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
7 September 2021
Present: Councillors: Bob McCann (Chairman), Colin Appleton, Maria Bennett, Dawn Brodie, David Dutton, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Bernie Prescott, Carol Richards, Joe Riley, Mike Weild and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 0 member of public
41.0 Apologies for Absence
There were apologies received from Cllrs D Baxter, S Baxter for a covid related reason and Cllr S McCann due to illness.
42.0 Members Declaration of Interest
There were interests declared by Cllr Irving and Irving for item 47.3.
43.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
The meeting was reconvened.
44.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
44.1 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 6 July 2021
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
45.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
45.1 To note the status of the Judicial Review application.
Minute ref: 29.1 Planning Application DC/2021/00852 19 Chapel Lane
Legal counsel has advised that the application has been assessed by a court judge who has determined that there is a case, and it will go to a court hearing.
45.2 Update on the proposed Lonsdale Road project.
Minute ref: 37.2 Proposed lease agreement for former Holy Trinity Playing Fields
Cllr McCann reported that a draft lease agreement has been received and that the Parish Council are being asked to identify:
- The amount of investment in the site
- The proposed work on site, and
- The end use for the land, together with justification for the peppercorn rental in terms of benefit to the community and cost savings to the (Sefton) Council
Cllr Irving reported that earlier this year he undertook a survey of residents in the adjacent roads and received 50% response rate in favour of the old school playing fields being retained as an open green space. (It has been designated as an open green space in the Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan.) Residents want to see more trees and wildflower meadow areas with pathways mown through and benches along the pathways. Play equipment is not favoured. Members asked if this can be achieved in time for the Queens Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. It was agreed that the Clerk will prepare a response to Sefton Council.
45.3 Update on the knife savers project.
Minute ref: 37.1 Purchase of bleed control kits and housing boxes
Cllr Brodie reported that Northwest Ambulance Service (NWAS) at present cannot give access to a code for the housing boxes if people dial 999. West Midlands have a computer system (called NHS pathway) that combines both 111 and 999 calls into a single system. It’s efficient, cost effective and makes better use of emergency and non-emergency resources. NWAS do not have that system but is going to move to the new system soon (hopefully by the end of the year). After the staff have been trained on the new system, they will be able to give the access codes.
In the meantime, the Project Group have obtained approval for some locations including McDonald’s and Formby Police Station and are in discussions with the ambulance service and the National Trust based in Formby for housing boxes to be situated where there are local staff who can provide access. Orders will be placed for the equipment once these approvals are in place.
45.4 Audit
Minute ref: 11.0 Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
The Clerk advised that the certificate of completion of the limited assurance review for the year ended 31 March 2021 has been received and the External Auditors have commented: “in our opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR is in accordance with Proper Practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.” The AGAR has been published on the Parish Council website www.formby-pc.gov.uk
46.0 Chairman’s Report
46.1 An update on the Chindits Memorial
Cllrs McCann and D. Irving attended a meeting with a representative from the army involved with the Chindits Society. It was noted that the existing plaque on the substation wall, Proctor Road is badly worded and not very visible.
The proposal is to have a new feature stone and plaque to replace the old plaque at the Proctor Road site which is the location where the Chindits were based.
It is also hoped to eventually have a bronze statue in the Memorial Garden to represent the Chindits. This is being led by the Chindits Society in consultation with the Parish Council.
46.2 Report on the condition of the tree near Boots and its pending removal.
Cllr McCann reported that the tree outside Boots is failing, and Sefton Tree Department have been advised that there are dangerous branches overhanging the highway. Earlier this year we had a visit from the aboriculturalist who tried to administer another infusion of nutrients, however, take up was poor and we were advised to improve irrigation, however this has proved to be impossible to achieve and with the very dry summer the tree has declined further. We are awaiting confirmation of when this tree will be removed. Members agreed that Sefton should be asked to grind out the old stump so that we can plant a new tree in its place. The Clerk will obtain costs for removing and reinstalling the railings, grinding out the stump and for a large tree to be planted.
The remaining two old chestnut trees are in good health and Cllr McCann has applied further tree nutrients to the trees.
47.0 Planning Applications
47.1 Cummins Avenue – it was noted that the revised application has not addressed the over development of the site.
47.2 Formby Tennis Club paddle board court application has been refused.
47.3 Rosemary Lane, application for a large, detached house in a garden which is over development of the site
47.4 Harebell Close, it was noted that residents have submitted objections.
47.5 11 trees to be removed at Formby Golf Club
47.6 Brackenway Development, the outline planning application has been approved.
Members would like to know which matters will come back to Planning Committee and which will be officer decisions for full approval.
48.0 To discuss and approve the following:
48.1 To approve the quote obtained by Sefton MBC for the seasonal tree lights.
It was resolved to approve the quote of £6900 plus vat for the seasonal tree lights.
48.2 To approve the transfer of £20,000 from general reserves to the audit/professional fees budget to cover the pending Judicial Review
It was resolved to approve the transfer of £20,000 from general reserves to the audit/professional fees budget.
48.3 To approve that the ring-fenced funds of £10,000 for the delayed VE day celebration should be reallocated for a Queens Jubilee celebration in 2022.
It was resolved to reallocate the ring-fenced funds of £10,000 for the Queens Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
48.4 To approve the revised Members Code of Conduct as adopted by Sefton Council 20 May 2021.
It was resolved to approve the revised Members Code of Conduct
48.5 To approve funding for Cllr Richards to attend an online NALC training seminar at a cost of £53.74 plus vat.
It was resolved to approve funding of £53.74 plus vat for Cllr Richards to attend a training seminar.
48.6 To approve the request to insure the nativity scene for the Christmas display in the village.
After taking over the Christmas lights display in the village last year it has come to light that the Churches Together volunteers do not have public liability insurance for the nativity scene, which last year was used by youths to climb on to then break the baubles on the Christmas tree. The structure is large and could have resulted in an accident if it had fallen or collapsed. Without this insurance the nativity scene should not be located on the public highway. The Clerk has inquired with our insurance company if this can be insured by the parish council, which it can with certain provisos. Members agreed that further investigation is required.
49.0 Payments
August payments
- employer expenses – £1,641.28
- office lease, Sefton MBC – £250.00
- office phone and broadband, BT – £56.39
- annual subscription, gravity forms – website – £44.68
- 3 tier planter, Plantscape – £670.62
- part payment for motifs, Illumidex UK Ltd – £11,686.80
Total £14,349.77
September payments
- employer expenses – £1,641.28
- office lease, Sefton MBC – £250.00
- office phone and broadband, BT – £56.39
- Inspect and administer BITE infusion, BHA Trees – £396.00
- court fees, Kingsley Smith Solicitors – £770.00
- external auditor. PKF Littlejohn LLP – £360.00
- domain renewal Little Altcar, Krystal Hosting Ltd – £96.00
- watering contract and Library garden annual maintenance, sole trader – £3,040.00
Total – £6,609.67
Note a cheque has been received from Little Altcar in payment for the domain renewal.
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
50.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with Agenda)
- Finance and General Purposes Group Minutes
- Environment Group Minutes
51.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary Meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 5 October 2021, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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