Agenda
Downloadable copies of agenda and papers
AGENDA
2026-05/1 Election of Chair and Vice-Chair (outgoing Chair presides for this item)
2026-05/1.1 To elect a Chair and receive declaration of acceptance of office
2026-05/1.2 To elect a Vice-Chair
2026-05/2 To receive apologies
2026-05/3 To receive declarations of interest and requests for dispensations
2026-05/4 Public Forum
Members of the public are invited to address the council on matters of council business set out below. The Chairman may accept submissions on other matters if he chooses to do so. No council discussion may take place at this time.
2026-05/5 To approve the minutes of last meeting held on 14th April 2026
2026-05/6 To consider co-option to the vacant council seat
2026-05/7 Parish matters for decision
2026-05/7.1 To consider writing to Natural England in support of EDF/Hinkley Point C application for amendment to development consent order re: fish protection measures
2026-05/8 To note items of report (no decisions to be taken)
2026-05/8.1 To receive the clerk’s report
2026-05/8.2 To receive any reports from councillors
2026-05/9 Planning
2026-05/9.1 To note any planning applications received since issue of the agenda, and resolve response
(Details of all current planning applications can be found via the South Glos Council planning system)
2026-05/9.2 To note the following SGC planning decisions
i. P26/00583/PNGR – Link Farm – Barn 2 Redhill Lane Elberton – Prior notification of a change of use from Agricultural Building (Barn 2) to 1 no. residential dwelling (Class C3) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to include operational development. SGC decision: Prior approval granted with conditions
2026-05/10 Council administration
2026-05/10.1 To determine appointment of members to the Planning Committees
2026-05/10.2 To appoint representatives to the following external bodies:
2026-05/10.2.1 Town and Parish Forum
2026-05/10.2.2 Oldbury Site Stakeholders Group
2026-05/10.2.3 Severnvale Flood Defence Group
2026-05/11 Finance
2026-05/11.1 To note the following receipts:
Item Amount
Parish precept (first installment) £3,515.00
VAT reclaim for 2025/26 £220.81
2026-05/11.2 To note the following payments made under prior approval:
Item Amount Minute (where applicable)
Staff costs for month to 16th April 2026 £313.80 2025/09/9.4
Unity Trust – banking charge April 2026 £7.00 2025/05/10.9
2026-05/11.3 To approve the following payments:
Item Amount Power to spend
Zurich – Insurance premium 2026-27 £241.00 LGA 1972 s.111
Printer cartridges (via clerk’s expenses) £76.15 LGA 1972 s.111
2026-05/11.4 To approve the following regular payments for the next year
Item Amount Method Frequency
Clerk’s salary (£305.80) & home working allowance (£8) £313.80 Standing order Monthly
Information Commissioner’s Office registration £47.00 Direct debit Annual, in March
South Glos. Council – localism charge (emptying of waste bin) £55.18 + VAT Bank transfer Quarterly, as invoiced
Unity Trust banking charges £7.00 Automatic charge Monthly
2026-05/12 To consider responses to the following consultations received
2026-05/12.1 SGC Special Expenses – closes 19th June (paper 1)
2026-05/13 Any other minor matters of report (no decision required) or items for next agenda
2026-05/14 Meeting closure
Minutes
Downloadable copy of the minutes.
Present: Councillors Steve Meredith (chairman), Julian Cooper, Ian Jenkins, David Spratt, Anne Wiseman
In attendance: Ward Councillor Matthew Riddle (SGC), no members of the public
Clerk: Emma Pattullo
2026-05-1 Election of Chair and Vice Chair
2026-05-1.1 To elect a Chair and receive declaration of acceptance of office
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Steve Meredith should be elected as Chair for the council year 2026-27. Cllr Meredith signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
2026-05-1.2 To elect a Vice-Chair
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Ian Jenkins should be elected as Vice-Chair.
2026-05-2 To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Heather Bayston
2026-05-3 To receive declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
There were no declarations of interest or dispensation requests.
2026-05-4 Public Forum
No members of the public were present.
2026-05-5 To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 14th April 2026
It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th April 2026 be approved as a correct record. The minutes were signed by the Chairman.
2026-05-6 To consider co-option to the vacant council seat
No candidates have come forward for co-option.
2026-05-7 Parish matters for decision
2026-05-7.1 To consider writing to Natural England in support of EDF/Hinkley Point C application for amendment to development consent order re: fish protection measures
EDF have reported that trials of the Acoustic Fish Deterrent system, to prevent fish being drawn into the intake pipes of the new power station, have been very successful. They believe that use of this device, plus other mitigation actions already in progress, will be enough to mitigate any impact on fish populations without having to construct saltmarsh habitat as well. However, Natural England are understood to be pushing for the saltmarsh proposals to go ahead. EDF have asked the council to consider writing to Natural England in support of EDF’s view that saltmarsh creation would be excessive.
It was RESOLVED that a letter of support should be sent.
2026-05-8 To note items of report
2026-05-8.1 To receive the clerk’s report
The clerk reported on matters not otherwise covered on the agenda:
• Councillors were reminded to update their register of interests when necessary. Revision of the Localism Act means that home addresses will no longer be published, but must still be supplied to SGC.
• Attended planning engagement forum. Planning officers reported that due to recent government direction, there will be a change to the criteria for which applications can go forward to planning committees; the majority of smaller applications will have to be solely delegated to officers.
• Your Voice – summer sessions will join up with existing community events. Next Thornbury area one is Aug 8th 2pm-6pm at Krunch Youth Festival, Thornbury skate park.
• SGC have advised further highways works on A38 (Alveston to Grovesend Rd) from 18th May. Overnight closures until 24th May, ongoing daytime works until October. Further closures between Almondsbury and the M5 from 24th.
2026-05-8.2 To receive any reports from councillors
Cllr Riddle reported that the Planning Inspector who is undertaking the examination of the SGC Local Plan has asked officers to present justification for removal of the former proposed traveller’s site at Foxholes Lane / Vattingstone Lane junction. Cllr Riddle has provided statistics and photos demonstrating the high rate of accidents at the junction. The site also has a number of utilities crossing it, as well as a farm access route.
2026-05-9 Planning
2026-05-9.1 To note applications received and resolve response
The following applications were noted and responses resolved as recorded:
i. P26/00988/CLP – Eastfield Nurseries Village Road Littleton Upon Severn – Siting of Caravan to provide additional accommodation for family of homeowners. RESOLVED: No objection.
ii. P26/01022/PN1 – Car Park at Brightside Park Sandy Lane Aust – Prior notification of the intention for development of a Gateway Ground Station Antenna Site consisting of 40no. Satellite antennas, a fibre supply equipment cabinet, and cables set within a compound secured by 2.4m high fencing with vehicular access gates. and development works thereto. RESOLVED: Due to late arrival of the application, defer until the next meeting. Clerk to request an extension.
2026-05-9.2 To note the following SGC planning decisions
i. P26/00583/PNGR – Link Farm – Barn 2 Redhill Lane Elberton – Prior notification of a change of use from Agricultural Building (Barn 2) to 1 no. residential dwelling (Class C3) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to include operational development. SGC decision: Prior approval granted with conditions.
2026-05-10 Council administration
2026-05-10.1 To determine appointment of members to the Planning Committees
It was RESOLVED that the village planning committees shall be made up as follows:
• Aust – Cllrs Meredith, Jenkins, Spratt, Wiseman
• Elberton – Cllrs Meredith, Bayston + one further member co-opted if a meeting is required
• Littleton – Cllrs Meredith, Cooper + one further member co-opted if a meeting is required
2026-05-10.2 To appoint representatives to the following external bodies:
2026-05-10.2.1 Town and Parish Forum
It was RESOLVED that the clerk should represent the council on the Town and Parish Forum.
2026-05-10.2.2 Oldbury Site Stakeholders Group
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Cooper should represent the council on the Oldbury Site Stakeholders Group.
2026-05-10.2.3 Severnvale Flood Defence Group
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Bayston should represent the council on the Severnvale Flood Defence Group.
2026-05-11 Finance
2026-05-11.1 To note receipts
The following receipts were noted:
Item Amount
Parish precept (first installment) £3,515.00
VAT reclaim for 2025/26 £220.81
2026-05-11.2 To note payments made under prior approval
The following payments, made under the given prior approval, were noted:
Item Amount Minute (where applicable)
Staff costs for month to 16th April 2026 £313.80 2025/09/9.4
Unity Trust – banking charge April 2026 £7.00 2025/05/10.9
2026-05-11.3 To approve payments
The following payments were RESOLVED to be made. All will be paid via bank transfer. A record of authorisation will be held by the Clerk.
Item Amount Power to spend
Zurich – Insurance premium 2026-27 £241.00 LGA 1972 s.111
Printer cartridges (via clerk’s expenses) £76.15 LGA 1972 s.111
2026-05-11.4 To approve regular payments for the next year
It was RESOLVED that the following regular payments should be approved for the next year.
Item Amount Method Frequency
Clerk’s salary (£305.80) & home working allowance (£8) £313.80 Standing order Monthly
Information Commissioner’s Office registration £47.00 Direct debit Annual, in March
South Glos. Council – localism charge (emptying of waste bin) £55.18 + VAT Bank transfer Quarterly, as invoiced
Unity Trust banking charges £7.00 Automatic charge Monthly
2026-05-12 To consider consultations received and determine response
2026-05-12.1 South Glos. Council – Special Expenses
Following a lengthy discussion, it was RESOLVED that the council will commission SGC to continue maintaining the area of grass at Orchard Drive, Aust.
2026-05-13 Any other minor matters for discussion (no decision required) or items for next agenda
Horses being kept on Highways verges near the entrance to Aust Services. This has been reported to SGC.
2026-05-14 Meeting closure
The meeting closed at 8:16pm.
