The Team
We have seen a number of changes in the make up of the CPC team over the last 12 months. The year opened with me moving from Vice Chair to Chair, creating a new Councillor vacancy which was fittingly filled by Councillor Claire Hammond.
We also started the year with a new Parish Clerk – Karen Parker. Karen worked tirelessly to help clear a number of longstanding council items and helped ready us for the next stage of our plan. Unfortunately, her core role within the NHS expanded to the point where Karen had to step back from council duties, therefore in January Ken Flood was appointed as Claverdon Parish Clerk and RFO. Ken brings plenty of experience from his other role as Barston Parish Clerk & RFO.
In February we had to say goodbye to Councillor Phil Bicknell, due to expansion in his day job both in scope and travel. Phil has given tremendous support and time to our council and was seen as ‘our voice of Yarningale’ amongst other things – we thank you for your contribution and counsel over the last few years.
With location in mind for this councillor vacancy, we recently welcomed Councillor Martin Fairlie to the team.
Ways of working
Communication, maximising village assets, health and safety are just a few areas that we wanted to focus on in the next phase of our plan. However, with Councillors giving their time over and above the ‘day job’, expecting all councillors to focus on all things is impracticable. Therefore, from May onwards each councillor will have responsibility for a ‘Portfolio’ – their primary focus to lead, advise, and brief rest of council for input to implement agreed plans. The portfolios split out as follows:
- Councillor David Middleton – Planning, including local activity, SWLP and Neighbourhood Plan.
- Councillor Claire Hammond – Communication, covering Council Website, PR and Parish Magazine input.
- Councillor Martin Fairlie – Yarningale Common, which includes FOYC and the Biodiversity Management Plan.
- Councillor David Goosen – Recreation Area covering Pavilion, Play area and Sports Clubs.
- Councillor Hazel Spiers – Health & Safety including CASE, De-Fibs, CLASP.
- Councillor Ken Meeson – Special Projects
A couple of the portfolios require a more structured focus and management, therefore a CiC (Community Interest Company) has been set up for the Recreation Area and something similar will be set up for Yarningale Common. More details on these and the people involved will be shared in due course.
2022/23
The Parish Council has been involved in a number of notable activities over the last 12 months including the Housing Needs Survey as a consequence of the proposed Breach Lane development, the initial representation in relation to the South Warwickshire Local Plan, as well as supporting village activities such as our late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, renewing the village roadside planters, the Christmas Windows, wildflower planting in Yarningale and the Kings Garden as part of the recent Coronation celebrations.
We look forward to continuing the working relationship with our local District and County Councillors, as well as holding them to account on matters close to the hearts of our village community.