Find out more about standing as a parish councillor

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The local elections on 1 May 2025 provide an opportunity for community-minded residents to get involved in making positive changes for the local community.
Wiltshire Association of Local Councils are running an online event from 6-7pm on Wednesday 5 March for residents to find out more about the role of parish councils and how to stand for election. Click on the link for details.
You’ll be able to hear from a variety of people involved with local councils and ask questions about the role.
Any if you have any questions about this or any matter related to the local elections please get in touch with the clerk, at: clerk@wingfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

Annual Seed Swap, 10.30am, Sunday 2nd March

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Annual Free Seed Swap

The Poplars, Sunday 2nd March, 10.30 – 12.00

This year we are swapping:

Seeds: home collected or left over packets.

Plastic plants pots to be reused by any local gardeners.

Plants or cuttings you may have to spare.

And new this year we are swapping books and jigsaws!

So please have a sort out and see what you can bring.

The Poplars will be open for coffee so please come along for a chat and see what you can find.

The return of Wingfield Hidden Gardens!

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Are you interested in taking part in this year’s Wingfield Hidden Gardens on Sunday 6th July 2025?

Our first Hidden Gardens event in 2023 proved to be hugely enjoyable for both participants and visitors alike. We’re looking forward to holding the event again – but we need volunteers to open their gardens!

If you think you might like to join in and open your garden this summer for others to visit and enjoy, then please get in touch by Friday 7th March. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like more information.

This is not a competition and there is no ‘standard’ of garden required. It is very much an informal community-based event to allow people to share green-fingered ideas, tips, and to gain inspiration from each other’s gardens, as well as being a great way to connect with others in the village.

Thank you!

John Watt

Email: john.watt01@yahoo.com

Mob: 07779 928439

Find out more about the local elections, 1 May 2025

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  • Would you like to become more involved in your community?
  • Are you self motivated?
  • Can you listen to others and take on board different points of view?

On the 1 May 2025 local elections will take place in Wiltshire to appoint parish, town and unitary councillors. 

We need community minded residents to stand for election as Wingfield Parish Councillors!

Wiltshire Council is running a webinar on Tuesday 11th February for anyone considering standing as a councillor.

Details of how to sign up for the webinar, and on the local elections more generally, can be found on Wiltshire Council’s local election webpage  

Speed Limit Assessment Report

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In light of ongoing concerns raised by residents, Wingfield Parish Councillors asked Wiltshire Council to undertake an independent speed limit assessment review. This review considered the speed limit and the speed of drivers on the B3109 running through Wingfield. The B3109 through Bradford Leigh and South Wraxall was also reviewed, with costs for the survey split between the parish councils involved.

The full  report is available here:

B3109 Bradford-on-Avon Speed Limit Report Final

The survey considered the following factors which are central to making decisions on local speed limits:

  • History of collisions;
  • Road geometry and engineering;
  • Road function;
  • Composition of road users;
  • Existing traffic speeds; and
  • Road environment.

The survey concluded that the current 40mph speed limit on the B3109 through Wingfield was appropriate.

Councillors will continue to investigate measures to ensure that drivers adhere to the current speed limit and to improve road safety. We welcome input from residents on these matters.

Listen out for the Lesser Whitethroat!

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While you’re out and about around Wingfield over the summer, have a look and a listen for a Lesser Whitethroat.  It’s an LBJ (little brown job) that many people have never heard of, but which is present in good numbers around Wingfield this summer.
Like most warblers, Lesser Whitethoats are summer visitors to the UK, spending our winter months in Africa’s Sahel region, flying via the eastern Mediterrannean.  Around Wingfield, natural hedgerows are the preferred habitat and there are currently at least 2 birds singing across the fields between the pub and the church.
Without their song, Lesser Whitethroats would often go unnoticed – they’re small (about the size of a Blue Tit) with grey upper parts and a white throat.  But if you can recognise their song you can often track them down and watch them as they deliver their tune from the top of a hedge or a small tree.  And don’t be put off by having to recognise the song – it’s one of the easiest to recognise in the summer months, and an example can be heard here.  It starts with a few loose, sometimes scratchy notes followed by a strong repetition of the same note.
 
So why not have a listen. https://youtu.be/5i9iihAO9yA
Imagine how you could impress your friends as you walk across the fields and say ‘Ah! A Lesser Whitethoat singing in the hedge over there!’
With thanks to Wingfield resident Jon Clark for providing these details.

The Annual Parish Meeting, 20th May 2024

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All residents are invited to the Wingfield Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 20th May 2024.

It’s being held in the restaurant at The Poplars, by kind agreement of Corina and Alin.

It’s an informal event providing residents with the opportunity to come and meet councillors, learn about parish council activities and to ask questions. Please drop in anytime between 6.30pm and 8pm.

We’re keen to update residents about Parish Council activities and at around 7pm there’ll be a brief update on matters raised at Parish Council meetings, including:

  • Community events
  • A Greener Wingfield group
  • Road and pedestrian safety
  • A Wingfield Walking Map
  • The installation of a defibrillator at Stowford Farm

Come and enjoy a complimentary drink and pastry whilst catching up with councillors, friends and neighbours. Make your voice heard and let us know what else we can do for our village.

We want to make sure that Wingfield continues to be a thriving and active village; come along and help make it happen!

Parish Meeting poster

Opportunity to join the Parish Council!

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Are you a community-minded, independent, thoughtful person? Do you care about your village, your neighbours and your environment? If so, Wingfield Parish Council needs you!

Five residents already support the local community as parish councillors, but one more person is needed to bring Wingfield Parish Council to its full complement of six councillors.

Parish Councils are part of grassroots democracy and contribute to the well-being and cohesion of neighbourhoods by:

  • Representing the local community, giving residents a voice in local decision making and forming a bridge between the community and local government
  • Bringing people together by enabling residents to get involved, express their opinions and contribute, often by organising events, initiatives and projects
  • Playing a role in the planning and development process by reviewing and commenting on applications so they align with the needs of the local community
  • Raising funds through Council Tax Precepts, managing budgets and allocating resources to local projects and initiatives

Contact the Parish Clerk – clerk@wingfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk or 07841 024739 – for an informal chat about the responsibilities and commitment (not huge) and the satisfaction (immense) of serving your community.

Wingfield Annual Seed Swap – 7 April 2024

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Wingfield Parish Council and Greener Wingfield warmly invite all residents to come along to the annual seed swap on Sunday 7th April 2024 – it’s free!

The seed swap event will run from 10.30am to 12noon at The Poplars.

Free hedgerow tree whips will also be available (whilst stocks last!)

Please bring any seeds, cuttings, plants and plastic garden pots to swap and take home for free what you can use.

See the poster for further details. 

 

 

The Parish Council Precept Explained…

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When receiving their Council Tax bills, residents will notice that there is an amount listed against Wingfield Parish Council. This is the parish precept, and it’s the tax that parish council’s charge their local electors to meet their budget requirements.

Wingfield Precept for 2024/25

Having considered funds held, likely budget requirements and the tax base for 24/25, as well as taking into account challenging economic times, Wingfield Councillors agreed to lower the total precept to £16,000 from £16,841 in 2023/24. This means a small decrease in the precept paid by residents. For example, the current Band D charge will decrease from £105.54/year to £96.47/year. This level of precept enables the Parish Council to cover its proposed running costs and the costs of projects for 2024/25, whilst maintaining a reasonable level of funds should any unexpected costs need to be covered.

How is the Precept calculated?

Each parish council forecasts how much money it is going to need in the following year, taking into account money held and any other likely income (most parish councils have very little or no other income). This is then divided by the number of properties in the parish that fall into Band D Council Tax band. This figure is adjusted to take account of such things as exempt properties and planned new houses to get the precept each Council Tax payer in the parish will contribute.

How does Wingfield Parish Council work out it’s precept requirements?

Towards the end of the calendar year, the Clerk prepares a draft budget for the next financial year, that will start the following April. This includes everyday running costs (administration, hall hire, bin emptying etc.) and estimated costs of projects that the Parish Council is hoping to undertake in the year ahead. Parish Councillors finalise the budget at the November Parish Council meeting. Once the budget has been agreed, councillors can then consider how much money they need to raise to meet the projected costs. Current funds held will also be considered at this point. Parish Councils are advised to hold between 3-12 months expenditure in the bank, although this can vary for specific reasons, perhaps if a council is building up funds to undertake a big project.

The final element to consider is the tax base figure, provided by Wiltshire Council. This changes slightly every year according to the number of people living in the parish.

Once councillors have the budget figures, the amount of money held in accounts and the tax base, they can decide on an appropriate level at which to set the next year’s precept.