Annual Parish Meeting 23.4.25

• Curriculum Development: Significant progress was made in building a coherent, knowledge-rich curriculum with a strong focus on reasoning, analysis, and memory retention. The English curriculum was notably enhanced with purposeful writing tasks and diverse, inspiring texts.
• Enrichment Activities: Memorable events included a whole-school trip to the Space Centre, Sports Day, and a KS2 production of Pirates of the Curry-Bean. The school bid farewell to Year 6 students, who have transitioned successfully to secondary schools.
• New Arrivals & SEND Support: In September, new Reception pupils and staff joined, particularly to support pupils with additional needs, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusive education.
• Ofsted Inspection: In October, Ofsted rated the school “Good” across all areas. The report praised:
  • Strong teacher-student relationships
  • An ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum
  • Effective teaching and assessment
  • Wide-ranging extracurricular opportunities
  • Strong sporting and cultural education
  • Inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs
• Facilities & Partnerships: A new trim trail was installed with support from The Perkins Trust. The school continues to enjoy rich engagement with visitors, including local engineers and the fire brigade, and maintains close ties with St Matthew’s Church.
• Challenges & Transition: Falling pupil numbers remain a concern. Despite this, the school remains a warm and welcoming environment. Helen Bowen announced her departure at the end of the Spring Term for a new opportunity, expressing confidence in the continued strength of the school community and leadership.

The Chairman then introduced Police & Crime Commissioner Phillip Seccombe.

PCC Seccombe talked through through the Police & Crime Plan which sets the strategy with all the partners concerned with community safety and care services. It is split 3 major parts:

Strengthening Policing

–        Growing the Police Force to Match Population Increases
The number of police officers has grown significantly from 800 in 2016 to 1,130 today, reflecting a substantial and broadly welcomed investment in public safety across the county. Plans are in place to further increase officer numbers to boost visibility, improve community engagement, and respond more effectively to public concerns.

–        Strengthening Neighbourhood Policing
A recent grant of £1.3 million will support the recruitment of additional neighbourhood officers. The county currently has 33 Safer Neighbourhood Teams responsible for local policing, and 10 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be allocated across these teams to enhance local presence and responsiveness.

–        Upholding High Standards in Recruitment and Conduct
All officers will continue to be thoroughly vetted, carefully selected, and well-managed throughout their careers. Integrity and professionalism are essential, and every officer is expected to perform their duties to the highest ethical standards.

–        Improving Crime Outcomes and Supporting Victims
Monthly crime statistics are carefully tracked, and results are encouraging—burglary rates, for instance, have dropped by 40% since before the pandemic. The Commissioner emphasized the importance of understanding and supporting victims, alongside public education initiatives to help communities stay safe.

Safeguarding People

–        Reduce violent crime:

Organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking operate not only in towns and cities but also in villages. PCC Seccombe works closely with regional partners to disrupt these networks and deter them from entering the county.

–        Tackle abuse and exploitation

These are serious issues, but more people are now willing to report such crimes. Close collaboration with all partners is essential to reduce these incidents as much as possible.

–        Reduce reoffending

Breaking the cycle of reoffending is vital. People leaving prison need support and guidance to reintegrate into society and understand what a stable life looks like. Many ex-offenders face homelessness, which only increases their risk of reoffending.

–        Cut road casualties

More than 30 people are killed each year on Warwickshire roads, and around 300 suffer life-changing injuries. The county has committed to reducing these numbers by 50% by 2030.

Protecting Communities

–        Tackle serious organised crime

Warwickshire is increasingly affected by cross-border organised crime groups involved in theft, modern slavery, shoplifting, and even rural crimes such as livestock theft. These gangs often travel into the county to target homes, businesses, and farms. Reducing theft, burglary, and robbery is a top priority, as these are the crimes that most concern residents and business owners. It is vital to effectively disrupt the activities of organised crime networks.

–        Address the rise in cyber-crime

Cyber-crime is becoming more widespread. As more people rely on the internet in daily life, it is essential to raise awareness and help users understand how they can protect themselves online.

–        Tackling rural crime

Criminals do target rural areas like South Warwickshire, and this is taken seriously. A dedicated Rural Crime Team has been established in Warwickshire, recovering over £5 million worth of stolen goods—including quad bikes and farm machinery. The team also has responsibility for protecting listed buildings, war memorials, and wildlife across the county.

–        Confronting antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour is a crime that can have a devastating impact, especially in smaller communities. It is important to emphasise one clear message: all crime, including antisocial behaviour, must be reported.

–        Improving the criminal justice system

The PCC chairs the Warwickshire Criminal Justice Board, a forum focused on addressing key challenges within the system—most urgently, tackling the severe backlog of court cases and ensuring victims get timely access to justice.

–        Community policing and visibility

Many residents, particularly in villages, would like to see more visible police presence. Suggestions have been made for officers to engage directly with the community—for example, by visiting local Warm Hubs to speak with residents.

While there are currently not enough PCSOs, the PCC holds weekly meetings with the Chief Constable where the issue of visibility is regularly discussed. A designated PCSO is already assigned to Shipston and should be making visits to the Warm Hubs—he will be reminded to introduce himself and engage with the community.

–        5x5x5 Patrol Initiative

To increase local visibility, a new initiative is being rolled out: 5 locations, 5 villages, 5 beat areas, walking 5km over 5 days. This community-focused effort will be promoted through social media and is already underway across key areas.

–        Plain-clothed officers

Residents should also be aware that some police officers operate in plain clothes as part of their duties, which may explain a less visible presence at times.

–        Non-emergency call system

Concerns have been raised about the time it takes to get through on the non-emergency number (101). For example, Cllr James recently waited 58 minutes before being connected—though once through, the service was efficient. The current phone system is part of a national structure, and while it involves navigating several menu options, efforts are being made to simplify it.

If a crime is happening or someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. The new control room is now fully operational, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by 80 people on shift at any one time. A call-back service is now in place for less urgent queries during peak times, and a triage service aims to respond within one minute.

The PCC is actively pressing the Chief Constable to improve call-handling efficiency further, and additional staff training is underway. Notably, 96% of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds, showing strong performance where it matters most.

–        Invasive burglary

In the event of a burglary where someone enters the home, a police officer will visit the victim in person as part of the response.

–        Car key safety

Residents are reminded to store car keys well away from the front door to prevent relay thefts. Ideally, keys should be kept in a signal-blocking (lead-lined) box to reduce risk.

Members of the public were then invited to ask questions.

–        Helen Bowen, Headteacher, shared that the school had recently welcomed a visit from a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), which had been a valuable and enjoyable experience for the children.

–        One resident raised concerns about drug dealing in the community. He was advised to report any such activity, as well as any sightings of suspicious vehicles, to the authorities.

–        In response to a question about collaboration with neighbouring authorities, it was explained that the country is divided into regions, each supported by a Regional Organised Crime Unit funded by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). These units facilitate mutual aid between forces when additional support is needed.

–        Speeding issues were highlighted, particularly around dangerous roundabouts at the village’s edge.

–        It was noted that the local Speed Watch Group would welcome increased police support in monitoring vehicle speeds. A concern was raised that a police camera van has never been seen in the village. Speed Watch Groups were encouraged to continue submitting reports to the police, as this helps in building a clearer picture of ongoing issues.

–        Discussion also included the importance of engineering measures, police enforcement, and public education to address the “fatal four” causes of road accidents: speeding, drug and alcohol use, and mobile phone use while driving.

–        It was mentioned that a new speed gun is available, and there was interest in seeing a demonstration. A comparison was made between Warwickshire and Worcestershire, noting that the latter has more visible traffic signs and Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS).

–        Parking was also discussed. Although poorly parked cars can be inconvenient, it was pointed out that they can have the unintended benefit of slowing traffic.

–        Regarding Smart Water, it was confirmed that it is available in Warwickshire and distributed through Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The Chairman expressed gratitude to the Commissioner and PC Sid Hammond, noting that it is in everyone’s best interest for the Commissioner’s plan to succeed. Salford Priors has traditionally maintained strong relationships with its PCSOs and the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Appreciation was also extended to PCC Seccombe, his team, Warwickshire Police, and the Alcester South division for their continued efforts in protecting residents and ensuring community safety.

The Chairman introduced Sarah Brooke-Taylor – Warwickshire Rural Community Council. She is the Rural Housing Enabler and provided the following summary report from the recently delivered Housing Needs Survey.

–        Surveys Distributed: 600+ across the parish.

–        Total Responses Received: 49

o   Valid Responses Analysed: 16

o   Discounted Responses: 33 (either blank or respondents already adequately housed)

Key Findings

1.          Housing Needs Identified – Top Reasons for Housing Need:

–        Starter / first homes

–        Downsizing

–        Accessible properties

Preferred Housing Types:

–        Bungalows

–        Smaller homes

–        2 individuals expressed interest in self-build opportunities

2.          Current Living Situations – Rental Information:

–        5 households reported rental costs

–        Average rent = 26.6% of gross income (slightly below the 1/3 affordability benchmark)

Tenure Preferences Among 16 Households:

–        Rental: 11

–        Shared Ownership: 2

–        Owner-Occupier: 3 (all looking to downsize to bungalows)

3. Housing Register & Local Demand – Local Authority Housing Waiting List:

–        4 of the 16 respondents are registered

–        Total of 77 parish households currently registered (as of February)

·       Local Connection Evidence:

–        Majority live in the parish

–        Connections include current work in parish, close family, or previous residence

4. Planning & Policy Considerations – Use of Data:

Supplementary evidence for Stratford District Council when assessing planning applications

Parish Council and local community can use data to support or challenge development proposals

Next Steps:

Full report to be presented in May Parish Council meeting and published on the parish website

Informs future decisions on meeting local housing need

5. Additional Notes

16 “Self-Build” Plots Approved:

Not genuine self-build due to requirement to use a named builder

Homes priced between £750,000–£1.1 million

Used as a mechanism to build outside the village boundary via national planning loophole

The Chairman thanked Sarah for her presentation and acknowledged the value of the survey in evidencing local housing needs and affirmed it will guide planning and community discussions.

It’s a privilege to present this year’s Chairman’s Annual Report 2024/2025, which reflects on another busy and productive year for Salford Priors Parish Council.

As the closest tier of local government to the public, the Parish Council plays a vital role in representing the interests of our residents, delivering local services, and acting as the first point of contact on many local issues. In a time of continued devolution, parish councils are being called upon to take on more responsibility. This brings its challenges—managing growing expectations with limited resources—but also real opportunities to shape our community in meaningful and practical ways.

Over the past year, we’ve maintained a proactive and collaborative approach, working not only within the parish but also alongside partners such as Warwickshire County Council and our Member of Parliament.

Key highlights include the joint implementation of the Evesham Road and Station Road speed reduction scheme, a long-awaited safety measure that is already making a difference. The creation of a new footway from Willow Park to the bus stop, complete with dropped kerbs, has improved accessibility for all residents.

After more than a decade in planning, we were delighted to see construction begin on the Leisure Trail between Salford Priors and Wixford. Negotiations continue with landowners to fully realise this long-term vision, which will promote connectivity and increased outdoor leisure activity.

Infrastructure improvements have been a major focus. The repair of the TOPs building roof was a significant financial undertaking but a necessary investment in a valuable community facility. We’ve installed three new streetlights on School Road, with two more scheduled between Park Hall Mews and Tothall Lane. A fifth defibrillator was installed at Rushford, further extending this vital public safety provision.

We have also been active in advocacy. We hosted a multi-agency meeting in February, initiated through engagement with our MP, to highlight pressing safety concerns on the A46. We’ve also raised the matter of secondary school place allocations, particularly in relation to Alcester Academy, with a focus on ensuring fair access for local families.

Our Warm Hub & Community Café continues to be an outstanding success. Between September and March, the Winter Hub welcomed 1,772 visitors, offering hot lunches and refreshments every Thursday morning—further proving the value of warm, welcoming community spaces.

Other achievements include:

• New tree planting and three benches installed at Priors Crescent Public Open Space, with an additional two benches placed in Salford Priors
• and Dunnington.
• A replacement noticeboard installed at Rushford.
• Significant upgrades to our parish website and use of social media, improving access and engagement.
• Ongoing discussions with Stratford District Council’s Planning Enforcement Team regarding adoption of open spaces at Priors Crescent and Bomford Way—progress delayed by resourcing issues at the District level.

As a statutory consultee, we made 26 planning observations to the District Council this year.

Our allotments remain in high demand, with a waiting list in place. Plot holders have made excellent progress in maintaining the site. This year we issued new lease agreements, strengthening clauses on good housekeeping and plot termination to ensure fairness and consistency.

The Finance & Audit Panel continues to meet quarterly to review spending, monitor reserves, and oversee budgeting. We have adopted new processes to strengthen our financial oversight and ensure good governance.

When I speak with Councillors from other parishes, I often hear that Salford Priors is seen as a proactive and forward-thinking council. While I take that as a compliment, it also reflects our belief that when a problem can be solved—or a service improved—by parish action, we strive to do just that.

We plan ahead, we budget carefully, and where necessary, we do not shy away from investing in the parish.

While this sometimes requires a higher precept, we never make such decisions lightly. It’s public money, and we treat it with the respect it deserves.

We apply for grants wherever possible—the Warm Hub being a notable success—and always seek value for money, securing multiple quotes before undertaking work. But above all, we believe it is better to invest wisely than allow our assets to deteriorate.

Attendance Record – Full Council

Final Reflections

Of course, not every decision we make is popular. Sometimes we face constraints—we can’t change the law, and there are issues outside our control. At other times, we must balance competing interests. A solution that benefits a few may not be justifiable for the wider community, and we have to weigh these decisions carefully.

But we always listen. And while we listen, we must also think independently and act in the best interest of the parish as a whole. I firmly believe that Salford Priors is fortunate to have a Parish Council that is not only committed, but deeply engaged.

Our Councillors contribute their time, energy, and expertise freely, and that is something not every community can say.

It has been a pleasure to serve alongside such a dedicated group of Councillors, and of course, with our Parish Clerk, whose efficiency, professionalism, and patience are at the heart of our success.

These achievements stand as proof of what a proactive parish council can accomplish when it works with and for its residents. As Councillors, we can either take a passive role or be actively involved in shaping our community’s future.

The year ahead will demand even more of us. But with dedication, cooperation, and vision, I have every confidence we will continue to rise to meet those challenges.

After four decades of service to this parish, I remain proud as Chairman of all we’ve achieved—and optimistic about all that lies ahead.

Cllr Kim James

Chairman, Salford Priors Parish Council

11 members of the public were present:

How soon will the changes take place on the A46?

The landscaping will be carried out from a local budget. The Re-lining of the island will be a short term measure  and will hopefully be installed within the next 12 months. The longer term planning will entail a feasibility report being prepared for improvements between Alcester and Evesham. Major reconstruction of the Evesham bypass is scheduled to begin in 2026. Activated queuing traffic signs have been requested on the approach to the island (Salford Priors to Evesham). Discussions are ongoing with the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office regarding the installation of a speed camera from Stratford to Alcester.

Rubbish on A46

National Highways admitted that Warwickshire County Council and Worcestershire County Council have failed in their rubbish collecting responsibilities. New contractors are now in place and it is hoped improvements will be seen.

Reporting Dangerous Driving

Footage can be uploaded to Operation Snap where evidence of inconsiderate/dangerous driving is perceived for police review.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 9^th April 2024 had been distributed to Council Members on Wednesday 10^th April 2024.  There were no corrections. The Minutes were signed by the Chairman.