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Corporate Peer Challenge

In October 2024, we are taking part in a Corporate Peer Challenge run by the Local Government Association.

Corporate Peer Challenge is a tried and trusted tool for improvement offered to councils. It involves a team of senior local government officers and councillors spending time at a council to provide challenge, offer feedback and share learning. 

During their three day visit to Wychavon, our peer team will focus on the five core components of all Corporate Peer Challenges:

  • local priorities and outcomes
  • organisational and place leadership
  • governance and culture
  • financial planning and management
  • capacity for improvement

In addition, we have asked for some feedback about our approach to customer services and overall customer experience.

The peer team will engage with a wide range of people connected with Wychavon and at the end of their visit they will present their findings and send us a feedback report, which will include some recommendations.

We will publish the feedback report on this page towards the end of the year.

For more information contact

Cherrie Mansfield
Head of Strategy and Engagement
01386 565508
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pavement Licensing Consultation

In this section

Outdoor dining area

Consultation on Draft Policy on Pavement Licensing

Wychavon District Council is the authority responsible for the issuing of pavement licences in its area under provisions contained in the Business and Planning Act 2020. 

The Business and Planning Act 2020 created a streamlined process to allow applicable businesses to apply for a licence to place removable furniture over certain highways adjacent to a premises in relation to which the application is made, for certain purposes.

The licensing regime was originally intended to be in place on a temporary basis but has now been made permanent.

The Council is now carrying out a consultation exercise in relation to a draft policy on pavement licensing. 

The draft policy sets out a number of relevant matters including:

  • The Council’s interpretation of the scope of, and key terms in, the relevant legislation
  • The Council’s requirements in respect of applications for licences
  • The general approach and matters that the Council will take into account when determining applications for licences, including those who will be consulted
  • The conditions that the Council will attach to licences granted or deemed to be granted
  • The Council’s approach to enforcement and revocation of licences

As part of the consultation exercise, the Council would welcome responses to the survey that can be found on the following link: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WDCPPL/

It will assist you greatly in responding to the consultation survey if you can read the relevant paragraphs of the draft policy before answering the questions asked.

A copy of the draft policy can be found here: pdf Draft Policy on Pavement Licensing (533 KB)

The consultation survey will remain open for responses until Friday 30th October 2024.

Consultation on Revised Statement of Principles Under the Gambling Act 2005

Wychavon District Council is a licensing authority under the Gambling Act 2005.

As such the Council is required to review, consult upon, and re-publish a statement of the principles that it proposes to apply when exercising its functions under the Act at least every three years. 

The Council’s next statement of principles must be published before 31st January 2025.

The Council has therefore undertaken a review of its statement of principles and does not propose to make any substantive changes to it before it is re-published.  Only very minor changes are being proposed including:

  • Updating the dates shown on the front page and in other parts of the Statement to reflect that this Statement of Principles will cover the period between January 2025 and January 2028.
  • Updating the population figure given in the introduction to reflect the latest census figures.
  • Updating the list of consultees at Appendix B of the statement of principles to include additional gambling and other relevant trade associations.

The Council is now inviting comments on the draft revised statement of principles, which can be downloaded :   pdf Revised Statement of Principles (850 KB)

Any comments on the draft revised statement of principles can be emailed to the Council via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and using the subject line “Wychavon Gambling Statement Review.”

Alternatively, comments can be sent by post to:

Wychavon Gambling Statement Review
c/o Worcestershire Regulatory Services
Wyre Forest House
Finepoint Way
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY11 7WF

Any comments must be received no later than Friday 6th September 2024.

We Are Wychavon Plan

In this section

The We Are Wychavon Plan is our commitment to you about how we will improve the district over the next four years to make it an even better place to live work and visit. 

The plan has been put together based on feedback from our residents' survey, young person's survey, Local Democracy Day event, input from staff and councillors and information about the local needs of the district.

There are 29 promises in the plan based on our three priorities of People, Place and Environment. 

We will review the plan every 12 months and remove completed promises and add in new ones. We will also publish updates on this page about the progress we are making towards achieving our promises.

People

A woman on the phone

Vision: Providing opportunities for everyone, raising young people’s aspirations and helping people to live healthier lives.

Our People promises are:

  • Support the development of the existing health and wellbeing hubs and introduce tailored health and wellbeing support in at least ten villages by 31 March 2028.
  • Train people in communities and workplaces to champion health and wellbeing and signpost to appropriate support by 31 March 2026.
  • Raise awareness of the impacts of vaping among young people and work with Trading Standards to target underage vape sales by 31 March 2025.
  • Deliver support, information and advice for families to give children the best start in life and education by 31 March 2026.
  • Work with schools and early years providers to deliver programmes so more free school meal eligible children reach a good level of development by 31 March 2028.
  • Identify households at risk of hardship and provide preventative advice and support by 31 March 2028.
  • Identify the need for community-led rural transport projects and use this to target our Ticket to Ride fund by 31 March 2028.
  • Develop five new community youth projects in rural areas by 31 March 2028.
  • Extend our social mobility small grants scheme to increase activities and opportunities for more young people by 31 March 2027.

Place

A woman hugging a tree.

Vision: Helping everyone to access a good place to live, supporting businesses to thrive and creating vibrant and accessible places.

Our Place promises are:

  • Promote the benefits of and provide support to significantly increase the coverage of neighbourhood plans to help shape the future development of local communities by 31 March 2028.
  • Use neighbourhood plans and the South Worcestershire Development Plan to increase the amount and quality of affordable housing to meet local needs and build 12 new homes for rent by 31 March 2028.
  • Identify empty homes and develop options for bringing them back into use by 31 March 2025.
  • Create at least 15 temporary housing places to reduce the number of homeless people in B&Bs by 31 March 2028.
  • Create a new housing facility in the north of the district to provide support to homeless young people so they can move on to independent homes by 31 March 2028.
  • Invest in the development of small business units in at least two locations across the district by 31 March 2028.
  • Bring together hospitality and tourism businesses from across Wychavon by 31 March 2025 to develop ways to increase visitor numbers and overnight stays.
  • Raise career aspirations for adults and young people including creating school-business partnerships to connect people with local employers and training opportunities by 31 March 2028.
  • Drive investment in the key sites identified in the town centre prospectuses including the Riverside Centre in Evesham, Droitwich Spa lido and reconnecting Pershore with the riverside by 31 March 2028.
  • Work with our Place Boards to help our town centres reach their potential as accessible destinations offering essential services, diverse shops and vibrant leisure experiences by 31 March 2028.

Environment

A man holding a clipboard

Vision: Boosting our natural environment, cutting carbon emissions and building resilience to climate change.

Our Environment promises are:

  • Run a four-year engagement and information campaign to support residents to enhance biodiversity, respond to climate change and minimise waste by 31 March 2028.
  • Restore and improve 28 hectares of priority habitats at Fish Hill, Broadway including semi-natural woodland and culturally significant landscapes by 31 March 2028.
  • Increase biodiversity and natural assets in our parks and green spaces and increase their resilience to climate change while retaining their value for users by 31 March 2028.
  • Continue to deliver actions in our Intelligently Green Plan to reduce our carbon footprint including significantly cutting emissions from our leisure centres by 31 March 2028.
  • Develop and start to deliver an adaptation plan to make our services more resilient to the impacts of climate change by 31 March 2028.
  • Support small businesses to access training, receive specialist support or grant funding to respond to climate change by 31 March 2028.
  • Support communities to develop local plans to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for emergencies by 31 March 2028.
  • Pilot new bike hire schemes at Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore railway stations by 31 March 2026.
  • Lead the creation of a health corridor for cycling, walking and wildlife following the route of the canal and river from Droitwich to Churchfields by 31 March 2028.
  • Work with partners to develop a plan for reducing traffic congestion in Evesham and deliver a new cycling and walking route between the town centre and the surrounding areas by 31 March 2028. 

Wychavon's 50th anniversary

History of Wychavon

Wychavon was formed out of the Local Government Act 1972. 

The council, and the district, was created out of five existing councils:

  • Evesham Borough Council
  • Evesham Rural District Council
  • Droitwich Borough Council
  • Droitwich Rural District Council
  • Pershore Rural District Council

Originally called District No.9, the name Wychavon was chosen to reflect all parts of the district with Wych being the Anglo-Saxon name for Droitwich Spa and the Avon being the main river that runs through the district.

A shadow council was elected and met in Pershore for the first time in summer 1973, with Wychavon's first constitution being approved at The Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa.

On 31 March 1974, Wychavon's founding councillors and officers visited Pershore Abbey where they pledged themselves to service. At midnight on 1 April, 1974 Wychavon - both the council and the place - came into being.

Download the pdf Wychavon 50 years of making a difference booklet  (5.36 MB) to learn more about our story.

Chairman's Civic Service - celebrating 50 years of making a difference

On Sunday 21 April, 2024 dignatries, including the Lord Lieutentant of Worcestershire, joined current and former councillors and staff to celebrate Wychavon's 50th anniversary.

Read more about the Chairman's Civic Service celebrating 50 years of Wychavon.

  • A woman shaking hands with a man

    Meeting the Lord Lieutenant

    Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice Grant, meets Cllr Robert Raphael

  • Man stood at a lectern in a church speaking

    Giving thanks

    Cllr Raphael gives his address to those gathered in Pershore Abbey.

  • A group of people stood in a V shape in front of Pershore Abbey

    Happy birthday

    Those present who gathered to celebrate 50 years of Wychavon.

Chairman's 50th Anniversary Tour

Our Chairman for 2023/24 Cllr Robert Raphael spent ten months completing an ambitious challenge to visit every part of the district to mark Wychavon's 50th anniversary.

The tour began in July 2023 at Wick Care Farm with the final visit taking place at Millennium Wood in Stoulton in April 2024.

During the Chairman’s 50th Anniversary Tour, Cllr Raphael visited 77 parishes, highlighting the work of local organisations, meeting with volunteers, catching up on projects Wychavon has funded over the years and checking out some of the district’s natural and historic sites. 

Below is a selection of the visits Cllr Raphael has completed. You can hover over the picture for more information and on some articles click to read more about the visit and see more pictures.

  • Cllr Raphael and Isobel Meikle from Wick Care Farm holding a sheet between them

    Wick Care Farm

    Read more

  • A group of people standing in front of a park around a zip wire

    Pebworth Play Area

    Read more

  • Lisa Broomhead and Cllr Robert Raphael standing behind a counter of chocolate

    Jinney Ring Craft Centre

    Read more

  • Cllr Robert Raphael turning a switch on a transmitter with Nathan McComish standing behind him.

    Droitwich Transmitter Station

    Read more

  • Cllr Raphael wearing a flat cap hat writing on a chalk slate board behind and old school desk.

    Hartlebury Castle and Museum

    Following a £5 million revamp, this is now one of the district's most fascinating visitor attractions.

  • Cllr Rick Deller and Cllr Robert Raphael in a canoe

    Aztec Adventure Upton Warren

    The Chairman tested out his head for heights and water skills at this amazing visitor destination.

  • Three men stood in front of a testing machine.

    ZwickRoell

    How much pressure does it take to remove a yoghurt lid? Well the staff at this Worcester 6 based company can help you find the answer.

  • A man holding a dog with a woman standing next to him.

    Evesham Dogs Trust

    This Wickhamford based charity has already rehomed more than 470 dogs this year but more help is needed.

  • Cllr Thomas and Cllr Raphael sat in a glider

    Bidford Gliding Club

    A visit to the parish of Bickmarsh saw the Chairman take to the skies.

    Watch video

  • Cllr Raphael stood behind a bar holding a pint with another man next to him

    The Queen Elizabeth Inn

    This venue in Elmley Castle is run by volunteers from the community. It's a pub, tea room, restaurant and village shop.

  • A police officer and Cllr Raphael stood in front of a police car

    West Mercia Police HQ

    A visit to the home of West Mercia Police at Hindlip Hall saw the Chairman 'arrested'. 

  • Two men stood in front of a wall

    Strensham Services (Southbound)

    We have all used them but what goes in to running a busy motorway service station? The Chairman visited Strensham to find out.

  • A woman stands in front of the hatch while Cllr Raphael and another man serve tea and cake

    St John the Baptist, Stock and Bradley

    The Chairman visited Stock and Bradley to find out how a £15,000 grant from us had helped transform a community meeting space.

  • Cllr Robert Raphael leans on a gate with a house in the background where a man can be seen sticking his head out, while water pools around the house.

    M3 Floodtec Hampton Lovett

    Read more

  • Two people stood in front of a young tree with a spade.

    Naunton Beauchamp Orchard

    We planted a special tree to mark our 50th anniversary in an amazing orchard being restored by The Vale Lanscape Trust.

  • A woman stood in front of a van with a man leaning out of the window

    Vale Wildlife Trust, Beckford

    An amazing charity helping care for injured wild animals.

  • A group of people sat around a tree

    Platinum Meadows, Cookhill

    An amazing project run by the parish council to protect and enhance a local green space, created in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

  • A group of people holding tennis rackets in front of a tennis net.

    Walking Tennis, Cutnall Green

    The Chairman discovered a new way to get into Tennis - Walking Tennis - thanks to Cutnall Green Tennis Club.

  • Two people holding disc golf frisbees

    Disc golf, Hadzor

    Gaudet Luce Golf Club was the venue for a head-to-head on the disc golf course between Cllrs Rowley and Raphael.

  • A group of people sat on a bench

    Pear Tree Fields, Badsey

    We returned to this fantastic community orchard, allotment and burial ground project Wychavon helped fund, to find out how it was getting on and plans for the future.

  • Cllr Robert Raphael stood in front of a church.

    St Michael's Church, Elmley Lovett

    This beautiful church is Grade II listed and steeped in history, including being surrounded by the site of a medieval settlement dating back to the 9th century.

  • Three people sat on a rope swing in a park.

    Play area, Norton and Lenchwick

    Wychavon helped fund this amazing play area in Norton and Lenchwick, so we went along to try it out.

  • Ombersley Memorial Hall, Ombsersley

    We joined the community to share a special afternoon tea to celebrate 100 years of Ombersley Memorial Hall.

  • Two men stood in a field holding a plant.

    Overbury Estate, Overbury

    The Chairman got a fascinating insight into how farming can help fight climate change and came face-to-face with a former winner of the Epsom Derby.

  • A group of people stood in front of a lake

    Hill and Moor HRC, Hill and Moor

    A visit to the Household Recycling Centre revealed exactly how much goes in to disposing of our waste and recycling.

  • Four people stood on an iron lattice bridge with trees in the background.

    Spetchley Park Gardens, Spetchley

    The Chairman was given a special tour of this popular visitor destination and an insight into their plans for the future.

  • A woman and a man standing side by side holding air pistols pointing at the camera.

    Pistol shooting, Broughton Hackett

    The Chairman and Cllr Linda Robinson tried out pistol and rifle shooting at March Hare Leisure.

    Find out more

  • Three men stood on a path in front of a field

    Eckington Community Fields, Eckington

    An amazing community project created from the village Neighbourhood Plan.

  • A man and woman stood either side of a scarecrow.

    Scarecrow Trail, Fernhill Heath

    We got to judge this year's entries and meet Cllr Chaircrow.

    Read more

  • Two man holding either side of a newspaper.

    The Old Bull, Inkberrow

    Celebrating our link to the BBC's The Archers with Eddie Grundy (Trevor Harrison).

  • A man stood in front of a lake and some grass fields.

    Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve, Kemerton

    A beautiful part of the district that is supporting Wychavon's biodiversity.

    Find out more

  • The Lenches Amphitheatre

    Our Community Legacy Grant helped fund this amazing venue.

    Find out more

  • Four men stood either side of a pink van with a man inside leaning out the window.

    Morris Commercial, Hinton-on-the-Green

    We found out about plans to create an electric version of a classic British vehicle.

    Read more

  • A group of people stood around an outdoor exercise bike.

    Outdoor gym, North and Middle Littleton

    We helped fund outdoor exercise equipment so the local parish council could support their residents to be active.

  • A group of people in front of a SmartWater sign.

    SmartWater launch, Peopleton

    We helped launch Peopleton's SmartWater scheme.

    Read more

  • Three people holding asparagus

    Revills Farm Shop, Defford

    Our Chairman helped cut some great British asparagus from a local field, while his consort Diana demonstrated the traditional method of asparagus tying.

  • A group of young people planting new trees.

    Tree planting, Upton Snodsbury

    We joined children from Upton Snodsbury First School to help plant trees in a local field as part of a Worcestershire County Council scheme.

  • A group of people stood in front of a wood

    Millennium Wood, Stoulton

    We visited the wood we planted in 2001 to mark the millennium. 

  • Five people stood against a wall doing a dance pose.

    Dance class, Drakes Broughton

    The Chairman got down to the Latin beat after joining Wychavon Dance for the morning at Drakes Broughton Village Hall.

    Find out more

  • Group of people stood in front of some theatre chairs.

    Number 8, Pershore

    We went behind the scenes at Number 8 which we supported the creation of and celebrates its own 20th anniversary later this year.

  • Two men stood in front of a sign.

    Churchfields, Salwarpe

    Catching up with the amazing Churchfields - sellers of Droitwich Salt - and their plans for the future.

    Learn more

  • A man feeding an alpaca

    Simply Alpaca, Dormston

    Getting up close and personal with an alpaca at Simply Alpaca.

    Learn more

  • A group of people stood in front of a red ribbon ready to cut it

    You Turn, Evesham

    We helped open the new home of You Turn, Evesham which we transformed from a derelict building.

  • A group of people stood in a line.

    Avon Navigation Trust, Wyre Piddle

    We caught up with the Avon Navigation Trust to find out about their current challenges and opportunities.

    Learn more

  • Two men holding bowls balls.

    Jack Pullin, Bredon

    The Chairman took on England international and bowls star Jack Pullin (he lost!).

More Articles …

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