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
20 October 2025
Present: Maria Bennett (Chairman), Derek Baxter, Sandra Baxter, Dawn Brodie, Karen Cavanagh, Dave Irving, Yvonne Irving, Joe Riley, Mike Weild and Paul Wiencke.
In Attendance: Claire Jenkins (Clerk) and 2 members of the public
50.0 Apologies for Absence
50.1 There were apologies received from Cllrs Appleton, L Brodie and Butler.
51.0 Members Declaration of Interest
51.1 There were no declarations of interest.
52.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item.
52.1 Gild Hall
A resident addressed the Council regarding the closure of the Gild Hall. He asked the Council for an update on the building. Cllr Bennett informed him that the archdiocese has put the building up for rental. The Cllrs will be discussing this item later in the meeting (item 57.5).
52.2 Dobbs Gutter
A resident addressed the Council regarding clearing Dobbs Gutter. There is a large amount of debris and loose branches in Dobbs Gutter and he is concerned that it will become blocked and cause flooding with the high volumes of rain that have occurred. The Clerk will write to the Rights of Way Officer to have this cleared.
The meeting was reconvened.
53.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
53.1 Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 15 September 2025
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
54.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
There were no matters of report.
55.0 Chairman’s Report
55.1 The Chairman reminded Cllrs of the Christmas Lights Switch on Event that will take place on Thursday 20 November 2025 and asked for volunteers to help with the Christmas Hampers which will be packed and distributed on 15 and 16 December.
56.0 Planning Applications
56.1 West Lane
Cllr D Baxter informed the group that the developer hasn’t submitted any explanation for their piling methods and expressed concern regarding the noise levels that will affect residents. It was agreed to object in the strongest terms to the use of concrete driven piles.
Under Section 72 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, contractors must adopt Best Practicable Means to minimise noise and vibration from construction activities. BPM refers to the reasonably practicable measures having regard to, the current state of technical knowledge, the financial implications and benefits of the method, the nature and location of the site and its surroundings. Piling is due to start in November.
56.2 Windfall houses
A total of 345 windfall homes has been built since 2014. Cllr D Irving will write to Morris Homes and David Wilson Homes to ask how many extra housing units they have built on the Liverpool Road site in addition to the ones agreed to in the original planning application.
56.3 Shorrocks Hill site
Cllr Irving reported that the Civic Society are submitting a Stage 2 Complaint to Sefton Council regarding the planning process for the Shorrocks Hill Site.
57.0 To Discuss and Resolve the following.
57.1 To discuss the request to write to Sefton Council regarding the process for representation at the Planning Committee.
It was resolved to write to Sefton Council regarding the process for representation at the Planning Committee
57.2 To approve a grant of £1,500 for Formby Library to expand their community gardening activities.
It was resolved to approve the grant £1,500 for Formby Library to expand their community gardening activities.
57.3 To approve the purchase of two 3-tier planters for the area in front of Harington Road shops.
It was resolved to approve the purchase of two 3-tier planters for the area in front of Harington Road shops.
57.4 To discuss a suggestion to purchase of a small gift for the elderly residents attending the Luncheon Club Christmas party.
Item to deferred to next month
57.5 To discuss the closure of the Gild Hall and the lease opportunity for a community centre.
Cllrs have been approached by residents who are upset at the closure of the Gild Hall. It was noted that the Gild Hall is now being advertised for rental with a lease cost of £40,000 per year. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk will arrange a viewing of the building to assess its use as a community centre. It was noted that there are problems with the building including suspected dry rot, and the electrics and kitchen require upgrading. A full project brief would need to look at how much it would cost to upgrade the building, what the annual running costs would be and what income could be achieved. The Chairman advised that the building may run at a loss and the Parish Council would need to consult with the community before deciding whether to increase the precept to take on the lease. It was also noted that the St Jerome’s community centre, church and former priest’s house are also on the market for lease.
The application for the Gild Hall to be a community asset has been submitted to Sefton Council.
It was resolved to contact Fittons Estates to arrange a viewing.
57.6 To note that the casual vacancies for Harington Ward have been advertised.
Members noted the casual vacancies for Harington Ward.
58.0 Payments
- Employer expenses – £2048.94
- Office lease, Sefton MBC – £291.66
- Office phone and broadband, BT – £77.90
- Title register and map, Land Registry – £14.00
- Stationary, Select Office – £108.36
- Bark, Home Bargains – £20.97
- Subscription, Bitedefender – £74.99
- Newsletter printing, Custom Print Limited – £730.00
- Bulbs, Tesco – £15.00
- Grant, Compassion Acts – £1,500.00
- Annual maintenance CCTV – Sefton MBC – £366.00
Total – £5.247.82
It was resolved to make the payments as listed above.
59.0 The following reports were noted (circulated with the agenda):
- Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Group Meeting
- Minutes of the Environment Group Meeting
60.0 Date of Next Meeting:
The next Ordinary meeting of Formby Parish Council will be held on Monday 17 November 2025, 7pm, at Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
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