Local Life - St Helens - Mar/Apr 2022

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Local Elections – 5th May 2022
All the seats on the Parish Councils in
the borough and St Helens Council will
be up for election on 5th May. If you
have a desire to improve life in Rainford,
then this is your opportunity to actively do something
about it and stand for Rainford Parish Council. Here is
some further information about what’s involved:
What is the Parish Council?
Rainford Parish Council is the first tier of local government,
and it makes decisions on behalf of residents who live in
the Rainford parish. For this reason, it is a vital part of the
Rainford community. St. Helens Borough Council is the
next tier up of local government.
Why become a Rainford Parish Councillor?
Rainford Parish Councillors have the opportunity to
influence decisions to help and support the people
they serve. Seeing their community change for the
better because of decisions they have helped to make,
is something that gives Parish Councillors a sense of
achievement and pride.
What decisions does Parish Council make?
It makes all kinds of decisions on issues that affect the
local community. It can negotiate with, and has the power
to, influence those other organisations that make wider
decisions (such as the borough council, health authorities,
police etc). The Parish Council gives the best reflection
of how the community feels about something, and so its
views are invariably taken seriously.
How much time does it take up?
Rainford Parish Council usually meets once a month
in the evening. Additionally, some Councillors also
attend committee meetings. You may also be asked to
attend other meetings to represent the council, but such
meetings won’t happen every day, so it’s not going to
take over your life! However, Councillors are expected
to attend meetings and must give a valid and acceptable
reason for being absent.
How long does a Parish Councillor serve for?
Once elected, Parish Councillors sit on the council for
a maximum of four years. You can then stand for reelection,
if you want to. You do not have to be connected
to a political party to stand for election as a Rainford
Parish Councillor, but if you are elected you will have to
sign up to the Code of Conduct.
The best way to find out what it’s like to be a Parish
Councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now. Come
along to a Rainford Parish Council meeting, or speak to
one of our Councillors.
Preparation for Elections
St Helens Borough Council are holding two sessions
for those candidates and agents, who are interested in
standing for elections at either Parish Council level or
Borough Council level. The sessions will be held in Room
10 in St Helens Town Hall on 16th March at 5.30pm and
17th March at 10.30am.
If you want to attend a meeting, either in person or virtually,
email your intentions, along with your name and address,
to elections@sthelens.gov.uk. The sessions will cover all
you need to know about the elections, and nomination
papers and registers will be available for collection.
Road Safety
The battle with speeding drivers and badly parked cars
continues. The primary schools are designing banners to
go outside the schools to remind those dropping off and
collecting that it is not OK to park on the pavement and
yellow lines. Wheelie bin stickers showing the speed limit
are available free of charge from the Clerk’s office at the
Village Hall. These are particularly effective when lots of
households on the same street use them.
The speed watch volunteers are also out and about as
often as possible.
Please drive safely in Rainford and park legally and with
consideration for other drivers and pedestrians, particularly
those who use wheelchairs and have pushchairs.
RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Rainford Village Hall, Church Road Rainford WA11 8HB
01744 884709
clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk
@rainfordvillagehall
@rainfordparishcouncil