10 Sep 2025 – Council Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 10th September 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

Chair: P. Watson
Councillors: B Simpson S Pennington A Muqeem
N Catlow A Morley S Parish
H Cooksey C Lynas
C Wren M Hussain

Also present: 3 members of public

1. To receive apologies for unavoidable absence.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Williams, L Hussain, Cameron and Cotter.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9th July 2025.
PARISH/2025/77: To approve minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9th July 2025
as a true and accurate record following amendment of attendees (LGA 1972, Sch 12,
para41(1)).
3. To receive any declarations of interest.
None.
4. Community Policing: to receive the PCSO report.
The report was tabled and reviewed. Some concerns were raised regarding the number of
speeding vehicles recorded, particularly on Lingley Green Avenue. Attendance from
PCSO Kirkham at next month’s meeting to be requested to discuss the subject with
Councillors.

Members were informed that the Police Liaison meetings had been on hold since April
due to staff sick leave but are expected to resume shortly.

Suggestions from PCSO Kirkham to prevent unauthorised firework displays were noted;
item to be discussed in full at next meeting.

PARISH/2025/78: To request PCSO attendance at October PC meeting to discuss
speeding vehicles and prevention measures for unauthorised firework displays (LGRA
1997 s31).

5. Parish Estates Committee
5.1 to receive the approved minutes of the meeting held on 23.7.25 (for information)
Received and noted.

5.2 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 20.8.25 and note decisions made
under delegated authority
Received and noted.

5.3 to consider recommendations requiring full council approval,
5.3.1 that the Parish Playing Field is closed to the public during the installation of the
drainage system and remains closed until Spring 2026 (PEC/2025/15)

PARISH/2025/79: To close the PPF to the public during the installation of the drainage
system until Spring 2026.

PC/2025/26 8.10.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 10th September 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

5.3.2 to lease an industrial unit on Penketh Business Park as an interim operating site for
the Grounds Team whilst the project for a permanent base is ongoing (PEC/2025/16)

Decision deferred pending additional information.
(Note: Cllr Lynas, along with two other members, voted in favour of the recommendation).

5.4 to accept Cllr Lynas onto the Parish Estates Committee

PARISH/2025/80: Cllr Lynas elected as a member of the Parish Estates Committee.

6. Finance Committee:
6.1 to receive the approved minutes of the meeting held on 5.8.25 (for information)
Received and noted.

6.2 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 2.9.25 and note decisions made
under delegated authority
Received and noted.

6.3 to consider any recommendations requiring full council approval,
6.3.1 that the council sets a subsidy level for the community centres and reviews hire
charges to meet this subsidy in a phased way (FC/2025/76)

PARISH/2025/81: To set a subsidy level for the council’s community centres and adjust
hire charges to meet this subsidy in phases (LG (Misc. Prov.) Act 1976 s19(2)).

6.3.2 to use the unspent budget from the Community Fund to lease an industrial unit on
Penketh Business Park as a base of operations for GSPC’s Grounds Team (FC/2025/77)

Decision deferred pending additional information.

7. Community Projects Committee: to be advised of meeting held on 4.9.24.
Recommendations for approval to be considered at next full council meeting.

Verbal report given to members from Chair of CPC.

8. To review the management of GSPC’s Facebook.

The briefing paper on managing inappropriate comments on GSPC’s Facebook page was
approved as a piece of work going forwards. Cllrs Cotter & Lynas volunteered to assist as
moderators out of office hours.

PARISH/2025/82: Agreed for GSPC Facebook page to,
• Assign page roles securely as Admin, Editor or Moderator
• Use nominated councillors as moderators out of office hours (Cllrs Cotter and
Lynas volunteered)
• Use Facebook moderation tools
• Post a comment policy/disclaimer
(LGA 1972 s142)

PC/2025/27 8.10.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 10th September 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

9. To be informed of Remembrance Sunday event.
Request made to Penketh PC for meeting with Chairs and Clerks to discuss event. Last
year’s documentation was requested by, and sent to, Clerk for Penketh PC. Response
awaited – to be followed up.

10. To consider whether to produce a mid-year Parish Newsletter.

Discussed and agreed to produce one annual newsletter providing residents with an
overview of the previous 6 months and plans for the next 6 months.

PARISH/2025/83: To produce one annual newsletter for residents (LGA 1972 s142).

11. Sankey Station project update.

Noted that solicitors in final lease negotiations for the station house. Funding from the
UKSPF has been approved in principle providing Sankey Station CIC produces a
business plan showing the sustainability of the project.

12. To consider planning applications received by the Council and decide if any
objections are to be raised.

None.

13. To consider correspondence received by the Council and decide if any action is
required.

One item informing of a potential funding opportunity relating to renewable energy
technologies with a deadline of 30th September for expressions of interest. GSPC has no
current projects in this area or resources to consider within the deadline but will keep the
funding source in mind for future projects.

14. To receive verbal reports from Parish Councillors and from Borough Councillors on
items of note within the Parish.

Cllr Hussain: informed members of the RBL Poppy Appeal being launched from the Town
Hall on 23rd October. Also noted that funding has been secured to implement flooding
mitigation work in Sankey Bridges.

Cllr Catlow: asked about the opening of the Lightning Bolt statue on Omega. Informed that
this has been delayed but it will be an open invitation to all councillors. Cllr Hussain to
forward information.

Cllr Lynas: asked that GSPC’s website is reviewed in terms of keeping it updated – to be
followed up.

15. To receive discussion paper on GSPC strategy & aims.
Feedback from councillors to be forwarded to Chair and Vice-Chair for collating prior to
further discussion next month.

PC/2025/28 8.10.25