Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 9th June 2016, 7.30 p.m.
At St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Fenny Drayton
PRESENT: Councillors B Conway (Chairman), A Wright, M Simpson, M Cook, A Hampshire, R Trivett,
A Brittain, C Harding, A Cartwright, A Holder, A Forsyth (Clerk).
APOLOGIES: Councillors A Brittain, G Robinson, Borough Councillor K Morrell, County Councillor I Ould.
The meeting started at 7.35 p.m.
1110: WELCOME & APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: The Chairman welcomed the Council and a member of
public.
1111: DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were none.
1112: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: The member of the public said that he was pleased to see the VAS
machine was positioned on Old Forge Rd, and asked when it would be positioned on Drayton Lane?
Council replied that there was no post authorised by LCC to host the machine on Drayton Lane. It was
agreed that the Clerk would liaise with LCC Highways regarding the installation of a new post.
The member of public raised the hazardous issue of the height of the grass on the bank along Drayton
Lane and requested it be strimmed to allow drivers improved sight of the traffic on the road.
Clerk
Clerk
1113: APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MAY’S MINUTES: The minutes from the Annual Parish Council
meeting were agreed and signed as correct.
1114: COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT: Was read by the Clerk on the Councillor’s behalf.
1115: CRIME STATISTICS: The Clerk read April’s crime statistics retrieved from the Police UK database.
 Kennel Lane, Witherley – Burglary x 1
 Ratcliffe House Lane, Ratcliffe Culey – Burglary x 1
 Ormes Lane, Ratcliffe Culey – Burglary x 1
 Sketchley Lane, Ratcliffe Culey – Burglary x 1
 Atterton Road, Atterton – Criminal Damage & Arson x 1
 Fox’s Covert, Fenny Drayton – Burglary x 1
 In his absence, Cllr Conway reported information from Cllr Robinson (police volunteer)that
there had been no rural crime during May.
1116: CORRESPONDENCE:
 Email from the Internal Auditor advising the Council to find a replacement auditor. Completed
 Clerk’s National Salary Award from NALC & SLCC – to be brought to July meeting.
 Letter from HBBC: Site Allocations & Development Management Policies DPD Inspector’s
Report is recommended for adoption by the Government.
 New HBBC agreement for the Clean Neighbourhoods Team to service the Parish dog bins.
 Emailed notice of Tesco grants available which has been forwarded to Witherley Playing Fields
 Temporary Event Notice for a wedding in a marquee on Witherley Playing Fields.
 The Arnold Baker Local Council Administration 10th Edition received.
1117: UPDATE OF ACTIONS SINCE PREVIOUS MEETING:
Atterton:
 Quotes being obtained for the construction of passing places along the Atterton Lane - in hand.
Witherley:
 Trees on Atterton Lane require some lower branches lopping – in hand.
 Kennel Lane, installation of the hedge and fence is being followed up by LCC Highways.
 Cash for the Queen’s Birthday events was given to Kim Liggins and Liz Betts (£250 each).
 Prevention of foul water entering the River Anker – Clerk meeting Severn Trent w/c 16/5/16.
th
Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Annual Parish Council Meeting 9 June ‘16
Page 1 of 3
Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
The Clerk is still waiting clarification and feedback from Severn Trent.
Fenny Drayton:
 Signage and rubbish in Drayton Lane verge handled by HBBC Clean Neighbourhoods Team.
 Grass cutting on A5 and A444 was raised with Highways England and LCC.
 Jumbo sized games were ordered on behalf of Severn Trent Water as a donation to the village.
 £100 Cash for Queen’s birthday event was given to Ann Wright.
 Portaloo for Queen’s Birthday celebrations arranged for 11th June (value £150).
 The Vehicle Activated Sign was installed on Old Forge Rd.
Ratcliffe Culey:
 Cash for Queen’s birthday event was given to Helen Bullivant £250.
 The swings in the playing field are due to be altered by contractor within the next month.
Clerk
8.13 p.m. Cllr Cartwright entered the meeting.
Parish:




Documents retrieved from Internal Auditor and will be sent to Grant Thornton by 17th June.
Dog bins are now serviced by HBBC (as Correspondence above)
Grass cutting schedule in discussion with B Mee Associates.
Rural verges to be cut by Ken Fisher as soon as possible.
Clerk
1118: REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGES:
ATTERTON:
 Cllr Harding met with road contractor and Clerk to discuss the creation of additional passing
places on Atterton Lane. Two additional quotes to be obtained.
FENNY DRAYTON:
 It was requested that the Clerk establish who owns the verge in front of the church as it
becomes dangerous to pedestrians in the winter and may need resurfacing.
 Clerk to investigate the feasibility of accessing the Community Parish Initiative Fund to
contribute towards a third VAS machine.
 Trees in the playing field require lower branches to be lopped. Clerk to arrange.
 The George Fox monument has been beautifully restored but the interpretation signage still
requires attention. Clerk to contact the Quaker group to discuss.
 Cllr Simpson proposed that additional brackets and clips be purchased from Westcotec for the
easy re-positioning of the VAS machine in all villages. Seconded by Cllr Conway. All agreed.
Clerk to purchase.
RATCLIFFE CULEY:
 Grass in Church Lane was missed again. Clerk to check and advise.
 There is a lid missing from a stop-cock in Main Rd at Red House Farm. Clerk had spoken to
Severn Trent inspector who advised they could not locate the missing plate. Councillor will take
a photo for sending to ST.
WITHERLEY:
 Mythe Lane raised footpath surface – in hand with parish contractor.
 Cllr Holder requested that the grass around the sheep wash be strimmed.
 Parking on the A5 frontages blocks the view of drivers attempting to join the A5 carriageway.
Clerk to report to police.
 Mancetter Island grass is causing a sight hazard, Clerk to report to Highways England for cutting
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
1119: AUDITED ACCOUNTS:
 The 2015/16 Governance Statement was agreed and signed.
 The 2015/16 Annual Return was agreed and signed.
th
Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Annual Parish Council Meeting 9 June ‘16
Page 2 of 3
Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
1120: LCC HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION CONSULTATION DOCUMENT: A consultation into a review
of LCC’s Highway Management Strategy Policy is expected to be launched in a special event in July and
Councillors will be contact as soon as any information is known.
1121: NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN: It was agreed that there would be a public meeting to
launch the creation of a committee to develop a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the Parish.
Champion Councillors for the plan were agreed as: A Wright, M Cook (Fenny Drayton), B Conway, G
Robinson, A Holder (Witherley), R Trivett (Ratcliffe Culey), and C Harding (Atterton). Clerk to arrange
venue and date and to facilitate speakers with experience of the process.
Clerk
1122: FINANCIAL REGULATIONS POLICY: Signed by Chairman as agreed.
Clerk
1123: PRESS & MEDIA POLICY: Signed by Chairman as agreed with an amendment to para 8.4 adding
“where possible” to the beginning of the first sentence.
9.30 p.m. it was agreed to extend the meeting due to the late start to complete the agenda.
Clerk
1124: NEW COUNCIL WEBSITE: It was agreed to purchase the “Classic” version of the new website
which allows the Council to upgrade to the “Custom” version at any time for an additional £250 should
it be agreed it is warranted. Proposed Cllr Wright, Seconded by Cllr Cook.
1125: FINANCE AND CHEQUES FOR SIGNATURE: Councillors authorised cheques for signature:





A Forsyth (Clerk expenses)
Peak Cashflow Ltd (grass cutting)
Information Commissioner
2Commune (new PC website)
Vaughan Davies & Co (internal auditing)
£23.26
£492.00
£35.00
£1470.00
£108.00
1126: ITEMS FOR INCLUSION FOR JULY’S MEETING: Passing lanes & footpath quotes, Neighbourhood
Development Plan, Risk Assessment Register, Clerk’s Salary; to be held on Thursday 14th July, at All
Saint’s Church, Ratcliffe Culey.
Meeting closed at 9.34 p.m.
All
Councillors
Signed _______________________________________________ Date ______________________
th
Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Annual Parish Council Meeting 9 June ‘16
Page 3 of 3