SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 20 April 2023 at 7.00pm at Silverdale Library
Present:
Chair – Mr H Adamczuk (HA)
Parish Cllrs –Cllr C Spence (CS), Cllr L Leighton (LL), Cllr C Jarrett (CJ), Cllr J Crabtree (JC) Borough Cllr J Brown (JB, part), Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA, part).
Parish Clerk – Ms D Powell (DP)
| 89/23 | Public Participation: Chair
This item is on the agenda to allow the public to raise issues at the Parish Council The period of time designated for public participation in accordance with standing order 3 f shall not exceed 10 minutes unless directed by the chairman of the meeting. Subject to standing order 3 g. a member of the public shall not speak for more than 2 minutes. No members of the public were present. |
| 90/23 | To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk)
Apologies were received from Cllr A Sutcliffe (AS), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM) and Cllr M Melvin (MM). |
| 91/23 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 9 March 2023 and the minutes of the Extra ordinary meeting held on 15 March 2023 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting (copy attached). Please read these before the meeting as they will be taken as read It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes which were signed by the Chairman at the end of the meeting. |
| 92/23 | Following the Elections in May 2022, and subsequent advertisements, the following resolution is proposed:
The co-option of a new councillor to fill one of the existing vacancies on Silverdale Parish Council. No-one present. |
| 93/23 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda (Note member should notify Monitoring officer within 28 days if not already. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships) ALL to complete DPI forms and return electronically.
None. |
| 94/23 | To note the written update (to be circulated in advance) from the Borough Councillors
In addition to the circulated report dated 9 April (pp. 165-166), JB reported: The number of cases in her caseload had risen to 38. JB had emailed to follow up on the Bath Road development task group. Silverdale Labour group, local residents and Silverdale Primary Academy had conducted a litter pick in selected spots in Silverdale. Coppice Avenue litter-pick was completed on 15 April. Wally’s Quarry – there had been a full council meeting where there had been cross party agreement that the decision to remove the monitoring station (MMF6) at the Fire Station was premature as monitoring should be continued with 4 stations at present. There had been no movement on the pothole repairs. A street sign had been removed by developers and had been reported. A waste bin had been moved from the bowling green to Staveley Place. There had been no updated received on the dog waste bin on Ilkley Place. The dog waste bin at Butters Court will be removed by NBC unless Groundworks pays for the bin to be emptied by 28 April. The Ward Councillors’ monthly surgery at the Methodist Church Silverdale had been changed to Saturday 3 June at the usual time 10-12am. JB is following up on NBC refusing to collect garden waste from unadopted roads on Heritage Park as a leading example. JB left the meeting at 7.40pm. Borough Councillor R Adcock’s report was as circulated, RA left the meeting at 7.50pm. |
| 95/23 | Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B RESOLVED to approve. c. To note and approve the year-end budget report for 2022/23 – Appendix C RESOLVEDto approve. d. To note and approve the budget report 2023/24 – Appendix D RESOLVED to approve. e. To note the quote from Zurich Municipal and to consider a Long-Term Agreement for 3 years including a discount, as per the circulated email. It was RESOLVED to approve the Long-Term Agreement for three years. f. To note the Vat reclaim of £853.89. Noted g. To note the Precept 2023/24 remittance advice for £31,878. Noted. h. To note the dates for the internal audit for the year 2022/23. Noted. i. To note the increment increase to the Clerk’s pay, as per the contract of employment.RESOLVED to approve. |
| 96/23 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting 16 March, including proposal to reduce the number of Monitoring stations through de-commissioning MMF6 at the Fire Station and borough council updates. (HA/CJ) Walley’s Quarry was covered earlier in the agenda and is detailed in JB’s report. (pp. 1665-166) b. Chair report on statutory investigation and information gathered during 2018-19 Ombusman’s Enquiry. This matter is ongoing. |
| 97/23 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group and the fees part of the Neighbourhood Grant for 2023. The Steering Group had not met since the last meeting. However, there had been considerable activity in preparation for the first public Neighbourhood Plan meeting on 29 April 2023. b. To make plans for consultation of residents on 29 April 2023 for large groups then smaller sectional meeting afterwards and publicity for the event. It was RESOLVED to arrange for the printing of leaflets, questionnaires and posters. c. To receive an update on the drone video to help publicize the Neighbourhood Plan. The drone video had been received and was shown at the parish council meeting. d. To discuss the Policy Mapping document and the zoom meeting on Thursday 20 April at 6pm. A meeting had been held with Hannah Barter of Urban Vision prior to this meeting where the policy document had been discussed and was to be updated. |
| 98/23 | For information only – Silverdale Gardens – Planning update regarding S106
See JB’s report (pp. 165-166) |
| 99/23 | Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel
a. Energy Cost from Monument Lighting Installation A bill had been received covering the period from January to March 2023 for £9.88. b. Quotes for external lighting for the Miner’s Wheel CS had enquired. Solar equipment or a wind power are not viable options. An electricity source from the Athletic Club and separately metered was considered a realistic option. No quote had yet been received. It was RESOLVED to earmark £5000 of reserves for this project. |
| 100/23 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor
The contractor is to undertake jobs in relation to benches. |
| 101/23 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update This matter was discussed earlier. b. Save Our Green Space update No meetings had taken place. c. Audley Parish Council Petition Update 1500 signatures had been collected for NBC to discuss the size of the housing program. d. Lime Tree Planting Program, former Keele Golf Course Tree planting had commenced. |
| 102/23 | To consider a fee quote for legal costs to extend the lease to include the additional site (plot numbers 45-80) at the Acres Allotments (note additional legal/site remediation/Knotweed costs)
a. To receive an update on the tenancy at will agreement and arrangements to clear fly tipping. The tenancy at will agreement had been signed. It was RESOLVED to approve the payment of £480 for the costs of two large skips for the removal of fly tipping and other debris deposited at the site. The removal of the fly tipping and other debris would be carried out by volunteer members of the Acres Allotments Association. b. To consider a budget for the removal of fly tipping etc . As above. c. To receive an update on quotes for legal advice for the new tenancy for Acre Allotments Association. Two quotes had been received. It was RESOLVED to approve the quote from Knights Solicitors. d. To agree in principle that if the Borough Council clears the waste material on the council’s land beyond lane 4 then Silverdale Parish Council would negotiate a new lease for the whole site (previously known as Acres Allotments Nos 1-80). e. To consider appointing a consultant regarding the remediation of waste in the legal agreement to represent the parish council’s interest. |
| 103/23 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Program £2,000)
None received. |
| 104/23 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder. – None |
| 105/23 | To consider a quote
a. To install a new noticeboard at the library (note: may need permission from SCC/Highways). b. To receive an update on the New Horizons initiative for the special memorial sign for the noticeboard (AS). No further update at present. |
| 106/23 | To consider purchasing benches for Silverdale Parish (The Parade, Bath Road, the Park, Parksite)
It was RESOLVED to go ahead with the purchase of benches. HA and CS to meet to discuss where the new benches are required. CS to contact NBC regarding the location of the new benches. |
| 107/23 | Silverdale Athletic Club Car Parking changes
This matter was covered earlier. See RA report. (p.167) |
| 108/23 | To approve comments for the following Planning Applications (please click on the link to view BEFORE the meeting) and to approve delegated authority to deal with any urgent ones in between meetings in consultation with the Chair.
23/00260/PLD | Proposed side extension to an existing house. | 21 May Street Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LZ (newcastle–staffs.gov.uk) No objection 23/00243/FUL | Conversion of existing detached garage to form self contained annexeaccommodation | 32 Sutton Avenue Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6TB(newcastlestaffs.gov.uk) HA to provide comments. 23/00119/FUL | Proposed ground floor rear extension with first floor balcony (Amended planreceived 28.03.2023) | 109 High Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LX(newcastle–staffs.gov.uk) HA to provide comments. |
| 109/23 | To discuss incorporating information on the Neighbourhood Plan onto the website.
This matter was covered earlier. |
| 110/23 | To receive an update on contact with NBC regarding use of the former Bowling Club Pavilion, including sharing the of the survey of the state of repair with the borough council.
No further update at present. |
| 111/23 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins and correspondence received – noted |
| 112/23 | Western Communities LAP and Knutton Master Plan Consultation update – (HA/CJ)
Nothing further. HA to circulate the minutes. |
| 113/23 | Highways matters (Standing item) – None |
| 114/23 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. Silverdale Bus Transport: To receive an update on the potential of a bus subsidy to enhance the existing service. A consultation with the residents is to be planned regarding an extra bus service. b. Dog Litter Bins: Update regarding new and replacement bins and whether to scan Silverdale for dog litter signage. This matter was covered earlier. SEE JB’s report (pp. 165-166) c. To receive an update on the purchase of hanging baskets. It was RESOLVED to order the hanging baskets. An additional basket will be placed outside the library where a pully will also be needed. d. To consider preparations for the King’s Coronation (Saturday 6 May 2023). Nothing specific had been arranged. e. To consider NBC funding for skateboarding equipment. There is nowhere at present available to store skateboarding equipment. It was RESOLVED to thank NBC for the offer and to ask that SPC be considered again next year. |
| 115/23 | Emergency Plan Risk Assessment (HA)
To follow. |
THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON
11 May 2022, at 6.30pm
To agree future dates to include,
8 June 2023, 13 July 2023, 10 August 2023, 14 September 2023, 12 October 2023.
Appendices A, B and C can be found in the PDF version of the minutes
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale P.C. Date of report 9. 4. 2023
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 35 No resolved: 24 ongoing: 11
Planning & housing: Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money Progress has been made on this with joint legal action commencing between NULBC & Staffs CC to recoup the money from the developers. Very little can be reported in terms of detail due to legal processes. Cllr. Adcock and I will be ensuring we ask for regular updates.
Bath Rd development: A task group on this to which the borough ward councillors, PC Chair and Parksite resident has been formed. The need for the shop has been established. What needs to be clear now is who will take on the shop when the development is completed. I will continue to liaise with the current leaseholder who has expressed a strong interest in continuing. Things have gone very quiet of late so I will be emailing my contact Aspire to ask for a date for the task group to begin.
Environment: I have had several communications with NULBC re the operation of a business on Cemetery Rd and the general untidiness of the site which is leased from the owners. In the meantime, there has been some communication from the owners of the site in relation to a change of use which would be welcome. However, this is confidential at present, and communication continues. A simple update is that several usages for the site have been discussed and the Chair of the PC and I will continue to negotiate for the best options for Silverdale in terms of impact to the environment & locality and contribution to local economy.
The case of the trees at Mill st has now been resolved. NULBC denied responsibility for planting the trees, despite having maintained them in the past. The householder had to pay privately for the removal of the tree.
National Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean went ahead in the last 2 weeks of March. Silverdale Labour undertook two litter picks around the Parade and along the mineral line. Silverdale Primary Academy`s school council joined me on 31st March for a litter pick around the Racecourse and park. Photographs and a press release are to be sent to the Sentinel to celebrate our efforts. Another litter pick is needed in the Coppice Ave area, date TBA
Keele Golf Course: Planting of the 850 Lime trees to mark the anniversary of the royal borough charter began W/B 27.3.23. See section on Anti-social behaviour in relation to KGC land.
Walley`s Quarry I was not invited to the last W.Q. Liaison Committee meeting on 16.3.23. Concerns are still being raised about the membership of the committee. However, both Cllr. Adcock and the Chair of the P.C. fed back to me. They raised concerns about the proposed reduction in monitoring of odours, particularly the removal of the Emissions Monitoring Station at Newcastle Fire Station in Silverdale Road by the E.A. I liaised with Cllr. Steph Talbot, Labour councillor for Knutton, who was at the above meeting. Cllr. Talbot asked a question about the removal of this monitoring station at the full council meeting on 5.4.23. Other councillors agreed that the removal was premature at this stage as we may need this evidence if the situation deteriorates. It was agreed by the council leader after hearing the debate that the administration would object to the removal of the monitoring station.
Streets & Highways: Pot holes continue to be a difficulty. After the Easter holidays I aim to chase up reports outstanding and find out about the resurfacing timetable from Staffs CC.
Waste & Litter Several residents requested an additional bin on Staveley Place. This is because dog walkers are accessing KGC land at the back of Staveley Place and leaving bags of dog fouling. However, NULBC did not want to provide an additional bin or add to their workload due to lack of resources. I therefore found an infrequently used bin, one of 3, by the redundant bowling green that I asked them to repurpose. On the 7.3.23 Lyndon Ryder of NULBC informed me that my efforts have been successful, and the bin will be relocated to Staveley Place. It has to be located on the cricket club fence side as there is not enough space on the entrance to KGC land.
Cllr. Richard Gorton, Labour councillor for Wolstanton, raised the issue of lack of `dog` bins across the borough and questioned NULBC`s decision not to provide any more bins despite the rise in dog ownership since the pandemic.
Fly tipping continues to be an issue. On 27.3.23 I reported a case at the top of West st, this and an abandoned TV on Madeley st were removed by the council.
Anti-social behaviour: PCSO Charlotte Lownes reported a hole in the fence at Alton close where people were accessing the golf course with mopeds. This was causing disturbance to residents. The Chair of the PC and myself visited on 20.3.23 and spoke to residents. I emailed NULBC, the land owners of the former KGC to see if a solution can be found, particularly as the 850 trees are in the said area. Michelle Hopper, officer for Anti social behaviour informed me the next day that officers were going down to the site to look at what could be done.
A resident reported, and sent a video, of 4X4 vehicles driving around the field adjacent to the licensed off roading area by Hollywood Garage. I reported this to the council and Anti social officer and former P.C. Steve Edge informed me it was a police matter. He gave me details of how the police can follow this up if they have the registration details. In the meantime, I visited the garage to speak to the person who organises the off roading and advised of the action the police can take. At the LAP meeting on 5.3.23 I discussed this issue with PCSO Neil Moffat who attended with PCSO Charlotte Lownes. They confirmed action could be taken if the vehicles and drivers could be identified. I was also able to feedback NULBC action on the Alton Close issue.
General Comments
Cllr Adcock and myself, held our surgery of 2023 at Silverdale Methodists on 1st April 2023. This will continue until the library is back in action on Saturdays. I continued my duties as Governor at
Silverdale Primary, I met them W/B 9.3.23 to discuss recruiting pupils to ensure the school is at capacity for funding.
Community champions! I nominated 2 people as local heroes for the Community Champions Awards on 31.3.23 and I attended the Lord Mayor`s Charity ball that evening where the winners were announced. Although neither of my nominees were successful on this occasion, I aim to visit and speak to both these Community Champions to thank them.
Silverdale Health & Well Being day: I am organising this event outdoors in the summer and already have some interest from local groups. Pastor Jim from the Elim church has kindly allowed me to use the garden at Cornerstones Community Centre for this event which is scheduled for Wed 2nd Aug 2023.
Silverdale Labour: Spring newsletter has been printed and being distributed after the Easter weekend. Copy available in Silverdale Library.
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale
Cllr. Rupert Adcock report for Parish Council April 2023
Walleys Quarry
Data indicates that complaints and odours are down year on year but there are still spikes in odour. I have noticed the smell several times over the last few weeks and have reported on numerous occasions. At the Liaison committee the EA reported they want to remove MMF6 at the Fire Station due to it recording 0% data for many months. It has since recorded data above 0% for several of the past few weeks and I have submitted a question to the EA asking that they reconsider the decision given this new data. I asked for a public meeting for the EA to communicate its decisions and give residents chance to ask questions especially those who aren’t active online. I asked the EA to confirm if the criminal and regulatory investigations are still ongoing as we’ve had so few updates on them. They confirmed yes and I will continue to ask this question until we get answers which have taken too long already.
The latest Liaison Committee meeting video has finally been published.
Silverdale Athletic Club Car Park
Cllr. Brown and I attended Silverdale Athletic club and met Kim Graham from NULBC Property Services and Marko from SAFC. They are having issues with residents increasingly using their car park as a full-time parking space leaving them unable to have sufficient space for club users especially on match days or kids training sessions. After hearing their case about how they are maintaining the car park with their own expense, we supported their position for a barrier to be installed to be especially used at weekends when demand is highest. We also welcome that a new lease is set to be signed soon. We agreed to pass on the information to the Parish Council and think about how this can be communicated to residents.
Silverdale Sidings
Cllr. Brown and I had an update on Silverdale Sidings from Council officer Dan Dickenson and welcome the fact that joint legal action with the County Council against the developers is being pursued. The preparation for the case is ongoing.
Fly tipping, litter and waste bins
I have reported instances of fly tipping and litter in Silverdale. A waste bin is Parksite outside the shop has also been being misused and filled up leading to more litter. Lyndon Ryder from Streetscene has indicated that a new sticker has been placed on the bin and the situation will be monitored. If it is continued to be misused, then the bin will have to be removed.
Highways
I continue to get complaints from residents about potholes and encourage to report as much as possible. New money is being made available to councils for pothole repair but the immediate problem remains. I’ve reported the worsening potholes by the roundabout near the Bush pub for the fifth time stating that they have worsened and would expect a response within a week. I have also reported the developing potholes on Mill Street.
Bath Road development
Cllr. Brown and I hope to soon have a meeting with Aspire Head of development Graham Nolan to discuss the development and we are supporting the inclusion of a retail unit to retain the popular Parksite shop.