A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 2nd April 2025, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
Flooding at the Sodbury Road end of the village was discussed, South Glos have completed their investigative works and the Flood Prevention team are now involved. Cllr Romaine will request an update from them.
An update was given on the overweight lorries, with some 153 being recorded in March, up 10%. Several successful responses have been received with apologies from transport managers, in some cases our local PCSO has intervened to track down company details. The total number of lorries recorded in 2024 was 1485, a shocking statistic. The Clerk is working on a Highway Improvement request to South Glos to investigate the possibility of ANPR cameras to capture the offending vehicles and automatically issue a fine.
The yellow lines outside Southend House were again raised due to the problems that parking there is causing however, as stated previously, South Glos will not make changes to the traffic management scheme now that it has been implemented.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.4.25 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding, Houghton and Parris sent their apologies.
2.4.25 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Walter declared an interest in item 11, as he is also a member of the PCC.
3.4.25 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 5th of March 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 March 2025 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.4.25 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
The Clerk reported that South Glos have published the responses from their consultation on EV charging points and have abandoned the scheme to install 2 charging points on North Street. The reasons given were strong opposition and a lack of general parking in the area.
5.4.25 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.4.25 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
6.1 P25/00045/F – Land At Frith Lane Wickwar. Erection of 1no. dwelling with associated works Decision: Refusal
7.4.25 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/00478/HH – Evanwood House West End. Installation of 3no. Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging upstands and 2no. wall mounted EV chargers.
Resolved: Support
7.2 P25/00510/F – Land at Tanhouse Lane, Yate. Erection of 1no. self-build dwellinghouse with car parking and associated works (resubmission of P24/00257/F)
Resolved: As with the previous application the Parish Council has no objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.4.25 To CONSIDER requesting funding for the Town Hall ramp
Cllr Carroll and the Clerk recently attended the quarry liason meeting at Breedon Quarry where their grant scheme was mentioned. The purchase of a disabled access ramp for the Town Hall would very much meet the criteria for the funding and therefore it was AGREED to finalise the specification and request a grant from Breedon for the cost.
9.4.25 To NOTE that the Council has a casual vacancy
As Cllr Jones has missed six meetings a casual vacancy has been triggered and has been advertised via South Glos and within the village. Expressions of interest to be reviewed at the next meeting.
10.4.25 To AGREE to a Cemetery Matters training course for the Clerk run by the SLCC
At a cost of £35 it was proposed, seconded and AGREED for the Clerk to book a place on the training course.
11.4.25 To AGREE to invoice the PCC of Wickwar for extra costs relating to the adminstrator working from the Town Hall
Following a review of the electricity costs and usage at the Town Hall over the period from September to February it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to invoice the PCC £250 to cover the extra electricity costs.
12.4.25 To NOTE the completed risk register and updated pavilion risk assessment
Both documents were duly NOTED.
13.4.25 To AGREE to make a Highway Improvement Request to South Glos Council regarding cameras to capture overweight lorries passing through the village
As noted in public time South Gloucestershire Council now have new powers to install cameras to motitor road activity. It was therefore AGREED to complete a Highway Improvement Request form and provide South Glos with data regarding the situation regarding the overweight lorries.
14.4.25 To AGREE to appoint a cleaner at the King George’s Field pavilion
Following advertising of the vacancy the Clerk met and corresponded with five different companies and individuals. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to appoint a local self-employed cleaner to the role who will have more flexibility.
REPORTS
15.4.25 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
Some issues remain with the new booking system for the Sort It centres, any issues to be reported to Ward Cllr Romaine and she will follow up. The centres have been much quieter than usual and there are therefore worries about increases in fly-tipping. South Glos are also going ahead with plans to switch to three-weekly collections of black bins with recycling remaining weekly. The cost of a green bin has also doubled.
16.4.25 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
16.1.4.25 King George’s Field
Frustratingly two of the metal gates retained from the old building for use at the rear have been stolen. The largest gate remains and has been stored securely and the Clerk will liase with the contractor regarding alternative options for securing the rear of the building. Method Construction have also been reminded to collect the site fencing that remains.
It was queried whether a fire assembly point sign is required and also some sort of marking of the sceptic tank manhole cover. The Clerk will investigate.
16.2.4.25 Wickwar Community Centre
No further update since last meeting.
16.3.4.25 Wickwar Town Hall
Options have been investigated for the wall behind the kitchen sink where the paint is peeling. Self adhesive tile stickers can be purchased cheaply, and the Clerk will buy for Cllr Isaac to fit.
16.4.4.25 Wickwar Cemetery
Cllr Williams has obtained three quotations for the trial trenching of Park Field required by South Glos planners. The Clerk will circulate the quotes and will add to the next agenda for a decision.
16.5.4.25 Wickwar Youth Club
No further update since last meeting.
17.4.25 To receive an update from the Flooding Working Group
As discussed in public time the Sodbury Road flooding has been escalated to South Glos Council’s flood prevention team. The stank situation is also being followed up, with responsibility thought to lie with Wessex Water. South Glos will hopefully take this forward with Wessex although the flooding group will ensure that this remains a priority.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
18.4.25 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.
19.4.25 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• A parishioner has contacted the Parish Council regarding flooding in West End Road. Cllr Williams has taken the details and will follow up and include within the areas that the flooding group are monitoring.
• Thornbury Town Council have contacted the PC regarding the success of a scheme to recycle medicine blister packs. The PC is supportive but has no place where items can be dropped off so will publicise the scheme to local businesses such as the pub and coffee shop.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
20.4.25 Avon Crescent Senior Citizens club for VE Day Celebrations
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £250 to help the club with their celebrations.
21.4.25 Wickwar Youth Centre for 2025/26 running costs
To be carried forward to next meeting to allow time for further financials to be made available.
BURIAL MATTERS
22.4.25 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.
FINANCE
23.4.25 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 March PAYE 491.89
Staff salaries March salaries 1829.47
Sarah Quick March expenses to include printer ink, key cutting, a lightbulb and bin for the new town hall room 79.64
Angie Carroll March expenses – picture frames for Town Hall downstairs. Flush stickers for pavilion 52.66
BT Town Hall broadband 28.46
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 109.74
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Town Hall February 99.30
Octopus Energy Pavilion February 52.69
Tony Gardner Property Maintenance Supply and fit 4 x mirrors at the pavilion 136.00
SLCC Cemetery Matters training course for the Clerk 36.00
PATA Payroll Services January to March payroll service 81.51
Cumbria Clock Company Town Hall clock service 216.00
Hathaway Gardenscapes Ltd Grass cutting contract, cemetery and KGV 586.50
ICCM Annual membership fee 105.00
ALCA Annual membership fee (includes NALC subscription) 622.81
EDGE IT Systems Ltd Microsoft 365 annual fees 183.90
24.4.25 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllr 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.
25.4.25 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.
26.4.25 To APPLY for a bank card for the Clerk
Following a review of the Council’s financial regulations it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to apply for a bank card with Unity Bank for the Clerk with a limit of £300 per month and per transaction. The forms will be completed by the Clerk for signature at next meeting.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.4.25 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.50pm.