There can be, and often is, confusion between the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. All Town and Parish Councils throughout England are required by law to hold an Annual Parish Meeting, which must take place between 1st March and 1st June (inclusive). Meetings should not commence before 6pm.
The purpose of the meeting is to give the Parish Council, and other local organisations an opportunity to let local residents know what they have been doing over the past year. The meeting is also an opportunity for electors to have a say on anything they consider valuable to the people of the Parish.
The meeting can also be an opportunity for local groups, clubs societies and other voluntary and statutory organisations to provide an exhibition and or have representatives from the group address those present at the meeting about the work they do and what they are involved in.
The Annual Parish Meeting is for all electors of the Parish. It is not a meeting for the Parish Council. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting, however, only registered electors may speak.
Any registered elector may ask a question of the Council which will usually be answered by the Chairman, the Clerk or a designated Councillor. Any elector may also make a suggestion and comment on anything pertinent tot he residents of the Parish. This will be welcomed and is the whole purpose of the meeting.
The Chairman of the Council will chair the meeting. The meeting is also convened by the Chairman of the Council.
All Parish Councillors will be invited to attend. Councillors will also have an opportunity to raise questions if they wish, however, the purpose of the meeting is to enable electors to find out what is going on in their parish and to have their say.
Minutes will be taken by the Clerk to the Council. The minutes of the last meeting shall be reviewed, agreed and signed at the meeting.
The length of the meeting is dependent on the number of electors present, the number of questions asked and the discussion that is raised. Generally, the meeting will not last longer than two hours.
The agenda calling the meeting is published at least 7 clear days before the meeting. The agenda can be found on our website. Please call the Clerk to the Council if you have any questions, on 01902 896300.
This is the draft response to South Staffordshire Council’s Local Plan Review Preferred Options consultation which will be considered and adopted at our Full Council meeting on Monday 6th December 2021 at 7.15pm.
Wombourne Parish Council's Response to Consultation on Local Plan 2.12.21 (final)
Parish Councillors and staff said goodbye to Parish Councillor Reg Williams today as his funeral took place at St Benedict Biscop Church.
Councillor Dan Kinsey, Chairman of the Parish Council was one of many to pay tribute to Reg, this is what he had to say:
We are here today to celebrate the life of Reginald Williams. Reg, as he was affectionately known to Many of us, would be very touched that so many have determined to be here – and yet more who would have liked to be here. In fact, I think he would be quite surprised by the attention; so unassuming and modest a man as he was.
Many of you will have known Reg for many more years than I have, and will no doubt be remembering a great number of wonderful anecdotes that really encapsulate him. This is just my personal reflection.
As you will know, Reg was a longstanding Parish and District Councillor. I shan’t say any more on his District Council service as someone far more qualified than me will do so shortly. Reg served the Parish Council with distinction for twenty-six years. In that time, he was elected Chairman, serving between 2002 and 2003. He also served for an extensive period as the Chairman of our Planning Committee. This role, it always appeared to me, was made for him. Reg’s knowledge of planning was encyclopaedic, and the little he had forgotten was quite literally not worth knowing. He would lead members through an application, signposting the key areas of focus, and quite often a side note about what had existed on this site, who had lived there or other points of interest in the vicinity from many years before. In fact, we have always gotten a feeling for Reg’s eye for design as talk of the relevant planning considerations would often pause while he noted the unusual siting of the intended toilet, or how the extension changed the relationship of the kitchen to the living room – and much to the amusement of all present. That was Reg.
However, you will all likely know that Reg’s story in public service did not begin with him standing for election. He began as the dutiful supporter of his late wife, Joan, who also served the Parish for many years, including with four stints as Chairman. He was Joan’s consort at functions and her confidante. It was only upon his retirement that Reg sought to join Joan, and when celebrating his 25th year of continued service he noted that counting back to his joining the Parish Council took him back to being a mere 65 years old; he may have retired, but even then, Reg was only getting started.
Now, I have to say I never met Joan. Nonetheless I have a strong impression of her from a range of sources, and not least her husband. No less so was this the case when I saw Reg at his home where every fascinating item held a story that Reg was only too keen to relate; an antique clock that had seen better days which Joan had spotted while on holiday, lovingly restored and made good by Reg, now and forever a treasured memento. That was Reg.
We have established Reg’s credentials as a stalwart of Council meetings. So reliable you could set your watch by him, it is perhaps unsurprising that his memory was always as good as his timekeeping; and what a memory! His knowledge of the Parish he served for so long was, as with his knowledge of planning, encyclopaedic. What is more, and such a mark of the man, was his desire to pass this information on to others. Only too often after a meeting do I remember Reg catching my eye with a surreptitious gesture; ‘this way’ it suggested. Closing in, Reg’s gaze would then shift to an unremarkable cap on the floor, or a long-unused bracket on a wall which he would emphasise with a discreet yet theatrical jab with an extended finger. The purpose was immediately made clear along with a detailed anecdote that noted the importance of the object, often noting the last time it was used, and the array of characters that played parts in the story.
Indeed, so much local history was lived experience for Reg. One day when somehow we discussed the construction of the A449, he noted that, at the age of 19, he was riding pillion on the back of his friend’s motorbike. This was back when the main road to Stourbridge (their destination) was up Battlefield Hill past the Red Lion pub. It was here, said Reg, that his friend lost control, sending them both skidding along the tarmac. No doubt a painful experience, but Reg remembered it fondly. Again, that was Reg.
In the last eighteen months of Reg’s life, and despite all he had seen before, he, like us all, found himself dealing with a global pandemic. Living alone and being of a good age, we were naturally concerned about him. Our clerk, Rachael, called him in the first week of lockdown, just to check he was okay, and whether he needed anything. ‘Hang on’ said Reg, ‘Let me just do a head count to make sure we’re all accounted for’. The phone went silent for a moment. Then Reg exclaimed ‘One! All accounted for!’ Such was his sense of humour. I can still imagine him beaming a cheeky smile as he delivered that line. He always was one for an expertly timed one-liner. Despite his years, his wit was still razor-sharp.
Of course, Reg was also fiercely independent. We kept in touch regularly, but Reg never appeared to need anything. It appears that despite all advice to the contrary, Reg was still insisting on donning a mask and doing his own shopping. Indeed, despite an extended stay in hospital, we were totally unsurprised when his brother-in-law told us he had been in the hospital gym.
Despite his eagerness to get back on his feet, Reg was not quite up to driving. Instead, we agreed I would pick him up for meetings whenever he was feeling up to attending. The problem was, I drive a mini. It is low to the ground and small. Notwithstanding being tall and a little less steady on his feet than he used to be, Reg insisted on no help at all getting into or out of the car. This remained the case even at the last meeting he attended – a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Codsall. Walking into the Council chamber he was welcomed by a round of applause from members. Word had spread that he was making an appearance, and such was the esteem and affection in which he was held that members wanted to give him a memorable welcome. Stepping into a roll of applause, Reg took a moment to process the scene, then lent over to me and said quietly, ‘You’re popular!’ I did explain the applause was all his. I think he knew. Self-effacing to the last. That was Reg.
I hope you have all enjoyed these brief reflections of mine, and that they have brought to mind some fond memories of your own.
Reg Williams was a monolithic presence in village life; dutiful husband, dedicated public servant, intellectual, razor-sharp of wit and memory. Above all, and I know everyone will agree on this, an absolute gentleman. Our lives are all the richer for having known him, and he will be greatly missed.
Reg will be sadly missed by everyone at Wombourne Parish Council.
Councillor Reginald Williams represented Wombourne Parish Council in the South East Ward for over twenty-five years and served on a number of committees, particularly the Parish Council’s Planning Committee of which he was Chairman for many years. He had been Chairman of the Parish Council in 2002.
Cllr Williams was also a longstanding member of South Staffordshire District Council for Wombourne South East. He was also Chairman of the District Council. Simply known as Reg to many that knew him, he had a longstanding affinity with the ward, which had been his home for many years.
Reg came into political life really as a dedicated supporter of his late wife, Joan. Joan had already had a long career as a Parish and District Councillor, serving as Parish Chairman four times. Upon his retirement, it was therefore quite natural for Reg to step into a life of public service; a commitment that he maintained after Joan’s passing.
Reg was a font of knowledge, whether of local history and geography, or many more diverse topics. He was an avid railways enthusiast and model-maker. Crafting objects, painting or doodling away on a notepad were some of his favourite pass times and as everyone that knew him will recall, he had a razor-sharp sense of humour and a cheeky smile.
Cllr Williams held an encyclopaedic knowledge of planning, and despite stepping down from the role as Chairman of the Planning Committee earlier this year, he remained as the Committee’s Vice-Chairman due to the esteem in which he was held in the role and because of the wealth of experience he brought to meetings.
Our Chairman, Councillor Dan Kinsey, reflected on Councillor Williams’s life of service; ‘Councillor Williams was a unique individual; warm and kind, friendly and utterly disarming. He was a charming man. He served his community with dedication, as did his beloved Joan. They were quite a team. Personally, I will never forget how, as a new member, he took me under his wing and supported me a great deal, such was his generosity. Formidably quick-witted, even at 90 years of age, he could break the ice, or tension, with a single line. Reg was a good friend, and we shall all miss him dearly’.
He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
The Parish Council wishes to extend their deepest condolences to Councillor Williams’s family at this sad time.
Help tackle bad behaviour on our roads today!
We’re looking for volunteers to grow our Community Speedwatch.
Speeding and related issues can be a real problem, but together we can help to make #saferoadsforall in Wombourne.
To express an interest, or to get involved, contact us on 01902 896300.
Speed Watch poster
Wombourne Parish Council were sad to hear of the passing of former Councillor Henry (Harry) McTaggart aged 90.
Mr McTggart had served Wombourne Parish, South Staffordshire District and Staffordshire County Council’s for 26 years between 1963 and 1989.
He lived in Wombourne from 1959 until his passing on 20th May 2020.
His funeral will take place on Thursday 25th June, when will take one last journey around Wombourne village green at approximately 10.35am/10.40am before a private ceremony at Gornal Crematorium.
Our thoughts are with his children Carol, Maureen, Alison and Peter at this sad time.
