Minutes for Cropthorne Parish Council annual meeting held on 5th May 2026
Present: Cllr Smythe, Cllr Styan, Chairman, Cllr King, Cllr Hall, Clerk : Richard Timney
1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE PC AND ACCEPTANCE OF ROLE.
Cllr Styan elected Chair and Cllr Smythe elected Vice Chair.
2. APOLOGIES: Cllr W Clive and DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Cllr Styan as a member of Avondale River Action Group (ARAG). Cllrs King and Cllr Hall vh members.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from meeting Monday 25th March 2026 APPROVED
4. COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS.
Dist Cllr Crump reported that WDC have purchased the Riverside Centre in Evesham and are now exploring uses for it. That local housing associations are both being talked to about parking matters around their properties. That there is a community funding pot from WDC for local groups for around £500 a time.
County Cllr Kearsey submitted her report saying she had purchased mini policeman statues for outside the school to reduce road speed. She also identified S106 monies which are allocated for cycling provision to hopefully be used for the new bike shelter that the school want to build to encourage more cycling to school. Finally, that there will be roadworks on Field Barn Lane, for the County to instal Grasscrete to improve the verges.
5. The PC noted the resignation of Cllr Annis and voted their thanks to him for over 20 years service. The process is underway to fill the vacancy.
6. PLANNING:
a) Consultation 26/000037/CM – The PC voted to support the upgrading measures for Cropthorne Sewage Works.
7. HIGHWAYS, FLOODING and ENVIRONMENTAL
a) The PC voted to fund a water sampling tool costing £49.21 inc VAT for ARAG.
8. CLERK’S PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES.
The Lengthsman’s budget was fully spent last year. The PC voted to increase his rate to £20 per hour.
CiLCA training for the Clerk is ongoing and proving to be a help for updating policies and procedures.
9. FINANCE
a) to note and approve 2nd March 2026 – 5th May 2026
Expenditure
| Date | To Whom | For what | Amount |
| 10/3/2026 | Worcs CALC | CiLCA training | 187.20 |
| 10/3/2026 | Cropthorne VH | Meeting Hires | 99.00 |
| 17/3/2026 | Lloyds Bank | Service Charge | 4.25 |
| 19/3/2026 | Imperative Training | 2nd bleed kit | 131.94 |
| 19/3/2026 | Steve Baker Services | LM feb | 192.00 |
| 19/3/2026 | Steve Baker Services | LM Mar | 160.00 |
| 27/3/2026 | HMRC | PAYE | 119.09 |
| 27/3/2026 | PATA | Payroll | 55.35 |
| 30/3/2026 | RT | Clerks salary | 337.28 |
| 17/4/2026 | Lloyds Bank | Service Charge | 4.25 |
| 28/4/2026 | RT | Clerk’s salary | 337.28 |
2023/57
Income
| Date | From | For what | Amount |
| 9/3/2026 | Lloyds Bank | Interest Payment | 5.83 |
| 9/4/2026 | Lloyds Bank | Interest Payment | 6.46 |
| 24/3/2026 | WCC | LM | 362.00 |
| 27/4/2026 | Wychavon DC | 50% precept and grant | 5113.00 |
Bank balances on 5th May 2026
Instant access savings £ 15,221.71
Treasurers Account £ 13,960.16
Total £ 29,181.87 APPROVED
b) Insurance cover for 2026/27 with CLEAR Council insurance at £451.17 APPROVED
c) Membership payment for CALC and NALC at £578.56 APPROVED
d) Asset register for 2026 – 27 APPROVED
e) PC financial risk assessment. APPROVED
f) Draft annual accounts 2025/26 APPROVED
g) Payment of clerk’s salary by standing order. At NALC scale point 13 APPROVED
h) Donation to South Worcestershire CAB at £50 APPROVED
i)) To appoint Duffy Regan as internal auditors for accounts 2025/26 APPROVED
10. VILLAGE HALL
Works to the Tree House are starting soon. The Walkabout was very successful and more folding chairs are being purchased.
11. Review and adoption of policies in line with local government best practice and model documents.
a) Model Standing Orders 2025 APPROVED
b) IT Policy 2026 APPROVED
c) Equalities Policy 2026 APPROVED
d) Code of Conduct 2026 APPROVED
e) Financial Regulations 2026 APPROVED
12. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / AGENDAS
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 6th July 2026. APPROVED
Meeting closed at 20.37.