Crooke Village Residents Association Meeting
Crooke Hall Inn
Tuesday 8th October 2024

Attendees

Howard Cain, Linda Kellie, Paul Green, Morag Tebbit, Charlie and Sue Neve, Tricia Poole, Stephen Tebbit, Kathy Bradley, John Whitely.

Apologies

Mike Thomas, Dawn and Pete Glynn, Mandy McDonagh.

Mike welcomed everyone to the meeting. Because Charlie was attending Shevington Parish Council as CVRA representative it was agreed by the meeting that Charlie be considered as a committee member, therefore there was a quorum.

Matters arising

september Minutes

It was noted that the minutes incorrectly stated that the suspension of the Crook Village Gardening Club was due to ill health when, in fact, no specific reason had been given.

Crooke Hall Music Festival

Subsequent to the meeting it was reported, via a committee member, that a resident had damaged their car trying to turn by the pub during the festival. The turning space was restricted by a truck carrying scaffold poles which extended beyond the body of the truck and could not be seen when reversing.

Though no blame is apportioned to the truck, it exposed one of the difficulties faced by residents. The same resident also reported an argument and fight outside their door during the festival but felt the pub was doing a great job in raising money for the Wigan Hospice, and the whole event was run sensibly.

The report was made late as the resident was away at the time of the September meeting.

Minutes from September Meeting 2024

The September minutes as amended above were proposed by Paul Green, seconded by Charlie Neve and agreed by all.

SPC Report

See attached report

Chairman's Report

Not present

Vice Chair's Report

None given

Treasurer's Report

No change since the September meeting. The details of the budget will be given at the AGM next month.

Secretary's Report

None given

Councillor's Report

John commented about the funding of the defibrillators. It was left for Wigan council to determine what to do about who services them, charge the batteries etc.

Agenda

1. Project List.

No update for this meeting

2. Sadeguarding Policy.

Linda Kellie shared a draft for the CVRA Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults which has been prepared in line with the guidance for community groups recommended by the Wigan Safeguarding Partnership.

It was agreed that the CVRA Constitution would be updated to reflect the new policy and both would be brought forward for sign off at the CVRA AGM in November following agreement in principle by the CVRA Committee. Howard Cain to action.

Linda recommended that the CVRA should introduce a brief Social Media Safeguarding Policy for its Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Morag to speak with Stacey.

3. Flood Defences.

On 30th September the entrance to Crooke Village and the pub car park were flooded once again. A discussion took place highlighting a number of issues, including Lawns Wood’s role in acting as a flood basin and the potential impact of the City of Trees initiative.

Charlie Neve reminded the meeting that agreement had been reached with Shevington Parish Council to stop any additional drainage water off run being sent into Millbrook and on to Crooke village. It was also noted that, from time to time, there may be an impact from spring tides reducing the ability of the River Douglas to cope with draining the higher volumes of water.

As the frequency of flooding has increased additional suggestions were shared including problems would increase. Steve said that the dwarf wall at the marina is causing problems, as the water was going around the ends of it. If it had holes made in it there would be less pressure of water flowing into the marina and it would reduce the flood risk to houses nearby.

It was noted that due to the old, combined sewage and drainage system there is a potential risk to homes and to health should the current pipework be unable cope with the increased load.

It was unclear how any additional flood defences could protect the village whilst still allowing for access. Ideas were shared including building a new bridge to provide greater capacity beneath. Paul and Steve suggested that a temporary bridge could be installed during construction. It was noted that nursery traffic still entered and exited the village at great speed whatever the conditions.

4. Festival Parking.

A discussion was held on the impact of the annual Beer, Boat & Bands Festival on parking. It was noted that issues were reduced from 2023 but that more use could be made of the increased security team.

This potential for the CVRA and Crooke Village residents to work together was raised but it was agreed that the matter would be deferred until next year.

5. Bins

On 27 September 2024 Charlie had reported the bin on the footpath beside 99a Crooke Road as overflowing. This was a second time of reporting but Wigan Council closed the report as completed even though the matter was unresolved. On 7th October the matter was reported once again.

Following communication with Krystyna Pilkington at SPC it was advised that the bins had not been emptied as the usual contractor had been on leave and his replacement did not know where the bins were. It was noted that the bins have now been emptied.

6. Christmas Lunch

The date was set for Saturday 21st December. Howard had liaised with Libby as to the menu. He proposed that the menu be formally accepted, Tricia seconded the motion and we all agreed.

Howard will issue an invitation to Crooke Village residents as in previous years asking for details of attendees and menu choices.

AOB

Steve mentioned 4x4 vehicles coming down from Shevington, making a mess of the fields and destroying fences as they tried to come into the village.

The land to the rear of 60, 62 and 66 Crooke has been sold STC. As the sale is ongoing no plans for any development of the property have been submitted. `Should that subsequently happen, plans would need to be submitted to Wigan Council and would be reviewed by SPC for any comments. CVRA can monitor this by their coopted member.

The meeting closed at 8.30pm

Next Meeting is on Tuesday 8th November 2024 at 7.00pm. There will be the AGM first and then a normal meeting thereafter.

This concluded the Meeting of the CVRA for October 2024.

The Decembers sheduled meeting became a social event so the minutes for November will be ratified in January and posted then. As the website editor, I would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a look forward to a Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2025.