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 THE MEETING
16 June 2025
Present: Maria Bennett (Chairman), Colin Appleton, Derek Baxter, Sandra Baxter, Jill Butler, Karen Cavanagh, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Joe Riley, Mike Weild and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 0 members of the public.
17.0 Apologies for Absence
There were apologies received from Cllrs D Brodie, L Brodie, Hunt and Millington.
18.0 Members Declaration of Interest
18.1 There were no declarations of interest.
19.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
The meeting was reconvened.
20.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
20.1 Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 19 May 2025
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
21.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
Minute 12.1 43 Bushby’s Lane – Cllr Irving reported that the site lies approximately 200 yards from the boundary of protected and international important sites. These areas are known to contain the established endangered presence of protected species such as red squirrels, bats and hedgehogs. This site serves as a valuable supporting site of valuable habitat.
It is thought that the following offences have been committed:
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – Destruction of roosts, dreys or active nest is an offence, irrespective of planning status. If any trees contain such features, their removal may constitute a criminal offence.
- Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 – Proximity to a RAMSAR or European site requires that any action with a potential significant effect may trigger the need for a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA), even outside the designated boundary.
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 – Sefton Council has a statutory duty to have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity when exercising its functions, which includes responding to and reviewing activities that affect local priority and protected species.
The Clerk advised that a letter was sent to the Rural Crime Team, and they have responded to say that as part of their investigation the landowner had provided paperwork and that he would liaise with Natural England to check that this paperwork was in order. It was agreed to follow up this matter with the police with photographic evidence and statements from residents.
22.0 Chairman’s Report
There was no Chairman’s report this month
23.0 Planning Applications
23.1 St Anne’s Church – it was noted that the Clerk has written to the Head of Planning at Sefton Council regarding the property known as St Anne’s Church to preserve the trees and received confirmation that the trees have got TPO’s on them. it was noted that there is also heather (Dune Heath) on the site and the Clerk will ask Planning if this is recorded and protected.
23.2 Formby Employment Site – it was noted that we have received the report from JBA Consulting which highlighted several issues on the site including the modelling data, which is out of date, all information is based on 2015 data. The raising of the height of the site to above 1 in 100-year flooding markers is also based on the 2015 data. The water storage areas are not enough to support the water in the area, and they haven’t calculated the run-off rainwater from the Lidl store. They haven’t made provisions for ongoing maintenance and have planned to pump excess water off the site towards the Bull Cop area.
The Clerk and Cllr D Baxter will have a follow up meeting with JBA Consulting to discuss this further. The report will be submitted to Sefton alongside an objection to the development.
23.3 Phone mast behind Hilary Court – KCL want to increase the height of a phone mast from 15m to 20m and add another 10 antennas to it. An objection has been submitted.
23.4 Maryland Retirement Home – Sefton Council have approved the reduction in car parking spaces from 12 to 9.
24.0 To Discuss and Resolve the following.
24.1 To approve to host the domain name for Ince Blundell Parish Council and to recharge them for this facility.
The Clerk reported that we have a Service Level Agreement with Ince Blundell to provide website hosting. At present one of their Cllrs uses his own credit card to purchase the domain name as IBPC do not have a card facility to do this. It was also noted that we provide the same service for Little Altcar Parish Council.
It was resolved to approve to host the domain name for Ince Blundell Parish Council.
24.2 To approve an application for the Gild Hall to be listed as an asset of community value.
It was resolved to list the Gild Hall as an asset of community value.
24.3 To approve for the £30,000 for the railings at Duke Street Park to be removed as an earmarked sum.
The Chairman reported that the railings project is not going ahead and that the money should be released so that it can be reallocated to other projects, including the proposed project to improve the rose garden area of the park.
It was resolved to approve removing the earmarked sum of £30,000 for the railings at Duke Street Park project which is not going ahead.
24.4 To note the purchase of 2 sets of Union and Ukraine flags.
Members noted the purchase of the flags.
24.5 To note the purchase of an AI recording device and a set of headphones.
Members noted the purchase of the AI recording device and a set of headphones.
24.6 To approve a transfer of £85,000 to the new instant access savings account.
It was resolved to approve the transfer of £85,000 to the new instant access savings account.
25.0 Payments
- employer expenses – £1,983.90
- Office lease, Sefton MBC – £291.66
- Office phone and broadband, BT – £78.01
- Data protection fee, ICO – £47.00
- Replacement flags, House of flags – £246.00
- Consulting, JBA consulting – £3,579.60
Total – £6,226.17
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
26.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with the agenda):
- Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Group Meeting
- Minutes of the Environment Group Meeting
27.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Monday 21 July 2025, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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