Chairman's report for 2022-2023

The end of April 2023 draws my fourth year as Chair to a close, and I am pleased to present my report.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle on Thursday 8^th September 2022. This sad loss hit the whole country, the commonwealth of nations and, not surprisingly, the whole world. We marked the period of mourning by flying the parish flags at half mast, and we opened a book of remembrance for those in the Parish who wanted record formally their condolences.

We heard this week of the sad death of former councillor Mrs Pam Harvey at the age of 82. Pam served as a Rock Parish councillor between 2004 and 2015. Pam was heavily involved with Rock Church and the Women’s Institute. Amongst many of Pam’s accomplishments was the creation of the beautifully embroidered map of the parish which is now on display at Far Forest School.

The year 2022-2023 returned some semblance of normality following recent years being seriously impacted by the pandemic of COVID19.  Our Parish Council meetings were all face-to-face and held at the Callow Hill Sports Pavilion.  I am pleased to report that many residents have attended the meetings, some to express concerns, some to just observe. My thanks go to the committee of the Far Forest Society for hosting our meetings and for allowing us “roof  space” to house our administrative paraphernalia.

Rock Parish Council continues to thank our essential public service workers including our NHS staff, and also our local policing team, especially CSO Jeni Bray for her attendance at meetings and  her monthly updates.

Also, we would like to thank our Worcestershire County Councillor, Dan Morehead for his attendance and support to the Parish throughout the year, particularly regarding traffic noise, targeting speeding and speed reduction activities.

Our WFDC representatives, Anna and Roger Coleman, continue to give support particularly in their generous donations to Parish funds.

Since April 2022 we have discussed, agreed to support, or recommended refusal of some 69 planning applications, of which 63 were voted for approval. The Parish of Rock continues to be an attractive area for potential developers. We believe that our local housing needs have been met and so we strongly resist the proposed development of parcels of land listed as greenbelt or open-countryside. There is also strong resistance in the Parish for the further development or expansion of caravan, camping and other leisure parks as there is already a preponderance of these in existence.  The WFDC Local Plan is now agreed and forms the template for future planning in Wyre Forest District.

When setting the annual budget for the Parish Council this year, we agreed that there should be a minimal  increase in the precept and the monies received from WFDC, this is to cover the increasing costs to the Parish that need to be met.

The work of our lengthsman has continued throughout the year with tasks including grass cutting, drain clearance, road sign maintenance, grit bin top-ups, litter removal, fly-tipping removal, and much work that we don’t see or hear about.

Thanks must also be given to a host of volunteers led by Councillor Sally Watkins, who have been recruited to tackle the litter problem in the Parish. Thank you Sally for your, and your teams work in keeping the Parish looking so splendid.

This year we awarded grants of £714.00 each to the following local organisations: Far Forest School PTA, Little Acorns, Rock and Far Forest Nursing Charity, Heightington Village Hall, Far Forest Scouts, Rock and Far Forest Royal British Legion, and Bliss Gates Village Fields Charity. We hope that these grants will help to continue the valued work they do for our residents and young people.

Rock Parish Council is one of the largest Parish Councils in England and has 13 elected councillors representing every village community within the Parish. We are a diverse council with members having a wide range of experiences from a range of professional backgrounds, from farming, to education, to law, to health care, to industry and commerce. I want to say a public ‘thank you’ to all of our councillors who devote so much time to the parish representing all areas within the Parish of Rock.

I continue to pay tribute to our Parish Clerk, Stephen Clee, who has the unenviable task of managing the Council and its members. Stephen works tirelessly for the Parish and its communities. Thank you Stephen!

We sadly say goodbye and ‘thank you’ to three of our long standing and most experienced councillors who have decided to retire at the end of April. Councillor Christine Sankey has served 11 years as Parish councillor, Councillor Chris Price has served 19 years as Parish councillor and also as chairman on many occasions, and Councillor Pat Pain who has served 23 years as a Parish councillor and also as chairman during 2003 to 2004. A huge thank you to you all, we will miss your experience immensely.

We are preparing for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6^th May 2023. To mark this occasion the Parish has commissioned a new commemorative bench & tree to mark the coronation and will be sited at Clows Top on land recently adopted by Rock Parish Council and being called King Charles III Corner. The bench is made from English Oak a beautifully grained timber and a Crimson King Maple tree is being planted to mark the Coronation.

Finally, I sincerely hope that the year 2022-23 will bring a more settled world, and that the community of Parish of Rock will remain a safe, caring community that we can all be proud of.

Cllr. Richard Williams

Chairman

Rock Parish Council

25^th April 2023