Wickhamford/Documents/Advice for Sufferers of Flooding.ppt

A vacancy has arisen for the position of Clerk to Wickhamford Parish Council working 6 hours per week.

For an application form please write to, Wickhamford Parish Council c/o 12 Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, Worcs. WR11 7RT.

Closing date 30th April.

Flooding Meeting

A meeting is to be held at Wickhamford Memorial Hall on Tuesday 22nd April at 7.00pm to address the flooding issues.

Representatives from the Environmental Agency, Severn Trent and the Local Council have been invited to attend.

Our District & County Councillor will  be in attendance as well as the Parish Councillors.

If you have any questions you would like raised please send them as a matter of urgency to the Parish Clerk at 12 Pitchers Hill, e-mail at wickhamfordpc@fsmail.net or call 01386 830676.

A summary of these questions will be forwarded to the authoriries in advance of the meeting.

There will also be a general question and answer session at the end of the meeting.

Wickhamford/Documents/Wickhamford Floods.jpg.pdf

Please click on the link to view the file content.

Note.

Although this article contains some good suggestions it also contains some inaccuracies, therefore the Parish Council would like to make it clear that they do not endorse this article.

                                THE TRANSPORT FORUM

Summary Record of the Sixth Annual General Meeting held at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton, on Friday 8th February 2008.

Present

Tony Jerram (Chairman) Badsey PC

Hazel Bretforton PC

John Careless North and Middle Littleton PC

 Albert Jeffery Pebworth PC

Rod Townsend Badsey

Roger Gilks Wickhamford PC

Bob Smith South Littleton PC

Pete Smith Badsey PC

Clive Bostle CPRE

In AttendancePeter Luff MPCllr Patrick Haycock Wychavon DCCllr Peter Barnes Warwickshire CCCllr Tom Bean Worcestershire CC

Apologies Sandra Kendrick Honeybourne

1. “Brains Trust” with Peter Luff MP. After welcome and introductions by the Chairman, members of the Forum raised various issues with Peter. Principal among these were the following:the proposed “eco”-town at Long Lartin:the recent unilateral move by Gloucestershire CC to initiate weight restrictions at Willersey once more:the newly-revealed plan by the Home Office to expand Long Lartin by an additional 360 cells and the extra burden thus to be placed on existing local facilities:in the light of all the foregoing, the potentially disastrous effect on the existing infrastructure in the eastern Vale, which is already proving seriously inadequate, not least on the limited road network whither the single access for large vehicles over the River Avon is via the bridge on the A46 Evesham by-pass:demarcation problems with bridges over the disused (and untracked) railway, the structure of which is in the purlieu of SUSTRANS, while the road surface atop them is the responsibility of counties’ Highways Departments:drainage and flooding problems, including the fallout from large areas of glass:causes of damage to the highway, putatively from heavy vehicles’ suspension:the need for improvement in liaison on traffic and planning matters between Gloucestershire (in the South West Region) and Worcestershire and, conceivably, Warwickshire which are in the West Midlands Region:lack of HGV parking space.(AFTERNOTE. The Forum has subsequently received a letter from Peter Luff, for which we are most grateful, detailing the follow-up action he has taken with regard to the majority of the above points. A copy is available from Tony Jerram on request. There was also a formal “Consultation” at Long Lartin on 27 Feb, and the Governor has also written to Peter with his views.)

2. The Chairman’s Report. Adopted.

3. The Treasurer’s Report. There was £132 in the bank, of which £20 would used to pay for the hire of the premises for the AGM, leaving £112. Adopted.

4. Election of Officers. There were no nominations for the posts of Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary or Treasurer. Consequently, after discussion, it was agreed that the Forum would be placed in suspended animation forthwith, with the proviso that, should a relevant urgent matter come to light, it could be swiftly re-embodied. The members also recommended that the sum of £112 remaining in the Forum’s accounts should be retained, under the stewardship of Rod Townsend the outgoing Treasurer, for use on any re-embodiment.

STOP THE NEW TOWN

WRITE or EMAIL NOW!!!

Please read this even if you have already written. 

A proposal has been made for an Eco Town, called “Middle Quinton”, of at least 6,000 houses, by St Modwen Property developers and The Bird Group on the Long Marston Army Camp Site and surrounding area. 

Unless the Local Community puts forward strong objections it could well go ahead. This proposal has been made directly to the Government, bi-passing the local consultation and planning process, and, a decision could be made as early as 9^th February as to whether this site will be selected. 

The proposed town would be about 2/3rds of the size of Stratford or Evesham. The impact on the local area would be enormous. 

This should be of concern to you. The local infrastructure is inadequate to absorb 13,000+ new residents, for example in hospital and emergency services for which the current plan does not provide. 

 The Developers imply there are good road and rail links to nearby towns and cities; this is clearly not the case. The site lacks major road connections - the nearest ‘A’ class road is seven kilometres away, any road development scheme to cope with the addition of thousands of cars would have a huge impact on our rural communities.

Traffic would have to be channelled in to an already congested Stratford and there is no provision for any new bridges over the Avon.

 The proposal relies on the opening of the single track rail link to Honeybourne but  ignores the vast costs of the project and that the Honeybourne rail link is to London and not our nearest large cities.     

Where will the people work?  A lack of local employment opportunities will create a car-based satellite suburb creating significant environmental problems, countering any claim that this would be an “eco town”.

Also the New town would be in addition to all other housing planned for the area, of which there are 5,600 houses in the Stratford district alone. 

These concerns are not about being non eco friendly this is about inappropriate housing planning.  

If you object to this development or have concerns you need to write or email NOW using some of the points above to ALL of the people on the next page.  

If you have already written to Hazel Blears we have now been told that you need to copy your letter to everyone else on the list to help them voice our concerns.  

You need to write or email this week to:- 

Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, blearsh@parliament.uk    

and it is very important to send copies of your letter to 

            Julie Bishop, Housing & Growth Programmes, Zone2/H9 Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU,   julie.bishop@communities.gsi.gov.uk 

and      Peter Luff MP, House of Commons London SW1A 0AA ,

 luffpj@parliament.uk 

and      John Maples MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA,  maplesj@parliament.uk 

and      Gill Collin, Head of Planning at Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT

            planning@wychavon.gov.uk 

and      John Hobbs, Director of Environmental Services, Worcester County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP, kstilgoe@worcestershire.gov.uk 

-          Emails count as letters 

-          The number of objections received will be noted.  

-          Tell someone you know who will be affected to write/email  

Your own letters count more than everyone sending the same letter so you need to make the effort to write your own but it can be short and to the point. PLEASE TAKE A LITTLE TIME AND SEND THEM OFF NOW! 

You can also register your protest against the proposal at our 10 Downing Street E-Petition ' Stop the consideration of an Eco Town at Long Marston'

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact: Jane Cromack on 01789 720319 or email jvcromack@aol.com

Chairman’s Report – 2007

This is the sixth annual chairman’s report and, once again, it covers a busy year – in fact, in terms of “man-days” involved, the busiest ever for the Forum.  Most time-consuming was the four-day Public Inquiry in July into the proposed extended development of Honeybourne Aerodrome, when the efforts of several members of the Forum, both behind the scenes and as credible witnesses, contributed in no small way to the dismissal of the appeal.  The appellants’ subsequent move to challenge the Inspector’s decision in the High Court will not involve the Forum.

Another consumer of man-days has been the Worcestershire County Council’s Draft Integrated Passenger Transport Strategy, culminating in two all-day sessions in November.  Much work has gone into it, and we await real results in due course.  We can only hope that this exercise will be more successful than the Council’s long drawn out (and costly – just think of those consultants’fees) Waste Core Strategy consultation, binned for want of funding.  While day to day it has been business as usual in the Forum, we have continued to punch above our weight in both the County and Vale Freight Quality Partnerships; we have been involved in publicising the need to react to the Joint Core Strategy papers, an important project with the potential to touch the lives of all of us, and those of our children’s children as well; we have found it necessary from time to time to snap at the heels of various organs of Government for inaction and inefficiency – lack of enforcement of regulations and local S106 planning agreements is often a cause of deep frustration among the public; on the other hand, public apathy towards attempts by Local Authorities et al for meaningful consultation on policy development is frustrating for the other side. 

I cannot end without expressing my admiration of, and thanks for, the work of all members of this totally voluntary, but disproportionately influential and authoritative, body.  Its reputation has grown with the years, and the need for its existence becomes ever more apparent with the passage of time.   Finally, I tender sincere thanks to the committee and members of the Royal British Legion’s Bretforton branch for their generous hospitality toward the Forum during this past year. 

Tony Jerram                                                                     14th January 2008

Local Policing Team,  Evesham Rural South 

The team consists of three members, Police Sergeant 1855 Stayte, Local Police Officer 3308 Greenhouse and Community support Officer 6351 Schoenrock. 

PC Greenhouse and CSO Schoenrock are based at Broadway Police Station.

The station is currently open between 10am and 4pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and between 10am and 1pm on Monday. Volunteers open the station and these times can be changed at short notice. 

Although the officers are often at the station at other times and may be contacted by using the intercom at the front door. The intercom can also be used to report incidents to the main control room at Worcester Police Station. 

The team cover Aldington, Badsey, Broadway, Childswickham, Murcot and Wickhamford and deal with local policing issues in these villages. 

If you wish to contact any of the officers you may ring the local policing team number which is 01905 725767 or email  eveshamruralsouth.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk 

Or you may contact the officers directly: 

PS 1855 Stayte can be contacted on 08457444888 ext 3414 or email, 

philip.stayte@westmercia.pnn.police.uk   

PC 3308 Greenhouse can be contacted on 08457444888 ext 3777 or email,

gail.greenhouse@westmercia.pnn.police.uk 

CSO 6351 Schoenrock can be contacted on 08457444888 ext 3777 or email,

philip.schoenrock@westmercia.pnn.police.uk 

These contact details should only be used where you wish to speak with an officer but are able to wait for a response, for example: reporting a community issue. 

If you need to report an incident you should dial 08457444888 and speak to a fully trained operator. 

If you need immediate assistance you should dial 999 where you will be asked if you wish to speak with the police, fire or ambulance. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

PC 3308 Greenhouse

THE TRANSPORT FORUM 

Summary Record of the Meeting of the Forum held at Bretforton on Tuesday 27^th November 2007

 Present:

Tony Jerram (Chairman)                                  Badsey

Hazel Mitchell                                                   Bretforton PC

Peter Smith                                                      Badsey

Albert Jeffery                                                    Pebworth PC

John Careless                                                   N & M Littleton PC

Martin Bent                                                       Badsey PC

Clive Bostle                                                      CPRE

Roger Gilks                                                       Wickhamford PC

David White                                                       Honeybourne PC

Bob Smith                                                         S Littleton PC

Sandra Richardson                                             Honeybourne PC 

In attendance:

Cllr Tom Bean                                                                Worcestershire CC      

Michele Jones                                                                 Worcestershire CC

Chris Holloway                                                               Worcestershire CC

Apologies:

Junay England                                                            Offenham PC

Rod Townsend                                                            Badsey 

Summary Record of the Meeting on 18^th September 2007.  Approved.

 Matters Arising:

Long Lartin Construction Traffic:  Bob Smith reported that 6 prefabricated units, 75ft long, 16ft high and 12ft 10ins wide, each weighing 75,000kgs, were due to travel as abnormal loads from Taunton to Long Lartin in early July 2008.  The route was believed to be via Cleeve Prior, Barton Crossroads and Honeybourne.  (NOTE: after the meeting Bob has checked the movement details submitted to the police etc, and there appear to be errors and omissions in the formal notification document; South Littleton Parish Council will examine it and take action if necessary.) 

Wickhamford-Badsey-Willersey roads:  no further details had been forthcoming since the publication of the draft order.  It was known that the extent of public disapproval of the draft had caused some delay in taking the matter further.  Cllr Tom Bean agreed to pursue.

Kanes’ deliveries:  John Careless reported that a proposal to open the barrier earlier, at 5.30am, had been suggested, and North and Middle Littleton Parish Council had been in touch with Wychavon.

Community Speedwatch: Roger Gilks reported that activity by the local beat police constable had yielded some good results, although there were safety constraints for the police when stopping drivers in Manor Road.

 Bus “Brains Trust”.  The chairman welcomed Chris Holloway and Michele Jones from the County Council.  Chris has particular responsibility for buses in South Worcestershire, and gave a short briefing, with input from Michele, on the details of, and constraints (mainly legal and financial) on, subsidised services.  There then followed a lively question and answer session, covering inter alia policy, route maps, timetable information and routing.  Some changes to services will come about due to Evesham’s High Street enhancement programme.  Members of the Forum found this a useful and instructive session. 

Integrated Passenger Transport Strategy.  Clive Bostle and Tony Jerram gave a brief update on the first “Best Practice” consultation day  at Smite on 6 November.  The second consultation was due on 28 November.

 Vale Freight Quality Parnership.  Hazel Mitchell reported on the meeting on 15 November, where County Council reps had reported that flood recovery was still a priority.  Other issues discussed included the putative Gloucestershire AONB weight restrictions, Sustrans ownership of bridges, the Cropthorne chasm (road useable from 8 December) and problems with foreign vehicles and drivers.

South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy.  The chairman reminded the Forum that the “Issues and Options” consultation period for this will end on 14 December; it was important for all Parish Councils and as many members of the public as possible to respond.  The full Issues and Options paper and detailed questionnaire can be viewed at www.swjcs.org - there is also a leaflet with short pull-out questionnaire for the public plus a freepost return address.

 AGM Arrangements.  Suggestions for this included attendance by RHA rep, or Peter Luff, or return visit by Chris Holloway.  The chairman asked for nominees for chairman’s and secretary’s post, as the future of the Forum was dependent on new blood. 

Any other Business.

Martin Bent raised HGV Operator licence applications at Cleeve Prior and Blackminster: Badsey Parish Council is now involved.

Tom Bean emphasized the heavy involvement of Gloucestershire CC with flood recovery and its “knock-on” effect on the Willersey weight restriction process.

Pete Smith reported further problems with HGVs outside CBG’s premises at Blackminster – Badsey Parish Council will consider action at its December meeting.     

    The chairman offered members sight of the supporting documents for the first Integrated    

    Passenger Transport Strategy consultation day. 

Date of next meeting and Annual General Meeting.  Tuesday 19^th February 2008 at 7.45 pm at the Royal British Legion Club, Bretforton