12 Feb 2025 – Council Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 12th February 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

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

Also present: K. Carter, Clerk
D Price, PCC
2 members of Cheshire Police
9 members of public

Public Participation
Additional questions were asked by former committee members of the Friends of Tim Parry
Park, or those present in support of them following on from the January meeting of the council.
A written response to the questions asked in January had been provided by the council after
the meeting and a further written statement supplied to everyone at the current meeting. It was
confirmed that the additional correspondence relating to the same matter had been received by
the council and was due to be discussed in Part 2 of the council meeting. It was also confirmed
that refunds of donations to the GoFundMe appeal for the Friends of Tim Parry Park would be
authorised on application to the Parish Office.
The PCSO was thanked for the good job being done, and the council thanked for providing a
lovely park (Tim Parry Recreation Ground).

Council Meeting
1. To receive apologies for unavoidable absence.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Cotter, L Hussain and Cameron.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th January 2025.
The minutes had been circulated prior to the meeting and were approved as an accurate
record.

PARISH/2025/9: To approve minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th January 2025 as
a true and accurate record.

3. To receive any declarations of interest.
There were no declarations.

4. Community Policing.
4.1 to receive the PCSO report for January 2025
The report had been received and circulated prior to the meeting.

It was noted that members of the public have commented on seeing PCSO Kirkham around
the Parish and appreciate his approachability. Councillors also thanked him for the addition of
police surgeries in Sankey South and for the response to concerns over the use nitrous oxide
canisters, which continues to be monitored.

PC/2025/4 12.3.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 12th February 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

4.2 to receive report on Police Liaison meeting
The last meeting with Sgt Bell was extremely positive. Since the redraft of the SLA and the
new reporting structure, the working partnership is functioning well, and all parties are happy
with it.

4.3 to consider funding for Parish PCSO for 2025-26
As evidenced by the comments previously, the service level provided to the council has
improved over the last 6 months. Chief Inspector Drum had provided the council with the cost
for 2025-26 which has increased by £2,800 to £44,100. The Finance Committee had reviewed
the increase and agreed that it would be affordable within the budget should the council wish
to continue with the service. It was therefore proposed and agreed that the SLA with Cheshire
Police for a Parish PCSO is renewed for 2025-26. It was also noted that Chief Inspector Drum
was due to retire shortly, and thanks were forwarded to him for his support of the parish
council.

5. Parish Estates Committee: to be informed of meeting on 15.1.25
5.1 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting
Members were informed that a site visit had taken place to investigate both Bewsey Barn and
Childs Wood Field as potential locations for the Estates Office. There are potential difficulties
with both sites, but on balance, Childs Wood Field was agreed as the preferred option. The
committee is awaiting a response from WBC for advice on the site to understand if the project
may be feasible. If so, the committee has considered various options for the site alongside the
Estates Office, including a wildlife garden, community garden and possibilities to provide
education for residents. Investigations are continuing and a proposal will made to council at
the appropriate time.

PARISH/2025/10: To accept Childs Wood Field as the preferred option for the Estates Office
with the option for additional community space and facilities. Bewsey Barn Community Centre
is a possible backup, but without the additional space for community use.

5.2 to be informed of decisions under delegated authority and consider
recommendations for approval.

Signs on all Parish Council sites have been reviewed and replacements/additions agreed
under the committee’s delegated authority as follows:

PARISH/2025/11: To renew and replace GSPC site signage as follows:
1nr name sign at each of Whittle Hall and Bewsey Barn Community Centres,
2nr replacement sign for the Parish Playing Field,
1nr replacement sign for Lingley Green,
1nr replacement playground sign for Tim Parry Recreation Ground.
To request 14nr dog fouling signs from WBC,
To investigate options for a council noticeboard to be placed at Whittle Hall Community
Centre.

5.3 to receive annual report from the Head Gardener
The report highlights the work achieved over the last year by the grounds team across the
council’s open spaces and they were praised for their diligence and ongoing commitment to
improving the parish council sites. It was agreed the document should be shared with
residents as widely as possible.

PC/2025/5 12.3.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 12th February 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

Also mentioned was an article that is being drafted for the Warrington Guardian about the
recent work completed in the garden at Tim Parry Community Centre to improve the facilities
for all customers. This has been achieved in partnership with Cromdale Way Preschool who
raised funds to support the project as well as volunteering their time to help paint the new
fencing and raised planters.

PARISH/2025/12: To publicise the Annual Report from the Head Gardener.

6. Finance Committee: to be informed of the meeting held on 4.2.25
6.1 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting.
Noted. The mentioned that several items have been brought to the council since the 2025-26
budget was agreed by full council which may now have an impact on that budget, e.g.
increase in costs for PCSO and Pump Track and Brentnall Boat Park. These items will be
reviewed at the next Finance Committee meeting.

6.2 to be informed of decisions under delegated authority and consider
recommendations for approval
There were no questions or comments. Items approved:

PARISH/2025/13: To increase the Parish Council’s funding contribution for the project to
install a drainage system to the Parish Playing Field to £95k (Open Spaces Act 1906 s10).

PARISH/2025/14: To liaise with the planning consultants, the GMA and contractors to fulfil the
planning conditions for the PPF Drainage Project if the funding application to the Football
Foundation is successful (Open Spaces Act 1906 s10).

PARISH/2025/15: To accept the current interim operating procedures for the café accounts
and note that all monies will be transferred to the café once a new bank account has been set
up (Accounts and Audit Regulations, Reg 4).

PARISH/2025/16: To accept the quote from Superstars to provide summer playschemes for 6
weeks to be split between Whittle Hall and Tim Parry Community Centres (LGA 1972 s145).

PARISH/2025/17: To accept the quote from the Design project for the artwork for the online
newsletter (LGA 1972 s142).

PARISH/2025/18: To charge the Land Trust at the community rate for the hire of Whittle Hall
Community Centre during a Green Angels training course (LG (Misc. Prov.) Act 1976 s19).

PARISH/2025/19: To give a donation of £100 to Penketh PTFA towards their playground
project (LGA 1972 s137).

PARISH/2025/20: To spend the income from the hire of the car park at Tim Parry Recreation
Ground on installing plinths for 2 benches on the field and on levelling an area near the
annexe for use by the café in good weather (Open Spaces Act 1906 s10).

PARISH/2025/21: To accept the contribution from Cromdale Way Preschool towards the
relocation of their raised planters at Tim Parry Community Centre.
7. Brentnall Boat Park: To receive the latest correspondence from Your Housing and
consider next steps.

PC/2025/6 12.3.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 12th February 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

Your Housing Group previously asserted that they were looking to pass on responsibility for
Brentnall Boat Park as seen, including repair obligations and the surrounding mature trees.
However, the Parish Council had requested that YHG consider an option without the
surrounding strip of trees because of the additional maintenance requirements. YHG have
stated in recent correspondence that it doesn’t make sense for them to retain the trees, and
they would prefer to transfer the whole site. They estimate costs for the trees to be £500-700
every 3-5 years, however, quotes obtained from a tree specialist by the Parish Council are in
the region of £15-20,000 over the same period. This would be in addition to the current repairs
needed to the playground and ongoing maintenance costs. A member mentioned that a formal
motion for the Parish Council to take on the Boat Park has not yet happened and it was
agreed that this would be done at the next appropriate meeting. Additionally, the potential
finances for this have not been included in the budget for 2025-26 and the costs for the park
will need to be discussed by the Finance Committee. It was also agreed to go back to YHG to
obtain their comments with regard to the costs.

PARISH/2025/22: For the Finance Committee to review the potential costs for Brentnall Boat
Park and continue negotiations with YHG.

8. To request commitment from Councillors to attend Sankey Summer Fun Day on 8.6.25.
The Clerk was requested to email Councillors with date and times required for volunteers.

9. To consider planning applications received by the Council and decide if any objections
are to be raised.
No questions or comments.

10. To consider correspondence received by the Council and decide if any action is
required.
Consultation on Intermodal Logistics Park North – no comment.

Penketh & Sankey RBL – request to arrange a flag-raising event for VE Day 80th anniversary
celebrations at Whittle Hall Community Centre to include refreshments. This was agreed.

PARISH/2025/23: To agree to an event on 8th May with Penketh & Sankey RBL to celebrate
the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.

11. To receive verbal reports from Parish Councillors and from Borough Councillors on
items of note within the Parish.
Cllr Parish mentioned the review of parish boundaries for Great Sankey and for Burtonwood
and Westbrook. It was noted that GSPC will comment once a consultation is launched.

Cllr Morley informed members & staff of free digital training courses available which could be
useful, particularly around the use of AI.

Cllr Hussain told councillors that Sankey Bridges community centre has closed, and ward
councillors are trying to help with finding alternative venues for groups. One of those is ‘The
Bread-and-Butter Thing’ which provides food parcels to those in need. A request has been
put forward to use Hood Lane Community Centre; the office will liaise with the group about
availability.

PC/2025/7 12.3.25
GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting: Wednesday 12th February 2025
Tim Parry Community Centre

Part 2

PARISH/2025/24: Pursuant to section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act
1960 it is resolved that the public and press leave the meeting during consideration of the
following item of correspondence because of the confidential nature of the correspondence
and to comply with the Data Protection Act.

13. Sankey Station: to be informed of ongoing negotiations relating to leases and
consider implications for the Parish Council and Sankey Station CIC.
The Parish Council’s solicitor had provided advice regarding the leases and requirements to
consider prior to the council signing. It was recognised that Sankey Station CIC would like to
make progress as soon as possible, but the Parish Council needs to ensure all conditions
are met as they are long-term leases with significant implications for the council. It was
agreed that councillors would email the Clerk with any comments or concerns to be raised
with the CIC so that these could be addressed before the council decides whether to sign.

PARISH/2025/25: To collate comments, concerns and queries from councillors relating to the
two leases for Sankey Station house and ticket office. To forward these to Sankey Station
CIC for consideration and response to enable the council to decide on signing the leases.

14. To consider further correspondence received from the former Friends of Tim Parry
Park.
A full response had been sent to the former Chair following the January Parish Council
meeting. The further correspondence received on the matter was discussed. It was agreed
that the written statement provided at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public
answered all queries and no further correspondence with the former café would be provided
on the same subject matter.

PARISH/2025/26: To consider the complaint from the former committee of the Friends of Tim
Parry Park closed; no further correspondence to be considered relating to this item.

It was also noted that the council had agreed during the public question time that donors to
the GoFundMe appeal for the café could request a refund from the council on application to
the office

PARISH/2025/27: To accept refund donations to the GoFundMe appeal instigated by the
Friends of Tim Parry Park on request to the parish office. Applications to be checked and
verified with GoFundMe before a refund is authorised.

A draft policy relating to vexatious complaints which the council doesn’t currently have was
also discussed and agreed.

PARISH/2025/28: To adopt the vexatious complaints policy.

PC/2025/8 12.3.25