Brief notes of Whitminster Parish Council – 19:30 Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Whitminster Parish Council met in December 2025. Apologies were received from Cllr Sarah Younger and County Cllr Stephen Davies. There were no declarations of interest relating to items on the agenda. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a correct record. Under matters arising, it was noted that there had still been no response to the request for maintenance of the outdoor gym equipment.
District council matters were reported, including confirmation that Council had welcomed the refusal of the Saul Solar Farm, largely due to inaccessibility and flooding, following a strong community presence. An update was received on the progress of Planning Enforcement officers regarding the unauthorised “Krate” village development, and a brief update was also provided on the School Lane development.
Under police and community safety, members considered ongoing concerns at the Grove Lane junction. Cllr Paynter reported that he had been in contact with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, who had agreed to arrange a survey to record issues at the junction. Residents will be encouraged to upload dashcam footage of incidents to Operation Snap; alternatively, footage could be sent to Cllr Paynter for sharing via a Dropbox link.
In planning matters, the Council noted recent decisions and discussed current and emerging applications, the Local Plan and pending large-scale proposals. It was agreed that the Council should seek a conversation with Stroud District Council planning officers about the possibility of a more strategic, larger Whitminster allocation, with a view to heading off piecemeal speculative developments around the parish. Under highways and byways, no progress was reported on Tree Preservation Orders around Grove Lane, and no response had yet been received regarding public rights of way; Cllr Paynter will follow this up again with County Cllr Stephen Davies.
The skate ramp was discussed and it was agreed to leave it as-is, as the ramp remains untouched. It was further agreed to leave it in its current condition until any future graffiti requires repainting; at that point, repainting options can be considered. In accounts, payments were reviewed, including proposed works to the bus shelter; it was noted that surrounding hedges need to be cut back before work proceeds and this will be checked. The Council also briefly considered future parish project investment.
Correspondence received since the last meeting was noted. Under the Chairman’s items and other business, the status of all the village defibrillators will be checked and included in the formal minutes. The ongoing list of parish projects was reviewed, including the playing field and pavilion, the parish newsletter and biodiversity initiatives. For future agenda items, members suggested community engagement activities such as a Halloween costume competition or a village scarecrow trail.
The meeting was declared closed at around 21:10.