Minutes 27 November 2025

Minutes 11/2025

 

Present: Cllrs Martin Willingale (Chair), Nick Humphries, Martyn Walton and Richard Whitlow

In attendance: Kerry Williamson (Clerk) and Ben Hurdman (District Councillor)

Parishioners: 5

 

  1. Chairman’s Welcome & Announcements

Chairman, Cllr Martin Willingale, welcomed the Councillors and parishioners.

 

  1. Apologies for absence

Cllr Jacqueline Allum and Cllr Satinder Bell (County Councillor) sent apologies.

 

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

Noted.

  • Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

None.

  • Other Disclosable Interests

Cllr Martyn Walton declared an interest in agenda item 6.4 & 6.5, due to his property’s proximity to the applicant property.

  • Dispensations

Councillors AGREED that Cllr Martyn Walton could participate in the discussion on agenda items 6.4 & 6.5 but could not participate in any vote.

 

  1. Open Session

The meeting was adjourned for the open session.

  • District Councillors

Cllr Ben Hurdman provided the following report at the meeting:

Rural Fund

The last round of the Rural Fund had been utilised for some great local projects, including installation of solar panels at Inkberrow Village Hall. The Rural Fund will reopen in the new year – community projects should consider applying. 75% of funding can be applied for, with 25% to be funded by the organisation themselves.

Local Government Reorganisation

There would be a considerable cost to dissolve Wychavon District Council. Wychavon District Council remained profitable and had been considering investment in the district, the potential purchase of Evesham shopping centre as an example. Wychavon District Council supports a two unitary council structure with a north/south split, it is believed this would be a better outcome for rural communities.

Rural Men’s Health & Wellbeing

A successful event had been run at Drakes Broughton – over 200 men had attended a prostate cancer screening which had resulted in 16 referrals. Funding for a similar event in Inkberrow is being sought.

SWDPR

Should be adopted in April 2026. Should limit live/work unit applications and housing allocation – less 5-year housing supply required.

 

  • County Councillor

Cllr Satinder Bell did not provide a report.

  • Village Hall Committee

Cllr Martin Willingale (Parish Council representative to the Village Hall Committee) shared the following report:

Antony Bunce offered to take on the role of Chair and was unanimously elected by the Committee members that were present.

We have had 2 successful events – the Quiz and The Bimble. The Bimble, unique to this area of the world, raised over £700, there was a tremendous effort made in organising the event with a team of both Villagers and AMVH Committee members involved.

It was felt that many older villagers and supporters do not use social media, and individual flyers for events should still be distributed. We will investigate further ways to achieve these aims – such as an AMVH Website and Instagram.

It was agreed to abolish the different Summer/Winter rate and to have a flat rate of £15 per hour, rather than increase rates across the board.

With Sarah’s impending departure from her role as Treasurer, replacements are being actively sought to fill the void – please contact any of the team if you or anyone you know might be interested.

We are lucky to have twice weekly Yoga classes, weekly Tai Chi and Pilates classes. We recently had a child’s birthday party. Debra is doing a great job with publicity; it seems the ARCH Messenger will now accept graphics and we are now looking into advertising in Inkberrow

What’s On.

We have parted company with our cleaner and are currently looking for a new cleaner to clean every 3 weeks – any recommendations are welcome. A work party to deep clean the Hall will be arranged at a future date.

We are looking at changing the hedge on the South side and the Western return side of the car park to make future maintenance easier.

The plaque dedicated to the memory of Colin Pemberton was unveiled by Lynne, at November’s Coffee morning.

A Coffee morning rota will be coordinated by Tina – 1 Committee member and 1 volunteer each time, so that the task is not reliant on the same people.

Future events:

The Christmas Quiz Night will be on Friday, 28th November 2025. Antony and Sue will again be the quizmasters, Mulled Wine, and a non-alcoholic drink will be available. The Hall will be festively decorated, The Committee are looking into hosting a quarterly Quiz night

A CPR demonstration will be held on Saturday, 17th January 2026, from 2-5 pm.

To keep the momentum going, it is proposed to hold another Bimble in the Summer of next year, an Easter 2026 ‘Egghead’ quiz, as well as further events

 

  • Footpaths Officer

Footpaths Officer, Ann Clayden provided the following report to be shared at the meeting:

  • The collapsed ditch crossing on footpath AM523 up to Weethley Wood was replaced earlier this autumn, and the County Council’s contractors have done a very sturdy job.
  • The landowner at Long Acres has repaired the broken stile in the hedge next to Tudor Cottage – our thanks to them for dealing with this issue.

In addition, a few weeks ago I cleared a fallen blackthorn tree which was partially blocking the bridleway running north from Morton Spiert. More recently, an old, probably dead, oak has fallen next to the bridleway at the top of Slade Wood; I have cleared enough of the branches to ensure that the right of way is passable for walkers and riders.  Our thanks also to the local farmers who help to keep our footpaths accessible by trimming their hedges.   

Concerns have been expressed recently about the condition of some of the stiles to the northwest of the village, in particular missing cross bars which make the stiles very difficult to negotiate.  Landowners are reminded of their responsibility to keep the stiles on their land in a usable condition.

I shall continue to check paths regularly during the winter months, weather permitting, but please do let me know of any issues which need to be addressed.  I can be contacted via the Parish Council Clerk, or alternatively I am now in the Abbots Morton WhatsApp group.

(Ann Clayden, November 2025)

 

  • Public participation

5 parishioners in attendance raised concerns with planning application W/25/02167/FUL and associated planning application W/25/02168/LB (agenda items 6.4 & 6.5). Concerns were as follows:

  • Commercial venture not in keeping with the village properties.
  • Entrance to the site at a dangerous spot in the village – increased accident potential.
  • Barn is tied to the house as ancillary accommodation.
  • Previous approved application in July 2022 was welcomed.

 

The meeting resumed following the open session.

 

  1. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on the 25th September 2025

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

 

  1. Planning: To consider the following planning applications to be determined by Wychavon District Council:
  • W/25/01264/HP Associated Ref: W/25/01265/LB: Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton Worcester, WR7 4NA. Proposed extension, replacement of dormer coverings to North elevation. Application approved by Wychavon District Council. Noted.
  • W/25/01265/LB Associated Ref: W/25/01264/HP: Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. Proposed extension, replacement of dormer coverings to North elevation and internal alterations (Listed Building Consent). Application approved by Wychavon District Council. Noted.
  • W/25/01853/PIP: Land At (OS 0301 5516), Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton. Permission in Principle for the erection of up to 3no dwellings. Application refused by Wychavon District Council. Noted.
  • W/25/02167/FUL Associated Ref: W/25/02168/LB: Manor Farm, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. The conversion of grade II listed barn to form two, 5-bedroom dwellinghouses, including the demolition of existing lean-to on west gable and erection of single storey lean-to extension to north elevation and detached garaging. Erection of a two storey, 3-bedroom detached dwellinghouse and detached garaging.
  • W/25/02168/LB Associated Ref: W/25/02167/FUL: Manor Farm, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. The conversion of grade II listed barn to form two, 5-bedroom dwellinghouses, including the demolition of existing lean-to on west gable and erection of single storey lean-to extension to north elevation.

Councillors discussed the application and unanimously AGREED (Cllr Martyn Walton did not vote) that the application should be objected to, for the following reasons:

  • Does not constitute sustainable development – too much development on the land.
  • Over development of the barn, its character would be lost.
  • Site is within Conservation Area and surrounded by Listed Buildings – would ruin the aspect (as highlighted in Planning in Principle application W/25/01853/PIP objection and refusal).
  • Access is tight.
  • Flooding and surface water – run off onto the road.
  • Agreement that development of the barn would preserve the building (built in 1600s) but needs to be appropriate development – Parish Council supported original approved planning application for the barn.

Cllr Nick Humphries to draft a response and circulate for approval. Clerk to submit response by extended deadline of 28th November.

 

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

Issues covered in report under agenda item 4.4: Footpath Officer.

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

No additional items for the Lengthman’s work schedule. It was noted that the road sweep had been completed on Village Road. The drain clearance was still awaited. Councillors reported that the small sections of pavement in the village needed to be cleared of moss and debris for resident safety. The Clerk to request a pavement clean from Wychavon District Council.

  • Flooding: Update on the flooding issues within the Parish.

There had not been any significant flooding issues during the recent rainfall.

 

  1. Progress reports
  • Speeding & Road Safety: The Clerk provided an update on the petition to reduce the speed limit on the Alcester Road. The petition had been handed to the Highways Cabinet Member, but no further update was available. Clerk to continue to chase an update.
  • Devolution/Unitary Authority: Cllr Martin Willingale had attended the CALC AGM where the proposals for a one unitary and two unitaries were presented. Proposals would be sent to the Government for consideration by deadline of 28th November.
  • Millennium Beacon: The Clerk had sent a request to Wychavon District Council to site the Millennium Beacon on the Village Green. The response was no, due to the Village Green being a site of special architectural and historic interest: The phone box being Grade 2 Listed, the Church scheduled as Grade 1 Listed and the green maybe a burial site. Consequently, Property Services would not support any change which may vary ground conditions and adversely affect heritage assets.
  • Christmas Tree on the Village Green – Cllr Martyn Walton had purchased the Christmas Tree and it had been put up on the Village Green. Lighting event to be held on Saturday 29th November. Risk assessment was reviewed.

The Clerk had enquired with Wychavon District Council about siting a permanent tree on the Village Green. The response was no, for the same reasons as the Millennium Beacon (see minute 8.3).

 

  1. Parish Matters for Discussion/Decision
  • Crime in the Parish: the increase in crime was discussed. The Police engagement van had held a session in Abbots Morton, unfortunately there had been a low attendance. The Police did not recommend the use of CCTV for the village site-wide due to the darkness. It was suggested that an Abbots Morton resident that specialises in home security could be asked to talk to residents. Cllr Martin Willingale would contact the resident.
  • Policing Priorities: The policing priorities for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 would be home burglaries – Clerk to submit the priority to the Police.

 

  1. Finance
  • 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 (salary and expenses) – £744.30
    • HMRC PAYE – £43.72
    • Jeremy Moore (Lengthsman) – £352
    • Abbots Morton Village Hall (meeting room booking) – £27
    • Eyelid Productions (website) – £170

It was RESOLVED to settle the above invoices via internet banking.

  • Direct Debits: The following payment made between meetings via Direct Debit was noted:
    • 01/10/2025 – Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) (data protection annual fee) – £47
  • 2026/27 Budget & Precept: To consider and approve the 2026/27 budget & precept.

The 2026/27 budget and precept were considered. An increase of 19% on the precept was deemed necessary to cover increasing costs, although this would not cover all forecasted costs. Clerk to update Councillors when the tax base figures are confirmed by Wychavon District Council.

  • Internal Auditor: To consider the appointment of Iain Selkirk to review the 25/26 accounts.

The appointment of Iain Selkirk as Internal Auditor to review the 2025/26 accounts was APPROVED.

 

  1. Correspondence
  • Worcestershire CALC: Health & Wellbeing Newsletters (October & November).

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Worcestershire CALC: Minutes from the Quarterly Meeting of Wychavon Area of CALC.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Worcestershire CALC: CALC Updates 25-04 & 25-05.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Worcestershire CALC: Survey on LGR and CALC AGM.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Worcestershire CALC: Newsletter and AGM.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Worcestershire CALC: BT Switch Over to Digital.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Wychavon District Council: 2026/27 Budget Requirement.

The above correspondence was NOTED and covered under item 10.5.

  • Wychavon District Council: Wychavon Rooftop Solar Feasibility Study.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • Wychavon District Council: Climate Change Adaptation Plans for Wychavon and Malvern Hill Parish/Town Councils workshop – 11 December – 5pm.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

  • West Mercia Police:

The above correspondence was NOTED and covered under item 9.2.

  • Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): Renewal Confirmation.

The above correspondence was NOTED.

 

  1. Councillors’ reports and items for the next agenda

The defibrillator guardian had reported that the cabinet was leaking, a new cabinet would cost in the region of £500. The Clerk highlighted that the pads would also need replacing in March 2026 and had previously been advised that the replacement pads would be discontinued. The Clerk suggested looking in funding options for a replacement defibrillator, such as the British Heart Foundation fund. Clerk to research funding options and the availability of replacement pads for the current defibrillator.

 

  1. Date of the next meeting

The next scheduled meeting would be on 29th January 2025.

 

The meeting closed at 9.56PM.

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