FLYFORD FLAVELL, GRAFTON FLYFORD & NORTH PIDDLE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held at The Flyford’s Hall on Tuesday 14th July 2026

A tribute to Mr David Rhodes who has died and served the Parish Council until March 2025

“David was a true gentleman who cared deeply about our village, parish and all the residents. He was always friendly, approachable and willing to chat. He was a member of the Parish Council from July 2021 and the Flyford's Village Social Group where he assisted with many events as well as being heavily involved with the Green Committee - he made a real difference to our community. He will be remembered with great affection and sadly missed, it’s hard to imagine Flyford without him.”

Present David Waide (Chairman) Sadie Densham Alison Crickmore

	Linda Robinson - District and County Councillor by Zoom

Mark Broughton-Taylor attended as clerk

1. Apologies

Tim Doughty, Richard Croxton

2. Declaration of Interest:

   None

   The clerk reported that there had been changes in the rules concerning the disclosure of pecuniary interests to Wychavon D C. It was no longer necessary to disclose councillor’s private addresses on the form and if councillors would like to redact their address, they would need to complete a new form. The appropriate form is available from the clerk.

3. Public Participation:

   None

4 Approval of Minutes of Meetings held on 19th May 2026

The minutes of the meeting were approved.

Proposed: Sadie Densham 	2nd: Alison Crickmore	All in favour

5. Matters Arising

   None

6. Transport and Highways Matters

   Various matters of Highways Safety were discussed. These are generally on-going issues that have been in the agenda for some time. These include:

• Speed limits on Radford Road and New Hill • 20mph speed limit through Flyford Flavell • Excessive speed and noise from motorbikes and other vehicles on the A422 • Flashing sign on the bridge A422 – Pidde Brook • Recording of traffic incidents in the parish • Proposed site for speed camera van on the A422 • The use of Trucam speed devises in the parish

The clerk was asked to email a summary of Highway matters to Barry Barnes and Cllr Linda Robinson.

7. Flyford Green and Pond

   Concerns had been raised about the quality of the surface of the Boules Court. The clerk and Andrew Short had met a representative from Smartcuts who had agreed to provide a quote for some improvement works and to fit a picket fence around the perimeter. A budget of £2,000 was agreed for these works and the clerk was instructed to go ahead as long as the work was within this budget. The Flyford Social Group would be approached to see if they can assist with any shortfall.

   Proposed: David Waide. Seconded: Alison Crickmore. All in agreement

   It was agreed that the Parish Council would sponsor a trophy in memory of David Rhodes for a Boules Competition to be set up in due course. Alison Crickmore will make enquiries about a suitable trophy and report back to the next meeting.

   A Whatsapp Group has been set up for residents who wish to use the Boules Court.

   It was understood that Richard Croxton had volunteered to carry out the weekly inspections of the play equipment. The clerk will contact him to see if this is possible.

   Malcolm Jones had resigned from the Green Management Group with immediate effect. The clerk had been in contact and thanked him for his contributions and the chairman had also contacted him and expressed his gratitude for all the work he had done over the past few years.

   Malcolm will still continue to tend the wild flower meadow.

8. District and County Councillor Reports It was noted that the result of the government reorganisation of Local Authorities in Worcestershire was due imminently. Wychavon D C has appealed against the decision to instigate penalties to the planning department. Wychavon First phase of £5 million support fund unveiled Residents, families, businesses and community groups across the district are set to benefit from the first phase of the £5 million We Are Wychavon Support Fund. The money will be invested over the next two years and is built around four key themes of supporting wellness, supporting business, supporting families and young people and supporting sustainable communities. • The first package of schemes, which will be introduced over the coming months, includes: • Free swimming for under-16s. • Free swimming for over-60s. • Free learn-to-swim sessions for all ages. • Reduced fares on the Worcestershire on Demand bus. • One hour's free parking. • Support for businesses to create apprenticeships. • Targeted support to help tackle youth unemployment. • Funding for families facing financial hardship who do not qualify for existing support. • Enhanced speech and language support for children. New Ward Budgets enabling councillors to support small-scale community projects that do not qualify for existing grant schemes. Details of each scheme and how residents can access them are currently being finalised. Launch dates will be announced through Wychavon’s website, e-newsletter, social media and the local media. Instead of focusing on a specific part of the district, schemes have been chosen so as many residents as possible have the opportunity to benefit from them. Further schemes will be announced in phases as the programme develops. Successful projects under the Wychavon Growth Fund Following its successful launch in April 2026, the Wychavon Growth Fund has attracted strong interest from local businesses. Fully funded by Wychavon District Council, the Fund is designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses across the district, helping them to invest in activities that drive growth. This can include purchasing new equipment, expanding facilities, creating jobs, and improving productivity. Grants of between £500 and £15,000 are available, depending on the nature of the project and the type of business applying. Businesses are required to provide at least 50% match funding towards their project costs. The table below lists the projects approved for funding up to 1 July 2026. Further information about the Fund, including a link to the online application form, is available at www.wychavon.gov.uk/growth County Rise in measles cases across Worcestershire Public Health colleagues have reported a rise in confirmed and probable measles cases across Worcestershire since the start of the year, including a number of cases requiring hospital treatment. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that spreads easily through the air and can remain infectious in a shared space for up to two hours after an infected person has left. While most people recover fully, the disease can cause serious complications, particularly for young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. Residents are being encouraged to ensure they are fully protected against measles by checking their vaccination status and arranging an MMR vaccination through their GP if required. People experiencing symptoms, including a high temperature, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and a distinctive rash, should seek advice remotely from their GP surgery or NHS 111 before attending any healthcare setting. Members are encouraged to share this information within their communities and help raise awareness of the importance of vaccination in preventing further spread of the disease. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/ Accessible days out in Worcestershire From popular family attractions to much-loved heritage sites, you’ll find a growing range of accessible experiences in Worcestershire. Many local venues have taken part in Visit Worcestershire’s Accessibility Champions programme, helping teams build the knowledge, confidence and practical changes needed to create truly welcoming spaces. Whether you’re planning ahead or looking for inspiration, here are some of our top picks for inclusive days out across the county. https://visitworcestershire.org/.../accessible-days-out... Project Gigabit build gets underway in Worcestershire The rollout of next-generation broadband in Worcestershire has reached an important milestone, with the first homes and businesses now connected through the Government's Project Gigabit programme, which builds on commercial deployments across the county. The £41 million contract between Building Digital UK (BDUK) and Openreach will bring gigabit-capable broadband to more than 20,000 premises across the county's hardest-to-reach areas. The first live connections are now serving properties in Lower Broadheath, Hallow, Powick and Callow End, while network build activity is also underway in and around Knightwick. The project is designed to deliver fast, reliable broadband to rural communities that are unlikely to benefit from commercial investment alone, giving access to speeds in excess of 1,000Mbps, subject to the chosen package. Project Gigabit forms part of the UK Government's £5 billion national programme, helping extend gigabit-capable broadband coverage across the country and supporting Worcestershire's ambitions for improved digital connectivity. For more information, visit the County Council’s Digital Connectivity webpages. Worcestershire accelerates its drive to boost electric vehicle infrastructure Worcestershire and neighbouring councils have secured a new contract to expand the county’s electric vehicle charging network. The deal unlocks £3.5m in Department for Transport funding plus £13m in private investment. EZO will install 64 rapid chargers, while Connected Kerb will add 1,700 on street, lower powered chargers, giving residents a wider mix of charging options. The project is funded through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, designed to speed up local on street charging and boost private sector investment. Government says charging access remains a major barrier to EV adoption, noting its additional £600m investment and grants that have helped over 100,000 drivers reduce upfront EV costs. The new programme aims to deliver reliable, well placed, future ready chargers to support Worcestershire’s shift to cleaner transport. Mobile Connectivity Data for Worcestershire It has been revealed that mobile connectivity across Worcestershire is significantly worse than previously reported. To address the mobile connectivity issue, we are: • empowering people to make the best decisions now by providing the facts through our Mobile Coverage Checker (Coming soon) • encouraging local residents and business' to ‘report’ their issues in Worcestershire by completing our: Mobile Connectivity Problems Survey • lobbying Ofcom, MNOs and Government to improve data accuracy now and actual coverage as soon as possible • supporting the ecosystem – working with planners, making best use of our sites and assets, engaging with the industry • the wider River Severn Partnership is rallying MP support, locally and nationally, to address the local and national issue in parliament Overgrown or fallen tree and shrubbery Overgrown trees or shrubs causing an obstruction? Here’s what you need to know
   We can help if vegetation is: Growing from the highway surface Blocking or affecting safe public passage Dangerous or causing an inconvenience on the highway We are not responsible for: • Trees or vegetation that do not affect the public highway • Trees in private gardens or on private property Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees and vegetation on their land and ensuring they are safe. Please report overgrown trees or vegetation here: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/.../overgrown-or-fallen...

9. Local Police and Neighbourhood Watch

   It was noted that a patio table, chairs and two gas heater had been stolen from a premises on Radford Road.

   Respect Orders are now available to control dog fouling. Further details will be provided.

10. Car Rallies at Toast

    The rallies continue. Monitoring has been sporadic but it seems that there is little that can be done to curtail the noise and nuisance. The matter will continue to be monitored.

11. Planning matters

Mrs Jean Goff W/25/02427/PIP

Briary House Farm, North Piddle Lane, North Piddle, Worcester, WR7 4PR Permission in Principle for self-build Live Work unit with associated garage and landscaping

The chairman and clerk had attended a meeting with Clare Bull Development Manager Wychavon D C) and Ciran Power (Head of Development Management). The following notes are taken from a briefing provided to councillors by the clerk after the meeting:

“We got as near to an admission that they got it wrong and we are likely to get. They both said that having reviewed the case, future applications of this sort would be dealt with differently and would likely be refused. We raised the issue of taking the matter to the ombudsman but it was pointed out that this would only review the process and could not overturn the decision. They were also asked if they would overturn the decision but they were of the opinion that the risk to the council was too great for this.

They did however say that an application for a live work unit would fail at the technical stage as it would not fit with the SWDPR. The PIP could be used as a fall back position for a full application on the site but details such as landscape, neighbours and access would then have to be considered and the longer term precedent of refusal on the site would then be considered.”

Sandpiper TKL Ltd c/o Lockley Homes W/25/01891/FUL

Land At (Os 9830 5490), Radford Road, Flyford Flavell Erection of 14no. dwellings including 4no. affordable homes, together with a new access and new orchard, tree and hedge planting.

The parish council had been consulted on a proposal to change the condition concerning affordable housing. The following comment had been submitted:

“The parish council has considered this application to change the approved/agreed 3no social rented units and 1no intermediate housing unit to 4 discount market sales homes. We have also had a meeting with the developer to discuss the various issues pertaining to the parish council.

The parish council considers that there is not up to date local information about housing needs in the parish of Flyford Flavell, Grafton Flyford and North Piddle to make an informed decision on this matter.

It is understood that Wychavon D C is not disposed to accept discount market homes for various reasons and the parish council is inclined to support this position.

Following the development of Flyford Green in 2014 the social housing did not go to residents or their relatives in the parish but in the wider Wychavon area and in some cases further than that. The parish council is aware of older members of the community who wish to downsize or obtain more suitable accommodation. Wychavon may not be aware of these requirements.

The parish council would therefore support a Housing Needs Survey in the parish to obtain local opinion and facts about local housing needs and understands that the applicant also sees this as a possible way forward to resolve this issue.

If the LPA was willing to take this option, the parish council would be prepared to work with the Wychavon Housing Department to take on such a survey and will provide whatever voluntary local assistance that was possible.

Should the LPA not be disposed to undertake such a survey then the parish council, not having up to date information to work with, will oppose the application to change the condition to discount market homes.”

This matter was also discussed with the Development Managers at Wychavon. The notes are as follows:

“The main issue we raised here was about the pre-application consultation. We explained that things were done very differently with The Green development and we had two years consultation with the developer before the application was made. The outcome was much more in keeping with the village. David pointed out that although there is some discretion within the consultation policy for this size of development it is a significant size for Flyford Flavell and the authority could have insisted on public consultation before validating the application. This was more or less agreed and there will be some consideration of changing policy in the future.

There was general agreement that the application was approved because of the lack of the Five-Year-Land-Supply but the officers were not able to say why the councillors did not support the parish council in asking for a deferment at committee. Perhaps we still need to pursue this.

We raised the issue of the S106 and that now we were in a position where negotiations have begun but faltered due to the social housing issue. We also said that the P C did think it was in the best position to look after the public open space but are not sure what to do with it because of the design. We also raised the issue about the pavement along Radford Road and explained why we thought it was a bad idea. They were sympathetic to these issues but rather non-committal.”

Mrs Emily Lang W/26/01187/FUL Proposal Retrospective change of use from agricultural land to equestrian to include a menage.

Church Farm, Church Lane, Flyford Flavell, Worcester, WR7 4BZ

The clerk was asked to check where the actual line of the footpath was in connection with this development and send in a comment accordingly.

Mr S Ellis and Mrs A Ellis W/26/01323/HP Proposal Proposed extensions, alterations and improvements to existing dwelling and improved new access and parking Address The Homestead, Bishampton Road, Flyford Flavell, WORCESTER, WR7 4BU

The parish council has no objection to the extension of the house but reiterated its concern about the entrance. The council would not support the urbanisation or large gates to the entrance.

Mr Robert & Mrs Clare Clark W/26/01040/HP Proposal Construction of a wooden framed gazebo

Swallow Barn, Village Street, North Piddle, Worcester, WR7 4PS

This application has been approved

Mr Robert & Mrs Clare Clark W/26/01040/HP Proposal The installation of solar panels on the roof of a detached garage.

Swallow Barn, Village Street, North Piddle, Worcester, WR7 4PS

No objection

Trust in the Local Planning Authority

At the meeting with the Development Manages at Wychavon the matter of trust in the Planning Authority was raised. Linda Robinson stated that moral at the department had also been very low but that matters were being addressed and the department was working towards better relations with parish councils. 12 Highways and Footpaths Please see Action Plan below. 13. Review Action Plan Alison Crickmore has updated the Action Plan attached below. for the Action Plan and the revised plan is attached as an addendum 14. Any Other Business Communication of parish council business was discussed. The clerk suggested enquiring about a version of ‘The Local Times” published by Hughes & Co of Pershore. This was agreed. 15. Date of Next Meeting September 15th 2026

Signed: Date: