Dear Councillor,
You are summoned to attend the Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting at 7pm, Tuesday 27th October 2026 at Stockton Heath Library, Alexandra Road, Stockton Heath WA4 2AN.
With thanks,
B. Minshall
Benn Minshall, Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.
AGENDA
1. To receive and consider apologies for absence.
2. To note declarations of interest.
3. To approve and sign the minutes of the Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on Tuesday 22nd September 2026.
4. Public Participation
A period not exceeding 30 minutes for Members of the Public to ask questions or submit comments. Speeches will last for 3 minutes, unless otherwise directed by the Chair.
5. To consider and approve payments to the value of £17,418.91 as per the attached report.
6. To note the Bank Reconciliation on 30th September 2026.
7. To consider the draft budget proposal for the financial year 2027-28.
8. To consider existing contracts for grounds maintenance services.
9. To consider options for relocating the secure storage from Sandy Lane Community Centre.
10. To consider the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum
11. To consider the following Planning Applications: –
Application No: 2026//01314/FULH
Location: 9 Rosemary Avenue, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2XA
Proposal: First floor extension to side
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216569
Application No: 2026/01359/TPO
Location: 83 Whitefield Road, Warrington, WA4 6NB
Proposal: Remedial works to 1 No. Tree
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216602
12. To note Planning Applications having been decided by WBC.
Application No: 2026/01218/CLDP
Location: 84 Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2AX
Proposal: Proposed Outbuilding
Decision: Granted
Application No: 2026/01184/TPOCA
Location: 7 Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2AH
Proposal: Remedial works to 2 no. Trees and hedge
Decision: Granted
13. To consider the following Member Items: –
NONE
14. To agree items for the next agenda, publication and media.
15. To note the date and time of the next Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting as being held at 7pm, Tuesday 24th November 2026 at Stockton Heath Library.
AGENDA ITEM 3
In attendance: Cllrs Dutton, Jones, Murphy, Todd, Walker and Wheeler (arr.19.30)
Theresa Whitfield (Deputy Clerk)
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING, FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEEHELD ON TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2026
1. To elect a Chair of Committee for the remainder of the civic year 2026/27.
Resolved: To elect Cllr Jones as the Chair of Committee for the remainder of the civic year 2026/27.
2. To elect a Vice Chair of Committee for the remainder of civic year 2026/27.
Resolved: To elect Cllr Dutton as the Vice Chair of Committee for the remainder of the civic year 2026/27.
3. To receive and consider apologies for absence.
There were no apologies for absence.
4. To note declarations of interest.
Cllr. Walker declared he will take no part in the discussions related to planning applications.
5. To approve and sign the minutes of the Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting held on Tuesday 25th August 2026.
Resolved: To sign the minutes as a true and accurate record, subject to recording Cllr. Murphy’s apologies which were given in advance.
6. Public Participation
There were no Members of the Public in attendance.
7. To consider and approve payments to the value of £6,461.89 as per the attached report.
Resolved: To approve the spending of £6,461.89 as per the attached report.
8. To note the Bank Reconciliation on 31st August 2026.
Noted. The committee requested supporting documentation for each transaction to support reconciliation at future meetings.
9. To consider existing contracts for IT services.
The meeting considered the Council’s existing IT contracts, the use of segregated contracts and the potential for a new holistic contract to procure new infrastructure and systems.
Resolved: To support the recommendations in the report, approve the brief and specification and appropriate authorisation to progress in line with the details provided in the report.
10. To consider existing contracts for grounds maintenance services.
The meeting considered the Council’s existing grounds maintenance contracts, the use of segregated contracts and the potential for a new holistic contract to procure a new provider model.
Resolved: Clerk to progress a holistic contract for all areas exclusive of the Village planting.
Resolved: Clerk to explore options, including costs and job description for additional Ranger/Gardner part-time resource to include Village planting, care and maintenance.
11. To consider options for relocating the secure storage from Sandy Lane Community Centre.
The Deputy Clerk provided the meeting with a verbal update in relation to the options for relocating the existing secure storage following the decision by Warrington Borough Council to close the Sandy Lane Community Recycling Centre.
Resolved: To revisit the position in November. The offer from the Borough Council for a space at the Forge was noted.
12. To consider the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum
The meeting considered the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum.
Resolved: To defer the report to allow the Clerk to present.
13. To consider the following Planning Applications: –
Application No: 2026/01141/HPA
Location: 79 Fairfield Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2UX
Proposal: Proposed single storey rear extension to extend beyond the rear wall by 4.4m , height of 3.95m and height of the eaves to be 2.47m
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216408
Resolved: The application does not provide the opportunity to comment.
Application No: 2026/01153/VARC
Location: 93 Whitefield Road, Warrington, WA4 6ND
Proposal: Variation of Condition 2 (Approved plans) on application 2025/00883/FULH
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216422
Resolved: To make no objection nor submit any comment.
Application No: 2026/01160/TPOCA
Location: 84A Ackers Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2EA
Proposal: Remedial works to 1no. tree
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216431
Resolved: To raise concerns and ask the Borough Council to investigate. Proposed work is too severe,
Application No: 2026/01180/ADV
Location: Red Lion, 58 – 60 London Road, Warrington, WA4 6HN
Proposal: Replacement and reduction of signage to building facade on public house.
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216471
Resolved: To make no objection nor submit any comment.
Application No: 2026/01183/LBC
Location: Red Lion, 58 – 60 London Road, Warrington, WA4 6HN
Proposal: Replacement and reduction of signage to building facade on public house with decoration works to windows, doors and painted elements
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216453
Resolved: To make no objection nor submit any comment.
Application No: 2026/01184/TPOCA
Location: 7 Grappenhall Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, WA4 2AH
Proposal: Remedial works to 2 no. Trees and hedge
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=216452
Resolved: To make no objection nor submit any comment.
14. To note Planning Applications having been decided by WBC.
NONE
15. To consider the following Member Items: –
The committee unanimously requested that the blank pages are removed from the agenda packs.
Requirement to sign the statement of account/balance sheet was queried.
Reserves Policy, does it need to be revised, detailing General and Earmarked reserves in accounting reports/presentation.
Current contractual position relating to Earthsense.
16. To agree items for the next agenda, publication and media.
Items for the next agenda include: –
Grounds Maintenance Contract, Gardening/Ranger resource options, Retail Forum Proposal
Items for publication / media include: – NONE
17. To note the date and time of the next Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting as being held at 7pm, Tuesday 27 October 2026 at Stockton Heath Library.
Noted
Chair: Cllr. Jones
Clerk: T. Whitfield
Close of Meeting: 8:34pm
Signed………………………………….
AGENDA ITEM 5
Payee Goods / Services Net VAT
– Staff Costs £15,743.99 –
Avanti Business Equipment Ltd Printing £47.04 £9.41
Beechwood Industries Ltd Additional Grounds Maintenance £52.00 £10.40
Beechwood Industries Ltd Grounds Maintenance £546.28 £109.26
BT Telephone and Internet £66.20 £13.24
Cheshire Association of Local Councils Staff appraisal Training – Cllr D. Taylor £80.00 £0.00
J & K Ross Ltd Ranger PPE £21.58 £4.32
J & K Ross Ltd Ranger PPE £350.92 £70.18
Nortwich Town Council Grounds Maintenance £337.50 £67.50
Tony Parker Bat Walk £100.00 £0.00
Penketh Pest Control Ackers Pit £140.00 £0.00
Scribe Accounts Finance Software £64.00 £12.80
Wavenet Line Rental £9.40 £1.88
£17,418.91 £298.99
Payments in dispute: –
Payee Goods Services Net VAT
Warrington Borough Council Office Rental
Jan – Mar 2026 £750.00 £0.00
Office Rental
April – June 2026 £750.00 £0.00
Vehicle Hire £3,591.69 £718.34
Totals £5,251.69 £718.34
AGENDA ITEM 6
A Bank Reconciliation at 09/10/2026
Cash in Hand 01/04/2026
ADD
Receipts 01/04/2026 – 09/10/2026
SUBTRACT
Payments 01/04/2026 – 09/10/2026
Cash in Hand 09/10/2026
(per Cash Book)
72,380.82
222,590.56
294,971.38
60,859.81
234,111.57
Cash in hand per Bank Statements
NatWest 30/09/2026 184,015.12
Mansfield Building Society 30/09/2026 45,000.00
Nationwide Building Society 30/09/2026 5,096.45
234,111.57
Less unpresented payments
234,111.57
Plus unpresented receipts
B
Adjusted Bank Balance
234,111.57
A = B Checks out OK
AGENDA ITEM 8
Report Statement
Report Purpose: To consider existing contracts for grounds maintenance services.
Version Control: V1
Author: Benn Minshall, Clerk
Report Summary
To present to the Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee an operational and financial review of the Parish Council’s existing grounds maintenance contracts, and to seek formal approval for the procurement strategy and holistic brief to consolidate four fragmented contracts into a single Principal Contractor agreement starting April 2027.
Background
The Parish Council’s grounds maintenance expenditure is currently split across four separate contractors, operating on individual annual ITQs with varying terms and administrative overheads:
Current Supplier Contracted Scope of Works
Beechwood Industries The supply, planting, watering and care for Village floral displays, planters and baskets.
Griffin Contracting The cutting of hedges at both upper and lower Mill Lane Fields as well wildflower management; the cutting of the external boundary hedge at Ackers Pit.
Holly Oak Tree Services Ad-hoc tree care, safety pruning and emergency works.
Northwich Town Council The internal maintenance and the cutting of the internal boundary hedge at Ackers Pit.
Managing four separate suppliers creates several operational friction points and financial risks:
Administrative & Management: Processing multiple tender processes, invoices, and site monitoring checks across four separate contractors.
Lines of Accountability: Dispersed responsibilities between contractors at shared sites (such as Ackers Pit) increase the risk of gaps in maintenance or delayed hazard responses.
Inefficiencies in Scale: Split contracts prevent the Council from leveraging volume-based pricing discounts across turf care, hedge trimming, and seasonal planting.
Position
The drafted Grounds Maintenance Brief & Specification introduces a single Principal Contractor delivery model structured as follows:
Single Point of Responsibility: The Principal Contractor assumes overall legal, safety, and operational accountability across all council assets (Ackers Pit, Mill Lane Field, Red Lane Allotments, and Village Planters).
“Local-First” Procurement Mandate: The Principal Contractor may subcontract specialist services (e.g., NPTC-certified arboriculture or aquatic weed control) but must prioritise micro-businesses and local trades based in Stockton Heath and Warrington to support the local economy and reduce carbon emissions.
Clear Operational Division: A three-way operational division defines exact duties between internal Parish Rangers (day-to-day litter/hand care), the Principal Contractor (heavy mechanised cutting, tree works, displays, bowser watering), and the Warrington Anglers Association (fishing pegs/swims under the Deed of Grant).
Governance & Environmental Standards:
o 3-year initial term (+1+1 performance extension years).
o 100% peat-free compost mandate and strict biosecurity washing protocols.
o Strict public safety SLAs (2-hour emergency storm response, 48-hour defect rectification).
o £10m Public Liability and £5m Employer’s Liability insurance requirements.
During the September meeting of Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee, it was requested for the Committee to receive costings concerning both a holistic contract, and the recruitment of a third Ranger.
Financial Impact
The present financial impact on the Parish Council for four segregated contracts is £18,025.36 per annum.
The financial impact on the Parish Council for one contract will be £15,000 – £18,000 per annum; but most likely circa £16,500 per annum.
The financial impact on the Parish Council for recruiting a third Ranger will be £23,760.19 per annum.
Over three years, the lifetime of a single contract, the costs per annum are as follows: –
• Option 1: segregated contracts £54,076.08
• Option 2: single contract £50,999.85
• Option 3: third Ranger £75,780.57
Conclusions
It is concluded that, of the options available – segregated contracts; a single contract; hiring a third Ranger – a single contract represents the best value for money to the Council and its residents.
Considerations Sought
• Approve the Brief & Specification for a consolidated single Principal Contractor deliv-ery model starting 1 April 2027.
• Authorise the Clerk to initiate a competitive tender exercise under Section 11 of the Council’s Financial Regulations, publishing the opportunity and inviting quotes from re-gional and local landscape contractors.
• Receive a comparative tender evaluation report at a future committee meeting to se-lect a preferred contractor for formal recommendation to Full Council.
ANNEXE 1: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE BRIEF AND SPECIFICATION
This document establishes the scope of works, division of responsibilities, technical standards, and governance framework for grounds maintenance across all Stockton Heath Parish Council assets.
1. Delivery Model & Subcontracting Strategy
The Parish Council will appoint a single Principal Contractor responsible for overall contract delivery, management, and accountability.
Single Point of Contact: The Principal Contractor retains full legal and performance responsibility for all sites, services, and safety compliance.
Specialist Subcontracting: Where specialist knowledge or equipment will be beneficial to the work (e.g., complex arboriculture, aquatic weed management, ecological surveys), the Principal Contractor can subcontract work.
“Local-First” Procurement Mandate: The Principal Contractor must demonstrate a “local-first” approach when selecting subcontractors, suppliers, and labour. Prioritise micro-businesses, local trades, and specialist contractors based within Stockton Heath, Warrington, and the immediate surrounding borough to support the local economy and minimize transport emissions.
Subcontractor Governance: All subcontractors must meet the same statutory, insurance, RAMS, and BS 3998 standards as the Principal Contractor. Subcontracting does not relieve the Principal Contractor of liability.
2. Multi-Party Operational Division
Duties across all sites are between three operational entities:
• Parish Rangers (Internal): Day-to-day minor hand maintenance, litter picking, low-level hand pruning (non-powered), spot path clearing, water point checks, and immediate hazard reporting.
• Principal Contractor (External / Subcontracted): Heavy mechanized turf care, high-volume seasonal display watering, structural hedge flail/cutting, chemical weed treat-ment (permitted areas only), certified tree works, specialist aquatic care, and major storm clearance.
• Warrington Anglers Association (WAA): Fishing peg maintenance, immediate bank stabilization around swims, and aquatic weed management near fishing positions per the Deed of Grant.
3. Site-Specific Work Specifications
Site A: Ackers Pit (Pond, Woodland & Open Space)
• Paths & Clearing: Principal Contractor flails back heavy encroaching vegetation along the main perimeter path and scrapes silt off self-binding gravel routes. Rangers sweep light debris.
• Bank Alignment: WAA manages fishing pegs and immediate water-edge swims. Prin-cipal Contractor (or specialist subcontractor) manages outer bank woodland canopies and high-level branch clearance over public rights of way. Rangers conduct weekly visual bank checks and check lifebuoy stations.
• Co-ordination: Mandatory bi-annual site walk-through between Principal Contractor, Parish Clerk, Rangers, and WAA Bailiff.
Site B: Mill Lane Field (Diamond Jubilee Field)
• Turf & Edging: Principal Contractor conducts regular pedestrian/ride-on grass cutting to a high recreational standard (March–October) with neat edge trimming around pe-rimeters.
• Boundaries: Principal Contractor cuts boundary hedges annually (September–February). Rangers maintain weekly access checks and clear gate latches.
Site C: Stockton Heath Allotments (Red Lane)
• Communal Grounds: Principal Contractor mows central access tracks and flails heavy bramble along outer perimeter boundary fences. Rangers inspect communal water points and noticeboards.
Site D: Village Planters & Barrier Baskets
• Display Supply & Planting: Principal Contractor (sourcing from local nurseries where feasible) supplies, installs, and plants Summer (May/June) and Winter/Spring (Octo-ber) displays using 100% peat-free compost.
• Routine Care: Principal Contractor manages high-volume summer watering/feeding via bowser. Rangers perform routine deadheading, spot weeding, and fault reporting.
4. Tree Management Plan & Arboriculture Standards
Inspection Regime: Rangers conduct ongoing ground-level observation. Principal Contractor completes formal bi-annual ground-level inspections and post-storm safety reviews across all tree stock.
Technical Standards: All high-level pruning, crown lifting, dead wooding, and chainsaw operations restricted to NPTC-certified arborists (whether direct employees or vetted local subcontractors), working in full compliance with BS 3998:2010.
Tree Asset Register: Principal Contractor maintains and updates the digital tree risk log, directly flagging Ash Dieback, decay, or high-risk structural defects to the Clerk.
5. Statutory Compliance, Health & Safety
RAMS: Principal Contractor must submit detailed Risk Assessments and Method Statements prior to work commencement, including subcontractor activities.
Insurance: Mandatory Minimum £10 Million Public Liability Insurance and £5 Million Employer’s Liability Insurance.
Chemical Use & COSHH: Zero chemical spraying permitted adjacent to the Ackers Pit water body. Elsewhere, operators must hold valid NPTC PA1/PA6 certification.
Biosecurity: Strict pressure-washing/sanitizing protocols for tools and boots between sites to prevent the spread of invasive species (e.g., Chalara Ash Dieback, Floating Pennywort).
Wildlife Protection: No hedge or tree trimming between 1st March and 31st August without prior qualified ecological assessment (Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981).
6. Contract Duration, KPIs & Governance
Contract Structure: 3-Year Initial Ter + 1 + 1 Year Extension Outputs (5 years based on performance).
Working Hours: Mon – Fri 08:00 – 17:00 (Zero heavy machinery usage near Mill Lane / St. Thomas’s during School drop-off/pick-up hours).
Local Sourcing Audit: Annual review of local subcontracting and supply chain usage.
Payment Schedule: Twelve equal monthly payments following receipt of signed monthly site sign-off logs.
Annual Review: Annual price adjustment index strictly to CPI (capped at 5%).
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & Response Rectification:
• Standard Work Defect: Rectified within 48 hours of notice.
• Emergency Storm / Fallen Tree Hazard: On-site response within 2 hours; safety made good within 4 hours.
• Failure to Report High Risk: Monetary penalty deduction applied to monthly invoice for unreported critical tree/site hazards.
AGENDA ITEM 10
Report Statement
Report Purpose: To consider the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum
Version Control: V1
Author: Benn Minshall, Clerk
Report Summary
To seek Committee approval and recommendation to Full Council to re-establish the Stockton Heath Retail Forum and acquire a 12-month membership to the Warrington Chamber+ (£180 per annum) to support local economic vitality, improve village infrastructure dialogue, and secure external engagement funding.
Background
It is believed that a Stockton Heath Retail Forum may have previously existed – but was impacted by traders moving on, retiring and/or the scale of commitment.
Position
While a Retail Forum previously existed in Stockton Heath, it lapsed due to trader turnover and capacity constraints. Re-establishing this forum provides a structured, neutral platform to address key high street and public realm issues—including anti-social behaviour, litter, parking, and village footfall.
Addressing Strategic & Financial Objections:
• Economic Well-Being Mandate: Under section 137 / general well-being powers, the Parish Council has a statutory duty to promote the social and economic well-being of the parish. Proactive support for the high street protects the quality of life for resident-customers.
• Facilitator Role (No Regulatory Burden): The Parish Council is not dictating commercial policy or managing businesses. The Council acts solely as a facilitator, providing administrative secretariat support to bring local traders, Cheshire Constabulary, and Warrington Borough Council (WBC) together.
• Intelligence & Advocacy: Chamber membership is an operational and strategic tool. It grants early access to regional infrastructure plans, economic updates, and professional networking, ensuring Stockton Heath is represented when wider borough decisions are made.
Preliminary engagement with key local commercial partners and regional business bodies demonstrates strong initial backing for this initiative:
• Local Anchor Business Support: Following a recent meeting with the Chair of Council and the Parish Clerk, the Site Manager of The Forge Shopping Centre explicitly expressed verbal support for re-establishing the Retail Forum, signalling strong appetite from major village commercial stakeholders to engage.
• Warrington Chamber Match-Funding Offer: Following discussions with the Warrington Chamber of Commerce, they confirmed that while they cannot lead the forum directly, they will provide model operational frameworks, governance advice, and regional support. Furthermore, the Chamber representative has formally committed to requesting £2,000 from the W2000 Board to put directly toward local engagement activity for the Retail Forum, subject to submitting a clear scope and maintaining spend records for potential audit requirements.
Financial Impact
The financial impact to the Parish Council is not yet confirmed; and it is possible that several external Agencies and funding streams could provide support to either fully fund the project, or match funds to mitigate any expenditure.
Conclusions
It is concluded that the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum represents a low-risk, high-impact opportunity for the Parish Council to fulfil its mandate to support local economic wellbeing. Recent discussions demonstrate strong momentum: major commercial anchors like The Forge Shopping Centre have expressed clear verbal support, and Warrington Chamber+ has offered strategic alignment alongside a £2,000 match-funding commitment from the W2000 Board.
By acquiring Chamber membership (£180.00 per annum) and acting purely as a neutral facilitator, the Council can bridge the gap between local traders, residents, and principal authorities without taking on regulatory burdens or long-term financial liabilities. Adopting a 12-month pilot period provides a controlled, cost-effective framework to test the viability of the Forum and secure external investment while delivering tangible benefits to the village high street.
Considerations Sought
It is recommended that the Planning, Finance and General Purposes Committee recommend to Full Council to:
1. Approve a 12-Month Pilot Period for both the re-establishment of the Stockton Heath Retail Forum and membership of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce (£180.00) to evaluate measurable benefits.
2. Note Commercial Interest and engagement from key local stakeholders, including the Site Manager of The Forge Shopping Centre.
3. Formally Accept in Principle the £2,000 engagement match-funding offer from the Warrington Chamber / W2000 Board.
4. Authorise the Clerk to prepare the required engagement scope and submit the proposal to the W2000 Board to release the funding.
AGENDA ITEM 11
2026/01314/FULH
Existing Floorplan: –
Proposed Floorplan: –
2026/01359/TPO
T1 Lime. Crown lift to main Crown Break. Crown thin by approximately 10% – 15% to increase wind and light permeation. Reduce back lateral encroachment over drive at 85 Whitfield Road by 1m – 2m and clear telephone line.