Minutes 06-10-2021
Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 6th October 2021 at Wickwar Town Hall, High Street, Wickwar, commencing at 7pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac (Chairman)
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Ward Councillor and Councillor P Trull
Apologies:
Councillor A Pennington
Clerk:
Mrs R Davis
Public time (Duration 20 minutes maximum)
Two members of the public attended.
One member of the public spoke about research he had undertaken into whether Wickwar railway station could be reopened to serve the growing population and what the process would be.
1.10.21 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Councillor Pennington sent his apologies.
2.10.21 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Members are reminded to declare any interest on any item on this Agenda at this point or at any point during the meeting in accordance with Wickwar Parish Council’s Code of Conduct.
Councillor Isaac declared a (non-disclosable) pecuniary interest in item 7.1 (Bloor Homes development proposal, minute 7.1.10.21). In accordance with Wickwar Parish Council’s Code of Conduct he left the room for the duration of the item.
3.10.21 To AGREE whether the minutes from the ordinary meeting held on 1st September 2021 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 1st September 2021. They were duly signed.
4.10.21 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None.
Planning
5.10.21 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions
Noted.
5.1. 10.21 P21/05174/F Westend Grove West End Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8L: Demolition of existing single storey swimming pool extension. Erection of single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. Approve with Conditions.
5.2.10.21 P21/04121/F 7 Isaac Close Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8FA: Erection of single storey side/rear extension to provide additional living accommodation. Approve with Conditions.
5.3.10.21 P21/04847/F Land At Hunters Hall Bristol Road Cromhall South Gloucestershire GL12 8BA: Change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian (Sui Generis) and erection of 1 no. relocated stable block. Approve with Conditions.
5.4.10.21 P21/05247/F 5 Turnpike Gate Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8ND DESCRIPTION: Erection of front porch and associated works. Approve with Conditions.
5.5.10.21 P21/01981/LB 4 High Street Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NE: Application to retain the works carried out to erect a single storey rear porch. Erection of out-building to form of lean-to WC/ garden shed and reinstatement of garden wall. Approve with Conditions.
5.6.10.21 P21/01982/F 4 High Street Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NE: Erection of single storey rear porch. Erection of out-building to form lean-to WC/garden shed and reinstatement of garden wall (Retrospective). Approve with Conditions.
6.10.21 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting.
6.1.10.21 P21/06147/TCA Stable Cottage West End Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8JZ: Works to 1 no. Horse Chestnut tree as per the attached schedule of works received by the council on 14th September 2021. Tree situated within the Wickwar conservation area.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
6.2.10.21 P21/06042/TCA 3 High Street Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NE: Works to trees as per the attached proposed schedule of works (section 5 of application form) submitted to the council on 8th September 2021. All trees situated within the Wickwar conservation area.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
6.3.10.21 P21/06231/F The Old School House 1 – 3 Station Road Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NB: Erection of a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to object to the application on the grounds that the proposed extension, which falls within the Wickwar Conservation Area, is not in keeping with the Victorian building and the surrounding buildings. It will be visible from the Downs Road and the nearby public footpath, negatively impacting visual amenity.
6.4.10.21 P21/06225/TCA Ywurri 45 High Street Wickwar South Gloucestershire GL12 8NP: Works to fell 1 no. Thuja tree, crown reduce 1 no. Laburnum to leave a height of 4m and a radial spread of 3m and crown reduce 1 no. Poplar to leave a height of 9m and a radial spread of 5m all situated within the Wickwar Conservation Area
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a neutral response.
Items for decision
7.10.21 Items for CONSIDERATION and DECISION
7.1.10.21 To CONSIDER and AGREE a list of written questions to submit to Bloor Homes, who are proposing a development of 180 house on land to the west of Sodbury Road.
Councillor Isaac declared an interest in this item. He left the room foor the duration of the item, in accordance with Wickwar Parish Council’s Code of Conduct. In his absence Vice Chairman Councillor Fielding chaired the item.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to submit a list of questions (attached at appendix 1) to Bloor Homes, regarding the proposed development on land to the west of Sodbury Road.
Councillor Isaac returned to the meeting after the item and resumed chairing the meeting.
7.2.10.21 To NOTE that the Park Field (off Church Lane) grazing agreement ends on 31st October 2021 and to CONSIDER and take a DECISION on maintenance actions required.
Noted. The decision on the maintenance work required was deferred to the December meeting.
7.3.10.21 To APPROVE an estimate for hedge cutting at King George’s Field (to include the allotments hedge) and Park Field, to be carried out after 31st October 2021.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the estimate from R.O. Williams and Son for five hours across both sites, at £38 per hour (£166 in total).
7.4.10.21 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on a proposal to install a dog bin close to the entrance of the multi user path on the Tyndale Reach Estate, Sodbury Road.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to instruct South Gloucestershire Council to install a dual use bin on the corner of Poplar Lane/ Sodbury Road at a cost of £473.25. It was further RESOLVED to use Community Infrastructure Levy funding to fund the installation and empytimg costs for the next five years (in line with advice from South Gloucestershire Council.)
7.5.10.21 To NOTE the number of unreserved cremation plots in the cemetery and take a DECISION on whether to suspend pre-purchasing of cremation plots.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to suspend pre-purchasing of cremation and burial plots at Wickwar Cemetery, effective immediately. It was further RESOLVED to review the decision after 12 months once the suitability of the neighbouring field for a cemetery extension is understood.
7.6.10.21 To APPROVE a draft application to South Gloucestershire Council to install one bench on the Burleigh Way/ Amberley Way green and one bench on the Inglestone Road/ Sodbury Road junction verge.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve an application to South Gloucestershire Council to install two benches on the Burleigh Way/ Amberley Way green (although one bench will be installed initially) and one bench on the Inglestone Road/ Sodbury Road junction verge.
7.7.10.21 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on an estimate to install the two benches described in item 7.6 and APPROVE use of CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the estimate from Tony Gardner Property Maintenance to fit two benches plus slabs in front, at a cost of £150 per bench (£300 in total). Additional expenditure of £60 per bench for materials was also agreed and the ue of Community Infrastructure Levy funding was approved.
7.8.10.21 To APPROVE a proposal to install a bench outside the Town Hall and to CONSIDER and take a DECISION on an estimate for the bench. APPROVE use of CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to purchase a bench, up to a maximum cost of £300, to be installed outside the Town Hall. It was further RESOLVED to purchase the bench using Community Infrastructure Levy funding.
7.9.10.21 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on whether to install an additional power circuit in the pavilion for use during outdoor events and take a DECISION on the estimate provided.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept an estimate from Active Electrical for £283 (excl VAT) to install an additional power circuit in the pavilion for use during outdoor events. It was further RESOLVED to ask the contractor if a double socket could be fitted and to fund the work from Community Infrastructure Levy funding.
7.10.10.21 To CONSIDER and take a DECISION on consulting the community about whether a neighbourhood plan is wanted and to request volunteers.
Councillor Fielding volunteered to draft a vision for the future development of Wickwar for the Council to consider. A decision on consulting the community about whether a neighbourhood plan is wanted and to request volunteers, was deferred to allow the Council time to consider the vision document.
7.11.10.21 To CONSIDER and AGREE the distribution arrangements for the 150 copies of the ‘Lest we Forget’ heritage book of war diaries, which was part-funded with a £500 grant from the Council.
The Clerk reported that around 20 copies have been kept by Yate Heritage Centre to sell there. The Clerk will arrange and advertise a number of slots when residents can purchase the book from the Town Hall, manned by Councillors. The Clerk will contact the Rangeworthy Clerk to arrange a sale location there. Payment will be taken as cash or cheque made payable to Yate and District Heritage Centre Trust. All sale proceeds will be paid to the Heritage Centre to fund either a second print run depending upon demand for the book, or other projects.
Items for information only
8.10.21 To NOTE the playground inspection for August and September 2021.
Noted.
9.10.21 To NOTE the cemetery inspection for September 2021.
Deferred to a future meeting.
10.10.21 To NOTE the resignation of Councillor Colin Maidment and NOTE the outcome of the public notice of a Casual Vacancy published on 15th September 2021.
Noted. The outcome of the public notice was not known at the time of the meeting. The Chairman thanked the retiring councillor (who was in attendance) for his service on behalf of the Council and the residents of Wickwar.
11.10.21 To RECEIVE an update following the Cotswold Edge Community Engagement Forum meeting 01/07/21 (deferred from previous meeting) – verbal.
A brief update was received.
12.10.21 To RECEIVE an update on progress with obtaining quotations for a ground water risk assessment for a potential cemetery extension into Park Field.
The Clerk gave an update and will bring three quotations to the next meeting for consideration.
13.10.21 To RECEIVE an update on the cedar tree adjacent to the open cemetery which requires further inspection work. (As per Tree Condition Report conducted Nov 2020).
Councillor Carroll informed the Council that further specialist inspection work had been carried out by South Gloucestershire Council’s contractor. Following the inspection South Gloucesterhsire Council will schedule some safety work to extend the life of the tree, but it will not need to be felled. The Council will be informed before the work is carried out so that residents can be notifed.
14.10.21 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received (list available at the meeting)
Received.
Reports
15.10.21 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillor
The Ward Councillor gave a brief update and confirmed that she has passed the suggestion regarding reopening Wickwar railway station to a colleague to raise at the next appropriate WECA (West of England Combined Auhtority) meeting.
16.10.21 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
16.1.10.21 King George’s Field
Councillor Carroll has been developing a proposal to use Community Infrastructure Levy funding to purchase additional benches, picnic tables and a litter bin for the field. Councillors will discuss it at the next Section 106 & CIL working group meeting and a proposal will be brought to the Council after that.
16.2.10.21 Wickwar Youth Club
The outside area is being renovated by Wickwar Environmental Action Group.
16.3.10.21 Wickwar Community Centre
The treasurer has resigned from the management committee and the chair is searching for a replacement. Alexander Hosea Primary School mistakenly added VAT to utility invoices it issued to the management committee over a four year period. The school has received legal advice to refund this amount to the management committee. The Chairman will attend the AGM on 12th November.
16.4.10.21 Wickwar Town Hall
A small group of councillors are consulting with builders about how to renovate the ground floor using Community Infrastructure Levy funding, to create a useable meeting space. One response has been received and two more builders are being consulted. A proposal will be brought to the Council in due course.
16.5.10.21 Wickwar Cemetery
A memorial inspection is due this year, but before commencing this the Clerk will bring a Memorial Management Policy to the Council for approval. This will be completed before the end of the year.
Requests for financial assistance
None.
Burial matters
17.10.21 To APPROVE the purchase of Exclusive Right of Burial IRO plot 31A (cremation). ERB to be signed.
Approved and ERB certificate signed.
18.10.21 To NOTE interments IRO Laker (cremation plot 31A) and IRO Williamson (cremation plot 4A).
Noted.
Finance
19.10.21 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for August 2021 and bank balances. Chairman to sign as a true record.
Noted and signed.
20.10.21 To APPROVE accounts for payment and NOTE additional payments made between meetings in line with Financial Regulations (These are listed in the attached payment schedule).
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to APPROVE accounts for payment and NOTE additional payments made in line with Financial Regulations.
21.10.21 To NOTE the budget monitoring report to 31st August 2021, prepared by the Clerk. Chairman to sign as a true record.
Noted.
22.10.21 To RECEIVE the external auditor report and certificate (Section 3 of the AGAR Part 3) for the financial year ended 31st March 2021 (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 a minimum of 30 days.
23.10.21 To APPROVE a replacement third signatory on the Council’s current account with Unity Trust Bank.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Jones as a replacement third signatory on the Council’s current account with Unity Trust Bank.
The meeting was closed at 10.40pm.