27 Nov 2024 – Parish Estates Committee Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 27th November 2024
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Chair: Cllr Williams
Present: Cllr Pennington
Cllr Simpson
Cllr Muqeem

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

1. To receive apologies for unavoidable absence.
All present.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October 2024.
Approved.

PEC/2024/2: To approve minutes of the Parish Estates Committee meeting held on
Wednesday 2nd October 2024 as a true and accurate record.

3. To review information on proposed projects, including financial implications,
and decide on feasibility and timeframes:
a. Turf management of Tim Parry Recreation ground
A small trial area had been treated and there had bene heavy rain after this. Prior to
the treatment there would have been standing water on the field; afterwards, whilst
the ground was wet, there was no standing water so it seems likely that geo-
injection will improve the drainage on the field if done.

The treatment will take around 1.5 days to complete and can be done at any time.
The field will then need top-dressing and reseeding in May and will need to be
closed until the end of August. GSPC will need to liaise with Matthiola JFC who use
the field. The closure would be at the end of the football season, and they could use
the Parish Playing Field if necessary. It was also suggested that the marking of
football pitches is reconsidered (currently done by Matthiola JFC) to ensure they are
completed effectively without causing long-term damage to the field. This could be
done by a contractor, possibly WBC, or by GSPC staff.

The potential environmental impact of the geo-injection was queried; the Head
Gardener will look into this and measure the site for total cost.

PEC/2024/3: To move ahead with the geo-injection on Tim Parry Recreation Ground
to improve the drainage pending investigation into the environmental impact and
total cost; to liaise with Matthiola JFC regarding use of the field and consider options
for pitch marking.

b. Perimeter fencing to Bewsey Barn Community Centre
Costs for materials only had been obtained (c. £7,550); installation would be
completed by grounds staff. A quote had also been obtained for supply and
installation (c. £16,060); two further quotes are awaited.

PEC/2024/2 15.1.25
Chair’s signature:
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 27th November 2024
Whittle Hall Community Centre

Given the size of the installation and the time this would take the grounds staff to
complete, it was agreed that it would be preferable to outsource this item. The
Finance Committee had indicated a potential underspend for 2024-25, therefore it
was proposed to request some of this is spent on the fencing for Bewsey Barn. It is
expected that the final two quotes will be received in time for the Finance meeting
on 3 December.

PEC/2024/4: To recommend that the council engages a contractor to install fencing
at Bewsey Barn Community Centre. Three quotes to be forwarded to the Finance
Committee for decision.

c. Introduction of wildflower meadow areas
It was suggested that wildflowers are planted in the same areas as the large-scale
bulb project. This will extend the flowering season further to Sept/Oct, reduce the
grass cutting needed and increase biodiversity of the council’s sites. Cost will be
around £4k (2025-26 budget).

PEC/2024/5: To approve the planting of wildflowers in the same areas as bulbs at a
cost of around £4,000.

d. Development of Whittle Hall garden
Plan to be drawn up and costed. Item deferred until plans for the depot have been
confirmed.

e. Development of borders and side path of Vicarage Community Park
Borders along Parsonage Way and the path to the side of the site are overgrown
and need attention. The work should be carried out during winter and grounds staff
have the capacity to achieve this before the end of March 2025. Costs are estimated
to be around £3,500 which is available within the remaining grounds budget for 24-
25.

PEC/2024/6: To develop the borders at Vicarage Community Park alongside
Parsonage Way; costs to be met from the 2024-25 grounds budget.

f. Standardise site signage
Current signage to be reviewed and proposals made for replacements, including
number, style and wording at each site. This to be brought, with costs, to a future
meeting.

4. Relocation of grounds depot.
Following on from previous discussions, it was agreed that the most sensible option for
the ground’s depot is to build on existing Parish Council Land. Several sites were
considered, the most suitable of these being Childs Wood Field. It would be possible to
build a depot on part of the field, with the remainder of the site developed for
community use. The committee discussed the process which would need to include
site surveys, discussions with WBC regarding highway access and planning,
environmental impact, indicative costs, consultation with residents, funding options etc.
It was agreed to put a proposal to full council to request permission agreement in
principle to the proposal and to carry out a feasibility study for Childs Wood Field.

PEC/2024/3 15.1.25
Chair’s signature:
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Estates Committee

Wednesday 27th November 2024
Whittle Hall Community Centre

PEC/2024/7: To request agreement in principle to develop part of Childs Wood Field as
a permanent base for the grounds team and the remainder for community use.
Permission to be given to the Parish Estates Committee to investigate the feasibility of
the proposal.

5. Budget for 2025-26
The draft operational budget for 2025-26 was circulated. It was noted that there is
currently no budget for new projects. At a minimum, funds will need to be set aside for
the top-dressing and reseeding of Tim Parry Recreation Ground and the wildflower
planting. The Finance Committee may consider additional monies when the overall
budget for 2025-26is reviewed. The funding needed for the build of a permanent
grounds’ depot will be considered separately; it is likely that this will need to be raised
through grants or loans.

6. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 15th January, 7pm, Parish Office.

PEC/2024/4 15.1.25
Chair’s signature: