Overgrown Trees or Hedges

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Overgrown trees or bushes getting in the way? You can now safely trim back vegetation.

With bird‑nesting season just finished, residents can carry out routine cutting‑back without the worry of disturbing nesting birds. If you spot vegetation causing an obstruction, here’s what to do:

Highway vegetation: If it’s growing on the highway, our teams will deal with it. If it’s coming from private property, the landowner is responsible for keeping it safe and ensuring it doesn’t block the road or pavement.

Your garden, your responsibility: If you’re trimming back vegetation at home, you can find qualified experts via the Arboriculture Association and check for Tree Preservation Orders before carrying out any work.

Street lights & road signs: Vegetation blocking street lights or signs must be cleared by the landowner. If the trees or shrubs belong to the Council, we’ll take care of it.

Report an issue here:  Report it

Road Closure A44 Bromyard Road 5-6 September

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Proposed Order: to close that part of A44 Bromyard Rd from its junction with C2067 Lightwood Ln to its junction with U62401 Otherton Ln
Reason: Drainage and flood alleviation work by WCC.

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.

No Access for emergency services diversion route must be followed.

Alternative route: A44 Bromyard Rd (part), A4103 Bransford, A4103 Leigh Sinton, A4103 Dragons Cross, A4103 Storridge into Herefordshire County, A44 Worcester Rd, A44 Bromyard Rd, A44 Darbys Green, A44 Doddenham, A44 Broadwas, A44 Bromyard Rd (part) and vice versa
Anticipated duration: 2 days Commencing: 5 September 2026

A44 Bromyard Road, Cotheridge – Diversion Route

Wildfire risk and advice for emergencies

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Dear parishioners,

In light of the protracted heatwaves and prevalence of wildfire risk, we wanted to make you aware of Government advice on preparing for emergencies which you can find via this link:
Get prepared for emergencies – Prepare
This advice includes a link to a checklist that prompts you to gather important information and supplies relevant to your home and family, including contact numbers, insurance, medical needs, etc., and to identify exit routes from your property and safe meeting places for your family.

Put together an emergency kit of items at home

This could include:

  • Battery or wind-up torch – torches are safer than candles.
  • Portable power bank for charging your mobile phone.
  • Battery or wind-up radio to get updates during a power cut – a car radio can be used, however in severe weather it might be safer to stay inside.
  • Spare batteries for torches and radio and a backup battery for any medical equipment you rely on.
  • A first aid kit (or some first aid items) including items such as waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings and gloves, medical tape for dressings, and tweezers.
  • Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene purposes when the water is off.
  • Bottled water – there is no standard figure for this as emergencies can vary in duration and people use different amounts. A minimum of 2.5-3 litres of drinking water per person per day is recommended by the World Health Organisation for survival. 10 litres per person per day will make you more comfortable by also providing for basic cooking and hygiene needs. Additional water might be needed to make up baby formula, for medical devices and for pets.
  • Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables (and a tin opener). As with water, how much you need will vary based on your own circumstances. Don’t forget food for pets.
  • Baby supplies such as nappies and baby formula – ready made or ‘ready-to-feed’ formula is best as you may not be able to boil water or sterilise bottles.

Rather than buying all the items at once, you could just add to your emergency kit when you are able and build it up over time.

The Parish Council is actively working with the District Council to formulate an emergency plan for the parish, which will include guidance for households. In the meantime, I trust that you will find this information helpful.
Richard Burrows,
Chair

Road Closure Ankerdine Road

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  1. The effect of this Notice is that no vehicle shall proceed along that part of the highway from its junction with C2067 Lightwood Lane for a distance of 258 metres in a westerly direction.

 

  1. This provision will remain in force for 2 days (24 hrs) commencing 6 August 2026.

 

  1. Alternative routes: C2067 Lightwood Lane, A44 Bromyard Road, C2240 Weston Hill, C2240 Broadgreen, C2066 Cobblers Corner, C2066 Sledgemoor and vice versa.

Diversion Map

Local Government reorganisation for Worcestershire

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Please see below a letter from:

Cllr John Gallagher (Leader of Malvern Hills District Council),

Cllr Lynn Denham (Leader of Worcester City Council)

and Cllr Richard Morris (Leader of Wychavon District Council)

regarding the recent Local Government Reorganisation decision for Worcestershire.

 

Dear residents,

So now we know. From April 2028, we will have a North Worcestershire Council and
a South Worcestershire Council, delivering all services from bin collections to roads
and social care for children and adults.
As leaders of the three district councils in South Worcestershire, we believe this is
the right decision, not just for the communities we serve, but for the whole county.
Moving to a unitary is a government decision. It has to happen and we are fully
behind a South Worcestershire unitary.
Our task now is to make reorganisation a success. The people of Worcestershire will
expect us to focus less on yesterday’s arguments and more on tomorrow’s
opportunities. That is the responsibility we all now share.
There is a long and complex road ahead. Working with Worcestershire County
Council and our colleagues in the north, we are determined to seize this once-in-a
generation opportunity to transform services, move towards long-term financial
sustainability, and deliver better outcomes for residents.
The proposal for two councils emerged from extensive public consultation. You told
us it was important to reflect the distinct character of north and south Worcestershire,
keep decision-making close to communities and protect the local services people
rely on. We’re pleased the Government listened to your voice, but you still have a
key role to play.
The creation of unitary councils will enable the next stage of local government
reorganisation and the devolution of power from Whitehall. This means that more
decisions will be made locally by people who know Worcestershire well.
The subsequent formation in stage two of what are called strategic authorities,
consisting of a number of new unitary councils constructively working together under
a mayoral structure, allows the possibility of control of infrastructure development in
our region supporting the economic growth and jobs that we need.
As the English White Paper says, “The number one mission of this government is to
relight the fire of our economy and ignite growth in every region”. To that end, we
stand ready to play our part in making local government reorganisation and English
devolution a success.
Over the next nine months, your existing councils will help shape the new authorities.
In May next year, you will elect the councillors who will lead the final preparations
before the new councils take over on 1 April 2028.
For many councillors, this will be the final chapter of a lifetime of public service. For
others, it will be the beginning of a new one. Whatever the future holds, it has been
the greatest privilege to serve the people of Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon.
Until our final day, we will remain focused on serving our communities.
History will judge this moment not by the councils we create, but by the difference
they make to people’s lives. Our responsibility is to ensure the new councils inherit
strong services, sound finances and thriving communities. That is the legacy we aim
to leave. A new and strong economic voice.
Councillor John Gallagher
Leader of Malvern Hills District Council
Councillor Lynn Denham
Leader of Worcester City Council
Councillor Richard Morris
Leader of Wychavon District Council

Road Closure Broad Green 10th August 2026

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TMS-DWG-6841, 0014117-WH1NR80B-KNIGHTWICK-51-7000, Broad Green (1)

Order made: to close that part of C2240 Broadgreen from its junction with C2066 Cobblers Corner for a distance of 300 metres in a southerly direction.

Reason: Pole replacement by Openreach

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.

Alternative route: C2240 Broadgreen (part), C2240 Little Green, A44 Broadwas, A44 Doddenham, C2235 Doddenham, C2235 Wants Green, C2066 Broadwas, C2066 Cobblers Green and vice versa.

Duration: 1 day on 10 August 2026

Road Closure Stoney Ley

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(U62202 Stoney Ley, Broadwas) (Temporary Closure) Order 2026

Order made: to close that part of U62202 Stoney Ley from its junction with A44 Broadwas to its junction with C2235 Munns Green.

Reason: Lay New Ducting by Openreach.

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.

Alternative route: C2235 Munns Green, C2235 Doddenham, A44 Doddenham, A44 Broadwas and vice versa.
Anticipated duration: 3 days Commencing: 22 July 2026

Map of diversion route

Re-surfacing of Berryfields Car Park

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Berryfields Recreation Ground Car Park Resurfacing Works

Location: Berryfields Recreation Ground, Broadwas, Worcestershire. WR6 5NE.

The Parish Council wishes to inform residents that resurfacing works to the car park at Berryfields Recreation Ground are scheduled week commencing on 15th June 2026 and are expected to take approximately 7-10 days to complete, from 8am-4pm weekdays, subject to weather conditions and any unforeseen circumstances.

 

These improvement works are being undertaken to enhance the condition, safety and longevity of the car park for the benefit of all users. The project has been made possible through grant funding received from Malvern Hills District Council’s Legacy Grant Scheme.

During the works, the car park will be closed for use, together with increased vehicle movements, construction activity and some unavoidable noise. Every effort will be made by the contractor to minimise disruption and complete the works as quickly and safely as possible.

 

The Parish Council would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused to residents and users of the recreation ground during this period. We appreciate your patience and understanding while these essential improvements are carried out.

 

As a part of the scheduled work the contractors will be making good the border between the car park and the Berryfields housing development with some topsoil. The Parish Council is aware that the Management Company have approached them with some proposals re replacement of the existing fencing and does not believe that the addition of topsoil will compromise any future changes that are reached as a result of any agreement between the parties.

 

If the programme changes significantly, or if further information becomes available, updates will be provided via the Parish Council website and noticeboards where possible.

 

 

Exercise of Public Rights

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The right to inspect the accounting records.
Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents. Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.

 

1. Date of announcement (a) Tuesday 2 June 2026

2. Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability
Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by
Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR has been
published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor,
it is subject to change as a result of that review.
Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the
accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all
books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating
to those records must be made available for inspection by any person
interested. For the year ended 31 March 2026, these documents will be available
on reasonable notice by application to:

(b) Lisa Law Clerk RFO Office 9 The Old Vicarage, 1 Rowberry Street,
Bromyard, HR7 4DU
Tel:07548663378
Email clerk@broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk

commencing on (c) __Wednesday 3 June 2026 _______________________

and ending on (d) ___Tuesday 14 July 2026 ________________________

3. Local government electors and their representatives also have:

• The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting
records; and
• The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which
the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to
the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice
of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the
smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for
this purpose between the above dates only.

4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor
under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the
Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice
2024. The appointed auditor is:

PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team)
30 Churchill Place
London E14 5RE
(sba@pkf-l.com)

5. This announcement is made by (e) Lisa Law Clerk/RFO CILCA

The full copy of this notice is available here:

Exercise of Public Rights

 

Digital Switchover

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You may be aware that by January 2027, the UK’s old copper phone network will be switched off. For older or vulnerable residents, particularly those with telecare alarms or no mobile phone, it can be confusing and potentially risky if they’re not prepared in time.

These changes will affect everyone who has or relies on a home phone, particularly for a telecare alarm, medical device, or burglar alarm. With less than a year to go before the switchover, ignoring provider messages mean the services you rely on may be disrupted. It’s important to take action when BT, Virgin Media O2 or your landline provider, like TalkTalk, Sky, Zen, EE, PlusNet or any other provider contacts you, or even better – DO NOT wait to be contacted and instead contact your provider today. For most, it’s as simple as plugging your phone into your router instead of the wall socket.

Further information and support are available on BT’s Connected Together site www.bt.com/about/all-ip/connected-together, or by calling 0330 1234 150.

Don’t put off switching and make sure you and your loved ones are supported throughout the process.

You can also watch BT’s Digital Voice Expert explaining how to prepare for the UK Landline Switchover www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFYk2cVGgOU&t=13s It is a simple guide explaining what to expect.

A checklist is available to help you here:

Parish Council PSTN Checklist WCC