Melling Parish Council has purchased new Christmas lights this year. The lights will be placed along Waddicar Lane by the shops and on various routes into and out of the parish, namely Spencers Lane, Rock Lane and Prescot Road. The lights will be switched on during the evening of 10th November and will remain on until January. The process of procuring the lights has been lengthy. It began in May and is documented within the minutes of the Parish Council meetings which can be viewed at www.mellingparishcouncil.uk/minutes The process of installing the lights is also lengthy because we are required to obtain permissions, to fit additional infrastructure within the lamp posts to power the lights and to secure the services of accredited contractors to install them. We are aware that several queries have been raised about the positioning of the lights. Unfortunately it is simply not possible for lights to be positioned at the entrance of every estate and street within the Parish, however, it is hoped that the majority of residents will be able to enjoy the lights in at least one of the locations chosen. Melling Parish Council would like to wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Coronation of King Charles III is set to make 2023 a memorable year. To help support events in our community Melling Parish Council would like to remind all residents that small grants are available from the Parish Council for a variety of different purposes including to help communities in Melling celebrate and commemorate this historic occasion. Small grants can be applied for by those who are hoping to organise Coronation related activities or events in Melling, for example: • Street parties or community picnics; • Commemorative benches or trees; • Wildflower gardens. This funding is open to local constituted sports clubs, community groups, clubs and charity organisations. To apply for funding, groups should visit Melling Parish Council and complete the short application form. Applications must be received by noon on 6th February 2023 in order to be considered at the Parish Councils meeting on 14th February 2023 or by noon on 6th March 2023 to be considered at the Parish Council meeting on 14th March 2023. There will be no further opportunities to submit a grant application in time for the Coronation after these dates so the final deadline for applications for grants relating to the Coronation of King Charles III is 6th March 2023.

For the third year running the Parish Council has again provided Christmas gifts for children attending Melling Primary School, Melling Nursery, Waddacre Nursery and the Scouting Groups based at Caunce Hall. Gifts were also provided to members of the Pensioners Club based at the Ratepayers. Melling Parish Council would like to wish all Melling residents and business owners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

New Litter Picking Equipment now available

The Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Alan Todd, laid a wreath on behalf of Melling Parish Council at the Lychgate at St Thomas's church during the service taking place on Remembrance Sunday, 13th November 2022.

The Parish Council has recently contacted the local NHS commissioning group regarding the provision of GP services in Melling. The advice that has been received is that the GP practice in Melling is run by a Knowsley GP (DR MAASSARANI AND PARTNERS) and, therefore, comes under Knowsley’s commissioning area. We understand that Sefton Commissioning Group are liaising with Knowsley around the plans to re-open the practice in Melling. In the meantime we are advised that there are GPs in Maghull who cover Melling and that this may be more convenient for patients than accessing a Knowsley practice. Community services are orientated around a GP practice so anyone registered at the Melling practice will access services that fall under the Knowlsey commissioning arrangements this is not uncommon, we have a number of Sefton residents who are registered with Liverpool GP practices and similar arrangements are in place to accommodate other services. If there are specific patients who are struggling to get to Tower Hill (Knowsley) or find another GP within the local area they can contact the Sefton Commissioning Group which can resolve individual issues and ensure all residents have access to a GP. They can be contacted by calling 0151 371 8456 or by email to southsefton.ccg@nhs.net. Any further queries can be sent to the Patient Experience Team who can be contacted on 0151 317 8356 or by email to Southseftonccg.complaints@nhs.net.

The Community Awards Event took place on Sunday 3rd July 2022 and was well attended by a variety of different community groups and individuals who help to make Melling a great place to live and work. 

New Bench for Village Green

Tithebarn Summer Fayre 2022