Minutes 31 March 2025 – Annual Parish Meeting – Longdon Queenhill and Holdfast Parish Council

Annual Parish Meetings for the parishes of Longdon, Queenhill and Holdfast at 7:30PM on Monday 31st March 2025 at Longdon Village Hall, GL20 6AZ

Longdon Minutes

Present: Trish Mullins (Parish Council Chair), 7 parishioners
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Jennie Watkins (District Councillor), Tom Wells (County Councillor), Police PC Johns and PSCO Freeman, 2 other members of the public

1. Chairman’s welcome
Trish Mullins opened the meeting and welcomed attendees.

2. Apologies for absence
Apologies were noted from Parish Councillor Hugh Davey.

3. To approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on the 8th April 2024
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chair.

4. Matters arising from those minutes (if any)
There were no matters arising.

5. To receive the annual report of the Parish Council by the Chairman
Trish Mullins provided a report as follows:

Introduction
All Councillors are volunteers. Only the Clerk is paid, and he does not work full time. Parishioners are encouraged to be understanding and patient.

Maximum of 9 Councillors. 7 in Longdon, 1 in Queenhill and 1 in Holdfast. Currently have 8 Councillors with another awaiting co-option.

All meetings of the Parish Council are open to the public -there is a specific section on the agenda where any member of the public can ask questions or comment on matters to be considered by the Parish Council. Meeting dates and minutes are published on the website.

What have we been doing in the last year?
24 / 25 has been another very busy year with many actions being continuations or progressions of those begun in previous years.

Highways is a perennial consideration and as such is a standing item on our agenda. As with previous years, the TWO issues that dominate our discussions – traffic on the B4211 through Longdon, Yard Bridge and Buckbury AND flooding, particularly on the Queenhill loop road.

We have been continuing to work with our County Councillor, Cllr Wells, and our District Cllr, Cllr Watkins, and with Worcestershire Highways, on this.

B4211 – I must reiterate that the surveys from the Vehicle Activated Signs confirm that MOST vehicles are under the speed limit. The VAS have been instrumental in reducing speed. We are trying other ways to mitigate the effects of traffic.

Speedwatch – You may already be aware that, following training from the Safer Neighbourhood Team Community Speedwatch Coordinator on 14th February, our Community Speedwatch team is now active and have 6 volunteer members. 4 positions in the village of Longdon have been risk assessed by the coordinator as being safe for the team and for drivers. The team have asked that another position be added. This is on the straight going downhill into Yard Bridge.

It’s early days, but the response from most drivers has been very positive and supportive. The number of drivers logged as going in excess of 35mph has fallen since the team became active, and we have been advised that students from at least one local educational establishment saw fit to put out a shout on their WhatsApp group to warn other students of our presence.

White gates and signage – with financial support from Cllr Wells and the Police and Crime Commissioner, we have purchased “white gates”. These have been located at the northern and southern 30mph signs in Longdon. Anecdotal evidence is that these help to reduce speed by making it clear to drivers that they are coming into a built-up area. In addition, and for the same reason, new signage has been installed at the boundaries of Yard Bridge and Long Green.

Buckbury Speed Limit – We were delighted to receive a delegation from Buckbury to a recent LQHPC meeting. (And just a reminder that all of our meetings are open to the public and there is always an opportunity for parishioners to address the meeting.)

They spoke very eloquently about the speed of traffic through Buckbury and the impact that it has on their daily lives, and their concerns for road users of all types. District Councillor Tom Wells, was also present to hear their concerns. He had in fact been instrumental in having the speed limit through the village lowered to 50mph some time ago. However, it was clear that many residents of Buckbury felt that the time had come to lower it to 40mph, as in fact is the case on the A38 through Shuthonger.

This would have many positive effects, not least of which are that it would allow for the installation of a VAS device, and also for the Community Speedwatch to be active there. Both of which are currently prohibited as it’s a 50mph.

We resolved to support the residents in this matter, and wrote accordingly to Worcestershire County Council. Sadly, we have recently heard that our first approach has not been successful. However, we will continue to review the situation with a view to utilising enhanced signage and furniture to improve driver awareness. This is an ongoing matter

Flooding – in Queenhill and Holdfast, a major issue is flooding, and Cllr Radford has been liaising with Worcestershire County Council Highways and Malvern Hills District Council Land Drainage. This includes looking at the balance of responsibilities between the authorities and local landowners for keeping drainage gullies etc clear. We have managed to get some blocked gullies cleared but have had some frustration with the lack of cooperation between the various authorities. However, some progress has been made in this area and works carried out. We will continue to monitor the situation.

A438 – The speed of traffic on the A438 (the southern boundary of our parishes) has been brought to our attention and we approached our neighbouring parish (Eldersfield) on this, as the A438 represents the boundary between the two parishes. Literally, residents on the southern side of the A438 are in Eldersfield whilst those on the Northern side are in LQHP. Unfortunately, Eldersfield did not feel able to assist at this time, and so we resolved to purchase and install a new VAS on the northern verge, as well as new village signage to remind drivers that they are entering a 40mph zone. Anecdotal evidence from residents has been very positive so far that traffic has been responding

Village Green – we have regular inspections of the play area and act on any findings of these reports to keep all users safe.

Following on from the work that was carried out last year, the LQHPC is hoping to develop the village green further to make it more amenable to all age groups and user groups. Grant funding is being sought for items such as:
• An all-weather track/path to enable walkers, joggers, to circumnavigate the field and more easily access the existing play area and viewpoint.
• Pieces of outdoor Gym Equipment to be positioned at stations around the track.
• A bench or picnic table at the Viewpoint over the marsh
• A wild flower area in the top right-hand corner.

It is hoped that this will increase the use and access to the green, whilst maintaining the football area in the middle.

An artist’s impression is available for you to peruse and let us have your comments.

Parish Leaflet – we’ve produced a parish leaflet, principally aimed at new residents, but good for everyone and we will keep this updated. This is available via the website and we would encourage parishioners, especially those with new neighbours, to print this off and pop it through their door.

Planning – We comment on all planning applications in the three parishes (and some just outside e.g. for gravel extraction). There are very strict rules about the issues that can be the basis of an objection, but we do make comments where we feel the development or changes are inappropriate.

Boundary Commission review of MHDC wards and the South Worcestershire Development Plan – we have already provided full responses and will continue to monitor these. The SWDP is going through consultation (years!).

Following a Government White Paper on the devolution of local government; it is anticipated that all six District Councils in Worcestershire will merge with the County Council to become a single unitary authority, or two unitary authorities, by 2028. Malvern Hills District Council will cease to exist in its current form. Worcestershire will then join with adjacent counties to form part of a wider strategic Mayoral authority. The parish council will keep apprised of updates and will look to engage with the process at the appropriate times.

Noticeboards – trying to improve communication we have installed new noticeboard in Queenhill and a smaller version in Holdfast to help communication.

Precept – Due to rising operating costs and the initiation of several new projects, the parish council find it necessary to increase the ‘precept’ for the upcoming financial year. The precept is the small share of your total council tax bill that parish councils charge their local electors to meet planned expenditure for the upcoming year.

For a ‘band D’ property this will be an increase of approximately £8.75 per year, or 73p per month. Our total precept is £59.55 per year (for ‘band D’) which still compares very favourably with the national average of £85.89. The decision to increase the precept has not been made lightly, and we have worked hard to manage costs and seek alternative funding sources wherever possible (including over £15,000.00 in grant funding over the last two years). Recent projects include:
• Traffic calming: We have invested significant resources into traffic calming, with additional
• ‘Speed Indicating Devices’ and gateway features deployed across the parish. Further measures to slow traffic at critical areas are under review.
• Defibrillator: We have increased defibrillator coverage with an additional unit being installed in the south of the parish at Buckbury, to complement the existing unit at the village hall.
• Lengthsman and grass cutting: Additional maintenance work is being undertaken across the parishes by our new ‘Highway Lengthsman’ and grass cutting contractors.
• Village hall: We have taken on formal governance of Longdon Village Hall to ensure its continued success and to safeguard it for the benefit of the community for years to come. The parish council has contributed to a much-needed boiler replacement and new security/locks. Further developments are mentioned below.
• Play area: Additional maintenance of the play area and replacement fencing has been undertaken and there are, as already mentioned, further projects on the horizon to increase the facilities offered.

Lengthsman Scheme – Our Lengthsman, Jeremy, who works for us to keep verges and road signs clear has continued to do sterling work for us. Any issues, please let the Clerk know and we will see if we can address them.

Sole Trustee – the PC acts as Sole Trustee of the Village Hall Charity. We are still working through how this works, and I would like to thank Councillors, David, and the Village Hall Committee for their patience as we all learn together. The PC was able to mend the fence and to help with the cost of the boiler refurbishment by giving a £1k grant from our reserves. The Village Hall Committee have also worked wonders in successfully applying for and receiving grants to support many aspects of the Village Hall infrastructure. If you’ve visited a village hall event recently you may have noticed things like:
• Wi-Fi
• Contactless Payment
• New insulation and draft excluders
• New low energy lighting
• Zonal heating
• New locks
• A new wide screen TV
• And, of course, a program of redecoration supported by a team of volunteers

The Parish Council would like to congratulate the Village Hall committee for their hard work and outstanding achievements which we have been glad to be able to support.

Thanks to all Councillors who work so hard and those who are not councillors but who contribute so much to the work of the Council (in particular, Judith and Mark Hopkins-Brown, Andy Young, Deb Gray (Pathway Warden) and all the volunteers who have contributed to the maintenance of our beautiful parish. Important to note that parishioners do not have to sit in meetings or be a Councillor to make a huge difference to the work of the Council.

And finally, it is with sadness and thanks that we must report the departure from the council of our longest standing member, Jim Unwin. Jim has been a Parish Councillor for many years, and in that time has seen many changes, in Longdon, and indeed the PC itself. Jim has served the parish quietly and tirelessly, and we would all like to thank him for his efforts, his insights and his local knowledge, which will be sorely missed. We know that Jim won’t be a stranger and that we will always be able to pick his brain, but Jim has quite rightly decided that he literally has new mountains to climb, and we wish him many safe ascents.

Trish Mullins
Chair of Longdon, Queenhill & Holdfast Parish Council

6. To receive a report from the District Councillor
Jennie Watkins provided a report as follows:
• Malvern Hills District Council were introducing a grant funding scheme for health and wellbeing projects and it was suggested that this could be used to help fund improvements to the playing field and village hall.
• Malvern Hills District Council were introducing a defibrillator grant funding scheme in association with Worcestershire CALC.
• An update was provided on support given to the parish, including land drainage, planning applications and licensing concerns.
• Following the Government White Paper proposing devolution of local government; it was anticipated that Worcestershire would become a unitary authority, or possibly two smaller unitary authorities, and Malvern Hills District Council would cease to exist in its current form by 2028.
• Thanks were extended to the parish council and Clerk for support over the last year.

Jennie Watkins
Malvern Hills District Councillor

7. To receive a report from the County Councillor
Tom Wells provided a report as follows:
• Grant funding from Worcestershire County Council had enabled a TV to be purchased for the village hall.
• Grant funding from Worcestershire County Council had part-funded a number of highway and traffic calming improvements across the parish.
• Following the Government White Paper proposing devolution of local government; it was anticipated that Worcestershire would become a unitary authority, or possibly two smaller unitary authorities, and Malvern Hills District Council would cease to exist in its current form by 2028.
• Worcestershire County Council was scheduled to hold elections 1st May 2025.
• Thanks were extended to the parish council and Clerk for support over the last year.

Tom Wells
Worcestershire County Councillor

8. To invite the public to raise any matters of interest
Police PC Johns and PSCO Freeman were in attendance to answer questions. An update was provided on the activities of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, the SmartWater Initiative and Neighbourhood Matters.

The following questions were raised:
• Speed limit enforcement through Longdon was requested and it was confirmed that it was unfortunately not possible as they had not been able to identify a safe area to undertake enforcement from.
• It was queried if the Police support 20MPH speed limits and it was confirmed that this would need to be considered by Worcestershire County Council.
• A review of a lower speed limit at Buckbury was requested and it was noted that Worcestershire County Council had not accepted the parish council’s first request, but a follow up approach would be made.
• A query was asked whether Worcestershire would be a unitary authority or whether it would be split into two smaller unitary authorities, and it was confirmed that no decision had been made at this time.

Queenhill Minutes

Present: Trish Mullins (Parish Council Chair), 2 parishioners
In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Jennie Watkins (District Councillor), Tom Wells (County Councillor), Police PC Johns and PSCO Freeman, 7 other members of the public