Date: 18.06.2024
To: Members of Rainford Parish Council
You are summoned to attend a meeting of RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL on Monday 24 June 2024 commencing at 7pm in the Council Chamber
The Press & Public are invited to attend
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence:
Councillors are reminded that they must contact the Clerk in writing, prior to the meeting, to give
a valid reason for their absence
2. Formal announcements from the Chairwoman
3. Co-option of Councillors for Randle & Junction Ward
Candidates may address the Council for up to 5 minutes. Members may then ask questions. Following this, members will vote.
4. Declaration of Acceptance of Office, of Interest, and Updating of the Register
For new Councillors. Additionally, Councillors are reminded to make any new Declarations of Interest
5. To hear and respond to any questions/deputations by members of the public
Residents regarding the Miller Homes Development and concerns over the attempted discharge of some of the approval conditions
6. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Rainford Parish Council meeting held on Monday 27 May 2024
See separate document
7. Financial Matters
Receipts and Payments for May 2024
Receipts £ 16,951.58
Payments £ 21,199.08
£6,000 was transferred from the Business Savings Account to the Current Account to make payments.
Bank balances @ 31.05.2024:
Current Account: £2,163.40
Business Account: £65,932.04
QR Codes
Currently, we can create QR codes free of charge but we cannot access any analytics. This means we cannot see how many people used the code. We could do this if we had a subscription. This would cost approximately £8 per month, (paid annually), with 2 QR codes permitted per month; an annual total of £96 for a total of 24 QR codes.
Annual accounts:
Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
See separate document
Councillor Dodson to propose that Rainford Parish Council agree the following statements for the financial year 2023/24:
During the financial year ended 31 March 2023, this authority’s internal auditor acting independently and on the basis of an assessment of risk, carried out a selective assessment of compliance with the relevant procedures and controls in operation and obtained appropriate evidence from the authority.
We acknowledge as the members of Rainford Parish Council our responsibility for ensuring that there is a sound system of internal control, including arrangements for the preparation of the Accounting Statements.
We confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, with respect to the Accounting Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024, that:
- We have put in place arrangements for effective financial management during the year, and for the preparation of the accounting statements.
- We maintained an adequate system of internal control including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed its effectiveness.
- We took all reasonable steps to assure ourselves that there are no matters of actual or potential non-compliance with laws, regulations and Proper Practices that could have a significant financial effect on the ability of this authority to conduct its business or manage its finances.
- We provided proper opportunity during the year for the exercise of electors’ rights in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
- We carried out an assessment of the risks facing this authority and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required.
- We maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of internal audit of the accounting records and control systems.
- We took appropriate action on all matters raised in reports from internal and external audit.
- We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on this authority and, where appropriate, have included them in the accounting statements.
Annual Accounting Statement
Councillor Dodson to propose the approval of the Annual Accounting Statement for the financial year ended 31.03.2024. The accounts have been prepared on an Income & Expenditure basis following the guidance in the Governance and Accountability for Smaller Authorities: A Practitioners’ Guide to Proper Practices and present fairly the financial position of this authority at 31.03.2024.
Walking Day
Income: Bar Takings £3704
Expenditure: Bar Wages (£ 297)
Bar Expenses (plastic cups) (£ 56)
Bar Stock (£1852)
Entertainment (£ 300)
Overall Profit £1199
8. Clerk’s Report
- An email from Paula Blellock had been received regarding another EPC survey. The Energy surveyor has been in touch to arrange to re-do the survey. The additional loft insulation has now been fitted. Further information regarding the installation of an air-conditioning unit for heating and cooling the Main Hall is awaited. A video of the hall has been submitted.
- Work continues on gathering photographs and other memorabilia for the 50 years of the Parish Council exhibition.
- The PCC of All Saints Church have refused the request to site a Blood Box on the Parish Hall wall.
- The year-end accounts have been completed and the Internal Auditor will be attending on 19.06.2024. is on-going.
- Following the FPA committee meeting, St Helens Council have been contacted regarding the lowering
of the transitional relief and the lack of communication regarding the increase, particularly before
the precept was set.
- A Penalty Notice has been received from the Pensions Regulator. This has been passed on to payroll at
St Helens Council and a reply is awaited. The Pensions Regulator has also been contacted. A reply has
been received from the Pension Regulator and further information from payroll has been requested. Payroll have stated that they are now in negotiations with the Pensions Regulator, so no further contact or requests for payment are expected.
- The PCSO for Rainford, Donna Mooney, will be attending a Parish Council meeting in
the near future. She is getting to know the area and has visited the schools and other organisations.
She has also spent time telling people that they can’t park on double yellow lines.
- The Village Hall Events Manager passed her Personal Licence course.
- The electricity meter needs to be upgraded. A large hole was dug at the side of the building
blocking the disabled access. The work was completed on 11.05.2024. The smart meter will be installed on 11.07.2024.
xvi. The planning appeal submission for 169 Ormskirk Road was lodged on the Planning Inspectorate portal.
xvii. Merseyside police have requested a new lease. This was considered at the FPA meeting on 12.06.2024 and the wording was accepted.
xviii. Netwise will be migrating the Council email to Flexmail on 19.06.2024, which will give more data.
xix. A quotation of £5200 + VAT has been received for the redecoration of the hall, stairs and landing.
Other quotes are being sought.
- Members for the vacancies in Junction & Randle Ward can now be co-opted.
xxi. Replies to the invitations to the Chairwoman’s evening are being received on a daily basis.
xxii. The organisers of Walking Day requested a donation of £250; the same as was contributed last year. This was agreed at the FPA committee meeting on 12.06.2024.
xxiii. The Co-op Community Funda and Whitemoss grants are open for applications. Consideration will be given to the criteria, and applications submitted as appropriate.
xxiv. A ‘Thank You’ letter was sent to Mr Frodsham for his help with the memorial stone.
xxv. The copy has been submitted for the next Local Life magazine.
xxvi. The images for the Reception Room have been submitted.
xxvii. A resident has visited the office several times regarding flooding in his garden since the construction of a dwelling nearby. Various agencies have been contacted to try and resolve the issue.
xxviii. Walking Day was a great success. The Village Hall was very busy and the live music was well received. One resident took the time to email, to say how great the afternoon had been. See Agenda Item 7 for financial details.
xxix. The Parish Council has been signed up to the social prescribing network in St Helens.
xxx. 3 new classes will shortly be starting in the hall.
xxxi. A letter was sent to The Golden Lion asking them to contact the Parish Council regarding the marquee that has been erected at the rear of the pub.
9. Committee & Working Party Reports
- Borough Council: Councillors Case & Mussell
- Community Liaison Committee: Councillor Whalley
- Finance, Planning & Administration Committee: Councillor Long
- Health & Safety Committee: Councillor Bimpson
- VIP Working Party: Councillor Stockton-Pugh
- 50 years Celebration Evening 28.09.2024
- Parish/Neighbourhood Plan: Cllr Roberts
- Resident’s Issues: Cllr Bowden
Clerk & RFO to Rainford Parish Council
