Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 12th October 2026 in the Village Hall at 7p.m.
Present: Jeff Smith (Chair), Dave Clarke (vice-chair), Richard Moulds, John Meredith, TK Al Jorani, Ralph Howard, Philip Morrey, Richard Simm and Geoff Hughes.
88/26 Apologies: There were received from Ward Councillor, Stephen Mosley.
89/26 Declaration of Interest. None.
90/26 To consider approval of Minutes of Ordinary Parish Council meeting held 14th September 2026. These were agreed as a correct record.
91/26 Matters arising not covered elsewhere on Agenda:
- Mr Mike Jones, a Councillor from Tattenhall attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of Waverton joining the disposal of blister pack scheme. (recyclable waste arising from Prescribed medicines). Incorporated Ward funds are available towards the scheme and Ward Councillor Stephen Mosley is happy to be involved. There may be the need for a small donation from Waverton Parish Council also. Richard Moulds will discuss the matter further with a Tattenhall Councillor.
- Quotation received for repair of seat near the shops and timber electricity point cover received in the sum of £505. It was agreed to proceed with these two projects.
- Quotation in the sum of ££698.47 to reinstate electricity supply for use in connection with Christmas Tree at shopping precinct. Jeff proposed that we accept this quotation, seconded by John. All Councillors in favour. Clarification regarding cost of electricity and access to electricity point to be clarified.
92/26 Public participation: Two members of the public attended the meeting seeking clarification of the GP surgery situation. The current situation as the Council is aware was explained and it was agreed that further correspondence would be addressed to Aphra Brandreth MP and Councillor Stephen Mosley to gain a more up to date position if possible. The financial implications of the possibility of the surgery leaving the Village Hall were also mentioned although this is currently not a factor in the discussions. Richard Moulds also outlined the Contract negotiations over several months.
93/26 Village Hall:
- Richard Moulds suggested a trial period of blister pack collection with Village Hall being a possible collection site.
- Financially all ok with Village Hall currently although staff costs are high and the largest financial outlay. Mandatory cost increases are the major contributor.
- Complaints have been received concerning the state of the main hall floor which possibly requires re-sanding. Further assessment to be undertaken.
- Front car park problems have been remedied satisfactorily.
- Chair had e-mailed GP Practice for update on Practice intentions & outcomes of wider reviews but no response had been received as yet.
- GP Practice have agreed to refund legal fees incurred by Parish Council in preparing an expected renewed lease, before the current situation was revealed.
- It appears that the ICB has concluded all consultations and submitted its findings to a Scrutiny Group. This provides evidence of impact of closure on patients and those adversely impacted on closure in any one group. Dates not yet fixed for further information timetables. Richard Moulds will draft e-mail to Aphra and Stephen enquiring if they can intervene directly to ICB or other agencies involved in the decision making.
94/26 Road Safety:
- Richard Moulds advised that the Average Speed Data was not yet available.
- The situation concerning the drain outside the Primary School to be monitored, especially during wet weather/winter months.
95/25 Amenity Cleaning: The amenity and general accounts are being monitored to gauge adherence to the terms and costs outlined.
96/26 Grounds maintenance: As above.
97/26 Footpaths: Nothing to report. Jeff will liaise with Footpath Warden to ensure all is well and there are no current problems or issues.
98/26 Resident Survey & Local Plan Process:
- Grosvenor Estate appear to be looking at various plots within Waverton currently classified as Green Belt for both Housing and mixed use which would include light commerce. We have an indication of the Local housing needs over the next 20 years which should be met within this land use although the process of churn of existing housing stock will no doubt continue as it always has.
- The group recognised that the time to make the biggest impact with the Local Authority is within the next few months in this consultation window of the revised Local Plan process.
- Our plan is to do some face to face with residents towards the end of the year; possible date being 12th December, to enable any further resident opinions as to the future for Waverton to be incorporated in feedback to the Local Plan. This will also provide a chance for Residents to ask about the Budget / Process for next year and on the May elections in 2027, particularly for those who may be interested in a role on the Parish Council.
- Richard Moulds will check what further reports are available from CWAC. He also queried what our approach to Grosvenor Estate should be, as the intention is the arrange to meet with them in the near future to discuss the Estate and Parish responses to the Local Plan consultation.
- Peter Black (Consultant) is to look at all the reports submitted so far. To the CWAC consultation process as relates to intentions for Land use and Development. He charges £750 per day and it was confirmed that there is £3,500 allocated to this within this financial year to cover anticipated work, including field visits for further site assessments.
99/26 Planning applications:
26/02834/PIP – Old Eaton Barn & Brookdale Court, Guy Lane – subdivision of existing dwelling to create to separate dwellings.
100/26 Playing Field: Nothing to report.
101/26 Play area:
- Dave will collect replacement equipment which has been paid for.
- Quotation to be obtained for tidying up the play area and removing hazards.
- No response so far concerning additional litter bin.
- Constant molehills in the area – matter to be left until Spring.
- Play area inspection – Clerk to remind company again.
- Request has been made for provision of robust and weatherproof table tennis tables on the field. Also request for 5-a-side area to be marked for possible badminton/pickle ball etc. Dave will investigate these suggestions further.
102/26 Village Green: Fallen/rotten tree has been removed.
103/26 Correspondence:
- There was no feedback from any items of correspondence sent to Councillors during the interval between meetings.
- New Report-it Identifier for Town and Parish Councils which can be used by Councillors and Clerks. Details already supplied to Councillors.
- Ward Councillor Budget Grant of £500 has been received towards provision of Christmas Tree and additional decorations.
- Several Freedom of Information requests from one resident are being dealt with as appropriate.
104/26 Accounts:
Accounts paid from 15th September 2026 to 12th October 2026
| Date | Payee | Amount |
| 15/09/2026 | Countrywide Grounds Maintenance | £1,112.40 |
| Eaton Estate (car park rental to September 2027) | 107.00 | |
| Gaskells North West (Village Hall) | 92.82 | |
| Clerk’s Salary (August) | 459.10 | |
| 25/09/26 | Hatcher Hughes (payroll fees) | 68.40 |
| Village Hall staff salaries | 1,830.12 | |
| HMRC (staff NI/Tax) | 452.77 | |
| 05/10/26 | A E Evans Ltd (play equipment) | 132.06 |
| Mr P Castle (amenity/general cleaning) | 939.56 |
Accounts pending authorisation
| Date | Payee | Amount |
| Gaskells North West (Village Hall) | 95.69 | |
| Countrywide Grounds Maintenance | 1,112.40 | |
| Eaton Estate (car park rental adjustment 25/26 | 32.00 | |
| J Windsor (Clerk’s Salary September) | 459.10 |
- Updated April – June expenditure figures were presented to the Council.
- July – September 2026 expenditure figures were presented to the Council.
- Consolidation of Parish Accounts still under review.
- A new Internal Auditor is required. Clerk to ask ChALC if they or any other Parish Councils have any recommendations.
- Jeff outlined possible year-end financial position ahead of Precept discussions. This is summarised on the two attached tables. The first indicates approximate midyear position and expectations for the year end, according to the regularly recurring items used to set the budget. The second follows the same format comparing the proposed Projects which set the budget versus the path the year has taken so far and the estimation for the year end. At this point the year end as portrayed will end in balance including provision for an intended cash reserve to be established.
This formed part of a wider discussion within the meeting when the budget year for 2027/28 was discussed.
Some key points of discussion were:-
– The ongoing need to provide for the responses to the Local Plan consultation
– As yet unknown / costed implications of the departure of the surgery on the operational costs of the Village Hall.
– Likely further energy price rises
– Would the nature of the Parish Council change after 2027 elections and that the current group would be responsible for the budget that would give potentially a new or revised group adequate funds to continue effectively. - It was agreed that VAT would be claimed every 3 months in future.
- A paper concerning Precept considerations submitted by a resident had been passed to Councillors and noted.
105/26 Blister pack recycling: Noted elsewhere in Minutes.
106/26 Remembrance Sunday:
- It was agreed that Jeff would read the Lesson and John would lay wreath on behalf of Parish Council.
- It was proposed by Jeff, seconded by Richard that up to £100 could be spent on purchase of Poppy Wreath/Donation. Clerk will obtain 17” Poppy Wreath at a cost of £23.00. All Councillors in favour.
- Poppies on lamp posts to be put up on 23rd October from 9 a.m.
Items for discussion/consideration:
- Wavertonian – It was hoped to have this to Councillors for delivery by 23rd November. Copy to Clerk by 2nd November and Printer to be advised a week in advance of requirement date. “Wavertonian” to include report from Chair, Precept discussion information and possibly information from Stephen Mosley, and “open day” information.
- Philip asked if consideration had been given to the possibility of a footpath around the Playing Field.
Next meeting: Monday, 8th November 2026 at 7 p.m.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 p.m.