Wickwar Parish Council
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 1st April 2026, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Apologies:
Councillor J Jones
Councillor B Walter
Ward Councillor A Rush
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
An update was given on the overweight lorries, with some 143 being recorded in March and the grand total for 2025 being a frustrating 1779. Thankfully there is better cooperation now with our local Policing team and the recent spot check visit was successful resulting in 20 prosecutions. Further visits are planned and the team are also supportive when writing to unmarked vehicles.
Parishioners also attended regarding planning items 7.2 and 7.4 and Councillors were grateful for the opportunity to ask questions about each set of plans.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.4.26 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Jones and Walter sent their apologies along with Ward Cllrs Rush and Romaine.
2.4.26 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Parris declared an interest in item 20, as a Youth Club trustee.
3.4.26 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 4th of March 2026 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 4th of March 2026 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.4.26 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The Clerk reported that the Assertion 10 section of the AGAR will now be brought in for the next financial year end rather than this year.
5.4.26 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.4.26 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
None for this meeting.
7.4.26 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/02780/LB & P25/02779/HH – 40 High Street Wickwar. Installation of 10.no Solar panels to roof of single storey rear extension
Resolved: Supportive of installation of solar panels, they will not be visible other than from the property
7.2 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
Resolved: Supportive of the plans and the efforts to use sustainable materials
7.3 P26/00601/F – Land at Oak Tree View Wickwar Road Wickwar. Retention of existing mobile home accommodation as a permanent rural worker dwelling (Resubmission of P25/01405/F)
Resolved: No objection
7.4 P26/00647/PIP – Land to the north of Frith Lane Wickwar. Permission in principle for the erection of 1no dwelling
Resolved: Neutral response. Concerns remain around the visual impact however a precedent has been set by the recent South Glos approval of a neighbouring property
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.4.26 To CONSIDER options regarding the expiry of contracts for the Wood Yard and Village Hall defibrillators
The defibrillators purchased from SWAST in 2022 are in fact on a 4 year contract rather than an outright purchase. The cost to renew the contracts for another 4 years is £3,360 including VAT however it is thought that new defibrillators could be purchased for less than this. The contract with SWAST includes all batteries, pads, replacements if stolen and an annual training session however all of this could potentially be obtained for less than the contract renewal. The Clerk will investigate further and report back to next meeting.
9.4.26 To RECEIVE an update regarding the Rag Lane Solar Farm community grant fund
A community fund will be available once the solar farm is up and running however this is to be shared between Wickwar, Rangeworthy and Cromhall. A meeting is to be arranged with representatives from Rangeworthy and Cromhall Parish Councils to set up a mechanism to receive the monies. The Clerk and Cllrs Isaac and Ford to be involved.
10.4.26 To AGREE a list of jobs for the South Glos parish maintenance team
The parish maintenance team are due to be in Wickwar at the end of May so Councillors were requested to pass any requests for small jobs such as overgrown pathways etc. to the Clerk.
11.4.26 To NOTE the response from South Glos Council regarding the Sodbury Road speed bumps and AGREE the Parish Council’s response
Initially South Glos Council were very dismissive of Cllr Houghton’s request to urgently review the state of the speed bumps on the Sodbury Road, particularly the one by the entrance to Pennington Road, however the situation has now been escalated to the Operations and Highways Maintenance Manager and we await their response
12.4.26 To NOTE the completed risk register and updated risk assessments
Both documents were duly NOTED
13.4.26 To CONSIDER actions ahead of the Annual Parish Meeting
The Clerk will send out invitations shortly and will meet with Cllr Fielding regarding possible Good Citizen awards to be given out at the meeting
REPORTS
14.4.26 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
Neither Ward Councillor was in attendance
15.4.26 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
15.1.4.26 King George’s Field
The electric roller shutter casing was recently damaged but was fixed by Cllr Isaac for which thanks were passed on. The Clerk has been liaising with Method regarding a couple of damp patches that have been spotted in the pavilion Community Room.
Bookings for the Community Room are strong with currently more than half a dozen events in the diary.
15.2.4.26 Wickwar Community Centre
Administration of bookings is still to be taken over by Alexander Hosea Primary School with a meeting needed as soon as possible to facilitate this.
15.3.4.26 Wickwar Town Hall
Preparations are underway for the installation of hanging baskets for the Summer months. Cllr Carroll to liase with Osmonds Nursery.
15.4.4.26 Wickwar Cemetery
The first grass cut of the year has been carried out by Hathaways and looks good.
15.5.4.26 Wickwar Youth Club
Staffing issues remain with a member of staff leaving and the possibility of needing to advertise for a Youth Worker in charge. The search continues for new trustees and plans are being made for an open morning to drum up interest.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
16.4.26 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for March (circulated)
The inspection was duly noted. The annual ROSPA inspection is booked and due to take place in April.
17.4.26 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• South Glos Community Energy Network contacted the Council regarding attendance at the Annual Parish Meeting however Councillors felt that the APM is not the right place for that however if the team wish to organise a separate meeting to pass on information to parishioners then we would support. The Clerk will contact them.
• St Nicks under 12s girls team are looking for a place to train over the summer months. The Clerk will refer their request to Wickwar Wanderers.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
18.4.26 Wickwar Entertainment Committee for festival toilets
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £500 to help with the cost of the event
19.4.26 Girlguiding Bristol and South Gloucestershire for their INTOPS programme
Councillors felt like they would prefer to support the local Wickwar based unit so the request from INTOPS will be denied at this time
20.4.26 Wickwar Youth Centre for 2026/27 running costs
As per the 2026/27 budget it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £4,000 to Wickwar Youth Centre to help with their running costs
BURIAL MATTERS
21.4.26 To COMPLETE the ERB for the purchase of plot 37A at Wickwar Cemetery
The purchase of the plot was agreed and the ERB certificate duly signed by the Chairman and two Councillors.
22.4.26 To NOTE the interment of Pauline Jennings into plot 339 at Wickwar Cemetery
The interment was duly noted.
FINANCE
23.4.26 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 March PAYE 588.95
Staff salaries March salaries 1879.49
Sarah Quick March expenses – printer ink 13.49
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 February 55.17
Octopus Energy Pavilion February 60.28
South Gloucestershire Council Pavilion rates 66.60
PATA Payroll Services January to March payroll service 88.05
RO Williams & Son KGV car park hedge cutting 180.00
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting contract, cemetery and KGV 586.50
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Microsoft 365 annual fees 183.90
Paid between meetings using delegated powers:
Prestige Grounds Grass cutting and pitch maintenance for the 2025/26 season – include in 25/26 financial year 3132.00
24.4.26 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllrs Parris and Ford completed a random check of recent invoices, ensuring that they had been properly authorized and finding the transactions on the bank statement and bank reconciliation.
25.4.26 To NOTE the increase to the National Living Wage for the clock winder from the 1st of April.
The rise to the rate of pay was duly NOTED.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
26.4.26 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.50pm.