Council Meeting 2.6.25

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 Robson

District Councillor Ciotti

District Councillor Robson

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

a)       To consider and approve the wording of the Clerk’s Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Monday 12^th May 2025 – circulated 13.05.25

b)       To consider and approve the wording of the Clerk’s Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 12^th May 2025 – circulated 13.05.25

Decisions:

W/25/00609/HP – Proposal Partial raising of an existing roof and changes to fenestration at The Granary, 2 Rookery Court, Back Lane, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XA. Application Approved Subject to Conditions.

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

b)       To note the bank account balances

c)       To note Clerk has forwarded all information to PKF Littlejohn, External Auditors. The Public Rights Notice has been set for 3^rd June – 14^th July.

a)       To receive update regarding the installation of the pétanque court. To note ongoing costs regarding strimming around the edge will be circa £20 per strim although this will be reassessed when the court is installed.

b)       To receive information about the level of interest expressed in the children’s first aid sessions

c)        To consider the quote to replace the noticeboard at Little Meadows

To receive an update.

To note monthly report and consider any works required

Clerk has requested quotes for repairs to the roundabout and rota-web.

No further update

To note one interment took place on 15^th May.

To note dog bin by the village hall has been reported as the lid is rusting.

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

Reserves Policy

Resolution to exclude members of the public to progress a confidential staffing matter

To confirm the date of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 7^th July 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth.

Cllrs Weller, Cranage & Neal – approved

Vice-Chairman Pearson will chair the meeting in his absence

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 Shiers – agenda item 5a

a)       2 members of the public were in attendance:

–          Both spoke regarding the Bank Farm planning application requesting the Parish Council continue to object as they have done for many years.  This is being discussed under agenda item 5a.

–          Dog fouling issues raised. To add to the next agenda to consider fencing the play area on The Close.

b)      District Councillors Robson & Ciotti –

–          A four week public engagement on local government reorganisation is running from 1 to 29 June 2025. Find out more, how this will affect you and how you can have your say by visiting https://shapeworcestershire.org/

–          Wychavon is within the top 1% of councils regarding cyber security progress.

–          Rural Matters Advisory Panel – received presentation from Broadband and Connectivity team re broadband speeds and mobile reception in rural areas.

–          A brand new college has opened in Bankside, Malvern. This will provide high-quality further education for autistic young people and those with learning difficulties and/or complex needs.

–          There has been a complete change of leadership at the Annual meeting at Wychavon. Richard Morris is now leader of Wychavon with Emma Kearsey as Deputy. The Chairman is now Mark Goodge and Vice-Chairman is Gregory Wilkins.

c)       County Councillor Robson –

–          She has been undertaking training and induction processes.

–          The new Leader of Worcestershire County Council is Joanne Monk, with her Deputy being David Taylor. The new Chairman is now Louis Stephen and Vice-Chairman is Paul Bennett.

–          The use of County Hall as overspill for hospital parking has been approved, as well as allowing substitutes for voting.

The Chairman closed the open forum and reconvened the meeting at 19:20

a)       The Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Monday 12^th May 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 Vice-Chairman.

b)      The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 12^th May 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 Vice-Chairman.

a)       W/25/01048/FUL Location: Bank Farm, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ Description of Proposal: Demolition of existing agricultural barns and replacement with 5no. detached dwellings and associated works. Resubmission of application Ref. W/23/01124/FUL. Cllr Shiers took no part in the discussion. Cllr Pearson recommended the Parish Council object with Cllr Cranage providing the wording. This will be sent via email for approval.

b)      W/25/00400/FUL Residential conversion of barn including replacement roof and extension, to replace approved barn conversion – (Variation of condition 2 and 5 Ref W/22/02615/FUL) Land Adj To Bramble Cottage, Dorsington Road, Pebworth. It was resolved not to add any further comments to previous ones made.

Decisions:

c)       W/25/00609/HP – Proposal Partial raising of an existing roof and changes to fenestration at The Granary, 2 Rookery Court, Back Lane, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XA. Application Approved Subject to Conditions.

d)      W/24/02200/HP Associated Ref: W/24/02199/LB Proposal: Proposed construction of detached orangery building (part retrospective) Location: The Shire Barn, Priory Farm, Priory Lane, Broad Marston, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XZ. Application Approved Subject to Conditions.

a)       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 Pearson to authorise the payments made by internet banking.

b)       Members noted the bank balances. (Appendix B)

c)       Members noted the Clerk has forwarded all information to PKF Littlejohn, External Auditors. The Public Rights Notice has been set for 3^rd June – 14^th July.

a)       Cllr Shiers provided an update on the pétanque court installation. While the original proposal was for a 9m x 4m court, it is now considered that a 12m x 3m court would be more appropriate. A map indicating the proposed location had been circulated by Cllr Shiers in advance. Members approved the revised court size of 12m x 3m and agreed to consider the addition of a gate to improve access, with this to be discussed further at the July meeting. Cllr Pearson will check the location of the nearest bin. Members also noted that ongoing strimming around the court is expected to cost approximately £20 per session, though this will be reviewed once the court is in place. Clerk will obtain an electronic quote and issue a PO once received.

b)       Cllr Cotton advised that 7 families have shown an interest in the younger version of the children’s first aid sessions, with 2 families showing an interest in the older children’s session. She will also advertise this through Pebworth First School so the numbers may increase. Clerk to contact the First Aid Company requesting proposed dates in the school holidays.

c)       It was resolved to purchase a new noticeboard at Little Meadows.

–          Members noted that the police recently held a drop-in session at Meon Way Gardens in response to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour (ASB). Although no residents attended, officers encountered two local youths on an e-bike. They were stopped and spoken to about ASB, and an intelligence report was submitted as a result. The police plan to follow up with proactive patrols in the area. Additionally, the details of one of the youths have been submitted for consideration for an ASB warning letter, which will be sent to their home address.

–          Members were informed that if members of the public detect the smell of drugs coming from a property, the police will not respond directly. Instead, such concerns should be reported to the Environmental Agency.

–          Cllr McCluskey confirmed that the VAS (Vehicle Activated Sign) pole will be relocated to a more appropriate location.

–          Cllrs Cotton and McCluskey noted that the Housing Officer from Citizen Housing has not been particularly cooperative. County Councillor Robson and District Councillor Ciotti will follow up on any related issues.

Members noted the monthly reports – to monitor the tarmac surface outside the MUGA

Clerk has requested quotes for repairs to the roundabout, swings and rota-web.

No further update.

Interment: Members noted one interment took place on 15^th May.

There are 2 interments due to take place in June, one on 6^th – Cllr Shiers to view and one on 12^th – Cllr Neal to view as Clerk is unavailable on both dates.

a)       Members noted the dog bin by the village hall has been reported as the lid is rusting.

a)       New and outstanding Lengthsman/Handyman matters:

Grass matting to be installed at The Close on Monday.

Bus shelters to be cleaned

Remove rust on rocker and goal post.

b)       Future Tasks:

–          Installation of bird deterrent strips on swing frames to help keep seats clean

–          Re-instate Front St post

c)      The VAS data were noted and discussed.

The Reserves Policy was reviewed and agreed.

a)       Cllr Cotton raised concerns about the untidy state of the old fire station site, noting a significant amount of rubbish accumulating outside. The Clerk was asked to contact Hereford & Worcester Fire Service to confirm current ownership of the premises.

b)       Cllr Cotton reported that the footpath between Pebworth and Broad Marston is in poor condition. Additionally, a large pothole was noted on Broad Marston Road. She will supply photographs and What3Words coordinates for the Clerk to report the issues to Highways.

c)      It was noted that some residents have expressed concerns about the volume of music coming from the pub garden, including occasions when the garden appears to be unoccupied. The Clerk was instructed to write to the pub’s owners to address the matter.

In accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted (staffing matter), it was resolved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following agenda item.

–          Council confirmed the Clerk’s formal three months’ notice of resignation as Clerk to the council.

–          Council agreed the Staffing Committee will manage the new Clerks’ recruitment process which includes the job description, employment contract, interview process and handover.

–          It was agreed the Clerk will progress the new clerk’s recruitment process i.e., advertising the vacancy and receiving job applications.

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Monday 7^th July 2025 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Pebworth.