MINUTES – APRIL 2024

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council of Waterhouses.

Re: Meeting held Thursday, April 18th 2024 at 7.30pm in the sports pavilion, Waterhouses.

Present: Cllr Goldstraw, (Chair); Cllr Carr; Cllr Harvey; Cllr McCarthy; Cllr Simpson; Cllr Stanmore; Cllr Stone; Cllr Wain

Also present: Mr C Hinton (Clerk)

1. Apologies: Cllr Turner

2. Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, March 21st 2024 were approved as being a true record and were duly signed by the Chairman. Proposed: Cllr McCarthy; Seconded: Cllr Carr.

3. Matters arising:

Clerk’s report:

Lafarge Update: The clerk reported that he had contacted the Environment Agency to advise them of the recent notification, as issued by the works, in relation to their recent issues with noise. No response had yet been received. The liaison meeting which had been due to take place on April 3rd had been cancelled and may be held on April 25th although this has yet to be confirmed. Cllr Simpson reported evidence of small amounts of plastic debris recently.

Pavilion: The fire alarm had been attended to by the electrician and a new sensor unit fitted in the home dressing room. The electrical appliances had also been inspected. However, the periodic inspection of the electrical system had to be completed. The heating oil had been delivered. The bowls club had asked if the council would fund the purchase of fertilizer for the green. This was agreed in principle, subject to the receipt of cost information still awaited from the club.

Sports Field: Repairs to the damaged keep nets had recently been carried out by Cllr Stone, the clerk and the lengthsman. This remedial work had been necessary until the arrival of new nets planned for the 2024/2025 season. Cllr Carr asked if a set of goalposts could be erected for local children to use as a play amenity. This request will be looked into by Cllr Stone in order to see if a set of goal posts could be made available and if so, where these could be located.
A discussion then followed regarding the fact that a junior team had begun to use a section of the Sports Field, without any prior arrangement with the council. Whilst the council expressed a desire to support local junior football, it had received no details in relation to the potential users. Details will be sought by the clerk so that an appropriate playing area and fees can be discussed ahead of the new season. A small donation, for the use of the facility this season, will be sought.
The council was advised that WFC have yet to pay for their use of the pitch this season and the clerk was asked to write to the club, requesting that the overdue funds be paid.
The requirements of each of the teams interested in using the facilities in 2024/2025 will be gathered by the clerk and suitable fees will be agreed at the earliest opportunity.

Playing Fields: The chairman reported that he had met a contractor on site, to discuss how the flow of water could be diverted away from the play area and houses adjacent to the track leading to the allotments. Their inspection suggested that much of the water originated at the uppermost part of the track and that this could be diverted along an old and now overgrown ditch, across the top of the allotments. This might not only significantly reduce the volume of water heading down the track, but also help to reduce the water table in the allotments and the play area.
It was also felt that a further and separate drain might need to be introduced, to carry water away from the allotments, play area and houses. The work on the first ditch was authorised to be carried out asap and the second stage would be reviewed as soon as possible thereafter.
Allotments: The council expressed its gratitude for the agreement of the allotments holders to mow the area when required and to plant the trees recently received. They would be contacted in relation to the above proposed drainage work. It was suggested that this work may help dry up the allotments area and even provide a source of water. There is currently one plot available.

Grazing fields: The fees for the use of the two fields had been forwarded by the land advisor, less his charges. An invoice for his work on the potential water easement of one of the fields had also been received. There has been no response as yet from the person seeking the agreement.

Lengthsman: The lengthsman had been asked to look at the condition of the notice board in Winkhill which was unstable.

4. Correspondence received; St Mary’s Church in Cauldon had requested support for its annual Flower Festival. The council agreed that it should contribute £100.

5. Planning Matters;
• The council received a summary of decisions recently made by the planning authorities.
• SMD/2024/0149 – Listed Building Consent for replacement windows and door,
(part retrospective). No objections were recorded.

6. Financial Matters:
The results for the year 2023/2024 were shared and the budget for the new year was reviewed.
The following cheques were requested:
• Clerk, for work & expenses in March; £628.39
• Caretaker, for his work in March; £80.00
• Lengthsman, for his work & expenses in March/April; £467.00
• JW Howson, for materials supplied; £17.64
• Peak Waste, for services provided; £82.68
• Graham Watkins, for work on Water Easement; £270.00
• Hillsdale Fencing, for work on bowling green fence; £1093.00
• Mrs A Goldstraw, for costs on relation to 3 local 90th birthdays; £60.00
• HMRC for the PAYE on the clerk’s salary; £154.60
Payment for the above was approved, en bloc. Prop: Cllr Wain; Seconded: Cllr McCarthy

7. Highways: The clerk had reported all of the recent issues and responses were awaited.

8. Any other business: The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday. May 16th at 7.00pm

9. Date of next meeting: Thursday, May 16th 2024 at 7.30 pm.