Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 25th February 2025 at Whittington Community Hall, WR5 2RQ (///wonderfully.paper.agent)
Minutes 02/2025
Present: Adam Hooper (Vice-Chairman), Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Richard Boase, Helena Bennett, Christine Boase (from 7:39PM)
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Jayne Rayer (Whittington Church), Liz Turier (District Councillor)
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Adam Hooper opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
It was noted that Tony Fradgley had resigned and thanks were extended for his input and work on the parish council.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies were noted from Steve Brooker, Stuart Austin and Oliva Khong.
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 11 (Uffnell’s Allotments).
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Katie Lambeth-Mansell declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.7 (Whittington Charities) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.8 (Whittington Events Group).
Helena Bennett declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.7 (Whittington Charities) and a Non-Registerable Interest in item 12.1.1 and 12.1.2 (Parkway new town development and South Worcestershire Development Plan).
Adam Hooper declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.6 (Whittington Community Hall) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 5.8 (Whittington Events Group).
Richard Boase declared a non-registerable interest in item 4 (co-option).
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 Uffnell’s 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).
4. Co-option: To consider applications received to fill the councillor vacancy
Richard Boase left the room for the duration of this item.
It was RESOLVED to co-opt Christine Boase with immediate effect, and she signed the declaration of acceptance of office and joined the meeting from 7:39PM.
5. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
5.1. District Councillors: To receive a brief report
Rob Adams sent apologies and forwarded a report covering the Parish and Town Council conference (6th March), Wildmore allotment garden proposals (item 11.4) and the recent Woodhall consultation (item 12.1.1).
Liz Turier provided a report as follows:
• Meeting to be arranged regarding Wildmore allotment garden proposals (item 11.4)
• The Wychavon Community Stars Award scheme had been announced
5.2. County Councillor: To receive a brief report
Linda Robinson provided a report that would be made available on the parish council’s website.
5.3. Whittington C of E Primary School: To receive a brief report
An update was received as follows;
• It was RESOLVED to send to send a letter of congratulations regarding their recent Ofsted inspection result
• The school is currently oversubscribed with 71 applications for 35 places
• Funding was needed for a new external canopy
5.4. Whittington Church: To receive a brief report
Saturday 1st March 10.30AM – ‘Whittington Wit & Wisdom’ event followed by refreshments.
5.5. Brethren Church: To receive a brief report
No matters were reported.
5.6. Whittington Community Hall: To receive a brief report
A short update was received.
5.7. Whittington Charities: To receive a brief report
A short update was received.
5.8. Whittington Events Group: To receive a brief report
It was noted that the planning for the Summer Event was ongoing.
5.9. Public participation
No questions were received.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
6. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 14th January 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 following the resignation of Tony Fradgley there would be one vacancy on the parish council and the vacancy notice had been posted accordingly.
7.2. Migration of the parish council’s website to a .gov domain
It was noted that the website had been successfully migrated to the new .gov domain. In recognition of invoicing difficulties, free website hosting would be provided for one year.
It was RESOLVED to approve an upgrade of the hosting account to allow larger email storage at £5.00 per month.
7.3. Worcestershire County Council’s budget engagement meeting
The Worcestershire County Council budget proposals were noted.
7.4. Wildmore community orchard
It was noted that a tree planting day had been arranged for the 15th March to establish the new community orchard.
7.5. Whittington Walk community orchard
It was noted that it had not been possible to secure the necessary permissions for a community orchard at Whittington Walk.
8. Correspondence for response or action
8.1. Parishioner: Anti-social behaviour concerns, Whittington Walk
It was RESOLVED to make enquiries with Wychavon District Council (via Liz Turier) and the Police, to see if temporary CCTV cameras could be deployed.
It was RESOLVED to make enquiries regarding establishing a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
It was RESOLVED to encourage residents to report each incident to the Police to increase awareness of the issues.
It was RESOLVED to publicise Police contact details on the parish council website and noticeboards.
9. Parish matters for consideration
9.1. To consider a one-year, three-year and five-year plan and a S106 priority list
It was noted that a working group had met to discuss the parish council ambitions for the next 5 years. A plan would be developed and circulated for comment between meetings, for consideration and adoption at a future meeting.
9.2. To consider a draft report on the parish council’s aspiration to acquire land for future parish use
It was RESOLVED to defer discussions until a one-year, three-year and five-year plan had been adopted.
9.3. To consider an update on community health and wellbeing initiatives
It was noted that a recent meeting had been held with CALC and Wychavon District Council to discuss health and wellbeing initiatives. It was RESOLVED to defer further discussions until the next meeting.
9.4. To consider an update on previously requested Tree Preservation Orders
It was noted that previous responses from Wychavon District Council had indicated that Tree Preservation Orders could be considered when the trees were under threat. Noting the Parkway development proposals were now progressing, an enquiry had been sent to request that Tree Preservation Orders be reconsidered and a response was awaited.
9.5. To consider an application to The Royal Countryside Fund
The grant funding scheme was noted.
9.6. To consider updates to the parish council’s website (supported by a working group if required)
It was RESOLVED to appoint Richard Boase, Oliva Khong, Adam Hooper and Christine Boase to a working group to review possible website updates and additional content.
It was RESOLVED to add a page to the website with updates on the SWDP.
9.7. To consider sponsoring a competition to design a new parish logo
It was RESOLVED to publish and distribute a leaflet advertising a competition to design a new parish council logo, and to provide an update on various parish council matters (such as the parish council vacancy, allotments, and contact details).
It was RESOLVED to approve costs of up to £100.00 for printing and a competition prize of £50.00 in vouchers.
9.8. To consider how to increase engagement with parishioners at St Peters
A leaflet would be distributed to residents (item 9.7).
9.9. To consider arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
It was RESOLVED to hold the Annual Parish Meeting at 7:00PM on Tuesday 29th April 2025.
9.10. To consider updating Standing Orders in respect of public participation and meeting length
In view of increasing meeting length, it was RESOLVED to amend Standing Orders as follows:
• Duration of public open session 15 minutes (previously 40 minutes)
• Maximum of 5 minutes per person (previously 10 minutes)
• Maximum meeting duration 2.5 hours (currently 3 hours)
10. Highways, Transportation and Public Rights of Way
10.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the work schedule
No matters were reported.
10.2. To receive an update on ongoing highway issues
Updates were received on various highway matters.
Linda Robinson agreed to arrange a meeting with Barry Barnes (WCC) to discuss Whittington Road (A4440) lane markings and M5 J7 pedestrian crossing points.
Linda Robinson agreed to obtain adopted highway limit plans for the Wildmore estate.
10.3. To receive an update on the proposed meeting with senior Worcestershire County Council Officers and Cabinet Member regarding the lack of progress on highway matters
It was noted with disappointment that Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, had not responded to any of the parish council’s enquiries or requests for a meeting.
10.4. To consider reported issues with Footpath WT-528
It was RESOLVED to send a letter to residents in the vicinity of footpath WT-528 to clarify the route of the public right of way.
10.5. To consider provision of additional grit bins
It was RESOLVED to apply to Worcestershire County Council for a yellow grit bin in the vicinity of Whittington Community Hall due to frequent icing over and accidents.
10.6. To consider £1.5m Active Travel boost funding in Worcestershire
Linda Robinson agreed to propose Whittington Walk and Wildmore footways for improvement under this funding initiative.
10.7. To consider ongoing footway surfacing issues (Whittington Walk and Wildmore) and to consider a petition
It was RESOLVED to defer a petition until further details on the £1.5m Active Travel boost funding was available.
11. Allotments
11.1. To receive an update from the Allotments Working Group and to consider actions
A short update was received.
11.2. To consider changing the name of the site to ‘Wildmore, Whittington Allotments’
It was RESOLVED to approve the change of name to ‘Wildmore, Whittington Allotments’.
11.3. To consider and adopt a new Tenancy Agreement and Terms of Use
It was RESOLVED to adopt a new Tenancy Agreement and Terms of Use.
11.4. To receive an update on developing a community garden adjacent to the allotment site
It was noted that a meeting was being arranged with Wychavon District Council to review the proposals.
12. Planning
12.1. To consider the following planning matters to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
12.1.1. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway: To receive an update and to consider actions
An update was received as follows:
• Residents and the parish council were invited to attend a presentation by landowners/developers.
• The presentation had stated an intent to progress proposals for employment land proposals ahead of adoption of the SWDP.
• Considerable concern had been expressed at the scale of the proposals, including a very large warehouse, lorry parking and 700+ car parking spaces. Considerable additional traffic would be generated by the proposals, including a large element of HGVs traffic, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• These proposals represented only half of employment land proposals for the area.
It was RESOLVED to earmark an initial £1,000.00 reserves for planning consultancy fees, to assist with developing a response to future planning applications, if required.
It was RESOLVED to obtain quotes for planning consultancy for consideration at a future meeting.
12.1.2. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway: To note submission of a hearing statement
It was noted that a detailed hearing statement had been submitted.
12.1.3. W/25/00218/HP: Orchard House, Walkers Lane, Whittington, Worcester, WR5 2RE. New front elevation single storey entrance porch & shower room.
It was RESOLVED that the parish council had no objections.
12.2. To consider appointments to the Planning Committee and to consider future meeting arrangements
It was RESOLVED to defer a decision until the next meeting.
13. Finance
13.1. To consider and approve the budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
13.2. To consider and approve the bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
13.3. To approve the following invoices for payment:
13.3.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
13.3.2. HMRC (PAYE)
13.3.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
13.3.4. SLCC (membership renewal): £300.00
13.3.5. SLCC (training course): £144.00
13.3.6. Eyelid Productions Ltd (website migration): £170.00
13.3.7. SCJ Gardening (Lengthsman): £40.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
13.4. To note the following payments made under delegated authority:
13.4.1. 21/01/25 Cloud Next Limited (website hosting) £59.99
13.4.2. 22/01/25 Andy Loos Limited (deposit – summer event) £116.34
The above payments were noted.
13.5. To note the following direct debit payments between meetings:
13.5.1. 17/01/25 Severn Trent Water £34.68
The above payment was noted.
14. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
14.1. High Park & Pershore Road
It was noted that there was considerable local concern in response to the latest SWDP/Parkway proposals.
14.2. St Peter’s
No matters were reported.
14.3. Whittington Village
Anti-social behaviour was reported.
14.4. Whittington Walk & Swinesherd
No matters were reported.
14.5. Wildmore, Walkers Lane and Whittington Road
Dog control and dog fouling issues were reported.
14.6. Whole parish
It was RESOLVED to add the following item to the next agenda:
• Planning Committee appointment
• Neighbourhood Watch scheme
• One-year, three-year and five-year plan and a S106 priority list
• Community health and wellbeing initiatives
• Parish newsletter
• Planning consultancy quotes
• Tree Preservation Orders (update)
• Website (update)
• Parish logo (update)
15. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled parish council meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 25th March 2025.
The Annual Parish Meeting is at 7:00PM on Tuesday 29th April 2025.
The meeting closed at 10:37PM.