Minutes 26 January 2023

Meeting of Abbots Morton Parish Council at 8:00PM on Thursday 26th January 2023 at Abbots Morton Village Hall

Minutes 01/2023

Present: Martin Willingale (Chair), Richard Whitlow, Nick Humphries, Karen Brighton, Martyn Walton

In attendance: Kerry Williamson (Clerk), two members of the public

  1. Chairman’s welcome and announcements

Martin Willingale opened the meeting and welcomed residents.

  1. Apologies for absence

Tim Jones (Footpath Officer)

  1. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest
  • Register of Interests

Noted

  • Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Cllr Martin Willingale declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in item 7.1.

  • Other Disclosable Interests

Nil declared.

  • Dispensations

It was RESOLVED to grant a dispensation to Cllr Martin Willingale to allow participation, but not voting, on item 7.1.

  1. Open Session

The meeting was adjourned for the open session.

  • District Councillors

The following written report had been received:

Wychavon (Inkberrow Ward) District Councillors’ Report

January 2023

Right Waste, Right Place

A new online search tool is available to help residents cut through the confusion about what to do with their waste. The Right Waste, Right Place search contains more than 10,000 items. It tells users the best way to dispose of an item as well as offering options for reusing them, where appropriate. The tool doesn’t just cover Wychavon’s kerbside recycling scheme, but also facilities available at Household Recycling Centres, in supermarkets and retail stores, community collection schemes and charity shops. If an item cannot be found, then users have the option to make a suggestion. Wychavon’s team will then research the best way to dispose of that item and add it to the database. Research shows there is often confusion about what to do with items such as mobile phones, glass, decorations, and clothing. Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/recycling-search to use the tool.

Changes to referring to Adult Social Care Services

From Monday, 30 January 2023, the Worcestershire Adults Portal will become the only channel for professionals to raise referrals into Adult Social Care. In June 2022, Worcestershire County Council launched the Worcestershire Adults Portal which is an online system that allows professionals, carers, and residents to raise wellbeing concerns, and to make referrals for care and support into Adult Social Care (excluding Safeguarding referrals and Mental Health Act assessments). All New referrals must be submitted via the Portal. Referrals will be received by the Here2Help Front Door and, where there is an appearance of need for care and support, regardless of whether the local authority thinks the individual has eligible needs or of their financial situation they will be offered an assessment of their needs under the Care Act 2014 and be allocated to the relevant and appropriate Social Work team.

The Worcestershire Adults Portal is live now and can be found on the Adult Social Care pages on the Worcestershire County Council website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/worcestershireadultsportal

Evesham VeloPark now open to the public

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 pumptrack 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. To book: https://bit.ly/3hqznWZ

  • County Councillor

No report was available.

  • Village Hall Committee

No report was available.

  • Footpaths Officer

The following written report had been received:

The county is looking at bridges along path 544 (to south of Morton Speart) which were damaged by fire. Also bridges on path 514 to north of Speart.

  • Public participation

Two parishioners were in attendance to represent a local group of residents who had sought legal advice in relation to W/22/01885/CLE (item 7.1). This group of residents wished to petition the Parish Council to seek funding for the legal costs.

In summary:

  • Residents asked for discretionary expenditure to compensate the legal costs, referring to section 137 (parts 1 and 5) of the Local Government Act 1972.
  • Residents felt it was necessary to obtain legal advice as it was an unusual and one-off application and documents needed reviewing. They did not want to wait until after a decision had been made.
  • The Council needs to remain impartial, and the one-off argument was loose – contributing to legal costs on one application could set a precedent on future applications.
  • Councillors shared advice received from Worcestershire CALC:
    • Invoice is not addressed to Abbots Morton Parish Council (AMPC), it would need to be for audit purposes, as well as the need for a purchase agreement.
    • It should be minuted in a Council meeting that a solicitor would be consulted.
    • AMPC did not seek the advice and did not receive the benefit/outcome of advice.
    • AMPC may have been able to source the advice using a cheaper alternative.
  • Parishioners highlighted those timescales did not allow for due process.
  • Councillors felt a Residents Association would be better placed to fund the costs.

The meeting resumed following the open session.

  1. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 10th November 2022

It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record, and they were duly signed by the Chair.

  1. To consider a co-option application for Councillor vacancy

It was RESOLVED to accept the co-option application.

  1. Planning: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
    • W/22/01885/CLE: The Chalet, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton. To consider any update.

No updates from Wychavon District Council to consider.

It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council were not in favour of the Parishioners petition for funds towards the legal costs (Item 4.5).

Cllr Martin Willingale did not vote on this item.

  • W/22/02366/FUL & W/22/02367/LB (Clerk’s delegation): To note comments submitted between scheduled meetings: Manor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. Erection of a ground-mounted solar panel and battery storage system & change of use of land to garden curtilage.

It was noted that the Parish Council did not provide any response as Councillors had no objections or comments.

  • W/22/00711/FUL & W/22/00968/LB: Manor Farm, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. Conversion of barn to dwelling and erection of car port, to include raised drive and dropped kerb. Application restarted due to revised information being received.

It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would submit a comment stating that they support the design of the barn conversion as it is sensitive to the historical nature of the building. The Parish Council feels that Worcestershire County Council Highways report makes valid points about travel sustainability not being met. The Parish Council would like the route of access through the yard to be reconsidered and feel that the barn conversion should be classified as ancillary accommodation to the main accommodation.

  1. Public Rights of Way and Highways
    • PROW maintenance and obstruction issues: To consider and review.

It was reported that the kissing gate where the 520c meets the 521c is overgrown.

  • Lengthsman Scheme: To receive an update and to consider any items for the Lengthsman’s work schedule.

It was reported that the hedge rows need trimming back as much as possible on the Morton Speart county boundary hill and the overgrowth around the road signs needs to be cut away.

  • Flooding: To consider issues relating to highway drainage on the C2010, Abbots Morton Village Road.

It was noted that this issue has been reported to Wychavon District Council. It was reported that the flooding at the drains at High House Farm has not been rectified, despite receiving notification from Worcestershire County Council that jetting had been carried out at the site. Councillors are unsure if the jetting was carried out at the correct site.

It was RESOLVED that both issues should be reported to the Land Drainage Enforcement Officer at Wychavon District Council and a meeting be arranged on site to discuss further.

  1. Progress reports
    • Councillor vacancies

It was noted that there is one vacancy on the Parish Council and enquiries from parishioners were welcomed.

  1. Correspondence
    • Worcestershire CALC: Councillor Recruitment Pack.

The above pack was noted.

  • Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review Publication (Regulation 19) extended to 23rd December 2022.

The above extension was noted.

  • Wychavon District Council: Consultation on the Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Policy and Site Allocations Development Plan Document extended to 23rd December 2022.

The above extension was noted.

  • Wychavon District Council: Design Code Consultation closing on 1st February 2023.

The above consultation was noted.

  • Wychavon District Council: Platinum Jubilee Fund. Applications close on 20th January 2023.

The above fund was noted.

  • Wychavon District Council: Tax Base information for 2023/24.

The above tax base information for 2023/24 was noted.

  • Worcestershire County Council: Drainage report – Abbots Morton Road, site cleared with jetter?

It was reported that the flooding at this site was not resolved (see item 8.3).

  • Trees Call to Action Project: Funds for tree and hedgerow planting.

It was RESOLVED to contact the project to seek funding for the commemorative tree on the village green.

  1. Parish matters for discussion/decision
    • Jubilee commemorative tree: To receive an update on arrangements for planting a commemorative tree and plaque.

See item 10.8.

  • Parish Council noticeboard: To consider maintenance.

No update was available.

  • Policing Priorities & Community Charter: To consider the policing priorities for 2023.

It was RESOLVED to include Theft (outbuildings), Theft (farms) and wildlife crime as the policing priorities for 2023.

  • Dog fouling bin provision: To consider the provision of a dog fouling bin.

The provision of a second bin in the village was discussed. Further guidance from Wychavon District Council is required to determine a viable location.

  • Defibrillator: To review inspection schedules, maintenance and replacement.

It was noted that there are currently no replacements required. It was noted that Cllr Martin Willingale regularly checks the defibrillator.

  1. Finance
  • Internal Auditor: To consider the appointment of an Internal Auditor to review the 2022/23 accounts.

It was RESOLVED to appoint Iain Selkirk as the internal auditor to review the 2022/23 accounts.

  • Tax Base: To note the 2023/24 tax base figures.

The 2023/24 tax base figures were noted.

  • Internet Banking: To consider and approve.

It was RESOLVED to approve the provision of internet banking.

  • Budget expenditure: To consider and approve.

It was RESOLVED to approve the budget expenditure.

  • Bank reconciliation: To consider and approve.

It was RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.

  • Invoices: To approve the following invoices for payment:
    • Kerry Williamson (November, December and January salary and expenses)
    • Luke Farnsworth (Lengthsman)
    • Worcestershire CALC – Clerk’s Toolkit Training
    • HMRC (November, December & January PAYE)

It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices and cheques were duly signed. HMRC payment (12.6.4) was added to the agenda.

  1. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda

It was noted that W/22/01885/CLE: The Chalet and W/22/00968/LB: Manor Farm should be items on the next agenda.

  1. Date of the next meeting

The next scheduled meeting is at 8:00PM on Thursday 30th March 2023.

 

The meeting closed at 10:02PM.

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