Meeting of Abbots Morton Parish Council at 8:00PM on Thursday 10th November 2022 at Abbots Morton Village Hall
Minutes 10/2022
Present: Martin Willingale (Chair), Richard Whitlow, Nick Humphries, Karen Brighton, Martyn Walton
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Tim Jones (Footpaths Officer), twelve members of the public
1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements
Martin Willingale opened the meeting and welcomed residents.
2. Apologies for absence
All members present.
3. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest
3.1. Register of Interests
Noted.
3.2. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
Martin Willingale declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 6.1 and 6.2.
3.3. Other Disclosable Interests
Nil declared.
3.4. Dispensations
It was RESOLVED to grant a dispensation to Martin Willingale to allow participation, but not voting, on item 6.1.
4. Open Session
The meeting was adjourned for the open session.
4.1. District Councillors
The following written report had been received:
Communities and Funding Advisory Panel update
The Wychavon Communities Panel held their meeting at the newly refurbished Drakes Broughton Village Hall where we gave them £64,250 New Homes Bonus, £200,000 Community Legacy Grant and £39,177 Section 106 funding. Building works included a new extension, new meeting room, a new storage room and refurbished toilets and a kitchen.
The hall also had a brand-new floor, new roof and ceiling, lighting, heating, and solar panels installed
At the meeting, the panel approved £29,526 Section 106 funding to upgrade the floodlights at Ombersley and Doverdale Tennis Club. They discussed the recently funded projects tour they had been on, which included a visit to the Lighthouse project in Evesham and the Flyford Flavell Village green space and agreed to do another one next year.
Waterside Toilets open in Evesham
Spending a penny in Evesham no longer has to cost the planet with the opening of the town’s new Waterside toilets. The brand-new toilets now harvest rainwater to supply the toilets. Solar panels will help cut the carbon footprint, and the new ventilation system works on motion sensors lessening the running costs. A brand-new Changing Places also features catering for the needs of people with various disabilities.
All Roads Lead to Evesham
A major discovery was made after a resident contacted Wychavon’s archaeology advisor Aidan Smyth to tell him workmen had dug up what appeared to be a Roman road. After reviewing the photos of the site, Aidan identified it as a possible Roman ford.
Excavations have taken place to uncover clues to the age and identity of the creators of the road and everything currently points to it being a Roman structure that could be up to 1,900 years-old. Not only is the road constructed like a wall with large stones laid in bands, which is a well-known Roman building technique, it is also 2.95 metres wide, which is the standard width for a single-track Roman road. A section dug from the road is being sent off for Optically Stimulated luminescence testing, which will measure the last time the sediment was exposed to sunlight. This process could take several months. In the meantime, the site may be reburied to protect it from deteriorating. Historic England is being kept informed in the hope they will schedule the find as an ancient monument, protecting it from future development.
Covid
Wychavon Covid-19 numbers have risen again. Wychavon currently has just over 200 cases of Covid-19. Over the last six weeks Worcestershire had 25 deaths related to Covid-19.
Visit the Worcestershire Covid-19 dashboard for the latest infection rates data.
4.2. County Councillor
No report was available.
4.3. Village Hall Committee
No matters were reported.
4.4. Footpaths Officer
Tim Jones was welcomed to the meeting as the new Footpaths Officer for Abbots Morton. The Parish Council extended their thanks for taking on the role.
4.5. Public participation
Drainage issues were reported on the Village Road near to High House Farm and it was RESOLVED to contact Worcestershire County Council to request jetting of the blocked drainage system.
A number of representations were received from parishioners in relation to W/22/01885/CLE (item 6.1), summarised as follows:
• It was commented that a certificate of lawfulness application could only be determined on whether the application was factually correct and not the usual material considerations of a regular planning application.
• Many residents cited that the whole application was inaccurate, with many of the application’s statements and assertions being incorrect or misleading.
• It was suggested that the site plan was inaccurate in respect of the marked boundaries with adjacent properties.
The meeting resumed following the open session.
5. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 29th September 2022 and 28th July 2022
It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.
6. Planning: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
6.1. W/22/01885/CLE: The Chalet, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton. Application for certificate of lawfulness to establish existing use of land as builders yard, storage and workshop.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council object to the proposals on the basis that the application is wholly incorrect and misleading in its assertion that the land has established use as a builder’s yard, storage area and workshop. The Parish Council contend that there are no existing permanent buildings on the site and there has been no observed activity on the site related to the stated uses, either recently or historically. The Parish Council consider that the land has always been used for domestic/agricultural purposes and no tangible evidence has been provided in the application to the contrary.
The Parish Council meeting where this application was discussed was particularly well attended by parishioners and all representations received at the meeting verified that the application contains numerous factual errors and misleading statements.
It was RESOLVED to request that Wychavon District Council consider the application at a Planning Committee meeting due to the extreme level of local interest.
The Parish Council would also like to draw attention to the fact that the site lies within the Abbots Morton conservation area and that all trees are therefore offered protection; the application states that a number of trees have been felled on the site and the lawfulness of this should be considered.
6.2. W/22/01913/LB: Edwalyn Close, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcestershire, WR7 4NA. Replace existing PVC double glazed windows with metal double glazed windows.
Martin Willingale left the meeting for the duration of this item.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council were in support of the proposals.
6.3. W/22/01691/LB (Clerk’s delegation): To note comments submitted between scheduled meetings in relation to W/22/01691/LB: Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. Replace an electric fire with a wood burning stove in the 1970s extension.
It was noted that the Parish Council had supported the application and submitted a response under delegated authority.
7. Public Rights of Way and Highways
7.1. PROW maintenance and obstruction issues: To consider and review.
It was noted that the Footpaths Officer was due to review the waymarking on path 515C.
7.2. Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule.
No matters were reported.
8. Progress reports
8.1. Councillor vacancies
It was noted that there were two vacancies on the Parish Council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.
9. Correspondence
9.1. Worcestershire CALC: Latest training schedule.
The above training schedule was noted.
9.2. Worcestershire CALC: Invite to the CALC AGM, 7:00PM Monday 28th November 2022.
The above invite was noted.
9.3. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review Publication (Regulation 19) closing on 13th December 2022.
The above consultation was noted.
9.4. Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Policy and Site Allocations Development Plan Document closing on 13th December 2022.
The above consultation was noted.
10. Parish matters for discussion/decision
10.1. Jubilee commemorative tree: To receive an update on arrangements for planting a commemorative tree and plaque.
It was noted that arrangements were in hand for the purchase and installation of a weeping silver birch tree.
10.2. Parish Council noticeboard: To consider maintenance.
No update was available.
11. Finance
11.1. Budget and Precept: To consider and approve the 2023/24 budget and precept.
It was RESOLVED to approve the 2023/24 budget and to request a precept of £4,500.00.
11.2. Budget expenditure: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.
11.3. Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve.
It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.
11.4. Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
11.4.1. David Hunter-Miller (October and November salary and expenses)
11.4.2. HMRC (October and November PAYE)
11.4.3. Eyelid Productions Ltd (website): £170.00
11.4.4. Luke Farnsworth (Lengthsman): £270.00
It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed.
11.5. Direct Debits: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.5.1. 01/10/22 Information Commissioner (registration): £35.00
The above direct debit payment was noted.
11.6. Clerk’s Delegation: To note the following payments made between meetings:
11.6.1. David Hunter-Miller (August and September salary and expenses)
11.6.2. HMRC (August and September PAYE)
11.6.3. Martin Willingale (commemorative plaque): £168.00
11.6.4. Luke Farnsworth (Lengthsman): £255.00
The above payments made between meetings were noted.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda
It was noted that the Abbots Morton Christmas tree lights would be switched on Friday 2nd December 2022.
It was RESOLVED to add the following item to the next agenda:
• Dog fouling bin provision
13. Date of the next meeting
The next scheduled meeting is at 8:00PM on Thursday 26th January 2022.
A resolution was passed to exclude members of the public due to the confidential nature of the following items.
14. Clerk’s employment
14.1. To note the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) National Salary Award 2022-23.
It is noted that the 2022/23 salary award would be applied and backdated to 1st April 2022 and that from 1st April 2023 there is an increase of one day to the annual leave entitlement.
14.2. To note the resignation of the Clerk.
The Clerk’s resignation was formally accepted.
14.3. To consider the Clerk’s offer to continue in post until a replacement is identified and to allow a handover period.
It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would stay in post until the end of November 2022 to allow a handover period.
14.4. To note arrangements made under delegated authority in relation to the recruitment of a new Clerk.
It was noted that arrangements had been made under delegated authority as follows:
• The job would be advertised at 4.5 hours per week with salary in the range LC1 (SCP 13) to LC2 (SCP 23), depending on experience and qualifications. The other terms and conditions would be in line with the current Clerk’s contract (NALC standard model).
• CALC (Worcestershire and Warwickshire) were contacted to advertise the vacancy.
• Interviews had been arranged with the applicants.
14.5. To receive an update on recruitment and to consider the appointment of a new Clerk.
Following interviews held 10th November 2022 it was RESOLVED to appoint Kerry Williamson for 4.5 hours per week, starting Salary LC1 (SCP14), employment commencing 21st November 2022.
The meeting closed at 9:48PM.