Council Meeting 7.4.25

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 Monday 3^rd March 2025 – circulated date 4.3.25

W/25/00415/HP Location: Churchill Cottage, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ Description of Proposal: Single-storey rear extension. Not enough responses received from Cllrs to respond.

W/25/00609/HP Location: The Granary, 2 Rookery Court, Back Lane, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XA Description of Proposal: Partial raising of an existing roof and changes to fenestration

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

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

c)       To note internal audit report

d)       To consider response from CCLA regarding investment account

e)       To consider applying for a Business debit card

f)        To note the S137 for 25/26 has been announced as £11.10. This is the amount as a result from increasing the amount of £10.81 for 2024-2025 by the percentage increase in the retail price index between September 2023 and September 2024, in accordance with Schedule 12B to the 1972 Act.

g)       To consider the fourth quarterly bank reconciliation balances, budgets and income and expenditure

To note:

a)       Response from Unimetals re litter complaint forwarded 5.3.25

b)       Response from MRW Skips re litter complaint forwarded 19.3.25

c)       Trees Call to Action Project funding has now expired

d)       Representation was made for the SWLP consultation – Draft Policy Direction 2 – Potential New Settlements E1 Long Marston Airfield. Details can be found on the Parish Council website.

e)       grant received from Wychavon District Council in the sum of £250 towards VE Day Celebrations

f)        To consider response to Marston Sicca Parish Council proposing the purchase of a bus shelter

g)       To consider ‘Parish Priorities’

h)       To note email regarding Parish Games

a)       To receive update regarding the consultation responses to the Public Open Space.

b)       To note Citizen Housing response re litter complaint.

a)       To agree Housing Needs survey questionnaire and covering letter.

b)       To receive update regarding timeline.

a)       To note annual inspection reports and consider any works required

b)       To note damage caused by amenity contractor

c)       To note Clerk has not received a response from resident following her email requesting the demonstration of a need for a boules court.

To note remedial works to headstones have been carried out

To note allotment plot number 7 has been relinquished and offered to next person on waiting list.

To note 2 invoices still outstanding.

None to date

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

–          Carry out an inspection and clean the bus shelters

c)       To note VAS data

a)       Media

b)       Zero Tolerance

To confirm the date of the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 28^th April 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth

To confirm the date of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 12^th May 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth.

None

The Clerk reported that one application had been received for the Co-Opted Parish Councillor vacancy. Cllr Weller had previously spoken with the applicant, who introduced herself to the Council and outlined her reasons for applying. Following a unanimous vote, Alexandra Neal was offered the position and accepted. The Acceptance of Office was duly signed, and she joined the meeting.

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 declared an interest in item 6b.

a)       1 member of the public was in attendance:

–          Provided information in support of a pétanque court at The Recreation Field. Costings to be brought back to the next Parish Council meeting whereupon it will be considered if enough information has been provided.

b)      County Councillor Adams – provided his last report as County Councillor as he is stepping down at the next election after 12 years of service. The report is appended to the minutes.  Cllr Weller formally and personally thanked him for his support to the village.

c)       District Councillor Ciotti –

–          Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation – The Council has proposed two unitary authority options: One Worcestershire or a North/South split. Final agreement among the County and District Councils is due by November, with public consultation ongoing.

–          Honeybourne Station Car Park – At a recent Residents Meeting general managers from the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre spoke of increasing expansion at the centre with expanding job opportunities, community involvement and education. They reassured us that there would not be significant bigger numbers of train movements at Honeybourne, currently 12 – 20 per week. They are keen to welcome visitors for tours. Wychavon District Council continues to work with Network Rail towards a crossing solution so that the land set aside many years ago for a car park can be utilised.

–          17 live planning enforcement cases are being investigated

–          Evesham New College – Evesham New College will transfer its courses to Pershore College due to decreasing student enrolment and funding and lack of facilities. There will be public consultation with Warwickshire College Group. Student transport will be provided to and from Evesham.

–          Worcestershire County Council Elections: May 1st

The Chairman closed the open forum and reconvened the meeting at 19:45

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 3^rd March 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.

a)       W/25/00415/HP Location: Churchill Cottage, Front Street, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XQ Description of Proposal: Single-storey rear extension. Not enough responses received from Cllrs to respond.

b)      W/25/00609/HP Location: The Granary, 2 Rookery Court, Back Lane, Pebworth, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 8XA Description of Proposal: Partial raising of an existing roof and changes to fenestration. Cllr Shiers remained in the meeting but did not take part in the discussion. Following discussion Clerk to respond “No objection”

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

b)       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.

c)       Members noted the interim internal audit report.

d)       Members noted the response from CCLA. Cllr McCluskey will follow up with CCLA to obtain additional information. It was agreed that the decision regarding potential investment in CCLA would be deferred for a period of three months.

e)       It was unanimously approved for Clerk to apply for a Business debit card.

f)        Members noted the S137 for 25/26 has been announced as £11.10. This is the amount as a result from increasing the amount of £10.81 for 2024-2025 by the percentage increase in the retail price index between September 2023 and September 2024, in accordance with Schedule 12B to the 1972 Act.

g)       Consideration was given to the fourth quarterly bank reconciliation, account balances and income and expenditure budgets. These were agreed by all Members.

Members noted:

a)       Response from Unimetals re litter complaint forwarded 5.3.25

b)       Response from MRW Skips re litter complaint forwarded 19.3.25

c)       Trees Call to Action Project funding has now expired. Funding will be open again in Oct/Nov.

d)       Representation was made for the SWLP consultation – Draft Policy Direction 2 – Potential New Settlements E1 Long Marston Airfield. Details can be found on the Parish Council website.

e)       Grant received from Wychavon District Council in the sum of £250 towards VE Day Celebrations. Clerk to contact WDC to see if the Parish Council can pass the money on to the school for celebrations.

f)        An email had been received from Marston Sicca Parish Council proposing the Parish Council contribute towards the purchase of a bus shelter. After careful consideration Members decided that the Parish Council’s finances are not in a position to contribute financially to this project.

g)       Members considered the ‘Parish Priorities’. Clerk to respond once Cllr Mccluskey has forwarded the relevant information..

h)       Members noted the email regarding Parish Games.

i)         It was brought to the Parish Council’s attention that Pebworth in Bloom had arranged for a litter pick to be carried out. It was astounding to hear that an incredible 46 bags of rubbish were collected, along with vehicle parts, wheels, tyres, and even a ceramic bathtub! The effort and teamwork shown by all involved reflect the fantastic community spirit that makes Pebworth such a special place. Clerk to send a letter of thanks and add to social media.

a)       Cllr Pearson provided an update regarding the consultation responses to the Public Open Space. Persimmon have proposed some changes. Cllr Pearson will return to Persimmon expressing some concerns regarding too much access to the open space which could result in unwanted visitors.

b)       Members noted Citizen Housing response re the litter complaint.

a)       Members considered the proposed examples of the covering letter and questionnaire. They have requested a personalised questionnaire be provided; from that they will be able to consider the covering letter.

b)       Cllr Pearson shared an update on the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). Unfortunately, although the official deadline to apply for the Locality Grant Funding was 31st March, due to the ongoing high demand for neighbourhood planning support, all available funding was fully allocated by early February 2025. It is hoped that further funding will become available however Members may need to consider funding the full amount.

a)       Members noted the annual inspection reports. It was resolved to carry out all minor maintenance works, excluding the increasing the height of the swings, MUGA and golf net.

b)       Members noted damage caused by amenity contractor on the Recreation Field who have confirmed they will carry out the repairs.

c)       The request for a pétanque court was discussed during Open Forum.

Members noted the remedial works to headstones have been carried out.

a)       Members noted a half allotment plot number 7 has been relinquished and offered to next person on

b)       waiting list.

c)      Members noted there are still 2 invoices outstanding which have been chased.

Nothing to report

a)       New and outstanding Lengthsman/Handyman matters:

Reflectors have been replaced on several oak bollards on Front St.

The missing bollard is still to be replaced.

b)       Future Tasks:

–          Carry out an inspection of and clean bus shelters

–          Spray weeds throughout the parish.

c)      The VAS data was noted

a)       Media – this was reviewed and accepted with a 12 month review.

b)       Zero Tolerance  – this was reviewed and accepted with a 24 month review

a)       Nothing raised

Council confirmed the date of the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 28^th April 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth

Council confirmed the date of the Annual Council Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 12^th May 2025 at 7pm at the Village Hall, Pebworth, followed directly the by Ordinary Parish Council Meeting.