12 Nov 2025 – Council Meeting (Minutes)

GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

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

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

1. To receive apologies for unavoidable absence.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Wren & Lynas.

2. To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th October 2025.
PARISH/2025/89: To approve minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th October 2025
as a true and accurate record (LGA 1972, Sch 12, para41(1)).
3. To receive any declarations of interest.
None.

4. Police Liaison & PCSO report.
The report was noted. Thanks were given to PCSO Matt Kirkham for his help to prevent
unauthorised firework displays on Parish Council land both leading up to the event and for
the patrols on 5th November. Councillors Watson, Wren and Pennington also checked Tim
Parry Recreation Ground and Vicarage Community Park for signs of set-up during the early
evening. No displays were attempted on GSPC sites due to the notices posted prior to the
day; it was understood that a display did take place on Stocks Lane field which is being
investigated further by Police and WBC.

5. Community Projects Committee: to receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on
16.10.25
The draft minutes had been circulated. There were no recommendations for discussion; it
was explained that the discussions had related to options for Sankey Fun Day and the
Committee will continue these once additional information has been received. Councillors
were encouraged to forward any comments to Cllr Morley, Chair of the Community Projects
Committee.

6. Finance Committee:
6.1 to receive the approved minutes of the meeting held on 21.10.25.
Received and noted.

6.2 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 4.11.25 and note decisions made
under delegated authority
Received; the decisions authorised by the Finance Committee under delegated authority
were:
FC/2025/97: not to proceed with a Christmas Tree for 2025. Quotes received were
prohibitively high and because of the short timeframe there had not been time to consider
alternative options. The Community Projects Committee will discuss options for Christmas
trees, decorations and/or lights for 2026.
Several donations were also authorised (note, the Finance Committee is authorised to give
donations of up to £100 without further reference to full Council): Whittle Hall Toddler

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GREAT SANKEY PARISH COUNCIL

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

Group, £50; Hood Manor Bingo Group, £50; GNWA5, free use of Hood Lane Community
Centre for Christmas food donation parcels and £100.

6.3 to consider any recommendations requiring full council approval.
The following recommendations were approved from the Finance Committee meeting of 21
Oct, which was an initial discussion on the 2026/27 budget,

PARISH/2025/90: To build up earmarked reserves for the development of community
gardens at Childs Wood Field, and to create a reserve pot for the future replacement of play
equipment.

PARISH/2025/91: To increase the General Reserve by £10k per year over the next 3
years.

PARISH/2025/92: To set a maximum subsidy level for community centres with phased
increases in hire rates implemented to meet this level and a framework drawn up to link hire
rates to the CPI.

Decisions on two of the recommendations from the Finance Committee were deferred until
the December Parish Council meeting. These were FC/2025/91 regarding the potential start
date for a second apprentice pending comment from the Parish Estates Committee meeting
to be held on 19.11.25, and FC/2025/92 regarding a suggested donation amount for
Warrington Armed Forces Day pending information from the organisers.

PARISH/2025/93: To defer final decision on recommendation FC/2025/91 regarding the
start date for a second Horticultural Apprentice pending comment from the Parish Estates
Committee.
(approved by majority, Cllrs Simpson & Catlow against)

PARISH/2025/94: To defer final decision on recommendation FC/2025/92 (donation for
Warrington Armed Forces Day) to the December Parish Council meeting pending
information from the organisers.
(approved by majority, Cllrs Simpson & Watson against)

Recommendations from the Finance Committee meeting of 4 Nov were approved as
follows:
PARISH/2025/95: To purchase for an intercom access control system for the Parish Office,
£2247.59 +VAT (LG (Misc. Prov.) Act 1976 s19)

PARISH/2025/96: To purchase, including installation, a mezzanine floor for the unit on
Penketh Business Park, £6,500 + VAT (LGA 1972 s111)

PARISH/2025/97: To purchase a laser level with tripod; staff to make final decision on the
item, c. £600 + VAT (LGA 1972 s111)

PARISH/2025/98: To give donations to,
Mature Movers, £150
Cheshire Search & Rescue, £250
Warrington Open Doors at Christmas, £250
Sankey Seniors, £200
(LGA 1972 s137)

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

PARISH/2025/99: To assign the Parish Estates Committee to consider an Operations
Strategy for organised sports for the Parish Playing Field and Tim Parry Recreation
Ground.

7. Employment Committee
7.1 to receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 29.10.25 and note decisions made
under delegated authority
The minutes were noted. Councillors wished to express their pride in the achievement of
the Horticulture Apprentice in gaining a place in the final of the UK WorldSkills Landscape
Gardening competition which demonstrates his ability, determination and eagerness to
learn all aspects of the role.

7.2 to consider recommendations requiring full council approval.
All recommendations were approved with no comment.

PARISH/2025/100: To,
• offer a full-time contract as a Gardener to the apprentice on completion of the current
course, standard GSPC contract details to apply.
• offer a salary at SCP 8 on the NJC pay scales with scope for future increases with
training and experience.
• agree further training to Level 3 Practical Horticulture. Course fees (c. £1,500) to be
paid by GSPC with agreement for this to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis if the staff
member leaves before the completion of the course.

PARISH/2025/101: To increase caretakers wages in line with the Living Wage Foundation
from April 2026.

PARISH/2025/102: To retain pension contributions at their current level of 6% employer,
2% employee (8% in total). AVCs will be matched by GSPC up to a maximum level of 10%
from the council.

PARISH/2025/103: To approve a compressed working week for the Clerk, typically from
Tues-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm with flexibility to allow for cover within the Parish Office as
needed.

PARISH/2025/104: To approve an employee Christmas bonus of £100 per employee.

PARISH/2025/105: To approve the draft Employee Code of Conduct.

PARISH/2025/106: To accept the Council’s Health & Safety Policy documents.

PARISH/2025/107: To accept the risk assessments for community centres, council
business and outdoor spaces. To forward the risk assessments for the grounds’ operations
to the H&S consultant for review.

8. To receive a presentation on GSPC strategic aims and focus for discussion.
The purpose of the document is to set out the main aims and focus of the parish council
which will help to develop and deliver relevant projects, support residents, provide high
quality community centres and green spaces whilst remaining financially prudent and
sustainable. The initial draft was presented as a starting point for discussion and will be

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

forwarded following the meeting for members to provide comments and suggestions for the
next Parish Council meeting. Councillors were also asked to review the discussion paper
given at the September Parish Council meeting which will also be forwarded.

9. To consider planning applications received by the Council and decide if any
None.

10. To consider correspondence received by the Council and decide if any action is
required.
None.

11. To receive verbal reports from Parish Councillors and from Borough Councillors on
items of note within the Parish.
The Chair thanked Cllrs Pennington and Catlow for their efforts helping to organise the
Remembrance Sunday parade and service as well as councillors for their support on the
day.

Part 2 Discussion

12. To receive information on the Agreement for Lease for Sankey Station House
Members were informed that the Agreement for Lease had been agreed by Sankey Station
CIC and had been referred to Arch Co. for final agreement. There is a requirement for the
plans for the works to be approved by both the Landlord (GSPC) and the Superior Landlord
(Arch Co.). Since the CIC is under pressure to move ahead with the works as soon as
possible because of funding deadlines, the CIC requested that the council arrange an extra
meeting to approve the plans before the December Parish Council meeting, should this be
necessary. Councillors were asked to monitor their emails to agree a date if this situation
arises.

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