Worcestershire County Council Independent Remuneration Panel Members

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Are you interested in local democracy and how Councillors carry out their role?

Worcestershire County Council is looking for two members of the public to join its Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) which advises the Council on the allowances to be paid to Councillors.

Meetings normally take place 3 times per year at County Hall, Worcester, although some may be held on-line.  More frequent meetings will be required when a full review of the scheme is being undertaken. Such reviews usually take place in the year prior to Local Government elections. The next full review is taking place during 2023/early 2024.  The IRP, whilst supported by officers, is entirely independent of the elected members of the Council.  It considers evidence and views on the payments to elected members and makes recommendations to the Council.

This post is on a voluntary basis and the appointment will be for an initial four-year period, which may be renewed. The duties involved may require travelling and such expenses will be re-imbursed.

Members of the Independent Remuneration Panel can come from all walks of life and backgrounds.  There are no specific qualifications needed to become a Panel Member. Personal qualities are more important, such as the ability to approach questions with an open mind, to examine critically and to draw conclusions.  Panel Members cannot be an elected Member of the Authority or a member of any committees of the authority and must not be disqualified from becoming a member of the Authority.

Details are on the Council’s website at  https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/about-council/your-councillors/councillors-area   More details are available in the pack which is on the website and applications must be completed and returned to by 5pm on Wednesday 4 October 2023

Flu and COVID-19 Winter 2023

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Flu

Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. To find out more about the symptoms of flu visit the NHS website.

Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why?

The flu vaccine provides the best protection available against a virus that can cause severe illness.

If you are eligible for flu vaccination, you need to be vaccinated every year as the antibodies that protect you from flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year. It can take up to two weeks for your immunity to build up fully after you have had your flu vaccine. NHS Flu vaccine.

Where can you get the flu jab in Worcestershire?

To find a pharmacy that offers the flu jab visit NHS flu vaccine

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Who should have it and why?

Booster doses are an important part of protecting yourself from COVID-19 if you are at higher risk from severe COVID-19. Booster doses help increase your protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19.

Where can you get the COVID-19 booster vaccination

You can visit this website to find out where you can get the covid booster vaccination locally to you:

How to get a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

 

Further information on all health and well-being in Worcestershire:  https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/flu-and-covid-19

Councillor Andy Roberts

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We are sorry to say that Councillor Andy Roberts has passed away following a short illness.

Each of us will have our own memories of Andy, he was an integral part of our community and will be remembered as a friend and as a dedicated Councillor representing Warndon Villages at the County Council and Worcester City Council.

He will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with Fran and his family.

 

It has now been confirmed that Andy’s funeral service will take place at Worcester Cathedral at 12.30pm on Monday 4th September. There will then be a wake at the Guildhall.

The Guildhall are happy to welcome people whilst the family attend a private burial following the service.

Two Charities have been selected for donations, if people wish to do so, in memory of Andy. These are the Worcester Community Trust and Worcester Environment Group. If people wish to donate, they can do so via the organisations’ websites below or by using a QR link which will be available at the Guildhall on the day.

https://www.justgiving.com/worcestercommunitytrust

https://www.theweg.org.uk/shop-and-donate

Anyone who knew Andy is more than welcome to attend both the service and wake to celebrate his life.

Have your say on timing of parish council elections

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Worcester residents are being asked for their views on the timing of elections for the city’s two parish councils, Warndon and St Peter the Great.

Consideration is being given to moving the elections to coincide with those for Worcester City Council, which are changing from taking place in three years out of four to only happening once every four years from 2024.

Holding parish council elections on the same day as the City Council polls enables costs to be split proportionately between the different authorities.

The two parish councils have only recently held elections in May 2023, and the next are currently due in 2027.

Options in the consultation at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit include the parish councils going ahead with polls in 2027, but for all parish councillors to only serve a one-year term before more elections in 2028 and then every four years thereafter.

Other possibilities are for the parish councillors to have their terms extended by one year so that the next elections are in 2028, or for the 2027 polls to go ahead, followed by an election in 2032 and then every four years after that.

Shane Flynn, Returning Officer at Worcester City Council, said: “With the City Council moving to all-out elections every four years from 2024, the parish councils need to consider whether they should also move their own polls onto a similar timetable. I would encourage people who live in St Peter’s and Warndon Villages to have their say on any proposed changes at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.”

Residents have until Sunday 17 September to give their views on the full range of possible changes at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.

 

 

 

Have your say on planning in Worcestershire

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The planning consultation database for the county is being refreshed and Worcestershire County Council would like to invite residents and businesses to register so that they can have their say on planning matters.

The Council plays a significant planning role across the whole of Worcestershire including policies and strategies about minerals and waste and major infrastructure projects like new railway stations and bridges.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Councillor with Responsibility for Economy Infrastructure and Skills, said:

“Community engagement plays a vital role in the way we make our plans, and I cordially invite residents and businesses to register to participate and influence this process. Our work includes developing important strategies relating to ecology and biodiversity that
make Worcestershire distinct and special, as well as planning for infrastructure such as schools and highway projects.
This is a great way for people to hear about what is going on and get involved in the planning work we do.”

You can find out how to sign up to be consulted about the topics you are interested in and see a more detailed explanation of what each topic area covers by visiting: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/get-involved-planning.

Notes to Editor
District Councils are the local planning authorities that residents can apply to for planning permission if they wanted to make changes to their property.

Worcestershire County Council’s planning role includes policies and strategies about minerals and waste and major infrastructure projects like new schools, railway stations and bridges etc

An update from the Police

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UPDATE | Police operation following speeding complaints in Worcester

Last Saturday (3 June) we responded to numerous calls from members of the public in relation to ‘Street Racers’ close to the KFC restaurant in Nunnery Way in Worcester.

Our officers attended and witnessed numerous driving offences including a road traffic collision where a black BMW skidded off the road and crashed down an embankment. The driver of this vehicle and three others were reported for driving offences and will receive points on their license.

On Sunday afternoon (4 June) following the complaints received on Saturday we were in this area again ensuring that street racers did not congregate and speed detection equipment was used by our officers on this 40mph stretch of road. As a result of this operation 11 further motorists will be reported for speed related offences with one vehicle captured at 72mph.

💭Inspector Andy Tanner said: “We will continue to monitor this area, we take the issue of street racing and the illegal use of the strategic roads network very seriously and the safety of the public is at the heart of everything we do.

“I would like to reassure local residents that we are listening to them, and we will respond to reports of dangerous anti-social driving on our roads. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who assisted officers by reporting offences and remind those motorists with video evidence of motoring offences that we run Operation SNAP where footage can be downloaded to enable Police to educate or prosecute motorists committing offences.

https://orlo.uk/oOlr3

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section or email

Parish Council Drop-In Surgeries

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Warndon Parish Council drop-in surgeries will be held at the Lyppard Hub, on the last Monday of each month from 6pm – 7pm, for residents to meet with a Parish Councillor to raise any matters especially those pertaining to a particular location or site.

This will enable more detailed discussion and fact-finding than is possible at a Parish Council meeting; if the issue is of wider interest or requires a decision by the Parish Council it will be raised at a subsequent Parish Council meeting.

The next surgeries will be held on: 

Monday 26 June 2023 

Thursday 31 August 2023

Monday 25 September 2023 

Monday 30 October 2023 

Monday 27 November 2023 

 

We look forward to helping to signpost or resolve your concerns.

 

Residents are also welcome to attend the monthly Parish Council meetings on the first Monday of the month, also held at the Lyppard Hub at 7p.m.

 

Police and Communities Together (PACT) Drop-in Sessions

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On Sunday 5th &19th FEBRUARY members of the Warndon Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at Woodgreen Evangelical Church on Hastings Drive from 10:45am until 11:30am.

Please pop in and speak with a member of the team where they can answer any queries or concerns you may have. **All meetings subject to operational commitments**

Message from

Michael Exon (West Mercia Police, PCSO, Warndon SNT)

Sign up to Neighbourhood Matters … your brand new community messaging service

Neighbourhood Matters enables residents, businesses and community groups to keep in touch with local policing teams. You can choose exactly what type of alert you wish to receive and how you receive them; whether that be by email, text or telephone. Sign up now at: www.neighbourhoodmatters.co.uk

West Mercia Police – Contact Us

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The Police attended the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 7th February at the Lyppard Hub. The Parish Council expressed their concerns at the level of car crime in the area in recent months. The Police representatives confirmed they are dealing with all reports and have requested that residents keep reporting incidents to them and where possible provide CCTV footage.

Please call 101 or report online https://www.westmercia.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or contact the local policing team on . Or if you wish you can speak directly to the Neighbourhood Team at Warndon Police Post, Cranham Parade, Cranham Drive, Worcester every Wednesday between 2-4 p.m.

PC Hart also issued a reminder to all residents to ensure vehicles are locked at all times.

The Here2Help Community Services Directory

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In September 2021, Here2Help launched its Community Services Directory as part of its wider service to help residents search for a range of services and support offered by charities, community groups, businesses, public sector groups and other organisations in their local area and across the whole of Worcestershire. These services include mental health and wellbeing, financial advice, assistance and supplies, volunteering opportunities, recreation activities and much more.

Since its launch in September, over 275 organisations have signed up to offer support and services to Worcestershire residents. The Here2Help team have also been out visiting various libraries in the County to talk to residents about the Here2Help Service and the Community Services Directory.

Do you know any local organisations that may be interested in registering their service on the Here2Help Community Services Directory? More information can be found by visiting http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help