Annual Report 2011-12.indd - Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council

Village Hall, Broom 

Project 

<strong>2011</strong>-2012 

Welford Road, Barton 

WELCOME 

TO BIG MEADOW 

BIDFORD-ON-AVON 

<strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council 

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>-2012 

The Big Meadow 

Community 


T: 01789 778653 E: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk W: www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk 

Design by Footprint 

T: 01453 753123 E: steverob.illus@virgin.net 

Artwork by <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Primary School students 

March 2012 

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>/2012 | 1


ANNUAL REPORT <strong>2011</strong>/12 

Message from Cllr. Gerrard, Chairman of <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council 

On behalf of <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council, I 

hope that you find the information provided by 

this fifth edition of the <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong>, helps you 

to understand the work carried out by the Parish 

Council in its continuous efforts to improve the 

quality of life of the residents of <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon, 

Barton, Broom and Marlcliff, regardless of age, 

and to implement the Parish Plan. 

The purpose of this report is to highlight the 

Council’s activities during the past year: how 

it has used the money raised by the <strong>Annual</strong> 

Precept, which is the tax charged on each 

property in the parish and is used to fund all the 

activities undertaken by the Parish Council for the 

benefit of the local community. The precept for 

<strong>2011</strong>/12 was £202,000 and to total expenditure 

was £182,981. 

<strong>2011</strong>/12 has been a year of Partnerships. During 

the year the Parish Council has worked together 

with: 

• Local authorities, voluntary sector and the 

local community to ensure the viability of 

<strong>Bidford</strong> Community Library Ltd 

• Warwickshire and West Mercia Police to 

minimise anti-social behaviour throughout the 

parish, and specifically on the Big Meadow. 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Fire Fighters to ensure <strong>Bidford</strong> Fire 

Station remains an essential community 

asset 

• Local businesses to raise the profile of 

<strong>Bidford</strong> High Street. Special mention should 

be given to the Buy in <strong>Bidford</strong> Events 

which took place in July and December at 

the Crawford Memorial Hall. These have 

been very successful and are becoming a 

permanent fixture in the events diary. 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Primary School to produce some very 

successful artwork that has been used on 

the Big Meadow and by <strong>Bidford</strong> Community 

Library Ltd. 

At the end of my first year as Chairman of the 

Council I should like to take this opportunity 

to thank my fellow councillors who have given 

me their unstinted support throughout the year. 

Regrettably, we lost one of our hardest working 

councillors, Hedley Langston, on 13th December 

<strong>2011</strong>. The Council could not have had a better 

representative: born and bred in the parish he 

was a tireless worker for the local community 

and is still sorely missed. 

On behalf of the Parish Council, I should also 

like to thank the Clerk and Responsible Financial 

Officer for their work for the Council, as well 

as the many local contractors who ensure the 

village always looks its best. 

Cllr. Mike Gerrard 

Chairman <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council 

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>/2012


<strong>2011</strong>/12 

1. THE PARISH COUNCIL 

• Parish Councillors 

• Michael Atkins, 16 Waterloo Road, B50 4DL 

Tel. No. 772402 

• Bill Fleming, 3 Queensway, B50 4BA 

Tel. No. 772590 

• Michael Gerrard, 10 Holland Close B50 4BE 

Tel. No. 778493 

• Chris Hill, 9 Old School Mead, B50 4AW 

Tel. No. 491091 

• Fred Hiscocks, 38 Victoria Rd., B50 4AR 

Tel No. 778 464 

• Joy Keeley, 30 Icknield Close B50 4BZ 

Tel. No. 773011 

• Hedley Langston, 31 Steppes Piece, B50 4AT (until 13.12.11) 

Tel. No. 772778 

• John Sandle, 13 Holland Close B50 4BE 

Tel. No. 490499 

• Frank Spiers, 2 Bryan Mews B50 4BF 

Tel. No. 772740 

• Rob Williams, 7 Grafton Lane B50 4DX 

Tel. No. 778226 


• Parish Council Office 

The Parish Council has an office, which is situated in Bramley Way, B50 4QG (next to the 

library). The office is open to members of the public 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, 

Wednesday and Friday, and from 1.30 to 4.30 pm on Thursday, subject to meetings and site 

visits. If these times are inconvenient, the Clerk can be contacted and a suitable day and time 

can be arranged. The Parish Council Meeting Room, where the Council holds its meetings, 

surgeries etc. is also situated in Bramley Way. 

• Clerk to the Parish Council: Mrs. Elisabeth Uggerløse 

Postal address only: 

c/o Post Office 

30 High Street 

<strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon 

B50 4AA 

Tel. No 778653/07718 628925 

email: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk 

• Meetings 

The Council meets regularly twice a month: 

• Planning Committee Meeting, which has its own Chairman and Vice Chairman, is held the 

second Monday of each month 

• Parish Council Meeting, is held the fourth Monday of each month – except Bank Holidays. 

Public Notices of meetings held by the Parish Council are posted on the various notice 

boards 4 clear days prior to the meeting. These are situated as follows: 

- <strong>Bidford</strong> (notice boards are outside the school and by the bus stop in the High Street by 

the churchyard) 

- Barton (opposite the Cottage of Content) 

- Broom – by the Village Hall, High Street 

- Marlcliff – Cleeve Road 

The Agenda, giving full details of the business to be transacted, is available on the notice board by 

the Parish Council Office on Bramley Way, the website www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/meetings.htm 

and by contacting the Clerk. 

Members of the public are invited, and welcomed, to attend these meetings: the Agenda always 

has a Public Forum and Youth forum item when those attending can address the Council and raise 

issues. It is important to note that the Council cannot make a decision unless the item is included 

on the Agenda. Copy of the Guidance Notes on Public Participation at Parish Council Meetings is 

available on www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/procedures.htm or by contacting the Clerk. 

For those who prefer a less public forum, the Parish Council arranges regular surgeries every two 

months, two of which take place in Broom Village Hall. These are well publicised on the notice 

boards and on the website, as well as the press. 

2 | <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>/2012

Attendance by Councillors to the monthly Planning Committee and Parish Council Meetings was 

very good – there was no Planning Committee Meeting in November <strong>2011</strong> 

Name Planning Parish Council 

Cllr. Atkins 10 10 

Cllr. Fleming 9 11 

Cllr. Gerrard 8 12 

Cllr. Hiscocks 5 11 

Cllr. Hill 8 11 

Cllr. Mrs. Keeley 10 11 

Cllr. Langston (8 months) 8 8 

Cllr. Sandle 11 12 

Cllr. Spiers 11 12 

Cllr. Williams 11 12 

<strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council continues to takes an active part in the Alcester/<strong>Bidford</strong> Community 

Forums which take place quarterly. The Clerk attends agenda preparation meetings and, together 

with the Clerk to Alcester Town Council, shares the note taking responsibility at the meetings. 

You can find details of outcomes of these meetings on the Parish Council’s website: 

http://www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/news.htm <strong>Bidford</strong> and Alcester Community Forum 

The Council is represented at the WALC County Committee by the Clerk, who attends the quarterly 

meetings in Leamington Spa. As a WALC County Committee member she represents this body in 

the Stratford-on-Avon Local Strategic Partnership, and regularly attends these meetings which are 

held in Elizabeth House, Stratford-upon-Avon 

The Parish Council is also very conscientious in attending Planning Committee Meetings at Elizabeth 

House when it has either opposed or supported a Planning Application which comes before the 

Committee for a decision. During <strong>2011</strong>/12 it attended on 4 occasions: September, October, February 

and March. 

It also attended a Public Hearing in January 2012 regarding the planning appeal for a gypsy and 

traveller site in Temple Grafton that could have an impact on the Friday Furlong site. 

During the year, the Parish Council continued to consider the Local Development Framework: Core 

Strategy <strong>2011</strong>-28 and continued to object to further large scale developments, in accordance with 

the wishes expressed by the local community. Information on this issue can be found on 

http://www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/planning<strong>2011</strong>.htm. Members also attended workshop 

meetings. 


• Information 

The Council’s award winning website was redesigned in August <strong>2011</strong> to make access and 

navigation easier. The address remains unchanged: www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk 

Apart from Parish Council notices and information, you will also find details of: 

• Notices 

• Upcoming events 

• Newsletters (Police, Alcester/<strong>Bidford</strong> Community Forum etc) 

• Groups and People (with links where available) 

• Minerals Plan – with updates regarding the current consultation 

• Planning <strong>2011</strong>-2028 – with updates regarding the current consultation 

• Campaigns (Save our Fire Station; library) 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> – your pictures (photos sent by residents) 

• Parish Village Halls 

• Parish Churches (with links to their websites) 

• Young <strong>Bidford</strong> 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Rural Cinema 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Businesses 

• Links to County and District Council websites, as well as other useful sites. 

• Other Parish Council information such as minutes, procedures etc. 

Information regarding updates, forthcoming events, weather etc. is sent regularly by email to 

those residents that wish to receive it. Email addresses are NOT disclosed: so if you want up-to-date 

information and to be notified of village events, why not email the Clerk: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk 

and ask to be added to the email list. 

The Parish Council also publishes a monthly Newsletter in The Connection magazine, which is 

free and distributed to all households in the Parish. Please do read it as it gives details of any 

forthcoming meetings as well as important notices. 

It also prepares and edits the quarterly BIG Paper, which stands for <strong>Bidford</strong> Inter Generation. This 

publication for the local community, is an opportunity to: 

• Let others read some of your thoughts or ideas, 

• Tell them of your successes, 

• Encourage membership of an association, group or society 

• Advertise future events 

• <strong>Report</strong> on events that have taken place in the village 


2. Village Improvements <strong>2011</strong>/12 

• Big Meadow 

• Trees 3 lime trees were planted along the central avenue, in partnership with 

Warwickshire County Council, protected by locally made tree guards. 

• Interpretation Panels – 

Large “Welcome to the Big Meadow” Panel has been installed at the entrance – 

Artwork by <strong>Bidford</strong> Primary School pupils 

3 interpretation panels were installed along the river bank: 

- Into the village (attractions) 

- Crossing the River (history) 

- Wildlife around <strong>Bidford</strong> 

1 by the play area 

- Along the River and Roundabout (walks) 

• Street/Road improvements 

Continuing with its programme of replacing old and/or damaged streetlights, 5 new 

columns, which cost a total of £5,512.26 were installed in: 

• Holder Close x 3 

• Cox Close x 2 

• Other 

These have now been transferred to County Council 

Replacement of Streetlight No. 4 on The Meadows, following damage by a vehicle at a cost 

of £912.59 

Grass and verge maintenance contract in place to ensure the village always looks its best 

3 new benches have been installed 

5 litter or dog bins installed 

• Save our Library – following the public consultation, it became clear to the Parish 

Council that Warwickshire County Council would be closing the library unless it could 

be run by a community group. 

The Parish Council attended all the workshops arranged by County Council to ensure it 

was well prepared and, in view of the local community support, it agreed to financially 

assist a community run library by donating £5,000. 

The Parish Council prepared a Business Plan that was approved by Warwickshire 

County Council at its meeting of 13th October and on 15th February 2012 <strong>Bidford</strong> 

Community Library was registered at Companies House as a Social Enterprise, ready to 

open its doors on 2nd April 2012. 

• Broom Flood Alleviation Scheme was started in the summer of <strong>2011</strong> with a Sod 

Cutting event on 19th July, and was officially completed on 17th April 2012. 


• New Open Space Area in March 2012 a small area of open space at The Paddocks 

was transferred from Persimmon Homes to the Parish Council, who will now be 

responsible for its maintenance. 

• Maintenance The Parish Council maintains the following areas: 

• St. Laurence Churchyard; 

• Grange Road and Salford Road Cemeteries 

• Grass cutting of: 

- The Big Meadow 

- Fields to the rear of Dugdale Avenue 

- Hill View Road 

- Millers Bank, Broom 

• All the play areas : 

- Jubilee Close 

- Kings Lane, Broom 

- Marleigh Park 

- The Leys 

- Youth Shelter site to the rear of the fire station 

• Flower boxes 

• Weekly visual inspection of all the play equipment 

• Monthly inspection and maintenance of 176 street lights 

• Amenities 

• Fields in Trust - as part of the Diamond Jubilee Year Events Dugdale Avenue Sports 

Fields have been nominated a Queen Elizabeth II Field and “has been protected forever 

for your community, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee by <strong>Bidford</strong> on Avon Parish Council 

in partnership with Fields in Trust and ASDA” 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Sports Pavilion - the Parish Council was successful in obtaining a £50,000 

award from Sport England for the refurbishment of the <strong>Bidford</strong> Sports Pavilion on the 

Big Meadow as a sporting legacy to the local community in this Olympic Year. 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Rural Cinema - this is a partnership between The Crawford Memorial Hall and 

the Parish Council and its aim is to offer entertainment to the local community at an 

affordable price. Tickets remain at £2.50 

Films are screened at 7.00 pm on the first and fourth Fridays of the month, except 

August. The aim is to cater for all ages and tastes! 

Films are well advertised in advance and posters are placed on: 

• Parish Council’s notice boards 

• Crawford Memorial Hall 

• Local shops, Post Office and St. Laurence Church rooms 

• Library 

• Parish Council website under Events and its own site <strong>Bidford</strong> Rural Cinema 

• Evesham Journal 

Refreshments, which are available before the film and during the interval, are sponsored 

by Warner’s Budgens and are very reasonably priced 


3. Accounts 

The Precept – funds raised from parishioners through the Council Tax and paid to the Parish Council 

to cover its expenditure. The <strong>2011</strong>/12 Precept was set at £202,000 and approved by the Council at 

its meeting held on 24th January <strong>2011</strong>. 

The Parish Council spent the precept as follows: 

Financial Year <strong>2011</strong>/12 - Total expenditure £182,981 

Park and Play Areas 

(including Lease of 

Big Meadow) 

21% 

Other expenditure 

10% 

General 

Administration 

(inc. Salaries) 

32% 

Street lighting 

8% 

Agency services 

(mowing, maintenance etc.) 

16% 

Burial 

Grounds 

7% 

Allotments 

0% 

Grants and 

Donations 

6% 

Financial Year 2010/11 - Total expenditure £329,765 

Other expenditure 

10% 

General 

Administration 

(inc. Salaries) 

17% 

Agency services 

(mowing, maintenance etc.) 

6% 

Grants and 

Donations 

4% 

Allotments 

0% 

Burial Grounds 

3% 

Parks and play areas 

(inc. Lease of Big Meadow) 

55% 

Street lighting 

5% 


• General Administration is one of the main expenditures. It includes the salary of a full time 

Clerk (37 hours a week) and a part time Responsible Financial Officer, as well as insurance, 

rents, telephone, internet, maintenance of the website, and other administrative expenses as 

well as training courses attended by Councillors and the Clerk. 

• Agency Services – this includes mowing and maintenance of the 6 play areas/Open Space 

Areas, namely: 

• Big Meadow/Monie Meadow 

• Dugdale Avenue Sports Fields 

• The Paddocks 

• Jubilee Close 

• Kings Lane, Broom 

• Marleigh Park 

• Millers Bank, Broom 

• The Leys 

And 

• Flower boxes 

• Grass/Verge cutting and maintenance in <strong>Bidford</strong> and Broom 

• Donations and Section 137 – these are the donations and grants given by the Parish Council 

to charities and social groups working for the benefit of the local community and this year it 

included the following local associations: 

• Regular annual donations £685.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Senior Citizens <strong>Annual</strong> Party £500.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Royal British Legion £50.00 

• Citizen’s Advice Bureau £404.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Cricket Club £500.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Community Choir £500.00 

• Vintage Gathering £250.00 

• St. Laurence PCC £2,850.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Youth Club £120.00 

• <strong>Bidford</strong> Community Library £5,000.00 

• Stop, Listen Play £300.00 

• TOTAL £11,159.00 

• Allotments and Burial Ground – maintenance costs 

• Street lighting 

Replacement of 5 columns £5,512.26 

Extra replacement due to damage £912.59 

<strong>Annual</strong> maintenance contract £1,210.00 

Unmetered electricity supply £6,141.76 

Christmas lights £106.39 

TOTAL £13,883.00 


• Parks and Play areas – includes : 

• Lease of the Big Meadow £10,000.00 

• Running costs of the Big Meadow £19,000.00 

• Grass/verge maintenance £7,850.00 

TOTAL £36,850.00 

• Miscellaneous – includes new street furniture, general maintenance and repairs etc 

A copy of the Financial Statement for the year ending 31st March 2012 is available upon request. 

<strong>Report</strong> written and published by <strong>Bidford</strong>-on-Avon Parish Council 

June 2012 

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>/2012

10 | <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2011</strong>/2012 

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Annual Report 2011-12.indd - Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council

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