Alvechurch Parish Council

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Members & Council Details/Responsibilities

Parish Councillors
District Councillors
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Member of Parliament

Parish Councillors
Photo	Councillor	Committee Membership	Contact Details
	Ruth Clarke Alvechurch Village Ward I moved in to Alvechurch 2 years ago having been a resident in South Birmingham for 50 years. I worked in the NHS as a physiotherapist for nearly 40 years both in hospitals and in the community. I recently became a volunteer at the Community Larder in Alvechurch and I am keen to offer support to other community groups. I understand the importance of Nature for both the physical and mental well being of us all and preserving the valuable Green spaces both in our parish and the wider area is essential for us ,as well as our responsibility to properly care for our environment and the rest of the planet. Member’s Register of Interest- Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Pending	Address: The Haypen School Lane Alvechurch B48 7SA Telephone: 07464737568
	Nigel Cutress Alvechurch Village Ward I have lived in the village for some four years. My career has been in education. I sandwiched my main career as an academic with the Open University, based in Birmingham for 23 years, with teaching in both private and state schools. Within the OU, where students are adults studying part time I specialised in developing support for disabled students, students in prison and with the MoD for service personnel (and their families) based outside the UK. I’m a chemist, (Global Warming was predicted by a Nobel prize winning chemist in 1896) and as a child of the 60s the books by Rachel Carson (The Silent Spring) and EE Schumacker ( Small is Beautiful) defined my personal philosophy of the need for a sustainable future. Excitingly chemistry will provide main of the solutions, and I hope as a scientist on the parish council to bring a positive perspective to the challenges we face in the village. Member’s Register of Interest- Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Finance & Scrutiny Committee H/R Committee Planning & Highways Committee Outside Organisations: Alvechurch Village Hall Alvechurch Village Society	Address: 12 Branden Road, Alvechurch, B48 7PE Telephone: Mobile Tel: 07515355302
	Paul Edwards Hopwood Ward I have been a resident in Hopwood for over 30 years and have enjoyed the benefits of bringing up my family / living within the local Alvechurch Parish community. I retired from the NHS after over 44 years service within which I held several senior executive roles in both Hospital Trusts and Health Authorities. I am particularly interested in local traffic calming measures, enhancing our public transport infrastructure, given the drive to a more sustainable transport policy and to protect our green belt that defines our local community and habitat. I am currently Vice Chair of the Parish Council and Chair of the Finance & Scrutiny Committee. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Finance & Scrutiny Committee (Committee Chair) H/R Committee Youth, Sport & Recreation Committee Working Groups: Christmas Lights/Christmas Switch-On Event Emergency Plan/Community Resilience Strategic/Yearly Action Plan Outside Organisations: WALC/CALC Executive Board	Address: 1 The Rise Hopwood B48 7AP Telephone: Mobile Tel: 07973 503719
	Peter Freeman Alvechurch Village Ward I have lived in Alvechurch for the past 8 years, before I retired, I was an electronics engineer. I have been involved with The Lounge since its conception and I remain the Parish Council’s nominated representative, I am also a member of St Laurence’s Parochial Church Council. I currently serve on both the Planning and Highways Committee and the Personnel Committee. Member’s Register of Interest- Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	H/R Committee Planning & Highways Committee Outside Organisations: Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) The Lounge	Address: 2 Oaktree Close, Alvechurch, Birmingham B48 7PY Telephone: 01214 480664
	Steve Hornsby Rowney Green & Bordesley Ward After teaching Religious Studies and moral philosophy for 35 years in Birmingham, my wife and I retired and moved to the Bordesley part of Alvechurch parish 7 years ago. I have always had an interest in politics at both national and local level (I even briefly taught it at exam level) so the opportunity to serve as a Parish Councillor was one, I relished. I belong to several wildlife organisations so I am keen to preserve and enhance our environment. I’ve always had a love of sport so I also want to improve our parks and recreational facilities. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Finance & Scrutiny Committee H/R Committee Planning & Highways Committee Youth, Sports & Recreation Committee (Committee Chair) Working Groups: Emergency Plan/Community Resilience Outside Organisations: Alvechurch Educational Trust (AET)	Address: 324 Birmingham Road Bordesley B97 6RJ Telephone: 01527 328806
	Sue Lambert Alvechurch Village Ward I have lived in the village since 2010, a ‘ blow in ‘ from Birmingham. I retired in 2014 from being a Senior Sister in Accident & Emergency at the Alexandra Hospital where I had worked since 2000. I was Parish Councillor for 10 years prior to lockdown; however, when the meetings moved to remote access, I stood down. I re-joined the Council again in June 2023. I belong to various clubs and societies in the village including Aelfgythe Border Morris, I regularly attend St Laurence Church meeting and listening to a large cross section of our community. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Youth, Sports & Recreation Committee	Address: 7 Cygnet Close, Alvechurch, B48 7PX Telephone: 07769110608
	Barry Thornton Bordesley and Rowney Green Ward I have lived in the village of Wythall for 29 years and seen lots of changes. My 34 years of working life was spent at Jaguar cars in Coventry, which moved to Castle Bromwich. When I left Jaguar I acquired a 10 acre field in Rowney Green, planted hedges and trees and the field is used for grazing horses. I was previously with Wythall parish council for 8 years and I am now a councillor for the Rowney Green Ward. I am a member of the Planning and Highway Committee. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Finance & Scrutiny Committee Planning & Highways Committee Outside Organisations: Rowney Green Association	Address: 9 Silvermead Court, Silver Street, Wythall B47 6LN Telephone: 07811 055 476
	Tony Williams Alvechurch Village Ward I have lived at Weatheroak Hill for thirty eight years, and I am very fond of this area. I am a retired architect, originally co-opted onto the Planning & Highways Committee a couple of years ago, and latterly joined the main Parish Council. I have been involved in Weatheroak Residents Association for at least thirty years, and currently occupy the Chairman’s role. My interests are principally those of Town Planning and the implications for Alvechurch, which I hope will continue to thrive. Our village is a very pleasant place in which to live and we must look after it for the benefit of all sections of our community. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Planning & Highways Committee	Address: Hall Farm Cottage Weatheroak Hill Alvechurch B48 7EA Telephone: Mobile No: 07764663008
	Keith Wiseman Alvechurch Ward I moved to the Village almost 40 years ago and my 2 daughters grew up in the village and attended both the First and Middle Schools. I retired 3 years ago having worked in Special Education for 41 years where I worked with disadvantaged and disaffected children aged 4-16, becoming a specialist in the safeguarding and the Health and Safety of children. I have always had a great interest in community relations and have supported many community groups throughout my working life. In the village I was a school governor for the Middle school at the time the school was re-located and I am now Chair of Governors at the First School. I am currently a committee member at Alvechurch Community Larder where we are trying to reduce food waste as well as helping families who need support. I have been a Parish Councillor for approximately a year now and I am enjoying the experience greatly and hope to continue to support various initiatives in the Parish. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	H/R Committee Planning & Highways Committee Youth, Sport & Recreation Committee Working Groups: Christmas Lights/Christmas Switch-On Event Outside Organisations: Alvechurch Community Larder Alvechurch Station	Address: 81 Blythesway Alvechurch B48 7NB Telephone: Mobile No: 07784363177
	Marc Worrall (Chairman) Alvechurch Village Ward I became a Parish Councillor in 2015 having lived in the Parish for over 30 years and bring to the PC my knowledge and experience gained over many years in all matters of procurement, project management, contracts and administration of capital projects mainly related to construction and property. I’m also a Trustee of two local Charities, as well as a Trustee of a Multi Academy Trust. I am the Parish Council’s representative at County Association of Local Councils’ local and executive meetings. My knowledge of the planning process and legislation from having my own architectural consultancy is valuable when participating in Planning & Highways Committee debates. On a personal level, I continue to enjoy playing racquetball and golf. I have a Private Pilots License and am a certified Scuba Diver. I’m also fluent in Spanish which helps with my other main interests of travelling and geopolitics. It’s a privilege to be Chairman of the Parish Council and be supported by fellow committed and dedicated Councillors, all focused on helping to ensure our Parish remains a pleasurable place in which to live. Member’s Register of Interest – Alvechurch – bromsgrove.gov.uk	Finance & Scrutiny Committee Planning & Highways (Committee Chair) Youth, Sport & Recreation Committee Working Groups: Strategic/Yearly Action Plan Outside Organisations: Alvechurch Almhouse Trust Alvechurch Educational Trust (AET) Alvechurch Station WALC/CALC Executive Board	Address: The Acorns 9 Oaktree Close B48 7PY Telephone: Mobile No: 07434 640091
	2 x Councillor Vacancies (Please contact the Clerk if interested)

District Councillors
Photo	Councillor	Email Address	Contact Details
	Alan Bailes Alvechurch South Ward	a.bailes@bromsgrove.gov.uk	Address: 397 Birmingham Road Bordesley B97 6RJ Telephone: Mobile No. 07803894686
	Charles Hotham Barnt Green & Hopwood Ward	c.hotham@bromsgrove.gov.uk	Address: 26 Blackwell Road Barnt Green Worcestershire B45 8BU Telehone: 0121 445 2930
	Rachael Bailes Alvechurch Village Ward	r.bailes@bromsgrove.gov.uk	Address: 397 Birmingham Road Bordesley B97 6RJ Telephone: Mobile Tel: 07811200743

County Councillors
Photo	Councillor	Email Address	Contact Details
	CCllr Alan Bailes	abailes1@worcestershire.gov.uk	Address: County Hall, Spetchly Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP Phone number; TBA

Member of Parliament
Photo	Councillor	Email Address	Contact Details
	Mr Bradley Thomas	bradley.thomas.mp@parliament.uk	Address: House of Commons London 01527 872135 SW1A 0AA

Staffing Structure
Item 1
The Role of the (Proper Officer to the Council) Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer (Taken from section 112 of the Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, section 101 of the 1972 and section 151 of the LGA 1972. Under the section 112 of the Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, a parish or town (local) council shall appoint such officers as necessary for the proper discharge of their functions. In short, it shall appoint a “proper officer”. The proper officer is very often referred to as “the clerk (to the council)” but can be known by other terms, such as Chief Executive. Duties are set out in a job description and the role is covered by a contract of employment. These should be in place for all local council clerks. There may have been a bygone era where a clerk to a parish council was seen as carrying out a service to the community in the way a councillor might by putting themselves forward for election. This is no longer the case. The clerk is the professional, independent officer to a statutory body which spends public money and the role should be treated as such and paid accordingly. There are salary scale recommendations for local council clerks with a National Agreement between the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) to help councils calculate the correct salary for their clerk. The clerk is adviser to the council. Part of their role is to provide information and guidance as to the law to aid council members in the decision-making process. The clerk carries out the actions arising from council meetings and implements decisions. They are the point of contact and both send out and receive correspondence. The clerk is the independent officer, s/he puts forward the view of the council and writes and responds to all correspondence with this in mind. Their role is to advise on the practical, legal and procedural nature of the discussion and decision, and the issues that may arise. Legally councils can delegate decisions to clerks because they are trusted professional officers, whose objectivity allows them to act for them. The clerk is not a secretary, or the personal assistant of the chairman or any individual council members. The Clerk is the Proper Officer to the Council in law. The clerk is employed by, and therefore answerable to, the council as a whole only not to individuals and is instructed to carry out actions by full council or by committees with delegated powers. The agenda is the clerk’s responsibility; s/he must sign the agenda and send it to members. S/he is also responsible for writing the minutes of full council and committee meetings (sometimes done by committee clerks in larger councils). Minutes are intended to be an unbiased, legal record of the decisions taken at a meeting. They are done by the clerk to ensure this independence although they are agreed as a true record by the council (or committee and signed by the Chairman). Under section 101 of the LGA 1972, a local council may delegate its functions to the clerk. It is common practice for councils to do this under certain circumstances. A few examples are: * Making a decision in an emergency * Making decisions relating to health and safety – for example, if something is reported as damaged in a play area, it should not be left until a council to agree to get this fixed * Being allocated an agreed sum of money to spend on items to assist them in their work, this may include computer sundries, stationery and other office supplies * Responding to planning applications which meet certain criteria – there can often be too many planning applications for a council to deal with in the time allotted by the principal authority, delegating the unambiguous applications which are not likely to raise controversy may be a way of expediting the process. The clerk is often an expert in many fields. Each issue that arises in a council, whether that focuses on planning, land, leases, contracts or any number of the possible functions of a council, can bring its own issues, questions and pitfalls. Correspondence and research can take up a large amount of time as well as attendance at outside meetings and training. A clerk should not be expected to work in their own time or with their own funds. Under s151 of the LGA 1972, a local council must appoint: An officer to administer their finances and ensure all legislation to meet the Transparency and Accountability regulations. This officer is known as either the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) or in some cases the “151 officer” (in reference to the section of the Act). In many councils the RFO is the clerk. The RFO compiles budgets and precept requests and ensures that proper practices are undertaken in financial administration.

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Notice Of Dispensation

Committee List

Civic Events

Staffing Structure

Scheme Of Delegation

Member/Employee Training

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