Please find below the minutes for the latest Formby Parish Council meeting. A copy of the minutes is available to download at the bottom of the page.
MINUTES OF MEETING
Present: Councillors: Bob McCann (Chairman), Colin Appleton, Derek Baxter, Sandra Baxter, Maria Bennett, Dawn Brodie, David Irving, Yvonne Irving, Susan McCann, Bernie Prescott, Joe Riley, Mike Weild and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 1 member of public
95.0 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Dutton. Apologies received post meeting from Cllr Richards
96.0 Members Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
97.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
Cllr Kolassa, Chairman of Little Altcar Parish Council, said that he was pleased to hear that the Pride of Formby is being scheduled to be held later this year, after being cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. He said that he hopes the two parishes will form a combined Parish Council under a grouping order to enhance the close working relationship of the parishes for the benefit of the residents. Cllr Kolassa further reported that he has been pleased to work together with Formby Parish Councillors on the new proposed signs to be installed at the Liverpool Road and Southport Road entrances to Formby.
The meeting was reconvened.
98.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
98.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 4 January 2022
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
99.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
99.1 Judicial Review
Cllr McCann reported that the Judicial Review was found in Sefton MBC’s favour.
He reported that if it had just been the issue of the development being approved as permitted development, the Judge would have had to find in the Parish Councils favour, however Counsel advised that whilst the law was in our favour, we lost on the facts, because of the way the Judge interpreted the planning officer’s report.
The Judge’s report is available to view on the website www.formby-pc.gov.uk/chapel-lane-judicial-review-report/
Cllr Riley said that he had not understood that Formby Parish Council would have the expense of the legal costs and had misunderstood that the limit on our exposure to costs (of £5,000 to Sefton MBC if we lost), was the total amount that we would pay, and he had not appreciated that we would pay our own legal costs. The Chairman listed all the meetings when this had been discussed:
- Finance: 16 June 2021 minute 8.2
- Finance: 28 June 2021 minute 3.0
- FPC: 2 July 2021 minute 29.1
- FPC: 6 July 2021 minute 37.3 and 37.4
- Finance: 14 July 2021 minute 4.2
- FPC: 7 September 2021 minute 45.1
- Finance: 19 January 2022 minute 4.2
And noted that Cllr Riley had been present at all except the Finance meeting on 19 January.
The Clerk confirmed the final invoice had now been received and the total costs amount to:
- Solicitor, legal Counsel, and court fees £17,378 (net) (vat is reclaimed by the Parish Council)
- Sefton costs up to a maximum of £5,000
Total: £22,378
Cllr Appleton asked if we could forge a stronger relationship with the planning officers rather than resorting to Judicial Review.
Cllr Baxter reported that we are in this position because the right to third party appeal of a planning decision was removed. The only way we can appeal a planning decision is by Judicial Review.
The Chairman advised that the Planning Inspector for the Neighbourhood Plan allowed us to have a policy regarding parking because of the parking problems experienced here with visitor traffic particularly in the summer months. However, this planning approval has not given sufficient weight to the parking problems and allowed this development of apartments to go ahead without providing off road parking. The concern is that further apartments will now be allowed to be developed in the village without providing any car parking which will put added pressure on parking in neighbouring roads.
99.2 Jubilee Celebrations
The Chairman advised he has been receiving enquiries about what plans are being made and asked Cllrs for volunteers to help to organise a street party. It was agreed to enquire whether any other volunteer groups would be available to organise such an event.
100.0 Chairman’s Report
100.1 Duke Street Park
The Chairman and the Clerk met with the police at Duke Street Park. The police are reviewing the report of 2019, which had not been acted upon by Sefton Council, and will make further recommendations for helping to reduce antisocial behaviour.
100.2 Redgate
The Chairman and the Clerk met with police to look at antisocial behaviour issues around the Redgate area. The carpark behind the shops is owned by Ascot Properties. It is littered with a large portacabin, boat, vans and a car that appears to have been dumped. There is evidence of a recent bonfire in the car park and litter includes used cooking oil and empty catering containers. The Clerk has contacted Sefton Council neighbourhoods’ team and Environmental Health.
The right of way at Buckfast Drive has overgrown vegetation from neighbouring properties and is poorly lit leading to anti-social behaviour issues. The police have suggested installing a light and cutting back the vegetation. This will be further discussed at the next Environment meeting.
101.0 Planning Applications
101.1 60 and 62 Massams Lane to be demolished and rebuilt.
101.2 35 Philips Lane to be demolished and 3 houses to be built
101.3 7 Brows Lane, it was reported that the developers are using impact piling and causing distress to residents.
The Chairman recapped on meetings held with Environmental health regarding the piling on Liverpool Road. Environmental Health have agreed to introduce Sefton’s own version of the London Piling Guide. The Chairman agreed to contact Environmental Health and ask for a further meeting with them.
102.0 To discuss and approve the following:
102.1 To approve the budget for 2022/2023 as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Group.
It was resolved to approve the budget for 2022/2023
102.2 To determine the precept for 2022/2023 as per the budget report.
Members discussed the precept options and noted that the precept has not been increased for the past 3 years. Consequently, the precept received last year was a reduction on the previous year due to a fall in the tax base as determined by Sefton Council and reserves have been used to bridge the shortfall. Members noted the plans including Lonsdale Road green space and planting more trees to replace those that have been lost over the past few years. It was agreed to raise the precept to £11.50 per annum which is an increase of 3p per week or £1.54 per annum for a band D equivalent property.
It was resolved to approve a precept of £11.50 per annum for a band D equivalent property.
102.3 To approve purchase of 2 window box style barrier baskets at an estimated cost of £500 to include liners and brackets.
The Clerk reported that a quote had been received for £382.99 for 2 window boxes, plus installation costs.
It was resolved to approve the purchase of 2 window boxes to include insert liners and brackets, and delivery and installation costs.
103.0 Payments
- employer expenses – £1,641.28
- office lease, Sefton MBC – £250.00
- office phone and broadband, BT – £56.39
- final 50% payment for Xmas motifs, Illumidex UK ltd – £11,686.80
- legal expenses, Kingsley Smith Solicitors LLP – £11,004.00
- street lighting recharge Xmas lights, Sefton MBC – £814.80
- grounds maintenance contract, Sefton MBC – £4,514.40
Total £29,967.67
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
104.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with Agenda)
- Finance and General Purposes Group minutes
- Environment Group minutes
105.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary Meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 1 March 2022, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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