WAVERTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 9th February 2026 in the Village Hall at 7p.m.
Present: Jeff Smith (Chair), Dave Clarke, John Meredith, Geoff Hughes, Philip Morrey, Richard Moulds, TK Al Jorani. Jill Windsor (Clerk) also present. Three members of the public also in attendance.
145/25 Apologies: Richard Simm (work commitments); Ralph Howard (work commitments). Some discussion took place regarding the recording of reasons for absence, and each Councillor will in future provide the wording to be recorded for their absence from any meeting at the time they notify the Clerk of that intention.
146/25 Declaration of Interest. None.
147/25 To consider approval of Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council meeting held 12th January 2026. These were agreed as a correct record with amendments noted as under:
- Geoff reiterated that it is the road sign “Eggbridge Lane” that needs to be replaced by Cheshire West & Chester Council.
- Item 135/25 – Update should read planning applications linked to New Local Plan development by C W & C.
148/25 Matters arising not covered elsewhere on Agenda:
Pothole outside No 9 Guy Lane to be reported to Cheshire West & Chester Council by Clerk – this has already been reported on two occasions (reference numbers available) but now presents a real hazard to road users.
149//2 Public participation: There were three members of the public present who wished to listen to proceedings.
150/25 Village Hall:
- Dave reported on use of the Hall and advised that Jacob pizza van will use the car park monthly. A Youth Theatre will use the Hall twice weekly and high impact fitness group will use the Hall on a weekly basis. Party bookings continue to be steady at weekends. He anticipates that the year-end financial situation will be satisfactory at around £10,000 balance.
- Payroll services for Village Hall staff has now been changed over to administration by the Parish Council.
- Dave will investigate the Social Value Project concerning the Village Hall.
- There have been concerns raised about parking in front Village Hall car park by people not actually using the Hall. John will speak to the School about this.
- Richard Moulds reported on GP Lease issues and there has been little response to e-mails.
151/25 Road Safety:
- Richard Moulds advised that Stuart Bateman (Cheshire West & Chester) had suggested regular Zoom meetings following meeting in the Village.
- Richard Moulds in that meeting had raised issues regarding road markings following an e-mail from a resident. Other issues mentioned included prevention of potential problems with farm vehicles and larger vehicles going through Village. The possible provision of hatch road markings to highlight the bend at the T-junction of Eggbridge/Brownheath Road was suggested by the Council representatives. The likely cost would be a consideration within the provision of our next year financial year budget.
The gulley outside the Primary School entrance which continues to regularly flood and pool with sediment was once more discussed. The Council representatives will create a work order for the gully to be cleared soon and consider if further work is required.
A Work order has also been created to reinstate road markings on Millway.
In discussion it was confirmed that Sainsbury’s roundabout markings will also be reinstated in the near future.
- Meeting with Grosvenor Estate to be held in March when the number of tractors travelling on Moor Lane will be mentioned.
- The vehicle activated sign on Common Lane just before coming into the 20mph limit is not a speed indicator device and the suggestion was made that this be replaced with a portable SID.
- Drive Safely Longer and Smarter Driving courses to be discussed at next meeting.
- Parking outside Dog Wash establishment should be dealt with by Civil Enforcement Team and is not a Police matter.
- Damaged drain cover on footpath had been reported by Dave and he had also reported damaged sign opposite Fox Lane.
- The question was raised as to whether a 7.5 ton vehicle weight limit could be imposed on Moor Lane and whether this has been applied for by Rowton Parish Council.
152/25 Amenity Cleaning: Nothing to report.
153/25 Grounds maintenance: Nothing to report.
154/25 Footpaths: Extended canal towpath design report from Christleton to Beeston as under: The project has so far;
- Measured up just over 9km of the project starting at the A55 road bridge in Christleton.
- Developed the drawings for this length and will continue to review / update them.
- Will continue with site visits to the remaining 6km length, measuring up and developing outline design drawings for that section over the coming weeks.
- The intention is to have a full outline design for the full 15km project length by the end of March 2026, all being well with current workload.
It was remarked that perhaps this project should be aware of the proposed Peak Cluster project.
155/25 Resident Survey & Local Plan Process:
- Local Plan – Richard gave CGBA update. Presentations had been made to Ward Councillors and Scrutiny Committee. Further meetings were scheduled to take place and the Scrutiny Committee are due to look at the draft Local Plan at the end of April. There will then follow a further consultation period during July – September. The CGBA proposes to do some greenbelt assessments in some areas. Waverton Parish Council share of the costs will be £735 (the agreed % of £5,000). All Councillors present were in agreement.
- Housing Needs Survey: Jeff reported that further analysis of the Housing Needs Survey had revealed that 18 affordable houses were indicated in Waverton with a market demand of 25 houses. This information could be used as part of the Parish Priority Plan.
- Parish Priority Plan: The preparation for this is almost competed by Jeff and Richard Moulds. This will be circulated to Councillors as a proposed first draft and then following any amendments, within the Village to seek further comments from parishioners. It is hoped that this process will take place fairly quickly to allow a finalised plan to be published by the end of October.
- Grosvenor Estate: It is intended that consultations will take place with Grosvenor Estate when the first draft is available.
156/25 Planning applications:
26/00258/CAT – 4 New Cottages, Village Road – Cherry tree – fell to ground level due to partial failure of main union, crown west. Pine – fell to ground level due to structurally compromised root system. Willow – fell to ground level, terminal decline/standing dead.
Dave also reported on a previous application concerning a property in Cowthorne Drive. Provision of high fence had been refused but a hedge is now being planted.
157/25 Playing Field: Nothing to report – there is no lying water on the field.
158/25 Play area: Nothing to report.
159/25 Village Green: A query had been received regarding the parking sign on the Village Green. It is confirmed that the conditions also apply to Blue Badge holders.
160/25 Peak Cluster: A discussion which included members of the public took place around this matter. As the route goes through Waverton it was agreed that the Council produces an issue of “Wavertonian” to outline the proposals and seek permission from a resident to reproduce correspondence she had shared with us. All Councillors present in favour of this.
The Council will then submit a response to the Peak Cluster project prior to closing date for comments.
161/25 Correspondence:
- There have been numerous reports of dog fouling and an item in future “Wavertonian” to advise residents how to report this and other issues via Cheshire West and Chester’s “report it” site.
162/25 Accounts:
| Payments made to 9th February 2026 | |
| J Meredith (Christmas decorations) | £45.00 |
| Cullimore Dutton (GP Lease on account) | £250.00 |
| Hatcher Hughes (accountancy fees December account) | £38.40 |
| Gaskells (Village Hall waste) | £90.71 |
| Mr P Castle (February account) | £439.56 |
| Village Hall staff salaries | £1,727.08 |
| Accounts to be approved: | |
| Hatcher Hughes (accountants January account) | £72.00 |
| HMRC (4 employees) | £439.71 |
| Cloud Next (website fee – paid by Clerk) | £119.98 |
Items for discussion/consideration:
- Clerk asked if Councillors would assist with the update of Policies and this was confirmed,
Next meeting: Monday, 9th March 2026 at 7 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.