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Author: FVCA

Theft of Fuel

You are likely to be aware that due to the conflict in the middle east, the cost of fuel has risen significantly. It is probably due to this that there has been a recent spike in theft of fuel from businesses / farms that hold stocks of fuel.

In some cases 5000 litres of fuel have been stolen utilising appropriate equipment to syphon from tanks.

If you have your own fuel stocks please take additional security measures to create a deterrent or reduce the risk of thefts. Please also pass this message on to anyone you are aware of that is not on this forum that have their own stocks.

For example – utilise padlocks and alarm systems where possible to secure the locations, install notifiable cameras that alert your phone to the presence of any intruders and sensor lighting to highlight any intrusion.

Please do not approach any suspects and call 999 immediately if you suspect a theft is taking place.

  • April 2, 2026 by

Your Community Needs You!

Committee Member (4 meetings a year, scrutinising wat we are doing, putting forward ideas and helping to run events)

Litter picking (2nd Saturday in each month, 10.30am – 11.30am)

Foodie Fairfield (first Saturday in each month, 9.00am – 12noon)

  • Serving in the Café
  • Helping on the bread stall
  • Putting out tables (Friday evening 8.40pm – 9.15pm)
  • Tidying the Hall after the event

Bromsgrove Arts/Fairfield Flicks (various dates)

  • Putting out table & chairs
  • Helping front of house/serving behind the bar

Email: admin@fvca.org.uk for further details

  • March 30, 2026 by

Community Association AGM Update

On Wednesday 25 March 14 people enjoyed the Association’s Community Challenge (included One Foot in the Grave & Disney) and short AGM, celebrating Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.

Once again, the numbers attending this annual event was disappointing and can be very deflating for the volunteers that help make our community a brilliant place to live.  

A committee was formed for the year ahead, if you would like to be part of this steering group – meet 3 or 4 times a year – email chair@fvca.org.uk.

PLEASE keep YOUR community alive, we need YOU.

Draft minutes, for last night’s meeting, have been prepared, to read CLICK HERE

  • March 26, 2026 by

Planning Application – Inglenook, Third Road

The following planning application is available to view and comment on. Please use this
link to take you to the home page of Public Access
https://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ which is the tool for
viewing applications and making comment electronically.

  • Click on the link above
  • Type in the application number and click, this will take you to the summary page of Public
    Access.
  • When at the summary page
  • To view the documents you will need to click on the tab, then
    the .
  • To make a comment click on the tab,
  • Fill out your details and make your comment and press submit, this will go straight to the
    relevant planning officer and be immediately viewable in the comments tab.
  • If you have provided an email you can request a confirmation email.
APPLICATION REFERENCE :26/00120/CPL
APPLICATION TYPE:Certificate Proposed Lawful Use/Dev
DATE ACCEPTED:04.03.2026
LOCATION:Inglenook , Third Road Wildmoor Worcestershire B61 0BP
PROPOSAL:Detached garage.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:Belbroughton Parish
WARD:Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:Kyle Lander
TELEPHONE:01527 881444
EMAILkyle.lander@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
  • March 9, 2026 by

Council Tax to Rise: 2026-27

Parish Precept to increase by 6.67%, as well as other elements of your Council Tax

At January’s Parish Council meeting, Councillors approved the increase of the Parish Precept, which is used to fund the Parish Council by £10000 for the year 2026-27 to £80000.  It is understood that in the year 2025-26, the current fiscal year, the amount was £75000. 

According to the Parish Council minutes:

“Approve the precept for 2026/2027 – After a robust discussion about the finances and the changes that will be occurring in councils, it was approved for the council to increase the precept to £80,000. This will mean an increase of £3.48 per year on Band D property.”

https://belbroughtonandfairfield-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BFPC-MINUTES-FROM-MONDAY-5th-JANUARY-2026-1.pdf

Currently Band D properties pay, as part of their Council Tax, a Parish Precept of £60.22 per year, an increase of £3.48 per year is equivalent to an annual rise of 5.79%.

According to the 2024/25 published Annual Accounts, the Parish Council has, excluding land assets, balances and reserves totalling £380,064. In addition to the precept, the Council received additional income of £29,918. The Council generates an income from land/property rental charges. https://belbroughtonandfairfield-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Completed-and-signed-AGAR-2024-2025-1.pdf

According to a BBC News report, published today (27 February), the County Council element of the Council tax is set to rise by almost 9%, adding about £145 a year to Band D bills. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y68r40yzgo

Currently a Band D property pays a County Council element of £1,615.71 per annum.

The District Council element of the Council Tax that residential properties will have to pay will increase by 2.99%.  District Councillors agreed the increase at their meeting on Wednesday 25th February.

According to the District Council:

“The rise will mean the council’s part of the average Band D Council Tax will cost £265.18”.  https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/news/posts/resilient-budget-agreed-for-bromsgrove

Currently, the District Council element of the Council Tax charged to Band D properties is £257.48.

The precept set by the Police and Crime Commissioner will rise by 5.15% (£15.00 increase) for a Band D Property for the 2026/27 financial year. The precept proposed is £306.50. https://www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk/transparency/statutory-information/decision-making/decisions-2026/decision-notice—setting-the-precept-2026-2027

We currently do not know what the Council Tax element for Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Authority will be.  For the year 2025/26 is was £ 102.22.

Bromsgrove District Council collects the whole bill on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Fire and Rescue Service and parish councils.

Due to a delay in the County Council’s setting of its precept, an extraordinary meeting of the District Council will be held on March 6. This is to incorporate the County Council’s agreed increases to complete the final council tax setting position and enable council tax billing to be generated.

Then the whole bill can be collated and send out to residents.

  • February 27, 2026 by

Nominated Neighbour Scheme

The Nominated Neighbour Scheme is a community initiative designed to protect vulnerable individuals from unwanted and unverified callers. It involves a trusted neighbour, friend, or relative who can check the identity of callers and accompany them to the homeowner’s address if necessary. This scheme aims to enhance safety and reduce the risk of scams and burglaries by ensuring that genuine callers do not have to speak to the homeowner directly.

To participate in the scheme, individuals can nominate a trusted neighbour or offer to be their Nominated Neighbour. The nominated neighbour will then be able to handle any unrecognised callers on behalf of the homeowner, ensuring their safety and security. The scheme is particularly beneficial for elderly or vulnerable members of the community, providing them with peace of mind and protection from potential threats.

For further information: https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/residents/keeping-safe/nominated-neighbour-scheme/

  • February 23, 2026 by

8 Hills Regional Park Update

Following consultation with neighbouring local authorities, there is now a new proposed boundary for 8 Hills. This revised area includes parts of Dudley, Birmingham and Solihull, covering approximately 58 square miles.

The project to establish the 8 Hills Regional Park is being led by the National Trust, with the support of various stakeholders, including Fairfield Village Community Association, representing Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.

As part of the project a pipeline of footpaths are being created and we would like to hear your suggestions, email chair@fvca.org.uk. It is hoped, working with local landowners, permissive footpaths can be created, with the landowner receiving a Payment for Access, funded by Cotswold Outdoors; landowners being fairly compensated based on the number of people using the path, ensuring that both the community and the landowner benefit from improved access to nature. Cotswold Outdoor has produced a short film for their social media channels, highlighting their role in the Payments for Access paths and how their sponsorship is being used: CLICK HERE

As an active partner in ReNEW, the Cultural Compact for North East Worcestershire, we look forward to collaborative working with 8 Hills community and local creatives to develop a cultural identity for the 8 Hills Regional Park which celebrates local people’s connectedness to the landscape. This will inform the production of a public art gateway that will act as the first physical marker for access to the regional park. Once further information is known we look forward to people in our community being part of this initiative.

  • February 23, 2026 by

Planning Application – Bluebell Barn, Dordale Road

The following planning application is available to view and comment on. Please use this
link to take you to the home page of Public Access
https://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ which is the tool for
viewing applications and making comment electronically.

  • Click on the link above
  • Type in the application number and click, this will take you to the summary page of Public
    Access.
  • When at the summary page
  • To view the documents you will need to click on the tab, then
    the .
  • To make a comment click on the tab,
  • Fill out your details and make your comment and press submit, this will go straight to the
    relevant planning officer and be immediately viewable in the comments tab.
  • If you have provided an email you can request a confirmation email.
APPLICATION REFERENCE :26/00106/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:05.02.2026
LOCATION:Bluebell Barn , Dordale Road Bournheath Worcestershire DY9 0AJ
PROPOSAL:Change of use from agricultural barn to residential annexe
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:Belbroughton Parish
WARD:Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:Laura Russ
TELEPHONE:01527 534122
EMAILl.russ@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
  • February 16, 2026 by