Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) Legacy Grant.

MHDC Community Legacy Grant https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/community-facility-legacy-grant-scheme

 

Berryfields Recreation area.

 

Following the Parish Council being conditionally awarded a grant in September. We have been working toward completion of the compliance stage by the 31st December. If this is successful it means we will be made a final offer, which will allow us to proceed with issuing contracts and placing orders, on the basis that the work has to be started before the 21st March 2026.

 

In putting forward our application the Parish Council was mindful of the following

– The Parish Council is seeking to act in the best interests of all parishioners, meet its legal obligations and responsibilities so as to ensure that its assets are managed on a sustainable basis for present and future generations.

– Berryfields is an important community asset for the whole parish. As such, a significant percentage of the parish precept is allocated to maintenance, and when possible improvement.

– The Parish Council has always welcomed feedback and suggestions about the best ways to use the asset and any future development. Most recently a section was included in the Housing Needs Survey. This was sent to all addresses in the parish as a part of the review of the Neighbourhood Development plan.

– Although only a small number of parishioners chose to complete this section (17 households), the responses do provide some indication of the range of issues and ideas people have. Whilst these may not be representative of the parish as a whole they are probably indicative.

– The Parish Council holds regular meetings which are open to the public, and provides a full and accessible record of these meetings. In addition to providing updates for the parish magazine, the parish council website provides a first point of contact and source of information. In addition the Clerk and councillors are always contactable.

– At present the Parish Council remains committed to the retention, promotion and development of Berryfields within the terms of the original bequest, and available resources.

 

– On the 11th April 2025 Malvern Hills District Council announced a Community Legacy Fund with the intention of providing funds to support the sustainability of community based activities and assets.

– At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 14th May, this was discussed and it was agreed to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by the deadline of 8th June. https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CFLGS-first-draft-proposal-for-EOI-25_160-14.5.25-.pdf

– At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 11th June the meeting was updated as to the submission of the EOI and next steps https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BCPC-11.6.25-chairs-report-25_175.pdf

– At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 13th August a further update and discussion paper was provided https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BCPC-agenda-item-25_195-report-2.pdf

– At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 10th September an update was provided https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BCPC-Chairs-report-10.9.25.pdf

– At the meeting of the Parish Council on the 8th October notification of the conditional offer was tabled with a report outlining next steps https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BCPC-8.10.25-25_228-MHDC-Legacy-grant-.pdf. and https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A053-Conditional-Offer-Broadwas-PC.pdf

– At the meeting on the 5th November the Parish Council considered the next step in order to achieve the final offer by the deadline of the 31st December. https://broadwascotheridge-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A053-Conditional-Offer-Broadwas-PC.pdf

 

– The Parish Council is working to meet the compliance requirements of the scheme, whilst also working up further details for each element of the conditionally accepted proposal. The Parish Council has through its meetings which are open to the public, the provision of records (above ), regular updates in the parish magazine and through face to face contacts sought to make parishioners aware of the above.

 

– As the details around each element of the proposal are fine tuned and subject to the meeting of the compliance requirements, the Parish Council hopes to be in a position early in 2026 to finalise matters with a view to awarding contracts. In order to meet the terms of the scheme for the work to have started by the 31st March 2026. The Parish Council will continue to promote awareness of the scheme and welcome feedback and support.

What we have been awarded funding for.

 

  1. To resurface the car park area and to provide disabled parking spaces – this will bring the car park up to the same standard as the school car park, improve access and reduce the risk of damage due to the present drop from one car park to the other. In addition for the first time the car park can be brought up to standard in terms of provision for drivers who have a Blue Badge.
  2. To replace the item of children’s play equipment which had to be decommissioned recently – In 2023/24 the Parish Council had the existing equipment assessed (in addition to the annual safety inspection (to ROSPA standards and monthly H&S checks), and as a result commissioned some remedial work and updating of the equipment and the immediate areas. In 2024/25 the 2 picnic benches were replaced having either been damaged or worn out. In 2024 it was necessary to remove a piece of equipment which was damaged beyond feasible repair. In 2022/23 The Parish Council considered whether replacement of the existing children’s play equipment was a goal to consider. However on the basis of specialist advice that the existing equipment had a continued useful life and having scoped the potential costs, that the Parish Council would not be able to readily identify the funding for this, in the light of the priority given to the future of the car park. All of the equipment on Berryfields is subject to an annual inspection (which is formally considered at a PC meeting -see mins) as well as at least monthly visual H&S checks.
  3. To provide a waterless WC facility – There are a range of views as to whether or not this would be a positive addition to the facilities on site. On balance the Parish Council felt it sensible to include this in the application for the following reasons – given the waterless toilet appears to offer an environmentally sensitive approach and has been designed with venues such as Berryfields in mind, this would provide a discrete and appropriate facility for those using the site. It would be located well away from any immediate buildings. Having made a visit to another parish council who successfully installed one in their play area and spent some time with the manufacturers we are looking at this version https://www.waterlesstoilets.co.uk/kazuba/kl4-accessible/ As with all aspects of the application the Parish Council was minded to identify and evaluate any ongoing costs, as there would be a need for annual servicing and regular cleaning. Given that the use of the site has changed over time and possibly will change in the future, the judgment is that such an addition would potentially improve the overall facilities.
  4. To provide fit for purpose storage facilities and introduce new seating area(s). The present arrangements (the container) have been the subject of a number of complaints over the years. In reality the its size is not proportionate to any foreseeable storage needs. Therefore the Parish Council is exploring disposal (having found that re location on the site does not appear to be a feasible option) and the erection of a smaller storage facility as well as some landscaping to introduce and new seating area.
  5. To undertake any such landscaping works (including fencing) as may be required. The Parish Council has a programme of rolling maintenance in place re the existing fencing (in the past 18 months 2 gate posts and a number of fencing rails have been replaced). It is therefore proposed to bring the present fencing up to a new standard including treatment/staining.
  6. One of the main objectives of the grant is to promote and support the sustainability of valued           community assets.  The Parish Council feels that these measures will continue to promote  use by parishioners and other visitors to the parish. So that they can continue to take advantage of the children’s play area, the adult fitness equipment, the playing field area using the provided goal posts, and green space for games, picnics and other appropriate activities.
  7. The Parish Council enjoys a good relationship with the school who regularly use the car park and the field for a range of activities e.g sports, recent dog mentoring scheme. The PTA holds its annual firework and bonfire night event on the field with the full support of the Parish Council.
  8. In the past the football pitches were let to local amateur leagues, but in recent years demand for this has fallen off. It was also found that this service, was resulting in a number of negative consequences that impacted on local residents and the Parrish Councils limited resources. So in 2024 the Parish Council decided that it would not offer this service any more.
  9. The Parish Council receives from time to time other requests which it considers on a case by case basis, and for example has on a no cost basis agreed to family parties and picnics, use of the car park for other events.
  10. Grass cutting and annual hedge cutting is provided by an external contractor. MHDC empties the waste bin regularly on behalf of the Parish Council. The height restitution barrier which is sited on land owned by the County Council/ Diocese of Worcester, has been damaged, and it is proving difficult to find a firm who can repair it. However work is ongoing to identify someone who can either repair or replace, subject to funds being identified.
  11. The Parish Council has received a number of representations from parishioners to allow access to dogs. Presently only assistance dogs are permitted. There are a number of issues around this request, and it is a matter on which we know that parishioners have strong and often opposing views. Hence the Parish Council installing a dog waste bin, and shortly signage, on Stoney Ley. It is also the case that a number of parishioners choose to ignore the restriction in place on Berryfields, which is regrettable. A significant concern in any public space where there are areas dedicated to children is the potential impact that any change could have on their safety and wellbeing. At present the Parish Council cannot see a convincing case for changing the position.

The Parish Council as a result of due process was pleased to learn that it had been provisionally awarded a grant from the MHDC Community Legacy Fund, resulting at is does in inward investment to the parish. Parishioners will recall that with the exception of Broadwas Village, the Parish Council with the County Council attracted in excess of £200,000 inward investment to bring fibre to premises broadband to the Parish.

The grant and the Parish Council contribution will ensure that the present uses are supported by a number of upgrades, which will also support any future changes of use (within the terms of the original bequest) and improve the experience of those who choose to enjoy Berryfields.