Wotton Town Council Meeting

19th January 2026

My informal notes and personal comment from the Town Council meeting on Monday that I attended along with SDC Cllr Braun.

Hannah was introduced as the new Locum. Apologies for absence from a few Cllrs. and GCC Cllr Cohen. A few declarations of interest and the minutes approved.

Item 10 brought forward. Tina, the chair of the Beaumont–Le–Roger Twinning Society gave an update and the society wants to restart civic exchange visits. They are asking for free use of the Coombe Suite in Civic Centre on 22nd May 2026 to welcome representatives from Beaumont-Le-Roger, France on their visit to Wotton under Edge. Normally £92 with a £250 deposit. Agreed to waive the fee but the £250 deposit will still be required.

As Cllr Cohen has sent apologies I had offered to say a few words for Barbara Lawrence who leads the local save the bus services campaign.

Why the Bus Matters. It connects Wotton‑under‑Edge and surrounding villages to Yate, Bristol, and beyond. Essential for jobs, education, medical & dental care, especially for the elderly and those with limited mobility. There has been sustained and successful campaign lead by Barbara Lawrence & Janet and her team. Resulting in the temporary extensions secured by Cllr Linda Cohen kept service alive until Aug 2024 and ultimately the Y8 bus (18‑month trial) to fill the gap. Just two minibuses, clockwise & anticlockwise, serving Yate railway station. But it Enables students to attend KLB Sixth Form and supports daily commuting. They have been successful pressuring everyone! However, rural routes absolutely need subsidies. GCC’s Transport Plan favours Robin Demand‑Responsive Transport (DRT). The group feels that DRT should complement—not replace—regular buses. Wotton Town Council need to recognise the looming time-bomb if the Y8 contract ends without renewal. Urge people to use these hard fought for services. Rural connectivity is vital. It deserves long‑term investment from GCC not solely WECA.

Janet Walsh read out a summary of Town Hall teas which started 30 years ago and the first event raised £27. Now groups can raise up to £700 each Sunday. Over £10k was raised in 2025. They have also raised £700 for George Carpenter's bench to be sited by the Civic Centre. She reassured the group that George is still with us! Janet also wanted to confirm that there is still one vacancy on the council.

Tracey, a local youth service worker wanted to ensure that the WTC supports the financing of youth provision in the town.

There were no questions on either the County Council or SDC Councillors' reports.

The meeting then went on process the budget and precept . Firstly the charges for Town Council and Town Trust facilities. Rental of rooms and assets. Cllr says that due to geography Wotton's allotments WTC has to spend more so fees will have to go up. Burial fees were kept as is and facility charges remain the same. All approved.

Now moves on to consider application for an increase to the Heritage Centre £5.5k grant. Cllr. says until they get additional info they will not approve. Clerk says to keep it at £5.5k then reassess when lease approved. Mayor says that WTC have agreed the lease, Heritage Centre haven't. [Comment: this is a lease renewal, not a new one] Some Cllrs are demanding additional info. Clerk says £5.5k needs to be in budget. Cllr says he wants to know how much they need to fund their operation. [Comment: I've heard that the Heritage Centre cannot work this out until they have certainty on the lease and therefore the renewal has got completely got bogged down, two years or more, putting the centre at risk of closure] The item is approved anyway.

Now we move onto the review of grant applications and approve them for 2026/2027..... this is why this meeting is so well attended. Wotton is lucky to have so many excellent community groups, all volunteer led and they provide all sorts of benefits to the town. Asking for funds at a public meeting like this is a daunting experience but everyone coped with the stressful experience really well. This format is problematic in my humble opinion, these are volunteers after all.

First up is Mel from Synwell Playing Field Association. They are asking for £5,000 and have been applying for grants over the last year to allow them to revamp the toddler play area which is in a bad state of repair. All papers sent in to WTC. Q's from. Cllr. says their accounts indicate they have £6k in their accounts, in view of financial difficulties WTC if they didn't support the application what would happen? No problems if less but they are saving for toddler area. Mayor says it would cost considerably more if WTC administered Synwell Playing Fields. Cllr. goes on to say that looking at financial info it seems they don't do don't much fund raising. There are gasps of exasperation from behind me. These hard working volunteers don't deserve to be spoken to in this way. It is humiliating and embarrassing. They compose themselves and explain that it's difficult to charge access to the playing field. They have organised a fair but the event was rained off. They say are trying really hard, looking to do joint events.

Gideon spoke for CUTE (Christmas Under The Edge) who were asking for £789 He explained, for context, the amount is for non-refundable costs. Following the event being cancelled a year ago they are still recovering. Want to build resilience. Insurance, part closure. Cllr. says last year WTC funded insurance costs. Now asking for more. They are asking for non-recoverable costs to be covered. £180. Cllr now concerned that WTC is now supporting three events in the town. Pride, Summer Social & CUTE and thinks they should all be treated equally. (maybe he said equitably, but that makes less sense). He wants to restrict the amount on offer to the group, what would it mean? Running the event in subsequent years would be curtailed. the group needs a fighting reserve fund. Another Cllr. says that the different events are at different stages of development and require different support (that's what equitably means isn't it?).

Next up Inspire Therapy CIC who are looking for £2,000 to enable their equine group to run 1:1 therapy sessions for people struggling with mental health and loneliness in particular. They have e-mailed info back and forth with clerk and doesn't have anything to say. The Mayor says that he can't hear her. She says that she is not comfortable speaking in public like this. (and this type of public grilling is pretty tough even for seasoned Cllrs!! I can't understand why after spending £15k on a state of the art sound system with cordless microphones to overcome the poor acoustics in the room it isn't being used. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ )

Anyway, rather than reassuring the groups rep a Cllr. thinks it better to asks about what accreditation they have from a medical perspective. The rep takes a while to process the question. They say that they do mentoring, mindfulness and facilitated intervention aimed at children not attending school. The rep explains that GCC are way behind issuing EHCPs but these are needed to get traumatised children who can't attend school back to school. There are huge waiting lists and people can't afford private, which is why they set up a CIC to subsidise. Two people in 2018 now five to service the needs and work with neuro-divergent people. High anxiety no financial support. Parents can't work with kids like this. Mayor asks if they already have any connection with NHS. Cllr. has picked up problems with their main company at Companies House. The rep and others chip in to say the Companies House ID system is broken. Same Cllr asks the same question again; what if we don't give you money. Rep sort of has to beg, there's an on-going need. Cllrs asks are there any other public sector supporting. No. But the group is based here in Wotton and have to start somewhere. Cllr, again says mental health is responsibility of higher authorities and they should be funding. Mayor starts arguing with rep about funding sources. Rep insists that they are falling between agencies, this pot of funding is for Wotton residents, local people and will be means tested. Cllr asks for examples. The rep says they have worked with ND children in Wotton. That was stressful for me, well done to the rep for keeping their cool under that barrage.

Next up KLBS Friends Vicky seeking £500 to enhance the schools music and drama provision for students. It's a volunteer committee that orgainse events and supplement funding. Computers, minibuses etc. The need is for the upgrade technical equipment for their production of Les Misérables. 120 students take part and they welcome in 600 people. Older equipment has reached end of life. Lighting system needs improvement. Panto, summer concert, carol service and care homes. Cllr. asks if this is for specific equipment or just going into a pot. The rep thought that £500 was the most they could apply for. They need £1700-£1800 for the total. Cllr. asks do they charge for events will the parents contribute? Yes, and the Friends will support and fundraise too.

Mayor wants to move things along. Annie from Longfield Hospice next looking for £500 towards the ongoing costs of delivering care in 2026 for the people of Wotton. Longfields is well known and have to raise £500k. They are in deficit and can run for a small time. NI contributions are critical. WTC got in touch to say grants available. They looked after 52 people from Wotton. 28 care visits per person on average . Counselling. Rigorous reporting. Excellence in care. They welcome any funding. [Comment. My cardio recovery programme was based at Longfield Community Hospice over in Minchinghampton. You can donate here.]

Transition Stroud looking for £395 for their Little Pickers’ project is to buy litter pickers, books and reading sessions for 45 primary school across the District, benefiting over 7,000 children inc. The British School and Blue Coat School. No rep to speak in person. [Comment: I hadn't joined the dots, I should have spoken on behalf of SDC Cllr Gill Thomas on this one!]

Jeremy spoke on behalf of both Wotton Community Interest Group and Long Street Summer Social. WCIG were applying for £700 in funding to cover annual insurance costs which covers Wotton Pride and The Long Street Summer Social. Long Street Summer Social are looking for £2,000 to include the road closure, first aid team, bathrooms, SIA security, waste, signage. Cllr. again makes the point that WTC supports CUTE, Pride and the Summer Social and thinks these events should be treated equally. If the Summer social got the same as CUTE, not the £2k what would happen. The rep says they would have to hustle elsewhere.

• Synwell Playing Fields. Mayor proposes £5k. The deputy wants to offer just £2k, which fails. So £5k approved.
• CUTE: £789. Approved.
• Inspire Therapy: Mayor proposes £1k. Cllr says full amount: Mayor proposal fails so full £2k approved.
• KLB Friends: £500. Approved
• Longfield: full amount £500. Approved.
• Transition Stroud: Mayor says they didn't send a rep but clerk reminds it has to be decided on the written submission. £395. Approved.
• I may have got this bit wrong I couldn't work out if both items were treated together. WCIG: I think the £700 may have been approved.

Long Street Summer social: Cllr asked for £2k. which failed with the mayor's casting vote but I also think the counter motion of £700 failed.... So nothing.... ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ Either way I think just £700 was approved.

So now these are the final figures to be used to approve the budget set the precept.

CCTV cameras have improved and they are significantly cheaper. Need to replace wireless units. £16k. extra. Cameras there because of ASB.

Mayor asks if we want to keep CCTV? Because £7k in ear marked in reserve and pre-reserves one-off. Make sure finance in place. Cllr says we could install and manage ourselves. Clerk. Redhand have contracts linked with Gloucestershire Police and they can access the system, this is why we have to have this type of system. Evidential requirements for the Police. Cllr. wants to know how useful it is, as there is no evidence and the Police don't provide funding. Maybe there was a little from the PCC long ago. Maybe we should seek this evidence before we upgrade the whole system. Cllr. says we have to have CCTV. What if there were a child abduction. It's not up for debate. It's essential. NO says the Cllr. (gasps of disbelief from various Cllrs and public) Clerk says used weekly/daily cameras are lo-res can't be used for prosecutions. Crims will come in and out. WTC employee says system is used often. ASB used to profile hotspots etc. Cllr. wants to move the debate on. Cllr. wants to state Symn Lane car park has £30k in reserves for CCTV. Mayor says to leave it alone. Wants to revert budget figure to £5,650 and fund the rest from reserves. Approved

Biodiversity: One off cost for a baseline audit. Dealt with neutrally just making sure that finance is there for an audit. Est. at £10k. Financed by free-reserves. Rather than get the company to do the audit maybe community groups could do it. Reverts to £2500 on budget. Approved

Youth Work: Estimate. Option of one session per week with the 10-16 year olds as one group or two groups 10-13 and 14-16. This will mean that it's an estimate put into budget and a partial amount funded from free reserves. Notes that the Play Glos. work is centred around playing field. This is for the Youth Centre.

This is a long tough meeting. Hannah the new Locum is struggling with the spreadsheets to get the final precept figures. I recall Yasmin struggling too, last year. It's a really tough ask to do these calculations on the fly. A 30 min. break is announced. Some of the councillors notice there's a spectacular aurora going on. So, a group takes a walk outside to watch northern lights and who can blame them! They ask me not to note this..... ;) Oh, and thank-you to Deborah Eley for use of the amazing photo!

Hannah, confident about figures as given, but using the reserves for funding seems to have complicated the exercise. I hear; total figure for budget £719,290 not including use of reserves. Use of reserves offset free £23733 +£38724 from ear marked reserves.

Precept £585,985 therefore an increase of 9.9%

Accounts. Locum Deputy Clerk as bank signatory. Feedback from internal audit was good. Finally agreed to the disconnection of the water and electricity meter from Old Town toilets. Suez contract for waste and recycling gone up 8%. Approved January 2026 accounts of £25k for payment. Agreed to meet the principal employment law solicitor on the 9th Feb

To note the works schedule of the repairs project on Town Hall. 12th Feb old scaffolding coming down. New will go up on the on 13th. As soon as that is up the structural engineer will have a look. The Joiner will come and take the woodwork down to work on it over the winter. The contract lays out finance and payments. Carter Jonas will do a finance report to be paid on certain dates. Agreed to call down the PWL.

Supported planning app S.25/2349/TCA T1 Mature Beech - Pruning of the lower branches by 1.5m and removal of small secondary limbs.

Play Area Improvement Project contract awarded to Kompan Cllr. querys the provisions. Solicitor has approved says Clerk. Approved. The clerk is dealing with neighbour concerns with Kompan taking into account ASB. Kompan has kept the prices as of two years. Design and installation team, schedule of works. Needs sign off from neighbours. Parents talk with Cllr. Phase 2 for swings. Still raising money. Swings will remain until phase two.

Solar Panel Project for Civic Centre. Approved quote for a structural engineer assessment of the Civic Centre. Not just maintenance but what strengthening work needed on the forty year old flat roof. Cllr asks what we will we get. He'll go away and produce a quote/report. The Solar Panel Project Working Group may revisit the Co-op energy scheme but don't have legal powers. Maybe fund from unallocated reserves? Need to go forward with structural engineer. Cllr Fred Hulls is interested in joining the working group. Cllrs says Co-op maybe possible to fund using Section 137 money. Mayor asks are we doing this to ensure a payback? Or if finance doesn't make a good business case that we do anyway.

UK Town of Culture 2028. Govt. brought in small medium large towns. 2028 competition notice is too short as only 10 weeks to put it together. However, it was agreed to register an expression of interest for 2029.

Some other annual grants, skipped earlier, were approved. CAB, grass cutting etc.

Save the Wotton Buses campaign. The Mayor asks clerk to write to the MP, GCC and District Council & WECA that we do not want buses to stop. Cllrs. get involved with protest and social media. Approved.

Symn Lane Car Park. Stripe (WTC Consultant) wrote to the developer, no response. SDC have also written to the developer. SDC have asked for a schedule of works. WTC now have access to site to meet contractors. Mayor and others met on-site with a GCC lighting engineer will report back. It was a thought that the developer may start in March. Time is moving on.

Cllr. observed some maintenance issues. Fencing in School Road needs replacement timbers. Sign in cemetery rotten post and on ground. Highways issue shrubbery at The Cloud needs cutting back. Cllr. needs to use Fix My Street web site or app to report these things. Cllr. what do we do about spray painting of St. Georges crosses. Again, make sure its on Fix My Street.

That was a marathon meeting. I have to leave (10:30pm) as a Town Trust meeting follows.

As always, if you have any questions or just want a chat I'm easily contactable, phone numbers and e-mail on my home page. Use my contact info if you spot, errors or I've just got something completely wrong! Also, I'm not using Facebook much any more, but feel free to link and share these reports using whatever social media you fancy.

You can also find me on the Fediverse (social media without adverts, algorithms or outrage) here:- https://stroud.social/eco-g But I'm no longer on BlueSky as my account has been suspended on 'authenticity' grounds. tbh. I'm beyond caring about US Big Tech social media, I prefer to run my own fedi server.