Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 26th September 2023 at Whittington Community Hall, WR5 2RQ
Minutes 09/2023
Present: Steve Brooker (Chair), Richard Boase, Adam Hooper, Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Chris Mayo, Helena Bennett, Kevin Maguire (from 7:38PM)
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Liz Turier (District Councillor), Rob Adams (District Councillor), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Paul Middleborough (Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner), Rob Mace (Wychavon District Council), ten members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Steve Brooker opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
All members present.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda members are reminded of their responsibility to declare interests and to update their register of interests as required.
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Steve Brooker declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all items pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
Richard Boase declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all items pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
Helena Bennett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all items pertaining to the Parkway new town development (part of the South Worcestershire Development Plan).
Helena Bennett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities).
Katie Lambeth-Mansell declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities).
Helena Bennett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 8.2.1 (planning application W/23/00712/HP) and item 8.2.2 (planning application W/23/01493/HP).
3.3. Other Disclosable Interests: To declare any Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Richard Boase declared an other disclosable interest in all items pertaining to Uffnell’s Allotments.
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from members who have declared an interest but wish to stay in the meeting during that time to aid discussion / speak / vote.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Steve Brooker to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Richard Boase to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Helena Bennett to allow participation, but not voting, on all matters pertaining to the Parkway new town development (part of the South Worcestershire Development Plan).
A dispensation had previously been granted to Richard Boase to allow participation and voting on all items pertaining to Uffnell’s Allotments.
4. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancy.
It was RESOLVED to co-opt Kevin Maguire to fill the councillor vacancy and he joined the meeting from 7:38PM.
5. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
5.1. District Councillors
Liz Turier provided an update as follows:
• Liz had recently met with Wychavon District Council officers regarding lack of open space in Whittington and a dialogue had been opened with Whittington Primary School.
Rob Adams provided an update as follows:
• The outdoor film screening of Bohemian Rhapsody at Norton had been a success.
• The leader of Wychavon, Cllr Bradley Thomas, was selected as prospective parliamentary candidate for Bromsgrove.
• Difficulties continue with planning applications – still no five-year housing land supply.
• The official opening of Worcestershire Parkway took place on the 8th September 2023.
• Whittington Community Hall was visited by the Chairman of Wychavon District Council on Friday 22nd September 2023 and he was suitably impressed.
5.2. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a report as follows:
County have published the deadline for High School applications as the 31st October 2023.
For more information and to apply go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Whilst on the subject of schools we have been informed that none of our council-run schools in Worcestershire have been affected by the same ‘collapse risk’ concrete (RAAC) that has forced more than 100 others nationally to close. However, this statement does not include Academies such as Pershore High School. I was informed earlier that they have closed their drama building over RAAC fears after surveys have been undertaken.
Evidently County Hall has RAAC present in its roof. As a precautionary measure staff are being relocated to lower floors and meetings will be held on the ground floor whilst larger full council meetings are to be relocated elsewhere while more surveys are carried out.
No doubt you will have heard of a proposal to close many ticket offices at our stations. I am not in favour of this proposal as I feel it will disproportionately affect many rail users. For those amongst you who agree with me there is a live petition opposing ticket office closures and asking for the need to force a debate in the House of Commons. 100,000 signatures are needed and 94,000 have already been received. Please follow https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/636542 The deadline is October 18th 2023.
PARKWAY STATION
Worcestershire Parkway opened in February 2020. More than half a million trips were made at a county-wide railway station within 12 months. Figures show over 540,000 journeys have been made from Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station in 12 months. The journeys made were between April 2022 and March 2023 and is the kind of volume the county council did not expect to achieve for at least another eleven years.
A special event took place to celebrate Worcestershire Parkway organised by Great Western Railway (GWR). Which I was pleased to attend as the station lies within my County Division. At the event, there were several speeches made and a plaque was unveiled by Beatrice Grant to mark the occasion. Worcestershire Parkway, located east of Junction 7 of the M5, is accessible for commuters and longer-distance travellers from all over the county. The station serves two railway lines – North Cotswold Line, which goes to London Paddington and the Birmingham to Bristol Line.
The station was the first new station to open in Worcestershire in over 100 years.
OVERGROWN HEDGES & FALLEN TREES
Here is some useful advice in view of the high winds forecast for this week and the rapid growth experienced in hedges and vegetation due to the hot wet weather we have experienced this year.
95% of trees and hedges in our county are in private gardens. If you spot vegetation obstructing a public pavement, a road, sign or streetlight WCC can give the land owner notice to cut back their foliage and take appropriate action if this does not happen.
You can also report any fallen trees that are obstructing the public highway. Please report any issues directly to: www.worcestershire.gov.uk
5.3. Whittington C of E Primary School
An update was received as follows:
• Monthly meetings with the Headteacher had been arranged to promote closer working on engagement, communication and future events.
• The school now had a waiting list for student places.
• School start times will be staggered to help with parking issues.
• The school has no issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and was open as usual.
5.4. Whittington Church
An update was received as follows:
• A coffee morning is scheduled for Saturday 7th October 2023.
• A Harvest Festival service is planned for Sunday 8th October 2023, donations are welcome.
• A talk on haemophilia is scheduled for Saturday 21st October 2023.
5.5. Brethren Church
The Brethren Church offered to share CCTV footage to assist with tackling anti-social behaviour.
5.6. Whittington Community Hall
An update was received as follows:
• The hall continues to receive a large number of bookings including regular hires.
• The hall committee were looking at options for replacing chairs.
• The new audio/visual equipment is operational.
• A community cinema screening of the Greatest Showman is scheduled for the 28th October 2023.
5.7. Whittington Charities
A review of the charity was ongoing. The Parish Council paid tribute to Les Wiltshire for his work on the Whittington Charities and across the parish, over many years.
5.8. Public participation
Topics raised by members of the public included the following:
• It was suggested that the Whittington Charities could liaise with Whittington Primary School to increase awareness of the charities.
• It was noted that Wychavon District Council’s Household Support Fund could be accessed via the Pershore volunteer centre and foodbank.
• Concerns were raised over the lack of bus services serving Whittington Walk, leaving residents isolated.
• Concerns were raised over the traffic island at the entrance to Whittington Walk, forcing drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road or take a lengthy detour.
• Concerns were raised that there was only one access road onto Whittington Walk and there is the potential for the estate to be cut off.
• Concerns were raised regarding anti-social behaviour and drug misuse; it was suggested that the Police were wasting resources enforcing the traffic island at the entrance to Whittington Walk and not tackling more serious anti-social behaviour issues.
• Concerns were raised regarding a lack of street lighting at the Swinesherd Way/Nunnery Way roundabout.
• A suggestion was received to investigate additional traffic calming in Walkers Lane.
5.9. Police: To welcome the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner and Police Safer Neighbourhood Team to the meeting and to receive an update on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
Richard Boase provided a report as follows:
For the benefit of members of the public who have joined us tonight I want to say that the Parish Council has become increasingly aware of antisocial behaviour over the past year to 18 months. It ranges from the intimidation of threatening and abusive behaviour to the irritation of littering and health hazards of dog fouling and fly-tipping and includes suspicious behaviour, suspected drug dealing and abuse, damage to public property and petty theft in between. Physical assault and a threat to steal dogs have been reported on Whittington Walk recently. The main focus of antisocial behaviour is on our two new developments of Wildmore and Whittington Walk, but not exclusively. Attempted burglaries have been reported in the village as has an actual burglary on Pershore Road causing a considerable amount of damage, so this is a parish-wide problem.
Much of the littering, intimidation and general disregard for the area in which they live appears to come from teenagers. We’re not labelling teenagers as the whole problem, but there appears to be a common theme in what we have seen and read and for this reason we have invited Rob Mace, Youth and Equalities Officer at Wychavon District Council to join us and comment after Mr Middleborough. We are also corresponding with a youth group, specialising in working with youngsters in the field of music technology, which we hope we may be able to drive forward and may be of interest to our parish youngsters.
We have drafted a report for West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner outlining the issues that have been reported to us over the past year or so or which have been seen on the respective Wildmore and Whittington Walk Community Facebook pages. Much of our report has been based on hearsay and what we have read. We have had very little evidence, but that doesn’t lessen the impact of antisocial and threatening behaviour on our parish residents and the lack of evidence must not be seen as meaning no action can be taken. We believe it can, not least in increased police visibility in our community. No personal information has been disclosed in the report.
Whittington Parish Council has been proactive in trying to support its residents against this scourge, but our powers are limited. However, in the past year, we have:
• Distributed free SmartWater kits to every resident on the Electoral Register as at November 2022 and put up “Criminals Beware” signs at key locations across the Parish.
• Worked with Wychavon District Council to install more litter bins throughout the parish.
• As Whittington Walk’s open spaces are not being adopted by Wychavon we have worked successfully with the development’s management company to secure agreement for additional waste bins that they will install and maintain.
• Installed a Vehicular Activated Speed sign on Pershore Road to try to tackle the speeding problem along the part of the road that is within our parish.
• Invited officers from West Mercia’s Pershore Rural team to attend our meetings or submit written reports.
• Invited tonight’s guests to respond to our written report and residents’ concerns.
Mr Middleborough, you are very welcome here tonight and I hope that your attendance will be seen positively by members of the public, who are justifiably frustrated by the situation they and we find ourselves in. Frustration caused by either being pushed away when trying to report or not being able to find a way of reporting in the first place. I know you had hoped that an officer from Pershore Rural would be here tonight, as did we so perhaps you are as disappointed as we are in their absence. An officer replied just last week saying that they “look forward to getting back to working with us”. They’re fine words, but in truth it’s not a question of ‘getting back to working with us’ as the reality is that they haven’t started, having been to just one of our meetings in the past year, despite repeated invitations to attend or submit written reports.
Time and again we have heard residents complain that it’s a waste of time trying to report antisocial behaviour to the police because they don’t take any action. Other complaints around reporting are perhaps equally worrying because, as our report clearly states, more often than not the response comes back saying: “This is not a police matter. Report it to your council, trading standards, dog wardens etc.” As a Parish Council, we tried to report damage to, and theft from, one of our noticeboards. The automated response was that it wasn’t a police matter and we should contact our Council. Which one? Since when did theft become a matter for local Councils? Nor do we have the powers to tackle damage to public property.
Residents try to do the right thing, but are continually thwarted in their efforts. In our report we have included a screenshot of the Pershore Rural website’s ‘Contact Us’ section which states, and I quote: “Contact details for this team aren’t available”. That is wholly unacceptable. In fact the only place to find photos of officers and their contact details is on a website called ’Neighbourhood Matters’. That’s not an obvious website to search for when seeking help from West Mercia Police. We understand one resident has phoned each officer in turn using those published numbers and on each occasion they reached a voicemail with an indication of about a week for a response. They also emailed each officer in turn. Not one reply was received.
We have no wish to brush aside what has happened in the past. Indeed, there are some ongoing behavioural issues that we believe you can assist us with. However, our focus must be on the future and a key part of that focus must be active steps by the police to regain lost trust so that our residents have confidence they will be supported and protected. Such confidence will be a massive leap forward and it’s going to take a huge effort to achieve it, but we do hope you are up for the challenge.
Paul Middleborough responded to concerns raised regarding anti-social behaviour and low-level crime:
• Whittington parish had a very high proportion of under 16s in comparison to other areas.
• The PCC is confident in the service across West Mercia but would investigate the issues highlighted by Parish Council.
• An average of three crimes are reported every week in Whittington parish.
• Parishioners were encouraged to sign up to Neighbourhood Matters and to report concerns to the local policing team or online.
• The Parish Council were encouraged to appoint Councillor(s) to liaise with the Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
• The Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team should attend Parish Council meetings more regularly in future.
• There had been an increase in recruitment of Police Officers leading to the largest number of officers at West Mercia, which should result in a more visible presence in future.
• The South Worcestershire Police Advisory Group is open to volunteers to help shape and impact local policing.
5.10. Wychavon District Council: To welcome the Youth and Community Safety Teams to the meeting and to receive an update on tackling anti-social behaviour.
Rob Mace attended from the Youth and Equality Team and provided an overview of projects to increase youth engagement. Funding for youth services was available in Wychavon; but is spread thin over a hundred parishes and three towns. The YMCA Worcestershire rural outreach programme was looking to identify local need and sources of funding.
Councillors RESOLVED to donate in principle £200.00 towards hosting the Severn Arts Music Box
at Whittington Community Hall.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meetings on the 25th July 2023 and the 6th September 2023
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
7. Parish matters for consideration and progress reports
7.1. High Park & Pershore Road
7.1.1. Speed data collection from Speed Indicating Device
It was RESOLVED that Kevin Maguire would keep the SID’s data cable and download the traffic data in future.
7.1.2. To consider an update on a gate/bollards at Pershore Road/J7 field entrance
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council were investigating installing lockable bollards to prevent parking in the field access.
7.2. St Peter’s
7.2.1. To receive an update
It was RESOLVED to approve up to £100.00 for printing costs for a parish newsletter to be hand delivered to the whole parish.
7.3. Whittington Village
7.3.1. To consider an update on Whittington Road layby waiting restrictions
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had ordered replacement signs and road markings to accompany the existing Traffic Regulation Order.
7.3.2. To consider an update on Whittington Road layby restoration/removal of WCC noticeboard
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council were looking to refurbish the noticeboard.
7.4. Whittington Walk & Swinesherd
7.4.1. To consider an update on village names signs for Whittington/Swinesherd
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had ordered a new village name sign.
7.4.2. To consider an update on flooding and drainage matters at Heron End
It was noted that plans had been submitted by Persimmon Homes to resolve the flooding issues at Heron End.
7.4.3. To consider an update on bus service/community transport provision
It was noted that Linda Robinson would increase pressure on Worcestershire County Council to review bus service provision for Whittington Walk.
It was RESOLVED to investigate possible S106 funding that could be utilised for increased bus service provision.
It was RESOLVED to invite Worcester Wheels to a future meeting to see if they could offer services locally.
7.4.4. To consider an update on noticeboard provision
It was noted that Persimmon Homes had offered £825.00 towards the cost of a noticeboard for Whittington Walk and Linda Robinson kindly offered to match fund this.
It was RESOLVED to pursue quotes and review locations for the next meeting.
7.5. Wildmore, Walkers Lane and Whittington Road
7.5.1. To note the response to the stopping up order consultation NATTRAN/WM/S247/5514 made under the delegated authority relating to the traffic calming pinch-point
It was noted that the following response to the stopping-up order consultation had been submitted:
Whittington Parish Council object to the proposed Highway Stopping Up Order relating to the southern boundary of 31-33 Walkers Lane, reference NATTRAN/WM/S247/5514.
The Parish Council assert that the land has continued usefulness to the highway authority due to its proximity to a sensitive traffic calming feature. Forward visibility at the nearby priority chicane has been severely compromised by the high fencing installed at the rear of the footway, wholly encompassing the highway verge. The significantly reduced forward visibility obscures the view of the road ahead and regularly causes drivers to undertake an emergency stop to avoid collision. Please find attached photographs demonstrating the lack of visibility at this chicane, the view is from a car waiting at the give way signage. The absence of any current data for related injury accidents at this location does not mean that the road layout is safe.
The Parish Council would draw attention to the guidance in Department for Transport Local Transport Note 1/07: At single-lane working chicanes, opposing drivers should have sufficient visibility to enable either of them to give way to the other without sudden braking.
LTN1/07 is supported by guidance from other local highway authorities as follows: Care must be taken when introducing [priority chicanes] to ensure that such conflicts do not lead to an increase in accidents. Measures such as these can be difficult to achieve as they rely heavily on good visibility from approaching drivers (Leicestershire County Council).
When the road layout and traffic calming features were designed this highway verge would have formed part of the visibility requirements for this horizontal traffic calming feature (as per LTN1/07 above) and the land should be retained accordingly. Removal of the encroachment and restoration of the original fence line would dramatically improve visibility for the priority chicane and would promote increased road safety.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order only permits a fence or wall up to 1m high when situated adjacent to a highway or footway. The current fencing is in excess of this height and should require planning permission. This was not considered in application 23/00379/FUL but it is noted that the landscape officer did comment as follows “a suitable low boundary hedge or garden planting should be provided to assist the streetscene”. The height of the fencing further restricts visibility at the nearby priority chicane and if a stopping up order is made it should be conditioned that a boundary feature 1m or less should be installed and maintained.
In addition to the concerns over visibility, there is a street light situated on the land proposed for stopping up. The light should remain on highway land to preserve access for maintenance/replacement. If the street light is to be relocated to the footway as part of the stopping up order, this should be carefully considered to ensure that it does not restrict the useable width of the footway for the disabled or those with pushchairs and the costs of relocating the street light should not be met by the taxpayer.
7.5.2. Update on noticeboard relocation
It was noted that the noticeboard relocation had been scheduled for the 27th September 2023.
7.6. Whole parish
7.6.1. To consider an update on D-Day celebrations 2024
It was RESOLVED to refer the event planning to the Whittington Community Hall Management Committee and to suggest that they involve Whittington Primary School.
7.6.2. To consider an update on the application to Wychavon District Council for Tree Preservation Orders
It was noted that the TPO applications had been halted as it was considered that the trees were not under ‘immediate threat’.
It was RESOLVED to respond to Wychavon District Council to express disappointment at their decision and to assert that the trees are under threat as posed by the South Worcestershire Development Plan.
7.6.3. To consider developing links with other ‘Whittington’ Parish Councils nationally
It was noted that research was ongoing.
7.6.4. Update on grant funding for improving inadequate bridleway/footpath surfacing
It was noted that Wychavon’s Rural Fund would not be viable as the Parish Council would be unable to meet the match funding requirements.
8. Planning
8.1. To consider the following planning matters to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
8.1.1. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway: To receive an update and to consider actions
An update was received as follows:
• The Joint Parishes Committee had recently met with the South Worcestershire Planning Team.
• All submissions from the consultation would be shared with the planning inspectorate shortly and a timetable for the plan would be announced.
• Two of the potential developers were looking to hold consultations showing their tentative plans during October and November 2023.
8.1.2. W/23/01498/HP: 5 Berkeley Close, Whittington, Worcester, WR5 2RF. Single storey rear extension and front porch
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objections or concerns.
8.2. To note responses made under delegated authority for the following applications:
8.2.1. W/23/00712/HP: Capella Pershore Road High Park Whittington Worcester WR5 2RP. Raise the height of the front gable and addition of dormers to the front and rear; single storey rear extension; removal of the existing front porch and addition of a new porch; addition of a new side porch; replace existing outbuildings and garage with a two-bay garage; new driveway.
It was noted that the Parish Council had maintained their previous objections to this application.
8.2.2. W/23/01493/HP: 1 Harkaway Cottages Pershore Road High Park Whittington Worcester WR5 2RP. Single storey kitchen and utility extension.
It was noted that the Parish Council had submitted a no objection response to the application.
9. Correspondence
9.1. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service: Community Risk Management Plan 2025-2030 consultation.
It was noted that the Chair had submitted a response to the consultation; Councillors were encouraged to submit additional responses.
10. Allotments
10.1. To receive an update
It was RESOLVED to repeat the offer of free soil conditioner for all tenants.
10.2. To consider the latest inspection report and any actions or proposals generated
It was noted that all plots had passed the most recent inspection.
10.3. To note the changes to the allotments Terms and Conditions made under delegated authority
The amended Terms and Conditions were noted.
10.4. To note arrangements for allotments maintenance made under delegated authority
It was noted that maintenance work had been completed satisfactorily by the allotment’s contractor.
11. Highways and Public Rights of Way
11.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
It was noted that the footpath clearance work around Whittington Primary School was still outstanding.
12. Finance
12.1. Bank Mandate: To receive an update on amendments to the bank signatories
It was noted that the bank mandate paperwork had been completed to add Chris Mayo as a signatory.
12.2. External audit: To note the external auditors report
It was noted that the external audit had concluded satisfactorily and the report had identified no issues or concerns.
12.3. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
12.4. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve
It was RESOLED to approve the bank reconciliation.
12.5. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
12.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (September salary and expenses)
12.5.2. HMRC (September PAYE)
12.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (September pension)
12.5.4. Mr S Joyner (July Lengthsman): £165.00
12.5.5. Mr S Joyner (August Lengthsman): £150.00
12.5.6. Wychavon District Council (election expenses): £50.00
12.5.7. PKF Littlejohn LLP (external audit): £378.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed.
12.6. Delegated Payments: To note the following payments approved between meetings:
12.6.1. David Hunter-Miller (August salary and expenses)
12.6.2. HMRC (August PAYE)
12.6.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (August pension)
The above delegated payments were noted.
12.7. Direct Debits: To note the following payments approved between meetings:
12.7.1. 03/08/23 Severn Trent Water (allotments): £42.47
The above direct debit payment was noted.
13. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Councillor liaison to the Police Safer Neighbourhood Team
• Whittington Events Group update
• Worcester Wheels invite
• Review of bus service provision and S106 funding
• Whittington Walk noticeboard quotes and location
14. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 24th October 2023.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following items.
15. Employment matters: To receive an update on the Clerk’s annual review and to consider the Clerk’s terms and conditions and training.
An update was received on the Clerk’s annual review.
It was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s salary scale point to SCP31 within the 29-32 range in scale LC2 as set out in the National Agreement on Salaries and Conditions of Service of Local Council Clerks in England and Wales. The Clerk’s contract would be updated accordingly.
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk could register to undertake the FILCA training course at £120.00.
The meeting closed at 10:25PM.