Minutes January 2025

1. In Attendance

CLLR ASTON (Chair), CLLR MURPHY (Vice Chair), CLLR DUNN, CLLR GATEHOUSE, CLLR WEBB, CLLR HARVEY (Stratford District Council) (SDC), CLLR SECCOMBE (Warwickshire County Council) (WCC) Ian Wilson (CLERK) and two members of the public

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from CLLR NEWBERY and these we accepted.

3. Declarations of Interest

CLLR WEBB informed the meeting that he would shortly be submitting a planning application and was currently consulting with neighbours.

4. Acceptance of Minutes from Previous Meeting

          The minutes from the OGM in November 2024 were agreed and accepted.

5. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

Traffic Calming – The meeting received an update from Community Speedwatch. It was noted that there were now only three active volunteers with no prospect of further new volunteers in Newbold or Tredington. Further volunteers were needed to carry out this activity. It was suggested that as speeding issues were a concern in Armscote there maybe scope to identify volunteers. CLLR GATEHOUSE would follow this up in Armscote.

Newbold Open Space – Meeting noted that the council’s solicitor is waiting for Lioncourt’s solicitor to finalise the agreement. The clerk would follow this up.

6. Public Participation

A Newbold resident asked about the dog waste bins. Noted that SDC were waiting for what 3 words location to install. Noted that the chain link around Newbiold village green needed repairing, CLLR WEBB would arrange this. The mud hut at the village green required a new lock and it was agreed that the parish council would reimburse for the cost of this.

7. Chairman's report and other reports

• Chairman:  See also Newbold  

• Clerk: The clerk reported that there remained several casual vacancies in both wards, there had been some interest from the community, and it was agreed that councillors would confirm details with the clerk so that any necessary steps could be actioned with SDC.The meeting received the latest budget report and the suggested precept for 2025/26, the proposal was for £32500. However, after discussion it was proposed that this should increased to cover the cost of Tredington Play Park works in 2025/26. It was agreed that a further £10000 should be allocated for the upcoming financial year, with £5000 coming from an increase in the precept which would be on-going and the remainder from CIL reserves.

• Armscote: CLLR GATEHOUSE reported continuing parking issues by the pub which were hindering access. It was noted that the measures installed previously by WCC had been successful and there was little further that could be done by the highways authority.CLLR GATEHOUSE notified the meeting about a number of thefts of high end cars in the hamlet and a recent chimney fire at her property, where the fire brigade response had been impressive.

• Blackwell: CLLR MURPHY reported continued flooding at the culvert by William’s Cottage. Noted that depending on location the responsibility to clear a blocked culvert either lay with WCC or the landowner.The parish council had previously discussed having a store of sandbags and the clerk would seek to progress this.

• Darlingscott: The meeting discussed the Traveller site at Darlingscott crossroads. CLLR SECCOMBE reported that WCC Highways continued to keep a close eye on the site in conjunction with the local police and SDC. It was also noted that drainage work was planned by County Highways. CLLR SECCOMBE noted further activity on the site reported at the meeting.

• Newbold: CLLR ASTON reported that a skip had been delivered to clear the allotments, and it was agreed that the parish council would pay the invoice for this and another if required. The council would also fund a new lock for the gate to the allotments.The clerk had contacted Land Registry, SDC and Orbit Housing in a bid to determine ownership of the unadopted part of Middlefield Lane without success, CLLR ASTON would liaise with residents to see if there was any further information regarding ownership of the road. In the meantime it was agreed that CLLR WEBB would arrange for some remedial repairs to be funded by the parish council.Noted that express permission would be sought from the bowls club if any further work was required to the fence previously installed by the parish council.

• Tredington: The meeting discussed correspondence form residents regarding the play park. Previous attempts to establish a residents working group to discuss plans and help raise the significant funds required for any upgrade had proved unsuccessful, a further attempt would be made via social media which the clerk would draft. The clerk would also investigate any funding opportunities with SDC and WCC. It was agreed that the clerk would contact Land Registry to determine ownership of the willow trees causing concern by Emmerdale Farm. The meeting also discussed whether residents were able to wash signs in the village, noted that permission should be sought from County Highways if the request was received by the parish council.

8. Reports from Ward Representatives of Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council.

CLLR SECCOMBE (WCC) reported that WCC had been digesting the contents of the English Devolution White Paper from government. This proposes unitary authorities nationwide by 2028 and areas are being invited to take forward models by 10/1/2025 as early adopters, this would result in delaying 2025 County Council elections if this option is taken forward in Warwickshire. Noted WCC was meeting with partners and would continue to do so to discuss the approach across Warwickshire. The meeting discussed the uncertainty for local government in the locality. However, CLLR SECCOMBE reported that this shouldn’t affect parish and town councils.

CLLR HARVEY (SDC) had circulated a written report which the meeting noted. In addition, he reported that SDC were considering their upcoming budget, the National Planning Policy Framework (circulated), Draft South Warwickshire Local Plan (consultation circulated) and the English Devolution White Paper. Locally, the meeting noted the Ellen Badger consultation (circulated) and the grounds for refusal of the Mill Lane planning application (24/00729/FUL) which are based on the drainage implications as identified by consultants engaged by residents which has successfully challenged the assessment of the statutory flood risk assessment.

9. Planning

• Noted the following outstanding applications

It was confirmed that the Parish Council had objected to the latest application at Middlefield Barn (24/02747/FUL)

• Noted Decisions Received December 2024

Responses had been or would be submitted to SDC planning for all these applications (full details https://apps.stratford.gov.uk/EPlanning/Default.aspx)

10. Financial Administration

1. AGREED to approve updated bank reconciliation for December 2024
2. AGREED to approve the passing of accounts for payment, as per Appendix A,
3. NOTED the balances in the PC accounts, as per Appendix A

11. Correspondence

The following were noted:

Communities and Partnerships Weekly Newsletters – WCC

Weekly Round up – WALC

SDC Briefing for January Meeting – Cllr Harvey

Land Transfers – Davisons Law

Dog Waste Bins – SDC

Warwickshire Matters – WCC

WCC Community Partnerships - WCC

Church Grant – Tredington Treasurer

Church Grant – Newbold Treasurer

Blackwell Village Hall – Various

Newbold Bowls Club – Various

Unadopted Road Middlefield Lane – Various

Street Naming and Numbers – SDC

Sandbags – Various

SDC Member Information Sheet (Cost of Living Support) – Cllr Harvey

Consultation on South Warwickshire Community Rehabilitation Bids – Various

Warwickshire Police & Crime Commissioner Budget Consultation – Various

South Warwickshire Local Plan Options – SDC

Consultation on Public Spaces Protection (Doug Fouling) – SDC, Tred

Warwickshire Smaller Authorities 24/25 Audit Timeline – Moore UK (Auditors)

Fallen Tredington – Lawns2Mow

25/26 Precept Form – SDC

Standards of Conduct for Local Councillors - SDC

12. Date of next meeting

The next meeting would be on 10^th February 2025, date and venue to be confirmed.

MEETING CLOSED 21:35

Appendix A

Financial Administration

1. Tredington PC cash book balances at November 2024                            

Current Account (see attached bank reconciliation)                                                      £40029.83*               

Reserves (see attached bank reconciliation)                                                                   £17562.78**

                        Total                                                                                                                                  £57592.61

2. Passing of accounts for payment this meeting:

                        I Wilson (Salary and Expenses November)                                                                    £909.41

                        Tredington Parochial Church Council (Mowing Grant 2024)                                      £1250.00

                        Lawns2Mow (Final 2024)                                                                                                    £2400.00

                        I Wilson Salary and Expenses December                                                                        £808.20

                        Newbold Parochial Church Council (Grants 2024)                                                        £1250.00

                        Newbold Village Hall (Toddler Group)                                                                               TBC                                                                                                                                                          

 *Includes earmarked reserves for capital projects to be agreed from s106 and CIL receipts of £25k.**This is our contingency reserves in line with recommended practice

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