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 Dutton, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Susan McCann, Bernie Prescott, Joe Riley, Mike Weild and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 3 members of public
52.0 Apologies for Absence
There were apologies received from Cllr Richards.
53.0 Members Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
54.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
The Chairman of Formby Village Sports Club addressed the Council regarding the proposal for the field on Lonsdale Road. He reported that the Formby Village Sports Club have met with the Estates Manager for Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, but their enquiries came to nothing. The land they have expressed an interest in they have leased on a peppercorn rent and have registered that parcel of land as a community asset, however the lease could be terminated with 6 months’ notice. They wish to retain the sports club facility and expand if possible, however the notice period does not allow for longer term investment in the site. At present they have no firm plans for what type of sports facilities or how much land might be desirable. The General Secretary of Formby Village Sports Club said that Sefton have indicated that they would not parcel of the smaller section of land but would only consider the whole area. However, the land at Lonsdale Road, which the Parish Council are in discussion with Sefton Council about does not include the smaller section to the rear of the tennis courts.
They expressed a wish to be included in Formby Parish Council’s proposals going forward and Cllr McCann advised that they would be kept informed.
The meeting was reconvened.
55.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
55.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 7 September 2021
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
56.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
56.1 Update on the proposed Lonsdale Road project.
The Clerk reported that a draft report on the proposed leasing of Lonsdale Road has been sent to the Estates Manager and the Clerk has asked for feedback.
56.2 Update on the knife savers project.
The Clerk reported that the first Knife Savers Cabinet has been delivered and is ready to be installed at Formby Police Station. Cllr Brodie reported that knife savers kits have been given to the local high schools.
56.3 Cllr D Irving reported that the Civic Society have organised an unveiling ceremony for the Percy French Blue Plaque, for which the Parish Council gave grant funding and members are invited to attend.
57.0 Chairman’s Report
The Chairman asked to put on record his thanks and gratitude for the long hours and amount of work and dedication put in by Cllr D Baxter on planning matters. Members added their thanks.
It was further reported that a successful application was made to the Jamie Carragher Foundation to support a young cyclist in the community to become an apprentice for the next Olympic Team.
58.0 Planning Applications
58.1 Members noted that an application has been submitted for the 1st Floor of the Marks and Spencer’s building for 6 x 2-bed and 2 x 1-bed apartments. There is no amenity space or car parking spaces included and the developer has stated that parking is available in the 24 hours pay and display car park. An objection has been raised.
59.0 To discuss and approve the following:
59.1 To approve expenditure of £5,000 for new tree planting (Finance minute ref 6.1 refers)
It was resolved to approve the expenditure of £5,000 for new trees.
59.2 To approve expenditure of £5,000 for a Christmas Lights switch-on event (Finance minute ref 7.1 refers)
The Chairman reported that this was proposed to be a one-off switch-on event to provide some Christmas cheer for the community as we are coming out of the covid pandemic.
Cllr Bennett reported on the estimated costs received to date:
- Road closure – £1,560 +VAT
- Traffic management plan – approximately £500 – £750
- Security – £300
- Stage quotes – £1,000 for a 6×4 stage, £2,200 for a 8×6 stage.
- Cleansing – £160
- First aid – £500 provisional sum
- Posters/flyers
Members agreed that to provide the larger stage the amount should be increased to £5,500 excluding vat which the Parish Council will claim back.
It was resolved to amend the wording of the resolution to read “To approve the expenditure of £5,500, excluding vat, for a Christmas Lights Switch-on event.”
It was resolved to approve expenditure of £5,500, excluding vat, for a Christmas Lights switch-on event.
59.3 To consider declaring a Climate Emergency (Environment minute ref 8.1 refers)
Members discussed the reports from NALC who are encouraging local councils to declare a Climate Emergency. NALC hope that together the 10,000 local councils can make a difference and create more climate-friendly communities.
Members agreed that the proposed tree planting and proposals for Lonsdale Road for more trees and wildflower areas would help to contribute to improving biodiversity and carbon off-setting in our local community.
It was resolved to declare a Climate Emergency
59.4 To approve for the nativity scene to be insured by the Parish Council (Environment minute ref 8.3 refers) Cllr Prescott reported that he had been to see the structure, which has been built by a qualified carpenter and that a risk assessment will be done when the structure is installed. Regular safety checks will be carried out and following a meeting with Sefton Street lighting it is hoped to include lighting inside the nativity scene. The Parish Council insurance will cover the nativity for the duration of the time on display on the highway for public liability.
It was resolved to approve the nativity scene to be insured by the Parish Council.
59.5 To approve a community fund grant of £1,000 for Imagine Formby alleyway project (Finance minute ref 5.1 refers).
Cllr Brodie reported that for the first alleyway Imagine Formby have obtained the landlords’ permission and public liability insurance has been arranged. There will be hanging baskets, a mural, an archway at the entrance and decorative lights.
It was resolved to approve the community fund grant of £1,000 for Imagine Formby alleyway project.
60.0 Payments
- Employer expenses – £1,641.28
- Office lease, Sefton MBC – £250.00
- Office phone and broadband, BT – £56.39
- Antivirus subscription, Bitdefender – £69.99
- Tree lights, Illumidex UK Ltd – £8,280.00
- Planning support, Aecom – £5,028.00
- Emergency Bleed Control Cabinet, Turtle Engineering Ltd – £420.00
- NALC future communities conference, EB future communities – £64.49
- Title deeds and plans, HM Land Registry – £36.00
Total £15,846.15
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
61.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with Agenda)
- Finance and General Purposes Group Minutes
- Environment Group Minutes
62.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary Meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 2 November 2021, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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