Minutes of a meeting of
RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
held on Monday 16 December 2024 commencing at 7pm in the Council Chamber
Present: Councillors: Bardsley, Bimpson, Bowden, Denton, Dodson (Chairwoman), Lee, Long,
Stockton-Pugh
In attendance: Sally Powell (Clerk)
Lisa Roxby (Event Manager)
1. Apologies for Absence:
Cllr Reynolds (Unwell), Cllr Roberts (Business), Cllr Robinson (Away), Cllr Smith (Unwell),
Cllr Whalley (Away)
2. Declaration of Acceptance of Office, of Interest, and Updating of the Register:
None.
3. Formal announcements from the Chairwoman:
Councillor Dodson informed the meeting that:
She had delivered anniversary flowers to Pat & Arthur Dagnall
Despite having to be indoors, the Christmas Fayre had been a great success, and she gave huge thanks to everyone involved, especially the Event Manager. Members of the Youth Council from the 3 primary schools had helped on the Hook-a Duck stall
She had attended an online course about empowering the young Councillors of tomorrow
4. To hear and respond to any questions/deputations by members of the public:
None.
5. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Rainford Parish Council meeting held on Monday 25 November 2024:
The minutes of the full Council meeting held on 28.10.2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record, proposed by Councillor Long, seconded by Councillor Bimpson and carried unanimously.
Action: The Clerk
6. Financial Matters:
Receipts and Payments for November 2024
See FPA minutes for December 2024 for full details
Receipts £ 9,491.21
Payments £9,643.00
Bank balances @ 30.11.2024:
Current Account: £535.59
Business Account: £55,723.66
There were no transfers from the Saver account to the Current account to make payments for invoices. However, staff costs for November are not included.
Budget 2025/26: This was discussed under item 8
7. Clerk’s Report:
The following report was circulated as part of the agenda. Additions are in italics.
i. Arrangements for the decoration of the hall, stairs and landing are currently being made. The date for starting has been confirmed as 08.01.2025.
ii. The new vacancy for Randle Ward has been advertised. Councillors are requested to speak to possible candidates to join the Parish Council.
iii. The upgraded broadband contract for the Village Hall has been installed. There are new passwords, available from the Clerk’s Office.
iv. Paula Blellock is requesting another EPC assessment for the Village Hall. No date has been set.
v. One of the caretakers will be on sick leave until the end of January 2025.
vi. The annual PAT testing took place on 05.12.2024.
vii. St Helens Council are holding a session at the Village Hall on 10.12.2024 to give advice regarding pension credits, benefits, keeping warm in winter etc
viii. It is hoped that the lining for the parking restrictions on Bushey Lane will be completed w/c 09.12.2024.
ix. 130 tickets have been sold for the Christmas Party.
x. A new dishwasher has been purchased for the kitchen.
xi. The energy contract has been renewed.
xii. A revised copy of the Electoral Register has been received.
xiii. P/2024/0620/FUL Demolition of existing storage building, erection of two storey self-build dwelling with associated landscaping, two storey front extension to existing dwelling and erection of 2no detached outbuildings
Langwood Park, Langwood Lane, Kings Moss
There was a short discussion, but no objections to this application.
xiv. An email had been received from Carly Quinn informing the Parish Council that Tracy Sexton co-ordinates the Christmas appeal for St. Helens children’s social care. There will be over 500 children across the borough benefiting from hampers to support children to have a brighter Christmas. The packing for the hampers is a huge task and volunteers are needed. The packing will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week (17th, 18th & 19th) at the old Parr Library, Fleet Lane, St. Helens, WA9 1SY. Packing times are 9:30am-4pm each day. There was a short discussion, and it was agreed that very short notice had been given, especially at such a busy time of year. The Clerk was asked to contact Carly and request more notice next year.
Action: The Clerk
xv. The Clerk informed the meeting that, regretfully, she had sent a letter of resignation to the Chairwoman, which had been accepted and she would therefore be leaving her post on 31.03.2025. It was agreed that an additional meeting of the FPA Committee would take place on 07.01.2025 at 6.30pm to discuss the vacancy and recruitment. In advance of this meeting, the Clerk was asked to circulate a draft Job Description and Terma and Conditions for the role.
Action: The Clerk
8. Committee & Working Party Reports:
Community Liaison Committee:
Councillor Whalley was unable to attend the meeting, but Councillor Dodson informed the meeting that the funds raised from the Youth Council’s ‘Lemonade and Cake’ sale had been distributed to the 4 schools. The next Youth Council meeting will be held on 23.01.2025.
Finance, Planning & Administration Committee:
Councillor Long informed the meeting that the main topic at the last meeting had been the budget for 2025/2026. Copies of the forecast had been circulated, which inevitably contained guesstimates in sections. Many increased costs are expected, such as rates, possibly rent and staff costs with the increase in the minimum wage and national insurance contributions.
There was a discussion regarding the replacement Clerk’s salary, which will be on the NJC scale. Additionally, one of the upstairs offices needs repair work and redecorating, as is the Clerk’s office.
Councillor Long introduced the possibility of increasing the precept by just over £5 per Band D equivalent. This is equivalent to less than 10p per week and is required to ensure that budgeted costs are covered and that there is a modest reserve fund. There was a lively discussion with the following points being made:
• There will be an increase in rates and some people may struggle financially
• The additional funds are needed to maintain and repair the Village Hall
• The raise should be £7 not £5
• Transparency with residents is crucial and it will be very important to ensure that the Rainford Community is aware of the reasons for the increase, how the money will be spent and ensuring that residents know how to claim discounts on their rates.
• Income should be increased as much as possible
RESOLVED: Councillor Long proposed that the precept for 2025/2026 is increased by £5.07 per Band D equivalent to £32.34, representing an increase of less than 10p per week. This was seconded by Councillor Bardsley and carried unanimously.
Health & Safety Committee:
Councillor Bimpson informed the meeting that the last meeting of the Health & Safety Committee had not been quorate. The next meeting will take place on 07.01.2025 at 5.30pm.
VIP Working Party:
Councillor Stockton-Pugh informed the meeting that there had been no road closure charges for the Christmas Fayre.
There was a discussion after Councillor Lee raised the issue of the Borough Councillor’s request to use the Reception Room free of charge for activities that previously took place in the library. The 9 classes would mean a potential loss of revenue of £112.50 per week as the room would be unavailable for other bookings. There are many unanswered questions around this, such as who would be running the classes. The Clerk was asked to contact Councillor Mussell for further information.
9. Parish/Neighbourhood Plan: Cllr Roberts:
No further updates
10. Miller Homes Development: Cllr Bimpson/Cllr Denton:
There had not been any complaints this week, although there had been an issues with refuse bins not being emptied again when there had been temporary traffic lights on Higher Lane.
11. Terms & Conditions for Hirers at the Village Hall:
There was a discussion.
RESOLVED: Councillor Stockton-Pugh proposed that with the addition of a section on the Booking Form for use of the Village Hall asking what time hirers wished the bar to open, if appropriate, that the Booking Form and the Terms and Conditions be accepted. This was seconded by Councillor Denton and carried unanimously.
There was a further discussion regarding the provision of Sherry for groups using the Village Hall. It was agreed that this must be obtained from the Village Hall.
12. Display Case for Rainford Heritage Society in the Village Hall: Cllr Denton:
Councillor Denton informed the meeting that she had been approached by the Chairwoman of the Rainford Heritage Society to site a display case in the Village Hall. There was a discussion.
RESOLVED: Councillor Denton proposed that Rainford Heritage Society be allowed to instal display cases in the Reception Room at Rainford Village Hall, on the wall above the cupboards. Rainford Heritage Society will be responsible for all costs associated with the project. Members of the public will be able to view the artifacts when the hall is open. There will be a section for Parish Council archives and memorabilia. A contract will be drawn up to ensure clarity for the use of this community space. This was seconded by Councillor Bimpson and carried unanimously.
Action: The Clerk
The Chairwoman wished everyone a very Merry Christmas.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.25pm
_______________________
Councillor Liz Dodson
Chairwoman, Rainford Parish Council 2024/25
