Chairman’s Annual Report to Abberley Parish – 20th May 2020

Chairman’s Annual Report to Abberley Parish – 20th May 2020

Although the AGM, elections and Annual Parish Meeting are postponed until next year I thought that it would be of benefit to give an account of the Parish Council activities to date.
This will certainly be known to future generations as the time of Covid as the effect of the virus on the whole world has been staggering; not a single person on the planet has escaped the consequences both social and economic. It has certainly propelled Abberley and many other Councils into the world of Zoom meetings and finding different ways to communicate without putting ourselves and others at risk. After a certain amount of trepidation I think we can say that we have embraced the new way of doing things. How long that will last is a matter of speculation but, as a tool, I think virtual meetings are here to stay.
The year began uneventfully enough with the Parish Council conducting business as usual in matters preoccupying any rural Parish – flooding, pollution, overgrown hedges, litter, the inevitable Planning issues and, specifically to us, trying to assist Astley and Dunley Parish Council in combatting the illegal use of Shaver’s End Quarry.
We were delighted to welcome Mr Joel Turvey as the new Head of Abberley Parochial VC Primary School who began his tenure with a very firm wish to cement relations between the school and Abberley.
There was a Security Marking Event in September which was a very interesting exercise in how to make our belongings more secure.
We also held an extremely well attended community dance and hog roast in September in the Village Hall – the Abberley Shindig – a wonderful Ceilidh. Many thanks go to Cllr Jim Gibson, Lisa Walker and Sarah Crabbe for organising a memorable evening.
We also took that opportunity to advertise the thriving clubs and groups and committees manned by dedicated volunteers who contribute so much to Abberley life. And it was also another chance to publicise the progress of our then nascent NDP (Neighbourhood Development Plan).
A glorious day in October saw an army of volunteers striding through Abberley and its environs wielding grabbers and bin bags; our version of the Great British Tidy Up.
The Abberley NDP is now ready to present for an eight week Public Consultation after which the final draft will be written, ready for examination.
Cllr Kate Andrew stepped down as Chair of the Steering/Working Group and I want to thank her for the years of hard work that have gone in to getting us to this stage.
Cllr Jim Gibson resigned from his role as Path Warden, due to work commitments and I would like to thank him for tackling quite a time-consuming task so diligently – Abberley has many, many paths. Cllr Andrew has volunteered to take his place.
At this point I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the life of the Parish in so many different ways and are continuing to do so; our County Councillor, Dr Pollock, and our District Councillor, Mr Paul Cumming, for their presence and approachability, always ready to answer those difficult questions and to point us in the right direction; and indeed all the Parish Councillors who have taken on various roles and responsibilities, doggedly pursuing what they believe to be in the best interests of the Parish.
A special mention must go to our Lengthsman, Mr Chris Bunn, who as usual has kept Abberley looking its best.

And last but not least I would like to thank Mrs Carole Hirst, our Parish Clerk, whose advice, dedication and hard work have ensured the smooth running of Parish business especially at a time when the world as we knew it went topsy turvy.

Keep Well

Catherine Knight – Chair
Abberley Parish Council

Abberley Parish Council are seeking votes from the community for a new street name for the Development of 26 Properties on the land at Clows Top Road, Abberley (Walshes Farm)

Malvern Hills District Council have emailed Abberley Parish Council  to request a new street name from Abberley Parish Council for the new development of 26 properties on the land at Clows Top Road, Abberley (near Abberley Parochial (VC) Primary School).

Abberley Parish Council would welcome Parishioners to choose their favourite option.

To vote you could simply email the clerk at "> stating your favourite option or write your favourite option on a slip of paper and place in a box provided in the Village Shop.

Options are:

1.Walshes Meadow 

The area, now approved for development, is designated on old maps as ‘the meadow behind the house’ – the house being Walshes’ farmhouse. Since medieval times and indeed, well into the twentieth century, the land had been farmed by the Walshes; a well known and respected family in Abberley and the surrounding area.

2.School Fields

A descendant of the Walshe family, the Revd Francis Severne, Rector of Abberley, established in his will of 1828, the Abberley Charity. Its purpose was to educate a number of village boys with funds provided by income from the fields at Walshes Farm.

Votes will be counted on 31st May and a further press release will appear on the website with the result.

Could any suggestions be submitted to the Clerk to Abberley Parish Council at "> no later than 31st May 2020 for consideration at the next Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm  via ZOOM.

Please find attached location plans and a site layout with the roads highlighted.

CLICK HERE FOR Location Plan 1-4500

CLICK HERE FOR Location Plan 1-2000

 

 

4Rivers Churches Notice Sheet for week of 11th May

Please see below for link to the 4Rivers Churches Notice Sheet for week of 11th May 2020

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 4rivers churches Notice Sheet week 11th May

Worcestershire County Council has a website where you can report WCC issues that affect You.

Worcestershire County Council has a website where you can report WCC issues that affect You.

CLICK HERE for Worcestershire County Council “Report It”

Worcestershire County Council covers: Bridges and Structures; Drainage and Flooding; Grit Bins, Gritting; Improvements to walking Cycling, Bus or Disabled Access; Mud, Oil or Spillage; Other Road or Pavement Issues; Overgrown Shrubbery; Potholes; Public Rights of Way; Street Lights; Traffic Lights or to track a previously reported Highways Issue.

Please note: Do not use this online service if your report relates to an immediate public safety issue, please contact the police

 

How to report issues that concern YOU and the wider community within Malvern Hills District Council.

Malvern Hills District Council has its own page where anyone can make reports to the Council.

CLICK HERE for MHDC Report It link

Report it

Worcestershire County Council announces the re-opening of a number of Household Recycling Centres from Monday 11th May.

Please find below an update on the reopening of a number of our Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s) from Monday 11 May.

We will be communicating the following information to the public at 12pm today and I would like to ask that you do not communicate this information until then.

We will be opening 7 of the 11 sites and these are:

*   Bromsgrove (Quantry Lane)

*   Malvern (Newlands)

*   Pershore (Hill & Moor)

*   Redditch (Crossgates)

*   Stourport (Bonemill)

*   Tenbury

*   Worcester (Bilford Road

This recognises the additional resourcing required to operate the sites in line with the new requirements, e.g. social distancing.

It is important to note that journeys to HRCs must only be undertaken if your waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means.

I need your help to try and get the message to residents that this means they should only be visiting if the waste cannot be stored at their home without causing risk of injury, health or harm. There is no other reason the journey will be considered a legitimate purpose for travel.  If the waste can be temporarily stored, recycled or disposed of in a way that does not pose a risk to safety or human health, then this should be done.

We are encouraging residents to check the website for full details of the social distancing measures, opening times and other restrictions before they visit the HRC. These measures include a ‘one in, one out’ access policy, no staff assistance to remove items from vehicles so those visiting need to be able to remove their own waste, and additional services such as compost sales and charity reuse points will be closed until further notice.

We expect the sites to be very busy so residents may have to queue for a long time before they are able to access the site as only a limited number of cars will be allowed at any one time . We will have traffic management in place where possible and will monitor this to try and keep disruption to the network to a minimum.

 

Applications for an Independent Lay Member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel are invited from members of the public. Closing date: 5pm on Monday 18 May 2020.

Applications for an Independent Lay Member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel are invited from members of the public. Closing date: 5pm on Monday 18 May 2020.

The Panel covers the geographical areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire with support for the Panel provided by Worcestershire County Council.

The Panel is part of the governance arrangements for policing in the West Mercia area and its role is to maintain a regular check and balance on the performance of the directly-elected West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.

 Information on Police and Crime Commissioners can be found via this link: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20078/community_safety/861/police_and_crime_commissioners along with additional information on the recruitment process and an information pack.

Should you wish to apply, please download and complete the application form http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/downloads/file/12481/independent_lay_co-opted_member_-_application_form  and return to Sheena Jones, Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager by 5pm on Monday 18 May 2020

either by email:

or by post: Sheena Jones, Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Manager, Legal and Governance, Worcestershire County Council County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP

 In addition to the Worcestershire County Council website, details of this position can also be found in the CALC newsletter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Abberley Ordinary Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 20th May 2020 at 7.30pm via ZOOM

Abberley Parish Council are holding their next Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 20th May at 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Government Legislation has changed for Parish Councils which came into force on the 4th April 2020 to enable Parish Councils across England to carry out their meetings. The change of legislation was introduced as a measure to support Parish Council during the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Parish Councils are now permitted to hold their meetings remotely, online and Abberley Parish Council will host its next Formal Ordinary Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 2oth May 2020 at 7.30pm via ZOOM.

The meeting is accessible to the public in exactly the same way that every other Parish Council meeting was and each meeting is set up with meeting ID and password details.

Should you be interested in logging into the Parish Council meeting on the 20th May at 7.30pm please contact the Clerk by email on "> for login details. The meeting will be via ZOOM and therefore you will need to download the software on https://zoom.us/signin which is FREE. The meeting can be viewed via your PC or you can dial in via a UK phone number unique to ZOOM for meetings. The Clerk will supply all this information on request.

As per all Parish Council meetings the Public will be welcome to speak during “Public Question Time” and able to observe the remainder of the meeting.

 

Abberley Parish Council on the 22nd April 2020, held their first Ordinary Parish Council meeting via ZOOM

Last night Abberley Parish Council held their first Ordinary Parish Council since the COVID 19 Pandemic via ZOOM. The meeting was a great success.

Changes in Government legislation have enabled the business of Parish Councils to continue by introducing the “Virtual Meeting” to discuss and make decisions.

The next Parish Council meeting will be staged via ZOOM  on Wednesday May 20th at 7.30pm. If you would like to join us please email "> for login details.