Wickwar Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council – Minutes
A meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday 7th January 2026, at the Town Hall commencing at 7.00pm.
Attended:
Councillor S Isaac
Councillor G Fielding
Councillor J Jones
Councillor R Houghton
Councillor A Parris
Councillor L Ford
Councillor S Williams
Ward Councillor B Romaine
Apologies:
Councillor A Carroll
Councillor B Walter
Ward Councillor A Rush
Clerk:
Sarah Quick, Parish Clerk
Public time
A member of the public attended to discuss the planning application at 9 Amberley Way. Cllr Houghton will meet them on site to take a closer look and report back.
Flooding was also discussed and is covered in agenda item 9.
AGENDA ITEMS
1.1.26 To RECEIVE apologies for absence.
Cllrs Carroll and Walter sent their apologies along with Ward Councillor Rush.
2.1.26 To NOTE and RECORD Declarations of Interests relevant to this meeting.
Nothing for this meeting.
3.1.26 To AGREE whether the minutes from the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 3rd of December 2025 should be signed as an accurate record of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 3rd of December 2025 should be signed as an accurate record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
4.1.26 To RECEIVE the Clerk’s Report on matters arising from previous minutes/ not covered elsewhere on the agenda. (circulated)
Nothing for this meeting.
5.1.26 To determine which items, if any, of the Agenda should be taken with the public excluded.
None required.
PLANNING
6.1.26 Planning – For the Council to NOTE the following planning decisions & notices
The following planning decision was noted:
6.1 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. Decision: No objection
7.1.26 Planning – For the Council to REVIEW and COMMENT on planning applications received before the meeting
7.1 P25/02824/HH – 9 Amberley Way Wickwar. Demolition of existing boundary wall. Change of use from open amenity land to private C3 amenity space for the erection of 2.2m and 0.85m fence to facilitate 1No. parking space.
Resolved: Concerns to be raised around removal of the hedge however not enough to warrant an objection
7.2 P25/02874/HH – 72 Sodbury Road Wickwar. Erection of two storey side extension to main dwelling to form additional living accommodation, and replacement of existing outbuilding with detached annexe ancillary to main dwelling.
Resolved: No objection
7.3 P25/02840/F – Central Barn at Barbers Court Farm Rag Lane Wickwar. Alterations to barn conversion (change to cladding) pursuant to approval P24/00283/PNGR (retrospective).
Resolved: No objection
Items for CONSIDERATON and DECISION
8.1.26 To DISCUSS the situation regarding the Community Centre committee
The bookings secretary has now resigned meaning that the committee no longer has enough members. Several appeals have been made for volunteers but none have come forward. Cllr Fielding is in discussions with the school as to whether they could take on the running of the facility, making it available to other groups outside of school hours. The financial implications and lease set up will need to be discussed further, another meeting will take place and report back to the next Council meeting.
9.1.26 To DISCUSS the latest response from South Glos Council regarding flooding
A site meeting has been arranged to include Ward Cllr Romaine, two engineers from South Glos and affected householders. A Parish Council member will also be present for this meeting and report back to the next meeting.
10.1.26 To AGREE to appoint an internal auditor and ensure their independence from the Council
Following last year’s audit it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to again use the services of Tony Jay for the internal audit. There is no connection between Tony any Council members.
11.1.26 To further CONSIDER next steps regarding the cemetery extension project
Following budget discussions £3K has been set aside to build up a reserve to cover the extra costs associated with the archaeological works that are now required. In the meantime the Clerk and Cllr Williams will investigate the possibility of a Heritage Lottery Grant to assist with the work and also the possibility of a community excavation project.
12.1.26 To AGREE to the Clerk attending a Breakthrough Communications training session about Data Protection Foundations & Theory
At a cost of £35 it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to book a place for the Clerk on the training course.
13.1.26 To AGREE a response to the consultation regarding waiting restrictions on Pennington Road and Gulwell Drive areas
Councillors agreed to defer a response to the residents affected on the Tyndale Reach and Saxon Gate developments. The Clerk will ensure that details of the consultation are circulated to the forums for each.
14.1.26 To DISCUSS the South Glos budget consultation and implications for special expenses from 2026/27
Councillors will wait for further clarification from South Glos Council regarding the special expenses situation.
REPORTS
15.1.26 To RECEIVE reports from Ward Councillors
Full Council met in January however consisted of budget reports which were delivered without the opportunity for discussion.
Ward Cllr Romaine hopes to arrange a site visit with a South Glos officer to review the overweight lorry situation.
16.1.26 To RECEIVE verbal reports from Councillors who are Trustees or Committee members of the organisations listed below, and to take decisions as necessary:
16.1.1.26 King George’s Field
The Clerk has arranged for the hedges to be cut as soon as possible following the spell of dry weather.
16.2.1.26 Wickwar Community Centre
See item 8 regarding the committee situation.
16.3.1.26 Wickwar Town Hall
Christmas trees were well received and lasted well during the season. Cllr Isaac will arrange for them to be taken down.
The internal patio door is not closing properly, the Clerk will investigate and find someone to adjust it.
16.4.1.26 Wickwar Cemetery
Covered in items 11 and 20.
16.5.1.26 Wickwar Youth Club
Following the Christmas break the Youth Leader in Charge remains off sick with other trustees covering.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
17.1.26 To RECEIVE the play equipment and assets inspection for December (circulated)
The inspections were noted.
18.1.26 To RECEIVE the register of correspondence received.
• Hannick Homes requested a meeting in relation to an interest they have in land at Sodbury Road. The Clerk will write to say that a meeting would not be appropriate and that, in accordance with the latest South Glos local plan, the Parish Council would not support any large scale development in our area.
• The South Glos Council Climate and Nature Emergency team have offered to meet with the Parish Council to discuss flood resilience. Councillors would be open to the team visiting a future meeting.
• Bromford Housing Association have contacted the Parish Council regarding Council Tax and credit monies held. As the PC is not a billing authority no such monies are collected or held, the Clerk will respond accordingly.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
19.1.26 Citizens Advice South Glos for running costs
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to give £300 to the organisation to help with their running costs as they do support residents of Wickwar.
BURIAL MATTERS
20.1.26 To AGREE to write to the owners of plot 336 regarding additions made to the plot
A wooden surround and white stones have been added to plot 336 which is not allowed under the regulations for a grass cemetery. The address held by the Clerk for the plot is no longer correct so other enquiries will be made and if necessary a sign put on the memorial requesting contact.
FINANCE
21.1.26 To NOTE the monthly bank reconciliations for November and December 2025. Chairman to sign as a true record. (Circulated)
The monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts as of 30th of November and 31st of December 2025 were NOTED and signed by the Chairman as a true record
22.1.26 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 December PAYE 588.95
Staff salaries December salaries 1879.44
Sarah Quick December expenses (ink and green bin subscription) 86.46
BT Town Hall broadband 34.32
NEST Clerk pension (employer and employee contribution) 114.42
Tesco mobile Clerk mobile 7.50
Octopus Energy Town Hall December 48.25
Octopus Energy Pavilion December 88.01
PATA Payroll Payroll service October to December plus pension re-enrolment 96.51
Staff salaries December salaries 1829.67
South Gloucestershire Council Pavilion rates 59.00
NALC Beyond the Precept Training Course for the Clerk 42.00
Paid between meetings using delegated powers:
Defib shop Spare pads for the Community Centre defib 85.14
23.1.26 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed budget for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2026/27. (Circulated)
The proposed budget was reviewed in detail along with the current financial year’s position and the funding requests that have been received. It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to approve the proposed budget for the financial year 2026/27.
24.1.26 To CONSIDER and APPROVE the proposed precept demand for Wickwar Parish Council for the financial year 2026/27. Notification to South Gloucestershire Council to be signed. (Circulated).
Further to the budget proposal it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to submit the precept demand for £70,040 to South Gloucestershire Council and the precept request form was duly signed by the Chairman.
25.1.26 To NOTE the increase to localism charges from South Glos Council for the 2026/27 financial year
South Glos Council are proposing an increase of 7.33% for their grass cutting and bin emptying services. The price increase was duly NOTED and included in the above budget
26.1.26 To COMPLETE internal controls
Cllrs Parris and Ford completed a random check of the bank account and bank reconciliations, reviewing the corresponding supplier invoices.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
27.1.26 To NOTE any items for inclusion on the following meeting agenda.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.55pm.