Wotton Town Council Meeting

16th March 2026

Informal notes taken by SDC Cllr Braun (this month only!) from the Town Council meeting on Monday. Regrettably, I had to send apologies, an unexpectedly protracted visit to the dentist. :(

Cllr Braun had attended the annual Kingswood parish meeting earlier, to represent the Greenway Group, which is working with the councils to create a safe, traffic-free walking and cycling route to connect Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood. So, this month, the notes are from agenda item 10 onwards.

Approved a proposed management plan for Synwell Green which will involve some planting of wildflowers. Councillors then agreed who would be on which group or be a rep for a local organisation. They also agreed to focus more on communications, as part of the new strategic vision for the council.

EV chargers for Symn Lane car park – Cllr Thomas proposed that WTC should approach GCC to find out more about EV charging options, following correspondence with Cllr Braun. Unanimously supported. Clerk will write to GCC / and the current contractor, Connected Kerb.

Commemoration working group - Cllr Thomas and Cllr Underwood (in her absence) were nominated to join this working group and to consider nominations and commemoration options. They’ll set up a meeting soon.

Town Hall

Contractor is currently a few weeks ahead of schedule but they are yet to start on the roof where there is water ingress to address and so that may take longer than initially scheduled. They’ve taken down some of the rotten wood and prepared the windows. Clerk and others have met with the Town Hall hirers and found options for alternative venues where needed, but many can stay. There have been compliments about the contractors.

Chipping Hall

Stonework repairs being undertaken.

Play Area

Work proceeding well and play equipment is being installed. Clerk will check it over with a safety inspection due at the end of the week. Considering an opening ceremony and would like to involve schools. Ongoing discussions with neighbours and play provider Kompan about the height of the Multi Use Games Area, and overlooking issues, as there was previously at this site.

Symn Lane Car Park

Stripe Consulting, experts in car park structures, is acting on behalf of WTC to finalise improvement to the Symn Lane car park. They met with the developer for the first time last week and have raised issues for action. WTC has agreed to pay for four inspection meetings by Stripe Consulting. Cllr Tucker has agreed to join the Clerk in any future meetings with contractors.

Civic Centre Solar Panels

Cllr Thomas reported on a recent meeting with a surveyor and WTC Facilities Manager to discuss requirements. They favoured updating the roof to a pitched roof rather than retaining the flat roof and putting panels on the south facing roof.

Other News (not from the meeting)

Dryleaze

After a few meetings with residents, contractors and SDC officers since the New Year progress has been made ironing out the kinks in the heating system at Dryleaze. I have to say that Gas Safe, the contractor, have been brilliant. The issues have been complex and vexing for residents. I've also engaged with the Property Care team to ensure that a number of outstanding issues are also getting resolved. Things always take longer than expected but the last meeting with residents was quite positive.

British School

British School have a fundraiser to host what is billed as an inspirational workshop with Chris Hunt Skelley. He competes at the highest levels of Judo with a visual impairment and won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. I try to support local events like this, please donate if you can. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-british-schoolfundraiser-1

Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel

Constituents have raised questions with me about the IOPC investigations of Chief Constable Rod Hansen and the 'no case to answer' outcome relating to one of those investigations. They are seeking reassurance that there will be a route to accountability. Therefore, I feel the panel needs to understand how the PCC reached their referral decision, what information was considered and check that proper procedures were followed. https://listed.to/@eco_g/70983/advanced-questions-p-c-panel-march-2026