HANLEY CASTLE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 15th September 2016 at Hanley
Swan Village Hall, starting at 7pm.
Present: Councillors: Sue Roberts (Chairman), Bob Lamb, John Taverner, Sue Adeney Sarah
Darwent, Wendy Roberts-Powell & Alex Walker
Apologies: Cllr Alison Bolton, Peter Goodyear & Marjorie Nelson (PPWs), DCllrs Mike Morgan
& Andrea Morgan
In Attendance:

Mrs Rebecca Abunassar (Clerk) Melanie Baker (MHDC) Andrew Darwent

(Albion Lodge) 12 Parishioners

113/16 Welcome: The Chairman welcomed all present especially Melanie Baker and Andrew
Darwent whom they had invited to attend. All apologies submitted to the Clerk were accepted.
114/16 Declarations of Interest & Dispensation Requests from Councillors
a) Register of Interests: Councillors were reminded that they should have updated their
register of interests and sent them to John Williams at MHDC.
b) To declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in items on the agenda and their nature:
None Declared
c) To declare any Other Disclosable Interests in items on the agenda and their nature: Cllr
Darwent, as wife of Andrew Darwent, declared an interest in the pending Albion Lodge planning
application and agreed not to partake in any ensuing discussions or voting.
d) To consider and agree all requests from Councillors for the Council to Grant a Dispensation
(S33 of the Localism Act 2011) None Received
Closure of the meeting to allow parishioners present to speak on any matters relating
to the Parish. Cllr Roberts welcomed Melanie Baker to the meeting and asked if she would
like to speak on the matter of speeding within Hanley Swan and her work with the Police Crime
Commissioner. Cllr Baker thanked the Parish Council for the invitation to attend and talked
about the unfortunate incident that had alerted her to the problems of speeding within Hanley
Swan. She explained that she had started to work with the community support team and that
they were looking for a long term solution.
Cllr Lamb raised the issue of the petition to reduce the speed limit in Hanley Castle as it was
also a problem and that Highways had refused to reduce the speed limit within the village. He
asked whether she would be able to take up that issue too. She was asked from the floor what
was being proposed; she advised that it would be a multi-agency plan but there were no firm
proposals yet. She discussed the possibility of working with the Three Counties. Cllr Lamb said
the issues raised had been embodied within the Neighbourhood Plan and Cllr Roberts
commented that the Parish Council had been raising the issues for many years but
unfortunately it is very hard to get agreement to solutions proposed. The Parish Council had
also held several meeting with Highways surrounding the issues so they were well aware of the
problems.
The issue of the large volumes of planned additional housing in the surrounding areas was also
raised and the question asked as to why the developers could not be requested to pay for road
safety improvements. Cllr Baker explained about the CIL process and section 106 funding and
how this was already earmarked for specific areas.
Cllr Baker suggested a joint meeting be arranged with herself, the Parish Council and Gerry
Brienza and it was agreed that hopefully things might progress with the additional support.
Cllr Adeney suggested parishioners parked legally on the road as this would naturally slow down
traffic driving through the village. Parishioners tended to park partially on the pavement to
assist with the flow of traffic but whilst it made the road easier to navigate it allowed higher
speeds and damaged the pavement.

24/2016

ACTION: The Clerk to email Melanie Baker and to organise a joint meeting with
Highways and Cllr Tom Wells.
The state of the pavement from Hanley Orchard to the village shop was also raised and the
Parish Council was asked if it could request it be repaired as it was preventing older residents
from safely visiting the shop.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact the Worcestershire Hub and raise the problem.
Andrew Darwent was invited to speak to the Parish Council regarding his proposed plans for
Albion Lodge. He talked about the proposed development at the back of Albion Lodge and the
creation of 16 close care apartments. He explained that this was a change to the proposal that
he had discussed previously with the Council and the reason for the change evolved due to the
limited mobility of anticipated residents and the need to create apartments with large windows
to make the living space an enjoyable environment and a nice place to live with easy access to
the range of amenities that would be on offer.
He was asked about the timescales and said he was hoping to submit the planning application
as soon as possible but was currently awaiting responses from Highways and also drainage. He
said that Highways were considering whether there was a need to install a pedestrian crossing
outside Albion Lodge for residents to safely cross.
Cllr Roberts thanked him coming to the meeting and updating the Parish Council on his
proposals.
115/16 Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st July 2016 had been previously
circulated and the minutes were approved and signed.
116/16 Matters Arising & Progress Reports not Listed elsewhere on the
Agenda:
Min 69c/13: Anne Ballinger gift The Noticeboards had been installed and the plaques would
now
be
arranged.
ACTION: Cllr Roberts to decide on the wording and order the plaques.
Min 98c/15: Speed Check on Welland Road An email had been received from Safer Roads
Partnership advising that a speed check had taken place but no data had been provided. Cllr
Baker asked for a copy of the email.
ACTION: The Clerk to request the data from the monitoring exercise and to forward
the email to Cllr Baker.
Min 176b/15: Road safety improvements at Cross Hands No additional information
Min 45a/16: Caf Markets proposal to jointly purchase a VAS
ACTION: Cllr Taverner to speak with the lengthsman and determine requirements and
select quotation.
Min 58/16a Pathway works ACTION: Peter Goodyear to organise the materials and working committee to
undertake the work in October.
Min 88b/16: Site visit to the Pond, Coverfield & the Green The knee rails had been installed
and were making people park along the hedge. It was agreed to ask for feedback via the Parish
Link. A request had been made by the landlord of the pub to partially block off one side of the
road however Highways had said no.
ACTION: Cllr Adeney to place a request for feedback on the rail in the Parish Link
Coverfield Potholes: Cllr Roberts update the Parish Council and advised that West Mercia
Housing had admitted that it was their responsibility and she would continue to liaise with them
over their repair. It was also agreed to write to the owners of Home Farm (Mr & Mrs Hunt) and
remind them of their responsibility to maintain their section of the road.
ACTION: The Clerk to write to the owners of Home Farm.
Ducks: Cllr Adeney showed the duck sign Mr Hutchings had produced and would ask the pond
wardens to place it in various visible locations to raise awareness.
ACTION: Cllr Adeney to pass the sign onto Gigi. The Clerk to write a thank you letter
to Howard Hutchings for making the sign.
117/16 Finance:

25/2016

a) Payment of Accounts: Members approved the payments of accounts as in the presented

schedule in Appendix 1.
b) Notification of receipts received: None received
118/16 Planning:
a)
To Consider the following applications referred by MHDC for consultation:

16/01108/FUL

Change of use of land from

White Cottage, Gilberts End,
agricultural land to form part of
Hanley Castle,
residential curtilage of property
Worcestershire, WR8 0AS
known as "White Cottage".
No objections raised

16/01068/HOU

Willow End Farm Cottage,

Blackmore Park Road,
Welland, WR13 6NN

Single storey extension to form

conservatory

No objections raised
ACTION The Clerk to notify MHDC
b) To consider under the Scheme of Delegation any Planning Applications received
between the publication of the agenda and the Meeting:

16/01201/REM

Reserved matters application for approval of

access, appearance, scale, layout and
landscaping following grant of permission
14/01498/OUT for erection of 4 dwellings.

Land At (Os 8113 4257),

Welland Road, Hanley
Swan, Worcestershire,

The Council examined the planning application and noted that the plans were for 5
bedroomed properties and not 4 as in the original outline application. The Council determined
that the application as it stood was contrary to the emerging neighbourhood plan and the
Clerk was asked to submit an objection reiterating the findings of the neighbourhood plan.
ACTION The Clerk to notify MHDC

16/01011/HOU

Cherry Tree Cottage

Picken End, Hanley Swan

Construction of a three bay oaked

framed garage

Documents were not live on the system Councillors asked to feed back when they were
available.
ACTION Councillors to notify the Clerk of any comments
c) Details of Decision Notices Received to-date: 16/00882/HOU
Jasamine Cottage, Worcester Road, Hanley Swan,
WR8 0EA
Replacement porch, demolition of existing conservatory at rear, erection of rear
extension and detached oak framed garage.
Application Withdrawn
16/00937/LBC

Cliffey Farm, Worcester Road, Hanley Castle, WR8 0AB

General alterations to internal layout, new windows and doors, new

26/2016

insulated infill panels, new roof coverings, new barge boards, new pentice
boards
APPROVED 02/09/2016

16/00847/S73 White Cottage, Gilberts End

Amendment to conditions inclusion of solar panels
APPROVED 02/09/2016
d) Details of enforcement action: None
119/16 Highway Matters
a) Report & Works for the Lengthsman Cllr Taverner said all lengthsman work was in order
and the footpaths/cycleway would be cleared to school. It was asked if the Lengthsman would
look at Yew Trees pathway as it was slippery. Potholes and ruts along the cycleway towards
Upton had been reported but Highways said there was not a problem. Cllr Walker said the
problem was the section immediately in front of the High School and so it was agreed to report
the matter again.
120/16 District & County Councillors Reports
a)
District Cllrs Morgan & Morgan: The Councillors were not able to attend.
b) County Cllr Tom Wells: Cllr Wells was not present.
121/16 Report of the:
a)
Parish Paths & Tree Warden (Peter Goodyear)- Peters report was read out. He had
examined the oak tree on the green and suggested cutting off a few of the lower limbs. It was
discussed and determined that the Parish Council did not wish for the lower limbs to be
removed.
ACTION: Mr Goodyear to set up a meeting with Community Orchard Committee in
September. The Clerk to ask Mr Goodyear not to undertake work on the oak tree.
b) Pond Wardens (Neil & Gigi Verlander)
c) Playing Field Warden (Graham Holmes) Feed-back on the type of bin to be situated by the
shelter was also required to be sought from the Warden. Cllr Roberts had sourced replacement
parts from Lappset for the swings and fitted them.
ACTION: The Clerk to ask Mr Holmes about the bin.
d) Local Police ACTION: The Clerk to email the Officers and request reports were sent.
122/16 Environmental Matters
Report of the Environmental Working Group Cllr Adeney reported that the baler had been
booked for October. Cllr Roberts said that she would ask the schools contractor to cut the verge
by Chapmans Orchard.
ACTION: The Clerk to email NFM & Cllr Roberts to arrange for the verge to be cut.

123/16 Neighbourhood Development Plan Cllr Lamb updated the Parish Council on the
NDP. It was out for informal consultation and the comments from the community were good.
MHDC had sent 43 pages of comments which needed to be worked through. Cllr Lamb said he
would speak to Welland to find about about the feedback that they received. He was anticipating
it going to formal consultation next year.
124/16 Correspondence
a) Hanley Road Car Park New Street Closure The Parish Council discussed the closure
and concluded that the problems should have been solved with the installation of
appropriately placed speed bumps instead of the easy option of closure. By closure
traffic is forced to use New Street lane and the increased traffic is a hazard.

27/2016

b) Royal British Legion Subsidence Claim - Cllr Roberts had been contacted by Aviva Loss
Adjustors who were acting on behalf of the British Legion Club. They had a subsidence
claim and were requesting that several trees surrounding the pond be cut down. Chris
Lewis-Farley was providing advice.
ACTION: The Clerk to continue to liaise with Chris Lewis-Farley
c) Launch of Thunderclap Power Cut 105 telephone number had been launched and
Councillors were asked to spread the word. It would be forwarded to the Parish Link.
d) MHDC Parish & Town Council Conference 17th October Invitation was given to the
Councillors.
e) Malvern Observer newspaper email had been received from Craig Gibbons requesting
copies of agenda and minutes for reporting purposes
f) Safer West Mercia Plan Consultation Document sent out with agenda and Councillors
were asked to provide feedback if they so wished.

125/16 Topics raised by Councillors, Committees, Clerk & Parishioners

a) War Memorial Repair Cllr Roberts raised the problem of the repair worked required
on the War memorial in the grounds of St Marys Church. An inspection has taken place
and it has been determined that it was the poor workmanship of the repair work that
was undertaken a few years ago that needed attention. It was agreed to contact Steve
Allard and advise him of the deterioration of the stone and give him the opportunity to
put it right.
ACTION: The Clerk to write to Steve Allard
b) Sand bags Cllr Adeney advised that a parishioner had been flooded again and had
asked if sand bags could be provided. Cllr Adeney said she would speak with MHDC to
ask if they could provide them.
ACTION: Cllr Adeney to speak with MHDC to try and source sand bags.
c) 6th Form Opening Cllr Roberts had been invited to the opening of the new 6th form
building. Cllr Adeney raised the question of lighting and why they appeared to be left on
through the night.
d) Dog Fouling Signs A request was made for additional dog fouling signs to put up around
the village.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact MHDC and request signs.

126/16 Councillors reports and items for future agenda:

None raised
127/16

Date of Next Scheduled Meeting: 20th October 2016

The meeting closed at 9.40 pm

Signed

Date: 20th October 2016

Chairman

Appendix 1: Schedule of Payments & Receipts 15th September 2016

Payment of Accounts: The under mentioned accounts were approved:

28/2016

Chq
No
1523
1524
1525
1526
1527
1528
1529
1530
1531
1532
1533

Payee
AJB Joiner
Ocean Blue Graphics
Zurich Insurance
The Clerk
Information
Commissioners
Office
New Farm Ground Maintenance
Ludus Leisure Ltd
WDBF Ltd Glebe
The Clerk
HMRC
M Waggett

Signed

Reason
Notice Boards
NHP Banners
Annual Insurance
August Pay

1238.40
133.20
398.77
400.28

Renewal
July & August Cuts + Willow tree
Swing Bearing Assembly
Rent 29/09 - 24/03/17
Printer Cartridge, Paper & Cable &
Stamps
Q2 PAYE
Installing Noticeboards
Total

35.00
1387.20
160.42
125.00

Chairman

29/2016

40.16
12.80
71.80
4003.03

Date: 20th October 2016