Minutes 6th March 2024 – Wickwar Parish Council

Wickwar Parish Council

Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes

A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 6th March 2024, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.

Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor B Walter
Councillor L Ford
Ward Councillor B Romaine

Apologies:
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor A Rush

Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk

Public time
Several parishioners have complained about the synching of the traffic lights not being right, with long queues back through the village particularly in the mornings. Ward Cllr Romaine will raise this with South Glos Highways and report back.

AGENDA ITEMS
1.3.24 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Fielding and Williams sent their apologies along with Ward Cllr Rush.
2.3.24 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Cllr Walter declared an interest in discussions regarding the stank trees as he is also a member of the PCC.
3.3.24 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 7th of February 2024 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 7th of February 2024 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.3.24 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Nothing else for this meeting.
5.3.24 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.

PLANNING
6.3.24 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decisions were noted:
6.1 P23/03504/HH – Lavender Edge 144 Inglestone Road Wickwar. Erection of a two storey side and single storey rear extension to form carport and additional living accommodation. Decision: Refusal
6.2 P23/02928/TCA – Maple House Station Road Wickwar. Works to 8no. Leylandii to reduce height approx from 6m to 3m situated in the Wickwar conservation area. Decision: No objection
6.3 P23/02121/HH – 22 The Buthay Wickwar. Partial demolition of existing wall. Installation of 1.6m stone wall, wooden gates and posts. Decision: Approve with conditions

7.3.24 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P24/03414/TCA – The Rectory 75 High Street Wickwar. Works to 1no Conifer to cut back by 1-1.5m and works to fell 1no. Ash and 1no. Holly shrub situated in the Wickwar Conservation Area.
Resolved: No objection.

7.2 P24/00438/LB – 38 High Street Wickwar. Internal and external alterations for the removal and
replacement of 2no. ground floor front bow windows.

Resolved: The Parish Council is supportive of the plans.

7.3 P24/00257/F – Land off Tanhouse Lane, Yate. Erection of 1no. self-build dwellinghouse with car parking and associated works.

Resolved: No objection.

Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.3.24 To AGREE dates of meetings for the following council year May 2024 -April 2025 including the annual parish meeting

Council meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month with the exception of August when there will be no meeting and January 2025 when there will be a budget meeting on the 8th and the Council meeting on the 15th.

9.3.24 To CONSIDER South Glos Council’s new Local Plan

Councillors support the principles of the Local Plan however consideration must be given to improving public transport particularly to give young people access to opportunities and to support the environment considerations within the Plan. The Clerk will ensure that this is fed into the consultation.

10.3.24 To CONSIDER flags and hanging baskets for the Town Hall for this summer
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to purchase new weights for the Town Hall flags so that they can be flown for the D-Day 80 commemmorations.
The Clerk will approach other local suppliers regarding the hanging baskets to ensure a good display this summer. Quotes for consideration at next meeting.
11.3.24 To NOTE the tree works and tree guard fitting at King George’s Field
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to accept a quote of £198.25 plus VAT from Tree Management to fit the tree guards and trim back the trees around the beacon.
12.3.24 To CONSIDER including other groups within the beacon lighting
It was AGREED to invite the Scout and Brownie groups in the village to be involved in the beacon lighting on the 6th of June.
13.3.24 To CONSIDER ways to access grant funding
The Clerk has contacted South Glos Council and now receives updates from CVS South Glos who advise on any funding opportunities within the Council.
Help with grant applications outside of the Council is complicated and, whilst there are companies offering to help with the process, thoughts are that they would take a potentially large fee from any monies agreed.

REPORTS
14.3.24 To RECEIVE a report from the Ward Councillors
Ward Cllr Romaine reported that South Glos Council are waiting for the new financial year before committing to any new projects. The hope is that pot holes can be prioritised following new government funding.
Whilst the new Local Plan sets out good intentions these need to be paid for and South Glos face some tough decisions, particularly on charging for Council car parks and public transport.
The new consultation on booking slots for the Sort It centres was also highlighted. Cllrs would be unhappy with this as it would likely cause an increase in fly-tipping which is already a problem in and around the village.

15.3.24 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
15.1.3.24 King George’s Field

Unfortunately Chappell & Dix have entered into administration meaning that all work on the pavilion project has ceased. The Clerk is liaising with the administrators to find the best way forward. Whilst monies have been paid to Chappell & Dix, invoices were paid in arrears and no monies have been paid up front.
It has been previously agreed that WEC can place a storage container next to the tin shed at the field and the group are currently working to source a suitable sized unit. The Clerk and Cllr Carroll have searched files and contacted suppliers and have given information as to how the existing shed was built.

15.2.3.24 Wickwar Community Centre
With Cllrs Fielding and Jones absent there was no update.

15.3.3.24 Wickwar Town Hall
The start date for the downstairs refurbishment has been moved to the 18th of March. The bier has been removed and the remaining items from the downstairs room will need to be cleared. Cllr Carroll and the Clerk will work together on this.

15.4.3.24 Wickwar Cemetery
The Cemetery extension has gone to the pre-planning stage with CDS discussing with South Glos Planners. Cllr Carroll and the Clerk have been following up on the water well at the industrial estate and have the number of the landlord to speak with to check on it’s current use.
15.5.3.24 Wickwar Youth Club
The Youth Club are looking for trustees to join the committee and an advert is going in to this month’s Parish News. Two new Youth Workers have been recruited which is great news.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
16.3.24 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for February (circulated)
The inspection was duly noted.
17.3.24 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• The Parish Council has been asked to reconsider the costs associated with trimming back the stank trees. It was resolved at September’s meeting to use Lawrence Tree Services and they have already undertaken the planning permission application and dealt with the power company regarding the works. Therefore it was agreed to continue the process unchanged. Contributions will be requested from the landowner and the PCC as the trees are on land owned by the church. Cllrs Walter and Carroll declared an interest and did not take part in the discussions.

REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
18.3.24 Wickwar Entertainment Committee to support their June event
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £350 to help with the costs of portaloos for the June event.
19.3.24 Wickwar Brownies for fundraising equipment
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to provide a grant of £250 to help the Brownies to purchase equipment to help with their fundraising.
20.3.24 Wickwar Brownies for the International Jamboree
This application was made to support an individual Brownie with their attendance at the Jamboree and as such the Parish Council is unable to give to an individual.

BURIAL MATTERS
21.3.24 To CONSIDER a request for a new cremation plot purchase
A request has been received for a cremation plot for an individual who did not live in Wickwar in recent years. Due to the pressure on cemetery space, particularly for cremation plots, it was AGREED that no exceptions can be made to the amended cemetery regulations and the request will be denied.

FINANCE
22.3.24 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliation for February 2024. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as at the 29th of February 2024 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
23.3.24 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 February PAYE 732.98
Staff salaries February salaries 2032.27
Sarah Quick January expenses (printer ink and tree guards) 367.97
Octopus Energy Pavilion February 257.77
Octopus Energy Town Hall February 83.96
BT February broadband 25.14
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 104.91
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Water Business Six monthly water bill for pavilion, town hall and Park Field 204.97
Active Electrical Fitting of defibrillator at Country Style Supplies including materials 427.20
The CDS Group SGC pre-planning fee 1431.50
ALCA Councillor training including travel expenses 263.50
South Glos Council Localism charges January to March 1234.80
Citizens Advice South Glos Grant agreed at February meeting 250.00

24.3.24 To AGREE to invest in the Public Sector Deposit Fund with the CCLA and AGREE four signatories

Following further research the Clerk confirmed that deposits with the CCLA are not covered by the FSA guarantee and it was therefore AGREED not to invest in the fund. Particularly as the monies will be needed in the short term for the pavilion project. The Clerk will revisit the research and check interest rates to find an alternative account.