Minutes of the Annual Meeting
Present:
Councillors: Ann Ibbs (Chairman), Sandra Baxter, Mike Wield, Leo Kolassa, Paul Murphy and Yvonne Irving
In Attendance: Mrs C Jenkins (Clerk)
1.0 To elect a Chairman for 2018-19, who will then sign the “Declaration of Acceptance of Office”
Nominations were received for Cllr Ibbs.
It was resolved that Cllr Ibbs be elected as Chairman.
Cllr Ibbs signed The Declaration of Acceptance of Office and this was witnessed by the Proper Officer.
2.0 To elect a Vice Chairman 2018-19, who will then sign the “Declaration of Acceptance of Office”
Nominations were received for Cllr Kolasssa.
It was resolved that Cllr Kolassa be elected as Vice Chairman.
Cllr Kolassa signed The Declaration of Acceptance of Office and this was witnessed by the Proper Officer.
3.0 Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies received.
4.0 Members Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
5.0 Public Forum
The meeting was adjourned for this item
There were no members of the public present.
The meeting was reconvened
6.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 13 March 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
7.0 Matters of Report from Previous Meeting
There were no matters to report
8.0 Planning Applications
Proposed development Sites
8.1 Members noted the applications for Andrews Lane.
8.2 Members noted the applications for the proposed Liverpool Road site and discussed the problem of access onto Liverpool road and the need to upgrade the pedestrian crossing to a full pelican crossing near the shops on Liverpool Road. It was agreed to submit a formal objection.
8.3 It was noted that an objection has been submitted regarding the Altcar Lane application for the erection of 24 dwellings. Members noted that residents living near by are concerned about the protection of the hedgerow and have asked the Parish Council to support them having a survey undertaken. It was agreed to obtain more details on this matter.
9.0 To approve the dates for the Annual Calendar of Meetings
Members agreed that the meetings of the Parish Council will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of July, September, November 2018, and March 2019.
The January 2019 meeting will be held on the 3rd Tuesday: 15th January (this is a change to the normal schedule due to the timing of other external meetings taking place in the Library).
10.0 Annual Return
10.1 To approve the annual governance statement section 1
Cllrs answered all the questions detailed on the governance statement and this was recorded on the Annual Return, which will be published on the website.
It was resolved that the governance statement (section 1) be approved.
10.2 To approve the accounting statements section 2
It was resolved that the accounting statement (section 2) be approved.
10.3 To certify as exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015)
It was resolved that Little Altcar Parish Council certify that during the financial year 2017/18, the higher of the Authorities gross income for the year or gross annual expenditure, for the year did not exceed £25,000 and Little Altcar are therefore exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015.
11.0 To discuss and resolve the following:
11.1 To discuss and approve the appointment of the Local Council Public Advisory Service for the provision of Data Protection Officer Service for the year commencing May 2108 at a cost of £125
It was resolved to approve the appointment of the LCPAS for the provision of Data Protection Officer Services for the year commencing May 2108 at a cost of £125
11.2 To discuss the replacement of the Parish Signpost and benches in the Memorial Garden and Bills Lane Park.
Cllr Kolassa reported that he had discussed with Natural Alternatives the replacement of the signpost, however they were unable to take on this commission. Cllrs agreed to obtain a quote from Broxap and any local firms that may be able to undertake this work.
Cllr Kolassa reported that as the benches in the Memorial Garden are proposed to be replaced with centenary commemorative benches by Formby Parish Council it would be appropriate for Little Altcar to contribute and to order an additional bench for Bills Lane from the same supplier. Members agreed that quotes should be obtained for this so that a contribution can be considered.
11.3 To review membership of the SAPLC
Members discussed the meetings of the 10 parishes and noted that there has not been a meeting since November 2017. Cllr Ibbs reported that this was previously a useful forum, however the recent meetings have not been well attended and the last meeting was cancelled, and no subsequent meeting re-arranged. Members agreed that it would not be appropriate to pay a subscription this year.
The Clerk reported that the Clerks of the Town and Parish Councils are not involved in the SAPLC but have their own meetings which does not involve paying any subscription – these meetings are held during the working day as the Clerks already attend numerous evening meetings. Members agreed that the Clerks meetings were an important means of communication between the local councils and provide support and continuing professional development for the Clerks.
It was resolved to withdraw from membership of the SAPLC
11.4 To appoint a representative to the Sefton Rights of Way Group
It was agreed that Cllrs Baxter and Wield should represent Little Altcar Parish Council at the Rights of Way Group.
11.5 To approve the Neighbourhood Plan for submission to Sefton MBC
Members discussed the amended policies and agreed that a policy on unexploded bombs should be included due to the recent discovery of information relating to this on the Andrews Lane Site. Members noted that the Site-Specific section had now been removed.
It was resolved to approve the Neighbourhood Plan for submission to Sefton Council for the 2nd stage consultation with the amended policies, including a policy on unexploded bombs.
11.6 To approve the Insurance Renewal quote of £206.08
It was resolved to approve the Insurance renewal quote of £206.08.
12.0 To authorise Payments
Payments:
Formby Parish Council – Clerk Services April and May £250
Insurance Renewal – £206.08
Local Council Public Advisory Service £125
It was resolved to approve the payments as listed
13.0 To receive the retiring Chairman’s Annual Report
Cllr Ibbs thanked members for re-electing her as Chairman for this year.
The Chairman reported that will be a year of change with the Governance Review that is due to take place during this year with the proposal to amalgamate Formby and Little Altcar parish councils. The Chairman advised that this is desirable for the two parishes to continue to work together and for the community to be one community, which residents already perceive. Work continues with the Neighbourhood Plan and trying to improve the village. However, the recent bank holiday weekend brought an overwhelming number of visitors to the beach and many visitors and residents were caught up in the gridlocked roads and cars were literally abandoned all over Formby. It was reported that shoppers at Tesco could not leave the car park for approximately 2 hours due to the congestion on the roads and that Tesco had to resort to providing bottles of water to customers who were stuck in their cars. It was noted that the National Trust had called this a 1 in a hundred-year occurrence, though Cllrs and residents attending a National Trust meeting earlier that day did not agree with this sentiment. It was noted that the National Trust Manager had outlined proposals for the Lifeboat Road site and the Chairman remarked that this may bring even more visitors to Formby. The difficulty of losing 10 -15 car park spaces per year at the Freshfield site, due to coastal erosion was highlighted.
14.0 Update on the Governance Review
The Clerk reported that the Electoral Services Manager has advised that this process with take approximately 6 months to complete and that now the local elections are over, Sefton will be asked to commence the process.
15.0 Date of Next Meeting
The next Ordinary meeting of Little Altcar Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 10 July 2018, 7.30pm, Formby Library, Duke Street, Formby.
Members of the press and public are cordially invited to attend