Minutes of the Meeting held at The Flyford’s Hall on Tuesday 25th March 2025
Present
David Waide (Chairman)
Andrew Short
Richard Davey
David Rhodes
Sadie Densham
Alison Crickmore
Richard Croxton
Mark Broughton-Taylor attended as clerk
1. Apologies
Linda Robinson
2. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3. Public Participation
The residents of Highlands, New Hill, North Piddle provided a description of speeding traffic on the road outside their house. They had witnessed many near misses and it was considered that the change in speed limits a few years ago had been detrimental. The reduction of the speed limit lower down the hill to 50mph had meant that the 30mph limit in the village had been moved further up. Neither had had the effect of slowing traffic on the hill or in the village. They both called for a review of the speed limit on the hill and also the introduction of a 20mph limit past the school.
The chairman explained that the parish council had expressed concerns about both these issues for many years and that there was intended to be a meeting with the Police Commissioner and Portfolio holder for Highways at WCC in the near further.
It was agreed to request Highways to erect a pole on New Hill so that the VAS could be used to monitor speeds on the hill.
It was agreed that Richard Croxton and Alison Crickmore will contact the headmistress at the school to see if the school and the children could bring some pressure to bear on the situation.
4. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 14th January 2025 were approved.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Richard Davey
All in favour
The minutes of the meeting of 10th December 2024 were approved.
Proposed: Sadie Densham
Seconded: Andrew Short
All in favour
5. Matters Arising
Climate change to be on next agenda for David Waide to report findings.
6. Local Police Officer and Neighbourhood Watch
59 households have now registered for Smartwater in Grafton Flyford and it was agreed to fund the roll out from Parish Council funds in the sum of £534.00
Jane Hand will send out an email to residents reporting that Smartwater is now available in the parish.
The chairman expressed the parish council’s thanks to both Jane and Sadie for all the hard work they had put in to making the arrangements for this to happen.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Sadie Densham
All in Favour
Alison Crickmore reported that she had met with the headmistress from the school who is very receptive to working with the PC with regards to parking. Mrs Bennett (headmistress) had explained the demographics of attendees at the school, vehicle numbers relating to staff that were on site and initiatives that had already been undertaken to alleviate the parking issues that are being experienced. The proposal to work with the PC has been discussed at a recent Grosvenor's meeting and Mrs Bennett has also written to all parents asking for volunteers to join a working sub group. Possible areas to investigate were Drive Sharing at school drop off/pick up times, allocation of car parking spaces for staff cars that cannot be facilitated within the school site and the use of private land for parking where children would be met by staff/parents and escorted to/from school premises. The meeting with the school followed a meeting that Alison had with Royal Motorways before Christmas who are also they keen to work with the PC and the school. It was agreed that the PC sub group would be Alison, Richard Croxton and Mark Broughton Taylor.
7. Report from District and County Councillor
Wychavon has committed to exploring two options for local government reorganisation in Worcestershire.
At the beginning of February, the local government minister wrote to councils across Worcestershire requesting interim reorganisation proposals by 21 March, ahead of a full and final submission by 28 November.
Under the Government’s proposed changes, Wychavon, along with the county council and five other district councils, will be abolished. They will be replaced by either a single tier of local government delivering all services across Worcestershire. At a meeting on Wednesday, 26 February councillors discussed the Government's plans for the first time in public. While some councillors supported a single Worcestershire unitary authority, others expressed interest in exploring the potential benefits of a north-south division. Concerns were also raised about the speed of the Government's timeline and the lack of data needed to make an informed decision. As a result, councillors agreed to instruct the Council Leader and Chief Executive to enter negotiations with their counterparts across the county to ensure both options are included in the interim plan and further explored. The interim plan will allow ministers to provide guidance to councils as they develop their final proposals. The contents of the interim plan will be debated at a Special Council meeting on 19 March.
Feedback will be used to guide the full proposal to be submitted in November, which may include one or both options. The Government will make the final decision on which plan to implement. It is expected the new arrangements will be in place by April 2028.
A £19,000 fund is being made available to help communities across Wychavon mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Wychavon is making £250 available to town and parish councils to support activities on and around Thursday, 8 May, to celebrate a significant milestone in the nation’s history. Parish and town councils will be contacted directly over the coming weeks with details about how they can claim the money.
As well as the dedicated fund, Wychavon is also scrapping fees for road closure notices for anyone holding a street party either on 5 May, 8 May, or over the weekend from 9 to 11 May 2025.
Wychavon will join communities nationwide by raising the VE Day 80 flag at 9am on 8 May. Churches are being asked to ring their bells at 6.30pm and communities are also invited to light a beacon at 9.30pm. At the same time, Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery will lead the nation in a rendition of I Vow To Thee My Country.
Although 8 May isn’t a public holiday, communities are still encouraged to hold street parties on the Bank Holiday Monday before, on the day and over VE Day 80 weekend.
Residents are also urged to support their local fish and chip shop by enjoying the nation’s favourite treat in tribute to the courageous fishermen who braved the German U-boats and the farmers and Land Girls who cultivated the fields to keep the country fed. Fish and chips was among the few foods not rationed by the Government during the conflict.
Public Rights of Way
I recently attended a LAF (local access forum) meeting and learnt from County’s Public Rights of Way team that there is to be a ROWIP consultation in June. Questions will be about their network, how people use it and what their views and aspirations are. They welcome responses from parish councils so asked me to let you know in case you have any issues you may wish to raise.
Secondary School Places
Worcestershire County Council received 6,592 applications this year and everyone who made an application for a secondary school place has received an offer of a place.
9 in 10 of Worcestershire’s children will be starting secondary school in their first-choice preference in September.
Parents are also being reminded to apply for school transport for their child/children as early as possible for the September 2025 school term.
For more information, please visit the apply for school and college travel assistance pages of the county council website: worcestershire.gov.uk/schooltransport.
8. Flyford Green
David Rhodes reported that the Green had weathered the winter well but that he had stepped down as chairman of the management group and Malcolm Jones had taken over.
The chairman thanked David for his work as chairman over the past few years and welcomed Malcolm to the role.
It was further reported that:
- A project with the primary school was going ahead
- The Radford Road wild flower bed had been rotavated
- CJC had donated 2 tonnes of top soil to add to the poor formation soil.
- The inside of the hedge had been well trimmed by the lengthsman.
- The apple trees had been pruned.
9. Planning Matters
To report comment
W/25/00469/FUL
Ms Gayle Rowe
Lower Church Farm
Flyford Flavell
Construction of two dwellings.
It was agreed that the parish council had no objection to this application and commented that the design of the proposed dwelling was significantly better than the Class Q conversion of the original barn.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Alison Crickmore
All in favour
W/25/00267/FUL
Mr Nigel Arscott
Hillside, Bishampton Road
Flyford Flavell
Erection of replacement dwelling following demolition of existing dwelling and garage.
It was agreed that the parish council had no objection to this application and that it was a modest proposal for the site.
The chairman allowed an informal discussion about the development at Meadowcroft and it was agreed that a public meeting should be called once the formal application had been received.
Proposed: Andrew Short
Seconded: Richard Croxton
All in favour
10. Highways and Footpaths
A response had been received from highways today concerning the petition that was submitted to WCC on 9th January. The response was very disappointing, advising that there was insufficient evidence to support the claims made and that the evidence supports the view that present arrangements are adequate. 20mph speed limits through villages are not supported by WCC but advisory School 20mph flashing lights could be installed subject to funding. These would cost approximately £5,000. the PCC before Easter.
Footpaths and Hedges
It was noted that the footbridge opposite the Flyford Arms had now been replaced. The clerk will now contact the land owner concerning the muddy stretch of path approaching the bridge.
11. Treasurer’s Report
Balances
Deposit Account: £11,113.47 Current Account: £5,822.04
(Please note these figures include ring fenced amounts of £1,570 for planning matters and the Flyford Green budget.)
12. Litter Pick
It was noted by a number of councillors that the amount of litter in the lanes seems to be increasing and that it was necessary to pick up litter on a monthly basis.
It was agreed that the villages will organize their own litter picks over the next few weeks and report any rubbish that needed collection to the clerk.
13. V E Day Celebrations
There will be two V E Day celebrations in the parishes. An event will be held on Flyford Green on 4th May in the afternoon. A day of celebrations will be held at The Flyfords Hall on 8th May.
The Flyford Social Group, through Ali, advised communication/invitations to attend the event on the Green would be delivered to all residents, and provided an estimated costing for the day of £1,300.
A grant of £250 has been made available from Wychavon District Council and it was agreed to split this equally between the two initiatives.
The Flyford Social Group also requested a grant of £600 towards the cost of the Green event. It was agreed to provide this grant and allocate the funding, £300 from general funds and £300 from the Flyfords Green account.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Andrew Short
All in favour
15. AOB
An unprovoked attack by a dog on a resident had taken place recently in Flyford Flavell. The incident was in the hands of the police but an email had been received concerning the safety of children on the Green in the light of this incident. The matter was referred to the Green Management Group and it was asked that a Risk Assessment should be provided at the next parish council meeting.
Councillors enquired about the outcome of the housing application in Upton Snodsbury. The clerk promised to report the outcome in due course.
David Rhodes was thanked for his contribution to the parish council over the past few years and councillors wished him a happy retirement.
16. Date of Next Meeting
20th May 2025