Cropthorne Parish Council

Minutes for Cropthorne Parish Council annual meeting held on Monday 7^th July 2025

Present: Cllr W Clive, Cllr Hall, Cllr Styan, Chairman Cllr B Annis,

Clerk : Richard Timney

1. APOLOGIES and DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Apols: None. Dec of interests: Cllrs Hall and King on Village Hall matters.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from meeting 9^th June 2025

Proposed Cllr Hall, Seconded Cllr Clive. APPROVED

3. COUNTY AND DISTRICT CLLRS REPORTS AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Cllr KEARSEY – Reported early days at the CC. That she had joined the Environment Committee and would be looking into traffic matters as an early priority.
2. Cllr CRUMP – Reported on a couple of important surveys. One about the electoral roll which is ongoing and the other about local government reorganisation options for Worcs – with a significant majority in favour of a two smaller unitary authorities rather than one larger one.

Cllr Crump also reported that the SWDP had been favourably received by the Inspector – with final verdict early in the Autumn.

Members of the public contributed ideas and questions relating to:

3. cameras in the village to aid the police in preventing crime.
4. A tree in Middle Lane that needs attention from Rooftop Housing.
5. Parking outside the school, Holland House and at road junctions.
6. Bleed kits for the Defib box at the village hall.

4. POLICING AND CRIME IN THE PARISH.

PC MOLLY KEELER attended the meeting. A police surgery had been held prior to the PC meeting. The issues of car thefts and house break ins targeting vehicle keys were raised. She reported that action was being taken.

PC Keeler would also be looking at parking matters in the village and camera possibilities for the main roads in the parish.

5. PLANNING:
6. New bungalow built at 7 Acre traveller site. Cllrs asked that an update be provided by the Enforcement Team.

6. HIGHWAYS AND FLOODING – nothing further to report.

7. CLERKS PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES

The Clerk reported Orchard Blossom Glamping had come up with designs for signs to their site that they want to place at the planters on Blackstitch Lane in exchange for maintaining the planters.

Cllrs asked that the size of the signs to be restricted to six inches high and the length of the planters and that the position should be below level of the planters so as not to obscure road signs.

2023/46

8. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
9. payments and income since 9^th June 2025 to July 7^th 2025

Expenditure

Date	To Whom	For what	Amount
17 June 2025	Lloyds	Service Charge	4.25
24 June 2025	Duffy Regan	Int Audit	60.00
24 June 2025	Steve Baker Services	LM	187.43
24 June 2025	PATA UK	Payroll service	52.34
24 June 2025	HMRC	PAYE	245.20
30 June 2025	RT	Clerks salary	327.00

Income

Date	From	For what	Amount
9 June 2025	Lloyds	Savings interest	3.43
20 June 2025	Clear Insurance	Refund	22.89
24 June 2025	WCC	LM	207.42

Bank balances on 7^th July 2025

2. Instant access savings £ 5,153.84
3. Treasurers Account £19,897.40
4. Total £25,051.24 APPROVED

9. VILLAGE HALL.

A Christmas Tree will be purchased and planted in the grounds. It will be used as a focus for carol singing.

The long long standing cleaner from the hall is retiring after many years excellent service.

10. NOTICE BOARD OPTIONS. Clerk to find out the cost of adding the Cropthorne Parish Council header and confirm the cost of a noticeboard to match the existing but in painted metal rather than wood.

11. ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / AGENDAS

1. New notice board for the Old Post Office site.
2. Bleed Kits for the Defib box.
3. Consideration for AMPR cameras to aid policing.
4. Litter bin considerations including an extra bin for Blackstitch Lane.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Monday 1^st September

Meeting closed at 20.43