Annual Town Meeting & Wotton Town Council Meeting

20th April 2026

My informal notes and personal comments from the Annual Town Meeting followed by the Town Council meeting last night that I attended with Cllrs Braun & Cohen.

I arrived earlier than usual for the Annual Town Meeting. I was greeted with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit. There were quite a few people already there, so I had a chat with some residents and councillors as we waited for the start of the meeting. Then, some ten minutes late, the Town Council Meeting kicked off with the normal formalities.

I have to apologise if I missed something at the start (or whilst in conversation), but I don't think there was any discussion to formalise the previous meeting. I thought the idea was to call a "Community Meeting Drop-In" possibly on 16th May at the Town Hall, as discussed at a previous Council meeting. Annual Town Meetings are meant to allow residents to formally voice opinions on local issues and the activities of other bodies like the County Council, District Council, police, NHS, or even private companies, as long as they affect the town specifically; things the Council might not be addressing.

Anyway, the meeting then went on to approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting of 16th March 2026 and the Extraordinary Minutes of the Town Council meeting of 30th March 2026. A Cllr pointed out that they had understood they had been elected onto the Finance and Special Purposes Committee on the 16th March. A long debate ensued. It was confirmed by two, maybe three other Cllrs that this was the agreement had been reached at the council meeting. It was also mentioned that the nature of ex officio positions may have made what had been agreed incorrect. The Cllr repeatedly pointed out that the minutes should reflect this. There was exasperation from those in the public forum. It was suggested that the issue could be resolved in the new civic year (next month).

Then another correction, but this time relating to the exempt minutes. Clerk advised that this could be discussed in open session providing staff names weren't mentioned. A Cllr commented that reference to a 'heated discussion' about advice received was inaccurate. A another protracted debate ensued. It was claimed, by another Cllr, that the summary did not reflect their understanding of events either. More exasperation from members of the public present behind me, some left the meeting at this point.

Finally, we moved on to the Public Forum. The Chair of Beaumont-le-Roger Twinning Association announced that visitors from Beaumont-le-Roger will be coming to Wotton on 22nd May. As our current mayor will be unable to assist and the visitors normally arrive late at night, the Chair was hoping that some other official could make themselves available. The deputy mayor offered.

Geoff Walsh from the Heritage Centre said that they had a meeting with the Town Council six weeks ago. A positive meeting about the future and the agreement to change to a tenancy agreement rather than lease, but so far has heard nothing back. The lease has now expired without agreement. They cannot apply for funding whilst the issue remains unresolved and this has been going on a very long time. The Clerk thinks they've been advised that the lease was extended but will check.

Another member of the public raised concerns over the new Symn Lane Play Area and lack of privacy; they have recently moved into a house next to the play area and are worried about the height of the new equipment (4m high). Youths hang out there at night and cause nuisance, but it's wonderful for infants during the day. The play area used to be locked but no longer is. The floodlights are hopelessly misaligned and on all night. A Cllr mentions that they have investigated barriers to prevent entry to the area when the gate is locked as there are worries about vandalism. CCTV agreed upgrade, Cllrs met with providers, play area a priority, turned into an Infra-red system that surveys the whole town.

Cllr Cohen answered questions on the County Councillor report. A local road survey was raised by a Cllr concerned that a 20mph limit was unnecessary as residents often exaggerate the speed of traffic on certain roads. Cllr Cohen says that there should be no expectation that the police will do speed checks; resources are too tight, measures to combat speed have to be local. We need to ensure the town looks tidy, weeds need to be cleared around shop fronts. Cllr Cohen is thinking of organising another litter pick in addition to the Lions on the 17th. I gave an update on the SDC Report highlighting that the Lido was a topic of concern in Stroud although I had only received one e-mail on the topic. SDC has a £900,000 budget provision for capital works to reopen the Lido; the recent Strategy & Resources Committee recommended that this money could be used to reopen the Lido this season. Cllr Braun noted the upgrade of various litter bins around the town. Also gave an update on a recent site meeting with the Forestry Commission and contractor about Westridge woods.

Various other business items dealt with. A Safeguarding policy document circulated. It is a condition of a £2000 grant that a policy needs to be in place. Youth Services; agreed to four Summer workshops from World Jungle including circus skills, bushcraft, graffiti and creative arts, music and dance. Approved progressing to phase 2 of the Symn Lane Play area for pre-school play equipment. Swift boxes going up on Town Hall and Chipping Hall. Jackdaws have gained access to roof areas and are nesting so work will have to cease until the end of the season.

The Clerk and Cllr Tucker had been on-site at the Symn Lane Car Park. Looked at where CCTV cameras could go without looking into houses. A plan has been devised. There was power for path next to swimming pool. Light in Symn Lane could be converted into a double light. Maybe solar lighting on the side of the swimming pool. There was a Stripe (Town Council consultants) conference call and an efficient tracking document is now in place that will be reviewed every two weeks. Stripe is due to do four inspections of car park and sign off is required to ensure that Town Council and SDC can be assured it's to standard. A comprehensive document. There will be power for EV charging. An extra column with power supply possible right next to disabled spot; reuses the contractors' supply.

It was agreed to install nest boxes on the Civic Centre and to fly the Welcome Home Swifts flag during May 2026 through until replaced by Pride flag. The boxes are from The Men's Shed. Donation £25.

Cllr Britton-Griffiths gave an update on the Bolster Wotton business event in the Swan on the 14th April 2026. There was uncertainty about who would be circulating the official list of events. I took some notes which I know are incomplete but offered it as a basis, if helpful. Cllr Halpin gave an update on the KLB Japanese student exchange. Students were presented with certificates. Cllr Edwards gave a report on the Wotton Community Sports Foundation; another Cllr commented on the development work soon to start there.

Cllr Tucker had attended various meetings about rural transport and bus travel. Much activity being driven by the upcoming local government reorganisation.

Myself and Cllr Braun left the meeting at this point as another meeting followed. (Town Trust)

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 I've created another BlueSky account as my last account was suspended on 'authenticity' grounds. TBH, I'm beyond caring about US Big Tech social media and would like them taxed out of existence.