Please find below the minutes for Formby Parish Council Annual meeting. A copy of the minutes is available to download at the bottom of the page.
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
18 May 2026
Present: Maria Bennett (Chairman), Colin Appleton, Derek Baxter, Sandra Baxter, Dawn Brodie, Jill Butler, Karen Cavanagh, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Leo Kolassa and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 6 members of the public.
1.0 To elect a Chairman for 2026-27, who will then sign the “Declaration of Acceptance of Office”.
Nominations were received for Cllr M Bennett.
It was resolved that Cllr M Bennett be elected as Chairman.
Cllr Bennett signed The Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and this was witnessed by the Proper Officer.
2.0 To elect a Vice Chairman for 2026-27, who will then sign the “Declaration of Acceptance of Office”.
Nominations were received for Cllr D Brodie.
It was resolved that Cllr D Brodie be elected as Vice Chairman.
Cllr D Brodie signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and this was witnessed by the Proper Officer.
3.0 Apologies for Absence
There were apologies received from Cllrs L Brodie, D Dutton, J Riley and M Weild.
4.0 Members Declaration of Interest
4.1 Cllr Bennett declared an interest in West Lane.
5.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
5.1 West Lane/Brewery Lane
Residents complained about cracks that have appeared on their property caused by the vibrations at the development at West Lane. The resident has spoken to Lewis Johnson, the site manager who said that the damage wasn’t to do with their development. Is Redrow liable for damage caused to the properties around the area? Residents were advised to get a photographic survey of their properties and speak with their property insurance company.
Cllr Bennett informed the resident that a letter will be sent to all the residents neighbouring the site with contact details for the developers and Sefton Council. If residents could copy in the Parish Council with their complaints so they can be aware of and keep a record of the problems.
5.2 Mass Migration Crisis
Can the Council clarify whether there are any current proposals, discussions, or plans involving any use of hotels, temporary accommodation or housing in our local area and surrounding communities for accommodating migrants or asylum seekers? If there are any plans, what information can be shared with residents?
The resident was advised that the Formby Parish Council is not involved with this or been made aware of any such plans, this falls under Sefton Councils remit.
The meeting was reconvened.
6.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
6.1 Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 20 April 2026
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
6.2 Minutes of the Extra-Ordinary meeting held on 8 May 2026
It was resolved that the minutes of the Extra-Ordinary meeting held on 8 May 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
7.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
There were no matters of report.
8.0 To receive the retiring Chairman’s Annual Report
There was no Chairman’s report
9.0 To appoint representatives to the following:
- National Trust Stakeholder meeting – Cllrs Irving and Weild
- Merseyside Association of Local Councils (MALC) – Cllrs D Brodie and Wiencke
10.0 To agree Cllrs role in respect of:
- Finance and General Purposes Group – Cllrs D Brodie, D Baxter, S Baxter, Bennett, Butler, D Irving, Weild and Wiencke
- Environment Group – Cllrs S Baxter, D Baxter, Cavanagh, Y Irving, Weild and Wiencke.
- Planning – Cllrs, D Baxter, Butler and D Irving
- Raising and lowering of the flags – Cllrs D Baxter and Weild
- Fertilising and weeding of village trees – Resident volunteer.
- Newsletter – Cllr D Baxter
11.0 Annual Return
11.1 To receive the Internal Auditors Report
It was resolved to approve the Internal Auditors Report
11.2 To approve the annual governance statement section 1.
Cllrs answered yes to questions 1-8 and question 10 (question 9 not applicable) detailed on the governance statement and this was recorded on the Annual Return, which will be published on the website.
It was resolved that the governance statement section 1 to be approved.
11.3 To approve the accounting statements section 2.
It was resolved that the accounting statements section 2 be approved.
11.4 To note the dates set for the exercise of public rights: Wednesday 3 June to Tuesday 14 July 2026.
Cllrs noted the dates set for the exercise of public rights.
12.0 Planning Applications
12.1 Formby Swimming Pool Trust
A planning application has been received to extend the gym and 23 additional car parking spaces and removing 62 trees. Cllr D Irving has submitted an objection to the car park extension and the removal of the trees and asked the Ward Cllrs to call in the application.
12.2 Bushby’s Lane
An application has been submitted for 5 x 3 storey properties which is contrary to the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan. In January 2025, the previous owner had removed all the trees surrounding the original property. A request to see the previous ecology report was declined. Cllr D Irving has asked for an adjournment on the decision as the ecology report is only a summary report. Cllr D Irving has asked the Planning department to obtain a copy of the previous ecology report.
12.3 Shorrocks Hill
An application was submitted for 23 luxury houses. Cllr Irving reported that an appeal was submitted to the Ombudsman by the Formby Civic Society. The appeal was accepted but the Ombudsman is not going to get involved with the application stating that although the planning committee have approved the application, the head of planning hasn’t signed it yet. The Ombudsman can’t get involved with an appeal until the application is signed off.
13.0 To discuss and approve the following.
13.1 To approve the quote for the renewal of the Insurance at £2,465.76 including taxes and whether to renew the insurance for 1 or 3 years.
It was resolved to approve the quote of £2,465.76 including taxes for the insurance and to renew for 3 years.
13.2 To approve the Risk Assessment for 2026-2027.
It was resolved to approve the Risk Assessment for 2026-2027.
13.3 To approve the payment dates for staff salaries for the year to 31 May 2027.
It was resolved to approve the payment dates for staff salaries for the year to 31 May 2027.
13.4 To approve the schedule of meeting dates for the year to 30 April 2027.
It was resolved to approve the schedule of meeting dates for the year.
13.5 To approve the wording for the plaque for Duke Street Park – Environment and Finance minutes refer
Members agreed to recommend the following for the inscription: “The improvements to Duke Street Park since 2025 were funded by public money with Formby and Freshfield Ward and Formby Parish Councillors and Sefton Council working together”
13.6 To approve the purchase of a replacement laptop for the Clerk
It was resolved to approve the purchase of a replacement laptop.
14.0 Payments
- Employer expenses – £2,060.36
- Office lease, Sefton MBC – £291.66
- Office phone and broadband, BT – £76.74
- Membership renewal, SLCC – £200.00
- Domain, Krystal Hosting Ltd – £9.59
- Temp event notice, Sefton MBC – £21.00
- Temp event notice, Sefton MBC – £21.00
- Google subscription, Google Commerce Ltd – £15.99
- Insurance renewal, Gallagher – £2,465.76
- Subscription renewal, LALC – £2,235.77
- Internal Audit, Sefton CVS – £63.00
- Legal advice, Leighday – £3,600.00
- Postage, Post Office – £3.80
- Plastic planters and compost, named person – £43.92
Total £11,108.59
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
15.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with the agenda):
- Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Group Meeting
- Minutes of the Environment Group Meeting
16.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Monday 15 June 2026 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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