To: Members of Rainford Parish Council
18.02.2025
You are summoned to attend a meeting of
RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
on Monday 27 January 2025 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. Co-option of Councillors for Junction and Randle Wards
For information and decision
The candidates will each give a brief presentation at the end of which members will have the opportunity to ask questions. The candidates will then be asked to leave the room and there will be a ballot.
The Candidates are:
Pam Shearon: Junction Ward
Phil Taylor: Junction Ward
Andy Allan: Randle Ward
3. Declaration of Acceptance of Office, of Interest, and Updating of the Register
For new Councillors. Additionally, existing members are reminded to make any new Declarations of Interest.
4. Formal announcements from the Chairwoman
For information
5. To hear and respond to any questions/deputations by members of the public:
6. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Rainford Parish Council meeting held on Monday 27 January 2025
See separate document. For information and approval.
7. Financial Matters
For information
Receipts and Payments for January 2025
See FPA draft minutes for January 2025 for full details
Receipts £14,026.05
Payments £21,111.57
Bank balances @ 31.01.2025:
Current Account: £1,720.01
Business Savings Account: £ 48,970.27
Payments do not include staff costs for January 2025 as the appropriate documentation from St Helens Council had not been received before the end of the month. However, they do include staff costs from September 2024. Additionally, to offset the increase in the cost of wine, £4000 worth of stock was purchased for the bar.
£2000 was transferred from the Business Savings Account to the Current Account.
8. Clerk’s Report
i. The decorating of the hall, stairs and landing is complete, and the new noticeboard has been installed. At the last FPA committee meeting there was a short discussion about whether the curtains should be put back up.
ii. The interviews for the Clerk & RFO vacancy took place on 10.02.2025.
iii. Paula Blellock has requested another EPC assessment for the Village Hall. The Energy Surveyor has not yet confirmed the date that this will take place. She has also requested a meeting with herself, Councillors and Steve Littler.
iv. A meeting took place on 10.02.2025 with members of Windle Parish Council regarding sharing information on Neighbourhood Planning. This was a positive meeting with information being exchanged and plans of action formulated. Further meetings will be held in due course.
v. The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on 01.05.2025 at 6pm.
vi. The Annual Parish Meeting will take place at 6pm on 19.05.2024 before the Full Council meeting at 7pm. This meeting has been brought forward due the bank holiday.
vii. To date no further information has been received from Councillor Mussell regarding costings for holding classes previously held in the Library at the Village Hall. FPA Committee members were disappointed that the Borough Councillors had not contacted the Parish Council about the reported sale of the library building. Members had found out via a Facebook posting. A follow-up email has been sent.
viii. Donna Mooney CPSO has supplied the following crime statistics for Rainford for January 2025. Donna is hoping to return to full duties in Rainford by March 2025.
ix. The following planning application was received after the FPA Committee meeting for January 2025:
P/2025/0091/FUL Proposed development including additional parking spaces and revised soft landscaping with internal alterations to form additional consulting/waiting room space
Rainford Health Centre, Higher Lane, Rainford
x. The contact for newsletters in Local Life has been renewed for a further 12 months
xi. A trial planter has been ordered for Rainford-in-Bloom.
xii. Several residents have contacted the Clerk’s office to discuss the role of a Parish Councillor.
xiii. The replacement replica railway station signs have been ordered.
xiv. Merseyside Police will be sorting out the licence and paying outstanding invoices within the next fortnight, following a change in property advisor.
9. Committee & Working Party Reports
Borough Councillors
Community Liaison Committee: Councillor Whalley
Finance, Planning & Administration Committee: Councillor Long
The Community Liaison and FPA committees would like the Council to consider the replacement or cleaning of the carpet for the hall, stairs and landing. Quotes are being sought.
Health & Safety Committee: Councillor Bimpson
VIP Working Party: Councillor Stockton-Pugh/The Event Manager
10. Parish/Neighbourhood Plan: Cllr Roberts
For information and discussion
11. Miller Homes Development: Cllr Bimpson/Cllr Denton
For information and discussion
12. Safety of Lithium-ion Batteries Campaign: Cllr Bowden
For information, discussion and decision. See separate document.
13. Parish Council Clerk/RFO
For information
14. 10th Great British Spring Clean
For information, discussion and decision. See separate document.
15. DBS checks for Members of the Parish Council
For discussion and decision
Some Councils insist that members have a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before taking office, to ensure that a candidate does not have unspent convictions and in case their role as a Councillor brings them into contact with young and/or vulnerable members of the community. A DBS check is not a statutory requirement, but good practice.
Clerk & RFO to Rainford Parish Council10. February Agenda 24.02.2025
