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Penketh Parish Council has submitted a formal objection to the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) development on land located to the south west of Station Road, Penketh, in response to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request submitted to Warrington Borough Council. The objection reflects concerns raised by residents about the potential environmental and safety implications of the proposal, particularly due to its proximity to residential areas. The Council’s submission outlines these concerns and urges the principal authority to take full account of community feedback. This matter was discussed in detail at the Parish Electors’ Meeting held on Monday 19th May 2025, which was attended by over 60 members of the public. The Council is grateful for the high level of turnout and the constructive way in which concerns were raised and shared. While Penketh Parish Council does not have the authority to approve or refuse planning applications, it is a statutory consultee and is committed to ensuring that the views of residents are clearly represented throughout the planning process. The Council will continue to monitor the proposal closely and provide updates as further information becomes available. A copy of the formal objection letter will be available shortly on the planning portal here,  (2025/00549/SCR) and the draft minutes of the meeting are available on our website. Residents are encouraged to continue submitting their individual comments directly to Warrington Borough Council via the Planning Portal.

On Thursday 8th May, Penketh Gardens became a place of remembrance, celebration, and community as hundreds of residents gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The event was led and fully funded by Penketh Parish Council, with the support of a hardworking team including Cllrs Andrea Haywood, Geoff Fellows, Michael Potts, Joe Dodd, and Tracey Booth, alongside parish staff and a brilliant group of volunteers. Together, they delivered a respectful and uplifting evening filled with live music, tributes, and the symbolic lighting of the Beacon. The Royal British Legion Penketh & Sankey worked with the Parish Council to mark this significant milestone and were welcomed to fundraise on the night as part of the wider commemoration. We’re proud to have supported and enhanced the efforts of local groups and individuals in coming together for this important occasion. Speaking after the event, Cllr Andrea Haywood said: "It was a privilege to see our community come together so strongly. The response from local residents has been overwhelming, and the spirit shown tonight will be remembered for years to come." Our thanks go to all those who gave their time, helped behind the scenes, or simply came along to show support. The beacon lighting was a reminder of the sacrifices made, the freedoms we enjoy, and the strength we find in community. Photos and videos from the evening will be shared soon. If you have your own to contribute, please email them to clerk@penkethparishcouncil.org.uk or tag @PenkethParishCouncil on social media. Thank you for making VE80 in Penketh such a memorable and meaningful success.

Penketh Parish Council is delighted to share the recent improvements made to our much-loved local green spaces, Greystone Rec and Withinshaw Park. Over the past year, we have undertaken significant enhancement projects to ensure these facilities can be enjoyed by the community all year round. One of the biggest upgrades has been extensive drainage works, allowing the fields to remain in use throughout the seasons. Additionally, a new perimeter footpath has been installed, making access easier for all visitors. To provide more places for residents to relax and enjoy the surroundings, we have also added two new benches. In 2024, we introduced two brand-new Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) at both sites, creating more opportunities for sports and recreation. Football enthusiasts will be pleased to see the installation of two sets of goalposts—one full-size and another suitable for younger players. Greystone Rec has also received new play equipment tailored for older children, including:✅ A shelter and bike stand✅ Larger swings✅ A climbing frame✅ A spinner Meanwhile, at Withinshaw Park, we have added:✅ A new bucket swing✅ Refurbished soft-pour surfacing for improved safety It has been fantastic to see so many residents making the most of these enhanced facilities, and we look forward to seeing even more people enjoy them as we move into the spring and summer months. We appreciate the community’s support and hope these improvements help make Greystone Rec and Withinshaw Park even more welcoming spaces for all. 🔹 Have you visited the upgraded parks? Let us know what you think in the comments below or via our contact page!

This years Christmas Markets event will be held on Saturday the 30th November 2024 - 12pm - 5pm. We welcome all of the community to join the festivities. The day will involve craft market stalls, food, drink and lots of entertainment, as well as a free Santa's grotto between the 1:30pm - 3:30pm (queues closes at 3:15pm so get there early to avoid disappointment). The Markets will be followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony, with a local school choir singing all the best Christmas hits! (5pm onwards) On behalf of everyone at Penketh Parish Council, we wish you a Merry Christmas.  

It's time for a Macmillan Coffee Morning and you're invited Let's do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. Place: Greystone Recreation Ground Dates Friday 27th September 2024 Time: 09:00-12:00 Contact: The Sugarloaf Horse Box thesugarloafhorsebox@gmail.com

What is Year End for Parish Councils? The year end provides a snapshot of the council's financial transactions, governance arrangements, and other key information. It helps to ensure that the council is operating in a responsible and efficient manner, and serves as a means of demonstrating accountability and transparency to the public. The financial year for local councils is a 12 month period from 1st April to 31st March, and is used as the basis for preparing the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) - a mandatory document that local councils are required to complete and submit to the relevant authorities. Completing the AGAR is a legal requirement under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and failure to submit a completed AGAR can result in penalties and enforcement action by the relevant authorities. Who uses the AGAR? Internal & external auditors - to assess the council's compliance with relevant regulations and laws, and ensure that public money is safeguarded and properly accounted for. Members of the council - to assess the council's financial health and make informed decisions, and ensure it is using resources effectively and in the interest of the public. Members of the public - to understand the council's activities and financial transactions. Exercise of Public Rights The exercise of public rights involves a 30 working-day period in which accounting records must be made available for inspection to any interested person, and the AGAR must be approved and published before this inspection period starts. Within this period, electors can inspect and raise questions regarding the accounting records of the financial year in which the audit relates. They also have the right to request copies of accounting records during this period. Documents containing information that is personal or protected by commercial confidentially cannot be inspected.   AGAR Section 1 - Governance Statement FY2324 AGAR Section 2 - Accounting Statement FY2324 End of Year Bank Reconciliation FY2324 Explanation of Significant Variances FY2324 Notice of Public Rights FY2324

Our Philosophy: Learn by Having Fun At Penketh Swim, we have created an inviting and safe environment where kids can overcome their fears, learn to swim, and have tons of fun doing it. Our approach incorporates the power of  Swim Play. It is a combination of guided play and a safe environment, which science shows are two things that help little ones build upon their cognitive growth. Practically, this means that swimmers experience: Constant Encouragement Awards for Achievements & Milestones A Warm Pool for Better Learning Fun Curriculum Full of Games A Relaxed & Fun Atmosphere A Safe Environment At All Times Click here for more information and to SIGN UP

Local elections will take place across Warrington on Thursday 2nd May 2024

The interim audit of Penketh Parish Council has been published in the documents section of our website and is a great improvement of previous years results. ( This years results/comments highlighted in blue for ease of use)  Policies and Documents - The Penketh Parish Council The auditor confirmed that, in their view, the council’s system of internal controls is in place, adequate for the purpose intended and effective. This is great news, and following the implementation of Rialtas accounting software earlier this year, the RFO and Chairman (Acting Clerk) are in a good position to successfully complete the year end audit, and in a timely manner. The actions raised have already been addressed and/or implemented and feedback provided to the auditor. As ever, if you have any questions of concerns, please contact clerk@penkethparishcouncil.org.uk. Thanks Cllr Michael Potts Chairman - Penketh Parish Council.

Further remedial works to be completed. After being contacted by a few residents and seeing some of the Social Media feedback online about the recent Road Works through Penketh, I contacted the Highways Maintenance Principal Engineer. Some debris, signs and cones had been left behind, as well as some unfortunate anti-social behaviour, with two cones thrown into Penketh Brook. The signs have now been collected on Tuesday following the re-cutting of the traffic sensor loops for the Pedestrian crossing signals. The contractors will also be removing the abandoned cones but might need specialist equipment to retrieve. I have asked that the Central reservation is swept too to remove works debris. The Sunken Inspection Chamber highlighted by residents in lane two, adjacent to Greystone, is low on one side and the contractor is aware of this and will be back on site in the new year to attend to it. Drop Crossing issues identified by residents have been picked up by the Contractors, who were already unhappy with the outcome of the two at the bottom of Coronation Drive and Birkdale. This is caused by existing Utility Chambers and the Highways team will be working with them in the New Year to find a better solution. Utility grid causing the issue to levels. Further to this, the highways team clarified why these works had to be done on Warrington road with the following statement; "Independent annual surveys are carried out on Warrington’s A, B & C road network, along with 50% of the unclassified roads annually too (so every two years we have a full picture of the condition of the road). These surveys, backed up with engineering assessment, help to define our programme for each year. If we are able to ‘catch’ the road before it deteriorates too far then it is possible to replace just the surface course, rather than the foundation layers which becomes a lot more expensive to do and takes much longer. The road surface on Warrington Road was starting the deteriorate significantly with rutting and polishing longitudinally in the wheel tracks. There was also a risk that the road would have soon become potholed, which is caused by water getting into the surface through cracks, and when it freezes the water expands and then the surface breaks away to form the hole. Along with this there was an issue with some of the carriageway ironwork with the road breaking up around them or polishing of the covers which is a hazard especially when wet or icy. Damaged carriageway ironwork, with polishing and tarmac break up. Of course to you only see these defects when you study the road or footway surface. The Council’s highways inspectors have intervention levels for dealing with defects on roads and footways and until somethings are a certain size or depth there is little action they can take, www.warrington.gov.uk/potholes-or-damage-roads-pavements-or-footways gives more information on this" The highways team confirmed that this work is completed via Capital Budgets awarded by Central Government. They also confirmed the following "Funding for major road repairs, resurfacing and improvements such as new controlled pedestrian crossings comes from other taxation to the government and Warrington Borough Council do not decide how much ‘we’ get, but that funding is ringfenced for the public highways and cannot be used for other things, When we carry out major resurfacing schemes we try to carry out minor improvements, like the drop crossings, alongside the main works as we have the resources in place (traffic management, workers, machinery etc.) to deal with them all in one go rather than piecemeal as might ordinarily be the case" Overall, I think its looking great and is a vast improvement, particularly at the bottom of Greystone which has significant rutting which was a safety risk. For any other local road issues you can report to WBC via the following link https://www.warrington.gov.uk/potholes-or-damage-roads-pavements-or-footpaths. I'll be happy to support you if you have any issues with it. Thanks for your patience in this matter. Cllr Michael Potts - Penketh Parish