Minutes of the Meeting held at The Flyford’s Hall on Tuesday 17th January 2023
Present
Sadie Densham
David Rhodes
Andrew Short
Daivid Waide
Richard Davey (Chairman)
Linda Robinson (DC and CC Councillor)
Mark Broughton-Taylor attended as clerk
1. Apologies
John East
Anna Toivola
2. Declaration of Interest
Andrew Short registered a pecuniary interest should the subject of Stedefield come up.
3. Public Participation
There were two members of the public in attendance at the hall and none online. It was reported that activity had been noticed on the field behind the Alcester Road Filling Station which appeared to be investigations prior to possible development. The Parish Council had not received any official notification.
4. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 15th November were approved as an accurate record of the meeting.
Proposed: Sadie Densham
Seconded: Andrew Short
All in favour
The minutes of the meeting on 14th December were help over to next meeting as there seems to have been a problem with the distribution.
5. Matter arising
The clerk apologised that the last few minutes had been slow to appear on the website. He was in discussion with the webmaster about adding the minutes directly and would report back to the next meeting.
6. Climate Change
The following priorities were agreed:
- Make climate change a priority.
- Set up, or join, a community fuel group.
- Explore the option of a community composting scheme.
- Promote car sharing.
- Implement a community scheme to use unwanted soft fruit to produce juice.
- Gauge interest in establishing a share and repair scheme locally.
- The main priorities to be taken forward by a climate change subgroup. Members can be co-opted from outside the parish council.
- Create a strategy to ensure engagement and input from the parish, whether that is through Facebook, the website, or other local groups.
- Andrew Short will lead the sub group and David Waide and David Rhodes will be the initial members of the group.
Proposed: Andrew Short
Second: David Rhodes
All in agreement
7. Local Police Officer and Neighbourhood Watch
No report had been received from the local police officer but the clerk noted that ‘The Local’ Beat’ newssheet was now being produced on a regular basis.
The name of the Neighbourhood Watch has now changed to The Flyfords making it easier for residents outside Flyford Flavell to sign up. This can be accessed from the Contacts page of the parish council website.
Sadie Densham offered to draft a letter and then deliver to all properties in Grafton Flyford and North Piddle.
Proposed: Sadie Densham
Seconded: David Waide
All in Agreement
8. Report from District and Councty Councillor
As this is my first report to you in 2023, I would like to start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year Latest New data released to Wychavon shows that our Covid numbers have stayed the same at 40. Data from the last six weeks show that Worcestershire had 14 deaths related to Covid 19.
However nationally cases of Flu and Covid 19 are still a concern. Vulnerable people are being encouraged to stay safe by wearing masks in public places.
Herefordshire & Worcestershire NHS Trust are urging people to have their flu and Covid 19 boosters after an increase in hospitalisations. A “worrying “number of children and adults have been admitted to hospital with serious respiratory infections across this winter period.
With Accident & Emergency Departments so busy here is some useful advice re MIU’s.
A & E Departments will deal with the most urgent cases first. So, if you have a minor injury you could be in for a long wait as A&E Departments will attract some pretty difficult cases taking a lot of time.
Minor Injury Units (MIUs): On the other hand there are MIUs scattered across the County which will not deal with illnesses and more complex issues. Therefore, if you have a minor problem you will not be held up waiting to be seen because of there being more urgent cases. You become a priority. Minor Injury Units (MIUs) offer fast, convenient and expert care for minor conditions including cuts, grazes, sprains and burns. Waiting times are on average 20 minutes.
If you aren't sure whether you have a minor condition that the hospital might deal with then phone the switchboard first. It also makes sure that their facilities are fully functional. For example " Would the hospital be able to check for a broken bone in a foot like having an X-Ray, and if there was a break could it be treated at the hospital without being referred elsewhere". The answer was yes to both parts. You can check the queues at each A&E unit and MIU at this website: http://www2.worcsacute.nhs.uk/how-busy-are-the-emergency-departments-and-minor-injuries-units-right-now/
Budgets
January is the month when Council tax bills and precepts are discussed by parishes, towns and Wychavon District. Last week County Council’s cabinet met to discuss its draft budget for £400m . A rise has been proposed from April of 4.94% this would add £70 to a band D property for the WCC share but still has to be considered by all Councillors on the 16th February
Design code consultation - Wychavon Central and North
Wychavon is working with Create Streets to come up with a design code for the district. This is a chance for you to influence how your town, village or street is developed.
Design codes will become an important part of the planning system in the future. They will set out to developers, housebuilders and architects what is required, in detail, from their proposed plans before they are even submitted, guaranteeing standards are upheld and removing the uncertainty which can lead to delays in the planning process.
The codes can include everything from the type of material that can be used to whether buildings should avoid being north-facing so it's easier to install solar panels on them.
Having a design code will not replace the need for planning permission or remove the rights of residents to object or comment on individual planning applications. But by requiring developers to build to the design code, it means planners can ensure new development is better suited to towns and villages and is good quality, sustainable and helps communities flourish.
Input from residents is critical to the process of producing the code and consultations for the Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich Spa areas are now live. The Evesham South consultation took place in the autumn of 2022.
Using the links below, you can visit the Create Streets interactive map where you can comment on different buildings and aspects of current design in your area, as well as make your own suggestions about good design you would like to see more of in the future.
The deadline to have your say is 1 February 2023. If you are unsure which area you fit in then click on the links and the areas covered by that consultation will be shaded in red on the map.
Wychavon Central design code consultation
Evesham VeloPark now open to the public
We're incredibly excited to announce that Evesham's new world-class Velo Park is now open to the public.
The £2 million cycling hub officially opened at the end of October but has only been available for club bookings while systems and software were tested.
Anyone can book online to use the park, including: 1km closed road circuit, a pump track with a unique mogul area, a learn-to-ride area with street markings to build confidence on using real roads.
Hourly slots cost between £4.50 for juniors and over 65s and £5.50 for adults. The learn-to-ride track is free when not being used for lessons. The park can also be hired by clubs and for private events.
Evesham United Football Club manage the facilities and money made from the hire of the park will pay for its maintenance and upkeep.
To book: https://bit.ly/3hqznWZ
Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3j3xm3b
Watch the video on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3FZnWir
It was further noted in the meeting that there was a steady increase in tourism in the area and it had not increased by 4.7% since COVID.
It was reported that the delivery of the Speed Sign for Radford Road was now imminent.
It was agreed to send a copy of the VDS to the design consultation.
Cllr Robinson was asked if the recent government announcements would affect the plans for Throckmorton. It was noted that there had been some problems with the consultation and the period had been extended. Nevertheless, people had reported that they could not make their comments through the website. The council had not made any announcement about the future of the development but it was likely to be slowed down. A new timetable for the emerging SWDP is to be announced soon.
Councillors asked what dialogue was taking place between the County Council and the NHS. Councillors expressed their concern about the provision of social care and the effect this was having on bed blocking in hospitals. Cllr Robinson suggested that the council write to the WCC and present the letter in person to a council meeting. She thought the next available one will be in March.
It was agreed that a letter would be drafted.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Richard Davey
All in agreement
9. Footpaths Officer
No volunteer had yet been found.
10. Flyford Green
There had been 3 responses to the call for volunteers. This was not enough and it was agreed to advertise again on the Flyford Facebook page for 2 more volunteers.
It was agreed to allow £600 for the management group to use for fencing the gas tank and planting the trees that the parish council bought last year. This work could go ahead without further reference to the parish council. The bench could also be purchased as soon as the working group had decide what they wanted as long as it was within the cost allocated.
Proposed: David Rhodes Seconded: David Waide All in agreement
The matter of registering and protecting the green was on going.
David Rhodes reported that the Twelfth Night Dinner and the carols before Christmas at the Boot Inn organised by the Flyford Social Group went very well.
11. Flyford Hall
The clerk reported that bookings were still very encouraging but there was a question about the future of the Coffee Morning as attendance had dropped off over the past few months. It was hoped to continue in February and March and then review the matter.
12. Planning Matters
12.1 W/20/02435/S106
Mr & Mrs Farmer
W/20/02435/S106
Hilltop Farm
Old Hill
Flyford Flavell
WR7 4DA
No further developments had been reported to the parish council.
It was noted that one of the conditions of the outline planning permission was that the timbers of the old barn were to be offered to the parish council. Although the parish council had accepted this offer the timbers were not provided.
12.2 W/22/02163/FUL
Land on Radford Road
Development of 4No. live/work units
At the time of the meeting 9 further objections had been registered on the Wychavon website and one supporting comment. A number of residents had written to Cllr Robinson asking for the application to be taken to committee.
The clerk noted that if the parish council wished to continue with its objection to the application it would need a lot more local support. It was agreed that a 6 public meeting would be called for February 16th and will be convened by the Flyford Flavell councillors.
13. Highways
The clerk had reported the potholes on the A422 and repairs had been carried out by Highways.
14. Treasurers Report
Balances
Deposit - £14,504.35
Current - £2,542.73
The balances include a reserved fund of £1,570 for planning issues. We are holding a sum of £630 from Linda Robinson’s WCC fund for a bench on the green and £5,395.61 from Wychavon for cycling infrastructure.
Precept
The clerk presented three scenarios concerning the precept for 2023/24. It was agreed to increase the budget requirement inline with CPR inflation of 10.7%. This would mean that Band D council tax will be £53.88. The national average for 2022/23 was £74.94 so we are still considerably lower than other councils.
15. King’s Coronation
The forth coming coronation on May 6th was discussed. Parish Councillor had not discerned much enthusiasm for any celebrations as yet. It was agreed to see what transpires over the next month or so and discuss the matter again next meeting.
16. Noticeboards
The clerk noted that it had been suggested that walking maps would be put on the notice boards but that this hadn’t happened. It was agreed to leave this with the clerk again for another six months.
17. Any Other Business
It was noted that Autea Ritas café was drawing a number of complaints because of the newspaper at the windows. It was believed that it was being used as a bakery and for light industry. Andrew Short agreed to check out what was happening. The shop was not open to the public.
18. Date of Next Meeting
21st March 2023