Minutes of a meeting of the Community Liaison Committee of
RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Council Chamber at Rainford Village Hall on Monday 3 February 2025 at 6.30pm
Present: Councillors: Bowden, Denton, Dodson, Reynolds, Stockton-Pugh,
Whalley (Chairwoman)
In attendance: Sally Powell (Clerk)
Lisa Roxby (Event Manager)
1. Apologies for Absence:
Councillor Roberts (Family), Councillor Robinson (Away)
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 06.01.2025:
Councillor Denton’s apologies had not been recorded. With the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 06.01.2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record, proposed by Councillor
Action: The Clerk
3. School Liaison Officer’s Report:
Councillor Whalley informed the meeting that she was still waiting to hear from the schools, Stagecoach and the Highways department regarding road safety around the schools at dropping off and picking up time.
Rainford Youth Council had discussed the Miller Homes development at its last meeting. High school students were opposed to the development due to the lack of infrastructure and unaffordability of the houses, whereas the primary school students were against it because of concerns about the destruction of wildlife habitats. The possibility of members of the Youth Council attending a full Council meeting is being considered.
4. VIP Report:
Councillor Stockton-Pugh stated that the redecorated hall, stairs and landing of the Village Hall looked very good. However, the carpet now looks worn next to it and is spoiling the effect. It was agreed that quotes for cleaning and replacing the carpet should be obtained, along with looking into the possibility of specific fund-raising events to cover the cost.
Action: The Clerk
5. Updates:
Community Hub: Councillor Denton informed the meeting that around 20 people had attended the meting in January. The meeting on 20.02.2025 would be a Health & Well-Being Event and the following organisations have confirmed they will be having stalls:
MerseyCare
Specsavers
St Helens Well-being service
Rainford Table Tennis & Pickleball Club
Tropic skin care
Councillor Stockton-Pugh: Advice on Adult Social Care
Age UK have yet to confirm attendance, but they will be attending Luncheon Club on 04.02.2025. The health centres have been informed. The U3A will be contacted along with other organisations that may be interested. Tech Guys will supply an anti-scam leaflet and a podiatrist
The event needs to be widely advertised via posters and social media. The following will be contacted to put up posters or publicise the event:
• Businesses in Crank/Kings Moss
• The Northend Club
• Rainford Carers
• Health Centres
• Elite Wills
• Church Newsletters
• All Saints Fellowship Lunch
Action: Councillor Denton/All Members
Heritage Memorial: Councillor Reynolds informed the meeting that 2 of the replica railway signs need replacing. 1st Northern are quoting for more robust signs and the cost of installing them.
The unveiling of the Memorial Heritage Board and Stone took place on 31.01.2025 and was well attended. The project is now almost complete.
Councillor Reynolds has discovered further information about the family of the youngest person to die in an industrial accident in Rainford and suggested the idea of a creative writing competition around the story with the winning entry being printed.
The Chairwoman thanked Councillor Reynolds for the Heritage Board initiative, which had taken some time to complete, but was a very worthwhile project.
Action: The Clerk
Knifesavers: Councillor Bowden informed the meeting that project was now complete as the second Blood Box had been installed at the North End Club. She thanked the Parish Council for funding the initiative and Councillor Bowden was thanked for her perseverance with the enterprise. It was agreed that there should be social media posts about the installation of the second box.
Action: The Clerk
Rainford Youth Council: Councillor Whalley had covered this under Item 3.
There was a discussion about transporting residents to Luncheon Club and concerns were raised over insurance for drivers. Councillor Stockton-Pugh offered to find out further information. There needs to be good liaison with Luncheon Club.
Action: Councillor Stockton-Pugh
6. Neighbourhood/Parish Plan:
Councillor Stockton-Pugh informed the members that he and Councillor Roberts would be meeting with Councillors from Windle Parish Council on 10.02.2025 to discuss ideas and share information.
Action: Councillors Roberts & Stockton-Pugh
7. Beer Festival 28.02 – 02.03.2025:
The Event Manager informed the meeting that:
the entertainment for the festival had been planned
8 barrels have been sponsored so far
No sponsors for the bar or Spirits Table as yet
2 Bottles have been donated for the Spirits Table
Timings for the weekend have been worked out
A spreadsheet for the availability of volunteers (including Councillors) for the event has been created.
There was a discussion and several other suggestions for possible sponsors were given. Others who have not yet replied, will be contacted again and one of the food suppliers will be chased.
A face painter will attend on the Sunday for 2 hours. The cost of this has been sponsored. Tech Guys had offered a discount rate for the Games Lounge, but it was considered too expensive.
Action: Councillors Denton & Whalley/The Event Manager/All Members
8. Events:
Event Manager went through the proposed events for 2025:
28.02 – 02.03.2025 Beer Festival
08.03.2025 Chairwoman’s Fundraiser; Rainford Band Concert
27.03.2025 Afternoon Tea Dance
13.04.2025 Easter Community Cinema and Easter Egg Hunt. The Labour Club has a Children’s disco on 12.04.2025 and had suggested that a discounted price could be offered to people booking both. This was agreed.
08.05.2025 VE Day Commemorative Tea Dance. Councillor Denton had contacted Col. Andy Reid MBE regarding the attendance of veterans. He had suggested that the event is a joint fundraiser for the Parish Council and his Standing Tall foundation. It was agreed that this should be pursued as it was an opportunity for the Parish Council to liaise with local businesses and the community.
RESOLVED: Councillor Denton proposed that the Afternoon Tea Dance Event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day should be a joint fundraiser between the Parish Council and Andy Reid MBE’s Standing Tall Foundation. This was seconded by Councillor Dodson and carried unanimously.
09.05.2025 Chairperson’s Evening
17.05.2025 Eurovision Party Night. Additional suggestions for this event were pre-recorded messages from Crank and Kings Moss
21.06.2025 Walking Day
13.09.2025 Country Night
25.10.2025 Rocky Horror themed Halloween Night
30.11.2025 Christmas Community Cinema
20.12.2025 Christmas Party Night
There would also be ‘Sip & Paint’ events in June and November and events for the next Chairperson’s fund
9. Solar System on the Linear Park:
Councillor Reynolds informed the meeting that there was nothing further to report at the moment, but progress would need to be made soon if the project was going to be for this summer.
10. Safety of Lithium-ion Batteries Campaign:
There was a discussion, and it was agreed that the CLC would recommend to the full Council that the Parish Council supports this campaign. Councillor Bowden agreed to present the agenda item.
Action: The Clerk/Councillor Bowden
11. Articles for the next Local Life Newsletter:
There was a discussion, and it was agreed that there should be articles on the following in the next Local Life Newsletter:
The Industrial Accidents Memorial unveiling, with a photo
Parish Council Vacancies
The Knifesavers Blood Box on the North End Club
The Annual Parish Meeting (Date tbc)
The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 01.05.2025
All events for the year
VE Day Tea Dance
Request for volunteers for events/VIP working Group
Easter Community Cinema
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8pm.
_____________________________
Councillor Carol Whalley
Chairwoman, Community Liaison Committee
Rainford Parish Council 2024/25
