Wotton Town Council Meeting

15th September 2025

My informal notes and comment from the town council meeting earlier this week that I attended along with SDC/GCC Cllr. Cohen & SDC. Cllr Braun.

One apology for absence. The resignation of Cllr. Paul Barton was noted, no election had been called so the TC can co-opt. One Cllr. noted that he thought TC would be less good without him. Three sets of Town Council meeting minutes were approved for the 21st July, the Extraordinary Town Council meeting of 28th July and the Town Council meeting of 18th August. Two members of the public present but neither wanted to speak at the public forum.

The mayor noted that The Ark coffee Shop is celebrating being open for 30 years! During the week 22-27 September they will be open 9am to 4.30pm each day (apart from Thursday when it will be closed 12pm to 3pm).

Cllr. Cohen presented her report and took questions. Regarding the SDC report the council was encouraged to participate in the Climate and Nature Strategy Consultation as some people are saying it's a hoax! Many people have made representations to local councillors about a spate of red crosses painted around the town. These incidents were captured on CCTV and are without doubt criminal damage and have been reported to the Police. There is unease in community. GCC cabinet is being asked to send info to community leaders. Flags will be removed in due course but GCC don't want to waste tax payers money doing ad-hoc removals as budgets are already stretched.

EDF was chosen for gas and electricity supplies to the Civic Centre with a new 2 year contract as they were the cheapest. The cheapest contractor was chosen for repairs to St Mary’s Church driveway too. Sanitary bins will be installed in the Civic Centre male toilets at a cost of £279, I think. SDC are investigating same for the Rope Walk toilets. £1k worth of drainage works for Civic Centre toilet approved. A payment of £2,700 for marking bays in the Civic Centre car park was retrospectively ratified. £100,000 transferred from Instant Access account to cover payment commitments.

Request for permission for a Firework Display event at the Parc on Saturday 8th November 2025 was approved. Arrangements for the Remembrance Day Parade on 9th November 2025 were noted.

Good feedback on the Long Street Summer Social event. Sunday 30th August 2026 for the next event. Following feedback the next event will be shorter in duration and the childrens area will be different. Overall a big well done to Fred and Jeremy from Good Food and everyone else involved. Shame the weather broke.

Discussions on policies, standing orders & financial regulations deferred to a future meeting as was the discussion on the procurement report for Chipping Hall and Town Hall projects.

Councillors had a met with TC solicitor regarding the Heritage Centre lease as there were a number of points that needed to be discussed. All answered helpfully. Solicitor is now drawing up the lease. Draft expected soon then a meeting with Heritage Centre to finalise. Current lease runs out on 30th September so mayor suggests extending by six months on the proviso that lease is curtailed to signed date. Approved.

Symn Lane Play Area Project. TC received a report. Mayor says they are going to have to put money into it. Supplier is doing a deal in September and have discounts, meeting with clerk. Work needs to be done. Taking old equipment down, removing from site, ground works, then install. People can use Spacehive to make a pledge, monies raised clearer by end of October. Currently 45% raised. Mayor wants 25k from reserves + CIL £28k. Review in October.

Town Festive Lighting Project: £28k has been received from the Market Towns Vitality Fund for festive lights and associated wall fixings which will also be used for hanging baskets and other displays. GCC is installing the permanent infrastructure which accounts for £21k. The remaining £7k is for the lighting which will be powered by an unmetered supply which is also used for the Tolsey clock and CCTV. Wotton has also received £800 for foldable external display boards from this fund, but this wasn't discussed.

Symn Lane Car Park: The developer has restarted conversations with SDC. Hopefully TC will have more info in time for the Planning Committee. Mayor thinks that the developer is coming back. Clerk indicates that she hopes GCC is made aware of TC's concerns and has asked if developer will be happy to meet with TC. A Cllr. says that developer has been spotted on site. Cllr. says GCC need evidence for bank and hopes a lighting engineer has seen electrics. Mayor thinks lighting design can be done in a day.

There is a public consultation regarding Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy the Mayor hasn't looked at it but a Cllr. says TC should support it. Clerk says they have time to respond.

Brown’s Piece. Note the successful purchase of Brown’s Piece land by Wotton Community Land Trust Ltd and the finance shortfall. Shortfall loaned by one or two donors. The community now has the land and it is an amenity. Clerk to send thanks from TC.

Following the recent councillor resignation Mayor is hoping for new councillors to fill gaps on a number of committees, most none urgent apart from allotment which a Cllr. volunteered for.

A Cllr. reported on the Recreational Trust. CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in place but have two trustees who want to move on. The Chair wants to stand down. If they can't attract more trustees it would have to close. Seeking help of TC or TT to dispose of assets which are Streamsfield, bowling green and pavilion. Need to discuss in that event, existing lease would become null and void and new lease drafted. Warned that new lease would have to cover costs etc. Easier now CIO, not same responsibility. Cllr. says bowling club hoping to put solar on pavilion for income.