Kennels The Chase Mapleridge Lane. Removal of condition 2 attached to permission P.388, to allow the use of the dwelling unrestricted by agricultural occupancy condition. Erection for farm house and agricultural buildings. Vehicular access. Decision: Approve
7.1.24 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P23/03339/HH – Half Acre Lodge Tanhouse Lane Yate. Erection of a detached outbuilding to form double garage with store above
Resolved: No objection although concerns about the size of the building to be raised
7.2 P23/03435/CLLB – 73 High Street Wickwar. The removal of two height extensions to rear boundary wall, clean and replace coping stones and return wall to it’s original height
Resolved: Support
7.3 P23/03504/HH – Lavender Edge 144 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Erection of a two storey side and single storey rear extension to form carport and additional living accommodation
Resolved: Object on the grounds that the new extension will be very close to neighbouring properties and is large in comparison to the footprint of the plot
7.4 P24/00005/HH- 111 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Erection of a Single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation
Resolved: No objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.1.24 To Co-opt Deborah Donnelly to the vacancy of Parish Councillor
Deborah Donnelly sent her apologies and no longer wishes to take up the post of Parish Councillor. The Clerk will therefore offer the position to Scott Williams who previously applied as the casual vacancy is still open.
9.11.24 To AGREE attendance for all new Councillors onto the ALCA Essential Councillor Training Course
ALCA charges £40 for the Essential Councillor course, with 3 to train the Clerk will contact ALCA about the possibility of face to face training in Wickwar to include existing Councillors.
10.1.24 To CONSIDER tenders for the 2024 – 2026 Grass Cutting and Maintenance contracts
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to offer the contract for grass cutting and pitch maintenance at King George’s Field to Prestige Grounds.
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to offer the contract for the open and closed cemeteries and the play area at King George’s Field to Hathaway Gardenscapes.
11.1.24 To DISCUSS cutting of the hedges and verges along the Bellway estate
Both the Bellway management company and South Gloucestershire Council are reluctant to cut the hedges and in particular the verges along the estate however the overgrown verges can make it hard to see when pulling out onto the Sodbury Road. Cllr Houghton agreed to feed back South Glos Council’s reluctance to the Bellway management company and will report back to the next meeting.
REPORTS
12.1.24 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
South Gloucestershire Council’s Local Plan has now reached phase 3 of it’s implementation. The plan states that no further housing should be built in Wickwar and the Parish Council and parishioners should show their support if they agree with this.
There is a drop in session on the 30th of January which the Clerk will attend with another Councillor to clarify next steps.
Ward Councillors were also questioned about Wickwar’s Traffic Management Scheme which was approved last February but has never been implemented. The Scheme would include a crossing by the Youth Club and speed bumps along Station Road. Ward Cllr Romaine advised to contact Mark King at South Glos Council.
13.1.24 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
13.1.1.24 King George’s Field
A separate meeting of the King George’s Field trustees was scheduled to follow the Council meeting.
Cllr Carroll requested that tree guards be purchased for the two young trees in the play area and will get quotations for next meeting.
13.2.1.24 Wickwar Community Centre
An alternative plumber is being sought due to issues with the current work.
13.3.1.24 Wickwar Town Hall
Everyone has been informed and are still working towards a start date of the 4th of March for the downstairs refurbishment.
The Clerk to investigate the West of England Rural Grant scheme to see if the project is eligible. Also to investigate other sources of funding and if there is a company or person who can help with future grant funding.
The broadband service has been switched to BT following PlusNet no longer offering business services. The transition to BT went smoothly and the new router is up and running with faster speeds.
13.4.1.24 Wickwar Cemetery
A block plan has been produced by CDS and some feedback was given which the Clerk will pass on.
13.5.1.43 Wickwar Youth Club
The trustees are currently waiting on a funding decision about next year, the outcome of which may determine whether the second weekly session for Juniors can continue.
The club was also sad to receive the news that one of the youthworkers, Marcus, will be leaving as he has been an asset to the club over the past 3 years and will be sorely missed.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
14.1.24 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for December (circulated)
The inspections were noted.
15.1.24 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• The Parish Council received a letter of thanks from the Parish Church of Wickwar following the grant given to support the fireworks display in November. The proceeds of the display were the best ever and go towards the upkeep and running costs of the church.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
16.1.24 Yate Heritage Centre for school holiday workshop sessions
Following confirmation that Alexander Hosea primary school are able to borrow resources from the Heritage Centre it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a small grant of £275 to help with the costs of school holiday workshops during 2024.
BURIAL MATTERS
17.1.24 None for this meeting
FINANCE
18.1.24 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for November and December 2023. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 30th of November and the 31st of December 2023 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
19.1.24 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 December PAYE 542.05
Staff salaries December salaries 1695.63
Sarah Quick December expenses (printer ink and a replacement padlock) 23.81
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Band increase to accommodate s106 monies 20.40
Octopus Energy Pavilion December 69.93
Octopus Energy Town Hall December 101.99
BT December broadband (connection on the 15th) 11.35
PlusNet December broadband refund -12.54
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 104.91
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
The CDS Group RIBA stage 1 landscape design and pre planning work 1920.00
The CDS Group RIBA stage 1 topographical survey 1560.00
PATA payroll Payroll service including back pay calculation 67.15
Merediths Town Hall Christmas Trees 150.00
ICCM Clerk Training – Gardens of Remembrance 102.00
Chappell & Dix Pavilion project – valuation 1 73636.80
20.1.24 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed budget for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2024/25. (Circulated).
The proposed budget was reviewed in detail along with the current financial year’s position. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to approve the proposed budget for the financial year 2024/25.
21.1.24 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed precept demand for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2024/25 – £60,609 notification to South Gloucestershire Council to be signed. (Circulated).
Further to the budget proposal it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to submit the precept demand for £60,609 to South Gloucestershire Council and the precept request form was duly signed by the Chairman.
22.1.24 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllr Parris completed a random check of the bank account and bank reconciliation, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
23.1.24 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.30pm.