Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 22nd November 2022 at Whittington Community Hall
Minutes 11/2022
Present: Steve Brooker (Chair), Richard Boase, Helena Bennett, Adam Hooper, Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Susan MacLeod
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Rob Adams (District Councillor), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), three members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Steve Brooker opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence
All members present.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
Richard Boase declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all items pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
Susan MacLeod declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all items pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
Steve Brooker 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 planning application W/22/02228/HP (item 10.1).
3.3. Other Disclosable Interests
Richard Boase declared an other disclosable interest in all items pertaining to Uffnell’s Allotments.
3.4. Dispensations
A dispensation had previously been granted to Richard Boase to allow participation and voting on all items pertaining to Uffnell’s Allotments.
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 Susan MacLeod to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Steve Brooker to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Whittington Community Hall.
It was RESOLVED to grant a dispensation for a period of four years 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).
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. District Councillor
Rob Adams provided a written report as follows:
Councillors will be aware that the public consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Regulation 19 Publication Document is currently underway with a deadline for responses on 13 December. Please encourage your communities to respond to that consultation. We have now carried out 4 consultation events for each of the strategic sites with the last event taking place on Monday of this week.
You may also have seen that the Boundary Commission for England has recently made proposals for parliamentary constituencies for final consultation. There are some proposed changes affecting us. The district wards of Dodderhill and also Harvington and Norton will both move into the Redditch Constituency. Mid Worcestershire Constituency without the 2 wards just mentioned will become the Droitwich and Evesham Constituency.
From next May Norton and Whittington will join with Drakes Broughton to form a two-member district ward.
Report on Free Christmas adventure (details to be circulated with Parish Councils Christmas message).
4.2. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a written report as follows:
New data which is released weekly shows that Wychavon Covid 19 numbers have dipped again. We currently have 40 cases down from 102 last week. Last week there were 43 admissions to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals with Covid. Data from the last six weeks shows that Worcestershire had 30 deaths related to Covid 19. Vaccination take up has been steady for both flu and Covid boosters.
Less good news for our wild birdlife populations in Worcestershire with cases of avian flu being confirmed nationally. Strict biosecurity measures have been introduced. It follows the deaths of wildfowl including swans at the lakes around County Hall and Nunnery Wood. All bird keepers are advised to keep their stock inside. This could have a knock-on effect for the supply of turkeys for Christmas. Two thousand were culled in Lancashire today.
People are being urged not to touch any sick or dead wild birds and to report sightings to officials. The risk to the public from avian flu remains very low, however it is possible for humans to catch the virus, so it is vital not to touch any sick or dead birds or have contact with their droppings, eggs or bedding which may also be contaminated.
In readiness for any downturn in the weather, Worcestershire’s gritters are now on standby for the winter season. they have around 16,750 tonnes of salt stored in depots across the County, 36 gritting lorries and over 50 drivers. Let’s hope they will not need it all and we avoid too many cold spells especially with the current energy crisis.
Their first operations were on this Sunday evening when temperatures dropped close to freezing. Since then, we have had exceptionally heavy rainfall with lots of standing water reported on our roads so the gritters are on alert if temperatures drop again as predicted on Tuesday evening.
Looks like winter has finally arrived albeit a little later than usual! Flooding alerts are in place on the rivers Arrow, Alne and Salwarpe.
‘Tell us about a road or highway issue’. WCC are encouraging residents to report any highways maintenance issues on line by using their updated highways reporting application which can be found at:
https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20978/tell_us_about_road_or_highway_issues
4.3. Whittington C of E Primary School
No matters were reported.
4.4. Whittington Church
No matters were reported.
4.5. Brethren Church
It was asked if Worcestershire County Council Highways could be approached regarding traffic control at the Whittington roundabout, as at peak times it can be difficult to exit the village.
It was asked if Worcestershire County Council Highways could change the access at the County Hall roundabout to stop the illegal turning right from the new housing estate.
Linda Robinson agreed to look into these matters.
4.6. Whittington Community Hall
There would be a ‘Winter Warmer’ event Saturday 26th November from 10:30AM until 1:00PM.
4.7. Public participation
A member of the public raised concerns regarding the South Worcestershire Development Plan and the proposed Parkway development; it was reported that nothing had come up on recent house buying searches relating to the SWDP proposals.
A member of the public reported anti-social behaviour and littering issues at Wildmore (item 6.7).
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 25th October 2022
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Councillor vacancy
It was noted that there was one vacancy on the Parish Council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
6.2. Whittington Walk progress update
It was reported that Worcestershire County Council Highways had reviewed the poor junction layout at Swinesherd Way but no action was currently proposed.
Further enquiries were being made regarding inadequate construction materials used on bridleway 510.
6.3. Church Lane flooding
It was noted that minor flooding relief work was scheduled for early 2023. Further updates on the exact scope of the work and timings were awaited.
6.4. Vehicular Activated Sign (VAS)
No update was available.
6.5. A44 Whittington Road layby
It was noted that the long-term parked HGV had been moved.
6.6. Village charity accounts
No update was available.
6.7. Anti-social behaviour (Wildmore)
It was reported that anti-social behaviour issues had continued. It was RESOLVED to contact the Police to invite them to attend a future meeting and to report the following issues:
• Leaving a set of goalposts permanently without permission.
• Throwing objects at a resident’s property and intimidation.
• Vandalism of Parish Council dog fouling signage and noticeboard.
• Issues with exercising dogs off-lead and noise nuisance.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Worcestershire CALC: Latest training schedule.
The above training schedule was noted.
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would provide an in-house training session when the Parish Council was again at full capacity, or during February if no further members had been co-opted.
7.2. Worcestershire CALC: Invite to the CALC AGM, 7:00PM Monday 28th November 2022.
The above invite was noted.
8. Community Hall
8.1. Community Hall Project: To receive an update and to consider actions.
It was noted that there was remaining funding that could be utilised for upgrades to the Community Hall; proposals from the Community Hall Committee would be considered accordingly.
9. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway Development:
9.1. To receive an update and to consider actions
It was noted that recent public briefing sessions had been well attended by parishioners. The concerns and comments of parishioners had been captured and would be included in the Parish Council’s response to the SWDP (item 9.3).
9.2. SWDP parish briefing: To note arrangements made under delegated authority for a letter drop and parish briefing session.
It was noted that arrangements had been made under delegated authority for a community information event, including room hire and printing costs.
9.3. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review Publication (Regulation 19) closing on 13th December 2022.
Wychavon District Council had confirmed that all feedback on the proposals would be considered, not just comments relating to the legality of the SWDP document as per the consultation forms.
It was RESOLVED to respond to the consultation and the Parish Council’s comments were agreed. The comments would be submitted by the Clerk and a copy of the response would be posted on the Parish Council’s website and Facebook page.
9.4. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Policy and Site Allocations Development Plan Document closing on 13th December 2022.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no comments on this consultation.
10. Planning: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
10.1. W/22/02228/HP: Capella, Pershore Road, High Park, Whittington, Worcester, WR5 2RP. Formation of second vehicular access onto B4084.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council were in support of the proposals.
11. Allotments
11.1. To receive an update
There were no matters to report.
11.2. Monthly inspection: To consider the latest inspection report and any actions or proposals generated.
It was RESOLVED to contact the tenants of plots 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 regarding issues identified on recent inspections.
It was RESOLVED to serve notice to quit on the tenant of plot 2 as they had failed a number of inspections over many months.
It was RESOLVED to contact the allotments contractor to arrange for a number of minor maintenance issues to be addressed.
It was RESOLVED to investigate drainage problems affecting some of the plots.
12. Highways and Public Rights of Way
12.1. Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule.
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to clear mud from the double yellow lines on Old Road.
13. Parish matters for discussion/decision
13.1. Newsletter: To consider arrangements for production and distribution of a regular newsletter.
It was RESOLVED to produce an interim newsletter to advertise the Parish Council’s website newsletter facility and to encourage residents to sign up.
It was RESOLVED that future newsletters would be circulated via the Parish Council’s website newsletter facility, via their website and Facebook page and a limited number of hard copies would be printed for distribution at strategic local locations.
It was RESOLVED to approve printing costs up £100.00.
13.2. Litter/dog fouling bins: To consider provision of additional bins.
It was RESOLVED to request Wychavon District Council provide additional dog fouling bins at:
• A4440 lay-by west of M5 J7
• Fleetwood Lane / Dalziel Drive meadow
• Dalziel Drive at the footpath through to Kilbury Drive
• Cooke Close at the start of the public open space leading to Wilmot Walk
13.3. Community event planning: To consider support for future events.
It was RESOLVED to defer discussion until a future meeting.
13.4. Meeting schedule: To consider reducing the meeting frequency to nine scheduled meetings per year (from ten).
It was RESOLVED to hold nine scheduled meetings in future (no scheduled meetings for August, December and April).
14. Finance
14.1. Budget and Precept: To consider and approve the 2023/24 budget and precept.
It was RESOLVED to approve the 2023/24 budget and to request a precept of £41,395.00.
It was RESOLVED to add zero budget items for ‘newsletter costs’ and ‘hall hire fees’.
It was RESOLVED to record earmarked reserves for the allotments, to be built up from remaining funds in the allotments budget at the end of the financial year.
14.2. Bank account: To receive an update on the move to Lloyds Bank (with online banking) and to consider next steps.
It was noted that there had been delays opening the new Lloyds Treasurer’s Account and the Clerk had submitted a formal complaint to Lloyds Bank accordingly.
14.3. Budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
14.4. Bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
14.5. Invoices
14.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (November salary and expenses)
14.5.2. HMRC (November PAYE)
14.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (November pension)
14.5.4. Society of Local Council Clerks (membership): £230.00
14.5.5. Sam Joyner (Lengthsman Jul, Aug, Sep): £285.00
14.5.6. Katie Lambeth-Mansell (printing expenses): £69.00
14.5.7. Steve Brooker (expenses for signage competition): £35.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed.
15. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was reported that issues with visibility at the Cooke Close/Walkers Lane junction were due to be reviewed by Worcestershire County Council Highways.
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Review of agenda format to delineate the different areas of the parish
• (Remove Community Hall project from future agendas unless there are specific matters to discuss)
16. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 24th January 2022.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following items.
17. Clerk’s employment: To note the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) National Salary Award 2022-23.
It is noted that the 2022/23 salary award would be applied and backdated to 1st April 2022 and that from 1st April 2023 there is an increase of one day to the annual leave entitlement.
The meeting closed at 10:17PM.