SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 14 December 2023 at 6.30pm at Silverdale Library
Present:
Chair – Mr H Adamczuk (HA)
Parish Cllrs –Cllr C Jarrett (CJ), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr J Avison (JA), Cllr C Bennett (CB), Cllr J Crabtree (JC) Cllr R Adcock (RA, part)
Parish Clerk – Ms D Powell (DP)
One member of the public was present
| 347/23 | Public Participation
A member of the public attended the meeting to ask SPC to consider paying for the electricity to illuminate St Luke’s Church. SPC agreed to contact SPCA to get advice as Parish Councils are not legally permitted to provide funding to church buildings. |
| 348/23 | To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk)
Apologies were received from Cllr Brown. |
| 349/23 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 9th November 2023 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting
RESOLVED to approve. |
| 350/23 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda – None |
| 351/23 | To note the written update (to be circulated in advance) from the Borough Councillors
Two Borough Councillor reports are attached at Appendix D. In addition, RA reported the following: Sustrans gave a presentation at the last LAP meeting to show how many access points will be changed. The Committee did not support the removal of the access point at Station Road. Sustrans are to attend the next meeting of SPC. Rubbish bins are being misused and NBC will now try to identify the culprits. There is a commitment to residents at Parksite to keep the Parksite retail unit on site after development. RA left the meeting at 7pm. |
| 352/23 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. Silverdale Bus Transport: To receive an update on the potential of a bus subsidy to enhance the existing service. No update. There is a meeting of the Town Board on 21 December at which the bus service will be discussed. b. To receive feedback on the Christmas Lights, switch-on event. The Christmas event was very successful with 150-200 people attending the Christmas Lights Switch-on. The use of social media to advertise the switch on resulted in a large community event and colleagues were thanked for their contribution. Next year’s Christmas event was agreed for 6 December 2024. SPC to consider buying a new top light for the Christmas tree as the previous one had been removed in the lights upgrade. |
| 353/23 | To receive an update on the purchase and installation of the final two pieces of outdoor exercise equipment at the Ilkley Place play area, completing the upgrade which was started using the energy saving scheme funding.
Western Communities LAP had agreed to apply for funding next year with SPC contributing 10% match funding. Maintenance would be the responsibility of NBC, as the funding would come through the borough council rather than the parish council. |
| 354/23 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications
23/00174/FUL | Proposed construction of 2no detached dwellings (AMENDED PLAN RECEIVED) | Land Adj 125 Park Road Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LP (newcastle-staffs.gov.uk) HA had written a report. RA and JB to be asked to “call-in” the planning application. HA, JA and CM to attend the Planning Committee meeting. 23/00883/FUL | Single storey rear extension | 30 Sneyd Terrace Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6JT (newcastle-staffs.gov.uk) SPC supports the points raised by Environmental Health and are concerned about disturbance caused by traffic and parking issues. Comments to be registered. 23/00880/FUL | Demolition of existing side garage and erection of single storey side extension. | 45 Victoria Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6PP (newcastle-staffs.gov.uk) No objection. |
| 355/23 | Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. The meeting noted the transfer of £30,000 from the reserve to the current bank account. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B. RESOLVED to approve. c. To note and approve the budget report 2023/24 – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. d. The Finance sub-committee to arrange to review the 2023/24 budget and the 2024/25 budget. The Finance sub-committee is to meet before the next PC meeting. |
| 356/23 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting 6th December 2023 update The next meeting is taking place on 19 December. There had been no further information after 5 October when the Environment Agency issued a statement that the monitoring stations had been ‘under recording values of hydrogen sulphide by two thirds to one half lower than actual’. Borough Council Cabinet on 5 December had agreed to write to the Prime Minister calling for a public enquiry regarding Environment Agency’s failures. HA had raised a Freedom of Information requesting information on how much material had already been deposited over 2019-23. Some of the information had been received and further information was required to complete the picture. |
| 357/23 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To report on informal meeting between Chairs and Vice-chairs of Silverdale and Keele Parish Councils HA had circulated the minutes of a meeting with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Silverdale and Keele Parish Councils. KPC supported the issues raised by SPC. The ponds and woodlands are to be catalogued and a report to be carried out in the Spring relating to the amphibians. It is yet to be decided which ponds will be included and permission would be required from NBC. HA raised the matter of producing an ecology report on Keele Golf Course and then move onto a County Park and Green Space report. RESOLVED to commission an ecology report in the Spring. RESOLVED to produce a Spring newsletter. HA to investigate the hydrology and geology survey and report back to the next meeting. It was noted that the underground streams at Park Lane had been missed off the Homes England maps and reports as only surface features were included. Two ponds were not fully identified in the topographical survey. b. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group. To be arranged. c. To discuss the next Public Meeting and Workshops covering headings in the Policy Mapping Document. To be arranged. |
| 358/23 | For information only – Silverdale Gardens – Planning update regarding S106
No further update. |
| 359/23 | Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel
a. Quotes for external lighting for the Miner’s Wheel HA to contact the lighting contractor used previously for the Christmas lights. |
| 360/23 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor
Nothing further at present. |
| 361/23 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update. Awaiting responses to the consultation. b. Save Our Green Space update. No meeting had taken place. c. Protect Audley Parish Greenbelt/Green Belt Alliance update. No-one is available to Chair the meetings and the Green Belt Alliance had not progressed. Protect Audley Green Belt meetings were being organized as previously. |
| 362/23 | Acres Allotments (no additional legal/site remediation/Knotweed costs)
a. To receive an update on the tenancy at will agreement. b. To receive an update on the appointment of Knights solicitors and negotiations over the tenancy with Acre Allotments involving the borough council and the condition of the land at the first extension of the 2015 lease c. 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) d. To consider appointing a consultant regarding the remediation of waste in the legal agreement to represent the parish council’s interest A fresh tenancy at will had been signed with NBC. A tenure agreement with Acre Allotments is to follow on giving a firm legal basis for all the new allotment plots. |
| 363/23 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Programme £2,000)
To consider a grant application from Silverdale Methodist Church RESOLVED to approve a grant application of £373.32 for Silverdale Methodist Church and to include grant applications in the newsletter for other organizations to apply. |
| 364/23 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder. None. |
| 365/23 | To receive an update on the noticeboard project
a. To receive an update on the Higher Horizons initiative for the noticeboard The project is to start in January 2024. |
| 366/23 | To receive an update on the purchase of benches for The Parade and Silverdale Park. To consider purchasing benches for Silverdale Parish (Bath Road and Parksite)
Parade benches had been completed. To follow up benches at Silverdale Park the borough council needed to respond and at Parksite a local survey was required to test locations with residents. |
| 367/23 | Flooding reports Acres Allotments and Park Road Allotments and Daleview Drive from 20 October
2023 and Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale No update. NBC are to address the flooding at Dale View Drive and Park Road Allotments. HA to visit the site including plot holders at Park Road Allotments.. |
| 368/23 | To receive an update on contact with NBC regarding use of the former Bowling Club Pavilion, including sharing the cost of the survey of the state of repair with the borough council
No update. |
| 369/23 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins and correspondence received. Noted. |
| 370/23 | Western Communities LAP 6 December and Knutton Master Plan Consultation update
It was agreed to progress funding for the outdoor play equipment at Ilkley Place as part of the Town Deal. A survey of the use of the bus stop in Silverdale Parage has shown high usage. |
| 371/23 | Highways matters (Standing item) None |
| 372/23 | To implement the maintenance agreement on the Mining Monument and obtaining a quote for the Mining Wheel from Plowden Smith
A price to recoat the monument is required from Plowden Smith. |
| 373/23 | New Benches/Dedications
HA to speak to the family concerned. |
| 374/23 | Apple Scam update
This matter has been resolved after attempts to refund vouchers via the Post Office and then Apple had not been fruitful. |
| 375/23 | Bonfiglios Garage site Cemetery Road update
A response had been received from Environment Agency. Officers had visited and determined that no permit conditions were being flouted. However Chair noted there was a change in the law coming in to force in 2024 and that could change the position. Chair would raise the matter at Walleys Quarry Liaison meeting. |
| 376/23 | Silverdale Greenway – Sustrans/Dept of Transport Barrier Redesign Project
Sustrans are to attend the next meeting of SPC. |
| 377/23 | To consider the 20’s Plenty project
CJ had been in contact with the national organizer. Signage would cost £11,000. For traffic calming SCC would require £27,000 based on a pro rata calculation. Changing the speed limit is a large task. SPC would require a survey and capital funding. 20s Plenty was reaffirmed in principle for part of Silverdale, subject to funding |
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THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 11 January 2024, at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include, 8 February 2024, 14 March 2024, 11 April 2024 |
Appendices A to C – See the PDF version of the minutes
Appendix D
Cllr. Rupert Adcock report for Parish Council December 2023
Walleys Quarry,
Recently, I attended a Staffordshire County Council Health Committee meeting on the topic on Walleys Quarry and the miscalculation of the gas data. Unfortunately, the Environment Agency declined to attend the meeting but we did get a chance to question the UK Health Security Agency. The EA is currently in the process of recalculating the historical data to see if it can be corrected with sufficient accuracy, it will then be subject to an independent review, the result of which is expected around January. There is a risk that this data will be deemed too unclear to be useful however. Members of the committee all expressed concern and disappointment at these developments. The UKHSA committed to updating its risk assessments once new data is released and is exploring redoing a survey undertaken last year of public health in the Quarry’s surrounding areas by analysing GP data, hospitalisations etc.
In the meantime, Walleys has been found to have another CAT 2 breach by failing to have adequate capping and more CAT
3 and 4 permit breaches. The subject was raised at PMQs recently and on BBC Daily Politics Midlands. Speaking to Aaron Bell MP, he has met with the new environment minister who we hope to secure a visit from in the new year. He has also shown me a letter he has written to the EA expressing frustration with lack of actions and calling for a result to the regulatory investigations and will publish the reply when received.
I have reported the smell several times in the last few weeks and the data shows big spikes in H2S and complaints which is unacceptable after so much time and regulatory oversight, I have spoken to Cllr. Tagg and council officer Nester Barker about our options with the abatement notice. We also await to see if the site complied with its latest 12th December deadline for adequate capping. I will be raising some of these issues in the Walleys Quarry Liaison Committee later this month.
Greenway
Cllr. Brown, Henryk and myself had a meeting with Sustrans about the potential removal or adjustment of barriers on the greenway to meet requirement of the 2010 Equality Act. After discussion about the ASB concerns we have, we agreed to explore ways of consulting on potential solutions.
Misuse of waste bins
A few months ago, we lost a bin on Bath Road as the council removed it due to repeated misuse by a resident overfilling with domestic waste. Then recently we received an email from the council officer that the dog waste bin on Ilkley Place was under the same threat of removal due to misuse, a warning sticker has been placed on the bin. also noticed a similar warning sticker on a waste bin on Abbey Street last week. Cllr. Brown and I both expressed concern over this approach and wrote a letter to be distributed on Ilkley Place directly to residents warning of the risk of bin removal. I spoke to Cabinet member Cllr. Hutchinson about this and he agreed to speak to the officers and try to find a solution to avoid bin removals. I await a detailed reply on this. Cllr. Brown also raised this issue in the latest Health, Wellbeing and Environment Committee.
Tree planting and maintenance
At committee we has a presentation about the councils Net Zero strategy and tree planting efforts as part of this. However there have been concerns raised by residents about how these trees will be maintained. I asked this question at Full Council and Cllr. Hutchinson will be sending to councillors the newly created Tree and Biodiversity Management Plan for the Borough which will coordinate how these trees will be maintained. This will be discussed at next Health Wellbeing and Environment Committee in February.
Ward Councillor report to Branch: Silverdale Ward Date of report 11 .12. 2023
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 56 No resolved: 47 ongoing: 9
Walley`s Quarry. A special meeting of the Health Committee of Staffs CC took place on Mon 13th November. The subject was the quarry and I was invited as a ward councillor. The committee were angry that the E.A. did not attend this meeting or send a report and therefore questions could not be asked of them. The UK Health Security Agency HSA did attend. It is their job to hold the EA to account. We were informed that the
Secretary of state for the environment Therese Coffee had refused a public enquiry. Since then, she had left the
Environment office and had been replaced by Stephen Barclay. At the NULBC full council meeting 22.11.23 the Labour group put in a motion to `admonish the secretary of state for Environment from failing to hold a public enquiry and repeated the request for an enquiry`. This Motion was passed unanimously.
On 3.12.23 MP Aaron Bell said on BBC Politics Midland that the EA were not using powers they had to
address the situation and that Red Industries should be prosecuted.
Planning & housing: Local Plan Update
At the full council meeting on 22.11.23 the Council leader, Simon Tagg, gave an update on the L.P.on
p.4.of his statement. Over 1,200 responses were received via the various consultation methods. These are currently being analysed by officers before a report is submitted to cabinet & scrutiny in the new year. Full council will be asked to support the final draft after further public consultation. The final plan will be submitted for Planning Inspectors evaluation before the end of 2024. Questions were asked about feedback to the public and Cllr. Fear said there would be the same `suite` of consultation measures.
Bath Rd Development. I attended a planning committee meeting on 14.11.23. A presentation from Aspire covered the following. Plans have been drawn up for 12×2 bed houses and 1 X2 bed flat with a ground floor retail unit. The plans also have provision for 13 X 2 bed houses if it becomes clear there will be no tenant for the retail unit. Aspire stated they were very clear on the community `voice` in terms of needing access to a shop. I argued strongly for the shop after Cllr. Fear said that empty shops attract vandalism i.e., Parksite left behind community, very little infrastructure left. After I had put across my points Cllr. Fear said he was glad there were the two options. The Chair of the PC is also concerned that that when the time come for the new lease to be paid the cost could be prohibitive to the existing tenant or any new tenant. Questions were asked about moving the bus stop. Plans are to move the bus stop to down the road to the car park, although care would have to be taken in terms of positioning i.e. cars entering/leaving the car park. A new bus shelter should be provided.
Questions asked about the loss of the trees and green space in front of the shops. ie. For the parking at
front of houses to go in this would have to be looked at. I said this could be dealt with by sensitive landscaping and agreed that on the drive/walk up to the shops at present it is nice to see the greenery. However, I argued this was not my top priority, that would be the social housing and the shop. I asked about the internal layout and Aspire officers said they had listened to feedback from the PC chair i.e. location of downstairs toilet off bathroom and it is now relocated.
Questions asked about the back of the shops, position on bin stores. A google earth shot showed an old
turning circle, now overgrown. It was agreed that that site went back further than one would think. Overall, this development is much needed and very positive for Parksite.
St.Luke`s Close On 14.11.23 I attended a Planning committee meeting where a presentation from Aspire took place The Architects are Pozzoni Architecture and the development is Aspire owned.
There will be a total of 43 dwellings, a mixture of 3 story apartments and houses. Apartments are 1 & 2
bedrooms and will have lifts. These will be for mixed, for general needs tenants and some over 55s (taken from current waiting list)
Aspire aware of the nearby conservation areas and were trying to keep the look of the buildings in line
with this e.g. colour and look of facades. They had to be aware of existing trees and an underground water course. Some trees had to be removed for the scheme. The car parking is 73% so I asked about demarcation. Houses would have their own space but apartments would be on a first come first served basis with any left over for visitors. Separate bin stores would be provided for each block. Questions were asked about the site boundaries, existing walls and hedges used and metal railings put in so there is a boundary all the way around.
The presentation showed a very pleasant environment i.e. views of St. Lukes church created for this development.
Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money: The new Head of Legal is Anthony Harold. I emailed Rachel Kileen
on 15.10.23 for ask if he had been briefed on the joint legal action to recoup the outstanding section106 money form the two development companies. To date I have had no reply.
Julie Avison from the PC has been in touch about several issues on The Sidings, including lighting & drainage. I walked the site with her on 27.9.23. I have now reported the car port that we suspect has been erected without planning permission to Rachel Kileen and I am still waiting for an update. Although Julie has written and spoken to County Councillor D. Huckfield we are no nearer sorting out the lighting and car parking demarcation problems. Since then, I have emailed Rachel again to ask what is happening. It continues to be a very frustrating situation which was discussed at the KKST branch meeting in regard to the residents` legal position and the threat of their liability. Environment:
The case of the large conifer tree causing damage at Halfway Place has been resolved. The strip of land owned by NULBC on the mineral line did not include the area where this tree is located. As the tree is therefore on unregistered land I visited the owner and went through the options in terms of removing the tree, following legal advice.
Although the troublesome tree at Victoria Court has been felled so far Aspire have not undertaken any of the security measures agreed. However, I received an update on 6.12.23 from Nicola Mc Millan who said that she was waiting for a quote on the security lighting and the fencing/railings and she would let me know when the work is finalised.
There is also a new case of overcrowding at Malvern Ave in Parksite. I asked Aspire for advice on this and they confirmed there is a real shortage of 3 bed houses. Unfortunately, the property in question is not an Aspire house so they could not contact the tenant directly. However, housing officer Nicula Mc Millan gave me some advice in relation to written evidence and asked me to contact the borough councils housing advice line.
Hopefully the case on Stretton road is nearing conclusion after Sanctuary Housing agreed to bring in a surveyor and a joint visit is planned with myself and the relevant housing officer on 12.12.23.
I am still chasing up the request for the tennis court to be resurfaced with both Andrew Arnott and Darren Green. I asked that this be added to the `work programme` at the H, W.B. & Environment committee meeting which took place on 27.11.23.
At the same committee I asked senior officer Andrew Bird if it was the policy of NULBC to remove street bins if they were misused by individual residents. This followed 2 cases on Parksite. He said no such policy exists. Cllr. Adcock and I took action in leafleting the residents on Ilkley Place after officer Lyndon Ryder said there were not enough resources for NULBC to do so. This officer had said that the bin would be removed if household waste was found in the dog waste bin cited there.
A meeting was held between myself and the Chair of the PC and Cat Watton from Staffs CC on 8.11.23 on Silverdale Greenways routes regarding barriers and disability access. She and fellow Staffs CC officers wish to ensure green spaces are accessible for those residents with mobility issues. Although we applaud this aim we are concerned about these routes being accessed by unauthorised motor vehicles. There has been repeated incidents of this in Silverdale, causing misery to local residents. Cat also attended the LAP on 6.12.23 with a representative from Staffs CC `Get into walking & cycling`. A video was shown on the success of these type of projects in Liverpool. Cat is keen to move things forward due to funding deadlines. LAP members were able to aks questions and some concerns were raised about ASB. The Chair asked if CCTV cameras would be provided etc. I was concerned that the project would only be `half funded` and the security measures necessary would not be forth coming. We are hoping that compromises can be reached.
Streets & Highways:
Major resurfacing work undertaken by Staffs CC in centre of Silverdale Mill st & High st repairing pot holes, some removal of crumbling bumps in Mill st & the bush mini roundabout potholes repaired. This work appears to be ongoing.
Progress has been made on the Parksite veteran`s case. D&G buses have said they will bring their disability access policy in line with Centra Bus group. I shared the news with the resident concerned and gave him copies of all paper work. He has made the decision to acquire and use an electric wheelchair. However, the adoption of a consistent policy on mobility scooters will help many other people.
A resident came to my surgery on 4.12.23 to complain about the state of the pavement on large stretches of the High st. I went on a walk with him and took pictures. I then emailed NULBC to ask who would deal with this as pavements are not highways i.e. Staffs CC. At time of writing, I await advice.
Anti-social behaviour
A meeting took place at Silverdale library on 1.11.23 between staff, volunteers and PCSO Neil Moffat to discuss the anti social behaviour presented by a few individuals in the library. Clear procedures are in place to deal with this. Sad to report the damage following vandalism at Silverdale AC which happened Sun 29-Mon30th Oct approx. 6K damage done to fences and goal posts reported in Sentinel. Police were appealing for witnesses or CCTV evidence.
Residents have reported the lights are out at the Parade Park. As it is dark as early as 4pm we are concerned this will increase anti social behaviour. We have established the lights are the responsibility of NULBC so Michelle Hopper has given me the name of the officer to report them to.
Since then I have submitted an online report requesting the lights are restored to working order.
General Comments: I held my surgeries on Mondays: 2nd Oct, 6th Nov & 4th Dec 2023 12.30-1.30 in Silverdale Library. The next one will be Mon 8th Jan.. Toddler story sessions have continued and Reception children from Silverdale primary have enjoyed stories from our Autumn author of the month: Shirley Hughes. They are now having Christmas stories.
Despite advertising on FB we did not have any babies for the later baby rhyme time session so I have displayed posters on the library & PC notice board to advertise this.
I attended the Remembrance Service at St. Luke`s church Silverdale on 12.11.23 laying a wreath from Silverdale Labour Party.
Anti bullying week took place in November and I went to Silverdale Primary and led a discussion on `What is bullying` and `What to do if you are bullied` with Reception children. I used my own resources and a book called `Ben & the bully` from Silverdale Library.
A brilliant Christmas Lights switch on was enjoyed by crowds of people on Fri 1st Dec. Despite sub zero temperatures the event was a great success, organised by Silverdale Parish Council.
On Mon 4th Dec Reception pupils form Silverdale Primary sang Christmas songs to senior residents in the library and gave them mince pies. The Chair of the PC presented children with `Silverdale Memories of the Mines`by Stephen Seabridge which the school were very pleased with.
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.