Rainford Parish Council
MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 20 MAY 2016 COMMENCING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING OF RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL WHICH COMMENCED AT 7.00pm
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT RAINFORD VILLAGE HALL
Present: Councillors: Aspinall, Brown, Collins, Grice, P Jones, Lee, Monk,
L Mussell, D Mussell, D Nichols (Chairman), R Nichols, Reynolds,
Wesley
In attendance: Sally Powell (Clerk)
Vicky Nelson (Administrative Assistant)
5 Residents
Absent: None
436. APOLOGIES: Councillors: G Jones, (Prior Engagement), Long, (Holiday)
437. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
None.
438. FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN:
The Chairman informed the meeting that the Full Council meeting in October would take place on Monday 10 October 2016. The December meeting will take place on Monday 19 December 2016 and will be followed by a reception for invited guests who do work for the Village community.
439. TO HEAR AND RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS/DEPUTATIONS BY COUNCILLORS OR
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
None.
440. TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY 25 APRIL 2016
RESOLVED: That the minutes be agreed as a true and accurate record.
441. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
426 The Clerk confirmed that email addresses had not yet been set up for Councillors, following some difficulties after upgrading the IT system
429 420 20 The resurfacing of the road in the Village Centre has been delayed due to the weather
434 4 The granting of the licence to open a sex shop in Windle was defeated. It is possible that the shop may still open but without advertising which does not require a licence.
434 5 The lack of stewards for Walking Day may have been resolved. The Clerk was asked to check with Ralph Rigby
434 6 There is a list of forthcoming fund raising events for the Chairman’s project on the tables at the Chairman’s evening. Also a draw will be taking place in November and tickets will be sold throughout the summer. Each Councillor was asked to take 10 books to sell. Any unsold tickets should be returned by the end of September and the stubs of sold tickets should be brought to every meeting with the money.
442. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
RESOLVED: Councillor P Jones proposed that the Income and Expenditure Figures for April be accepted. This was seconded by Councillor Reynolds and carried unanimously. (See Appendix 1)
443. HALL REDECORATION
This item will be dealt with under Finance, Planning & Administration.
444. COMMUNITY CINEMA
Councillor Reynolds explained the concept of a Community Cinema and the fund-raising opportunities associated with it. The meeting agreed that he could assess if people would be interested in such an event.
445. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk summarised the following correspondence:
1. Letter from a resident regarding the structural damage on Pasture Lane. This was read out. There was a short discussion which concluded that it was unlikely that St Helens Council would take up the resident’s suggestion.
2. Copy of Clerks & Councils Direct
3. Copy of The Clerk Magazine
4. Letter from the Valuation Office Agency requiring the completion of an on-line form for the purposes of calculating the business rateable value
5. Letter from the Internal Auditor with a summary of the results of the Internal Audit
6. Various letters, emails and cards in response to the invitation to the Chairman’s evening.
7. Email from Lyndsey Darwin to inform the Parish Council that the Bold Forest Park Action Plan has been submitted to the Government for independent examination by a Planning Inspector
8. Letter from Conor McGinn MP extending best wishes to Diane for her term as Chairman
9. Letter from the Centenary Fields organisation regarding the securing of recreational spaces in perpetuity in honour of the memory of the millions of people who have lost their lives in conflict
10. Letter from NHS Blood &Transplant asking for support for the Blood donation session on 03.06.16
+ responses to approx. 315 emails 154 telephone Calls and 82 Visitors
RESOLVED: That the Correspondence be accepted
446. COMMITTEE & COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Ø Audit – No meeting had taken place since the last Full Council Meeting.
Ø Finance, Planning & Administration (See Appendix 2 for the minutes)
PLANNING - 6 sets of plans were considered. No objections were raised.
RESOLVED: That the plans be agreed en bloc
FINANCE – Councillor P Jones reported:
- Further repairs to the roof have been completed. There is one chimney stack to be repointed but it requires scaffolding to access it.
- The Main Hall needs to be decorated this year. A detailed budget will be discussed at the next Full Council Meeting
iii. Due to the change in regulations a pension scheme has to be chosen and offered to all eligible staff. The Clerk will discuss this further with the Chairman.
iv. There was a discussion regarding the costs involved in maintaining the Pavilion. It was agreed that the cost effectiveness would need to be reviewed if further expensive repairs were required.
Ø Community Development (including Rainford in Bloom)
Councillor Nichols reported the following:
- The work on the War Memorial is progressing well. One of the trees has been removed from the front lawn and the base for the obelisk has been put in. 2 new trees will be planted in place of the removed tree. Quotes for the work on the grounds will be obtained shortly.
- Due to lack of interest, the Food Festival will be a ‘Tea on the Tip’ to provide refreshments during Rainford Show, working with and alongside the Rainford Show committee.
- It was agreed that the Parish Council would not wish the space at the back of the Village Hall to become part of the lease for the Village Hall.
Ø Health & Safety
No meeting had taken place since the last Full Council Meeting.
Ø Borough Council
Councillor L Mussell reported:
- Councillor Reynolds was congratulated on becoming a Borough Councillor.
- Councillor R Nichols was thanked for all the work he did as a Borough Councillor.
- Mayor Making would take place on 18.05.16.
- No more bollards would be placed in the Village Centre. The Parish Council are responsible for maintaining the bollards that have been put in place. The Car parking spaces will be marked off when the road resurfacing is completed.
- She had visited the mosque near Sherdley Park.
447. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1. The Chairman presented Councillor Reynolds with his Past Chairman’s Pendant.
2. Councillor L Mussell reported that road markings are being put on Hydes Brow. These will continue to the bridge at the Junction if funds allow.
448. DIARY DATES
26.05.16 7.30pm Local Police Meeting re Sidings Lane (Reception Room)
03.06.16 Blood Donor Sessions
04.06.16 7pm for 7.30pm War Time Memories – Chairman’s Fundraiser
05.06.16 10am Civic Sunday Service All Saints Church
15.06.16 7pm Community Development Committee Meeting
22.06.16 6.30pm Finance, Planning & Administration Committee Meeting
23.06.16 7am – 10pm Polling for the EU referendum
27.06.16 7.00pm Full Council Meeting
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 7.25pm
______
Chairman
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FINANCE, PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
OF RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 18 MAY 2016 at 6.30pm IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT RAINFORD VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Councillors: K Aspinall, J Collins, P Jones (Chairman), M Lee, R Reynolds, D Wesley
Sally Powell – Clerk
ABSENT: None
1. APOLOGIES: Councillor I Brown (Holiday)
2. PLANS:
5 sets of plans were considered. No objections were raised.
3. INCOME & EXPENDITURE:
The Clerk answered minor queries about the Income and Expenditure summary for March 2016. Councillor Wesley asked about the Merseyside Pension Fund Past service adjustment. This is an extra payment levied each year by the Pension Fund.
4. ROOF REPAIRS
Most of the work on the roof has been completed. One chimney stack needs re-pointing but access is difficult. The roofer is negotiating with the scaffolding firm.
5. HALL DECORATION
The Chairman stated that he did not wish to have an extended debate regarding this, but to postpone it to the next meeting. The Clerk will circulate details of costs etc. with the agenda. It is thought that £7000.00 may be required.
6. PENSION SCHEME
The new Pension scheme for employees needs to be decided to comply with the new regulations. The guidelines are extensive and complicated, so the Clerk will seek some professional advice to ensure compliance.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1. Councillor Reynolds stated he would like to investigate the possibility of holding a Community Cinema event as a fund raiser. He explained the scheme to the meeting. The Parish Council would also benefit through bar sales.
2. There was a short discussion regarding the Pavilion. It was acknowledged that a considerable amount of money has been spent on the Pavilion in recent years and any further expenditure would need to be carefully considered.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 6.55pm.
______
Chairman
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