Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 24th June 2025 at Whittington Community Hall, WR5 2RQ (///wonderfully.paper.agent)
Minutes 06/2025
Present: Richard Boase (Chair), Christine Boase, Helena Bennett, Adam Hooper, Olivia Khong, Sean Stock (from 7:38PM)
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Liz Turier (District Councillor), Rob Adams (District Councillor), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Jayne Rayer (Whittington Church)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Richard Boase opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Katie Lambeth-Mansell and Stuart Austin.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests: With reference to items on the agenda councillors 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.
Richard Boase declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 12 (Wildmore, Whittington Allotments).
Christine Boase declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 12 (Wildmore, Whittington Allotments).
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Helena Bennett declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.8 (Whittington Charities) and a Non-Registerable Interest in item 8.1 (Parkway new town development and South Worcestershire Development Plan).
Adam Hooper declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.7 (Whittington Community Hall) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.9 (Whittington Events Group).
Olivia Khong declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.9 (Whittington Events Group).
Christine Boase declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.9 (Whittington Events Group).
Richard Boase declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.9 (Whittington Events Group).
3.4. Dispensations: To consider any written dispensations from councillors 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 Richard Boase to allow participation and voting on all matters pertaining to Wildmore, Whittington Allotments.
A dispensation had previously been granted to Adam Hooper 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).
It was RESOLVED to grant a dispensation to Christine Boase to allow participation, but not voting, on all matters pertaining to Wildmore, Whittington Allotments, for a period of four years or until next parish elections.
4. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancies
It was RESOLVED to co-opt Sean Stock and he joined the meeting from 7:38PM.
5. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
5.1. Public participation
No matters were reported.
5.2. District Councillors
Liz Turier and Rob Adams provided a report, including an update on the South Worcestershire Development Plan and Worcestershire Parkway.
5.3. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a report that would be made available on the parish council’s website.
Linda Robinson offered to liaise with the Police regarding limited evening working hours for Police Community Support Officers.
5.4. Whittington C of E Primary School
An update was received as follows:
• The school had been briefed on changes at the parish council and the upcoming Summer Fayre
• The school will be holding their own fayre on Friday 27th June 2025
• The school were looking to engage in a national school’s lottery to assist with local fundraising
5.5. Whittington Church
Jayne Rayer provided an update as follows
• An Annual Memorial Service is scheduled for 6:30PM on Sunday 20th July 2025
• Arrangements are being made for a local concert – details available at next meeting
5.6. Brethren Church
No matters were reported.
5.7. Whittington Community Hall
Events organiser ‘Live and Local’ had been booked to arrange future events at the hall.
5.8. Whittington Charities
No matters were reported.
5.9. Whittington Events Group
Arrangements were being finalised for the Whittington Summer Fayre on the 12th July 2025.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the parish council meeting on the 27th May 2025
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
7. Progress reports
7.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there was still one vacancy on the parish council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
7.2. Community health and wellbeing initiatives
It was noted that representatives from Community First and CALC would be attending the Whittington Summer Fayre.
7.3. Worcestershire devolution proposals update
An update was provided on the devolution proposals following recent briefing sessions.
It was RESOLVED to survey residents on potential increases to the precept to allow the parish to meet the likely future challenges and opportunities presented by devolution and the SWDP.
7.4. Application to Wychavon Rural Fund
It was RESOLVED to revise the expression of interest to the Wychavon Rural Fund to £15,000.00, incorporating £4,500.00 match funding from Whittington Parish Council.
7.5. Noticeboard for Whittington Walk
It was noted that the noticeboard was due to be installed shortly.
7.6. Clerk’s training
It was noted that the Clerk had successfully completed the PIALC qualification.
8. Planning
8.1. To receive an update and to consider actions in respect of the SWDP / Parkway
It was noted that additional public engagement regarding the SWDP would be beneficial and the SWDP working group would review this.
8.2. To consider the following planning matters to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
8.2.1. W/25/01232/FUL (associated ref: W/23/00688/FUL): Land At (Os 8757 5323), Walkers Lane, Whittington. Variation of conditions 2 (Approved Plans) & 5 (Remediation Scheme) of planning permission W/23/00688/FUL (demolition of existing barn and construction of detached bungalow) to facilitate an amended design.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council do not object to the proposals in principle. However the original application (W/23/00688/FUL) was approved with conditions (as highlighted by Worcestershire Regulatory Services) that have not been met. There is a need to ensure that previous conditions are carried over to this new application and that they are implemented.
Additionally there is concern that construction traffic will be in conflict with pedestrians using footpath WT-528 and suitable measures should be put in place to mitigate this.
9. Highways, Transportation and Public Rights of Way
9.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the work schedule
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to cut the vegetation around the bus stop on Pershore Road.
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to cut an overgrown section of verge at Swinesherd.
It was noted that Linda Robinson would try to expedite the next Lengthsman training session.
9.2. To receive an update on ongoing highway issues and a meeting with Worcestershire County Council
It was noted that Linda Robinson was in support of a lower speed limit on Whittington Road / Swinesherd Way and would ask WCC to review accordingly.
It was RESOLVED to arrange a meeting with Barry Barnes (WCC Highways), Linda Robinson, Richard Boase, Helena Bennett and Sean Stock.
It was RESOLVED that Richard Boase would write to Councillor Karl Perks, WCC Cabinet Member for Highways, to request a meeting.
10. Correspondence for response or action
10.1. Wychavon District Council: ‘Shape Worcestershire’ local government reorganisation consultation
It was RESOLVED to submit a parish council response expressing no preference for either a Worcestershire or South Worcestershire Unitary Authority. Feeback would be provided highlighting the concern that the proposals would impact the workload of parish councils.
It was RESOLVED to advertise the survey via Facebook.
10.2. Worcestershire CALC: Training schedule
It was RESOLVED that Richard Boase would attend the ‘Chair’s Training’ course.
It was RESOLVED to ask CALC for a recording of scheduled ‘wellbeing’ meetings.
10.3. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Withdrawal of funding for Neighbourhood Development Plans
It was noted that government grant funding had been withdrawn but Wychavon District Council would continue to provide funding for a number of years.
10.4. St. Philip & St. James Church Whittington: Grant request towards the upkeep of the churchyard
It was RESOLVED to approve a donation of £700.00 to St. Philip and St. James Church.
11. Parish matters for consideration
11.1. To consider leaflet delivery arrangements
It was RESOLVED to pursue quotes for leaflet/survey delivery.
11.2. To set a date for in-house training
It was RESOLVED to hold an in-house training session on one of the following dates: 21st July, 24th July or 25th July.
11.3. To review proposed new working groups and membership
It was noted that the following working groups had been established (councillor membership on each working group to be kept flexible):
• SWDP
• Community Spaces
• Vision Whittington 2030
• Wellbeing
• Planning Applications (notifications only)
Working Groups would utilise a mixture of WhatsApp, online meetings and face-to-face meetings, as required.
It was RESOLVED to ask Wychavon District Council if individual councillors could subscribe to receive updates on Whittington specific planning applications.
11.4. To adopt an updated planning delegation policy
It was RESOLVED to adopt an updated planning delegation policy.
12. Allotments
12.1. To receive an update from the Allotments Working Group and to consider actions
A brief update was received.
It was RESOLVED to approve up to £35.00 to replace the broken padlock on the hosepipe store.
12.2. To review allotment inspections and notices
It was RESOLVED that Richard Boase would attend all future allotment inspections, with at least one additional councillor attending (on rotation).
12.3. To note purchase of noticeboards (item 13.5.6) to advertise vacant plots
It was noted that three small noticeboards had been purchased to advertise vacant allotment plots (item 13.5.6)
12.4. To consider funding and quotes for drainage work
It was hoped that works could be funded via the Wychavon Rural Fund.
12.5. To consider funding and quotes for turfing of allotment paths
It was hoped that works could be funded via the Wychavon Rural Fund.
It was RESOLVED to pursue at least one further quote for turfing.
13. Finance
13.1. To receive an update on bank signatory changes
It was noted that Steve Brooker had been removed from the account and that Christine Boase and Helena Bennett were now full signatories.
13.2. To consider establishing an earmarked reserve for future project work
It was RESOLVED to defer discussions until a future meeting.
13.3. To consider and approve the latest 2025/26 budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
13.4. To consider and approve the latest 2025/26 bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
13.5. To approve the following invoices for payment:
13.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
13.5.2. HMRC (PAYE)
13.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
13.5.4. SCJ Gardening (Lengthsman): £110.00
13.5.5. Local Event Medics (UK) Ltd (summer fayre): £270.00
13.5.6. Richard Boase (allotment noticeboards): £35.75
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
13.6. To note the following payments made under delegated authority:
13.6.1. 28/05/2025 Iain Selkirk (internal auditor): £150.00
13.6.2. 28/05/2025 Whittington Charities (D Hunter-Miller logo prize): £50.00
The above payments were noted.
13.7. To note the following direct debit payments between meetings:
13.7.1. 19/05/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
13.7.2. 17/06/25 Lloyds Bank (service charge): £4.25
The above payments were noted.
14. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
14.1. High Park & Pershore Road
No matters were reported.
14.2. St Peter’s
No matters were reported.
14.3. Whittington Village
An increase in dog fouling had been observed; it was RESOLVED to approach Wychavon District Council for additional ‘no fouling’ signage.
14.4. Whittington Walk & Swinesherd
Incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported on Whittington Walk.
14.5. Wildmore, Walkers Lane and Whittington Road
It was noted that the parking issues from the sixth form college had resolved themselves.
14.6. Whole parish
No matters were reported.
15. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 29th July 2025.
The meeting closed at 22:01PM.