SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Thursday 5 June 2025
at 6.30 pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr S Doyle (SD), Cllr J Crabtree (JC), Cllr I Gould (IG), Cllr S Toon (ST), Cllr R Jones (RJ), Borough Cllr J Brown (JB, part), Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA, part), County Cllr M Nixon (MN, part)
Parish Clerk: Ms D Powell (DP)
In attendance: Two members of the public attended the meeting.
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135/25 |
Public Participation: A member of the public raised a serious concern regarding a House of Multiple Occupancy on May Street. The Combined Healthcare Authority are responsible for the overall quality of the provision. The Meeting discussed the matter and noted that this is a complex issue. JB requested support in echoing the concerns of the public. HA to write to the public bodies concerned. |
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136/25 |
To receive apologies The Meeting noted the resignation of Mr G Churton. The Meeting thanked Mr Churton for the service prior to resignation. |
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137/25 |
To resolve that the minutes of the Annual and Regular meeting held on 1 May 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting RESOLVED to approve. |
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138/25 |
To note the updates from the County and Borough Councillors Written reports from the Borough Councillors had been circulated. The reports are attached to the minutes. County Councillor Mark Nixon gave a verbal report: MN had been in touch with County Highways regarding parking and road safety issues and to request a risk assessment and traffic survey. MN to update the Meeting. MN, RA and JB left the Meeting at 7.22pm. |
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139/25 |
To review the Members’ Code of Conduct for consideration during meetings Councillors noted the Members’ Code of Conduct regarding Meetings. |
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140/25 |
Finance a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. b. To approve the Chair’s Allowance. RESOLVED to approve £300. c. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B. RESOLVED to approve. d. To note and approve the budget report – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. e. To review the financial position of SPC 2025/26 i. To review the agreed budget for 2025/26 ii. To note the financial position regarding the General Reserve iii. To review Earmarked Reserves. DP gave an update on the budget report and the current financial position relating to budgets and reserves. Councillors were asked to review the earmarked reserves for the next Meeting. |
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141/25 |
Year-end accounts 2024/25 a. To note the Internal Auditor Report 2024/25 and outcome of the Internal Audit for the Accounts year ending March 2025– Appendix D. The Meeting noted the outcome of the Internal Audit. HA congratulated DP on another successful Internal Audit report. b. To approve Section 1 Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 for the Accounts year ending March 2025 – Appendix D. RESOLVED to approve. c. To approve Section 2 Accounting Statements 2024/25 for the Accounts year ending March 2025 – Appendix D. RESOLVED to approve. d. To note the dates for the exercise of public rights. Noted that the exercise of public rights would begin during the next couple of weeks. |
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142/25 |
Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications
25/00239/FUL | Single-storey front extension to enlarge hallway, single-storey side extension to provide new kitchen/diner, utility, study and garage, garage conversion to provide additional bedroom and associated works. (Amended plans received). | Burwardsley 224A High Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LJ No objection 25/00336/FUL | Change of use from former conservative social club to 15 bed HMO (C4) | Conservative Club 154 Church Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6JH RESOLVED to object and for HA to prepare the comments.
25/00387/FUL | Retention of existing public house and erection of four two-bedroom dwellings and four three-bedroom dwellings (Use Class C3) forming access off Ashbourne Drive, with associated parking, hard and soft landscaping. | The Bush Inn High Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6JZ RESOLVED to object and for HA to prepare the comments. The Borough Councillors to request that the Planning Application is “called in” for discussion by the full Planning Committee. |
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143/25 |
To receive feedback from sub-committees a. Allotments Sub-committee i. To consider a legal quote (HA) The meeting discussed the latest legal quote. It was RESOLVED not to proceed with the legal advice and to leave the matter to the Chair and the Allotments Committee to review the documents. HA to ask NBC for the extended lease. HA had circulated a draft Allotments Committee Terms of Reference. ii. To discuss the Acre Allotment Lease signatures and consider Standing Orders (HA/ST/RJ). On hold until the lease is ready to be signed. b. Communication and Events Sub-committee i. To discuss the summer, afternoon tea and Christmas events 2025 (CM/JC) JC informed the meeting that the arrangements for the afternoon teas are in place. JC to purchase bingo prizes. RESOLVED not to proceed with a bouncy caste at the summer event for insurance reasons. CM asked ST to post events’ details on to Facebook and asked ST to prepare posters. CM to order high-viz jackets. ii. To receive full year costings for the above events (CM/JC) CM provided a full costing for the events which is currently set to exceed the budget. To be discussed at the next Meeting. iii. To discuss the newsletter (ST) ST asked councillors to send information for the newsletter. c. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee i. To discuss adult exercise equipment for the park (IG) No update ii. To discuss anti social behaviour at the Pavilion Silverdale Park (JC) The matter was discussed earlier on the agenda during the reports from the Borough Councillors. |
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144/25 |
To discuss a new email and website provider ST advised the Meeting that the set up of the email and website is moving forward with Netwise. The costs for the set up are £699 and then £440 per annum. The initial design of the website is going ahead. The Meeting discussed the domain name. RESOLVED to approve the domain name of Silverdalepc.staffs.gov.uk. |
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145/25 |
Community matters (Standing item) a. To discuss the railings around the bowling green Item to be removed from the agenda. b. To discuss the speed device maintenance and training HA to pass the speed device to RJ. The speed device needs calibrating. HA to contact SCC regarding training. |
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146/25 |
Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill (Standing item) Item covered earlier in Borough Councillor reports. |
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147/25 |
Neighbourhood Development Plan a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group HA had circulated the minutes from the last Steering Group Meeting. The Housing Needs figure has been requested from the NBC Planning Department. b. To receive feedback from the meeting with Urban Vision 4 June 2025 Urban Vision have started the process of writing the policy statements. HA to respond to the organization regarding the health check. A further meeting is arranged for in two weeks’ time to plan the input of the design code into the NDP. ST had prepared the NDP website and all documents have been uploaded. |
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148/25 |
Mining Monument and Miners Wheel (Standing item) Item to be removed from the agenda. |
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149/25 |
Parish jobs referred to the contractor (Standing item) Selected areas of the culvert had been cleared by the contractor. |
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150/25 |
Borough Local Plan a. Borough Council Plan Update Item covered earlier in the agenda. |
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151/25 |
To consider any grant applications (SPC Grants annual budget £2,500) No applications were received. |
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152/25 |
GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder HA had received fraudulent emails. This has been reported to Action Fraud, NatWest Bank and the IT Department at SCC. |
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153/25 |
To receive and update on flooding reports on the Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale No update. |
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154/25 |
To note the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association Bulletins and correspondence received As circulated. |
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155/25 |
Highways matters (Standing item) As discussed regarding planning applications.
Meeting closed at 8.55pm |
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THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 3 JULY 2025 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include 7 August 2025, 4 September 2025, 2 October 2025 |
Appendix A
Silverdale Parish Council
Payments Schedule June 2025
| DATE | REF/ Ch no | PAYEE | DESCRIPTION | NET £ | VAT £ | AMOUNT £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/06/2025 | 453 | Steve Hough | Cleaning of the culvert, removal and disposal of 3.5 tonnes of soil, jet washing Miners Wheel, check of brackets for the hanging baskets. | 937.50 | 0.00 | 937.50 |
| 05/06/2025 | 454 | Black Rose Solutions Limited | Internal audit fee and mileage | 137.83 | 27.57 | 165.40 |
| 05/06/2025 | 455 | Litter picker | Litter picking contract | 244.20 | 0.00 | 244.20 |
| 05/06/2025 | 456 | Payroll | June 2025 | 821.54 | 0.00 | 821.54 |
| 05/06/2025 | 457 | Staffordshire Pension Fund | Pension contributions May 2025 | 247.38 | 0.00 | 247.38 |
| 05/06/2025 | 458 | VAST | HMRC month 3 (including Employers NI) and payroll charges April to June 2025 | 124.90 | 5.00 | 129.90 |
| 05/06/2025 | 459 | Office expenses | Mileage, Zoom subscription, stationery | 47.99 | 2.60 | 50.59 |
| 05/06/2025 | DD | Information Commissioner’s Office | Data Protection Fee renewal | 52.00 | 0.00 | 52.00 |
| TOTAL | 2,613.34 | 35.17 | 2,648.51 |
Silverdale Parish Council
Receipts Schedule June 2025
| DATE | REF | PAYEE | DESCRIPTION | NET £ | VAT £ | AMOUNT £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/04/2025 | BGC | HMRC | VAT Reclaim | 2,845.96 | 0.00 | 2,845.96 |
Appendix B
See PDF version of minutes
Appendix C
Silverdale Parish Council Budget Report 2025/26
| EXPENDITURE | BUDGET | TOTAL | VARIANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll including PAYE, NI, and Pension | 13,600 | 3506 | -10,094 |
| Chair allowance | 250 | 0 | -250 |
| Contingency | 0 | -250 | |
| Expenses/Postage/Payroll charges/Room hire | 650 | 98 | -552 |
| Office Equip/Stationary/Printing | 600 | 108 | -492 |
| Subs/Ins/Fees/Audit Fees/Trg/DPO/Payroll costs/Room Hire/Legal fees | 1,200 | 1,624 | 424 |
| VAT (Cost neutral as reclaimed) | 0 | 88 | 88 |
| Total | 16,800 | 5,424 | -11,376 |
| Mining Project -see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Groundwork/NDP – see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Allotments | 2500 | 0 | -2500 |
| Comm Safety (match funding measures) inc speed measures | 500 | 0 | -500 |
| Entertainment & the Arts (eg Xmas parties, youth activities etc) | 1700 | 0 | -1700 |
| Highways (inc provision of Grit Bins £500, refill and culvert cleaning, | 1500 | -1500 | |
| Fencing De rusting Painting | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Litter collector/ranger/Community payback | 2,500 | 1,236 | -1,264 |
| Newsletter/Website/Publications | |||
| Asset additions (benches, dog waste bins and 2 x defibrillators) – see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets (maintenance & cleaning, new noticeboard (Library), Bus shelters) | 700 | 938 | 238 |
| Housing condition and heat loss survey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Powers and Duties | 11,900 | 2,223 | -9,677 |
| Flowers / Plants/ Wreaths /Litter picks/Hanging baskets | 500 | 0 | -500 |
| Grant applications | 2500 | 0 | -2500 |
| Total Grants | 3000 | 0 | -3000 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE (General running costs) | 31,700 | 7,648 | -24,052 |
Cllr Rupert Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council June 2025
Meeting with Cllr Nixon
I arranged a meeting between newly elected County Councillor Mark Nixon, Cllr. Brown, Henryk and myself. We discussed a range of issues where we can work together including finding grant funding for Silverdale Primary’s sensory garden project, the former Conservative Club plans and the ongoing Silverdale Sidings S106 case. We will continue to keep in contact about the priorities for Silverdale.
Former Conservative Club on Church Street
Residents have contacted me to share their concerns around this proposed HMO and I share them. We also discussed this in our councillor meeting. I wasn’t able to attend the meeting outside the club last weekend but I have submitted my objections to the council especially around the parking and traffic issues and supported residents in making their own objections.
Walleys Quarry
We welcome the reduction in odour seen recently and the update we had around the ongoing draining of leachate and capping works. There is welcome news that activist Rebecca Currie has been granted permission for a judicial review into failings of the EA regulator in handling Walleys Quarry. I will be seeking an update from the EA on the state of works and the funding plan.
Off Road Bikes
At next week’s Health, Wellbeing and Environment Committee I asked for a briefing from Police about anti-social behaviour especially off-road vehicle use on parks. I’ve had confirmation a representative for the Brough Police Commander will come to the meeting and take questions from councillors. We will be mentioning the persistent issue in Silverdale.
Meanwhile I have chased up Sustrans who have offered to come out and review the Hulme Close site and give advice about blocking access to bikes.
Litter Picking
I have recently acquired a load of litter pickers and bags, and I am arranging with the council for a litter pick in the one of the upcoming weekends (weather permitting!). If you would like to be involved, please let me know.
Parks task and Finish Group
On 30th June I am attending the next meeting of the Parks Task and Finish Group where we will be hearing more specifically about play equipment and maintenance and improvement plans. I will be looking into what the council can do about equipment for Ilkley Place and Silverdale Park.
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale Parish Council Date of report 1. 6. 25
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown, Silverdale ward. No of cases: 94 No resolved: 81 ongoing: 13
New County Councillor Cllr. Derrick Huckfield (Con) has now been replaced by Cllr. Mark Nixon (Reform UK) following the county elections. As borough councillors Cllr. Adcock and myself were keen to meet with him to discuss unresolved and current cases, to find out about CC funding streams and to understand his priorities for Silverdale. To this end we met with him and the Chair of the PC on 27.5.25 and had a productive meeting. I gave Cllr. Nixon list of 8 cases, involving Tier 3 functions ie highways, health and education. The Labour party is organising for selections for borough elections May 2026 which will go ahead, despite the Local Government reorganisation.
Silverdale Sidings The PC will know about this long standing case where Section 106 moneys due for the Silverdale Sidings development remain unpaid now for around a decade. I inherited this case on election and was very concerned that this money had been `written off` by NULBC as the developers had gone bust. I was reassured by the former Head of Legal Dan Dickenson that a joint legal action to recoup the money would be undertaken by Staffs CC and NULBC. However, when Mr. Dickenson left the authority and was replaced by Anthony Harold the issue went cold again. I have not given up and this week I got an email form Anthony Harold apologising for delays and saying he would be seeking a briefing from Rosie Silvester in his team, who was waiting for an update from Staffs CC, and would get back to me asap.
Walleys Quarry. Now that odour reports have reduced considerably and the EA appears to be running the site effectively, attention turns to the longer term maintenance: permanent capping and restoration of the site. If we look at the 10 recommendations from the WQ Inquiry Report September 2024 we need to ensure these are carried out. At some point the bond paid by the company will run out and the EA will no longer maintain the site. I have always thought it would be wrong to expect local tax payers to pick up the bill when they have had to endure the impact of this scandal. I am meeting with the MP on 3.6.25 and will be getting an update from him on the longer term situation.
Planning & housing: Many residents are extremely concerned about Planning Application 25/00336/FUL to use the former Conservative club on Church street as a 15 bed HMO. I submitted my objections on 23.5.25 and went to a meeting, organised by Cllr. Nixon, outside the club on 31.5.25. I gave those attending the details of how to object by email or post and let them know the deadline is the 6th June.
Farmers Bank Residents had contacted me about the impact of the decision to grant planning permission for 24/00008/FUL. At the time I had submitted objections including Loss of amenity i.e. parking. However, due to the original plan being modified i.e. addition of a turning circle and reducing development from 3 to 2 houses, considering objections it was passed. It now seems not all residents affected by this decision were consulted. The area is very `land locked` and an alternative parking scheme needs to be set up. I complained to planning officer Charles Winnet and was not very happy with his response so requested a meeting. I have passed this case on to Cllr. Nixon in relation to highways/parking
Regarding the single parent who is sleeping in her kitchen with 4 children upstairs in 2 small bedrooms who I advised to go through her existing provider Wrekin housing. She is unwilling to make herself voluntarily homeless and this is a problem I have come across a great deal. Because of this people put up with unsuitable accommodation in the social housing sector and/or give up and go into private rented accommodation which involves increased costs and insecurity.
Having escalated the case of the disabled resident who lives on Peebles Road to M.P. Adam Jogee the resident informed me he had scored 1-5 on an adapted property on Coppice Ave. This is a step in the right direction and I am waiting to see if he secures this property.
Environment A new case came in this week on Pepper st concerning the maintenance of a large hedge at the back of the houses which borders Underwood Road park. Aspire cuts the hedge and the grass but have now stopped cutting the hedge all the way down. It is now well over the 9 foot limit and so I have reported it to Aspire grounds maintenance team.
Local Plan The planning Inspectorate sat to examine NULBC`s Local Plan at Castle House and this will continue until the 26th June. A programme of sessions is available on the NULBC website and residents can attend virtually. The Chair of the PC made a full and thorough submission on behalf of the Parish Council. It will be interesting to see if the plan is passed or if substantial revisions will be required.
Care Home/Supported housing on May street We have had some progress on this case thanks to the hard work of residents in collecting and logging the evidence of disturbance and anti social behaviour in the area. We have found out the responsible authority is Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust. No record of a change of use from HMO to care home/supported housing has been found by officers or any license for such an establishment. Gillian Taylor the NULBC officer for Housing and Vulnerability is working hard to get a meeting with S.C.H.T. Jason Griffiths of NULBC Mobile Multi-Functional Team Leader Neighbourhood Delivery has provided a link to report noise pollution and I have distributed this to residents. Such reports will trigger an inspection by NULBCs environmental protection team. Overall, the residents and I are very concerned about this establishment in terms of both the safety and well being of residents and staff as well as the unsuitability of the location and level of disturbance in this residential area.
EnvironmentThe PC will know I am concerned about he lack of investment in the Parade Park by NULBC in comparison to other parks in the borough, particularly the tennis court. I will therefore continue to press for improvements at the Parks Task & Finish group which meets again on 30.6.25.
At the request of the PC I am following up their decision not to repair the lights in the Parade park. NULBC had told the PC that they thought the lights would not deter anti social behaviour. However, at a meeting on 8.4.25 PCSO Charlotte Lownes said she disagreed and the lights are very much needed. I want NULBC to be confirm this is a resources issue. I emailed officer Jayne Letts on 11.4.25 I so far have had no response, so I chased this up this week.
Council News:
Under 5`s story continues every Monday 1.30-2pm
Baby song & rhyme time has recommenced at 2.15 -2.45 every Monday.
NULBC full council meeting: 23.7.25
Planning Committee 17th June.
Surgeries first Monday every month (except Bank Holidays) 12.30 to 1.30 at Silverdale Library. Next surgery: 7th July
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.