Birlingham Parish Council Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 18 July 2018
at Birlingham Village Hall
Councillors:
Councillor Aston, Fitch, Griffin, New and Yates
Present:
District Councillor Davis and June Hiden (Clerk)
Welcome
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were tendered by Councillor Byrne who was on business abroad. Councillor Allen was due to attend but had been called to an emergency meeting at work. Both apologies were accepted. Apologies were given by the Footpath Warden, Tree Warden and Lengthsman.
2. Declaration of Interest
a) Register of Interests: Councillors are reminded of the need to update their register of interests. b) To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature. c) To declare any Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature. d) Written requests for the Council to grant a dispensation (S33 of the Localism Act 2011) are to be with the Clerk at least four clear days prior to a meeting. e) Dispensation forms have been received from all Councillors for the term of office ended May 2019,
Note: Councillors who have declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, or Other Disclosable Interest which falls within the terms of paragraph 12(4) of the code of conduct, must leave the room for the relevant items. Failure to register or declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest may be a criminal offence.
Councillor Yates declared an interest in Item 5 for Lower Farm.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2018, a copy of which has been circulated to all Councillors, was agreed as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.
Democratic Opening
The meeting was adjourned for public question time. No matters arising.
4. Progress Reports a) Footpaths. The Footpath Warden has carried out the following actions:
i. Footpath 500 (behind Birlingham Nurseries) - strimmed. ii. Footpath 506 (near village green) - fingerpost cleared. iii. Footpath 510 (The Avenue) - fingerpost cleared. iv. Footpath 511 (Withy Walk) - strimmed and cut-back.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
v. Footpath 517 (Lower End, opposite Grange Rd) - fingerpost cleared. vi. Footpath 518 (Asham Lane) cut by Parish Councillor. Councillor Yates has cut the track and was thanked for his work. The track was overgrown and debris from flooding made it difficult to cut. It was suggested that the track should be part of a litter pick. vii. Footpath 519 (near Almshouses) - fingerpost cleared. viii. Footpath 520 (other side of Nafford Lock) - strimmed. ix. Footpath 522 (between Nafford Weir and Lock) - strimmed. A finger post at Gravelly Hill needs attention. Clerk will contact the Footpath Warden. The Clerk reported that the Environment Agency have carried out strimming at Nafford on the public rights of way, which allows the Agency any necessary access to the sluice gates and measuring instruments.
b) Tree Warden. Nothing to report. c) District Councillor: i) Councillor Davis talked about the New Homes Bonus. The parish still have Bonus on the ‘old system’ but need to be aware of the new system now in place and the protocol that this entails. The Bonus in future will remain with the local authority and any town or parishes will have an opportunity twice a year to put in an application. The focus is on a community legacy; one that is substantial and will be retained for ‘ever and a day’. The protocol can be accessed on Wychavon District Council’s website. ii) £48m in reserves. Investment of 0.67%. iii) Councillor Davis wished everyone a happy summer holiday season.
d) County Councillor – not present. e) Clerk - See Appendix 1 Notes from Lengthsman included.
5. Planning a) Current planning applications pending – i. 18/01289/HP - Barn at Lower Farm, Defford Road, Pershore WR10 3BX Minor internal alterations, provision of conservation grade roof lights, enlarged gable end window, French windows and external steps b) Current planning applications approved/refused
i. 18/00901/HP - Maryworth Barn, Upper End, Birlingham WR10 3AA Single storey extension to front and rear dwelling Approved – 5 July
Parish Council comment: Birlingham Parish Council have no objections to the proposal
c) Enforcement – nothing officially reported.
6. Financial Matters
a) The Accounts for year end 31 March 2019
i) Bank balance is £5.819.34 as at 29 June 2018.
ii) Receipts –
£204.00 – Worcestershire County Council
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
iii) Payments agreed: –
£108.00 - Birlingham Village Hall – room hire 2018/2019 (cheque 392) £257.60 – Zurich insurance (cheque 393) £204.00 – Lengthsman April (cheque 394) £50.00 Internal audit (Item 13g May 2018) (cheque 395) £212.95 - CALC subscription (Item 13m May 2018) (cheque 396) £90.00 – collect and erect 4 signs (cheque 397) £165.00 - Village Design Statement - Printing of hard backed books (12) quotation held. See Item 7.
b) Payments for consideration
i. £144.00 – Lengthsman May ii. £96.00 – Lengthsman June iii. £10.00 – CALC training GDPR (as discussed in May 2018 invoice dated 9/7/18) iv. Clerks pay – April, May, June v. Clerks PAYE vi. Clerks expenses
The ‘Provisions’ were discussed. It was previously agreed to consolidate the historic items of the Tree Warden and Litter Pick remaining balances £106.66 and £176.00 respectively. These, together with the Election, Plane Tree and Community Fund total £3,782.66 and have already been transferred to the savings account. The savings account balance is £3,783.85 as at 29 June 2018.
c) 2017/2018 External Audit
i. Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) sent to auditor. ii. Notification of Audit on website and noticeboard until close date of 20 July 2018.
Councillor Griffin, Financial Support Officer, will review the spreadsheet following discussion. Initial general thoughts are: -
i. The forecast column is superfluous and should be removed. ii. The variance column can remain as this will be helpful when preparing the precept in November. iii. The provisions sheet has been simplified. This also shows how the savings account (No2 bank) balance is made up. iv. To monitor additional expenditure, which has not been precepted, a further schedule will be placed on the provisions sheet showing the effect of these payments on the "projects " balance.
Any further thoughts to be given to Councillor Griffin. Councillor Griffin and the Clerk will meet to action further.
7. Hard Back Books – Village Design Statement Approval of payment to printers as Item 6 for 12 books. The idea of the hard copy books was the previous chairman’s who wanted the individuals directly involved with the Village Design Statement to be ‘thanked’ for their work. It was agreed that the Chairman will give a copy of the book and distribute to:
• Bryan and Christina Horrocks • Steven Byrne • Ian Yates (also retains proof copy)
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
• Steve Morris • Clerk to the Parish Council for reference • The Hive – Councillor Yates to give additional copy to Mr and Mrs Horrocks who have liaised with Maggi Noke personally at the Hive and ask her to deposit a copy in the Archives.
Dan Stafford and Maryanne Dyer will also be asked if they would like a copy. Two spare copies will be kept by Councillor Aston for any church activities, for example the Bulb Festival, and the any other spares with Councillor Yates.
8. General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
The GDPR action plan is being progressed by Councillor Allen. Deferred until the September meeting.
9. Policies
Complaints The Complaints procedure was adopted in September 2016. Councillor Allen was due to review this in respect of the GDPR. It was agreed that the Clerk will circulate the policy to all Councillors for review and bring to the September meeting to finalise its status.
Handling requests made under the Freedom and Information Act 2000 Should this policy be included in Standing Orders or as separate procedure? Councillor Allen was not available to give an update, but this matter may be something to cover under the GDPR.
Dealing with the press/media Councillor Fitch and the Clerk have previously worked on this policy, but it was not formally adopted. It was agreed to adopt the policy for dealing with the press and media. Policy to be circulated to all Councillors.
Social media policy Councillor Allen was not available to give an update. Clerk to look at the policy and circulate a draft to all Councillors for review. Bring to the September meeting for any further discussion and adoption.
10. Telephone Kiosk
The kiosk ‘refurbishment’ idea is still on going and the Clerk is looking into ideas of sponsorship from a local business. Clerk to continue to action.
11. Village Green – Plane Tree and Ground Works
There was much discussion and the Chairman suggested going to the Green to look at the issues being talked about.
❖ Ground works – the Green needs levelling. Can the Green be rotavated? Who can carry out this work? Councillor Fitch to investigate further. ❖ Millennium Bench – re-location and its structure. Can it go around the time capsule? Can another section be added to it if it remains in its present position around the plane tree? Can the bench be dissected? Councillor Fitch to look at the different ideas and discuss with a resident carpenter and handyman. The Tree Warden was in the vicinity at the time and joined the discussion. He is not available currently but was open to suggestions and could assist in a few years with any practical work. Ideas and quotations will be needed.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
❖ Plane Tree – assistance with monitoring any necessary works. The Plane tree has a Tree Preservation Order on it. There is a ‘provision’ set up for the tree although the Parish Council does not own it. ❖ Bus Stop – sign / flag / board ideas. Councillor Fitch has progressed different ideas. Worcestershire County Council have actioned a ‘bus stop’ but no further information has come through from them explaining what this is. Councillor Fitch will chase.
12. Councillors’ reports and items for next agenda
Noise nuisance at Parsons Pleck. The owners are aware of complaints but not the scale of the matter. An email has been received which addresses some of the issues raised by residents. See Appendix 2
The Clerk has put advisory notices in the Birlingham News. This is a matter for residents and not the Parish Council. Incidents can be reported to Regulatory Services.
13. Closure and date of next ordinary meeting - with nothing further to discuss the meeting closed at 9.45 pm and the Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance.
The next Parish Council Meeting is on Wednesday 19 September 2018 at 7.00pm.
Signed: ...... Councillor Ian Yates, Chairman
Date: ………………………………………..………..…..……
Appendix 1 – Clerk’s Report
Call for Sites 2018
Planning Policy Manager, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Council
May 2018
“South Worcestershire Development Plan Review
Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA):
i) Consultation on Methodology and ii) Call for Sites 2018 Consultation, Monday 21st May to Monday 2nd July 2018
What are we doing?
The South Worcestershire Councils (SWCs) i.e. Malvern Hills District Council,
Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council are updating the information we hold on land that is available for potential development in order to inform the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR). This involves updating the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) (last published in April 2015) and updating the methodology that will be used to assess available land for housing and/or employment
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
development. This is your opportunity to i) consider and comment on the methodology for analysing available land, and ii) tell us about land which you think might be suitable for development.
[Please note that at the same time the SWC are separately consulting Parish Councils on the methodology for the Village Facilities and Rural Transport Survey (VFRTS) which previously was used to rank rural settlements as set out in Annex D: Hierarchy of Settlements of the SWDP].
Why are we doing this?
The Government in its latest planning regulations (2018) and it’s proposed revision to the National Planning Policy Framework, requires Local Planning Authorities to review their development plans e.g. the SWDP every 5 years. The SWDPR will need to meet the requirement for housing, employment and retail development, principally by way of land allocations, for the plan period to 2041. Therefore, we are inviting town and parish councils, neighbourhood forums, agents, developers, landowners, businesses, relevant local interest groups and others to tell us of any land across south Worcestershire that is available for potential housing and/or employment development.
How do I comment on the SHELAA methodology?
The SHELAA methodology is published on the swdevelopmentplan.org website. Response forms can be found there too.
How do I put forward a site for development?
Please use the site suggestion form - see details of where to find this below. This form can also be used to inform us of any changes to previously submitted SHLAA land or sites, or new sites. Lengthy supporting statements are not required. Also, please note that sites submitted should be 0.16ha or above in size for land that is available for housing development, or 0.25ha or above for employment development. Please note that all land put forward will then be appraised and those sites which score well will then be assessed for potential as proposed housing/employment allocations in the SWDPR Preferred Options which, if supported by the SWC, will be published for consultation in November 2019.
Where do I find the Site Suggestion Forms?
Copies of the forms are on the SWDP website (http://www.swdevelopmentplan.org) and can be photocopied.
Please send a completed form together with a site plan for the landholding(s) which are available, identifying the land at a scale of no less than 1:2500, to:
by email [email protected] or post to SHELAA 2018, Wychavon District Council, The Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 1PT.
The Site Suggestion Forms and maps must be received by 17:00 (5pm) on Monday 2nd July 2018.
What should be included?
· new available land/ sites
· confirmation that land previously included in the SHLAA is still available
· previous SHLAA land that is still available but there is new information regarding it.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Should you have any queries about providing information please do not hesitate to contact any of the planning officers below:
- Malvern Hills District Council: Rosie Murray (01684 862373)
- Worcester City Council: Adrian Becker: (01905 722545)
- Wychavon District Council: Reiss Sadler (01386 565430)
Important Notice – Data Protection Regulations. We are taking this opportunity to review the SHLAA (to be SHELAA) database. As required by new General Data Protection Regulations, we now need you to confirm that you wish to receive communications relating to the SHELAA either by e-mail to [email protected] or in writing to South Worcestershire Development Plan Team, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT by no later than Monday 25th June 2018. Alternatively, you can let us know if you submit a site via the Site Suggestion Form. If you have received this letter in hard copy and would prefer to receive future updates by e-mail, please let us know. If we have not heard from you by the deadline above, the GDPR will require us to remove your details and information on any sites you have put forward in the past from the SHELAA database. Please note the SHELAA database is separate to the SWDP database and therefore even if you have already notified us that you wish to remain on the SWDP database you still need to inform us that you wish to be on the SHELAA database.
What will happen next?
· The important next steps for the SWDPR are: Issues and Options Consultation, November / December 2018
· Preferred Options Consultation, November / December 2019
Further detail about the SWDP review timetable can be found by following the link below: http://www.swdevelopmentplan.org/wp- content/uploads/2018/01/MalvernHillsLDS2017.pdf“
Road Verge Management and Pollinators
Laura Wood, Senior Ecologist, Directorate of Economy & Infrastructure, Worcestershire County Council
May 2018
“Following our very successful 'Worcestershire Pollinators Conferences' in March, the WCC Ecology team and Highway Engineers have produced a leaflet to share information about Worcestershire County Council's verge management practices.
Please pass this on to Parish Councillors and others in your parish who have responsibility for managing verges or other green spaces – we hope to promote discussion and review of current practice and to provide points of contact for further information and assistance.”
Information passed to Birlingham News
Parking and access / improvements at BVH
Clerk has received a ‘complaint’ regarding access to the Village Hall and the parking of cars. The Parish Council Chairman and BVH Chairman have communicated. The Clerk has also sent a message to the Hall Chairman regarding the concerns, particularly for disabled access.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Monday 14 May – Chairman (Kelvin) to take to next BVH meeting.
July – asked for update.
Chairman says
“As to the what if anything the Hall could do regarding parking the Committee were reluctant to have a sign installed and following the WP events the long term and very occasional parking problem had been resolved. We have made two grant applications for improvements to the front of the Hall, one has been confirmed and are awaiting news from the other”.
Highway Drainage upgrade / Flood Alleviation Scheme
Clerk and Highway Manager
22 May – Owners of Barncroft and Brockham track/coppice have been hand delivered a letter of permission to work across land, a consent form and plan for land in their ownership where pipes are to be laid as part of the upgrading.
23 May - Commencement of works - at Rectory on 23 July for 2-3 weeks followed by Church Street for approx. 1 week both under road closures. The off-road works will start once these sections have been completed.
20 June - Has the bus company been informed? Passenger Transport and Streetworks are automatically contacted for any details when closure application is submitted.
Clerk has contacted:
Worcestershire County Council West Mercia Firstbus for further information/ advice
July - Worcestershire County Council have said to contact the bus company.
No response from First Bus Worcestershire
West Mercia – Police Community Support = refer back to Highways. Continue to say “If there are problems with obstruction etc then people need to ring 101 at the time and if officers are available, then they will attend and deal”.
Highways – “We'll assess on site when we start on 23/7 and I will ask the gang if some no parking cones can be brought out with them”.
Pull ins on New Barn Road
Update from Highways.
MAY – “With regards to the passing places, the parish gang will be simply making good the existing passing places, created by passing vehicles, using sub-base gravel material and compacting”.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
JULY
Clerk - There has been gravel put in the potholes of the ‘pull ins’. Telephone call (3/7/18) saying these are not sufficient. The ‘pull ins’ need to be substantial because of the traffic usage during the road closure of Upper End. Highways will action further.
6/7/18 – email to Highways and copied to Projects Engineer (drainage)
Further action required to make pull ins.
Road Closure Notices – Worcestershire County Council Public Notice Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
18/6/18 Rectory Lane, Birlingham)(Temporary Closure) Order 2018
Proposed Order: to close that part of C2271 Rectory Lane, Birlingham from its junction with U46415 Church Lane to its junction with U46414 The Avenue in order to facilitate drainage works by WCC.
Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.
Alternative route: U46415 Church Lane, U46414 The Avenue and vice versa.
Maximum duration: 18 Months. Anticipated duration: 19 days Commencing: 23 July 2018.
2/7/18 Church Street, Birlingham)(Temporary Closure) Order 2018
Proposed Order: to close that part of C2271 Broadway Road, Birlingham for a distance of 71metres in a south westerly direction in order to facilitate flood alleviation drainage works.
Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.
Alternative route: C2271 Broadway Road, The Avenue, Church Street and vice versa.
Maximum duration: 18 Months. Anticipated duration: 13 days Commencing: 6 August 2018.
Highway reporting
Pothole Issue - Reference Number 538695 -= gully at Upper End-
Repaired.
July - Several potholes in Upper End reported by the Lengthsman
A4104 – marina area
16 May reply
“The hedge line along A4104, at the location in question, does need a good cut-back, however, as you mention, it is the nesting season and we will only cut back enough to make safe at this time. There will be a need to return after the nesting season to cut back further”.
July – Clerk chased
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Highways update says the highway has been cut back. Clerk has said this is not adequate and that the hedge/trees about the marina need further action. This will be progressed again.
Clerk stated that this is used by the farms seasonal workers and was recently advertised as a circular walk (be careful along the ‘busy’ road) of Pensham, Pershore and Birlingham.
6/7/18 – emailed Highways to action the Marina area sufficient to accommodate pedestrians.
Noise Nuisance(s)
There have been continuing complaints regarding the noise from the holiday let, Parsons Pleck in Upper End. The Clerk has put out an advisory in the News Email (June) on anti-social behaviour. Any formal complaints need to be sent to Regulatory Services as part of Environment Health issues.
A further advisory will go in the July circular. There are noise complaints from Upper End and the centre of the village.
Neighbourhood Watch
Reports of an unknown male in Whitehall Lane. Clerk has contacted Revills to identify the man as a seasonal worker. He is not known to the farm. July – there have been no further reports.
Western Power – incident outside the village hall
A concerned resident contacted the Clerk following the fire outside the village hall on 22 June 2018.
“Last night at 10:20 lights flashed in the houses and the power went off. At 11:20 I saw flames coming from the underground cable inspection covers outside the village hall. I called the Fire Brigade and Western Power Distribution. By the time the Fire Engine arrived a car was well on fire and it was quite a show!
This is the second time we have had problems with this location of the underground cables installed around 2 years back. The last time the same inspection cover exploded!
However, this time was far more serious and public safety was endangered. If I had not seen the flames both cars would have gone up and the village hall would have been at risk.
The fault being a recurring one suggest a problem that remains unresolved by Western Power Distribution.
I feel a senior official from the company should be asked to investigate and come to the village and explain what will be done to ensure this does not occur again.”
Kelvin Hartshorne, Chairman of Village Hall
“I have written to Western Power and had an interesting telephone call by way of reply. It seems that the fire was caused by a known fault in the connecting box, where the cables are joined or split, the problem turned out to be a manufacturing fault- a fault that was not appreciated when the cables were first installed nor when the replacement was installed some 12 months later. This latter incident it seems was part of a pattern that brought the manufacturing fault to light. The latest connecting box is from a different manufacturer.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Reply to Chairman
“I would like to apologise for the inconvenience & safety concern that the 2 underground faults have caused, unfortunately there was a manufacturing problem with the 2 previous Link Box’s which were supplied to WPD.
This has since been highlighted within our policy team & the defect has been rectified by obtaining our link box’s from an alternative manufacturer,
We take all safety matters & complaints very seriously.
Although I’m not in a position to guarantee a fault free network, WPD will always attempt to rectify any outstanding issues or voltage complaints.
Therefore, I propose to have 2 voltage recorders fitted at Rose Cottage & Damson Cottage, these will monitor the incoming volts to the 2 properties over a predetermined time, upon retrieval the information will be downloaded & assessed if any further work is required”.
Clerk
A complaint was made to Western Power. The team manager of the Worcestershire area contacted.
Telephone call reply giving the same answer as above.
Put on Birlingham News email for information.
South Worcestershire Local Authorities – Housing Study 2018
29 June
“Dear Stakeholder,
As you may be aware the three South Worcestershire Local Authorities of Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Worcester have commissioned ‘arc4’ to carry out a local Housing Study to support the delivery of housing and related support services in the across the study area. It will provide up to date information on housing needs of local communities.
Stakeholder engagement is an essential element of the study and will enable a broad range of individuals and organisations to contribute to the understanding of issues relating to the South Worcestershire housing market.
This on-line consultation survey is designed to capture a range of views on specific housing themes. The themes cover both current and future housing trends in South Worcestershire. The questionnaire is structured into themes: the first covers a couple of general questions on priorities for all respondents while those that follow are themed around areas such as housing market demand; new development; the private rented sector; social housing; and specialist housing.
Please answer as many of the questions as possible or those which you deem to be appropriate to your professional background or organisation type.
If at all possible could you complete and 'SUBMIT' your responses to the survey by Friday, 20th July 2018.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Link: https://app.keysurvey.co.uk/f/ 1251506/c85e/
Thank you in advance for taking part in this important piece of research. The south Worcestershire councils and arc4 appreciate your time.
Scott Brand
Director”
Online version very difficult to use. Pdf version has been received. Chairman has copy.
Openreach
Clerk again to Openreach regarding the cable in the plane tree.
What is the possibility of moving the cable. Survey fee payable beforehand is £299 inc VAT and then further charges for any works.
Will only action if there are problems with the telephone service. Openreach then act on behalf of the telephone provider e.g. BT, Talk Talk and offer a ‘free’ service because of the fault
Birlingham News (extracts of relevance)
Birlingham News 158 – 30 May
The Midsummer Madness Dinner & Dance and a new Flood Alleviation Scheme for village roads are just two of the topics covered in this issue.
In this issue:
St James’ Church Services – June Birlingham Photography Club, Tuesday 5th June Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 6th June
Midsummer Madness Dinner & Dance, Saturday 23rd June Flood Alleviation Scheme – Road Closures Parish Council Report Royal Celebration and Fun Day – Thanks Road Verge Management and Pollinators Open Water Safety Planning Applications
5. Flood Alleviation Scheme – Road Closures
The Parish Clerk writes:
At the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 16th May I reported that a flood alleviation scheme has been programmed for this year by Worcestershire County Council Highways. This has taken several years of liaison between the parties and getting such work done in a small parish is nearly impossible. It will mean inconvenience and disruption to the village for a while, but the outcome will be one of overall improvement to the highway and prevention of flooding to roads and properties.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
The works will be starting in Rectory Lane on Monday 23rd July for two to three weeks, followed by Church Street (at its junction with Short Hill) for approximately one week, where both areas will have accommodating road closures. The verge/off road works will start once these sections have been completed and this will also include works in Upper End. Further works at Upper End will start week commencing 19th November for two to three weeks and will include a road closure.
Highways will carry out as much works as possible off road (without road closures) and would ask that you think about the safety of the gangs, in order to reduce the need for further closure to the carriageways.
If there is further information nearer the periods of the works, then I will keep you informed.
6. Parish Council Report
Ian Yates writes:
The Chairman’s Report was presented to the Annual Parish Meeting, along with reports from various other organisations. The Chairman’s Report can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/pc_info/apm_chairman_report_2018.pdf.
Various appointments were considered and made at the Parish Council Meeting for the new council year:
Ian Yates was elected Chairman of the Parish Council.
There was more than one expression of interest in the role of Vice Chairman and after a vote Paula Aston was elected.
Following the untimely death of Councillor John Hill, an application for co-option was issued. An application from Terry Griffin was received and the meeting was happy to accept his application and he was co-opted.
The Parish Council also considered its scheme of delegation and appointed members as follows:
Footpath warden under the authority of WCC – Bruce Hayward
Lengthsman – Carl Brassington
Tree Warden – Karl Grimston (although due to other commitments, additional support has been requested)
Planning Group – Ken Fitch with transition to Steven Byrne
Financial Support Officer – Terry Griffin
GDPR Officer – Stuart Allen
Full minutes of the Parish Council meeting will be available in due course.
8. Road Verge Management and Pollinators
Worcestershire County Council has produced an interesting and informative leaflet about their policies relating to the management of road verges and their approach to protecting and enhancing wildlife on verges.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
The leaflet is available at www.birlingham.org/docs/road_verge_management.pdf.
9. Open Water Safety
West Mercia Police have sent us information about the dangers of open water and how to stay safe. This information can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/docs/open_water_safety.pdf.
10. Planning Applications
The following planning application has been received by the Parish Council:
Maryworth Barn, Upper End: Single storey extension to front and rear dwelling (Case No. 18/00901). Awaiting decision by Wychavon District Council. (Consultation period ends on 5th June.) Full details can be viewed on the Wychavon DC website.
Birlingham News 159 – 13 June
This issue contains information about Birlingham’s new online noticeboard.
In this issue:
Brian Stanton Women’s Tour 2018, Saturday 16th June Midsummer Madness Dinner & Dance, Saturday 23rd June Online Village Noticeboard Antisocial Behaviour Call for Development Sites Reporting Incidents
4. Online Village Noticeboard
The Birlingham village website now has a new Noticeboard. You can use it to advertise items for sale, ask for volunteers, publicise events or display anything else you would normally put on a village noticeboard. The Noticeboard is also open to local businesses to advertise.
The Noticeboard is accessed from a link on the main page or directly at www.birlingham.org/noticeboard/notices.htm. Initial registration is quick and easy, and you can opt to have new notices delivered direct to your email inbox.
Currently, the Noticeboard is very simple as it is still under development, and it is being tried for a period of six months to gauge the level of support. If you have any comments or suggestions, these can be sent to [email protected]. The Jubilee Committee is also looking for people to help run the noticeboard, so if you can spare a few minutes each week, please let us know.
5. Antisocial Behaviour
The Parish Clerk writes:
There is a continuing problem with dog mess in Birlingham. Not only does this create an unhealthy and unclean environment, it is also an offence and dog owners can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not clean up after their dogs.
There is still regular littering in the village. If you see anyone dropping litter, please report it.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Noise can also be a problem. We would all like to live in peace with our neighbours, but unfortunately that is sometimes not how things work out. If you cannot resolve the problem with your neighbour directly, information and contact details for this and the other problems mentioned above is available at www.birlingham.org/docs/nuisances.pdf.
6. Call for Development Sites
The Parish Clerk writes:
As part of the review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, Malvern, Hills, Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council have launched a call for sites consultation to get an idea of any new land that might be available for development.
If you think you might know of or own land that might be suitable for development, please go to http://www.swdevelopmentplan.org/?page_id=13713 to find further information and to download a form. The deadline for responses is Monday 2nd July.
7. Reporting Incidents
West Mercia Police have sent us information about reporting incidents and when to call 101 or 999. This information can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/docs/reporting_incidents.pdf.
Birlingham News 160 – 27 June
July looks like being a quiet month – let’s hope it’s sunny too.
In this issue:
St James’ Church Services – July Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 4th July Wood by Church for Collection Heat Wave Warning
4. Heat Wave Warning
Wychavon District Council has sent us information about potential problems during the current heat wave.
Birlingham News 161 – 12 July
This issue contains information about the forthcoming road closures, which are necessary to allow works to improve some of the problems on our roads.
In this issue:
Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday 18th July
Road Closures Holiday Reading Power Failure Planning Applications
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
1. Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday 18th July
The next meeting of Birlingham Parish Council takes place on Wednesday 18th July at 7.00pm in Birlingham Village Hall. During the meeting there is an opportunity to express your views on local issues, so please come along.
The agenda for the meeting is available at www.birlingham.org/pc_info/pc_agenda_2018-07- 18.pdf and the draft minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting on 16th May can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/pc_info/pc_minutes_2018-05-16.pdf.
2. Road Closures
The Parish Clerk writes:
As mentioned before, there are to be drainage works in Birlingham during July and continuing into August.
The first closure in July is due to commence on Monday 23rd July for up to three weeks, when the western side of the church (Rectory Lane) will close. Traffic coming from Eckington will have to divert around the back of the church (Church Lane). The official notice can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/docs/road_closure_2018_3.pdf.
The other closure (commencing Monday 6th August for two weeks) is at the end of Church Street, where the road has subsided where it meets with Short Hill.
The contractors will do whatever they can to do off-road works but safety for the gangs has to be their priority and hence the closures.
The second phase, which is more disruptive, will take place in November, when Upper End will have to close at some stage to take the drain across the road. I will keep you informed when I have further information.
The church is open every day and the bookshop is just inside the door. Come along and have a browse.
4. Power Failure
The Parish Clerk writes:
Western Power have confirmed that the fire on the night of Monday 22nd May outside Birlingham Village Hall was caused by a fault in their equipment. The connecting box has been replaced using a different manufacturing company. Western Power say the issue has been rectified.
5. Planning Applications
The following planning application has been received by the Parish Council:
Lower Farm, Defford Road: Minor internal alterations, provision of Conservation grade roof lights, enlarged gable end window, French windows and external steps (Case No. 18/01289). Awaiting decision by Wychavon District Council. (Consultation period ends on 26th July.) Full details can be viewed on the Wychavon DC website at https://plan.wychavon.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx ?recno=97391.
The following planning application has been determined by Wychavon District Council:
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018
Maryworth Barn, Upper End: Single storey extension to front and rear dwelling (Case No. 18/00901). Approved. Full details and conditions can be viewed on the Wychavon DC website at https://plan.wychavon.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=93895.
Appendix 2 – Parsons Pleck
From David Myerson to the Vice-chair (July 2018)
“Hello, I wanted to let you know what we have done so that you can pass this on to any of the village that has been effected by the noise at our house.
We did not really understand the scale of the issue and how long it has been going on.
We have been working incredibly hard to resolve this. We have radically changed the future booking policy and have banned all hen/stag/young groups. We have changed the whole language of the advertising to show that this is a quiet village retreat for people who want a ‘chilled and relaxing’ time, and that it is specifically not a party house nor a place where noise is tolerated.
We have also revisited the number of people we allow to stay. When we did the analysis of all the bookings over the last year, some of the quietest groups have been the largest, namely grandparents birthdays etc. But in future we are limiting it to maximum 12 unless we specifically know the group. The issue is younger groups getting drunk and disrespecting everyone. We also don’t want to be draconian. Where we have a family here, we’d like them to be able to enjoy the garden, but as we have said to them ‘whilst we don't object to ball games, we do object to the game becoming an all-day shouting match’. And so on. We have re-written house rules which they have to accept before booking, one of these is that they have to ensure that the entire group understands and accepts these. I’m happy to let you have a copy of these once they are finalised and published. But it is a list of things which should take all the issues into account.
In terms of all the existing bookings (mostly up until the end of this year with just a few scheduled for next year)...I won’t bore you with everything we have done over the past week, but it has involved speaking/emailing with every single booker coming up to ensure they understand the situation and giving them the option to cancel if they don’t accept it. So at least they know ahead. They have all accepted the terms, although as one or two have asked ‘does this mean we have to shush the kids up if they are just playing in the pool?’. We have told them they need to use common sense, and if they had that level of noise next to them, day in and day out, how would they feel.
But this takes us pretty much up to the end of the year before the profile of the actual booker will change. It doesn’t guarantee that they won’t abuse us, but we do guarantee that we have had direct contact with each one to explain exactly what has happened and that we won’t tolerate it.
And I can say is that any future bookings we take will have a different profile. We are concentrating on groups wanting a quiet retreat - yoga, writing, creative etc. We have also re-written the booking policy which will reject the known trouble groups and will hopefully make the property unattractive to anyone who may be a noisy abusive crowd.
One way or another we are determined to get a grip on this so that the village does not suffer the sort of disturbance that has been happening”.
Birlingham Parish Council July 2018