North Claines Parish Council has agreed to increase its precept by around 15 per cent for the next financial year, adding to residents’ council tax bills.
The increase was agreed upon at a meeting of North Claines Parish Council on Monday, November 2, and will see the parish council’s portion of the tax bill rise to approximately £73 annually for a Band D household.
The hike comes as the parish council said it needed to account for rising costs and earmark funds for the refurbishment of the Brum play area.
The council acknowledged it needed to allocate £10,000 per year over the next five years to support the refurbishment project, which contributed to the decision to increase the precept to £139,055.
The council’s overall budget for 2027-28 has been set at £158,455.
Financial matters discussed included the approval of invoices for the clerk’s salary, mowing services, tree work, and electricity to lighting across the parish.
Notably, a receipt of £1,500 was recorded for a memorial bench, and a precept of £60,255 from Wychavon District Council was also acknowledged.
Elsewhere, the council tackled a variety of public area improvements.
At the Brum Recreation Ground, new football goal sockets are to be purchased to allow for the repositioning of the goalposts.
A shelter is also due to be installed soon, with a site visit already arranged.
In Bull Meadow, a damaged noticeboard from outside the Post Office has been offered to the council.
The council has agreed to repair and install it on Bull Meadow to advertise help needed for the area and recent wildlife sightings.
The council also noted that a panel on the tractor in Bull Meadow needs tightening and has arranged for Creative Play to address this during a site inspection for the shelter.
Meanwhile, the council noted that ivy around a lamp is reducing the light in the surrounding area.
They also received an update on the replacement of the brick-built bus shelter on the A38 by Worcestershire County Council’s bus stop improvement team.
In planning, the parish council had no objection to the Kings Hawford School application for a single-storey garden room to be used as an outdoor teaching and learning facility.
However, they objected to an application for a two-storey side extension at 10 Morton Avenue, citing that it was out of keeping with other properties on the road.
The council raised no objection to the retention and alteration of a boundary fence at 4 Shrawley Road, Fernhill Heath, provided the alterations were as noted in the application.
In other updates, Cllr P Hamilton noted he was to send an update on the Neighbourhood Plan to the council shortly.
The council noted that Wychavon District Council’s five-year housing supply was not in order, and they received reports from county and district councillors.
Councillor S James reported on the ongoing Worcestershire County Council budget consultation, noting potential major changes, including the possible removal of the parish lengthsman scheme.
Councillors N Wright and D Birch discussed the government’s proposal to keep the current unitary reorganisation, which could see two unitary authorities in Worcestershire by 2029.
The council expressed concern that their new unitary group would assume the debt from Worcester City and Worcester County Council.
On a lighter note, the council reported the success of the scarecrow event, which was enjoyed by people from far and wide.
The next parish council meeting is scheduled for December 7. There will be no meeting in January 2027, with the following meeting set for February 1, 2027.
The North Claines Parish Council meeting was held at Okeys Lane Baptist Church Hall, chaired by Councillor M Farmer, and attended by councillors A Harris, P Hill, S Challoner, M Challoner, B Allen, E Johnstone, R Whitgrove, M Tubby, district councillor Nicolas Wright, and county councillor S James.