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: Maria Bennett (Chairman), Derek Baxter, Sandra Baxter, Dawn Brodie, Luke Brodie, Jill Butler, Karen Cavanagh, Helen Duerdon, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Liz Mercer, Carol Richards and Mike Weild.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 2 Members of public
27.0 Apologies for Absence
There were apologies received from Cllrs Haygarth and Prescott.
28.0 Members Declaration of Interest
28.1 Cllr Richards declared an interest in planning items.
29.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
29.1 Dog Control Order
Residents enquired about the dog control order signs and the legality of them. The Clerk advised that Sefton Council have a Dog Control, Public Spaces Protection Order which is enforceable in all parks and other areas across the borough. Sefton Council employ enforcement officers who can order people to put their dog on a lead. If people fail to comply with the rules, then they can be fined or prosecuted. In the Platinum Jubilee Park on Lonsdale Road dogs must be in close control. If a dog is not in close control and causing a nuisance or disturbance to other members of the public, then the dog must be on a lead. Certain areas around the borough including cemeteries always have a strict dog on lead policy. It was noted that a survey of residents will be undertaken, and this will include a question on whether residents want a strict dog on lead policy in this park. This information will then be used to inform the review of the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order, which will be done by Sefton Council in 2024.
The meeting was reconvened.
30.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
30.1 Minutes of the Ordinary held on 19 June 2023
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
31.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
Minute reference 18.1 Report of ASB at Formby Park Bowling Club.
The Clerk reported that a meeting has been organised with Ward Cllrs, Sefton Council, the Parish Council, and the police on 21 July, to discuss the ASB issues and to consider what further measures can be taken to improve the situation.
32.0 Chairman’s Report
There was no Chairman’s report.
33.0 Planning Applications
33.1 Brackenway Site – it was noted that further conditions discharges have been submitted but the developer has not yet applied for discharge of conditions relating to flooding. It was agreed to resend the original submission prepared by AECOM.
33.2 A resident has given notification of the discovery of a rare newt and reported that Natural England have issued advice regarding the Brackenway site application:
Wildlife Crime
The planning application appears to have been approved on 23/12/2021. In the meantime, the requirements to consider impacts to protected species remain, irrespective of whether planning permission is granted in the future, and the responsibility to ensure impacts to species or their habitat does not occur rests with those commissioning and or undertaking any works. If any ground works commence on site and you are concerned that a crime or incident has occurred, you should notify the Police. They are the appropriate statutory enforcement body for such species offences in England unless a species licence has been granted by Natural England. See here for information: Wildlife Offences | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk).
It is understood that gas works near to the site were suspended for a period and it is not known if any further siting’s of the rare newt were made.
It was agreed to make enquiries to ask for more information.
33.3 82 Freshfield Road – withdrawn planning application for perimeter wall and heat pump. A retrospective application been submitted.
33.4 National Trust car park – application has been refused.
33.5 Tennis Club – application for a paddle court. Members raised concern over the known noise disturbance of paddle courts for residents living nearby.
34.0 To discuss and approve the following.
34.1 To approve the expenditure for the printing (estimated £689.52) and distribution (£350 plus vat) of a newsletter.
Members discussed the issue raised by the Trader of the previous newsletter being too heavy. Alternative print options will be sought.
It was resolved to approve the expenditure for the newsletter and distribution costs.
34.2 To approve the content of the newsletter. Members discussed the content of the newsletter, including the survey of residents regarding the park rules and suggested a few additional items. This will be amended and forwarded to members prior to being published.
It was resolved to approve the content of the newsletter, subject to the additional items discussed.
34.3 To consider a grant payment to the Formby Methodist Church towards a book to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the church in Formby. (Finance minutes refer).
Members discussed the application and noted that the book will cost £3,500 to produce and that a grant would help to offset the cost for residents to purchase this. The accounts for the Church were noted and the community facility offering accommodation to Toddler groups, Warm Spaces, Scouts, and other groups, whose members may have an interest in the proposed book. It was noted that there are some limitations to the use of our power to benefit property relating to an ecclesiastical body (S8, Local Government Act 1894 refers), however members agreed that this was a book of historical interest to some residents and would comply with S137, Local Government Act 1972 regulations.
It was resolved to approve a grant of £350 towards the cost of the book, which in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure.
34.4 To approve the ordering of spring bulbs for the Chapel Lane roundabout.
It was resolved to approve the ordering of spring bulbs for the Chapel Lane roundabout.
34.5 To approve the purchase of a “dog control order” sign.
It was resolved to approve the purchase of a “Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order” sign to include artwork, production, and fitting of an A3 aluminium sign fixed to the wooden access gate at a cost of £180 plus vat.
35.0 Payments
- employer expenses – £1,633.14
- Office lease, Sefton MBC – £250.00
- Office phone and broadband, BT – £70.66
- Planters and barrier basket planting, JC Landscape and horticulture – £1,740.00
- Subscription renewal, Zoom – £143.88
- 2x bleed control cabinets, Kays Medical – £1,227.59
- Grant donation, Formby Festival – £1,500.00
Total – £6,565.27
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
36.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with the agenda):
- Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Group Meeting
- Minutes of the Environment Group Meeting
37.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Monday 18 September 2023, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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