At a meeting of the Parish Council held on 8th January
2007 at 7.00pm
the following Parish
Councillors were present:-
D Coombe, G Downey, M Duggan, F Forrest, J Harkins and G Payne
In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman
Councillor Forrest was appointed to chair the meeting
Apologies for absence were received from
Councillors G Fraser, P Gill, L Green, P Harper and C Mitchell
4314 Minutes – 11th December 2006
The
minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2006 were received as a
correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4315 Financial Matters
The
Parish Council
1)
agreed that £15,000 be transferred from the Capital Reserve to the
Current Account
2)
approved the following statement of account as at 30th
November 2006:-
|
Summary of receipts/payments |
Receipts £-p |
Payments £-p |
Balances £-p |
|
Total balances b/f |
|
|
140,466.49 |
|
VAT refunded |
6,209.13 |
|
|
|
Golf |
|
|
|
|
Tennis |
|
|
|
|
Bowls |
|
|
|
|
Football |
|
|
|
|
Capital Reserve interest |
|
|
|
|
VAT paid |
|
1,870.15 |
|
|
Wages |
|
3,917.34 |
|
|
Tax/NI |
|
1,265.46 |
|
|
Bank charges |
|
46.34 |
|
|
Admin expenses |
|
188.65 |
|
|
Telephone |
|
39.65 |
|
|
Petty cash |
|
40.71 |
|
|
Mileage |
|
58.88 |
|
|
Repairs/renewals
(see breakdown) |
|
1,213.48 |
|
|
Rebuild final payments (retention money) |
|
8,275.03 |
|
|
Donations |
|
160.00 |
|
|
Skip hire |
|
110.00 |
|
|
Sundries (see breakdown) |
|
1,622.08 |
|
|
Totals |
£6,209.13
|
£18,807.77
|
£127,867.85 |
Breakdown of repairs/renewals
|
Lawnmower (Ranson) – service/repair |
£-p 121.05
|
|
Machine hire of a Graden |
100.00 |
|
Lawnmower (Qualcast petrol mower) – service/repair |
85.25 |
|
Paint |
149.29 |
|
Tractor repair – replacement of gear pump |
682.89 |
|
Assembly Room shutter repair |
75.00 |
|
Total |
£1,213.48 |
Breakdown of sundries
|
Handscon – staff training for health and safety,
manual handling and fire risks |
£-p 801.90
|
|
Chair's Allowance – second half of year |
250.00 |
|
Website work – P Harkins – first half of year |
200.00 |
|
Website work – A Forrest second half of year |
200.00 |
|
Work wear – protective clothing |
135.18 |
|
Subscription – Sefton Area of Local Councils |
35.00 |
|
Total |
£1,622.08 |
3)
approved the following invoices for payment:-
|
Payee |
Details |
Amount £-p |
Cheque no. |
|
Inland
Revenue |
Tax/NI |
1,261-04 |
4663 |
|
BDO
Stoy Hayward |
External auditor’s fee |
1,086-88 |
4664 |
|
BT |
Rental/calls |
68-42 |
4665 |
|
Yates
Playgrounds |
Repairs to play equipment |
1,028-12 |
4666 |
|
D
R Security |
Lock
repair to shutter |
25-00 |
4667 |
4316
Audit of Accounts for 2005/2006
The RFO submitted
a) the audited
Annual Return for 2005/2006
b) the external
auditor’s report for 2005/2006 as follows:-
“The following matters have been raised to draw items to the
attention of the Council, which came to the attention of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP
during our audit of the accounts of Aintree Village Parish Council. Our audit
of the accounts cannot necessarily be expected to disclose all shortcomings of
the system and for this reason, the matters raised may not be the only ones
that exist. The following issues have been raised to assist the Council. The
Council is recommended to take action on the following issues to ensure that
the Council acts within its statutory and regulatory framework.
Page no 2731
Fidelity Guarantee
A local Council, under S114 of the Local Government Act
1972, must take security as it considers sufficient in the case of any of its
officers likely to handle its money. It is advisable to have adequate Fidelity
Guarantee Insurance cover in order to protect the council against potential
loss. We strongly recommend, therefore, that the Council considers the level of
insurance cover it has and sets this to a level so that it is adequate for this
purpose. The Council should review this at least annually as the Council's
circumstances may change throughout the year. It is recommended that the amount
is sufficient to cover the maximum amount of money the Council holds at any one
time during the year. A Council does not have to have Fidelity Guarantee
Insurance if it considers that no security is 'sufficient' but there must be
objective grounds for such a conclusion. Smaller Councils may decide therefore
that the cost of this insurance is disproportionate to the risk involved. If
this is so the Council should minute this decision annually.
No other matters came to our
attention.”
The
Parish Council agreed that
1)
the audited Annual Return for 2005/2006 as submitted be accepted and
approved
2)
the external auditor’s report be noted and accepted
3)
the RFO be requested to review, and keep under review, the fidelity
guarantee level to ensure that the Parish Council complies with the external
auditor’s recommendations
4)
the RFO be authorised to increase the level of the fidelity guarantee
when required.
4317 Anti Social Behaviour Act, 2003 – Section 30 Order
The
Parish Council
1)
noted that a Section 30 Order covering a designated area would come into
effect on 15th January 2007 for 6 months following which it would be
reviewed
2)
noted that the designated area would be the area bounded by and
including Altway bounded by Bradfield Avenue, Oundle Drive to the railway line
and Liverpool Canal along Ormskirk Road including Aintree Lane and Molyneux
Way, Altway, Denstone Avenue, Tonbridge Drive, Haileybury Avenue, Sandhurst
Drive, North Avenue, Wrekin Drive and Harrow Drive
3)
expressed concern that it would be in force from 4.00pm to midnight on
Fridays and Saturdays only and agreed to obtain clarification as to why that
was the case.
4318 General Correspondence
1)
Liverpool NHS
Primary Care Trust – consultation with the public on proposals for the future
of breast cancer services noted.
2)
Merseyside Police
Authority – noted that the Sefton (Maghull) Police and Community Forum was
being held at the same time as this meeting and that some Parish Councillors
would be attending the forum meeting.
3)
Liverpool NHS
Primary Care Trust re phlebotomy services in Aintree Village noted.
4)
Councillor A
Robertson re the siting of a Leisure Centre in Maghull noted.
5) Sefton Council re the outcome of parking surveys;
noted that no further traffic orders for waiting restrictions would be
implemented – Clerk to send a copy of the letter to the Heads of Holy Rosary
and Aintree Davenhill Schools.
6) Sefton Council – noted that broken fencing outside 128
Altway would be replaced.
7) Sefton Council – noted that the damaged pedestrian
guard rails in Ormskirk Road would be replaced after investigations with the
police were complete.
8) Sefton Council – noted that action against persistent
fly posters was being considered.
9)
Sefton
Council re directional signs for the park; agreed again that the quotation of
£816-92 for four signs to include maintenance/administrative charges be
accepted but Parish Councillors should assess the best four locations before a
firm order is placed at the next meeting.
Page no 2732
4319 Aintree Village
Neighbourhood Watch
The
Parish Council
1)
noted that Valentine Public House was closed due to fire damage and
would likely remain closed for about six months
2) considered letter from the
Chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch seeking the Parish Council's support for the
Watch’s view that the establishment should remain closed, particularly as the
licence would be reviewed on 23rd January 2007
3) agreed that full support be given to the Neighbourhood Watch and the
Clerk be requested to write to the Borough Council in appropriate terms.
4320 Planning Issues
The
Parish Council
1) noted the following planning matters:-
|
Application Number |
General Details |
|
1120 |
Application for
conversion to flats – Altway |
|
0892 |
Approval to extension –
Rugby Drive |
|
1035 |
Approval to extension –
Martland Avenue |
|
0965 |
Refusal – certificate of
lawfulness – Retail Park |
|
1090 |
Application for certificate
of lawfulness – Retail Park |
|
0933 |
Approval to extension –
Denstone Avenue |
|
0962 |
Approval to extension –
Wango Lane |
|
1015 |
Refusal for variation of
planning permission |
|
1023 |
Approval to alterations –
Retail Park |
|
1131 |
Application for change of
use of garden – 2 Haileybury Avenue |
|
1132 |
Application for car park
lighting and traffic barriers – Molyneux Way |
|
1150 |
Application for external
covered area – Blue Anchor public House |
|
0957 |
Approval to advertisement
– Retail Park |
2)
agreed that plans be obtained for 1131 and 1132.
4321 Park/Safety Issues
The
Parish Council agreed that
1)
football teams’ insurance cover be again reviewed to ensure they have
public liability insurance
2)
the Clerk be requested to discuss time sheet processes with Mr Atherton
3)
further details be sought on a request from Aintree Harrow Ladies’
Bowling Team to use the bowling green for a three day charity competition on 2nd/4th
July 2007
4)
following the play equipment repairs undertaken by Yates Playgrounds, Mr
Atherton be requested to check that all issues recommended by the RoSPA inspector
have been satisfactorily completed
5)
Mr Atherton be requested to oil all locks
6)
the Clerk be requested to discuss “call return” charges on the telephone
bill with Mr Atherton
7)
the RFO be requested to submit details of annual leave outstanding to
the next meeting
8)
Mr Atherton be requested to submit his monthly report to the next
meeting
9)
the Clerk be requested to investigate the possibility of a Green Flag
Award for the park
10)
Mr Atherton’s attention to be drawn to the fact that dog excrement is
being thrown into the park over the closed Atholl Crescent gate.
The
Parish Council noted that Councillors Harkins and Mitchell had held a meeting
with a representative of COMTECHSA regarding proposed park improvements and that
COMTECHSA would submit a feasibility report in due course.
Page no 2733
4322 Parish Councillors
Business/Clipboard
1)
Cleanliness of the former Aintree Commercials’ site – Councillor Harkins
agreed to contact Councillor Colbert.
2)
Knowsley Council’s Crime Special magazine – Sefton Council to be asked
if it could consider issuing such a document.
3)
Four youth nights/activities at Aintree Youth Centre for 11/12 year olds
from 10th January 2007 noted.
4)
White paint mark at junction of Atholl Crescent/Shrewsbury Avenue not
removed by Royal Mail.
5)
Clearance of silt required in Mostyn Avenue following the completion of
the pavement works.
6)
Agreed that Sefton Primary Care Trust could use the Assembly Room on 31st
January 2007 for a public consultation event.
7)