Minutes Parish Council Meeting 7th November 2024

Ward Councillor report to Silverdale P.C.                         Date of report   6. 11. 2024

Councillor: Jacqueline Brown              No of cases: 78 No resolved: 70 ongoing: 8

Walley`s Quarry. NULBC have now appointed lawyers to represent them in the legal action against the

operators. In the latest available data we can see increase in odour complaints to 311 during the period ending 27.10.24 up from 53 the previous period. The odour was very offensive during half term, a time when children and families should be enjoying autumn walks etc. Complaints continue about the high numbers of vehicles waiting to access the site early in the morning, causing congestion and tail backs. The matter had been reported to Staffs CC and I brought it up at my meeting with the PCSO.

Environment: I was pleased to get the driveway and surrounding area around St. Luke`s church free from

moss and slime. Thanks to Rob Carter and the bereavement team at NULBC who got it ready for us in time for Remembrance on Sunday 10^th November.

Year 4 of Silverdale Primary`Give Back` project starts on 11.11. 24. They will be having a tour of the library

and will then look through a selection of books. The aim is for them to write and illustrate some book reviews which we will display in the library, helping to showcase the library and its users.

Anti-social behaviour PCSO Neil Moffat informed me there had been vandalism at the Parade Park Pavillion this Monday evening. Whilst on patrol he came across criminal damage on the pavilion, the cage being ripped off and 2 of the windows smashed. We are also having complaints from Vale Pleasant about ASB from the park. We are meeting on 11.11.24 to go over the details and discuss prevention measures.

Neil has also been very helpful with a case of illegal parking on High st which was reported to me with

photographs including registration plate. This caused a wheel chair user to have to go into the road where he fell over. The gentleman concerned sustained minor injuries. Neil was able to visit the accident victim and take a statement. He then went and had words with the owner of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Neil does not have the authority to issue FPNs for this. However, town traffic enforcement officers can do this.

Planning & housing:

No Fault Eviction Notices I have had 2 cases of these on Parksite and I am grateful for the M.P.`s

assistance on this. I am pleased to report that the eviction notice on an elderly tenant of 56 years standing has been indefinitely withdrawn thanks to our intervention. I am currently helping another case on Bath Rd and after liaison with the letting agent we are making some progress. It seems that some landlords are worried about the Labour government`s new legislation on renting, including ending NFEs. This has motivated some of them to sell their portfolios before the law changes.

Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money    I have gathered together all my documents on this issue and as it

is nearly 18 months since I had a briefing on this from planning officers I am going to make a real concerted effort this month to get an update. This issue has been going on for almost a decade and it is very unsatisfactory. No progress on this issue.

Following the MP`s meeting with Siobhan Butters the lead officer at Aspire in September I have been

invited with other Labour councillors to a further meeting on 6^th Dec 2024. We will be able to discuss in more detail the points I raised in the October ward report. Also, following the increase in No fault eviction notices on Parksite I would like to ask about help for residents in uploading evidence for the banding assessments and also ask about a number of empty Aspire homes I have seen whilst delivering newsletters.

Events

 On 17.10.24 I attended a  Yr.3 Q&A on the role of the local councillor and also read the book `Our school

trip to parliament`. The children asked me questions like `What did you want to do when you grew up ?` and `What is the best bit about being a councillor?`. They were already quite knowledgeable about parliament as their friends in Yr. 6 had just visited done a visit there.

We had a good turn out at the Aspire community event on 1.11.24  at Cornerstones. The theme was Halloween and people of all ages came along to look at the stalls and activities. I was able to get information to use at my surgeries on warmer homes. My free book stall was very popular and it was good to catch up with many residents who are becoming old friends.

I will be attending the main Remembrance service and procession in town on Sunday 10^th Nov. Thank you

to RAF veteran Ian Moore will lay the wreath for Silverdale Labour at the St. Luke`s service.

Take a look at the events at the Brampton Museum. There are Remembrance events on Sun 10^th Nov and I will be attending a talk entitled `Have yourself a wild Xmas` on 28.11.24. It costs £5 and will have a British wild animal theme.

I held my ward surgery on Mon 4.11.24.  at Silverdale Library. Next surgery will be on Mon 2^nd Dec 12.301.30 usual venue.

Silverdale Labour have already hand delivered 1, 000 Autumn newsletters around the village, copy attached. We have 1, 700 to go!

Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale Page

Cllr R Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council November 2024

Walleys Quarry

Gas data has shown that the last few months have all been worse than the same months of 2023. This has followed a pattern of getting worse into the winter months. I have reported the odour several times and noticed it worsening. I have spoken to Cllr Tagg about the situation and we both expressed disappointment that the government has rejected calls for a public inquiry. Councillors had a confidential briefing last month about the progression of the council’s legal action against the operator and news was published last week that the council has appointed lawyers and the case is progressing with a court date pending. I was unable to attend the Liaison Committee due to parents evening at work but caught up on the proceedings. We continue to speculate on the reasons behind the directors’ resignations.

Highways

The county council has been in touch with me to let me know that the works on the High Street potholes which I reported in Summer have now been completed. This follows the repairs to Cemetery Road and Scot Hay Road I reported last month. I continue to report all potholes I notice in the village.

I together with Cllr Brown and the local PCSOs were contacted about on street parking affecting Silverdale Methodist Church. Neil Moffat is working with the church on this to try to solve the issue of blocked access.

Winter Fuel Payment

At last month’s Full Council Meeting councillors from both parties backed a motion calling for the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Allowance. I spoke quoting statistics that show this will affect 89% of Silverdale pensioners. The council leader and CEO have jointly written a letter to the government to urge them to reconsider given the impact on our most vulnerable pensioners.