Due to Councillor unavailability, the Town Council does not have the required number of Councillors by law to hold a Town Council meeting. The meeting will therefore be rescheduled to enable consideration of the items on the agenda.
The Town Council apologises for the inconvenience
Town Clerk
Wotton under Edge Town Council is developing its priorities for the next five years and we need to know what matters most to our residents. These priorities will guide what the Town Council decides which projects and services to support.
WOTTON UNDER EDGE TOWN COUNCIL Future Vision & Strategy Resident Survey – May 10th 2026
The Government has launched a Local Government Review (also known as Devolution) which would mean that Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council will be replaced by a unitary model however this could mean an opportunity for Parish and Town Councils to take on some of their facilities and services.
Which Council does what? Local Government – Who Does What | Wotton-under-Edge
The Town Council precept (Council Tax for Wotton) currently covers Wotton Under Edge Town Council Precept 2026/27 – What does the Town Council element of your Council Tax pay for? | Wotton-under-Edge
The Town Council currently is completing the following projects in 2026/27:
Potential Services for a Town Council:
The Town Council needs to know what residents want to focus on over the next 5 years, for example:
However, residents may have other priorities, and we need to hear these from you.
We also want to hear what you think of the Town Council and what stops you being a Town Councillor. We need your views to improve our services and the way we work.
Please complete our survey using the following link and share your thoughts, it is being independently run and managed, your views are anonymised:
WOTTON UNDER EDGE TOWN COUNCIL Future Vision & Strategy Resident Survey – May 10th 2026
Paper copies are also available in the Civic Centre.
The survey closes on 10th May 2026.
If you have any queries, please email: clerk@wotton-under-edge.com
The Town Council IT contractor is working on the email system which means we are unable to send out or receive any emails. If you have sent an email we are unable to respond therefore please ring the Office on tel: 01453 843210 if your query is urgent.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and patience.
Town Clerk.
Councillors have been working hard scrutinising the spending of the Town Council as part of the setting of the budget for 2025/26. They had the very challenging task of trying to invest in and support the community whilst ensuring there is enough money in the budget to enable the public, staff, buildings, cemetery, allotment sites, play areas, car parks, open spaces, equipment, and all the other assets are looked after and safe, and that the Council complies with legislation whilst being mindful of the cost of living and inflation on Council services, contracts, and materials, and on residents and businesses.
The precept is the Town Council part of the Council Tax that is collected by Stroud District Council. It is calculated as part of the Town Council’s budget and fills the gap between the Town Council’s planned expenditure and its estimated income. The Town Council has very little income opportunities and does not receive any direct funding from central government, or a subsidy from Gloucestershire County Council or Stroud District Council, and therefore the precept is an essential part of the Town Council’s income.
This year there was an increase on the precept for 2025/26 which, for a Band D rated property is 23p per week which will be invoiced at £245.97, this will be shown as a 5.06% increase on the Council Tax invoice for next year (this will be less for Band A to C properties).
The Town Council does not have large reserves like some Councils, and it must keep reserves to deal with emergencies, and to build reserves for community projects. Unlike some other towns, Wotton does not have major housing developments, and therefore there is little offsetting of the council tax resulting from them.
The Council considered the major projects that are being carried out and completed including the review and awarding of the youth services contracts for the town; the new car park off Symn Lane; the major repairs of the Town Hall and Chipping Hall Grade 2 listed buildings; the new build of the Old Town Toilets; the refurbishment of the Symn Lane play area; tree works following the major tree survey; and the improvement of the main paths and fencing in the allotments which were identified as a safety priority in the annual tenants meeting.
The Town Council is classed as a large Council due to the number of buildings and open spaces it manages. These must be maintained to a standard to ensure their safe use by the public and staff, to protect these valuable assets, and to ensure that more expensive costs are not stored up for the future.
The assets the Town Councils manages include:
Allotment sites at New Road and Knapp Road – the fencing and the paths and boundaries need some major works which, in consultation with tenants, will be carried out in 2025/26
Cemetery and churchyards – a health and safety audit has actioned a large amount of ongoing work to be carried out; the trees, hedges, and fencing need ongoing maintenance; the grass requires regular mowing.
Civic Centre car park – the site is managed and maintained. The site is monitored for abandoned vehicles which the Town Council has to manage and pay for removal.
Symn Lane play area – annually inspected by Health & Safety specialists, play area checks carried out by staff daily. The play area will have a refurbishment to improve inclusion and accessibility with better paths and new equipment. The grass requires regular mowing, hedges trimmed, and litter removed. Anti-social behaviour is monitored and managed in conjunction with the Police and other organisations, and damaged equipment and property have to be repaired or replaced.
Open Spaces including Holywell Leaze picnic area, Marchesi and Streamside Walk and the stream, Conygre Woods, Wotton Hill Clump, are all maintained and managed as part of Management Plans. The grass requires regularly mowing, litter and obstructions removed, and damages repaired. The stream is monitored for sewerage outflows and for other pollution, blockages, and litter removal to ensure the protection of the White Clawed Crayfish and other protected wildlife.
Numerous flower beds, planters, and borders require maintenance including planting, watering, mowing, and litter removal.
Winter maintenance including audit of grit bins, ordering grit and salt for bins, snow clearance, and salt spreading; there are also flood warden duties.
Trees on Town Council land are regularly surveyed, a full survey has been completed and a tree management plan and priority works for 2025/26 is in place, the trees are managed and maintained including damage resulting from storms and inclement weather.
CCTV system requires regular updating to ensure it can be used as evidence in court and insurance cases. The Town Council works closely with the Police.
Repair and maintenance, and replacement where necessary, of benches, noticeboards, bus shelters, defibrillators. The Tolsey Clock mechanism and structure will have Phase 2 of its makeover in 2025/26.
The Town Council manages and maintains the following buildings:
Town Hall (Grade II listed) and Chipping Hall (Grade II listed) on behalf of the Town Trust – extensive works to be carried out in 2025/26. A heritage specialist company has carried out structural and aerial surveys and applied for planning permission. Procurement for the major works to be implemented in 2025/26.
Heritage Centre, Youth Centre, Chipping Club Room on behalf of the Town Trust – building surveys to be carried out, new heating system for the Heritage Centre, regular maintenance and repairs, most of which require subsidy from the Town Council.
Civic Centre and Workshop – building surveys to be carried out, regular repairs and maintenance. A new storage unit is to be purchased and installed in 2025/26.
Symn Lane Car Park – subject to planning agreement. Working with a car park specialist company, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, and the developer on maximising the spaces for cars and coaches and ensuring the car park is fit for purpose and meets construction standards. Installing CCTV, grit bins, rubbish bins, noticeboard, lighting, and landscaping. The car park will not be pay and display and will be free to use.
Old Town Toilets – building regulations have changed. Working with a toilet specialist company on a newbuild and anti-social behaviour prevention. Procurement process for project management and works to be implemented in 2025/26.
Festive lighting – year-round. Working with specialist lighting companies and property owners on installing electrical power supply and festive lighting for the town.
Town Council van, equipment, machinery – to be maintained, repaired, and replaced as required.
Christmas tree – provision, installation, and lighting, at the Tabernacle
Youth Service contract – Contract with Play Gloucestershire has been awarded for 2025/26 to provide outdoor play activities at Synwell Playing Fields. Further work being negotiated on a youth services contract to include indoor and outreach youth work and activities.
Climate Change Action Plan – the Council is working through the actions to include decarbonisation of its buildings, developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for Wotton under Edge.
Town Regeneration – Bolster Wotton’s High Street project working with local businesses and the District Chamber of Trade, developing the visitor economy to support businesses, holding events such as Christmas, Summer, VE Day, Remembrance Parade amongst other events
Renewal of leases for the Heritage Centre, Wotton Pool, and Under The Edge Arts
Grants and contributions agreed for the following:
• Wotton Swimming Pool £33,000 for maintenance;
• Heritage Centre towards running costs;
• Wotton in Bloom towards the hanging baskets;
• Wotton Library towards running costs;
• Synwell Playing Fields Association towards play equipment;
• The Keepers towards the food freezer and pantry;
• Glos Breastfeeding Supporters Network;
• Wotton Community Sports Foundation towards repairs of the skate park;
Remembrance Sunday 10th November 2024
Wotton-under-Edge Town Council and local representatives including the Royal British Legion are holding a Remembrance Parade and memorial ceremony on Sunday 10th November 2024. There will be a simple route reducing the length of time for road closures with the Parade starting from the Chipping at 10.40am, which will proceed along Market Street, Long Street, and Church Street, arriving at the War Memorial in Old Town. The Civic Service will then take place at the memorial including the two minutes silence at 11am, playing of the National Anthem, and the laying of wreaths.
The parade will then continue along Culverhay to St Mary’s Parish Church where the parade will be dismissed. There will then be a short family friendly service involving children from the scouting and guiding community at St Mary’s Church to follow to which all are very welcome.
Road Closure Times
| Road | Time Closed | Time Open |
| Market Street | 10.25 | 10.45* |
| Old Town (Bear Street) | 10.45 | 11.45 |
| Long Street | 10.40 | 11.05* |
| Church Street (once the parade has assembled at the War Memorial, if the junction is clear otherwise it will be at 11.45) | 10.40 | 11.05* |
| War Memorial to Church Street | 10.40 | 11.45 |
| Ludgate Hill | 10.40 | 11.05* |
| Culverhay (at Parklands) | 10.40 | 11.45 |
| Clarence Road (no through road into Long Street) | 10.40 | 11.05* |
| Orchard Street (no through road into Long Street) | 10.40 | 11.05* |
*Or until parade passes
Our iconic and much loved Tolsey Clock is having a makeover during July 2024!
Scaffolding will be put up around the fabulous independent shop Daisy Daisy Preloved clothes on Monday 1st July and the clock face and clock mechanism will be taken down to be inspected, maintained, and refreshed.
Rob Collins, the original artist, will be rejuvenating Queen Victoria and surrounds, and the Honourable Keeper of the Clock, Mark Woolfrey, will be caring for the mechanism. The whole process will be photographed for posterity and the Wotton Heritage Centre, as well as updates posted on our social media. The makeover should take 4 weeks to complete.
It is very exciting and an honour to be part of Wotton’s great history!
Daisy Daisy Preloved clothes will be open during this historic makeover but her shop will be partly hidden by the scaffolding. Please visit this fabulous independent shop for all your children’s clothes, books, games, and much more, and be Summer ready, whatever the weather!
Please contact the Town Clerk with any queries: clerk@wotton-under-edge.com
The Civic Centre car park will be closed for essential repairs from 12th – 15th March 2024. The work will take place on 12th March but will need the additional days to set and harden before the car park can return to full use. There will be some spaces reserved for disabled parking near the car park entrance during this period.
The Town Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and to thank you for your understanding.
Councillors have been working hard scrutinising the spending of the Town Council as part of the setting of the budget for 2024/25. They had the very challenging task of ensuring there are budgets to enable the public, staff, buildings, cemetery, allotment sites, play areas, car parks, and open spaces are looked after and safe, and that the Council complies with legislation whilst recognising that council taxpayers are also having to deal with the increase in the cost of living.
The precept is the Town Council part of the Council Tax that is collected by Stroud District Council. It is calculated as part of the Town Council’s budget and fills the gap between the Town Council’s planned expenditure and its estimated income. The Town Council does not receive any direct funding from central government, or a subsidy from Stroud District Council, and therefore the precept is a necessary part of the Town Council’s income.
This year there was an increase on the precept for 2024/25 which, for a Band D rated property is 29p per week which equates to an extra £14.96 for the year, this will be shown as a 6.83% increase on the Council Tax invoice (this will be less for Band A to C properties).
The Town Council does not have large reserves like some Councils, and it must keep reserves to deal with emergencies, and to build reserves for community projects. Unlike some other towns, Wotton does not have major housing developments, and therefore there is little offsetting of the council tax resulting from them.
The Council considered the major projects that are being carried out and completed including the review and awarding of the youth services contract for the town; the new car park off Symn Lane; the Town Hall repairs; the new build of the Old Town Toilets; the replacement of equipment in the Symn Lane play area; tree works following the major tree survey; and the improvement of the main paths in the allotments which were identified as a safety priority in the annual tenants meeting.
The Town Council is classed as a large Council due to the number of buildings and open spaces it manages. These must be maintained to a standard to ensure their safe use by the public and staff, to protect these valuable assets, and to ensure that more expensive costs are not stored up for the future.
The assets the Town Councils manages include:
Allotment sites at New Road and Knapp Road – the paths and boundaries need some major works which, in consultation with tenants, will be carried out in 2024/25
Cemetery and churchyards – a health and safety memorials audit has actioned a large amount of work to be carried out; the trees, hedges, and fencing need ongoing maintenance; the grass requires regular mowing.
Civic Centre car park – the site is managed and maintained. The site is monitored for abandoned vehicles which the Town Council has to deal with.
Symn Lane play area – annually inspected by Health & Safety specialists, play area checks carried out by staff daily. The play equipment is getting old and needs more repairs and replacement. The grass requires regular mowing, hedges trimmed, and litter removed. Anti-social behaviour is monitored and managed in conjunction with the Police and other organisations, and damaged equipment and property have to be repaired or replaced.
Open Spaces including Holywell Leaze picnic area, Marchesi and Streamside Walk, Conygre Woods, Wotton Hill Clump, are all maintained and managed as part of Management Plans. The grass requires regularly mowing, litter and obstructions removed, and damages repaired. Streamsfield is managed on behalf of the Recreational Trust which includes tree works. The stream is monitored for sewerage outflows and for other pollution, blockages, and litter removal to ensure the protection of the White Clawed Crayfish and other protected wildlife.
Various flower beds, planters, and borders require maintenance including planting, watering, mowing, and litter removal.
Winter maintenance including ordering grit and salt for bins, snow clearance, and salt spreading; there are also flood warden duties.
Trees on Town Council land are regularly surveyed, a full survey has been completed and a tree management plan and priority works for 2024/25 is in place and implemented, the trees are managed and maintained including damage resulting from storms.
CCTV system requires regular updating to ensure it can be used as evidence in court and insurance cases. The Town Council works closely with the Police.
Repair and maintenance, and replacement where necessary, of benches, noticeboards, bus shelters, defibrillators. The Tolsey Clock mechanism, structure, and clockface will have a makeover in 2024/25.
The Town Council manages and maintains the following buildings:
Town Hall (Grade II listed) on behalf of the Town Trust – extensive works to be carried out in 2024/25. Delays have been caused by the Planning process and the sudden death of the Council’s Project Manager resulting in the Council having to go through the Executors to retrieve the files, a survey has been completed and an action plan for works in 2024/25 developed. Procurement for the project management and works to be implemented in 2024/25.
Chipping Hall (Grade II listed) building survey has been completed and an action plan for works in 2024/25 developed. Procurement for the project management and works to be implemented in 2024/25.
Heritage Centre, Youth Centre, Chipping Club Room on behalf of the Town Trust – building surveys to be carried out, regular maintenance and repairs, some of which require subsidy from the Town Council.
Civic Centre and Workshop – building surveys to be carried out, regular repairs and maintenance.
Symn Lane Car Park – planning delays but hope to be completed in 2024/25 – spaces for cars and coaches. Installing EV Chargers, CCTV, grit bins, noticeboard, lighting, and landscaping. The car park will not be pay and display and will be free to use.
Old Town Toilets – delays due to the Planning process and change in building regulations. Procurement process for project management and works to be implemented in 2024/25.
Town Council van, equipment, machinery – to be maintained, repaired, and replaced as required.
Christmas tree – provision, installation, and lighting, at the Tabernacle
Grants and contributions agreed for the following:
• Wotton Swimming Pool £28,000 for maintenance;
• Heritage Centre towards running costs;
• Wotton in Bloom towards the hanging baskets;
• Wotton Library towards running costs;
• Synwell Playing Fields Association grant towards play equipment;
• The Keepers towards running costs;
• Allsorts towards running costs;
• Read With Me towards recruiting and supporting volunteers;
• Wotton Community Sports Foundation towards running costs;
• Air Ambulance towards running the service;
• Cobalt towards running the service and equipment;
• Tabernacle Church towards grass cutting;
• Citizen Advice Bureau towards providing free advice and support in Wotton
• Free use of Council facilities for fundraising by local community groups e.g. Council staff look after the hire of the buildings on behalf on the Town Council and the Town Trust which includes the hire of the Town Hall for community groups running Town Hall Teas which have the use of the Town Hall for free, so running costs, for example energy, cleaning etc, are already paid for therefore the organisations can keep all funds/donations taken;
Administration and delivery of services of the Town Council – the demands on the Town Council from central government, County and District Councils, and the public, has significantly increased. An independent staff review was carried out which found the staff were underpaid and the Council was under-resourced. The Council recognised this and has actioned its employment duty requirements. A review of the IT has resulted in an upgrade and cyber-security management. Annual health and safety inspections must be implemented, and actions taken to ensure public and staff safety.
Youth Service contract – a youth service review has been commissioned to include consultations with young people and organisations including schools and the Police. This will lead to a new service being commissioned later in the year. Alternative youth service provision put in place for 2024/25 whilst the review is carried out.
Climate Change Action Plan – the Council is working through the actions to include EV Chargers, decarbonisation of its buildings, developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for Wotton under Edge.
Town Regeneration – Bolster Wotton’s High Street project working with local businesses and the District Chamber of Trade, a consultation has been completed and the actions are being developed and acted on, developing the visitor economy to support businesses, holding events such as Christmas, May Day, DDay, Remembrance Parade; development of a Town Community Plan.
The Town Council is a consultee on local planning applications. It is not responsible for the public highways or street cleaning, but the Council continues to report and to lobby Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council on matters that are important to the community.
The agreed Town Council’s budget including precept for 2024/25: Budget 2024/25
Please find below out of hours contacts for Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and other useful information.
Wotton-under-Edge Useful Information
Police 101 OR IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 999
Vale Community Hospital 0300 4218494
Address: Littlecombe Business Park, Lister Road, Dursley GL11 4BA
NHS Direct 111
Health Emergency 999
Doctors Surgeries:
The Chipping Surgery, Symn Lane, Wotton-under-Edge 01453 842214
The Culverhay Surgery, Culverhay, Wotton-under-Edge 01453 843252
Lloyds Pharmacy, Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge 01453 843171
Utilities Emergency Contact information
Western Power Distribution Call 105
Severn Trent Water (Water supply) 0800 7834444
Wessex Water Bristol (Sewerage) 0345 6004600
British Gas (Gas leak) 0800 111999
Stroud District Council – Out of Hours contact information
Out of Hours Service Arrangements
24th December 2023 and 2nd January 2024
In emergency situations please contact our out of hours service: 01453 222104.
Gloucestershire County Highways Emergency Team
If a highways issue poses an immediate danger to public safety please call our emergency number 08000 514 514.
Emergency highways issues are classed as follows:
Objects on the highway network (i.e. a fallen tree)
Faulty temporary or permanent traffic lights (i.e. stuck on red)
Exposed cables
Multiple street lighting faults
Flooded roads
Potholes over 75mm deep
Manhole/Metal Cover (i.e. missing/dangerous)
For more information FixMyStreet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)
Gloucestershire County Council Emergency Team
The emergency duty team are available for reporting concerns about a child and/or an adult outside of normal office hours. During normal office hours, please visit the report a child protection concern page or the adults and older people page.
Our emergency duty team can be reached on 01452 614194 or email edt@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
The emergency duty team hours are:
For more information view GCC website
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:
Also check out the Town Council Facebook page Wotton under Edge Town Council Facebook
The latest Gloucestershire County Council Highways Road Works Bulletin from 14th to 21st December 2023 is now available:
Open the bulletin for 14 to 24 December 2023.
(If you have difficulty with the above link, copy this link to your browser https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/qnzpgcza/road-works-bulletin-2023-12-14-to-2023-12-24.xlsx.)
To access our dynamic map that shows all the detail from the spreadsheet but pinpointed on a map, see our Roadworks page.
For further information, please contact Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514 or visit Gloucestershire Highways .
