Wotton Town Council Meeting

18th August 2025

My informal notes and comment from last nights town council meeting that I attended along with SDC/GCC Cllr. Cohen. Cllr Braun is taking a well earned break and sent apologies.

The minutes from the 21st July and the extraordinary meeting on the 28th July had not been circulated and would not be available until the next planning meeting where another extraordinary town council meeting would be held to approve them.

Although a number of people were expected to be at the forum to ask questions about the £300k PWLB loan and various projects such as the repairs to the Chipping Hall and Town Hall, Old Town Toilets, and the Symn Lane Car Park, only two members of the public attended and no questions were asked.

The mayor announced that the VJ service at St Mary's church went well and was very moving. He said that the deputy mayor read a couple of poems at the service that his father, who served in the pacific region during WW2, had written. He also thanked the Wotton Wombles who had been busy on Sunday with a litter and weed pick. Thanks to Cllr. Cohen for organising.

[Personal comment: Items of note from Potters Pond area: Three used dog poo bags, two face-masks, a pair of soiled underpants and a £2 coin which contributed to a refreshing pint of Moretti in The Star afterwards.]

Cllr. Cohen noted that since her report was sent the Thriving Communities grants scheme has gone live. A Cllr. said they were already on the case. The Build back better scheme is expected to restart in October. It was mentioned that the bears on Bear Street are looking very sad & tired, very smelly and time for them to go to a new home. Fastened to the sign by their necks with plastic ties could be traumatising for young kids. Permission was sought from WTC to remove them, but it was decided that it was nothing to do with the town council. If they are yours (or you know who they belong to) maybe now's a good time to collect them. The lights at bottom of OK path are not working so Cllr. Cohen will look at getting them checked. Her county councillor report is here.

There were a few questions on the District Councillors' Report. We were thanked for organising the new dog poo bin up at Westridge Road. A conversation ensued. People need to act responsibly and dispose of these dog poo bags properly or take them home with them. Overflowing bins should be reported here, this will get the emptying frequency increased over time. We were asked if there were any plans for a district wide awareness campaign, I'll check that out.

It was noted that the new white lining had been done of the high street. One Cllr. mentioned that the traffic wardens hadn't been around in months. Again the issue of business owners parking all day and using the traffic warden Facebook page was raised. It was noted that one business had relocated as they had more elderly customers who found difficulty parking on the high street. [Personal comment: No doubt more enforcement will ensue because of this ongoing disregard of the rules.]

The WTC are obtaining quotes for telephone/broadband contracts as the the digital transfer approaches. There is an analogue phone in the lift that's required for emergencies which will need to be replaced. The mayor noted that Careline equipment will need battery backup etc.

Phil Wilson the WTC Facilities Manager presented the case to purchase a new mower and associated battery/charger unit. The current mower is out of action two weeks so new one required. The old one can act as a backup once repaired. The council already has some of this equipment so makes sense to stay with the same supplier (batteries and chargers). There's a deal on right now, normally £3000 now £1999. A Cllr. says we need three quotes as this could be an inflated price to show discount. Another Cllr says it maybe a Sports Direct type discount. Cllr. still very unhappy with single quote. Voted to accept purchase at £1999.

It was noted that all staff will receive a pay award of 3.2% as per their contracts. The Budget for 2025/26 had been circulated in the backing papers and was noted. The council approved £42,793 for the August payments. It was agreed to use the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts from 2022/23 and onwards (£28,655) to be 'via-ed' to the Symn Lane Play Area Improvement Project. CIL receipts have to be handed back after 5 years if unspent. A Cllr. said that it appears the Town Council was taking credit for this work but it was actually driven by Teresa Creese who did much of the hard work but has since left the council and the public needs to know that. The Clerk will mention in the next Wotton Directory article.

There was a verbal update on the Chipping Hall and Town Hall. They are out to tender at the moment, the potential contractors have been onsite to inspect what needs to be done before they put the tenders in, which are due by 29th August. Carter Jonas will review them all and make sure they are OK as there maybe issues arising. They will then provide WTC with a report w/e 5th Sept. A Cllr. asks what the contract award date will be. There is a long back and fore. The mayor doesn't want the project held up and wants to award the contract quickly. The loan has to be in place too. I think it was decided that a meeting would take place with Carter Jonas on the 17th Sept and the final contract awarded at the September planning meeting. Drop-in consultation during the Wotton Long Street Social event on 30th August in the Town Hall in the Wotton-in-Bloom area from 12-4pm. Mayor will be there maybe other councillors too.

Discussion on how to respond to the Consultation on Consents, Land Access and Rights for Electricity Network Infrastructure. Deadline 2nd Sept. Decided to leave until the planning meeting, once everyone has had chance to look at it. Cllrs. sending individual responses to the mayor to collate.

Left the meeting as members of the public were excluded from the Staffing Report and Symn Lane Car Park update.