Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 2nd December 2020, via ZOOM, commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor C Maidment
Councillor G Fielding (left the meeting early)
Councillor A Pennington
Ward Councillor and Councillor P Trull (left the meeting early)
Apologies:
Councillor M Harris
Clerk:
Mrs R Davis
Public time (20 minutes)
A member of the public attended to raise concerns about items of street furniture on the Tyndale Reach multi user path which are making access difficult for horseriders, in particular the pedestrian gates. They also mentioned that on recycling collection day (Thursdays) boxes are placed on the path making access very difficult. It was also requested that if the Parish Council voted to submit an application to the South Gloucestershire Council Local Transport Priority List for a cycle route between Wickwar and Chipping Sodbury (item 7.6), that the route should also be for use by horseriders.
Representatives from Crest Nicholson attended the meeting to present a proposal to build 150 new homes on land to the east of Inglestone Road. The presenters explained that a public consultation will take place prior to the submission of an outline planning application. The consultation will be carried out via an online survey, a website, and leaflets that will be delivered to all affected houses, with a number to call to request information in hard copy. The consultation will take place from 10th December 2020 to 22nd January 2021. The project team plans to report back to the Parish Council meeting on 3rd February 2021 following the end of the consultation, and an outline planning application will be submitted to South Gloucestershire Council in February 2021.
The Chairman reminded the presenters and members of the public present that any comments made by the Council at the meeting should not be taken as an indication of support or otherwise for the proposals. Furthermore, he explained that the Council can only agree comments once a planning application has been received, at a Council meeting that is open to the public.
Councillors raised the fact that the village has no shop and that there is a need for affordable housing. One Councillor asked about the plans for drainage and pointed out that there are a number of existing drainage channels in the field.
1.12.20 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Councillor Harris sent apologies as he has moved away from the Parish.
2.12.20 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None.
3.12.20 To AGREE whether the minutes of the last meeting should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 4th November 2020. They were duly signed onscreen (to be signed in hard copy after the meeting).
4.12.20 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
No items required the public to be excluded.
5.12.20 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions
5.1.12.20 P20/17664/TCA Maple House Station Road Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NB DESCRIPTION: Works to no.1 Horse Chestnut to remove large branch, works to no.3 Leylandi to reduce height by half Situated in the Wickwar Conservation Area. No objection
5.2.12.20 P20/17519/FLand At Arnoldsfield Trading Estate The Downs Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8JB: Erection of single storey storage building (Class B8). Approve with Conditions.
5.3.12.20 P20/16181/F Hall End Cottage Hall End Lane Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8PD: Erection of garden gazebo. Approve with conditions.
6.12.20 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting.
6.1.12.20 P20/14123/F 38 Station Road Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NB: Erection of semi detached dwelling and associated works.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to object to the application on the grounds of the loss of privacy for the immediate neighbour and poor access at the rear of the property.
6.2.12.20 P20/21808/F Little Shortwood Farm Wickwar Road Yate South Gloucestershire BS37 6PA: Conversion of existing stable building to form annex ancillary to the main dwelling.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
6.3.12.20 P20/22215/CLP Ladyswood Mapleridge Lane Yate South Gloucestershire BS37 6PW: Erection of outbuilding for storage.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
6.4.12.20 P20/22520/F The Piggery Bristol Road Cromhall South Gloucestershire GL12 8BA: Creation of vehicular access onto (Class B) classified highway and installation of 1.8m security gates.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to support the application and make the following comment: Wickwar Parish Council supports this application on the grounds that it improves the safety of the entrance.
6.5.12.20 P20/22324/TCA The Coach House Back Lane Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NN: Works to crown reduce 1no Eucalyptus (T1) to leave a finished height of 15m and a radial spread of 10m. Situated in the Wickwar Conservation Area.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
6.6.12.20 P20/22826/LB 39B High Street Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NP: External alterations to remove and replace the rear extension roof.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
7.12.20 Items for CONSIDERATION and DECISION
7.1.12.20 To APPROVE the Wickwar Parish Council Action Plan 2020 – 25.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Wickwar Parish Council Action Plan 2020 – 25 appended to the minutes.
7.2.12.20 To CONSIDER and give feedback on the draft risk assessments for the closed and open cemeteries. Take a DECISION on immediate actions required.
The Clerk reported that she would contact the Conservation Officer at South Gloucestershire Council to request advice about whether the ivy could/ should be removed from the walls surrounding the closed churchyard (which are privately owned) and the open cemetery (Parish Council owned). She will report back and update the risk assessment for approval at a meeting in the new year.
7.4.12.20 To CONISDER and take a DECISION on the ownership and responsibility for future maintenance of the speed bumps on the King George V playing field access road.
The Clerk reported that the Council’s insurer has advised donating the speed bumps to Wickwar Playing Fields Association (WPFA) as the custodian/owner of the access road, so that they can be added to its insurance. The Clerk will contact WPFA and report back to a meeting in the new year. Councillors suggested that the Parish Council offers to cover future maintenance costs as part of the donation.
7.4.12.21 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on actions required in response to post 2nd December 2020 COVID-19 tier restrictions.
The Clerk updated the Council on the actions that had been taken in response to the introduction of Tier 3 restrictions. No further decisions were required.
7.5.12.20 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on four proposed bench locations for consultation.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to obtain estimates for installing two benches on Parish Council land (at the playing field and the cemetery) and to consult with residents about the four proposed locations for benches on South Gloucestershire Council land: outside the Town Hall; on the Burleigh Way green; on the grass verge at the junction of Inglestone Road/ Sodbury Road; and on the Cotswold View green.
7.6.12.20 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on a proposal to apply to the South Gloucestershire Council Local Transport Priority List for a Wickwar – Chipping Sodbury cycle route.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Cllr Maidment should prepare an application to the South Gloucestershire Council Local Transport Priority List for a Wickwar – Chipping Sodbury cycle route.
Cllr Trull agreed to support the application as Ward Councillor.
7.7.12.20 To CONISDER a proposal for a permanent display board for the Wickwar Nature & Remembrance Trails outside the Town Hall, and possibly other locations.
Councillors suggested that the side of the Town Hall building would be a suitable location for either a permanent display board or a cabinet which would allow for maps to be changed periodically. The Clerk will obtain an estimate for a permanent board to give an indication of likely cost, and present this to a meeting in the new year.
7.8.12.20 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on a proposal to write to South Gloucestershire Council to request that the Wickwar Traffic Calming proposals are progressed to formal consultation as quickly as possible.
Councillor Maidment offered to draft a letter to the local MP to request that traffic calming proposals are progressed to the formal consultation phase as quickly as possible. This will be shared with the Council.
7.9.12.20 To CONSIDER whether the Tyndale Reach adopted multi-user path is suitable for horse-riders and take a DECISION on how to address any concerns identified.
The Clerk reported that concerns about the position and suitability of the pedestrian gates, and access restrictions caused by recycling collections on Thursdays had been passed to the PROW Officer. She was due to visit the site, make contact with the Development Team to investigate the structure of the path, and contact the Waste Team to discuss the arrangements for collecting waste from the path. No feedback had been received from the PROW Officer before the meeting. The Clerk will make contact and feedback at the next meeting.
7.10.12.20 To CONSIDER and APPROVE reviewing the online mapping provided by The Ramblers to determine whether there are historic rights of way in Wickwar Parish that should be reinstated/registered before 2026, by means of a working party. (To include consideration of the permissive path between the Royal Observation Corp (ROC) hut and the King George V Playing Field).
A member of the public explained that the path from the ROC hut to the King George V Playing Field had been a right of way for many years, so should be put forward for registration under this scheme. Councillors felt that the Wickwar Environmental Action Group should be involved in this work. The Clerk will contact the group and feedback the response to the Council.
Councillor Trull and Councillor Fielding left the meeting.
8.12.20 To NOTE the playground inspections for July, August, September, October and November 2020.
The inspections for July – October were noted, but the November inspection will be circulated at the next meeting.
9.12.20 To NOTE progress with CDS (formerly Cemetery Development Services) preliminary risk assessment of Park Field site for a potential cemetery extension.
The Clerk reported that a preliminary risk assessment of Park Field had been requested from CDS and that this was due to be completed by Christmas 2020.
10.12.20 To NOTE the outcome of a request to South Gloucestershire Council to protect with Tree Preservation Orders, a number of trees on land for sale in the parish.
Cllr Carroll confirmed that South Gloucestershire Council will undertake a survey of three trees on land behind the Buthay Lane, and the take a decision in the new year about whether to grant Tree Preservation Orders for any/ all of them.
11.12.20 To NOTE the launch of the Wickwar Parish Council Communications Survey (deadline 31st December 2020) https://forms.gle/yfiXpjjeE7QJHEbG6
Noted.
12.12.20 To NOTE the REMR Community Resilience Grant application deadline of 31st December 2020.
Noted.
13.12.20 To NOTE correspondence from South Gloucestershire Council regarding Special Expenses by parish for 2021/22 Council Tax (and beyond).
The Clerk reported that she had requested a breakdown from South Gloucestershire Council of the Special Expenses charged to Wickwar.
14.12.20 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
Received.
The Council noted that the Chairman had received a letter of resignation from Councillor M Harris who has very recently moved away from the area. The Clerk reported that she had contacted Democratic Services at South Gloucestershire Council and the casual vacancy notice will be published after the Christmas break. The Chairman thanked Councillor Harris on behalf of the Council, for his service.
15.12.20 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on an application from Wickwar Environmental Action Group for information boards for the Wickwar Playing Fields Conservation Area and Royal Observation Corp (ROC) hut – £500.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to award a grant of £500 to Wickwar Environmental Action Group towards the total cost of information boards, with the remainder being raised via other grant applications.
16.12.20 To APPROVE a transfer IRO plot 415 from FINLINSON to CUTBILL and SIGN the replacement ERB form.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the transfer IRO plot 415 from FINLINSON to CUTBILL. To be signed after the meeting.
17.12.20 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliation for October 2020. Chairman to sign as a true record.
Noted and signed onscreen by the Chairman.
18.12.20 To APPROVE accounts for payment and NOTE additional payments made in line with Financial Regulations. (These are listed in the attached payment schedule).
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the accounts for payment.
19.12.20 To NOTE the budget monitoring report to 31st October 2020, prepared by the Clerk. Chairman to sign as a true record.
Noted and signed onscreen by the Chairman.
20.12.20 To RECEIVE the external auditor report and certificate (Section 3 of the AGAR Part 3) for the financial year ended 31st March 2020 (circulated) and AGREE the period of time for which the notice of conclusion of audit should be available to the public.
Received. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notice of conclusion of audit should be available to the public for 30 days.
21.12.20 To REVIEW and APPROVE changes to the asset register for 2020/21.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the asset register for 2020/21.
22.12.20 To NOTE delegated approval for a tree condition report of nine trees in the open/closed cemetery to be completed by Wotton Tree Consultancy – £275.
Noted.
The meeting was closed at 9.40pm.