Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 27th February 2024 at Whittington Community Hall, WR5 2RQ
Minutes 02/2024
Present: Steve Brooker (Chair), Adam Hooper, Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Helena Bennett, Kevin Maguire
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), David Ball (Brethren Church), Rob Adams (District Councillor), Liz Turier (District Councillor), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Jayne Rayer (Whittington Church), three members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Steve Brooker opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.
It was noted that Chris Mayo had resigned and councillors extended their sincere thanks for his work on the council.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive apologies and to approve reasons for absence
Apologies from Richard Boase were noted.
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.
Nil declared.
3.3. Other Interests: To declare any Other Registerable Interests or Non-Registerable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature.
Steve Brooker declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.6 (Whittington Community Hall).
Adam Hooper declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.6 (Whittington Community Hall) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.9 (Whittington Events Group).
Katie Lambeth-Mansell declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities) and an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.9 (Whittington Events Group).
Helena Bennett declared an Other Registerable Interest in item 4.7 (Whittington Charities) and a Non-Registerable Interest in item 8.1.1 (Parkway new town development and South Worcestershire Development Plan).
Kevin Maguire declared a Non-Registerable Interest in item 8.1.1 (Parkway new town development and South Worcestershire Development Plan).
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 Steve Brooker 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 Kevin Maguire 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 Councillors
Liz Turier and Rob Adams provided an update as follows:
• At the last full council meeting it was agreed a council tax rise for 2024-25 would be a £5.00 increase at band D and an annual increase of 2% in future years.
• Members approved the following changes to Whittington Parish Council – that the number of Parish Councillors be increased from 7 to 9.
• Condolences were extended to the families of the victims of the recent tragic road accident at Spetchley.
• Information was circulated on the Wychavon Strategy for 2024-2028.
• Wychavon District Council were seeking feedback from Parish Councils on community transport provision.
4.2. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a report as follows:
It has been a busy time at WCC with this Spring’s Budget having now been approved. It has been finalised to cover a net £ 22.2m. overspend in funding. This is in line with many other regional authorities across the country with several like Birmingham having declared bankruptcy and been served with 114 notices from Government. Birmingham residents are facing a 21% tax increase. Happily, we are not in that position but significant pressures have been highlighted in respect of children social care payments, home to school transport and adult social care.
Our County Council’s tax precept will increase to 4.99%. in relation to two parts. 2% Adult Social care precept ring- fenced in order to contribute to existing cost pressures due to Worcestershire’s ageing population. 2.99% for other Council services to provide financial support for the delivery of outcomes in line with the Corporate plan ‘Shaping Worcestershire’s Future and the priorities identified by the public and business community.
Council officers have been offered voluntary redundancies to help reduce costs with other cost cutting measures under discussion. It was announced that this will not affect frontline services and that we are still moving forward with existing schemes. The continued year on year increase in the cost of children social care placements emphasize the importance of continuing the drive to recruit foster carers.
Much of County Hall remains closed due to the presence of RAAC being discovered in some of its concrete. Full Council & Planning meetings are being held at District offices to be able accommodate large numbers.
New WCC Rail Strategy
The county council has unveiled a brand-new rail strategy to transform travel across Worcestershire.
The ambitious plan from Worcestershire County Council includes more frequent trains to London, greater country-wide connectivity, a fast Worcestershire to Bristol service, Worcester Shrub Hill and Redditch masterplan implementation and parking developments. Parkway station which is the first new station to open in Worcs. in one hundred years continues to encourage passengers with more than half a million trips made last year. Plans to extend the parking are being considered.
The county council hope the plans will help deliver better rail improvements across the county and set medium and long-term proposals to support and build on passenger demand until 2050
For more information visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/travel-and-highways/transport-strategy-and-planning/strategies-and-plans
Measles Outbreak
THE Director of Public Health for Worcestershire has urged people and parents across the county to make sure theirs and their children’s MMR vaccines are up to date after measles cases soared across the West Midlands. Figures published on the 8th February show 329 of 465 (71% of cases across England from October to February were in that region.Around 80 per cent of cases have been in Birmingham, but Coventry, with 10 per cent, saw the second steepest rise.
Worcestershire is currently free of cases but officials want to maintain that status. Lisa McNally said the full vaccination rates for the MMR in Worcestershire are among the highest in the region, but added: “However there are around 4,000 primary school aged children, and some adults, not vaccinated – and so they are at risk of serious illness.”
UKHSA health professionals are concerned figures will rise quickly as, while most parents ensure their children get both MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) doses, in some communities’ uptake of the MMR vaccine is worryingly low which has led to the spread. Measles spreads very easily among those unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools, and is a nasty illness. In some children it can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases causes death. Babies, young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications if they catch measles. To increase the vaccination rate popup clinics are being organised in February at local libraries in Worcestershire on Saturdays especially focussing on vaccinating children.
Councillors were offered a free tour of the Envirosort recycling and sorting facility.
4.3. Whittington C of E Primary School
It was noted that the School Headteacher had stood down and interviews would be conducted to find a replacement. The school and PTA were keen to be involved in Whittington and future events, including an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
4.4. Whittington Church
Jayne Rayer provided an update as follows:
• A ‘Whittington Wit & Wisdom’ coffee morning will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday 2nd March 2024.
• A Mothering Sunday family service will be held at 11:00AM on Sunday 10th March 2024.
4.5. Brethren Church
No matters were reported.
4.6. Whittington Community Hall
An update was received as follows:
• A Quiz and Fish and Chip evening is planned for Saturday 11th May 2024.
• A D-Day evening event is under consideration.
• The Village Hall Committee are reviewing how the hall can provide events for a younger demographic.
• The hall administrative processes were being reviewed and updated.
4.7. Whittington Charities
An update was received as follows:
• The new members of the trust had had their first formal meeting and further monthly meetings were scheduled.
• A review of how the charities can be modernised to support parishioners was being undertaken.
• The possibility of merging the two historic charities was being considered.
• A yearly annual report will be delivered at the Whittington Annual Parish Meeting.
• Donations to beneficiaries would be considered twice a year.
4.8. Whittington Events Group
An update was received as follows:
• The Summer Event is scheduled for 13th July 2024.
• The first community cinema event had been held on the 27th January 2024 with a screening of Jurassic Park and over sixty members of the public had attended.
• The next community cinema event will be on Saturday 30th March 2024 with a screening of Toy Story.
4.9. Public participation
Members of the public raised the following concerns:
• A number of late-night issues including vandalism, drug use and anti-social behaviour were reported.
• It was reported that the Whittington traffic island was looking untidy with damaged street furniture following a recent vehicle collision; it was RESOLVED to report this to Worcestershire County Council.
• Concerns were noted regarding oak trees that were regularly flooded; an update on this was received under item 7.4.3.
• Disabled footpath access was requested at Whittington Walk; Linda Robinson would discuss this with Worcestershire County Council’s Public Rights of Way team.
• Concerns over increasing traffic on Church Lane were reported, including rat-running traffic and large HGVs using the lane; an update on this was received under item 6.2.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 16th January 2024
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Correspondence
6.1. Parishioner: Tree Warden vacancy
It was noted that an application to fill the Tree Warden vacancy had been received and the applicant was due to undertake the induction training shortly. It was RESOLVED to forward background information to the new Tree Warden, covering the recent application for tree preservation orders, the drainage issues relating to the oak tree on Whittington Walk and the availability of funding for Community Orchards (item 6.5).
6.2. Parishioner: Traffic concerns relating to Walkers Lane / Church Lane
It was noted that the advanced signs for the ‘except for access’ order were still under consideration by Worcestershire County Council.
It was RESOLVED to ask Worcestershire County Council to undertake an up-to-date traffic survey on Church Lane, between the village hall and church.
It was RESOLVED to contact the Police to ensure that periodic enforcement would be undertaken.
6.3. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule
The above consultation was noted.
6.4. Worcestershire County Council: Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy Issues and Options Consultation
It was RESOLVED that the Chair would submit a response to the consultation.
6.5. Worcestershire County Council: Community Orchard and Mini Forest Funding
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council were supportive of a tree planting scheme for Whittington Walk and enquiries would be made with Persimmon Homes. Consideration could also be given to a tree planting scheme at Wildmore.
6.6. National Association of Local Councils: Free portrait of His Majesty King Charles III
It was noted that an application had been made for a free portrait, for use in the village hall.
7. Parish matters for consideration and progress reports
7.1. High Park & Pershore Road
7.1.1. To receive an update
It was noted that littering, including human waste, was continuing on the Pershore Road near to M5 J7. It was RESOLVED to install a sign to act as a deterrent, as supplied free by Linda Robinson. Rob Adams would make enquiries with Wychavon District Council regarding possible use of CCTV.
It was RESOLVED to contact Highways England regarding the retracing of markings at M5 J7.
It was RESOLVED to contact the Police regarding the promised speed enforcement on Pershore Road.
It was RESOLVED to contact Worcestershire County Council about improving broadband provision for properties on Pershore Road.
7.2. St Peter’s
7.2.1. To receive an update
No matters were reported.
7.3. Whittington Village
7.3.1. To receive an update
It was noted that residents’ CCTV had identified suspicious activity at Berkeley Close which had been reported to the Police.
7.4. Whittington Walk & Swinesherd
7.4.1. To receive an update
A number of highway safety concerns were noted relating to Swinesherd Way, including vehicle speeding, damaged safety barriers, non-functioning streetlighting, flooding at the roundabout and faded slip lane markings. Worcestershire County Council had been contacted for an update on all of these issues but no substantive response had been received.
It was RESOLVED to contact the Police to request a date for holding a community surgery.
A suggestion was made for vending machines with food essentials to be situated at Whittington Walk; feasibility would be reviewed at a future meeting.
7.4.2. To consider quotes and a location for a new noticeboard on Whittington Walk
Quotes were reviewed and it was RESOLVED to purchase a noticeboard from the Parish Noticeboard Company at £1,548.00 (+VAT), fully lockable with two A2 doors. A location for the noticeboard had been agreed with Persimmon Homes who had offered £600.00 towards the purchase costs. Thanks were extended to Linda Robinson who had kindly offered to fund the remaining amount.
7.4.3. To receive an update regarding the oak tree with poor drainage
It was noted that Wychavon District Council had liaised with Persimmon Homes regarding terra-venting drainage and aeration for the oak tree. It was noted that standing water was still an issue but may be due to the exceptionally wet weather, the location would be monitored.
7.5. Wildmore, Walkers Lane and Whittington Road
7.5.1. To receive an update
No matters were reported.
7.5.2. To receive an update regarding road adoption on Wildmore
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had not provided an update.
7.5.3. To consider National Lottery and Wychavon grant funding for Wildmore drainage issues
It was RESOLVED to defer discussions until the next meeting.
7.6. Whole parish
7.6.1. To receive an update
No matters were reported.
7.6.2. To consider ongoing littering and fly tipping issues
It was RESOLVED to arrange a community litter pick; enquiries would be made with Wychavon District Council to see if equipment could be borrowed.
7.6.3. To consider an update on bus service/community transport provision
It was RESOLVED to ask Worcestershire County Council for an update regarding available S106 funding for bus service provision.
It was RESOLVED to respond to Wychavon District Council’s survey on community transport.
7.6.4. To consider an update on anti-social behaviour issues
It was RESOLVED to report the recent late-night vandalism, drug use and anti-social behaviour to the Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team for investigation.
7.6.5. To receive an update on the Clerk’s FILCA training course
It was noted that the Clerk had attained the Society of Local Council Clerk’s FILCA qualification.
7.6.6. To consider an update on the Community Governance Review
It was noted that the Community Governance Review had been approved by Wychavon District Council and was awaiting ratification.
There is currently one vacancy on the parish council and a further two vacancies would be created by the review. It was noted that two parishioners had expressed interest in filling the vacancies.
7.6.7. To consider the date and arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
It was noted that the Annual Parish Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 23rd April 2024.
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.
It was noted that the planning inspectorate had raised a number of pertinent questions regarding the SWDP and the South Worcestershire Councils had not yet responded to these queries.
8.1.2. W/24/00107/FUL: Harkaway, Pershore Road, High Park, Whittington, Worcester, WR5 2RP. Change of Use of a Dwellinghouse to form a 6-bedroom HMO.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council object to the application.
The application lacks sufficient detail and supporting evidence to be able to fully determine the appropriateness of the proposals. However, the rural location with lack of local facilities and very poor public transport links combine to make this an inappropriate location for a HMO and incompatible with the likely tenants that will be attracted to such accommodation.
The high number of occupants (ten tenants in six bedrooms) is likely to cause issues. The overdevelopment of the property would create an unhealthy living space and additional or enlarged communal areas are required.
A transport statement should be provided given the absence of any accessible public transport. Off-road parking space provision should be increased (six spaces being insufficient for ten tenants) and an area for bike storage should be included to promote sustainable transport objectives.
It is noted in the application that the property is on a septic tank and that a mains connection will be provided, this is incorrect as there is no mains sewerage present in the area. Sewerage arrangements will need to be reviewed for the proposed HMO as the standard septic tank system will not cope with the additional demands placed upon it.
The property has been the subject of a number of recent complaints by adjacent residents relating to noise disturbance, smoke fumes and the use of temporary garden buildings for accommodation. Given the history of the poor site management the Parish Council is not satisfied that a HMO on this site would be managed properly. A detailed and specific HMO Letting Management plan should be provided that sets out the standards that are expected.
It is noted that some of the nearest adjacent properties were not consulted on this application and these residents should be afforded opportunity to comment before the application is determined.
In view of the inappropriateness of the proposed location, the Parish Council would request that the application is not determined under officer delegated authority but is referred to planning committee.
8.1.3. W/24/00027/HP: Highlands, Pershore Road, High Park, Whittington, Worcester, WR5 2RP. Extend and convert existing garage to annexe.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council had no objections or concerns.
9. Allotments
9.1. To receive an update
No matters were reported.
9.2. To consider an allotments management policy
The future management and funding of the allotments was considered. It was RESOLVED that:
• The allotments must be self-funding. Revenue from tenants will be re-invested in the allotments.
• Grant funding opportunities will be explored for enhancing and maintaining the site.
• Formal inspections will be reduced to two per year, replacing the currently monthly inspection system. It is likely that these inspections will be conducted winter/summer.
• Inspections will also be conducted on an ad-hoc basis in response to any concerns or complaints received regarding plot condition.
• The current Terms and Conditions will remain in force but will continue to be reviewed and updated.
• An ‘Allotments Working Group’ will be created, open to Parish Councillors, tenants and adjacent residents. The Clerk would develop a brief Terms of Reference for consideration at a future meeting.
10. Highways and Public Rights of Way
10.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to cut the vegetation obstructing the solar panel/SID (item 10.4).
10.2. To receive an update on reporting substandard bridleway surfacing to the Worcester News
It was noted that the substandard bridleway surfacing had been reported to the Worcester News. In response to the article Worcestershire County Council were working with Persimmon Homes to improve the drainage along this route.
10.3. To consider an update on rat-running traffic on Walkers Lane / Church Lane
It was noted that the Clerk had again contacted Worcestershire County Council requesting an advanced sign warning for the ‘except for access’ order.
10.4. To review the obscured Speed Indicating Device on Pershore Road
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to cut the vegetation obstructing the solar panel/SID.
10.5. To consider an update on damaged barriers at the County Hall roundabout
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had ordered repair work (but no installation date).
10.6. To consider an update on inoperative street lighting at Swinesherd Way
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had not provided an update.
10.7. To consider an update on faded slip lane markings at the junction of Swinesherd Lane / Swinesherd Road
It was RESOLVED to invite Worcestershire County Council to review the faded markings on site.
10.8. To consider an update on ‘Whittington’ village signing at Whittington Walk
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had wanted to relocate the ‘Whittington’ village sign further into Whittington Walk; the Clerk had clarified that the new sign should encompass all properties on the new housing estate.
10.9. To consider an update on the Walkers Lane stopping-up order and highway encroachment
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had not provided an update.
11. Finance
11.1. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.2. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.3. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.3.1. David Hunter-Miller (salary and expenses)
11.3.2. HMRC (PAYE)
11.3.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (pension)
11.3.4. S Joyner (Lengthsman): £165.00
11.3.5. S Joyner (Allotments): £50.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices.
11.4. Delegated payments: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.4.1. West Country Marquees LTD (table hire deposit – summer event): £63.00
11.4.2. Andy Loos Limited (toilet hire deposit – summer event): £116.34
The above payments were noted.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• National Lottery and Wychavon grant funding for Wildmore drainage issues
• Allotments Working Group Terms of Reference
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 19th March 2024.
The meeting closed at 10:10PM.