St Peter's Parish Council - Worcester

11/10/2026

At Thursday evening’s meeting of St Peter’s Parish Council meeting Cllr John Renshaw announced his intention to stand down as chairman of the parish council for family reasons.

Commenting on his decision John said “Despite its many challenges I have been privileged to serve St Peter’s residents as chairman of their parish council. Recent events mean I now need to give more time to my family and I feel the right thing to do is to stand aside to allow someone with more time the opportunity to take on the role.”

John’s resignation will take effect from Monday 9th November following this year’s Remembrance Sunday service at Worcester Cathedral. As vice-chairman Cllr Alan Tidy will take over as acting chairman until the November parish council meeting on Thursday 12th November at which the first item of business will be for the parish council to elect a successor.

John became chairman in the most unfortunate of circumstances in February 2024 following the death in office of his predecessor Cllr Paul Walters. His tenure has seen the parish council move to its new home at the newly built St Peter’s Community Centre, successfully campaign to continue to serve St Peter’s residents following a Community Governance Review and the development of the identity of St Peter’s as a distinct community in South Worcestershire.

John will continue to serve as a parish councillor and as portfolio holder for parks & green spaces and Police liaison & PACT.

09/10/2026

This afternoon a meeting was held at St Peter’s Community Centre to follow up on the actions agreed in August to tackle instances of anti-social behaviour and other criminal behaviour in Battenhall Park.

Over the last two months there have been targeted police patrols, clearer arrangements for sharing information and feedback between residents, councillors, council services and police. Residents have reported to councillors and community representatives that these actions are having an effect on reducing instances of criminal behaviour in and around the park. There was all round support for these actions continuing to ensure that the park remained a public space for all residents to enjoy.

From left to right parish councillor John Renshaw, Ann Nicholls (Worcester City Council Youth Intervention Team), county councillor for St Peter Division Louis Stephen, Sergeant Sam Callaway and Inspector Dave Wise (both of West Mercia Police) and parish councillors Alan Tidy and Lorna Connolly.

Photo taken by St Peter’s resident Carla Williams who was also present at the meeting.

05/10/2026

The next St Peter’s Parish Council meeting will be at 7.30 pm on Thursday (8th October) at St Peter’s Community Centre.

During the meeting there is a public participation session which allows local residents to raise any issues that may be concerning them.

All members of the public are very welcome to attend.

01/10/2026

Over the last couple of years St Peter’s residents have increasingly been raising concerns with parish councillors about the illegal use of e-scooters and high powered electric bikes particularly on pedways and in the parks.

Although electric scooters are available to buy, they are currently illegal to use on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes and pedestrian-only areas unless part of a legal e-scooter loan scheme. As there are no legal schemes in place in Herefordshire or Worcestershire, e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission of the land-owner.

In the case of e-bikes the bike has to meet a certain criteria to be legal to use on public roads and pedways.

West Mercia Police are actively trying to reduce the anti-social behaviour caused in the community by the illegal use of e-scooters and non-compliant e-bikes as well as raising awareness of the law. Anyone found using them in public areas risks having the vehicle seized by the police.

If you own an electric bike or electric scooter, or are thinking of buying one, please check Worcester Police’s advice below and make sure you’re on the right side of the law.

27/09/2026

As expected last Thursday’s Worcestershire County Council cabinet meeting (24th September) discussed the subject of traffic lights at the Ketch roundabout. Cabinet member for Highways and Transport Cllr Tom Wells told the meeting that due to a boost in spending the County Council was looking at a number of potential highways projects of which traffic lights at the Ketch roundabout was one.

When asked by County Councillor for St Peter’s Division Louis Stephen how long this might take to happen Cllr Wells said it’s “not going to happen anytime very soon”.

In summary the County Council has not discounted the proposal to install traffic lights at the Ketch roundabout but this will be dependent on research demonstrating that it would improve traffic flow rather than pedestrian safety. The parish council will continue to work with its partners to bring about improvements on the A4440 Southern Link Road that local residents want to see.

You can read Worcester News’ report on the meeting here:

TRAFFIC lights could be installed on the Ketch roundabout - but there is no word on when that might happen.

24/09/2026

St Peter’s residents have been noticing the new village gateway at the Norton Road entrance to St Peter’s Drive.

“In their conversations with local residents one of the concerns that parish councillors hear is traffic travelling too fast along St Peter’s Drive” explained St Peter’s Parish Council chairman John Renshaw. “The primary purpose of these gates is to slow down incoming motorists and make them aware that they’re leaving the Southern Link Road and entering a residential area. It also helps to give St Peter’s a more defined boundary.”

This is the first in a planned rollout of St Peter’s village gateways over the coming months.

Thank you to Mark from Alton Road for his note of congratulations. It’s really appreciated!

19/09/2026

At last week’s parish council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to co-opt local resident Lorna Connolly to fill the vacancy in their ranks caused by the resignation in the summer of Karen Evans for family reasons. She will now serve until the next scheduled election.

Lorna has been a regular public attendee at parish council meetings over the last two years and has directly raised issues of concern during the public sessions. She has also been a regular participant in our PACT meetings. Experience of both has led her to wanting to become more directly involved in the community.

Born and raised in the Manchester area, Cllr Connolly moved to Worcester in 1990 and has lived in three different houses during that time, all around Battenhall Park, where she regularly walks her dogs. She has two adult children who both attended Cherry Orchard and Blessed Edward Oldcorne schools and is now a hands-on Nana to three grandchildren. Since retiring from her role at a local FE college, she has also had more time for the things she enjoys including caravanning, going to the theatre, attending live music events, socialising with family and doing a cryptic crossword.

We are delighted that Lorna has volunteered for the role and look forward to working with her around the council table in the future.

18/09/2026

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet will be asked to consider the installation of traffic lights on the Ketch roundabout at its next meeting on Thursday 24th September. Back in February of this year County Councillor for St Peter Division Louis Stephen launched a petition intended to bring about safety improvements along the Southern Link Road including at the Ketch Roundabout. The petition, which was signed by 1,089 people, was also supported and publicised by St Peter’s Parish Council.

As residents will be aware over the years there have been numerous accidents at the roundabout. On several occasions the vehicles involved have ended up coming to rest on the orbital pedway which runs next to the roundabout.

The parish council will keep residents informed of the outcome of this latest development.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for traffic lights at the Ketch roundabout.

17/09/2026

Worcester City Council have extended the deadline on their consultation into improving play facilities in Power Park until midnight on Sunday 20th September.

The City Council have secured £307,000 for investment and are asking local people what improvements they'd like to see including:

🌳 More natural play features and trees
🛝 A new toddler play area
🥷 A junior ninja warrior trail
♿ Inclusive and sensory play equipment
👥 A social space for teenagers
⚽ Improvements to the multi-use games area

This is your opportunity to help shape a play area that works for everyone in the community.

📝 If you haven’t completed the survey already please follow the link below to give your views:

https://www.worcester.gov.uk/council/consultations

16/09/2026

The next St. Peter's Community Litterpick, organised by the Friends of St Peter's Parks on behalf of the Parish Council, will be held on Thursday 24th September from 10am to 11am, meeting by the entrance to St. Peter's Community Centre. Because of the hot summer we’ve had it will be our first litter pick since May!

New volunteers are always welcome and all equipment provided but please bring with you a pair of gloves. Why not stick around for a cuppa and biscuits afterwards?

We look forward to seeing you!