MINUTES – DECEMBER 2025

Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council of Waterhouses.

Meeting held on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 7.30pm in the sports pavilion, Waterhouses.

Present: Cllr Stone, (Chair); Cllr Goldstraw; Cllr Harvey; Cllr McCarthy; Cllr Simpson; Cllr Turner;

Also present: Mr C Hinton, (Clerk); one member of the public;

Apologies: Cllr Carr; Cllr Powley; Cllr Wain;

Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, November 20th 2025 were confirmed as being a true and accurate record and were duly endorsed by the Chairman.
Proposed: Cllr Turner; Seconded: Cllr Simpson.

The chairman welcomed the member of the public, who had read about the council’s concerns relating to the condition of the bridge across the River Hamps, leading to the Old Quarry.
The resident was advised of the reports that the council had issued, to various authorities, relating to the dangerous condition of the bridge, in order to avert its collapse, and the serious consequences of such a failure. The council went on to discuss a detailed report which had been produced by Mrs Turner, whose extensive research had revealed no clear ownership of the bridge and therefore, no clear indication as to who should be responsible for work needed on the bridge.
However, as the bridge is used by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, inviting visitors to the Old Quarry, the council agreed to write to the Chief Executive of the Trust, to ensure that they are aware of the dangerous state of the bridge and to seek their response in terms of its repair, due to their duty of care to the public. Measurement of the weight capacity of the bridge may be needed and the County Surveyor would also receive a letter advising of the council’s concerns.

Matters arising:

Clerk’s report:
• The clerk shared a long-awaited update which had just been received from the Flood Risk Team. This advised of the appointment of a new team member and provided outline details of the next actions being considered. It is hoped that a further update will follow early in the New Year.
• The Local Neighbourhood Officer from Staffordshire Police had held two recent Drop-In Surgeries in the pavilion and has arranged for a further session on January 15th.
• The clerk had attended the Conference held by the Staffs Parish Council Association on November 24th. This had been extremely informative with short presentations, by various speakers, regarding subjects which could affect the council’s future progress.
• The clerk will attend a forum at SMDC on January 6th when matters relating to the council’s assets will be discussed. Thereafter, the clerk will also contact Staffs County Council re this.

Holcim Update:
• Cllr Goldstraw had attended the liaison meeting on December 11th and was able to advise that:
• The cement works will commence a 35 day shutdown from January 4th.
• The solar power program is still under consideration.
• There is no significant progress as yet regarding Orchard Farm.
• Trimming of trees and hedges would be carried out from January 16th.
• The 2026 ‘Impact Strategy Project’ has yet to be approved.
• The Peak Cluster, carbon capture project, had recently sent an update on its planning.
Recent reports of dust, emanating from the building, (not the stack), had been received and further evidence of plastic debris from the Geocylce Centre had been received. The clerk is to report these to the Environment and Communities Manager with a copy to be sent to the Environment Agency. This will remind them of the condition, recently added by Staffs County Council, to the planning permission relating to the change in materials to be used in the production process.
Pavilion: The rate of consumption of water appears to have returned to normal and so a claim will be submitted to credit the abnormal charges seen over recent months.

Sports Fields; Nothing to report

Playing Fields; a plan is to be agreed for the work needed in 2026 on both play areas.

Grazing Fields; Nothing to report

Allotments; There will be a small number of plots available after in the New Year. Fees for the plots for 2026 will decided at the meeting in January.

Correspondence Recently Received;
The following items were shared with the council and discussed as appropriate:
• Peak Park Parishes Forum re: Local Plan Review;
The council were reminded of the close date for any submissions – December 21st.
• SPCA re: Best Kept Village & Community Awards 2026;
The council agreed that this scheme would be best considered by each individual village.
• Staffs County Council re: Improving Mobile Digital Connectivity;
The council felt that the potential of improvements in this area were worthy of investigation and therefore Staffs County Council would be invited to start the evaluation process.

Planning Matters;
The council received a status report of decisions recently made by the planning authorities.
The following new applications were then considered:
• NP/SM/0925/0941 – 27, Portland Place, Waterhouses – Single storey side extension to provide increased living space with associated external works.
• SMDC/2025/0476 – Bridge House, Ashbourne Road, Winkhill – Glamping Cabins
• SMDC/ 2025/0509 – Lytchgate Cottage, Church Bank, Cauldon – Listed building consent for replacement windows and front door, to replace front porch by an enclosed tiled door canopy, to replace rainwater goods and external lighting and to remove TV antenna.
No objections were recorded in relation to any of the above applications.

Financial Matters:
• The latest bank balance and a cash-flow forecast were shared.
• Budgets and the precept for 2026 will be considered in January.
• The following cheques were then requested:
• Clerk; for his work & expenses in November; £748.44
• Caretaker; for his work & expenses in November; £60.50
• Lengthsman; for his work and expenses in November & December; £312.00
• Peak Park Parishes Forum; replacement for previous cheque not banked in time; £12.00
• HMRC; for payment of PAYE for clerk’s salary; £174.20
Payment of the above was approved en bloc; Proposed: Cllr Goldstraw; Seconded: Cllr Turner

Highway Matters:
• The clerk had now re-reported most of the outstanding issues, and will complete those remaining. He will invite the Cabinet Support Member for Highways to visit the area, at his earliest opportunity, to discuss the responses that have been received.
• New reports received were:
Cllr Turner reported the need for some retentive netting alongside the Manifold Track
Cllr Turner reported that various bridges along the track are now in poor condition
Cllr Simpson reported a pothole in Cow Lane and trees blocking the view exiting Church Lane
The clerk had received complaints about flooding in Waterfall Lane, and damage to the village green, caused by the subcontractors for Connect Fibre, with whom he will take up the issues.

Any other business:
Connect Fibre have booked the pavilion so that residents can drop in to ask questions regarding their service. This will be on January 21st 2026, between 4pm & 6pm.

Date of next meeting: Thursday, January 15th 2026 at 7.30 pm