RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on Monday 27 February 2012
in Council Chamber, Rainford Village Hall
Present
Councillors Aspinall, Collins, Grice, Highcock, A Jones (Chairman), L Jones,
P Jones, Leach, Lee, Monk, Nichols (Vice Chairman), Smith and Wesley
I Brown (Parish Clerk), E Hale (Admin Assistant)
10 members of the public
Mr Chris Wright, representative from Dresser
122.
Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Councillors Lyons and Marriott.
RESOLVED - THAT APOLOGIES BE ACCEPTED
123.
Declaration of Interest
Councillor K Aspinall
Councillor A Jones
Councillor L Jones
Councillor L Smith
P/2012/0068
All plans
P/2012/0091
P/2012/0091
Non pecuniary interest
Non pecuniary interest
Non pecuniary interest
RESOLVED - THAT DECLARATION OF INTEREST BE ACCEPTED
124.
Police Report
A Police representative was unable to attend the meeting but a report was submitted to the Parish
Council. Concern was expressed at the increase in anti social behaviour, especially around Ormskirk
Road. It was reported that the Police have given the area priority status.
A robbery at the Labour Club was reported in the January meeting. A satisfactory conclusion had been
achieved.
RESOLVED - THAT THE POLICE REPORT BE ACCEPTED
125.
To hear and respond to any questions/deputations by members of the public
Deferred to item 14 of the agenda.
RESOLVED - TO BE DEFERRED TO ITEM 14 OF THE AGENDA
126.
To hear and respond to any questions by Members of the Parish Council
None.
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127.
To approve as a correct record the minutes of meeting held on Monday 23 January 2012
RESOLVED - THAT THE MINUTES BE APPROVED AS A CORRECT RECORD
128.
Matters Arising
Police bicycles: It was reported that the cost of purchasing two Police bicycles would be £500 which
was less than was budgeted for. Rainford Parish Council will be informed when the Police receive
delivery of them.
Hall windows: Correspondence had been received from the window company informing the Parish
Council that, as a result of a general review of finances, the company would cease trading. It will be
necessary to consider other quotations that had been received. Replacement of hall windows would now
be costed from next year’s budget.
Toilet refurbishment: Work on the downstairs toilet refurbishment has now been completed to a high
standard.
Saturday Lunch: The lunch was well attended and enjoyed by all.
RESOLVED - THAT MATTERS ARISING BE ACCEPTED
129.
Correspondence
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Rainford Show – A request has been received for use of the hall on Friday 31 August for
staging the event and on Saturday 1 September for the show itself. The Secretary invited
the Chairman of the Parish Council to assist in the prize giving.
Email received from Residents Committee in Knowsley village regarding plans by Energos
to build a waste gasification plant on the edge of the village. The Chairman had spoken to
a representative from Knowsley village who reported that plans for the plant had been
passed and work had already started, thus negating any objections.
United Utilities had written to advise customers of possible water discolouration during
night work from Tuesday 28th February until Friday 30th March.
Donation for placement of an advertisement for a fund raising street party. After discussion it
was agreed that,although this appeared to be a worthy cause, unfortunately the Parish Council
would have to refuse the request at this moment in time.
Invitation for all Members of the Parish Council to take part in the procession on Rainford
Walking Day to be held on 16th June 2012.
Several thank you letters had been received.
The Village Hall kitchen had received a 5 star rating for food hygiene.
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RESOLVED - THAT CORRESPONDENCE BE ACCEPTED
130.
Finance Report
Pavilion: It was reported that the Pavilion had been broken into, resulting in a broken door. It was
suggested that a steel door be fitted. The cost of replacement would be approximately £750. The Clerk
was requested to check whether or not it would be advantageous to submit an insurance claim. It was
reported that the Parish Council would need to pay an excess on the claim. An insurance claim form has
been completed. It was AGREED to have a replacement steel door fitted to the Pavilion.
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Grounds Maintenance: St Helens Council have increased the charge for Grounds Maintenance for the
coming year to £838.53 plus vat, an increase of £20 compared to last year. The Committee AGREED
that the increase in charges should be paid.
Siting of Wheatsheaf wood carving: Cost of installation will be £239 + vat, including the supply and
installation of a concrete base to hold the wood carving and the insertion of stainless steel pins into the
concrete base and up into the carving. The Parish Clerk reported that plans for the siting of the carving
had been submitted to St Helens Council by Rainford Parish Council at a cost of £85.
It was AGREED that the wood carving should be installed at a cost of £239 + vat.
Front entrance – porch floor: The Parish Clerk reported that there were extra floor tiles left over from
the toilet refurbishment and, because they had been specifically bought in by the supplier for the Parish
Council, no refund was available. It was suggested that as the porch floor was in a poor state of repair,
these tiles be used to renew the floor. Installation would cost £250. The Committee agreed that the
porch floor did need replacing and AGREED to have the work carried out at a cost of £250.
RESOLVED - THAT FINANCE REPORT BE ACCEPTED
131.
Plans
A/2012/001
Muncaster House, 60 Cross Amendment to previous application
No objection
Pit Lane, Rainford
P/2011/0411
P/2012/0031 16 The Manor, Rainford
Front single storey extension & porch,
No objection
additional parking space
P/2012/0032 13 Highfield Drive, Crank Single storey extension to front, side &
No objection
rear of property for garage & utility
P/2012/0043 Land at Sandwash Close,
Erection of industrial/warehouse unit
See item 14
Rainford
15,500 (use classes B1/B2/B8) with
ancillary offices, landscaping, car
parking, security gate house & the
formation of new access road from Pasture
Lane to Sandwash Close, including diversion
of Rainford Brook
P/2012/0053 Glenvine, 73 Higher Lane, Works to trees covered by a Tree
No objection
Rainford
Preservation Order
P/2012/0058 6 Randle Brook Court,
Conservatory to the rear
No objection
P/2012/0068 Rainford Methodist Church, Conversion of the existing Methodist
No objection
Ormskirk Road, Rainford
Church. Development incorporates a
two storey side addition & proposed car
park at rear to accommodate 8 cars
P/2012/0087 Reeds Farm, Reeds Lane,
To erect one detached agriultural
No objection
Rainford
building (grain store)
P/2012/0088 Reeds Farm, Reeds Lane,
To erect one agricultural building
No objection
Rainford
(cold store)
P/2012/0091 Promised Land Farm,
Installation of 1 EWT directional DW52* Objection
Crank Road, Kings Moss
(500 kw) wind turbine on 50m high mast
Environmental
issues, noise
P/2012/0097 Land adjacent to 30 Lords
Erection of a 23m high monopole
No objection
Fold, Rainford
supporting 3 antennas & 2 dishes, with
equipment, meter cabinets,fencing & associated works
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P/2012/0106 WinstanleyConstruction
Offices & yard, Mill Lane
Demolition of existing workshops & office No objection
building and erection of 14 detached dwellings
& proposed new footpath to Mill Lane
P/2012/0129 80 Church Road, Rainford Application under Article 4 to replace
No objection
Windows & erect small extensions to front
& rear of existing store room
P/2012/0132 Heaton House, Crank Road, Conversion & extension of existing out
No objection
St Helens
building to form ancillary accommodation
For residential use.
RESOLVED - THAT PLANS BE ACCEPTED
132. Accounts for Payment
Cottam & Sons – Tile adhesive
L Powell – Internal Auditor
Go Interiors – Suspended ceiling materials
North East Toilet Cubicles
Makerfield Timber – Carcass/plasterboard/architrave etc
All Fast Ltd – Building materials
Running Imp – Bunting/flag
J Atherton – Specification for steelwork toloadings over new opening
Acrofame Ltd – Supply & fit 3 new frames
P Anders, Builder – On account
Barclays – Bank charges
Adobe Systems – Subscription
Thomas Taylor – Stickers for bowls
British Gas – Gas bill
Salaries
Adept Telecom – Telephone bill
Scottish Power – Electricity bill
Wendy’s Flowers
M & D Cleaning materials
Viridor – bottle collection
Petty cash – Cleaning materials & stationery
PB Electrical – supply & fit down lights & install 2 hand dryers + fans
Merseyside Pension Fund
St Helens Council – Planning application fee
St Helens Council – Annual grounds maintenance
AOL Broadband
500.00
75.00
404.81
1974.00
537.30
508.62
36.24
130.00
425.00
6000.00
10.61
15.62
20.00
1568.21
1944.46
42.08
225.00
49.50
49.43
1.80
39.25
2975.00
511.81
85.00
981.70
15.31
19125.75
RESOLVED - THAT ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT BE ACCEPTED
133.
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Dates for Diary
16 March 2012
21 March 2012
26 March 2012
20 April 2012
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23 April 2012
9 June 2012
Quiz Evening (Chairman’s Charity)
7.00 pm
Finance & Planning Committee
6.30 pm
Council meeting
7.00 pm
60’s Revival Night with live group, Nostalgic Nights
Tickets £6, bring your own food
Annual Public Meeting followed by Council meeting 7.00 pm
Jubilee Celebration evening, Village hall
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134.
Members Report
A telephone call had been received from a resident willing to refurbish the ‘stocks’ in readiness for the
Jubilee celebrations. It was AGREED to check whether residents living within the vicinity of the village
hall had the original stocks in storage.
RESOLVED - THAT MEMBERS REPORT BE ACCEPTED
135.
Sandwash Close
The Vice-chairman took the chair for this item with the Chairman declaring a specific interest in the
topic as a member of the St Helens Borough Council Planning Committee.
A number of members of the public were present, including Mr Chris Wright representing GE/Dresser,
who had agreed to attend and answer any questions raised by those present. The Vice-chairman
introduced the item by reminding all present that the matter under consideration was a planning
application for a new factory development at Rainford Industrial Estate, including creation of a new road
between Sandwash Close and Pasture Lane and that it was not related to the Merseyside Waste
Development Plan, which was not a subject for discussion at this meeting. He commented that the
development of the new factory and the creation of new jobs and apprenticeships as planned would be a
good thing for Rainford and that the controversial issue was the creation of the new road over Green belt
land. He advised that under Planning Policy Guidance 2 there was a presumtion against development of
Green belt land and that St Helens Council will have to be satisfied that there are special circumstances
justifying approval of this element of the application.
The Vice-chairman opened the discussion by inviting the members of the public present to address the
meeting. Mr Malcolm Woods, a resident of Thickwood Moss Lane expressed the concern of residents
about the potential increase in traffic flows caused by vehicles travelling to and from the new Pasture
Lane access up to the Mossborough roundabout, especially during the construction period, along a
narrow road that is unsuitable for HGVs. The Vice-chairman agreed to make specific reference to this in
the Parish Council’s response to the application and he agreed to meet residents in Thickwood Moss
Lane to review the position. Mrs Lynda Shave expressed concerns about the impact on road safety of the
additional traffic at the Pasture Lane/A570 junction, which was already very dangerous and the site of a
number of serious accidents in recent times. She also asked about the proposed signage on the A570.
Mrs Shave also asked the Council to ensure the landscaping proposed in the plan, which was well
written, would be maintained on a long-term basis. Mrs Jean Wotherspoon raised the issue of the
existing bus stops and the potential for the services to be diverted through the industrial estate once the
new road had been built. Mrs Wotherspoon asked for clarification of the number and timing of the
planned new jobs and apprenticeships.
Mr Chris Wright explained why GE/Dresser wanted to relocate to Rainford and that the reason for
making it a condition that there was a new more prestigious road access to the site was that the approach
through the industrial estate and Sandwash Close was just not acceptable for the UK HQ of the
GE/Dresser company. He advised that given current trading it was likely the 60 new jobs would be
created over 18 months. He added that three apprentices would be taken on each year.
PROPOSAL
After further discussion, the Vice-chairman suggested that the Council should resolve not to object to
the planning application but should make representations to St Helens Council on the major issues raised
by people in the Village.
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He proposed that he prepare a letter to St Helens Council identifying the key issues and incorporating
recommendations that any planning approval include conditions to reflect:
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a weight limit on the new road which would have the effect of requiring HGVs to access the
factory site via Mill Lane and Sandwash Close;
A long-term commitment to maintain landscaping
The need for the design of the junction of the new road and Pasture Lane to minimise risk of
traffic incidents and consideration of a reduced speed limit on the A570 between Mossborough
Roundabout and a point south of Mill Lane
A further assessment of the capacity of the Pasture Lane/A570 junction
No new signage to the Industrial Estate be permitted so that traffic would continue to be directed
via Mill Lane.
Councillors considered the matter and RESOLVED THAT THE PROPOSAL BE ACCEPTED.
The Vice-chairman agreed that a copy of the letter should be attached to the minutes of this meeting.
SIGNED:
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Chairman
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