Held on Saturday 05 April 2025 at 6.00pm at Water Orton Primary School Hall

In Attendance: 8 electors

The Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr Steve Stuart was present and therefore chaired the meeting in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12, Part III, 17 (1).

Minutes taken by Rachel Scully, Clerk to Water Orton Parish Council.

1. Apologies for absence
Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), HS2, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Local Warwickshire Police, Cabinet Minister for Transport, Paul Tullett, Paul Messenger, Cllr Chown.

2. Chairman’s Welcome
The Chair welcomed all who were in the attendance to the meeting convened by the Parish Council.

3. Minutes of the Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting held on 18 May 2024
The minutes from the previous Annual Assembly of the Parish Meeting held on Saturday 18 May 2024 were approved.

4. Matters arising from the previous minutes
There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Guest speakers & presentations:

5. Annual report of the Parish Council Chairman (Water Orton Parish Council)
The work is continuing with the village with the enhancement of HS2 which is making significant progress.

The Chair expressed thanks to Cllr Rees and the Clerk in their work for improving the financial services, within Scribe accounting allowing for financial monitoring in a more effective way and allowing for greater transparency.

The Parish Council continues to work with organisations to minimise and mitigate the pressures of HS2. There is a proposed meeting with MP Rachel Taylor reserved for the village on HS2. There has been work with individual groups through the councillor surgery and the village gathering. The Chair gave thanks to all those involved in the village gathering.

It was mentioned that Parish Council funds are stretched but SS discussed the help given to other organisations within the village to facilitate funding such as Spud Club which has engaged more of the community. The Parish Council are holding more community-based committees, the Chair expressed thanks to Cllr Brown and Cllr Freeman for their work in expanding community engagement.

The Chair mentioned that the Crime Commissioner Local Warwickshire Police was invited to attend the meeting but he could not attend the meeting and it is hoped that he may attend a future meeting of the Parish Council.

The Chair mentioned that the Parish Council have proposals for the Youth Engagement Fund;
The library, support for the Game Society
Youth engagement within Spud Club
Play equipment
To consider youth activities generally

It was mentioned that the Community Engagement Working Group has a wide structure, and if there is an area that residents are interested they are welcome to attend the meetings of the Community Engagement Working Group. The Chair commented that the Parish Council is currently three councillors down.

The Chair mentioned recent councillor resignations and gave thanks to Councillor Lowe for his work in the Parish Council particularly in finance which had been of a great benefit to the Council. The Chair also gave thanks to Councillor Room for all his enthusiastic work.

6. Any organisations who wish to speak
The importance of the roles of the church and the library was mentioned for the purposes of community engagement. The use of the church premises which enables the community to engage with a Councillor. The value they hold for the village as community venues, such as the Robert Lloyd room and the library, and their use for all groups and the hosting of different events.

7. Neighbourhood Plan
The review of the Neighbourhood Plan was discussed the emphasis on being on youth engagement which was absent from the formal document. The proposed plan to set up a Working Group to review the Neighbourhood Plan with the focus on youth engagement, to reach out for a wider input other than the Parish Council, for consultation with the village including the youth.

Issues raised by Electors

      • Several electors expressed their disappointment that no one attended the meeting on behalf of BBV/HS2 to update and discuss ongoing resident issues. It was mentioned that there had been a reorganisation within BBV which has led to the cutback of resource and personnel dealing with community engagement. It was mentioned that BBV and HS2 need to have accountability and engage with questions and issues raised by residents.
      • Highway repair issues were raised in Watton Lane. It was mentioned that Warwickshire County Council have given certain funds to address repairs on certain roads.
        Thanks were given to FF, and Coleshill Action Group representatives who continue to attend SMZ meetings and report back on HS2.
        It was discussed that Warwickshire County Council have a pot of money earmarked for potholes. Information has been requested on how much has been spent, the amount of the funds remaining in the pot, and what has been spent in the area.

Written reports from other local authorities or organisations for information

8. The Warwickshire Police Annual Report for Water Orton was not available.

The Chair expressed thanks to the headteacher for her support in opening the school.

The Annual Assembly meeting was closed at 18:35.