Council Meeting 12.5.25

To consider any Members reasons of absence

Members are reminded of the need to keep their register of interests up to date.

Members are reminded that they must act solely in the public interest and should never

improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on any person or act to gain financial or other

material benefits for themselves, their family, a friend, or close associate.

Disclosure of Interests
Members to disclose any disclosable pecuniary interests in items on the agenda and their nature.

Chairman to Move: The Meeting & Standing Orders be now adjourned:

At the Chairman’s discretion residents are invited to give their views and question the Parish Council on issues on this agenda or raise issues for future consideration.  Members of the public may not take part in the Parish Council Meeting.  There will be no discussion by members of the Council during this session but the views expressed may be considered later as part of particular agenda items.  During this period, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, members of the Council who have a disclosable interest (but not a disclosable pecuniary interest) in an item on the agenda may also make representations, answer questions, or give evidence relating to that item.

To receive Ward Member’s Reports.

County Cllr Adams

District Councillor Ciotti

District Councillor Robson

Chairman to Move: To close the adjournment and the suspension of Standing Orders

To consider and approve the wording of the Clerk’s Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7^th April 2025 – circulated date 8.4.25

To be considered:

a)       W/25/00813/RM Associated Ref:17/01269/RM Location: Land Adjacent To, Sims Metals Uk (South West) Limited, Long Marston, Pebworth Description of Proposal: Variation of Condition 1 (approved plans) of application 17/01269/RM (Reserved Matters Application for Phases 2 to 5 inclusive comprising 364 dwellings, community building, landscaping and infrastructure).

Decisions:

b)      W/25/00387/HP: Proposal: Replacement of existing windows Location – Ivy Cottage, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ. Application Approved.

a)       To consider Section 1 – Annual Governance & Accountability Return FY 2024/25

b)       To consider Section 2 – Annual Governance & Accountability Return – Accounting Statements – Pebworth Parish Council Accounts FY 2024/25

c)       To note Internal Audit report for FY 2024/25 & note no actions required

d)       To note the Public Works Loan Board Audit Statement 24-25

e)       To receive the Clerk’s report on payments made since the last meeting

f)        To consider for approval the schedule of payments to be made by internet banking

g)       To note Bank Account totals

h)       To note CIL payment of £706.05 has been received in relation to 24/00305/FUL – Change of use of domestic storage building to dwelling (part retrospective) at Pebworth Manor, Dorsington Road, Pebworth, CV37 8XB

i)         To consider grant request for Pebworth Coffee on The Close.

a)       To consider request for a pétanque court if further information has been received.

b)       To note Clerk has requested the amenity contractors carry out a cut and collect service prior to the Pebworth Open Gardens.

c)       To consider request to allow car parking on the Recreation Field during the Open Gardens weekend in May.

d)       To consider request from Pebworth in Bloom for an information noticeboard at The Recreation Field.

e)       To consider setting up a First Aid training session for children.

f)        To note Alastair Adams has donated a bag of dog poop bags to the village along with a dispenser. To consider the purchase of more of these items.

a)       To consider setting up a Working Party for Meon Way Gardens.

b)       To note Persimmon are drawing up the planning application relating to the Public Open Space proposals.

c)       To note Persimmon are receptive to moving the VAS pole.

To note Locality Funding programme information has not yet been released.

To note Brodie Planning has started the review but has been requested to pause while the funding information is being investigated. Wendy Hopkins advised that in pausing this will also allow the SWDPR examination to get further down the line which will potentially save repeat work if the Inspector modifies any of the policies

To note monthly report and consider any works required

To consider way forward with dogs being loose on The Close.

To note an interment took place on 11^th April.

To note all invoices have now been paid.

Nothing to report

a)       To note Lengthsman’s jobs issued from last Council meeting; comment on progress

b)       To consider future tasks to be issued to the Lengthsman

c)       To note VAS data

To confirm the date of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 2^nd June 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth.

Cllrs Pearson, Cranage & McCluskey – approved

Disclosures of Interests:

Members were reminded of the need to keep their register of interests updated. Members were asked to

declare any Disclosable Pecuniary or other Interests in items considered in virtual meetings and their

nature.   

Cllr Cotton declared an interest in agenda item 6i – grant request from Coffee on The Close

None declared

a)       2 members of the public were in attendance:

–          Clerk to express thanks to Pebworth WI for organising the recent litter pick in March. She had previously extended thanks in error to Pebworth In Bloom.

–          VAS data – this information is received on a monthly basis and placed on the website.

–          Amendments to be made to the Parish Council Facebook page. Cllr Weller to make changes.

–          Query was raised regarding the pétanque court and funding which is to be discussed under agenda item 7a.

b)      County Councillor Robson – not in attendance

c)       District Councillor Ciotti – apologies received

The Chairman closed the open forum and reconvened the meeting at 19:30

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7^th April 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth were considered and approved by the Council to be a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.

Considered:

a)       W/25/00813/RM Associated Ref:17/01269/RM Location: Land Adjacent To, Sims Metals Uk (South West) Limited, Long Marston, Pebworth Description of Proposal: Variation of Condition 1 (approved plans) of application 17/01269/RM (Reserved Matters Application for Phases 2 to 5 inclusive comprising 364 dwellings, community building, landscaping and infrastructure). Following consideration, it was decided Cllr Weller will provide comments. These are as follows:

“Pebworth Parish Council is writing in reference to the proposed amendment to the original planning application at W/24/00813/RM, which seeks to replace 24 small-build homes with 7 four-bedroom houses.

The Parish Council would respectfully like to remind the planning department of the importance of maintaining an appropriate housing mix and density in line with local housing need and the objectives set out in the original application. The original plan for 24 smaller units offered a more diverse and inclusive housing solution, more likely to include a proportion of affordable and social housing—something that is critically needed in our community.

Reducing the number of units to just 7 larger homes not only decreases overall housing availability but may also significantly reduce the provision of affordable housing, both in practical terms and as a percentage of the total development. This may contradict the intentions of the initial approval and undermine planning policies aimed at ensuring a balanced and sustainable community.

We urge the planning officer to carefully consider whether this amendment is consistent with both local and national planning policy on housing mix and affordability, and to ensure that any revised proposal continues to support an appropriate ratio of social and affordable homes as originally intended.”

Decisions:

b)       W/25/00387/HP: Proposal: Replacement of existing windows Location – Ivy Cottage, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ. Application Approved.

c)      W/25/00415/HP Proposal: Single-storey rear extension Location: Churchill Cottage, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ. Application Approved.

a)       Individual questions comprising the Annual Governance & Accountability Return Section 1 for Local Councils FY 2024/25, Sections 1 to 8 were all agreed affirmative with trust fund response being not applicable.  Confirmation of these findings was proposed by Cllr Weller and seconded by Cllr Shiers and agreed by all Councillors.  Clerk to prepare Section 1 entries for Minute Reference, dating and signature.

b)       A copy of Section 2 Annual Governance and Accountability Return FY 2024/25 was provided for inspection and debate by all Council Members, having been signed by the Clerk in the role of Responsible Finance Officer. Confirmation of acceptance was proposed by Cllr Weller, seconded by Cllr Shiers and agreed by all Councillors. Clerk to prepare Section 2 entries for Minute Reference, dating and signature.

c)       Council noted the Internal Audit Report for FY 2024/2025 and noted no actions required.

d)       Council noted the Public Works Loan Board Audit Statement 24-25.

e)       Council noted the Clerk’s report on payments made since the last meeting.

f)        The Council gave consideration and unanimous approval of the payments listed in Appendix A, confirming the payments in Appendix A have been approved by full Council and there is provision within the budget, and that financial regulations and relevant policies have been followed. Cllr Weller to authorise the payments made by internet banking.

g)       Council noted the bank account totals.

h)       Council noted a CIL payment of £706.05 has been received in relation to 24/00305/FUL – Change of use of domestic storage building to dwelling (part retrospective) at Pebworth Manor, Dorsington Road, Pebworth, CV37 8XB

i)         A grant request for £240 from Pebworth Coffee on The Close was considered. Cllr Cotton declared an interest and did not participate in the discussion. Cllr Shiers proposed the grant was awarded which was seconded by Cllr Neal. The motion was unanimously approved.

a)       Members considered a request to install a pétanque court. A resident had carried out a small survey which indicated that the installation of a court was popular, although it was noted that this was not a parish-wide survey. Cllr Shiers proposed that the Parish Council proceed with the project at a cost of £1,600, with Cllr Weller appointed as project manager. The Clerk stated that the project was not included in the current year’s budget; however, Members agreed that sufficient funds were available in Reserves to cover the cost. It was agreed that no additional quotes would be obtained, as the contractor is supporting the community by providing labour and machinery free of charge. The Clerk was instructed to obtain a quote from the amenity contractor for the additional grasscutting costs. It was resolved to proceed with the project, with Cllr Weller leading its implementation.

b)       Council noted the Clerk has requested the amenity contractors carry out a cut and collect service prior to the Pebworth Open Gardens.

c)       Members approved the request to allow car parking on the Recreation Field during the Open Gardens weekend in May. Should the weather cause an issue with this, parking can be made available on The Close.

d)       Members approved the request from Pebworth in Bloom for an information noticeboard at The Recreation Field.

e)       Cllr Cotton suggested offering First Aid training sessions for children. The proposal was unanimously approved, but it was agreed to first gauge the level of interest before moving forward.

f)        Members noted Alastair Adams has donated a bag of dog poop bags to the village along with a dispenser. The dispenser will be installed on The Close. This will be monitored and if successful the Parish Council will consider the purchase of more of these items.

a)       Members noted Persimmon is drawing up the planning application relating to the Public Open Space proposals.

b)       Members noted Persimmon are receptive to moving the VAS pole. EM to put into action.

a)       Members noted the Locality Funding programme information has not yet been released.

b)       Members noted Brodie Planning has started the review but has been requested to pause while the funding information is being investigated. Wendy Hopkins advised that in pausing this will also allow the SWDPR examination to get further down the line which will potentially save repeat work if the Inspector modifies any of the policies

Members noted the monthly reports – no works necessary.

Members noted an interment took place on 11^th April.

Members noted all invoices have now been paid.

a)       Nothing to report.

a)       Members noted:

–          The net has been replaced on the basketball hoop at The Close

–          Weeds and moss have been cleared from the golf net surface

–          Bus shelters have been inspected. It was noted the bus shelter at the church has 3 tiles needing replacement, and the Little Meadows shelter requires a minimum of 5 tiles. A mattress has also been abandoned. He will take this to the tip if it is still there on his return. The bus shelter opposite the pub and on Broad Marston Road requires wood treatment. Council approved these works.

b)       Future Tasks:

–          Trim back growth at Buckle Street crossroads

–          Church steps repair – consult Cllr Shiers or Ken Wood.

–          Continue with Parish weed spraying

–          Strim round bus shelter at Middlesex

c)      The VAS data was noted

a)       Councillor Weller reported receiving an email from a resident asking why grass cutting is not extended to include the verge at Norton Gardens. The matter was discussed, and it was agreed not to proceed with the request. It was noted that some residents voluntarily maintain the grass verges themselves, which is welcomed. The Parish Council felt it would be unfair to fund grass cutting outside certain properties and not others.

b)       Cllr Neal expressed concerns about Citizen Housing at Meon Way Gardens. The Clerk clarified that this matter is not within the Parish Council’s remit, although Councillors are eager to be involved. Cllr Weller will contact County Councillor Robson to explore possible next steps.

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Monday 2^nd June 2025 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Pebworth.