Minutes Parish Council Meeting 12th December 2024

Ward Councillor report to Silverdale P.C.           Date of report   1. 12. 2024

Councillor: Jacqueline Brown              No of cases: 84 No resolved: 76 ongoing: 8

Walley`s Quarry. The whole community celebrated on 28.11.24 when the Environment Agency finally served a closure notice on W.Q.LTD.  From today, 29.11.24, the site cannot accept waste. This is a real victory for the residents and our MP Adam Jogee who made the closure of the site his no 1 priority. W.Q.LTD have said they will appeal the closure notice and dispute the fact that this is a poorly managed site, however the facts speak for themselves. The closure received a great deal of media attention and was featured on local and regional TV, radio and news outlets. NULBC put out a statement saying they were pleased that the EA had acted by issuing the closure notice and would update us on the proposed legal action in the light of this development.

Local Plan.  As I reported in October many residents had asked me if it was `worth` submitting responses on the LP consultation as they were concerned these would not be listened to. Labour councillors were able to ask questions of the Portfolio holder, Cllr. Andrew Fear, at full council on 20.11.24. Cllr. Fear said that every comment would be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate. He could not confirm how long the assessment of the plan would take, or indeed how much it would cost. Cllr. Lewis asked about the number of submissions made and the email acknowledgements from NULBC as there seemed to be some inconsistencies. Cllr. Fear confirmed that the comments submitted would be grouped into `themes` e.g. flooding/drainage, loss of habitat, housing density etc. Cllr. Gorton asked if any of these `themes` or indeed any comments would result in a revision of the plan. Cllr. Fear said the plan would be revised if any `material concerns` had been identified. He went on to say that as yet, no material concerns had been identified by officers.

Environment: Ever since my election I have had stakeholders asking me about the future of the Parade Pavilion. As it is a council building on council land a decision needs to be made as it is a magnet for vandalism and other anti social behaviour. To this end, I raised the issue at the Health Well Being & Environment Committee on 25.11.24 see here You Tube from 28.38

Agenda for Health, Wellbeing & Environment Scrutiny Committee on Monday, 25th November, 2024, 7.00 pm – Newcastle–under–Lyme Borough Council

Andrew Bird confirmed there are no plans, or indeed money for the pavilion. I put myself forward for a `task & finish` group to look at NULBC Park provision making the point that realistically any such group needs to look at funding streams, particularly in relation to the upkeep of the building. I also made the point that Silverdale PC has spent a lot of money on the park and at present it seems like `one way traffic` with no input from the council.

Andrew said he would take the issues I raised back to officers and the portfolio holder.

I am very pleased to report that the fly tipping at the side of Baxter Croft, on land owned by Homes England, has finally been removed. This situation went on for over a year and took many emails and phone calls. Interestingly, in the case of the trees causing damage, reported by the same resident, I was able to get a resolution quicky once I had established the trees were on NULBC land. The fly tipping, although just yards away, was on H.E. land. This case alone highlights the difficulties on new estates when the whole estate is not adopted by the council.

However, I am pleased our persistence got results.

Anti-social behaviour. I met with PCSO Neil Moffat on 11.11.24 to go over the details of recently reported cases in Vale Pleasant and on the Parade Pavilion and discuss prevention measures. Poor lighting and lack of CCTV camera coverage are a barrier to enforcement in these areas. There is also a case of illegal parking on Droitwich Close which Neil and I are working on. This involves the turning circle being compromised by the parking of residents, particularly at evenings and weekends. I have reported this to Staffs CC highways and encouraged the residents to contact Cllr. Huckfield. There is also an ongoing case of selfish and thoughtless parking outside Silverdale Methodist church that my fellow councillor and Neil have been made aware of. Neil has given advice and in both these cases his presence on the ground will be welcome to talk to those involved.

Planning & housing: No Fault Eviction Notices. I had a face to face meeting with the letting agent for these cases on 6.11.24. In both cases no rental agreement/contract had been provided and the letting agent promised he would contact the landlord to provide these. I chased this up on W/B25.11.24 and he tells me the situation has not changed. Obviously, it will be difficult for the landlord to apply the eviction procedures involved in an assured short hold tenancy if no such tenancy is actually documented. In the meantime, I negotiated an extension for the second case into April. This at least gives time for the tenants` application for various benefits and their banding assessment to be processed. The whole situation is very unsatisfactory.

I am helping a disabled resident who lives on Peebles Road get more suitable accommodation. In doing so I have learned more about the relationship between Newcastle housing and Aspire/other social landlords and I have been provided with the official Allocations Policy. The bottom line is there are just not enough 3 bed houses, particularly ones which have already been adapted. The houses on Peebles Rd are just not suitable due to the high gradient of steps in and out of the properties.

The much awaited meeting between the Labour group and Aspire senior management is due to take place early in Jan 2025.

The final Planning Committee of 2024 will take place on 3.12.24. At this committee the Bath Road development will be on the agenda and the Chair of Silverdale PC will be speaking. Any increase in social housing in my ward is very welcome. However, I will listen carefully to the debate in relation to the size and layout of the properties and the lack of a retail unit, which the community very much wanted to be included, and will base my decision on the balance of these considerations.

We heard this week that the committee`s decision not to permit the Bush development, 4×4 bed houses behind the public house on High st, has been appealed and the PC and others will have to resubmit their objections and/or speak at the appeal General Comments

A flurry of cases have come in in the last month taking my total to 84. These mainly relate to housing, parking and Anti social behaviour.

My next surgery will be on Monday 2^nd Dec 12.30-1.30 at Silverdale Library. The MP has expressed an interest in holding a joint surgery going forward and I will update you in the new year.

Under 5`s storytime continues every Monday up to and including 16.12.24. (see event below)

I am pleased to report that I have been selected as the County Council candidate for Newcastle South for the May2025 local elections. I wish to reassure members and residents that I aim to continue as ward councillor for Silverdale. I feel like we are just starting to see the results of a lot of hard work.

Events

I am looking forward to attending a range of seasonal events including the Mayor`s Carol service at Madeley church 8.12.24 and Christmas dinner at St. Luke`s Primary school on 11.12.24

Mince Pies & Carols at Silverdale Library.  On Mon 16^th Dec the Reception class form Silverdale Primary will be singing Christmas songs in Silverdale Library from 1.30-2pm. Please come along and join us for a drink and a mince pie.

Silverdale Christmas Lights This will take place at the Parade on Friday 6^th Dec from 6.30pm. The Parade car park will be closed under special event license and I will be one of the car park marshalls. The Parish Council have organised the following: the shops will be open, Silverdale Methodist`s brass band and local school choirs. There will also be stalls & a special visitor giving out gifts to any child who attends! The lights will be switched on by local celebrity Andrew Van Buren.

Silverdale Labour have already hand delivered 1, 500 Autumn/Winter newsletters around the village. I have also provided a paperless copy on my FB page.

Can you help? I have a large bag of daffodil bulbs donated by NULBC. I did not receive them until November and the cold snap has caught us out. These now need urgently to be planted so if anyone can take some for community use please let me know. I will be planting some on Parksite so if anyone wants to join our small band of gardeners please let me know!

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

Cllr Rupert Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council Dec 24

Walleys Quarry

At full council on 20th November, I spoke about the worsening pollution and data over the last few months and how the operator and the EA had failed to proactively manage this. Councillors also had a confidential update on the council’s legal case and its progression.

The closure notice is a great victory for all who campaigned for it for years. I am working with Cllr Tagg and my colleagues on the Liaison Committee to see how the capping off and restoration of the site will be managed and scrutinised in the months and years to come. Walleys sent out an update to members last week complaining about the EA directives relating to creating ‘bench’ platforms to enable more gas collection infrastructure to take place. It is clear they will resist the closure notice and have already appealed it, leading to the cancellation of the EA public meeting. We have sent questions to the EA this week to clarify what inert materials they will be allowed to accept and what disturbance there will be to the already tipped material.

Silverdale methodist church parking issues

After multiple parking issues reported to us by Lee, I have reported the access blocking issues to the County Council. We have also worked with PCSO Neil Moffat to monitor repeat offenders. I have been researching the issue and given the kerbs on Earl Street are lowered and the security gates and stairs to access the church extend to the pavement I have recommended to the church I have put in a request to the county council for yellow lines in front of their gates citing accessibility concerns. I have a case number and await a response from the County Council.

Animal welfare charter

Following an RSPCA campaign raised with me by Silverdale residents, I proposed a motion in council in January to ban the giving of live pets as prizes on council land and encourage the government to ban it nationally.

Following extensive work, I was pleased to propose the council’s new Animal Welfare Charter at the last meeting which passed unanimously, and I have informed the Silverdale residents who originally raised the issue of our work. I am working with Cllr. Hutchinson to promote this in schools and do some outreach work to make local children aware of our animal welfare campaign.

Parks Task and Finish Group

At the last Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee I proposed we set up a ‘Task and Finish’ group to look specifically at play park equipment in the borough. This will involve an audit of what already exists, scrutinising maintenance schedules, coming up with play equipment proposals for the future and exploring potential sources of funding. Silverdale play parks will come under this review. Once arrangements are finalised, I will have more information on how the Parish Council could be involved.

Silverdale Athletic Centre lease

After many emails to the council’s legal team over the past few weeks asking about the extension of the lease at the Club (which had been delayed for a significant time), we have finally made progress, and they have let me know that the lease arrangement is now being finalised. I have informed Marko Djukic of this positive outcome.