Kempsey Parish Council April Round-Up Daffodils, Drainage & Debates About Electricity 

Monday night’s Parish Council meeting at Kempsey Community Centre proved once again that local government is anything but boring… especially when there’s discussions involving power supplies, mysterious temporary road signs, daffodil bulbs, pump tracks and benches costing nearly £1,400.

Here’s your slightly less formal (and slightly more understandable) recap of what went down.

Power to the People (Literally)

The biggest talking point of the evening centred around National Grid works planned across Kempsey and Stonehall Commons.

Councillors debated how the village can prepare for a future where more homes move away from heating oil and LPG and towards electric heat pumps. Translation: if everyone plugs in giant electric boilers at once, Kempsey’s electricity network might currently have the same reaction as an extension lead at Christmas.

Cllr Waller declared an interest as someone who may benefit from improved electricity infrastructure himself proving even parish councillors can’t escape energy bills.

The Council ultimately voted to:

• Support National Grid carrying out reconductoring works.
• Push for electricity supplies in Kempsey to be “future proofed” for modern heating systems.

So yes… Kempsey may officially be preparing for the age of heat pumps, electric homes and fewer oil tank deliveries.

Pavilion Café Gets New Furniture

After what can only be described as an intense showdown between wood and recycled plastic, councillors approved new outdoor furniture for the Pavilion Community Café.

The winning lineup includes:

• Recycled plastic bench
• Flip-top tables
• Stackable chairs
• Grey slatted benches

The recycled plastic option won due to being lower maintenance and likely to survive several British winters, football boots, and someone inevitably spilling coffee on it.

Daffadowndilly Weekend Was a Huge Success

The Council praised the recent Daffadowndilly weekend, thanking volunteers, the WI, Kempsey CIC and organisers for making it such a success.

Even more daffodil bulbs have already been ordered for autumn planting – meaning Kempsey’s annual attempt to out-yellow itself is officially continuing.

Pump Track Moves Forward

Big progress on the long-awaited pump track project:

• A preferred contractor has now been selected.
• Funding arrangements are still being carefully protected during local government changes.
• The wider sports and community centre funding pot (£1.5 million+) remains under active discussion.

In short: wheels are turning… hopefully soon quite literally.

Solar Panels & Youth Hub Plans

Trees behind the Youth Centre at Plovers Rise have now been cleared ready for solar energy works.

Meanwhile, plans continue for the new IT & Youth Hub, with discussions ongoing about timelines and when containers currently on site will need moving.

Somewhere in Kempsey, a football club and cricket club are nervously eyeing their storage arrangements.

Basketball Court Needs New White Lines

An issue of national importance was raised:
The basketball court markings at Plovers Rise need repainting.

Finally. Someone said it.

Bus Shelter “Illegal Activity”

Police have reportedly requested the removal of the bus shelter outside 1 Centurion Drive due to noise and anti-social behaviour.

Proof that even bus shelters sometimes develop reputations.

Rocky Bridge Upgrade Secures £20K Grant

A £20,000 grant has been approved to improve the bridge at The Rocky, with quotes now being sought.

Also:

• A fallen tree blocking a footpath is being dealt with.
• Seating at Baynhall bus shelter is away being powder coated.
• Kempsey’s relocated noticeboard now lives outside the shop.

The noticeboard appears to have had a more successful relocation than most people moving house.

Planning Drama Continues

The Planning Committee had another busy session:

• Objections raised to converting modern agricultural buildings into homes at Brookend Farm.
• No objections to listed building works at Hop Pockets.
• Questions raised over an “annex” at Kerswell Green which councillors feared looked suspiciously like a whole new house.
• Temporary developer signs? Allowed.
• Fence saga at 1 Centurion Drive? Still ongoing.

Local planning meetings continue to prove that nothing generates stronger opinions than fences and countryside policy wording.

Good News for Veterans

County Councillor Martin Allen announced free bus travel for veterans and serving armed forces personnel in Worcestershire has finally launched.

He also reported:

• Repairs have been completed following a “National Grid bodge”.
• Meetings are ongoing about school parking chaos.
• Efforts continue to improve the On Demand bus service.

Gandies Café Opens

The new café at the Eco Park officially opened, with councillors wishing the business success.

Kempsey’s café scene continues to grow at an alarming rate. At this pace we may soon require a village-wide pastry strategy.

Coming Soon

The Parish Council Vision Report is nearly complete and will soon be published, alongside plans for a promotional video showcasing Kempsey and possibly recruiting future councillors.

Because if there’s one thing everyone dreams of after watching a cinematic village promo… it’s joining a council committee.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm after nearly three hours of discussions covering everything from electricity infrastructure and biodiversity calculations to football pitches and bus shelters.

Classic Kempsey really.