Chairman's Report 2025

Chairman’s report to Baxterley’s Annual Parish Meeting 15th May 2025
This report covers the period from May 2024 to the present day.


Again it has been a pleasure to continue as Chairman of Baxterley Parish Council over the last year. The BPC team continues to monitor external influences on our Parish in a proactive manner to protect the village and its environment. Mutually beneficial links between BPC, NWBC, WCC, JLR our latest MP Rachel Taylor, Warwickshire Police and the Merevale Estate has meant we have been influential and effective in preserving, shaping and importantly, improving our Community. The strong relationship and support from our Borough and County Councillors is pivotal to this and is very much appreciated.


Personnel
I am pleased that we have retained a core of Councillors with 5 members currently meaning we have two vacancies to fill which will get us to full strength. Again I’m encouraged by the level of diverse experience, skills, competence and valuable knowledge which makes us a strong and effective team. Andrew Thompson continued in the role of Vice Chairman and he is an important asset to BPC. I thank all of our Parish Councillors who have given freely of their valuable time and resources, working to deliver improvements in and around the village while protecting our environment. Each councillor brings their own views, ideas and knowledge to BPC which ensures a balanced debating environment that serves to enhance our overall democratic decision making process. Councillors and the Clerk continue to take up external training this year and the majority hold DBS vetted status to further strengthen our team. BPC’s Clerk, Alison Stevens has excelled in the job and has gained further significant knowledge and experience since joining us early in 2022. Alison is a highly valued member of the team and I personally thank her for the way in which she has become so competent, supportive and effective in her role as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer. The move to Unity Trust Bank has been very positive with reduced bank charges and worthwhile interest income. The online banking system works well and is effective and efficient. We continue to further improve the way we document and conduct our duties and responsibilities in line with the Transparency Code and Local Government Act.


Lesley Clarke who served BPC for more than 20 years sadly died in October 2024 after a long illness. A retired police officer, Lesley orchestrated many canal boat trips for the senior parishioners and assisted other Baxterley events such as Party in the Park during her time as Councillor. She will be remembered fondly.


Events
The 2 Christmas parties we traditionally orchestrate along with the Party in the Park were well received. Gratitude is extended to all who assisted in making these events a success. This coming year I hope we can again orchestrate at least 3 events to entertain and delight the members of our community. In December we orchestrated the ‘switching-on’ event of the Christmas lights to the new Christmas tree located outside of the Rose Inn.


Planning
Currently there are no known plans for major housing expansion in our Parish. Planning enforcement is an issue and we have engaged with NWBC to raise our concerns over the developments occurring in our Parish.


Community Fund:
All applications to the Park Top Community Fund (commonly referred to as the JLR Fund) occurred as normal and were decided by full Committee. The Old School Room project was successful in their application for landscaping. Baxterley in Bloom also secured thousands of pounds in grant aid. As a reminder £10,000 is available every year for community project applications from each of the 4 parishes.


Community Amenity:
Here I list some of the improvements made to our village over the last 12 months.
• The new play area is complete, has been welcomed by all and is a big improvement over the previous arrangement. Thanks to NWBC for supporting and funding this amenity.
• Much improved Parish Newsletter.
• 4 events orchestrated successfully.
• Purchase of a new Christmas tree to replace the old one.
The revised Baxterley Newsletter is a very good source of local information and is a welcome read every month. I thank Adam Faulkner for his work creating what is a well produced, well received and appreciated publication.


Support to the Community:
This year we again supported Baxterley in Bloom with significant assistance in the form of grant funding totalling £1800.


Britain in Bloom
Baxterley in Bloom continues to be a conduit to improving our environment. Activities have increased and credit here goes to Heide who Chairs ‘The Bloomers’. Thanks and gratitude goes to the dedicated volunteers throughout the year who support the regular working groups. Judging took place in 2024 and the result was another Gold Award in category. The village continues to look aesthetically pleasing and long may it continue.


Finances
BPC continues in a financially strong and stable state with adequate reserves and a contingency in case of unforeseen circumstance and emergencies. Some of the reserves are available for grant funding and to potentially support our asset acquisition aspirations should opportunities become available. We are diligent in setting and controlling our budgets and this will of course continue.


Progressing into the future:-
Development of the Baxterley Neighbourhood Plan or Village Plan and engagement with the Community are priorities for the coming year. Serious consideration, over recent years has been given to the Old Institute and the potential building renovation for Public amenity. This subject is on the back-burner and further feasibility work will be needed plus buy-in from the Merevale Estate who own the building. As always, community feedback via our Newsletter, website or through any of the Councillors will be warmly welcomed.

Thank you and well done to everyone who has contributed in anyway to our lovely village and I hope we have another successful year ahead.


David Rollason
Chairman, Baxterley Parish Council 15.05.2025