RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 24 JUNE 2013 COMMENCING AT
7 PM IN THE MAIN HALL AT RAINFORD VILLAGE HALL
PresentCouncillors K Aspinall, I Brown, D Grice, A Jones, L Jones, P Jones, M Lee,
M Lyons, D Monk (Chairman), D Nichols, R Nichols, R Reynolds, D Wesley
In attendanceMr Daniel Caffrey, St Helens Council
19 residents
S Powell (Parish Clerk)
E Hale (Admin Assistant)
AbsentCouncillor J Collins
Councillor Collins stated that she had not received a copy of the minutes and had not been told about the meeting.
17.APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors R Nichols and R Leach.
RESOLVED:THAT APOLOGY BE ACCEPTED
18.DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillor K Aspinall declared a non-pecuniary interest in Planning Application numbers
P/2013/0400 and P/2013/0454.
RESOLVED:THAT DECLARATION OF INTEREST BE ACCEPTED
19.POLICE REPORT
Merseyside Police were unable to be represented at the meeting but sent the following Police report.
Burglary3Assault1
Criminal Damage2Anti Social Behaviour incidents4
Theft (Other)3Arrests6
RESOLVED:THAT THE POLICE REPORT BE ACCEPTED
20.TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 17
MAY 2013
RESOLVED:THAT THE MINUTES BE APPROVED AND SIGNED AS A CORRECT RECORD
21.MATTERS ARISING
Item 15 – Annual Report: In response to a query the Parish Council were informed that the Annual Report was in the process of being circulated.
22.TO HEAR AND RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS/DEPUTATIONS BY COUNCILLORS OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Several residents were in attendance to pose questions concerning the Linear Park pathway. Mr D
Caffrey, St Helens Council, was also at the meeting to answer any questions and queries.
It was stated that full completion of the Linear Park pathway had been delayed slightly due to
problems with drainage and the installation of gates. However, although the pathway is not yet officially open to the general public, people have begun using it. Residents stated that problems had arisen concerning horse deposits along the pathway.
The British Horse Society have now contacted all liveries in the area and horse riders have been told they must clear up any mess.
A lengthy discussion took place. Information concerning the pathway will be posted on to the
Parish Council website as and when it became available.
Other concerns were raised from residents living in and around the News Lane area.
They were informed that all their concerns were being addressed and all facts and figures will be
taken into consideration by St Helens Council before any planning permissions are granted.
23.CORRESPONDENCE
7.1Invitation to attend the Armed Forces Day Service received from St Helens Council.
7.2Letter received from resident whose premises are adjoining the Village Hall – informing the
Parish Council of their intention to erect a 6 ft fence, on advice from the Police, to improve
security.
7.3Email received from Firenze, one of the tenants at the Village Hall, informing the Parish Council of their intention to terminate their lease from the middle of July.
7.4Email from Joanne Griffiths – Any Councillor wishing to undertake Code of Conduct training to inform the Clerk.
7.5Letter received from a resident saying how pleasant it was to see horses on the Linear Park
once more and offering congratulations to the construction company on the standard of
work undertaken.
7.6Copy of information sent out by the British Horse Society to all Livery stables regarding the
clearing up of horse deposits.
7.7Councillors were informed of a course – Understanding your role in public health – to be held at Salford University.
7.8Archaeological Society – information received concerning Rainford Roots.
7.9Rainford Heritage Society – information concerning their new Business Membership.
Other information
Rainford Parish Council are to man a stall at the Rainford Festival on Saturday 13 July and
volunteers will be needed to help from 11 am until 5 pm, in two hour sessions. It is hoped that a
Borough Councillor will be in attendance at each session. Several Councillors volunteered their
services.
The Parish Council Chamber will be open to the public during the Heritage Weekend and there will be displays in the Main Hall and Reception Room.
The 2013 Art Exhibition is due to be held from 14-17 October. It has been decided to open the
Exhibition from 11am, rather than the usual 9am, and monitor the number of visitors attending.
24. COMMITTEE & COUNCILLOR REPORTS
24.1Finance, Planning & Administration
Finance
-The insurance claim following the break-in is progressing. However the insurers are
currently of the opinion that the safe itself was not insured but the contents were. Also
they will not accept any liability for damage to the building.
-Firenze have given notice to end their lease and will be moving out around 15 July 2013. It was agreed in principle that the Clerk’s office should be relocated to the ground floor
office opposite the front door. To make the offices on the first floor more attractive to
potential tenants, it was proposed that a kitchenette should be created in part of the
upstairs toilets. Relevant quotations would be sought.
-It was agreed that the caretaker should be asked to paint the railings at the front of the
building.
Accounts for payment
Payee / Item / £Draper Entertainments / Bar Management / 165.29
Draper Entertainments / Bar Management / 219.43
AOL Broadband / Broadband / 15.31
Barclays / Data back up / 3.30
St Helens Council / Christmas lights / 981.54
Ale & Beer Supplies Ltd / Bar Stocks / 175.80
Ale & Beer Supplies Ltd / Bar Stocks / 826.89
J G Eckersall / Locks / 96.60
Merseyside Pension Fund / Annual deficit payment / 1700.00
St Helens Council / Salaries & Pensions / 3129.55
Scottish Power / Electricity / 215.00
Bodtree Systems / IT Support / 115.00
Cocreate Designs / Website Design/Support / 2682.00
Draper Entertainments / Bar Management / 339.38
HMRC / 532.17
HMRC / 534.19
Adept Telecom / Telephone / 61.70
Barclays / Bank charges / 24.45
ZsaZsa Florist / Flowers / 173.00
Lawrenson Building Contractors / Roof repair / 215.00
Barclays Merchant charge / Credit/Debit card facility / 12.00
United Utilities / Water charges for the Pavilion / 18.62
PRS for music / Music Licence / 98.26
United Utilities / Water charges / 221.93
R & C Darlington / Catering for Chairman’s evening / 1078.00
PC Print / Annual Review / 1683.00
TOTAL / £15317.41
£1726.79 will be retrieved from the bar account
RESOLVED:THAT THE FINANCE REPORT BE ACCEPTED AND AGREED
Planning
10 sets of plans were considered by the meeting, as follows. All plans were accepted en bloc.
P/2013/036727 Derby Drive, RainfordNo objection
Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension, construction of front porch and extended vehicular access at the front of the property.
P/2013/0373Promised Land Farm, Crank RoadObjection
Erection of 2no. Wind turbines 35m to hub height, 61m max to blade tip height, micro siting and associated infrastructures, including access tracks, areas of hard standing, control buildings and under ground cabling.
A meeting had been convened to discuss this Planning Application. It was stated that a previous application for a 40m high wind turbine at the same location had been rejected as it would adversely affect a high quality rural environment, and because there was insufficient demonstration of special circumstances for a development in a rural area. The present application is for two wind turbines, one of which would be situated nearer to Fir Tree Farm. It was explained to the residents present at the meeting how planning objections should be made and the meeting was informed that any objections should be lodged by 14 June 2013. If 6 or more objections were received then the application must go before the full St Helens Council planning committee.
It was agreed that Rainford Parish Council would lodge its own objection to the application.
P/2013/0385Billinge Hall Farm, Crank Road, Kings MossNo objection
Conversion of existing barn to dwelling house
P/2013/039465 Beech Gardens, RainfordNo objection
Conservatory to the rear
P/2013/0399Unit 1, Sandwash Business Park, RainfordNo objection
Use of the unit for a B2 use – car repairs and MOT testing station
P/2013/040037 Church Road, RainfordNo objection
Two storey extension to the rear of the property, required to provide extra facilities needed for an increase in the family unit size
P/2013/0412213 Ormskirk Road, RainfordNo objection
Conservatory to the rear
P/2013/0424Outside No 38 Church Road, RainfordNo comment
Small DSLAM (digital subscriber live access multiplexer) cabinet to be placed at the back edge of the footpath, with grass verge to the rear
P/2013/0426Glenvine, Higher Lane, RainfordNo objection
Erection of 2no. CCTV masts. A 2m mast with 2no. fixed cameras and a 4m mast with 1no. dome camera
P/2013/043515 Hydes Brow, RainfordNo objection
Proposed ground floor extension to rear and side
P/2013/0454Rainford CE Primary School, Cross Pit LaneNo objection
Installation of an outdoor classroom/shelter along with 2no. goal units
P/2013/046084 Church Road, RainfordNo objection
Part two storey extension to rear, demolition of front porch, and formation of parking area at front
RESOLVED:THAT ALL PLANS BE ACCEPTED
24.2Community Development
Website update – almost ready to ‘go live’. The Clerk and Admin Assistant have been trained in how to update the website.
Annual report – is due from the printers within the next few days. It was agreed that distribution should be via Royal Mail door-to-door service and the annual report should be delivered to every postal address within the Parish. It was agreed that there should be two newsletters and an Annual Report each year.
Environment – No further developments at Holiday Moss. Work on the Linear Park is on-going. Horses will be allowed on the path and cycles, but no motorised vehicles. The ‘K’ barriers will prevent motor cycles getting onto the path and the police now have the power to confiscate and crush motorbikes if they are on non-designated paths. The parts of the Linear Park that have been completed are already being well used. The contractors are providing bulbs etc. that will be planted by Rainford CE Primary School. Dog waste bins have been provided but not litter bins near the seating area.
Rainford Heritage Society – Mr Ray Waring sent a report in his absence.
Future projects – it was proposed to set up a business network with a Business Breakfast being held to launch it in the autumn.
RESOLVED:THAT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT BE ACCEPTED
24.3Borough Council
Pathway updating scheduled for Church Road, Beech Gardens and Ormskirk Road, with some work already underway.
St Helens Council are looking at site application plans to include green belt review.
25.ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.
26.DATES FOR DIARY
29 JuneArmed Forces Day
6 JulyCrank Gala
13 JulyRainford Summer Festival at RHTC
31 AugustRainford Show
14 & 15 SeptemberHeritage Weekend
Signed: ……………………………………………………………………………… Chairman
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