SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 11 April 2024 at 6.30pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr J Avison (JA), Cllr J Crabtree (JC) Cllr C Bennett (CB), Cllr R Adcock (RA, part), Cllr J Brown (JB,part)
Parish Clerk – Ms D Powell (DP)
Three members of the public were present
| 86/24 | Public Participation:
A member of the public who is a professional performer attend the meeting at the request of JC to discuss activity events for children. JC to contact the performer. CM and CB to prepare an action plan for events. |
| 87/24 | To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk)
None |
| 88/24 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 7 March 2024 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting.
RESOLVED to approve |
| 89/24 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda
JC declared an interest in agenda item 90/24 |
| 90/24 | To consider co-option to councillor vacancies
RESOLVED to co-opt Karl Murphy and Ian Gould to two of the councillor vacancies. The Declarations of Acceptance of office were signed. CB left the meeting at 7.10pm. |
| 91/24 | To note the written update (to be circulated in advance) from the Borough Councillors In addition to the circulated report RA commented that a working group had been set up to deal with Walleys Quarry.
CM raised the matter of the bins being left out on Church Street Fixed penalty notices will be sent to those offenders for anti-social behaviour. There is a problem with vermin. In addition to the circulated report JA commented regarding the Walleys Quarry working group that a large piece of work had been carried out in 2021 and evidence had been passed to NBC from all concerned parties. |
| 92/24 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. To receive an update on the Spring newsletter and distribution. HA congratulated CB on the production of the very high quality newsletter. It will be prepared quarterly and circulated to all households in Silverdale. b. To receive an update on the afternoon tea events and to approve a budget. There will be a small charge to SPC for the hire of the room. The event will be free of charge to participants. RESOLVED to approve a budget of £300 to cater for 50 people on 16 and 17 July. c. To receive an update on Summer activity events for children. This matter was covered in the public participation item on the agenda. d. To discuss social media and communications. JA advised that a complaint had been received about the condition of the play equipment. The play equipment is to be painted in the Spring. Benches are being replaced. The contractor is to be asked to quote to paint the outer railings. NBC also to be asked about the painting of the railings and/or providing the paint. e. To receive an update on defibrillators. A funding application will be made when the funding stream reopens later in the year. The defibrillator outside the school may be installed outside the school gates making it more accessible. The Headteacher is looking into this. JB left the meeting at 7.50pm |
| 93/24 | 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.
RESOLVED to remove this item from the agenda. RA left the meeting at 8.05pm |
| 94/24 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications
24/00119/FUL | Proposed Detached Oak framed Garage / Carport | 193 High Street SilverdaleNewcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6JZ (newcastle-staffs.gov.uk) RESOLVED to object Update on the Bush Report and the proposed call in at Planning Committee on 23 April. Item rolled over.
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| 95/24
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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 budget report 2023/24 – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve |
| 96/24 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting New Teams Date 16 April at 5.30 Item rolled over. b. Review Nominations for Silverdale PC representatives for WQL in lieu of resignation of CJ. Item rolled over. c. Borough Council Action and Public Enquiry over role of Environment Agency. Item rolled over. |
| 97/24 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group. Item rolled over. |
| 98/24 | For information only – Silverdale Gardens – Planning update regarding S106.
Item rolled over. |
| 99/24 | Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel
a. Quotes for external lighting for the Miner’s Wheel. Item rolled over. |
| 100/24 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor.
Discussed earlier. |
| 101/24 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update. Item rolled over. |
| 102/24 | Acres Allotments (no additional legal/site remediation/Knotweed costs) Item rolled over.
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) |
| 103/24 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Programme £2,000) None |
| 104/24 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder. Item rolled over. |
| 105/24 | To receive an update on the noticeboard project
a. To receive an update on the Higher Horizons initiative for the noticeboard. Item rolled over. |
| 106/24 | 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).
Item rolled over. |
| 107/24 | To receive and update on flooding reports on the Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale. Item rolled over. |
| 108/24 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins and correspondence received. Item rolled over. |
| 109/24 | Western Communities LAP 3 April and Barrier Redesign on Mineral Line in Silverdale
Information had been circulated. RESOLVED to approve No 1 to remove the gate and RESOLVED to approve No5 to remove the small gate option 2. |
| 110/24 | Highways matters (Standing item)
a. S106 street lighting outstanding work at Silverdale Gardens, Station Road. Item rolled over. |
| 111/24 | To implement the maintenance agreement on the Mining Monument and obtaining a quote for the Mining Wheel from Plowden Smith.
Item rolled over. |
| 112/24 | Bonfiglios Garage site Cemetery Road update.
Item rolled over. |
| 113/24 | To note the next meeting of the Parish Assembly, Annual Meeting and Regular Meeting on 9 May 2024 at 6.00pm.
This was noted. |
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THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 9 May 2024 at 6.00pm To agree future dates to include, 13 June 2024, 11 July 2024, 8 August 2024 |
Apppendices A, B and C can be found in the PDF version of the minutes
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale Parish Council Date of report 9.4.2024
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 66 No resolved: 55 ongoing: 11
Walley`s Quarry. Walley`s Quarry. Following the suspension of the operating permit at WQ LTD by the Environment Agency a cross party task and finish group has been set up at NULBC. The group will be called the W.Q. inquiry working party and the first meeting is on 9.4.24. (Verbal update at PC meeting to follow.) I will be sitting on this group along with Cllrs Jones & Moss from Keele & Knutton. Unfortunately, the odour has been significant over the Easter period. The suspension was a step in the right direction, proving that the regulator can and will act which will have operational and financial implications for WQ LTD however we need to keep up the pressure. A briefing was given to councillors on 8.4.24 on the Quarry and was in two parts. The first section was given by Amanda Morgan who took us through data collected in January and February which showed that the company was in breach of the enforcement notice. The second part of the briefing was given by the Deputy C.E. and Anthony Harold and they focused on the legal options available to the Council. A paper setting out these options, plus a recommended course of action, will be published in advance of Full Council meeting 10.4.24. and the councillors will give this their consideration.
NULBC Emerging Local Plan The Labour group met 19th February to make a list of questions resulting from the views of residents, following the published consultation responses. We had invited a senior planning officer to brief us and answer any questions but none were available due to staff illness. We have agreed to form a sub group to meet with a senior officer and ask him/her to talk us through the site specific decisions plus answer questions we or residents may have. In the meantime, the leader has tasked us with researching issues such as school places, housing need and population changes in Newcastle and I have submitted research on changes in NUL from the 2011 to 2021 Census in terms of population, housing need, school & childcare places. 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.
Environment
Some progress has been made recently with the flooded walkway on the mineral line, first reported to me last summer. NULBC workmen under Barry Davis, engineer, diverted the stream of water away from the path to the right hand side by the railings along the old railway line. I look forward to an update from the PC Chair and councillors at the meeting.
The untidy business on Cemetery Road has seen some minor improvements. There are now solid steel fence panels along the perimeter, tall enough to mask most of the unsightly materials inside.
Although the business is still an eye sore this is a step in the right direction.
Planning & housing: Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money I still have not heard from Anthony Harold Head of Legal at NULBC since he said, back in Dec. he would get back to me when fully briefed on the issue. I therefore emailed him again before Easter and I am awaiting a reply.
Planning Application 24/00068/FUL This application, for 4×4 bedroom houses behind The Bush public house with access from Ashbourne Drive, will go before the NULBC planning committee 23.4.24. I emailed my comments to planning office on 3.4.24. These were centred on the following:
- Over development of the site
- Environmental Impact
- Risk to an on going business/community resource
- Local Housing need
The Chair of the PC will be speaking at the planning committee, and I will attend in the gallery.
I am pleased to report the land lady at The Bush will be staying on until May this year as the new tenants will not be available until then. This bodes well for the continuation of the public house as a going concern. Anti-social behaviour
Aspire and the PCSOs are now holding monthly drop ins at Silverdale Library. I attended on 19.3.24 and I was able to discuss cases of ASB with PCSO Neil Moffat. These include anti social
behaviour at a property in Church st and fears over the behaviour of young people using the park on the Heritage Park estate. Neil agreed to deal with the Church st case via the landlords, Salt box. We discussed the possibility of a residents meeting for Heritage Park residents. However, we decided it was better to do some door knocking after Easter in the early evening to gather information, reassure residents and problem solve solutions. The next drop in is Tues 30th April at 2pm, Silverdale library.
At my March surgery a former parish councillor contacted me about rock salt in a bin at Tregew Place and I reported this to the PC clerk. They had tried to report a street light that was not working to Staffs CC, so I helped them with this and it was dealt with. Finally, they were concerned about litter from the area around the fire station onwards into Silverdale. I reported this to Street scene who did a few extra road sweeps. Street scene are working with a business on Silverdale road which has a large open skip full of litter which blows into the neighbourhood. I will monitor improvements.
L.A.P A meeting took place on 3.4.24 and was well attended. Aspire sent 3 housing officers, 2 of which were the new officers for Knutton & Cross Heath. We discussed the way forward for the LAP which is the only remaining such organisation in NUL. We wish to ask the council what their role is in this and request that council officers are present and involved, if not on a permanent basis but on an as and when needed basis. Community Ownership Funding. For some time the PC and various community groups have been interested in bringing the Parade Pavilion back to life. I found out about some funding that may be used for this purpose. The fourth and final round of the government’
£15million Community Ownership Fund opened for applications on 25 March. The fund, which was opened last year to allow applications from local councils aims to support communities to take ownership of assets at risk of being lost and those already in community ownership but in need of essential renovations to be sustainable for the long-term benefit of the community. Local councils can bid for up to £2 million in capital funding and £50,000 in revenue to help protect local assets such as sports facilities, arts and music venues, museums and galleries, parks, pubs, post offices, and shops. The first window of the fourth round is open until 10 April, with the second window due to open in late May.
More information, including how to apply to the fund, is on the NALC website.
General Comments:
I attended an Easter bonnet parade at Silverdale primary on 21.3.24 There were some wonderful creations and I led some singing of Easter songs.
One of the good things about being a ward councillor is signposting worthy causes to available funding streams. Silverdale Primary`s Early years department are improving their outdoor area and were thrilled to receive funding for the PC for plants to brighten up the garden. With my help they have also applied to Ibstocks for a more substantial grant to set up a forest school`s area.
Toddler story sessions continue every Monday 1.45-2.15 at Silverdale Library.
Next surgery Tues 7th May 12.30-1.30 at Silverdale Library.
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale Page
Cllr Rupert Adcock Parish Council report April 2024
Walleys Quarry
Following lifting of the suspension notice odours have improved then worsened again in the most recent week. Councillors maintain the view that only closure will suffice after so many permit breaches and impacts on people’s health. Independent analysis from Dr Mick Salt is showing a likely health impact on residents from long term exposure to H2S. I have asked officers to inquire of the EA why the historical gas emissions data has not been released yet after many deadlines have been missed and ask if there is a legal reason why this has not been released.
I wrote to Walleys Quarry asking for info about the next Walleys Quarry Liaison Committee which was delayed by them last month. It has now been set for 16th April and we will be asking a range of questions to the operator and the EA.
I have had feedback from Aaron Bell who met with the new head of EA operations Sarah Chare in Newcastle. They reiterated that all options remain on the table and a criminal investigation is ongoing. The recent prosecution of the waste criminals at Bonnie Braes Farm in Staffordshire gives us some hope that one day people will be held accountable for any criminal waste dumping.
On Monday night Councillors are expecting an update from officers on steps the council will be taking soon to address the impact of Walleys Quarry. Will update Parish Council verbally on Thursday.
Walleys Quarry Inquiry
On Tuesday night will be the first meeting of the Walleys Quarry inquiry committee. In it we will be deciding who to co-opt onto the committee, who to invite to submit evidence to the inquiry, public participation arrangements and when it will take place. Will update Parish Council further on Thursday.
Development of houses behind The Bush
I have been speaking with Debbie Hulme, the assigned officer for this case, and passed on some of the concerns in the report by Henryk. She agreed to my call in request and it will be put on the planning committee’s agenda for their next meeting on 23rd April providing officers have completed all their preparation before then.
A couple of local residents have also been in touch with me voicing their concerns around this development which I have passed on to officers.
Knutton Quarry Liaison Committee (Ibstock Brick Ltd)
We have had two submissions this month for community funding from Ibstock which the committee are approving. First, from The Good Life Hub in Silverdale which had £270 to fund a children’s mental health event on 2nd April at Cornerstones. Also from Silverdale Primary for £4000 to help develop a Forest School area.
Silverdale Greenway Barrier redesign
Following our walks along the route with Sustrans they have submitted proposals for either barrier widening or the removal of gates to increase accessibility onto the Greenway. I have given feedback supporting the trialling the widening of the adjustable barriers at some sites and studying the benefits.
Ilkley Place Park equipment proposals
Would like to make some comments in the meeting on the proposals.