NEWS IN BRIEF:
June 2023
Wick Community Council Annual Report – 2022/23 (pdf)
The Annual Report (pdf) provides a summary of work undertaken during 2022/23. The report covers areas such areas as Jubilee and Coronation celebrations, Finance, Places for Nature Scheme, Replacement Railngs, Pizza Oven/Section 106 Funding, and the Pavilion and Sports Field lease.
January 2023
Proposed lease and increase to Precept
Wick Community Councillors met with officers of the Vale of Glamorgan Council last month to discuss a proposed lease for Wick Sports Pavilion. We also discussed the possibility of a lease for the sports field, and this was met with a positive response.
Vale Council officers opened the meeting and explained that the Council had no further use for the pavilion, but were hopeful that a lease could be agreed allowing Wick Community Council to manage it.
They also expressed the view that the pavilion would be better served as a community asset managed by the Community Council, as there was an opportunity to manage the building more effectively, engage the community in Wick, and also apply for grant funding, something the Vale Council could not do.
On a less positive note, if a lease cannot be agreed, the Vale Council would close the sports pavilion, and explore options for the land. As a Community Council we believe that residents would prefer to see the pavilion and field retained for community use. By taking a lease on both we are hopeful of safeguarding the building and land from any possibility of future development.
Referring back to the meeting, councillors requested costs for the pavilion that are currently paid by the Vale Council such as electric, water and insurance. These were provided by Vale Council and were discussed at our last meeting in December.
At this time of the year, we have to prepare a budget and agree the precept (a tax collected by the Vale Council on our behalf) for 2023/24. During our meeting the council’s finance officer explained that additional costs for the pavilion would lead to a deficit of £3,000 on our current budget, and added that costs provided by the Vale council were up to March 2022 only, so the deficit could be higher than £3,000 due to increased costs of energy and inflation.
Councillors expressed concern at the meeting regarding how the increased cost would affect residents in Wick. To provide an example based on figures we have from Stats Wales for 2021/22 and the precept rising by £3,000 – for households in band D there would be an increase of £5.55 per year, from £11.09 to £16.64.
Looking forward, Wick Community Council would like to improve the Sports Pavilion and with that in mind, we have built up reserves of £15,000 over the last 4 or 5 years. Once the lease is agreed we will begin to spend that money. Ideas that have been put forward already include new flooring and redecoration. We know that there is a lot of support in Wick for a community cafe, amongst many other ideas that have been put forward by the community.
The Council hope that residents support our ambitions for the pavilion and sports field and share our wishes to safeguard the land for community use. We would also like to remind residents that we are all volunteers and do not receive any payment for carrying out our role as councillors.
We are hopeful that the lease will be be signed before April 2023, so councillors agreed that we should address the 2023/24 deficit now. The precept in Wick is currently £6,000, and would rise by £3000 from April 1st 2023 to £9,000. The amount required to cover the predicted deficit.
This decision to increase the precept has been agreed in principle and will be confirmed by councillors at the next meeting on 19th January 2023.
January 2023
Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013
Review of Community Arrangements for the Vale of Glamorgan – (pdf) download
The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales are about to conduct a review of the community arrangements for the Vale of Glamorgan. Among the matters the Commission will consider are the boundaries of the current community and community wards of and any consequential changes required to the electoral arrangements of those communities.
Before they begin to formulate their draft proposals, the Commission invite any person or body having an interest in the review to send their initial comments via email to: consultations@boundaries.wales, or in writing to: The Chief Executive, Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, CARDIFF, CF24 0BL between 01 February 2023 and 28 March 2023.
Further information about the review and the work of the Commission can be found on the Commission’s website: www.ldbc.gov.wales.
Please note that the comments received will be published, however personal information will be redacted.
Shereen Williams, Chief Executive
June 2022
Wick Community Council Annual Report – 2021/22 (pdf)
The Community Council Annual Report (pdf) provides a summary of work undertaken during 2021/22. The report covers areas such as Finance, Sports Pavilion, Completed and Ongoing Projects, Youth Club/Play Rangers, Environment, and Section 106 Funding.
May 2022
CPR and Defibrillator Awareness
Would you know what to do if you needed to use a defibrillator?
Defibrillators are easy to use and once turned on tell you what to do. Here’s a video demonstration… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSU5wNEYl_Y
To increase confidence on the use of the defibrillators Wick the Community Council has arranged a CPR and defibrillator awareness session at Wick Pavilion on Tuesday 24th May 2022 7.00p to 8.15pm.
Delivered by Phil Hill, Welsh Community CPR and Defibrillator manager the session is free of charge but places are limited. To book a place message me, call 07710209437 or email wickcommunitycouncil@gmail.com
April 2022
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June 2022
The Community Council has been made aware that, in some areas of the Community, plans are already in hand for street parties or other community celebrations over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend of 2nd to 5th June.
In view of this the Community Council has decided not to proceed with its own picnic on the Village Green on the Sunday, but to offer support to those in the community who wish to organise their own celebrations.
Applications are invited from members of the Community, who are planning to run a celebration event over the Bank Holiday weekend, for financial support from the Community Council.
It is envisaged that, depending on the number of applications, grants of up to £100 would be made available to residents wishing to organise a celebration event. However, there is flexibility in this and the Community Council will consider all suitable applications.
Requests for funding should be made in writing or by email to The Clerk to Wick Community Council, 18 Ewenny Road, Wick, Cowbridge, CF71 7QA. Email wickcommunitycounci@gmail.com
The Community Council wishes all residents a very happy Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday celebration.
April 2022
Wick Community Council – Notice of Casual Vacancy
Notice is hereby given that following nominations for the Local Government election ONE vacancy has occurred among the members of Wick Community Council.
It is intended to fill this vacancy by way of co-option.
Any person wishing to be considered for this vacancy should apply to the Clerk in writing or by email on or before the 12th May 2022.
The applicant’s name must appear on the current register of the electors, or the applicant should during the whole of the twelve months preceding the relevant date resided in or within three miles of the community or the applicant’s only place of work during the whole of the twelve months preceding the relevant date is in the community.
The applicant must not be debarred from standing as a Councillor.
In the event of their being more applicants than there are vacancies the successful applicant will be selected, on the basis if the written applications, at its meeting on Thursday 19th May 2022.
Written applications should be sent in the first instance to: –
Councillor Conway Hawkins
Clerk
Wick Community Council
18 Ewenny Road
Wick
COWBRIDGE CF71 7QA
Or by email to wickcommunitycouncil@gmail.com
March 2022
Local Government Elections – Thursday 5 May 2022
Elections to the County (Borough) Council and Town and Community Councils will be held on Thursday 5 May 2022.
Applications are welcomed from members of the community in Wick to stand as Community Councillors. Information about becoming a Community Councillor is available on the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s webpage using the following link www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/lge
Information regarding the Electoral Commission and guidance for Candidates and Agents can be found at https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/community-council-elections-wales
March 2022
Locked gate and blocked footpath
The Community Council have received a reply from the Vale Council about a locked gate blocking a footpath near West Monkton on Water Street.
They have advised that the gate was fitted recently by Vale Council Rangers based at the Heritage Coast Centre. They will contact the landowner to ensure the padlock is removed so the path is accessible.
October 2021/March 2022
Ecology and Bio-diversity Meeting
Wick Community Councillors met with officers of the Vale Council in October 2021 to consider opportunities for improving ecology and bio-diversity in Wick. As a result of that meeting, we are very hopeful that funding will be made available from the Vale Council for wild flower planting along the main road in Wick, the village green and sports field, report attached.
Local Nature Partnership Meeting (pdf)
Councillors are also hopeful that a new hedgerow will be planted to enclose the play area on the village green.
We are also seeking funding from other organisations to plant trees at various locations in the village. Recently a pear tree was planted on the village green with funding from the Duchy of Lancaster to commemorate the Queens Jubilee celebrations taking place this year.
February 2022
Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations – June 2022
There are no specific plans as yet, but early discussions with both pubs in the village and Revitalize have been positive, so we are hopeful that a celebration will take place based on a ‘Picnic in the Park’ theme based at the sports field and/or the village green, with bars, a stage and a band.
February 2022
New footpath on Broughton Road
We have received a few complaints relating to the new footpath located at the village green bus stop. The complaints are because wheelchair users have difficulty getting to the bus stop itself as the dropped kerb is a considerable distance away from the bus stop. We are in the process of arranging a meeting with the Vale Council and will seek to find a solution to the problem.
February 2022
Footpath from St James Gardens to Heol Fain
The problem relates to the short length of lane/path leading from St James Gardens to Heol Fain and Trepit Road that is very narrow, poorly constructed and difficult for those using wheelchairs, prams and buggies to use. We have been in discussions with the Vale Council, progress has been very slow, but we are still hopeful that a solution can be found.
January 2022
Precept and Budget for 2022/23
At the meeting held in January, councillors agreed that the precept for the next financial year 2022/23 should remain the same at £6000. This is mainly because the council has built up high reserves over the last 4 years in anticipation of taking over running of the sports pavilion.
Regarding the sports pavilion, we are doing our best to negotiate the best terms possible regarding the lease, and are hopeful this will be completed by the summer. We can then begin to spend the reserves, and upgrade the building.
The budget for the forthcoming year was also agreed.
January 2022
Damaged Railings
We are currently working on a project to repair the damaged railings on the village green by Trepit Road. The Duchy of Lancaster have indicated they will pay for the repair work. Councillors have obtained costs from a local builder and obtained prices for materials. These have been submitted to the Duchy for consideration.
December 2021
Play Equipment Grant
Wick Community Council have been successful in obtaining a Play Equipment Grant of £1588.17 and will this be used to supplement play equipment used by Wick Youth Club. The equipment is also available for use at birthday parties and other celebrations held at the sports pavilion, so contact the clerk for further information.
November 2021
Pizza Oven
The Community Council have received a new pizza oven from section 106 funds. Work is still required to construct a plinth to support the oven, but we are hopeful that the oven will be up and running soon. The oven will be located close to the sports pavilion, and subject to training will be available for the community to use.
October 2021
Speeding Vehicles
Residents have told us they often feel upset and angry when walking along the main road in Wick because of speeding traffic passing though the village, and those living close to the main road feel that the quality of their lives has deteriorated over the last 5 years due to the increase in speeding traffic.
If your well-being has been affected by speeding traffic in Wick, please complete the survey on the page ‘Speeding Traffic’ and let us know what you think about it.
May 2021
Submission of Accounts to Audit Wales
Many councils in Wales were late submitting their annual audit due to the pandemic, and Audit Wales are now dealing with a large backlog. However, Wick Community Council submitted their audits for year-end 2020 and 2021 well before the end of the permitted date, and are hopeful of an receiving an opinion from Audit Wales soon.
Further Information is available on Audit Wales Statements
Wick Community Council 