For the first time you will need to show photo ID to be able to vote in the Wychavon District Council and parish and town council elections which are being held on 4th May 2023. This follows a change in the law introduced by the UK government. If you do not bring photo ID with you to the polling station and produce it when asked, then you will not be able to cast your vote.

Many people will be able to produce either a driver’s licence or passport to satisfy this new requirement, but anyone in any doubt about which other documents will be acceptable should consult the comprehensive guide produced by Wychavon District Council available to download at:

https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/elections – voter_ID

You can also watch a short video prepared by Wychavon District Council which explains the new requirements at:

You can now download the latest edition of the Pershore Times online newspaper here:

http://www.pershoretimes.co.uk/index_htm_files/Current Month.pdf

In addition to the ever popular cooking, gardening and puzzle sections, this month’s edition includes details of Pershore Carnival Committee’s fundraising quiz to be held at 7:30pm on Saturday 11th February at the Sports and Social Club on Defford Road, Pershore, the success of Pershore’s Community Cupboard, Pershore Place Board’s plans for developments in and around the town, the setting up of Read Easy groups in Evesham and Pershore aimed at helping residents struggling with literacy skills, whether due to dyslexia, poor or interrupted schooling, dislike of learning or other reasons, the chance to win tickets for the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show to be held at the NEC later this month and much more.

You can arrange for the latest edition of Pershore Times to be delivered to your inbox each month by visiting: http://www.pershoretimes.co.uk/ and entering your name and email address.

Citizens Advice in conjunction with the Rural Services Network have issued a request for people living in rural areas and experiencing difficulties with everyday expenses to complete a Rural Households Cost of Living Survey.

Results from the survey will build on the Rural Cost of Living research commissioned last year and help the Rural Services Network to lobby Government departments, MPs and other policy makers for a fairer deal for rural communities.

John Campion, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner has announced that he has secured the backing of the Police and Crime Panel to boost local policing, with additional resources focused on making West Mercia safer. 

The PCC’s 2023/4 budget proposals will see £14.3m more funding available for policing, delivering the priorities of communities across West Mercia.   

The budget will see 40 additional officers recruited to increase West Mercia numbers to the highest on record, which will enable new community crime fighting teams (totalling 55 officers) to be established. 

At a meeting on Friday 3 February, the Police and Crime Panel confirmed the PCC’s proposals to increase the precept 5.94%, or an extra 29p per week. 

This will mean an average Band D household will pay £246.50 a year – the fourth lowest increase in council tax when compared to other PCCs since 2016.

You download and read the full announcement, including further details of plans to tackle the causes of crime and harm in local communities, bringing more offenders to justice and preventing crime by copying and pasting the link below into your browser:

https://www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/

The latest edition of Fladbury KIT is available for download now. This edition contains information on forthcoming events including a PTA Bingo night on Friday 3rd February, the Five Villages Prom on Friday 10th March, a coach trip to Bath on Tuesday 18th April, Wychavon Parish Games to be held in June and late October/early November and an update from Jane Bugg on the pollution issues in the River Avon.

You can download this edition of KIT at:

https://mailchi.mp/562422f8d999/kit-january-17022595?e=3501a6f3e4

The January newsletter from John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime commissioner is now available for download. It contains articles on the opportunity for John to put your questions to the Chief Constable of West Mercia, the opportunity to complete a survey regarding your confidence in the West Mercia’s police force, confirmation that alcohol related incidents in the region have decreased, the recruitment of 40 new recruits to the region’s police force and much more.

You can download the complete newsletter here (don’t worry about the reference to August, the link does work!)

https://mailchi.mp/westmercia/pcc-newsletter-august-6114112