Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor B Walter (Acting Chairman)
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Ward Councillor A Rush
Apologies:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A further update was provided regarding the flooding on Sodbury Road at the Southern end of the village. Following an update from the flood management team at South Glos Council more is known about the reasons for the flooding, the capacity of a key pipe has been reduced and another drain capped off. Less clear is the solution to these issues, the Clerk will chase Ward Cllr Romaine as she was following up but was absent from the meeting.
The problem of overweight lorries passing through the village continues, with numbers in November 2025 being 39% up on November 2024. As detailed in agenda item 10 the response from South Glos Council to the Parish Council’s Highway Improvement request for ANPR cameras is disappointing and will be followed up.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.12.25 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Isaac and Williams sent their apologies along with Ward Cllr Romaine
2.12.25 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
None for this meeting.
3.12.25 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 5th of November 2025 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th of November 2025 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.12.25 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The Clerk asked if any Councillors were free to attend the Heidelberg Quarry liaison meeting however no-one could make the date. Apologies will be given.
5.12.25 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.12.25 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P25/02134/TRE – The Croft Bury Hill Lane Yate. Works to Crown reduce 1.no Ash Tree by 10-12.5 metres and remove deadwood. Covered by Tree Preservation Order SGTPO. Decision: Approve with conditions
6.2 P25/01091/F – Land on Frith Lane Wickwar. Erection of 1no dwelling and associated works. Decision: Approve with conditions
7.12.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/02505/HH – 4 Back Lane Wickwar. Erection of a two storey and a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation
Resolved: No objection
7.2 P25/02460/LB – Yate Court Farm, Limekiln road. Internal and external alterations to remove and replace all windows in the farmhouse building.
Resolved: No objection
7.3 P25/02504/TCA – Langley House 57 High Street Wickwar. Works to 1.no Apple Tree to crown reduce by 1.5m and crown thin by 10%. Works to fell 2.no Fruit Trees and 1.no Wellan Conifer Tree. Trees Situated within Wickwar Conservation Area.
Resolved: No objection
7.4 P25/02568/HH – Pound Barn Westend Road Wickwar. Replacement of 3no. existing garage doors with double glazed units, including 1no. new set of french doors with fixed side panel and 2no. fixed full height window units.
Resolved: No objection
7.5 P25/02569/LB – Pound Barn Westend Road Wickwar. Internal and external alterations to remove 3no. garage doors and install glazing in 2no. openings and 1no. set of french doors in final opening. Internal alterations to insulate and re-line the garage roof with plasterboard. Retention of internal works of the erection of sub-dividing stud walls.
Resolved: No objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.12.25 To CONSIDER a response to the South Glos Council 2026/27 budget consultation
Funds continue to be extremely tight with some 67% of South Glos Council’s spending being on social care. The Clerk will circulate details of the consultation, enabling members of the public to take part. Councillors will respond as individuals rather than submit a Parish Council response.
9.12.25 To AGREE a new contract for broadband at the Town Hall
The cheapest deal that the Clerk has identified is with Virgin Media however there is some confusion as to whether they can provide the service to a local authority rather than a business or charity. The Clerk will pursue this but if they are unable to offer the service then a new contract will be signed with BT.
10.12.25 To DISCUSS South Gloucestershire Council’s response to the Highway Improvement Request
Unfortunately South Gloucestershire Council have categorised the Parish Council’s request as low priority, meaning that it will unlikely to be implemented for at least two years. The Parish Council has queried this and will continue to follow up with the assistance of Ward Cllr Romaine.
11.12.25 To CONSIDER the emptying of a new bin at Wickwar Playing Fields
The Parish Council were asked to fund the emptying of a bin next to the pump track. However there are two bins already in that area of the playing fields and Councillors felt that is sufficient currently. This can be kept under review during the next financial year. A grant of £2,000 was also agreed to WPFA at the November meeting.
12.12.25 To CONSIDER next steps regarding the cemetery extension project
The Clerk has worked on figures showing the spending so far on the cemetery extension project which stands at £20,682.92. Quotes received for the next stage of archaeological surveys are in the region of at least a further £10,000. With CIL monies now spent and with the £10K reserve for the cemetery project being eaten into the decision was made to review other funding options before committing to further work.
The Clerk has also assessed the burial and cremation plots remaining and there is in the region of at least 10 years worth of space so no urgent action is needed.
13.12.25 To CONSIDER the installation of a vending machine at King George’s Field pavilion
Councillors feel that there is no need for a machine at King George’s Field and that one’s presence may cause extra anti-social behaviour and litter. Further to this the football club are hoping to provide more hot drinks and refreshments on matchdays.
14.12.25 To AGREE to purchase green bin subscription(s) for the cemetery
At a cost of £63 it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to sign up for one green bin at the cemetery car park.
15.12.25 To CONSIDER registering the Fox and Maple as a community asset
Currently there does not seem to be any appetite in the community to purchase the pub or run it as a community pub therefore the Clerk will take no further action however Cllr Parris is aware of a group who have met to discuss the plot of land behind the pub which is for sale and if there is interest from that group then the Parish Council can act to support them.
16.12.25 To AGREE to the Clerk attending a NALC workshop about funding solutions for smaller Parish Councils
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED for the Clerk to attend the training course at a cost of £35 plus VAT.
REPORTS
17.12.25 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
As per item 8 the South Glos budget consultation for 2026/27 was discussed
18.12.25 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
18.1.12.25 King George’s Field
The football club now have their license and will be opening the community room on more Saturday afternoons. The collaboration with the coffee shop also means that the room will be opened on a Saturday morning for hot drinks and snacks when there are teams playing.
18.2.12.25 Wickwar Community Centre
Unfortunately there has been little interest in the bookings secretary role which will soon become vacant. Cllr Fielding is in discussions with the school as to whether they will take on the administration of the building.
18.3.12.25 Wickwar Town Hall
Christmas trees have been purchased from George Osmond and have now been put up.
The Community Café continues to operate on the last Friday of each month and is very popular. No café during December due to the Christmas bank holidays.
18.4.12.25 Wickwar Village Hall
No report this meeting as Cllr Isaac was absent.
18.5.12.25 Wickwar Cemetery
Cllr Carroll and the Clerk have met with the grass cutter as the season finishes and have discussed a few areas to concentrate on for next season.
18.6.12.25 Wickwar Youth Club
The Youth Leader in Charge is still off sick meaning that other trustees and staff have had to cover shifts and take on some extra responsibilities. The trustees are very grateful to those who have stepped up.
Numbers are down on Mondays due to lower numbers within the year 6 age group and other groups that meet. A decision will be made later in the year whether to go back to two nights a week.
19.12.25 To receive an update from the Flooding Working Group
See discussion in public time.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
20.12.25 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for November (circulated)
The inspections were noted.
21.12.25 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• Thanks were received from Holy Trinity Church for the grant given to assist with the fireworks display
• Thanks were received from Read With Me for the grant agreed at November’s meeting
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
22.12.25 Nothing for this meeting
BURIAL MATTERS
23.12.25 To REVIEW the current cemetery regulations and AGREE next steps with regard to memorial testing
The memorial regulations remain up to date and the section dealing with memorials is clear. The Clerk will embark on a programme of memorial testing in the New Year, with advance notice to be posted online, on the cemetery noticeboard and in the Parish News.
FINANCE
24.12.25 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for October 2025. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 31st of October 2025 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
25.12.25 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 November PAYE 588.75
Staff salaries November salaries 1879.74
Sarah Quick November expenses – printer ink 13.49
BT Town Hall broadband 31.37
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 114.42
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Town Hall November 54.95
Octopus Energy Pavilion November 53.54
George Osmond 3 x Christmas trees for the Town Hall 90.00
South Gloucestershire Council Pavilion rates 59.00
South Gloucestershire Council Localism charges October – December 2025 1487.99
SK Cleaning & Housekeeping Pavilion clean 51.00
Read With Me Grant agreed at November meeting 250.00
Avon Crescent Community Club Grant agreed at November meeting 200.00
Wickwar Playing Fields Association Grant agreed at November meeting 2000.00
26.12.25 To AGREE the localism contract from South Glos Council for the 2026/27 financial year
The contract has not yet been received and therefore this will be carried over to the next meeting.
27.12.25 To AGREE a date for the budget discussions meeting
The next Council meeting will be held on Wednesday the 7th of January with the budget discussion to be held on Monday the 5th of January at 7pm.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
28.12.25 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.30pm.