Minutes of the Meeting held at The Flyford’s Hall on Tuesday 8th July 2025
Present
David Waide (Chairman)
Andrew Short
Richard Croxton
Sadie Densham
Alison Crickmore
Linda Robinson - District and County Councillor
Mark Broughton - Taylor attended as clerk
1. Apologies
None
2. Declaration of Interest
None
3. Public Participation
Six residents from Flyford Flavell attended the meeting to voice concerns about the recent car meetings at The Flyford Arms. These meeting are widely advertised as ‘Cars on Toast’ and have attracted large numbers of cars and people. It is estimated that at the last meeting there were about 300 cars parked on the field behind the Flyford’s Arms and about 600 people. The events are being held on a fortnightly basis over the summer. The events are now ticket only but result in indiscriminate parking on Old Hill and loud music, revving engines and general noise for the neighbours.
Residents asked if a Temporary Events Notice was required and if there was any way to ensure that road safety and neighbour’s amenity was not compromised. Linda Robinson had already referred the matter to Wychavon and it was agreed that the parish council should inform the police and Worcestershire Regulatory Services of the upcoming events so that they could monitor the situation.
4. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 13th May 2025 were approved.
Proposed: Sadie Densham
Seconded: Alison Crickmore
All in favour
5. Matters Arising
It was agreed that the Action Log was a good idea and should be a shared document which could be updated as tasks were complete. The clerk undertook to work on a suitable system that could be used for this purpose. In the meantime Alison Crickmore will maintain the log.
6. Highway Safety
The notes of the Highways meeting in April had been circulated to councillors but the chairman asked for more time to edit the report before it was made public.
It was noted that one of the out comes of the meeting was that more evidence of our concerns needs to be recorded and provided to Highways. It was agreed that some sort of data base was required so accidents and incidents on the road could be recorded. The clerk was asked to consider how this could be done.
It was noted that Linda Robinson had been appointed as a volunteer by the school governors to liaise with parents about poor and inconsiderate parking. Ali Crickmore will arrange a meeting to discuss possible solutions to the problem.
7. Flyford Green and Pond
The state of the pond was discussed and the clerk promised to chase up the adverse possession issue. In the meantime, it was thought that some remedial works should be carried out to ensure that the trees were safe. The clerk to obtain quotations for the work. Malcolm Jones will look into possibilities for ecological improvements to the pond.
It was noted that the fence at the back of the pond had been replaced and seems to have been moved forward, reducing the size of the area around the pond.
Flyford councillors will ensure that an update about the pond will appear on the Flyford Facebook page.
The clerk reported that the Fields and Trust application was progressing and hoped that it would be complete by the next meeting.
The Toddler swing had been installed on Friday 4th July. Malcolm Jones had been in attendance whilst the installation was undertaken and reported that as the ground was very hard some dressing around the mat area will be required when the ground softens. Otherwise ,the installation is in good order.
The project with the school is still going well and the children will have experienced the full lifecycle of the plants this year.
It was reported that it did seem that the village was interested in a pétanque terrain and it was agreed to investigate funding.
The wild flower area was still looking good despite the lack of rain.
8. Bio-diversity and Climate Mitigation
An initial meeting of the working group has now taken place and it had been agreed that efforts should be concentrated on two projects to start with:
- ‘Solar for Schools’ is a project that encourages schools to install solar panels and funding is available to cover the full cost of the scheme.
- A database for residents so that information on energy saving initiatives was easily available.
Proposed: David Waide
Seconded: Sadie Densham
All in favour
9. District and County Councillor Reports
Reform UK has taken over the leadership of Worcestershire County Council.
At the first full Council meeting Joanne Monk was sworn in as Council leader, and she went on to announce a new cabinet of Reform councillors. The new Cabinet member for Highways is Cllr. Carl Perks.
The council has no overall majority, after Reform UK won 27 seats - two short of the 29 needed to secure control.
Meanwhile, opposition groups combined to pick newly elected Green councillor Louis Stephen (former mayor of Worcester City) as the council's chairman, as well as secure a raft of other appointments. I was pleased to be confirmed as Chairman of Planning having served as Vice Chairman for the previous four years with our first meeting having been held last week.
Extensive training has been held by County some of which was mandatory. This was essential to both update existing members and inform the large number of new ones who were first time Cllrs.
Police & Crime Commissioner. John Campion update
Recent stats have been released on the 2,500 miles of roads across Worcestershire County Council area. In the last year there have sadly been 26 fatalities and 230 serious injuries recorded.
THIS YEAR’S annual road surface dressing programme has been started by Worcestershire County Council after a successful winter gritting season
As part of the gritting season, the council’s highways team deployed more than 5,000 tonnes of salt to keep Worcestershire’s Road network safe and moving between October 2024 and April 2025.
Operations were supported by six strategically located depots and seven remotely monitored weather stations.
The dedicated efforts of both county council staff and contractor Ringway ensured roads remained in safe condition for all users.
A highways team spokesperson said: “While it hasn’t been the harshest of winters, our crews have worked tirelessly, sometimes around the clock, to make sure Worcestershire’s roads remained safe.
“We are grateful to all involved, especially those who take on winter duties in addition to their regular responsibilities.
“The positive feedback we receive from road users across the county reflects how much their work is appreciated.” He added now attention turned to maintaining and improving the county’s roads.
“Surface dressing is a preventative maintenance treatment that involves spraying roads with bitumen, followed by stone chippings that are rolled in to seal the surface.
“It’s a quick and cost-effective method that can extend the life of a road by up to 10 years, while improving skid resistance and helping prevent potholes.
“Our teams are fully prepared and ready to deliver this year’s surface dressing programme. “It’s a proven and efficient way to restore road surfaces and minimise long-term damage. “Starting the work after the winter season allows us to carry it out under optimal conditions and with minimal disruption to residents and road users.”
Signs will be displayed on roads in advance of any surface dressing activity. The programme may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Visit: worcestershire.gov.uk/surfacedressing for more information.
Round Two: Wychavon Rural Fund applications now open
Rural businesses and communities can now apply for funding of up to £25,000 with Round Two of the Wychavon Rural Fund.
The Wychavon Rural Fund aims to support valuable new capital projects that promote the growth and development of start-ups and small businesses. The 4 funding is intended for physical projects, such as new equipment or machinery and aims to support farm diversification outside of agriculture.
Grants ranging from £2,500 to £25,000 are available, with recipients required to match 50% of the total project costs. This shared investment reflects our commitment to community involvement and economic resilience.
Key dates for Wychavon Rural Fund: Round Two
- Expression of interest deadline – Midday, Monday, 7 July 2025
- Full Application deadline – Midday, Monday, 18 August 2025
- Funding decision – end of September 2025
All projects from both rounds one and two must be completed by Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Two Wychavon projects that previously benefited from the fund are the Inkberrow Cricket Club and Church Lench Village Hall. Inkberrow Cricket Club received over £11,000 to invest in the future of cricket by helping fund the building of a dedicated junior cricket square. This enables the Club to provide better facilities for more children from diverse backgrounds and from further afield, encouraging them to participate in sports throughout the summer months. A grant of over £7,500 was allocated to Church Lench Village Hall to install a solar panel and storage battery system, bringing a projected energy saving of £79,000 over 25 years.
New rules for postal voters- are you affected?
Many residents who usually vote by post are being asked to reapply by Wychavon. This is because the law around postal votes has changed, and they will now expire every three years.
Residents are being advised that if they are a long-term postal voter and their postal vote was granted before 31 January 2024, they will need to reapply before 31 January 2026.
Please encourage your resident to reapply online, it only takes a couple of minutes.
The Electoral Services team has also contacted affected electors.
Shape Worcestershire
This recent survey on reorganisation to Local Government in Worcestershire which closed last week revealed views on future of local councils. Please find initial results as below.
More than 4,200 people and organisations have taken part in a survey seeking views on how local councils should be reorganised.
The Shape Worcestershire survey took place in June and invited feedback on government plans to abolish Worcestershire County Council and the six district, borough, and city councils by 1 April 2028. They will be replaced by either one single council for Worcestershire running all services, or two councils – one for the North and one for the South – with each authority running all services for its part of the county.
Survey responses were gathered from residents, community and voluntary organisations, businesses, town and parish councils, and other key partners.
Initial analysis of the survey results reveals:
- 48% backed creating two unitary councils
- 29% supported one unitary council for the county
- 19% didn’t support any reorganisation of local councils in Worcestershire
Respondents from Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough and Wychavon were strongly in favour of the two unitary council solution. In Worcester City, 46% favoured creating one unitary council, with 42% supporting the North and South option. In Wyre Forest, opinion was split with 40% backing the one unitary option and 39% supporting creating two unitary councils.
People were asked to consider a range of factors when giving their responses, including how any proposed change would save money, improve local services, simplify local government, support local identity and strengthen community engagement.
The two unitary option was considered better for improving local services, supporting local identity and stronger community engagement. It was felt the one unitary option would be better for saving money/delivering value and making local government simpler.
The local council services people said they were most concerned about being affected by reorganisation were:
- Highways (potholes, footpaths, drainage, street lighting, etc) - 50%
- Adult social care - 42%
- Waste and recycling collection and disposal - 40%
- Parks and other green spaces - 35%
- Planning and related services - 34%
Infrastructure planning, maintaining and improving services and council-owned facilities and Council Tax levels, were the three things that mattered most to people when thinking about their local council.
More than 4,600 comments were also made as part of the survey responses. These are currently being analysed in-depth, along with the results of focus groups held across the county.
Survey feedback and other relevant information will be taken into account before councils formally submit their final reorganisation proposals to the Government by 28 November 2025.
Cllr Robinson also reported on a recent meeting at Naunton Beachamp Parish Council where the matter of the travellers who had recently been encamped on North Piddle Lane was discussed. It was expected that local landowners would take action to prevent the travellers returning because they had been extremely antisocial and were suspected of drug dealing in the lane.
10. Local Police and Neighbourhood Watch
Smartwater
Smartwater had now been sent out and the signage has been displayed in Grafton Flyford and North Piddle.
There was no report from the Local Police Officer.
11. Planning Matters
To report approvals
W/25/00267/FUL
Mr Nigel Arscott
Hillside
Bishampton Road
Flyford Flavell
Erection of replacement dwelling following demolition of existing dwelling and garage.
No objection.
W/25/00496/HP
Mr M Hickling
Osbourne Cottage
Grafton Flyford
Extension and alteration to detached garage.
W/25/00735/HP
Mr S Griffiths
Church Farm Cottage
Church Lane
Flyford Flavell
Two storey side and rear extension and replacement porch.
A planning application for illuminated signs at The Boot Inn, Flyford Flavell was received yesterday. This will proceed in accordance with our standing orders.
12. Highways and Footpaths
It was reported that Sarah Doughty had now undertaken some of the trainingas Footpaths Officer and may soon be formally appointed.
The footpath from the top of New Hill onto the ridge is blocked up again. This is not maintained by WCC as it has been diverted from its original route. It was agreed to ask the lengthsman to strim the path.
13. Risk assessments
The clerk presented the risk assessments for the parish council which had been drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the insurance company. It was agreed that a more in depth assessment of the risks associated with the village green should be undertaken by the committee. It was also suggested that the risk assessment of the gas tanks should also be reviewed.
14. Any Other Business
It was agreed that a leaflet would be drawn up to advertise for new councillors. A leaflet drop will be organised to ensure that every household receives one.
It was noted that the school had received some complaints about the security of the back gate on church Lane. It was agreed that this was a matter for the school. The clerk to reply to resident’s enquiry.
It was agreed to display a notice on the noticeboards to say that it was the intention that they will be decommissioned in the near future and to contact the clerk with any objections.
15. Date of Next Meeting
8th September 2025 - it was noted that this is not convenient for the chairman who asked if a different date could be arranged by email following the meeting.