Honeybourne Parish Council Chairman’s report -2023/2024
Good evening everyone and welcome to our Annual Parish Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to update you on what the Parish Council have been up to in the past 12 months. It is also an opportunity for the various voluntary organisations within the village to report on all their activities over the past yea.
Honeybourne Sports Field
At last year’s annual meeting I reported that the PC were successful in their grant application to Wychavon District Council Legacy Fund, along with Section 106 monies, we were able to commence work on improving the grounds at the Sport Fields, providing a boules court, a trim trail and outdoor gym equipment. The project was completed at the end of June 2023. In October the Parish Council held an official opening of the new facilities at the Sport Field attended by our local MP Mr Nigel Huddleston. The Vice-Chair of Wychavon District Council, Cllr George Duffy officially opened the facilities on behalf of the Parish Council.
The local boules team gave a demonstration on how to play the game before the public and guests tried their skills.
In spite of the inclement weather this winter a good number of residents have braved the conditions and made good use of the new facilities. Two new benches have been located at the Sports Field and the existing picnic tables and seating were refurbished. A secure container for storage was obtained and is located adjacent to the sports field car park. Also, to improve security, a new CCTV system, covering the whole Sports Field, has been installed.
Annual Inspections
An annual safety inspection of the equipment at the Sports Field and The Leys were carried out by RoSPA Play Safety. The PC’s handyman continues to inspect the equipment on a weekly basis.
The Leys Playing Field
A new eight-seater picnic bench was installed next to the play area and two gabion benches were placed in the Wildflower meadow. Our thanks goes out to a local resident who kindly donated one of these benches in memory of their grandparents. 
A single junior goal post was erected which is being well used.
Defibrillators
Following requests from residents for an additional defibrillator to be installed at the top end of the village the PC would like to thank the proprietor of Ludify Automotive for allowing us to place the defibrillator on the wall of retail unit in Sycamore Drive. The defibrillator is registered with West Midlands Ambulance Services and was funded by the Department of Health and the PC.
VAS
The Parish Council is grateful to County Cllr Adams for his assistance in helping the Parish to obtain permission from WCC Highways to install a VAS on the grass verge by ‘The Fish’ sign, The Co-Op and Garden centre. We’re now just waiting for the post be erected by Worcestershire County Council Highways department. An application for funding for an additional VAS sign was submitted to the West Mercia Police Commissioner’s Grant. Unfortunately we were not successful in our grant application due to over subscription from other parishes in Worcestershire so the sign has been funded by the PC. There are now 3 VAS signs in Honeybourne which will hopefully remind people to adhere to the speed limit whilst driving through the village.
Training and equipment for PRoW (Public Right of Way) volunteers
The PC are supporting the volunteers with training in the safe use of their mechanical equipment as well as purchasing a strimmer, a hedge cutter and PPE.
Community Litter Pick
The PC held community litter picks in the spring and autumn in conjunction with the National Keep Britain Tidy.
GWR Poppies to Paddington Event
I had the privilege to be invited by GWR to represent Honeybourne Parish Council to participate in their Poppies to Paddington event on Friday 10th November at 7:57am when the train passed through Honeybourne Station. I handed a poppy wreath to the GWR team for the onward journey to Paddington Station. Our wreath, along with dozens of other wreaths from across the GWR network, were then displayed at the War Memorial in the station for Armistice Day.
GWR started the Poppy Trains during the Covid lockdown when local memorial ceremonies were not always possible. The Poppies Trains have been so well supported, GWR have continued to run every year.
Remembrance Sunday Service
I also attended the Remembrance service at St Ecgwin Church. Following the service, I laid the PC’s wreath at the War Memorial in the church grounds.
Civic Service
The Chair of Wychavon District Council, Cllr Raphel invited the Chairs/Mayors from the District to attend his Civic Service at Pershore Abbey to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Wychavon District Council which I attended together with my partner Mark.
Wychavon Community Roadshow
The Parish Council, in conjunction with the community safety team from Wychavon District Council, hosted the Property and Home Security Roadshow. Their crime prevention trained officers offered free advice on how to better protect your home and personal belongings, to help you reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft or burglary.
The Civility and Respect Pledge
At the meeting on the 12th March 2024, members of Honeybourne Parish Council unanimously agreed to sign up to the Civility & Respect Pledge.
The Civility and Respect Pledge is part of a project created and overseen by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations, to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a positive cultural change for the local council sector.
Poor behaviour, bullying or rudeness in public life should never be tolerated and by signing the pledge, we are again affirming our commitment to standing up for mutual respect and the pledge makes it clear exactly what that involves.
Honeybourne Parish Council Community Grants
The PC awarded the following voluntary groups grants to help support their activities;
- Honeybourne Indoor Bowls
- Honeybourne Village News
- Honeybourne Village Fete
Planning Applications
The Parish Council have reviewed 16 planning applications in the last year ranging from a landscaping application for the Owl Homes Development, to outline planning in the parish, domestic extensions and industrial applications. Among the applications the PC, with the help of their planning consultant, Brodie Planning submitted objections to 2 outline planning applications for the development of 40 dwellings and erection of a self-build dwelling. The PC would like to thank both Brodie Planning and our District Cllr Hannah Robson who successfully supported the PC’s objections for both applications at WDC Planning Committee meeting. At this time I would also like to take the opportunity once again to say a massive “thank you” to the small but very dedicated team volunteers who devoted a significant amount of their own time of the course of two years supported by Brodie Planning to compile our Local Neighbourhood Plan. It was due to the LNP along with the support from Bodie Planning and our District Councillor, that both these applications were refused by WDC Planning Committee.
General
Due to work commitments Cllrs Z Thorpe and C Steward resigned this year. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank them for their time in office and for all their help and support over the past year. Cllr Balbur Dubb was co-opted onto the Council during the year and the council now currently has 3 casual vacancies. If anyone would like to become a councillor please contact the Clerk.
Finally, I would like to thank our Clerk for all her great work, help, guidance and support over the past year and all my fellow Councillors, County Cllr Alistair Adams and District Cllrs Judith Ciotti and Hannah Robson for their support during the year. Also thank you to all the volunteers and residents for your support to make Honeybourne better place for all.
Before I end my report, I would like to invite everyone to attend the 80th D-Day Anniversary commemoration on 6th June at the Village Hall from 6:30pm. The PC will be holding a free Silver Band Concert, poetry reading by our local school children and the lighting of the peace Beacon at 9:15pm. As it is also the National Fish & Chips Day a mobile food truck will be on hand to sell Fish & chips and there will be a pop a bar.
Cllr Heath Jobes
Chair of Honeybourne Parish Council
