Meeting January 2026

A Special Meeting of the Parish Council was held at The Royal Oak on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 7.15 pm.

 

PRESENT:-   Chairman                    Cllr Graves

         Vice-Chairman            Cllr Grist (ELDC)

         Cllr:                             Mrs Molloy

          Also Present                Cllr Catton (LCC) & 5 MOP

 

The Chairman reported that since the last Meeting the water level at the pond had changed dramatically. He also noted that there had been no communication from County Council Highways regarding whether they would be carrying out any work to the area under the road that linked to the pond and if so, when. Cllr Catton (LCC) kindly agreed to investigate this matter and report back to the Parish Council.

 

The Chairmen stated that a date would be agreed to start work on the improvements and that a few weeks’ notice would be given prior to the start date, ensure all parties involved could arrange works were carried out in the appropriate order. LCC Highways would probably need to carry out work to the road (undercut) and footpath and liaison between the two groups would be required. Mr Oliver offered to lower the water for LCC when they required access for the area under the road, then bring it back up when they had completed the work. He also advised that the pipe would need to be bedded in, he suggested 2 pipes with an angle and couple of sandbags.

 

The Chairman queried whether a “trap” could be put in to stop waste going down the stream. Parishioners reported that weeds were the main problem. Mr Oliver advised on how to take the boulders down, but that it may also be possible to rent a “silt trap” – Chairman to look into this. Cllr Mrs Molloy queried whether the orange plastic mesh that used to be used for the duck race would be useful if it was placed in at three points along the stream and if parishioners assisted on the day to hold mesh in place. Mr Oliver advised that he might have something that could be of use and Mr Broadley and Steve??? agreed to help. Mr Oliver advised that if something could be done to stop the silt coming in, or boulders round where the pipe if on the pond side to slow water down, it could be a remedy. The aim would be to get to the chalk bed, as had been done previously, if possible.

 

A date of the first or second week in February was agreed and work needed to be carried out quickly, with the boulders put back in place then, or at a later date.