Meeting of Whittington Parish Council at 7:30PM on Tuesday 28th February 2023 at Whittington Community Hall
Minutes 02/2023
Present: Steve Brooker (Chair), Susan MacLeod, Helena Bennett, Katie Lambeth-Mansell, Adam Hooper, Chris Mayo
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Rob Adams (District Councillor), Linda Robinson (County Councillor), Claire Doughty (Police), five members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Steve Brooker opened the meeting and welcomed residents.
2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from Richard Boase.
3. Declarations of personal and prejudicial interest
3.1. Register of Interests
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
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).
3.3. Other Disclosable Interests
Nil declared.
3.4. Dispensations
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.
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. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. Police
Claire Doughty (Police CSO) attended to give an update on crime issues. The following issues were reported:
• Anti-social behaviour issues on Wildmore, including underage use of vapes.
• Concerns that the Police were not responding to queries in a helpful way.
• Speed enforcement on Pershore Road; a number of requests had been sent in but no response received.
The Parish Council were encouraged to use the Police’s Contact Contract (item 7.1) to identify policing priorities in the parish.
4.2. District Councillor
Rob Adams provided a report as follows:
• Worcestershire County Council were reviewing the Whittington Road roundabout with regard to road safety concerns and congestion.
• Wychavon District Council had made available grants totalling £30k for the King’s Coronation celebrations.
• Rob Adams confirmed that he would be standing in the District Council elections May 2023.
4.3. County Councillor
Linda Robinson provided a report on Worcestershire County Council’s budget as follows:
A five per cent rise in Worcestershire County Council’s share of the Council Tax has been approved. The £935million budget for the year ahead will fund delivery of a wide range of essential services including services to keep the most vulnerable people in the county safe. As part of the budget, the council will be putting in place an uplift to its Council Tax. The 2.94 per cent rise in Council Tax will help to fund the increased costs of delivering improvements for residents and businesses while an additional two per cent uplift in the rate for the Adult Social Care levy will support vulnerable adults. Major improvements for Worcestershire residents which includes improving roads, pavements and street lighting, in addition to funding a brand-new school in Worcester to help with school places.
County Hall will spend £268million over the next 12 months to ensure residents who need Adult Social Care support will continue to receive it. A total of £146million has been allocated to ensure the County Council can continue to improve the lives of children and young people across the county. £91million is being invested into supporting people to live independently for longer, through the dedicated work of the county’s Public Health and Communities teams. The budget also includes investment to maintain bus services with £3.5million invested on top of the £1.5million commitment made this year. An additional £500,000 to enable minor highway works to be actioned more quickly such as the pruning of trees and the replacement of damaged street furniture and signage. The council is facing similar challenges too, from both the impact of inflation on costs of materials and services to increasing demand for services, all of which adds significantly to the pressure on our budget.
With more vulnerable people needing our support than ever before and with the cost of this care increasing significantly, our budget for next year reflects this added pressure. Our Council Tax is one of the lowest of any County Council in the country and with most councils predicted to increase their Council Tax due to similar pressures, we will remain one of the lowest.
The Parish Council made a request for the complete replacement of the sub-standard footpath surfacing used on Wildmore and Whittington Walk.
4.4. Whittington C of E Primary School
No matters were reported.
4.5. Whittington Church
The new Elizabethan Room was being used and is available for hire.
There had been parking shortages at some recent events at the church and a request was made for relaxing the parking restrictions on Old Road / Church Lane at weekends (item 12.2). It was noted that parking at the village hall is now rarely available due to increased use.
4.6. Brethren Church
No matters reported.
4.7. Whittington Community Hall
The following report was received:
• The recent Community Coffee morning was very well received.
• New chairs had been purchased for the meeting room and new chairs were being considered for the main hall.
• A third quote for surfacing work was awaited (item 10.1).
• Quotes for providing audio/visual facilities were being investigated.
• The Village Hall Committee was supportive of future community events (item 13.2).
• An event was being considered for the King’s Coronation.
4.8. Public participation
The poor condition of the layby opposite the church was reported; the land ownership would be clarified and the damage reported to Worcestershire County Council if appropriate.
A member of the public requested an update on the request for a BMX track; it was confirmed that enquiries for a track in the parish had not been successful but it was noted that Worcester City were investigating providing such a facility locally.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 24th January 2023
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Progress reports
6.1. Whittington Walk progress update
It was noted that a management company had taken on maintenance of some of the green spaces. Investigations into surfacing issues with footpaths were ongoing. Dog fouling and litter bins had been requested by parishioners and it was RESOLVED to ask Wychavon District Council to provide two general purpose bins, one on either side of bridleway 510.
6.2. Church Lane flooding
It was noted that flooding remedial works were planned for March 2023.
6.3. A44 Whittington Road layby
Linda Robinson undertook to make enquiries to see if the noticeboard could be refurbished.
Waiting restrictions for the layby were being considered and it was RESOLVED to ask for a four hour parking limit as this would be consistent with a nearby layby.
It was RESOLVED to ask Wychavon District Council to provide a ‘no littering’ sign for this layby and also the gateway near to the junction 7 motorway island.
6.4. Anti-social behaviour issues (Wildmore)
It was reported that instances of anti-social behaviour appeared to be decreasing.
It was RESOLVED to put a notice with details on how to report anti-social behaviour in the Parish Council’s noticeboard.
6.5. Whittington/Swinesherd village name signs
It was RESOLVED to request that a new ‘Whittington’ sign be provided at the junction of Swinesherd Lane and the entrance to the new Whittington Walk estate. The existing ‘Swinesherd’ sign was considered to be in the correct location based on the addresses of nearby properties. It was noted that Worcestershire County Council were experiencing delays processing this type of signage request.
6.6. Wildmore pinch-point (Cooke Close into Walkers Lane)
Worcestershire County Council had investigated the concerns but confirmed that there were no current plans to alter the junction.
6.7. Village charity accounts
An update on the village charity accounts was received. A review of how to best utilise the accounts was due to be undertaken in the new financial year.
6.8. Safety barriers at junction of Whittington Road and Swinesherd Way
It was noted that Linda Robinson was continuing to make enquiries with Worcestershire County Council.
7. Correspondence
7.1. Police: Parish Contact Contract
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council’s top three policing priorities were:
• Anti-social behaviour issues, Wildmore
• Vehicle speeding, Pershore Road, Swinesherd Way
• Burglaries and obstructive parking, parish wide
7.2. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on Revised Policy on Sex Establishment Licensing
The above consultation was noted. It was RESOLVED to ask to be a required consultee on any local proposals that might impact the parish.
7.3. Wychavon District Council: Update on S106 monies held
It was noted that there was no S106 funding currently available for use in the parish.
7.4. Parishioner: Concerns relating to footpath surfacing, Wildmore
It was noted that Linda Robinson was making enquiries.
It was RESOLVED that the following would be considered if no action was proposed on the long-standing issue:
• A petition to Worcestershire County Council
• Reporting the matter to the Worcester News
7.5. Sixth Form College: Anti-social behaviour issues, Wildmore
It was noted that a positive response had been received from the Principal of the Sixth Form College regarding anti-social behaviour on Wildmore; it was RESOLVED to write to the Principal in thanks of their support.
7.6. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (reforms to national planning policy) consultation
It was RESOLVED that a response to the consultation could be submitted under delegated authority.
8. South Worcestershire Development Plan / Parkway Development:
8.1. To receive an update and to consider actions
An update was awaited from Wychavon District Council following the recent SWDP consultation. Guarantees had been requested from Wychavon District Council that the Parish Council’s response to the consultation would be submitted and considered in full.
9. Planning: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
9.1. Nil.
No planning applications.
10. Community Hall Project
10.1. To consider quotes for providing additional slabbed surfacing between the patio, fire door and car park
It was noted that one further quote was awaited.
11. Allotments
11.1. To receive an update
A short update was received.
11.2. To consider the latest inspection report and any actions or proposals generated
The latest inspection report was noted. It was RESOLVED to contact the tenant of plot 4 regarding outstanding maintenance issues.
11.3. To consider works to improve site drainage
It was RESOLVED to defer until a future meeting.
12. Highways and Public Rights of Way
12.1. To receive an update on the Lengthsman Scheme and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule
It was noted that the Lengthsman position had been advertised for the 2023/24 financial year; no further expressions of interest in the position had been received. It was RESOLVED to renew the contract with SJ Garden Services.
It was RESOLVED to report the overgrown hedge by the Pershore Road bus stop to Worcestershire County Council for attention.
12.2. To consider issues relating to parking in Old Road and Church Lane
It was noted that Worcestershire County Council had recommended the times/days for the current restrictions and that to alter the timings would require a new consultation with all residents affected.
12.3. To consider issues relating to speeding and traffic calming measures
It was RESOLVED to arrange a meeting with Linda Robinson and the WCC Cabinet Member for Highways. The Clerk would compile the issues raised by councillors, for discussion at the meeting.
12.4. To consider issues with road markings, M5 junction 7 traffic island
It was RESOLVED to request Highways England to provide road markings at the motorway slip roads to highlight the pedestrian crossing points.
12.5. To consider issues with recycling signage at Church Lane / Whittington Road
It was RESOLVED to ask the Lengthsman to remove and store the redundant signs.
13. Parish matters for discussion/decision
13.1. To consider arrangements for production and distribution of the Parish Council’s newsletter
It was RESOLVED to defer until the next meeting.
13.2. To consider future community events and funding arrangements
It was noted that a non-profit community events group (separate entity to the Parish Council) had been formed to arrange future events.
13.3. To consider adopting new Whittington Parish Council logo/branding
It was RESOLVED to defer until the next meeting.
13.4. To consider applying for Tree Preservation Orders
It was RESOLVED to defer until the next meeting.
13.5. To consider contacting Wychavon District Council regarding the condition of some of the footpaths on Wildmore
This matter was discussed under item 7.4.
13.6. To consider retrofitting a locking mechanism to secure the unlocked part of the Wildmore noticeboard
It was RESOLVED to get quotes for converting the noticeboard, for consideration at a future meeting.
13.7. To consider the date and arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
It was RESOLVED to hold the Annual Parish Meeting at 7:00PM on Tuesday 25th April 2023.
14. Clerk’s Delegation
14.1. To note approval for the purchase of a roller banner for use at future community events (item 15.6.4)
The above roller banner purchase was noted.
14.2. To note approval for a Clerk training session on the 15th February 2023
The above training session was noted.
15. Finance
15.1. Internal Auditor: To consider the appointment of an Internal Auditor to review the 2022/23 accounts
It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk to undertake the internal audit of the Parish Council’s 2022/23 accounts.
15.2. Bank account: To receive an update on the move to Lloyds Bank
It was noted that the form to close the council’s HSBC account had been submitted and the funds should be transferred to the new Lloyds account shortly.
15.3. Budget expenditure
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
15.4. Bank reconciliation
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
15.5. Invoices
15.5.1. David Hunter-Miller (February salary and expenses)
15.5.2. HMRC (February PAYE)
15.5.3. Worcestershire County Council Pension Fund (February pension)
15.5.4. The Society of Local Council Clerks (membership): £187.00
15.5.5. Adam Hooper (roller banner): £35.99
15.5.6. Whittington Community Hall (room hire): £20.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices; payments would be made online via the Parish Council’s new Lloyds bank account when funds are available.
15.6. Direct Debits
15.6.1. 21/12/22 HSBC (banking charges): £16.00
15.6.2. 21/01/22 HSBC (banking charges): £13.00
15.6.3. 24/01/22 Severn Trent Water (allotments supply): £44.14
The above direct debit payments, made between meetings, were noted.
16. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was RESOLVED to add the following items to the next agenda:
• Bring highway matters forward in agenda
• Litter bin provision (Wildmore and Whittington Walk)
• Community Hall surfacing quotes
• Allotments drainage
• Newsletter
• Whittington Parish Council logo/branding
• Tree Preservation Orders
• Wildmore Noticeboard locking mechanism
17. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 7:30PM on Tuesday 28th March 2023.
The meeting closed at 22:38PM.