23 Jul 2025 – Parish Estates Committee Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Chair: Cllr Williams
Present: Cllr Pennington
Cllr Catlow
Cllr L Hussain

In Attendance: K. Carter (Clerk)
A.Nugent (Head Gardener)

1. To receive apologies for unavoidable absence.
Apologies were received from Cllrs M Hussain, Muqeem and Simpson.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15th January 2025.
Approved.

PEC/2025/5: To approve minutes of the Parish Estates Committee meeting held
on Wednesday 15th January 2025 as a true and accurate record.

3. To receive Head Gardeners Report
The Grounds Team has had an extremely busy 6 months. Large-scale seeding of
wildflowers and bulb-planting across all Parish Council sites has resulted in some
stunning displays as well as having a positive impact on biodiversity. The council
has consequently received numerous compliments from residents who are
delighted with the green spaces and are enjoying being out in them.

Tim Parry Recreation Ground. The Rose Garden is starting to mature and summer
bedding has been planted throughout the site.
Tim Parry Community Centre. A new garden area has been completed with
support from Cromdale Way Preschool and parents; this has created a safe, fun
and educational space for children.
Lingley Green. Several of the raised beds have already been renovated, sleepers
repaired/replaced, topsoil added and planting tidied and/or replaced. This work is
ongoing.
Bewsey Barn Community Centre. The new fence to secure the site has been
installed around the perimeter and includes new pedestrian and vehicle access
gates. Customers are very happy with the installation as it provides protection for
them whilst in the centre.

Apprenticeship Scheme
The Parish Council’s Horticultural Apprentice is working hard towards completing
his Level 2 qualification; it is anticipated that he will complete this by the end of
the year. He has also successfully secured a place at the WorldSkills UK National
Finals following an excellent effort at the qualifiers in May. At the event, to be held

PEC/2025/4 draft
Chair’s signature:
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

in Cardiff this year, he will compete against other top apprentices from across the
UK.
It was proposed and agreed that the Head Gardener should also attend the
WorldSkills event to support GSPC’s apprentice. This will necessitate a hotel stay;
an expenditure of £500 was agreed.

PEC/2025/6: To authorise £500 for accommodation/food for the Head Gardener at
the WorldSkills event in Cardiff to support GSPC’s apprentice.

Future Priorities:
• Complete the raised bed restoration on Lingley Green
• Tidy and develop the borders along Vicarage Community Park
• Investigate planting long-term wildflower plugs at the problem area of Tim
Parry Recreation Ground which tolerate both wet and dry conditions
• Continue working towards the Green Flag Award
• Develop the Apprenticeship Scheme
• To consider purchasing lime trees for planting along the path at Tim Parry
Recreation Ground to provide shade, improve drainage, increase
biodiversity and improve the visual amenity of the site.

4. Estates Office/Childs Wood Field Project: to be updated on current status
6 companies had been approached for a quote for a feasibility study for the project
as well as WBC. Only one company initially responded and despite a site visit,
positive feedback, and several follow up calls/emails, no quote has been received.

WBC also undertook a site visit with councillors, Head Gardener and Clerk and
have provided information and potential costs. They suggest the feasibility study
alone could be £70-80k. Members queried the process and whether this could be
done in stages; no breakdown of costs for each step had been provided and it was
unclear which should be looked at first. Questions were also asked about WBC’s
capacity to undertake the project management. It was agreed to arrange a further
meeting with WBC to discuss these queries.

It was also agreed that the feasibility study could be advertised on LinkedIn and on
the Find a Tender portal, and a final approach made to the company who
undertook the site visit.

PEC/2025/7: To arrange a meeting with WBC to discuss the information provided
on a potential feasibility study, ascertain a breakdown of costs and capacity for
WBC to project manage.

PEC/2024/5 20.8.25
Chair’s signature:
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

PEC/2025/8: To advertise the feasibility study on LinkedIn & Find a Tender and
make a final approach to the initial respondent.

5. Parish Playing Field Drainage Project: to receive an update and consider next
steps
A full update was given as below.
• The project is to install a piped drainage system to alleviate flooding on the
field and create year-round playable pitches
o Drainage System Installation: design and installation of a modern
subsurface drainage system utilizing perforated pipes and gravel beds to
efficiently channel water away from the pitch surface.
o Pitch Grading: Proper pitch grading to be conducted to ensure optimal
surface water flow towards drainage points.
o Silt Traps and Filters: Silt traps and filters to be installed to prevent debris
and contaminants from clogging the drainage system.
• Pitch use: GSPC has agreed to enter into a long-term agreement with Whittle
Hall JFC as an anchor team on the site – a draft agreement has been
produced.
• Delivery: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has been engaged to
assist with the project delivery. The GMA has already undertaken site
inspections and surveys, produced the drainage design and specification for
the tender process and assisted with the tender evaluations. They will also
assist with the installation process in terms of works supervision and
handover assessment.
• Contractor: Tender process completed and Talbot Landscapes awarded the
contract for the drainage installation.
• Planning: NUKO Planning consultants were engaged to undertake the planning
application for GSPC. Planning permission has been given. Conditions are
attached to the permission which are to be reviewed.
• Grant: Football Foundation has made a grant offer of £159,891
• Shortfall: GSPC to make up shortfall of ~£115,000 approved at Parish Council
9.7.25 (Resolution Parish/2025/67)

The conditions of the Football Foundation Grant were noted
− That 2 members of GSPC undertake the GMA Level 1 Football Grounds
Maintenance Course. Costs for this will be investigated. WHJFC may also be
asked to take the course.

PEC/2024/6 20.8.25
Chair’s signature:
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Whittle Hall Community Centre

− That the pitches must be assessed and data submitted using the Pitch
Power tool at least twice a year at specified times. Recommendations will be
received from the Pitch Advisory Service on maintenance and these should
be undertaken.
− That the first payment of the grant is requested within 6 months of the date of
the grant offer (29 May 2025)
− That the final payment is requested within 12 months that the first claim is
paid, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Football Foundation.
− That yearly reports against the project plan are submitted to the Football
Foundation from the date of completion of the works.
− That goalposts comply with the FA Goals for Football: Guidance Note and BS
EN16579 or BS EN748.
− That a restriction on the registered title to the property is entered as detailed
in Clause 21 of the General Terms and Conditions.

The next steps were discussed and agreed as,
1. To formally accept the Football Foundation grant
2. To contact the GMA and Talbot Landscapes for a meeting to move the
project forwards and discuss planning conditions and timeframes
3. To investigate costs for the GMA Level 1 Football Grounds Maintenance
Course
4. To review the clause 21 condition of the grant

6. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 20th August 6.30pm, Parish Office.

PEC/2024/7 20.8.25
Chair’s signature: