Council Meeting 10.12.25

1)          Declare the existence of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI), Other Registerable Interest (ORI) or Non-Registerable Interest (NRI) for any agenda item

2)          Confirm the nature of the interest by explaining the connection between the interest and the agenda item, and

3)          State what action (if any) they will take in relation to the interest when the agenda item is discussed*

*In the case of a DPI or ORI the obligation is to not participate in any discussion or vote and to leave the meeting room, unless the member has a dispensation from the Clerk to the Parish Council.

If the existence and nature of any interest only becomes apparent later in the meeting it must be disclosed immediately. If a DPI or ORI is not already registered, members must notify the Clerk to the Parish Council of the interest within 28 days.

Members are also reminded of the need to declare predetermination on any matter.

If Members are unsure about whether or not they have an interest, or about its nature, they are strongly advised to seek advice from the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Chairman to Move: The Meeting & Standing Orders be now adjourned:

a. Open Forum:

At the Chairman’s discretion residents are invited to give their views and question the Parish Council on issues on this Agenda, namely Planning Matters/Finance Matters. No other matters will be considered. Members of the public may not take part in the Parish Council Meeting.  There will be no discussion by members of the Council during this session but the views expressed may be considered later as part of particular agenda items.  During this period, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, members of the Council who have a disclosable interest (but not a disclosable pecuniary interest) in an item on the Agenda may also make representations, answer questions, or give evidence relating to that item.

Chairman to Move: To close the adjournment and the suspension of Standing Orders

To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19^th November 2025 at the Memorial Hal, Salford Priors.

Planning Matters To Consider :

None at time of publication.

Planning Matters Considered:

a)          25/02501/FUL Proposed : Proposed replacement agricultural building (original building destroyed by fire) at Moat Farm, Abbots Salford, Evesham, WR11 8UT. Following consultation via email Clerk responded with “ The Parish Council fully supports the application for a sensitively designed replacement agricultural building at Moat Farm. This former building was a long-standing part of the farmyard and contributed positively to the rural character and to key views from Salford Hall (a nearby heritage asset).

Replacing the buildings in a way that reflects the former massing, scale and material palette — while ensuring the replacement is legible as a modern reconstruction and economically viable — is the best outcome for the conservation area, the setting of Salford Hall and the wider local area.

The Parish Council’s support is based on the planning and heritage policy context set out below and on the site-specific justification that replacement development will conserve and enhance the historic environment in this location if it follows the recommended approach as set out in the heritage statement.

1. Historic context and harm/benefit balance

• The former agricultural buildings formed part of the historic farmyard associated with Salford Hall and contributed to a long-established rural view and to the character of the Abbots Salford Conservation Area. The fire has removed that historic fabric; the harm from their loss already exists. A sensitive replacement that restores the massing and reinforces the farmyard character will therefore reduce the adverse effect on the setting of Salford Hall and the conservation area. This approach is consistent with the principle in the NPPF of conserving and enhancing the historic environment and taking account of setting when assessing proposals that affect heritage assets.
• Stratford’s Core Strategy (Policy CS.8) requires that the Council have regard to the desirability of preserving the historic asset and its setting and that applicants assess the significance of heritage assets. Policy CS.9 requires proposals to reflect local distinctiveness and use appropriate materials. The replacement scheme as described (replicating general mass/scale, careful choice of materials, avoiding unnecessary ‘like-for-like’ pastiche) aligns with these policies.

2. Neighbourhood Plan conformity

• The Salford Seven (Salford Priors) Neighbourhood Development Plan is part of the development plan for the parish and includes objectives to protect the environment, local character and locally important built assets. The principle of replacing a destroyed farm building in a way that conserves character, supports rural economic use and protects views conforms with the neighbourhood plan’s aims and with the NDP’s ). The Parish Council therefore considers the proposal to be in general conformity with the neighbourhood plan.

3. Design approach — legibility and viability

• The Parish Council welcomes the applicant’s recognition that an exact ‘like-for-like’ reconstruction is not necessarily appropriate if it would mask the building’s origins or make the scheme economically unviable. The preferred approach (replicating the general mass, footprint and rooflines; using traditional local materials where practicable; but allowing obvious modern construction details where necessary so the building remains legible as post-fire replacement) strikes the right balance between heritage conservation and economic viability.

This approach also follows national guidance that encourages proportionate, evidence-based solutions and design that is sensitive to context.

    4. Economic viability:

• The Parish Council accepts that preserving the general character of the farmstead must be balanced against the economic viability of the replacement. The Council asks the LPA to allow pragmatic modern construction solutions where they demonstrably secure viability and the overall conservation benefit (subject to the above controls). This is consistent with the applicant’s submitted justification and with national guidance on proportionate responses to heritage assets.
• Conclusion

For the reasons set out above — the existing loss of fabric, the clear potential for a replacement to reduce harm to the setting of Salford Hall and to restore the character of the Abbots Salford Conservation Area, and the proposal’s ability to conform with the NPPF, Stratford-on-Avon Core Strategy (CS.8 / CS.9) and the Salford Priors Neighbourhood Plan — therefore the Parish Council fully supports application 25/02501/FUL, subject to  conditions.

Decisions:

b)          25/02115/LBC Proposed window and door alterations and installation of gas meter box at The Barns, Station Road, Salford Priors, Evesham WR11 8UX. CONSENT GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS

c)          25/02298/FUL Removal of old conservatory and replacing to new brick and block constructed

extension to form new sunroom for all year round use at 6 Cleeve View, Evesham Road, Salford Priors, Evesham WR11 8UW. PERMISSION WITH CONDITIONS

d)          25/02509/TREE -G1, Group of semi-mature ash & beech – Prune back to suitable secondary branches to ensure up to 2m clearance from dwelling. All pruning cuts to be made at branch junctions, leaving sufficient live growth to maintain or enhance crown for at The Barns, Station Road, Salford Priors, Evesham, WR11 8UX.

e)          25/02657/HHPA – Proposed single storey rear extension at 29 Dunnington, Alcester, B49 5NT. PRIOR APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED

a)          To note the payments made between meetings.

b)          Consideration and approval of the payments and transfers listed in Appendix A and to agree 2 Councillor signatories to sign the payments sheet.

c)          To consider the request from St Matthews Church for funding.

d)          To consider quote for replacement door to the Parish Office, Memorial Hall, Salford Priors.

e)          To consider the purchase of 3 further bleed kits.

f)            To note the bank account balances

To consider setting a minimum general reserve for 2026/2027

To receive update.

a)          To consider Salford Priors Parish Council Precept and Budget Proposal for FY 2026/27

b)          To move the resolution to set a precept on the Stratford on Avon District Council for the financial Year 2026/2027

“that the Salford Priors Parish Council set a precept on the Stratford on Avon District Council of £—– for the municipal year 2026/2027”.

To confirm the date of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting at 7.00pm on Wednesday 21^st January 2026 at the Memorial Hall Salford Priors.

Cllrs Meakins & Price – accepted

Non Attendance – Cllr Stanley

Cllr James warmly welcomed the newly elected District Councillor Ashley Jones, wishing him every success for his term of office.

Members were reminded that they must act solely in the public interest and should never improperly confer

an advantage or disadvantage on any person or act to gain financial or other material benefits for

themselves, their family, a friend, or close associate.

Declare the existence of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI), Other Registerable Interest (ORI) or Non-Registerable Interest (NRI) for any agenda item

Declaration of Interests: DPI – None declared, ORI – None declared, NRI – None declared

Members were also reminded of the need to declare predetermination on any matter.

a)          No members of public were present.

b)          No under 18s were present.

The Chairman closed the open forum and reconvened the meeting at 19:04

The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19^th November 2025 at the Memorial Hall, Salford Priors were agreed by the Council to be a true record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

Planning Matters Considered :

a)          25/02810/LDE – Proposed- existing use of land as domestic curtilage associated with dwellinghouse at Rough Hill, Low Road, Church Lench, WR11 4UH. This is an application for a certificate of lawful development and not a formal planning application. Following discussion the council made the following observation:

The Parish Council has reviewed the submitted evidence and considers that there appear to be gaps and inconsistencies within the timelines provided, particularly in relation to the continuous use of the land as domestic curtilage.   In accordance with the Section 191 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate, on the balance of probability, that the use described has been lawful and continuous for the required period. As such, it is unclear whether the evidence fully demonstrates the uninterrupted period required to support the application. The Parish Council therefore asks that the Local Planning Authority carefully assess the completeness and accuracy of the evidence, including dates and duration of use.

b)         25/03006/S106 – Approval of Public Open Space Completion Certificate in accordance with Schedule 2, Clause 5 of Section 106 Agreement dated 4 September 2018, and Supplemental Agreement dated 19 August 2021 relating to 18/01498/OUT and 19/01507/VAR at land off School Rd, Salford Priors. Following discussion the council made the following observation.

The Parish Council notes that extensive works have been undertaken this autumn to the Public Open Space, including a number of tree replacements, however, the Council continues to have concerns regarding the overall quality and completeness of the works.
In particular, the Council considers that the grass sward remains uneven and of inconsistent quality, and that the wildflower areas require significant husbandry and replanting to achieve the intended standard.

The Parish Council also notes that there appears to be no evidence of bulb planting around trees, as required by the approved landscaping details.

Following the recent dry summer, the Parish Council is unable to confirm that all areas previously affected by surface water have been fully resolved, and remains concerned that drainage issues may persist.

While the Council acknowledges that remedial works have been carried out by the developer, it notes that the Enforcement Officer’s report of December 2020 identified additional matters of concern, including issues relating to site boundary treatments and surface finishes, which were not limited solely to the areas recently addressed.

The Parish Council therefore requests that the Local Planning Authority carefully considers whether the Public Open Space meets the required formal standard for completion, and that all outstanding matters are fully resolved before approval of the Completion Certificate is granted.

Planning Matters Considered via email:

c)          25/02501/FUL Proposed – replacement agricultural building (original building destroyed by fire) at Moat Farm, Abbots Salford, Evesham, WR11 8UT. Following consultation via email Clerk responded with “The Parish Council fully supports the application for a sensitively designed replacement agricultural building at Moat Farm. This former building was a long-standing part of the farmyard and contributed positively to the rural character and to key views from Salford Hall (a nearby heritage asset).

Replacing the buildings in a way that reflects the former massing, scale and material palette — while ensuring the replacement is legible as a modern reconstruction and economically viable — is the best outcome for the conservation area, the setting of Salford Hall and the wider local area.

The Parish Council’s support is based on the planning and heritage policy context set out below and on the site-specific justification that replacement development will conserve and enhance the historic environment in this location if it follows the recommended approach as set out in the heritage statement.

1. Historic context and harm/benefit balance

• The former agricultural buildings formed part of the historic farmyard associated with Salford Hall and contributed to a long-established rural view and to the character of the Abbots Salford Conservation Area. The fire has removed that historic fabric; the harm from their loss already exists. A sensitive replacement that restores the massing and reinforces the farmyard character will therefore reduce the adverse effect on the setting of Salford Hall and the conservation area. This approach is consistent with the principle in the NPPF of conserving and enhancing the historic environment and taking account of setting when assessing proposals that affect heritage assets.
• Stratford’s Core Strategy (Policy CS.8) requires that the Council have regard to the desirability of preserving the historic asset and its setting and that applicants assess the significance of heritage assets. Policy CS.9 requires proposals to reflect local distinctiveness and use appropriate materials. The replacement scheme as described (replicating general mass/scale, careful choice of materials, avoiding unnecessary ‘like-for-like’ pastiche) aligns with these policies.

2. Neighbourhood Plan conformity

• The Salford Seven (Salford Priors) Neighbourhood Development Plan is part of the development plan for the parish and includes objectives to protect the environment, local character and locally important built assets. The principle of replacing a destroyed farm building in a way that conserves character, supports rural economic use and protects views conforms with the neighbourhood plan’s aims and with the NDP’s ). The Parish Council therefore considers the proposal to be in general conformity with the neighbourhood plan.

3. Design approach — legibility and viability

• The Parish Council welcomes the applicant’s recognition that an exact ‘like-for-like’ reconstruction is not necessarily appropriate if it would mask the building’s origins or make the scheme economically unviable. The preferred approach (replicating the general mass, footprint and rooflines; using traditional local materials where practicable; but allowing obvious modern construction details where necessary so the building remains legible as post-fire replacement) strikes the right balance between heritage conservation and economic viability.

This approach also follows national guidance that encourages proportionate, evidence-based solutions and design that is sensitive to context.

    4. Economic viability: 

• The Parish Council accepts that preserving the general character of the farmstead must be balanced against the economic viability of the replacement. The Council asks the LPA to allow pragmatic modern construction solutions where they demonstrably secure viability and the overall conservation benefit (subject to the above controls). This is consistent with the applicant’s submitted justification and with national guidance on proportionate responses to heritage assets.

Conclusion

• For the reasons set out above — the existing loss of fabric, the clear potential for a replacement to reduce harm to the setting of Salford Hall and to restore the character of the Abbots Salford Conservation Area, and the proposal’s ability to conform with the NPPF, Stratford-on-Avon Core Strategy (CS.8 / CS.9) and the Salford Priors Neighbourhood Plan — therefore the Parish Council fully supports application 25/02501/FUL, subject to  conditions.

Decisions:

d)         25/02115/LBC Proposed window and door alterations and installation of gas meter box at The Barns, Station Road, Salford Priors, Evesham WR11 8UX. CONSENT GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS

e)         25/02298/FUL Removal of old conservatory and replacing to new brick and block constructed

extension to form new sunroom for all year round use at 6 Cleeve View, Evesham Road, Salford Priors, Evesham WR11 8UW. PERMISSION WITH CONDITIONS

f)            25/02509/TREE -G1, Group of semi-mature ash & beech – Prune back to suitable secondary branches to ensure up to 2m clearance from dwelling. All pruning cuts to be made at branch junctions, leaving sufficient live growth to maintain or enhance crown for at The Barns, Station Road, Salford Priors, Evesham, WR11 8UX. NO OBJECTION.

g)          25/02657/HHPA – Proposed single storey rear extension at 29 Dunnington, Alcester, B49 5NT. PRIOR APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED

h)         25/02370/TREE -T1 silver birch Fell, -T2 silver birch – Fell, -T3 sugar maple – Remove deadwood and mistletoe, -T4 Acacia – Remove deadwood, -T5 alder (by lamp) – Fell (dead), -T6 poplar – the car park) at Salford Hall Hotel, Abbots Salford, Evesham, WR11 8UT. NO OBJECTION

i)            25/00865/REM – Reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for Plot 1 only pursuant to outline application 24/00614/VARY for 16no. self-build and custom housebuilding plots at Land West Of Evesham Road, Salford Priors , WR11 8UR. APPROVAL

a)          The council gave consideration and approval of the payments listed in Appendix A.  It was proposed to accept these by Cllr McClean, seconded by Cllr Green and agreed by all Councillors. It was agreed that Cllrs Howarth & Maude would sign the payments sheet confirming the payments in Appendix A have been approved by full Council and there is provision within the budget, financial regulations and relevant policies have been followed.

b)          Members considered a request from St Matthew’s Church for financial support to replace the heating system and to carry out repairs to the roof and guttering. Quotes for the heating replacement are approximately £27,000, and the church has secured a £15,000 NetZero Fund grant, leaving a £12,000 shortfall. Roof repairs are expected to cost £8,000. Cllr James reminded Members that £3,000 had previously been granted towards roof repair work. He noted that recent changes in legislation now permit Local Authorities to fund improvements to churches. Cllr James proposed that the Parish Council allocate £12,000 from CIL funds to support the heating replacement. Cllr Green seconded the proposal, and it was unanimously approved. Clerk to advise the Churchwarden and arrange for the transfer once bank account details confirmed.

c)          Members considered the quote of £1,213 from the Memorial Hall for a premium quality PVC replacement office door. Although this is the landlord’s responsibility, it was resolved to contribute 50% of the cost to expedite the process. It was noted that the flooring installation has had to be delayed and the office has been unusable for several weeks.

d)          The Clerk reported that two bleed kits had recently been donated and placed in two defibrillator cabinets. As this is not recommended, it was proposed that one kit be relocated to The Bell Inn and the other to Salford Hall Hotel. Cllr James further proposed the purchase of an additional bleed kit to be placed in the Post Office & Shop. The Clerk will contact each establishment to confirm whether they are willing to hold a kit.

e)          Members noted the bank account balances:

Cllr James proposed to set a minimum general revenue reserve for 26/27 of £55,000, seconded by Cllr Howarth.  Unanimous approval by all present.

Members reviewed the budget in detail, examining each line item thoroughly. While certain budget areas are expected to slightly exceed projections, others are anticipated to come in under, resulting in an overall surplus of approximately £4,000.

a)          The Chairman, Cllr Kim James, provided an overview of the recent Public Consultation Meeting regarding future Parish Council budget expenditure. Councillors present were Cllrs James (Chairman), R Green, L Maude, A Richardson, M Howarth, J Meakins and J McLean, along with nine members of the public.
The following items were discussed (not in any preferential order):

–        Village Archive Life Story Event – Proposed support of £350, to be funded through a grant application.

–        British Sign Language Course – Request for a donation of up to £25 per participant. Cllr James proposed that participants contribute £10 each towards the cost. Cllr Maude proposed a budget of £500, seconded by Cllr James, and approved unanimously. This to be placed in the Chairman’s General Fund.

–        Additional Litter Bin request for the B4088, south of Dunnington crossroads in the layby. Proposed by Cllr Maude, seconded by Cllr James, and approved unanimously.

–        Additional Benches – Noted that several benches already exist around the parish; no immediate action proposed.

–        Refurbishment of Princess Diana Memorial Area – To be added to the Project Register.

–        Improving Communications – Current communication methods include the parish website, email updates for subscribers, social media, and noticeboards.

–        Potential Drone Landing Site for Medical/Delivery Hub – To be added to the Project Register.

–        Christmas Decorations on Streetlight Columns – To be added to the Project Register.

–        Placemaking Banners on Streetlight Columns – To be added to the Project Register.

–        Replacement of remaining Councillor’s tablets – Estimated cost £2,000.

–        Youth Initiatives – £1,000, already included on the Project Register.

–        Additional Streetlights x 2 – St Matthews & Perkins Close, estimated cost £18,000, to be added to the Project Register.

–        CCTV installed on TOPs to monitor vandalism on the playing field  (Resident Request) – not supported.

b)          The Chairman invited the Council to consider the forecast expenditure for 2026/2027. Members reviewed the projected expenditure and, following discussion, agreed a total projected spend of £90,600. Taking into account the estimated £4,000 surplus from 2025/26, Cllr James proposed that “Salford Priors Parish Council set a precept of £88,000 on Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the municipal year 2026/2027”. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Richardson and approved unanimously. Clerk to submit precept demand to the Stratford District on Avon District Council.

Council confirmed the date of the next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 15^th January 2026 at 7.00pm in the Memorial Hall, Salford Priors.