Council Meeting 7.7.25

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

To consider and approve the wording of the Clerk’s Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 2^nd June 2025 – circulated date 3.6.25

a)       W/25/01168/HP Single storey extension to rear to provide a family kitchen, additional bedroom and boot room at The Coach House, Pebworth Road, Ullington, CV37 8XG. Following consultation via email no comment was made.

To note response to :

b)       Application No: W/25/01048/FUL – Proposal: Demolition of existing agricultural barns and replacement with 5no. detached dwellings and associated works. Resubmission of application Ref. W/23/01124/FUL at Bank Farm, Front Street, Pebworth Stratford Upon Avon CV37 8XQ

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 consider and approve the first quarterly bank reconciliation, account balances and income and expenditure budgets.

d)       To consider potential investment in CCLA following April’s Parish Council meeting when it was decided Cllr Mccluskey would obtain further information prior to a decision being made.

e)       To agree any regular monthly invoices requiring payment for August (as there is not a meeting in August) be approved via email by Chair or Vice-Chair. These payments to then be retrospectively approved in September.

a)       To note Wychavon District Council owns the old fire station at Broad Marston. The tenant occupier assured the site will be cleared by the end of June which has not happened. Clerk has informed Wychavon District Council who will contact the tenant occupier again.

b)       To note Clerk had written to The Masons Arms with no response received. Also to receive update on current situation.

c)       To note bleed kids are now installed in both defibrillator cabinets. To also note response from Evesham Defibrillators regarding bleed kits.

d)       Clerk has been in contact with National Rail once again requesting an update for the unacceptable parking situation at Honeybourne Railway Station. Sarah Cook, National Rail has responded advising they are currently drafting a remit, covering the next steps for this project, together with Wychavon District Council.   Once this is completed her colleague Neil Stevens will be in touch with a more detailed update.

e)       To note First Aid for Children sessions have been booked for Friday 11^th August.

f)        To note flood defence works in Broad Marston have been completed.

a)       To consider response to email regarding the advertisement of a community event.

b)       To receive an update regarding the planning application being drawn up by Persimmon relating to the Public Open Space proposals.

c)       To note Persimmon consider the current VAS pole position to be in the correct location.

a)       To note monthly report and consider any works required

b)       To consider fencing around the play area at The Close

c)       To consider the addition of a gate near the pétanque court at The Recreation Field

d)       To note Clerk has authorised the necessary repairs to the roundabout and the carousel at The Close.

e)       To note one of the slides on the multi play equipment at The Close has been vandalised. Quote awaited for replacement part.

f)        To receive update regarding the pétanque court.

g)       To note slide was recently damaged at The Close; quote for replacement is £1,823.

a)       To note the Government has announced, as part of the June 2025 Spending Review, that the community grant funding for neighbourhood planning is to be withdrawn. Clerk has contacted Wychavon District Council for support as suggested however, as it was an unexpected change, they are unable to share the type or quantity of funding available at this time. They will be working on a proposed distribution structure for funding based on needs across the districts over the coming weeks.

b)       To consider passing a resolution calling on the Government to provide dedicated funding for Neighbourhood Plans.

To note 3 interments have taken place.

To receive update following report of poor condition of footway from Pebworth to Broad Marston and pothole on Broad Marston Rd.

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 consider the adoption of an IT 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 1^st September 2025 at the Village Hall, Pebworth.

None

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.   

None declared

a)       10 members of the public were in attendance:

–          A petition was handed in requesting dogs must be kept on leads on The Close, and for the Parish Council to reconsider its decision to re-open the Recreation Field for dog walkers.  Approx 80% of the village have signed it. This will be added to the agenda for the September meeting.

–          Question was raised as to whether funding is still available for NDP plans – this is being discussed later in the meeting. County Councillor Robson advised that Wychavon District Council will be bridging the gap.

–          It was confirmed that The Masons Arms is still listed as an Asset of Community Value until March 27.

b)      County Councillor Robson –

–          attended 18 meetings this month, including the Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A productive road survey with Highways Liaison Officer Barry Barnes identified issues such as sunken drains, damaged anti-skid surfaces, and footway improvements. Actions taken include requesting three speed data surveys and drain patching. There was also significant discussion on improving traffic management around roadworks to minimise disruption, particularly for emergency services.

c)       District Councillors Robson & Ciotti –

–          Wychavon will provide £10,000 to each parish and town council for Neighbourhood Planning after government funding was withdrawn.

–          Free dog microchipping events will be held in Pershore (9 July) and Evesham (10 Sept), 11:30–1:30pm.

–          A rural mental health workshop for lone farm workers was held in Honeybourne; another is set for 18 July in Whittington.

–          A youth homelessness scheme in Wychavon was nationally recognised and will expand to Droitwich.

–          Judith and Hannah joined a community session in Pebworth. The ‘Shape Worcestershire’ consultation showed strong public interest and concern.

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

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 2^nd June 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 via email:

a)       W/25/01168/HP Single storey extension to rear to provide a family kitchen, additional bedroom and boot room at The Coach House, Pebworth Road, Ullington, CV37 8XG. Following consultation via email no comment was made.

Members noted response to:

b)       W/25/01048/FUL – Demolition of existing agricultural barns and replacement with 5no. detached dwellings and associated works. Resubmission of application Ref. W/23/01124/FUL at Bank Farm Front Street Pebworth Stratford Upon Avon CV37 8XQ

“Pebworth Parish Council wishes to raise a number of objections to planning application

W/25/01048/FUL which is a resubmission of application W/23/01124/FUL. We note that applications on this site have been refused numerous times before, both by WDC Officers and Appeal Inspectors (2012 and 2024) for reasons of harm and policy conflict which we continue to fully support. Our response is submitted in two parts, Part 1 – Summary of Objections, and Part 2 – Supporting Comments and Observations:

1.   Summary of objections

 The proposal is contrary to and in conflict with:

SWDP 2: Development Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy

SWDP 6: Historic Environment

SWDP 24: Management of the Historic Environment

SWDP 25: Landscape Character

Pebworth Neighbourhood Development Plan (PNDP) policy P3: Safeguarding heritage assets

Other matters:

Access

Housing need 

Site allocation 

Sustainability

With regard to Appeal Decision APP/H1840/W/23/3331631 dated 1st August 2024 Pebworth Parish

Council consider it worthy of of special note that the Appeal Inspector concluded: “… irrespective

of the Councils housing land supply situation, the presumption in favour of sustainable

development does not apply”.

Local Democracy

Pebworth Parish Council consider that the granting of this application would undermine local

Democracy and the legitimacy of the Neighbourhood Development Plan process.

2.   Supporting comments and observations

This application is not in line with numerous aspects of the Pebworth Neighbourhood Development

Plan (PNDP) which forms part of the statutory ‘Local Development Plan’ (and as such planning

decisions must be taken in accordance with the adopted PNDP). It is also not in line with aspects

of the SWDP, the SWDPR, the NPPF, and the Pebworth Conservation Area Appraisal. We provide

here additional detail using the headings from the above ‘Summary of Objections’:

SWDP 2: Development Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy

The proposal is contrary to SWDP2 C in that the site is located in open countryside outside the

defined village development boundary. The SWDP Review which has been written and widely

consulted on, although not yet adopted, makes no changes this to development boundary.

Previous applications on this site have been assessed and rejected on the grounds that housing

development here would detract from the rural character and change the appearance of this edge

of village site to the detriment of the adjacent Conservation Area.

SWDP 6: Historic Environment and SWDP 24: Management of the Historic Environment

a)     Effect on setting – Conservation Area:

The site borders the Pebworth Conservation Area and the access track runs within the

Conservation Area border for a distance of approximately 100 metres. The effects on the setting of

the Conservation Area which have been highlighted throughout previous planning applications (the

majority of which have not been materially dissimilar in terms of site useage and massing to the

current application) still remain a key factor which weighs against this proposal:

We refer to Appeal Decision APP/H1840/W/23/3331631 (1st August 2024) in which the appeal

inspector (M Aqbal BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI) concluded as follows (paras, 25, 51 and 52):

“…..The proposal would introduce a suburbanising impact on the site, resulting in an erosive effect

on part of the countryside and rural setting of Pebworth CA and the Grade II listed Orchard

Cottage”.

“I therefore conclude that the proposal would conflict with Policy SWDP 24 of the SWDP. I also find

conflict with SWDP Policy SWDP 6, which says that proposals will be supported where they

conserve and enhance the significance of heritage assets, including their setting. Accordingly, the

proposal also fails to accord with similar aims for safeguarding heritage assets under Policy P3 of

the NP”.

“Furthermore, given my findings in relation to heritage matters, then under paragraph 11d i) and

Footnote 7 of the Framework, irrespective of the Council’s housing land supply situation, the

presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply”.

We also refer to Appeal decision APP/H1840/A/12/2174829 (7 December 2012) in which the appeal

inspector (Alan Boyland BEng (Hons) DipTP CEng MICE MCIHT MRTPI) concluded as follows(paras

13, 15, and 16:)

The currently existing modern rural barns are utilitarian in appearance and…”their use and

character are consistent with the rural fringe of the village and the open countryside beyond that

form an important part of the setting of the village”. 

“…this scheme would extend domestic development beyond the existing built-up area into the

surrounding countryside. In particular it would not be a natural extension of the traditional street

pattern…and could be regarded outside the village, rather than relating visually and functionally to

Front Street within the village core.”

“In my view this would be harmful to the character of the area…and detrimental to the setting of the

Conservation Area. I conclude accordingly on this issue, and that the character of the Conservation

Area would not be preserved or enhanced, contrary to LP policy ENV 12″

A subsequent application (W/13/00284/OU 2013) was reviewed by WDC Conservation Officer,

Celia Biolcati, who further concluded that development on this site would have a detrimental

impact on the setting of the conservation area, which would be contrary to policy ENV12 of the

council’s Local Plan and against NPPF para.’s 129 – 132. This officer noted that she would have “an

‘in principle’ objection, from a conservation perspective, to any proposed development within this

site”.

b)     Effect on setting – Heritage Assets:

The nearest built heritage asset is the house and garden of Grade 2 listed Orchard Cottage (also set

within the Conservation Area) which is directly adjacent to the application site and with

interconnecting views. The access track to the application site runs immediately adjacent to the

Orchard Cottage boundary for a distance of approximately 100 metres, and vehicles in and out of

the site pass within 10 metres of the rear wall of this house.

We refer to Appeal Decision APP/H1840/W/23/3331631 (1st August 2024) in which the inspector

found conflict with SWDP 6, SWDP 24, and Policy P3 of the Pebworth NP.

Paras 25 and 50 – 52 of this appeal decision concluded:

“the proposal would introduce a suburbanising impact on the site, resulting in an erosive effect on

part of the countryside and rural setting of Pebworth CA and the Grade II listed Orchard Cottage. As

such, the proposal, due to its form, design and external materials would fail to preserve the setting

of the Pebworth CA and Orchard Cottage.” 

“I have found less than substantial harm would be caused to the setting of the Pebworth CA and the

Grade II listed Orchard Cottage, and I do not consider the benefits associated with the proposal to

be sufficiently forceful to outweigh the less than substantial harm that I have identified and the

great weight that must be given to the conservation of heritage assets”. 

“I therefore conclude that the proposal would conflict with Policy SWDP 24 of the SWDP. I also find

conflict with SWDP Policy SWDP 6, which says that proposals will be supported where they

conserve and enhance the significance of heritage assets, including their setting. Accordingly, the

proposal also fails to accord with similar aims for safeguarding heritage assets under Policy P3 of

the NP”. 

“Furthermore, given my findings in relation to heritage matters, then under paragraph 11d i) and

Footnote 7 of the Framework, irrespective of the Council’s housing land supply situation, the

presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply”. 

SWDP 25: Landscape Character

Pebworth Parish Council fully supports the comments and objections put forward by WDC

Landscape Officer Eileen Marshall on 10^th June 2025. In particular we consider it of great

importance that any modern expansion of the village should be kept separate from the historic

heart of the village. This historic heart should not be adversely affected by expansion into open

countryside.

The Landscape Officer concluded:

“The historic heart of the village and the modern expansion of Pebworth are viewed as separate

entities, with the agricultural buildings on the site viewed as part of the rural landscape adjacent to

that historic heart”. 

“To develop on the site of those agricultural units as proposed would adversely impact on

that perceived rural character on entering the village and would visibly expand the historic heart of

the village into the adjacent rural countryside. This would result in the suburbanisation of

the landscape character on this edge of the village….”

The Appeal Inspector also concluded in their decision of 1^st August 2024 (para 30):

“The proposal would also fail to accord with Policy SWDP 25, this says that development proposals

integrate with, the character of the landscape setting. Accordingly, I also find conflict with similar

design aims of Policy P3 of the Pebworth Neighbourhood Plan (‘NP’)”.

Other Matters: 

Access 

Access has previously been described by the applicant as “tight”, this being an approx. 100 metre

stretch of unmade single track farm entrance with limited ability to add passing places without

encroaching onto land owned by others. The entire access track leading to the site is within the

Pebworth Conservation Area and directly adjacent to the curtilage of Orchard Cottage. Effectively

this access route leads traffic away from the village roads into open countryside, potentially to the

detriment of the conservation area and the immediately adjacent heritage asset.

Housing Need

Housing needs within the parish were assessed as part of the Pebworth Neighbourhood

Development Plan (PNDP) and are already being met many, many times over.

The PNDP references 380 dwellings (the construction of which is well advanced) at Meon Way

Gardens within the parish.

It also references the Meon Vale development and the Long Marston Airfield sites both of which are

in close proximity to the Parish, the extracts are as follows:

(Page 13) 1.13 Important to understanding the parish’s development context to 2030 is the

development of a substantial new village, Meon Vale, on the site of a former army camp. 

The village is currently under construction and will consist of over 1000 dwellings, 800,000 square

feet of employment space, a primary school and 300 holiday lodges /homes. This development lies

within Stratford-on-Avon District but is immediately adjacent to Pebworth parish. Immediately

adjacent to Meon Vale and within the parish, planning permission has been granted for 380

dwellings at land to the rear of Sims Metals approximately 2km east of Pebworth village. 

(Page 13) 1.14 A little further north on the Long Marston airfield site within Stratford-on-

Avon District the government have selected it as one of 14 Garden Villages in the Country. It will

become a settlement of approximately 3500 dwellings. 

As a further point on need, the PNDP identified, through the residents’ questionnaires, support for

small scale housing development of approx. 10 dwellings to meet specific needs, including smaller

bungalows or housing for older people, starter homes, homes for young families and affordable

market homes. To meet this need the PNDP extended the village development boundary to include

part of The Fibrex Nurseries site and planning permission has recently been granted for 14

dwellings on this site.

In excess of these approved dwellings the part Q permissions in relation to New Buildings Farm

Priory Lane, Broad Marston, Pebworth in 2022 (ref W/22/01149/GPDQ and W/22/01150/GPDQ)

have delivered permission for 5 residences, and the recent approval in May 2025 for a further 9 new

dwellings at Chapel Road, Pebworth (ref W/23/02156/FUL) means that the village has now vastly

exceeded it’s identified housing need.

In addition, in the adjacent parish of Honeybourne (within Wychavon District) over 60 new

dwellings are either under construction or have been recently completed within 2 kilometres of

Pebworth Parish.

Site Allocation

The PNDP assessed 18 sites, including the Bank Farm site, against specific criteria, putting forward

a shortlist of 3 sites for full public consultation, those selected sites were then ranked. As a result

of this consultation the SWDP1 development boundary was extended in 2019 to include part of

Fibrex Nurseries which was put forward as the preferred site (now referred to as SWDP2). Outline

planning permission has since been approved and Pebworth Parish Council remains supportive of

the Fibrex Nurseries site as by far the most suitable and locally supported site for new housing

within the village.

Sustainability

Pebworth is listed as a category 3 village within the SWDP and SWDPR. It has very few facilities, no

shop, and very limited bus services. Increased travel by car will result from this development

therefore it cannot be considered as sustainable.

Appeal Decision APP/H1840/W/23/3331631 dated 1st August 2024 concludes “… irrespective of

the Councils housing land supply situation, the presumption in favour of sustainable development

does not apply”.

Local Democracy

For the reasons listed above we object to this application, however if the Planning Officer feels

minded to approve the application we request that the decision should be further considered at a

full meeting of the Planning Committee. We believe that this is particularly important in this case

because in our view the approval of this application would undermine local democracy and the

legitimacy of the Pebworth Neighbourhood Development Plan which was extensively consulted on

and supported by local people.”

Decisions:

c)       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) Location: Land Adj To Bramble Cottage, Dorsington Road, Pebworth. Planning Application Approved Subject to Conditions.

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

d)       Cllr McCluskey has emailed requesting further information regarding a potential investment in CCLA, following the April Parish Council meeting. As of now, he has not received a response. The Clerk will follow up with CCLA, and the matter will be revisited at the September meeting.

e)       As there is not a meeting in August it was agreed that any regular monthly invoices requiring payment be approved via email by Chair or Vice-Chair. These payments to then be retrospectively approved at the September meeting.

a)       Members noted that Wychavon District Council owns the old fire station at Broad Marston. The tenant had previously assured that the site would be cleared by the end of June; however, this has not occurred. The Clerk has notified Wychavon District Council, who has since followed up with the tenant.

b)       Members noted that the Clerk had written to The Masons Arms regarding noise levels, but no response had been received. Cllr Pearson reported that he and Cllr Weller had met with the owner following news of the pub’s impending closure. It was noted that the current operators will be leaving shortly, and while the owner is considering running the premises on an interim basis, no final decision has been made.

c)       Members noted that bleed kits have now been installed in both defibrillator cabinets. They also acknowledged that the local Evesham Defibrillators Team advises against placing bleed kits in these cabinets. The concern is that if both the defibrillator and the bleed kit are removed, The Circuit would not be notified, preventing them from reporting the defibrillator as taken to the appropriate authority. Despite this, members agreed to keep the bleed kits in the cabinets, as it is generally known when a cabinet is accessed.

d)       The Clerk has once again contacted National Rail to request an update regarding the ongoing and unacceptable parking issues at Honeybourne Railway Station. Sarah Cook from National Rail responded, stating that they are currently preparing a remit outlining the next steps for the project, in collaboration with Wychavon District Council. Additionally, her colleague Neil Stevens indicated that Jayne Pickering of Wychavon District Council had requested the Clerk to get in touch with her. The Clerk has done so but has not yet received a response.

e)       Members noted the First Aid for Children sessions have been booked for Monday 11^th August.

f)        Members noted the flood defence works in Broad Marston have been completed.

a)       A few members reported receiving an email expressing disappointment that the recent community engagement event at Meon Way Gardens seemed poorly advertised. The sender suggested that, for future events, leaflets could be delivered to all residents. Members stated that this would not be feasible due to the cost involved. The event had been promoted on the noticeboard and through social media. It was agreed that the Clerk would place a notice on all community noticeboards promoting the E-News service, so residents who subscribe can stay informed about upcoming events.

b)       Cllr Pearson reported there is no further update regarding the planning application being drawn up by Persimmon relating to the Public Open Space proposals. He will investigate and report back to the September meeting.

c)       Members noted that Persimmon believes the current location of the VAS pole is appropriate. Cllr McCluskey will respond, advising that the Parish Council considers there to be more suitable locations and asking if they would be willing to meet to discuss this further.

a)       Members acknowledged the monthly reports. An issue was identified with the tarmac separating and forming significant cracks around the perimeter of the MUGA. The Clerk is currently seeking a suitable company to undertake the necessary repairs. Councillor Shiers will meet with the contractors.

b)       The possibility of installing fencing around the play area at The Close was discussed. Cllr Neal will research fencing used at other children’s play areas and report back at the September meeting. While all Councillors are open to the idea of adding a fence, it would be considered for the 2026/27 financial year and potentially funded through an increase in the precept.

c)       Progress on the pétanque court at The Recreation Field has been paused due to the contractor’s failure to provide a risk assessment and method statement. The area has now been taped off. Cllr Shiers will follow up to obtain the necessary documentation. It was agreed to postpone the decision on installing a gate near the court until there is a clearer indication of community interest, especially given the lack of participation in forming a team for the recent Parish Games.

d)       Members noted Clerk has authorised the necessary repairs to the roundabout and the carousel at The Close.

e)       Members noted one of the slides on the multi play equipment at The Close has been vandalised. The Clerk submitted a claim to the Parish Council’s insurance, which has been approved and paid. Installation is pending a scheduled date. The Clerk has also issued a strongly worded notice about the vandalism, stating that the incident has been reported to the police.

a)       Members noted the Government has announced, as part of the June 2025 Spending Review, that the community grant funding for neighbourhood planning is to be withdrawn. An update has been received from District Councillor Robson, detailed above in the report providing information about funding from Wychavon District Council. Cllr Cotton advised that Long Marston Parish Council has recently completed their NDP review, which was a more extensive process due to the establishment of Meon Vale since the original plan was adopted. Their review was carried out in two stages. She suggested someone from Pebworth Parish Council consult with Long Marston, as Pebworth now has the newly established Meon Way Gardens to consider since their original NDP.

b)       Members decided, as there is going to be funding available for the NDP review, they do not need to pass a resolution calling on the Government to provide dedicated funding for Neighbourhood Plans.

Members noted 3 interments have taken place this month.

a)       County Councillor Robson is considering providing funds from her County Councillor Fund to repair the footway from Pebworth to Broad Marston and pothole on Broad Marston Rd.

a)       Future Tasks:

–          Install dog bag dispenser and poster.

b)      The VAS data was noted – Appendix B

a)       Cllr Shiers – Britain in Bloom inspection is taking place Tuesday 15^th July, residents are welcome to attend the Village Hall, 10am

b)       Cllr Neal would like to investigate a project with local Schools  – perhaps being a Councillor for a day for children.  This to be discussed at the September meeting.

c)       It was noted that this is Cllr Cotton’s final meeting before her baby arrives; she hopes to return in time for the December meeting. This is also the Clerk’s last meeting before leaving the position. Cllr Weller will be hosting a social evening.

At a recent Clerk’s meeting, it was advised that all smaller authorities (excluding parish meetings) are now required, with effect from April 2025, to have an IT policy in place to comply with the new Assertion 10: Digital and Data Compliance in the Annual Governance Statement. A draft IT policy was reviewed, and it was resolved to adopt it with a view to updating.

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.

Cllr Weller provided an update of the recruitment process.

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Monday 1^st September 2025 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, Pebworth.