For weeks, Kempsey residents have been raising concerns about wasteful spending, missed deadlines, stalled projects, and a growing pattern of FOI refusals and blocked transparency. Confidence in the parish council has been slipping – and scrutiny has been rising.
And adding to that pressure was the fly-tipping crisis at Pixham Ferry Lane – an issue we first reported back in March, after the dumped waste sat untouched for three weeks with no action from the parish council. The story highlighted not only the eyesore and hazard but also the lack of urgency shown by the parish leadership.
So when KPC suddenly published a cheerful update about councillors rolling up their sleeves and cleaning the site, many residents couldn’t help but notice the timing.
A Convenient Moment for Good PR?
Shortly after weeks of local criticism – and the renewed attention brought by our March report – the parish council released a feel-good story positioning itself as hands-on, proactive, and community-minded.
And yes, the clean-up itself was real.
But the optics?
Hard to ignore.
The Cleanup Effort: Real Work, Real Participation
To be fair and factual:
- Parish Chairman Cllr Waller led the operation in full HAZMAT gear to safely handle hazardous waste.
- He was joined by community builder Cathy Garner, Planning Chair Rob Gardener, Cllr Varley, and several local residents.
- Their combined effort cleared dangerous materials and restored the area after weeks of inaction.
- On day two, the Lengthsman team and Malvern Hills District Council added further coordinated support.
No one disputes the effort – it was genuine, necessary, and appreciated.
But Residents Haven’t Forgotten the Bigger Picture
While the cleanup was a positive step, it does not erase months of wider concerns, including:
- Thousands of pounds already spent on Pixham Ferry Lane project without breaking ground
- £50,000+ on a community builder role with unclear outcomes
- £14,000+ proposed for a community café upgrade used only 1 day a week
- Refusal or heavy redaction of FOI requests
- Public and councillors being cut off mid-meetings
And crucially:
The fly-tipping sat for months (March) until we and residents brought attention to it – repeatedly.
That context is impossible to ignore.
A Good Story – But Not a Distraction
Residents can appreciate a cleared site and still recognise what’s going on:
- This was a necessary cleanup
- It was also an opportunity for KPC to show itself in a more favourable light
- The timing coincides with rising criticism and demands for transparency
- Action arrived only after public pressure and published reporting
In other words:
Cleaning up the rubbish is good – but cleaning up governance is far more important.
What Comes Next?
KPC now faces a choice:
- Treat this as a photo-ready PR moment or
- Use it as the start of genuine transparency, responsible spending, and open communication with residents
Because while the waste at Pixham Ferry Lane is gone…
the trust deficit remains.
