Minutes Parish Council Meeting 10th August 2017

2017 Minutes Uploaded on July 12, 2025

SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on

Thursday 10th August 2017 at Silverdale Library, High Street, Silverdale at 6.30pm

Present:

Councillors: Mr. Henryk Adamczuk-Chair (HA), BCllr Chris Spence-part (CS), Mrs S. Durber (SD)), Mr Jan Siery (JS), Mr G Snell MP (GS).

County Councillor David Jones-part. (DJ)

Clerk – Mrs J. Simpson

Public Open Forum

There were two members of the public present from the Keele Parish side of Pepper Street. They were there to highlight the dangers of a development of 100 homes on the Hollywood Lane site at Pepper Street where there was a long standing underground fire. The site was not fenced off and therefore presented open access to anyoneespecially young people during the school vacation. The Parishioners understood that Keele Homes-the housing developers of the site-were planning to extinguish the underground fire prior to construction. However, a report commissioned years ago stated that the fire was best left alone to burn itself out. There was a danger if the land was opened up that the fire would increase in intensity. It was noted that there were 2 coal seams that ran from this area under Silverdale. The Parishioners also noted the issues with the land been used as landfill in the past and therefore toxic materials were likely to be present. The site was also close to Parksite estate and St Luke’s Primary School. Pepper Street was also too narrow to accommodate 2 lorries passing at the same time. The Chairman reiterated to the Parishioners that the issue had been discussed many times at both SPC and Keele Parish Council and that regular updates were received.

The Parishioners left 3 paper copies of geological report by Dr Bernard Besly, details of their more recent commission of Dr Susan Digges and the report by White Young Green (WYG engineering consultants).

The Chairman thanked them for their attendance and asked colleagues to read the papers and offer support to Keele Parish Council in ameliorating the environmental contamination and the fire hazard at Hollywood Lane. The developer’s ownership meant Keele Homes were responsible for securing the site. The Borough Council were pursuing Keele Homes for provision of perimeter fencing.

The meeting was bought to order at 6.50pm.

Min Ref Item Action

153/17	To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk). Mrs. Casey Scarlett (CAS), BCllr Mrs. Amelia Rout (AR), Mr. Peter Rout (PR) Mrs. S Snell (SS), Matt Melvin (MM) – Mrs. Clare Withington, Clerk
154/17	To resolve that the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12^th July 2017 are correct and for the Chair to sign (copy attached) It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true and accurate record.
155/17	To receive an update from the Borough Councillors and County Councillor (Please note this item was discussed after agenda item 159/17 when CS and DJ were present). Borough Councillors-discussion around Joint Local Plan is the major focus. Several Issues around bin collections and planning enforcement had also been tackled. CS had also had involvement with SCC highways-this is recorded in 166/17
156/17	To consider a quotation to clear weeds/shrubs and debris and making good the bank on the culvert behind Kinsey Street. A report had been received on 7 August from the SCC land drainage engineer stating the only action needed was to ensure the grid was regularly kept clear of debris, but it had been added to the list of schemes for further investigation. A quotation had been received from Mr. Hough to remove the 3 laurel trees, clear out the rubbish from the culvert, strim over hanging vegetation and remove recently tipped bricks and pieces of stone. The Parish Council has agreed to have 2 regular periods of clearing annually, in view of the likelihood of flooding during storms. It was RESOLVED to approve the order for work as outline above. HA also stated that the Borough Council’s Tree Officer had agreed to investigate the stability of two large sycamore trees in the rear garden of 25 Sneyd Terrace which would add to significant leaf fall over the culvert.

157/17

To approve comments for the following Planning Applications No applications had been received.

To agree the comments on the Joint Local Plan-Strategic Options Consultation Document.

It was agreed that HA and CS would formulate the response to the above consultation to include the following comments:

The higher end of the proposed number of houses to be built was felt to be too high and too fast a pace for development. The middle numbers should be agreed.

It was essential that the infrastructure was in place to support housing development e.g. Health and Education provision.

SPC would oppose incursion into the greenbelt and would oppose development on the Keele Golf site, preferring to see the area given over to leisure and nature development use.

It was RESOLVED to delegate the final response to NBC to HA and CS.

HA/CS

158/17

To receive an update on the Coalfield Regeneration Grant

The Chairman reported that the CRG was an unsuitable one for the erection of the Wheel and the Clerk was preparing an application to Red Industries.

Clerk

159/17

Site visit to Walleys Quarry

No complaints had been received recently. Offensive odour occurrences were “hit and miss.” However, there could be an opportunity for members of the public to attend. It was suggested that the matter be placed on the Facebook page and explain that it would be a first come first served basis. It was agreed that the Chairman approach the managers of the Quarry to agree the wording of the face book entry. It was further noted that the facility needed to be called “Red Landfill Industries” rather than Walleys Quarry.

160/17

Bridge at Scott Hay Road/Pepper Street.

A land registry search had been carried out by Staffordshire County Council but the results had not been communicated. HA to chase.

161/17

To consider further action in relation to the Community Governance Review for Ilkley Place and the creation of a new Parish Councillor for Parksite.

Clerk had contacted Steve Swain and was waiting for a reply.

Clerk

162/17

To note the latest with regards to the mini-roundabout design at Heritage Park with the County Councillors D. Jones in relation to the Divisional Highways Programme and a bid for Community Safety.

CS had been communicating with SCC Highways to draft a design to incorporate planters to reduce speed using a chicane. It was suggested that St. Luke’s school could be the lead community group for any future bidding purposes.

DJ had requested and acquired statistics from SCC. However, the flags on the system only recorded incidents where people were hospitalized. Local PCSO is to supply further police incident data to DJ.

163/17

Park Road Allotments-to consider requesting the Borough Council to include a Deed of Retification to the lease agreement to include clarity on the boundary maintenance responsibility.

It was RESOLVED that Silverdale Parish Council did not wish to take on the liability of maintaining the allotment boundary.

164/17

To consider purchasing and installing a bench near to the bus stop on Cemetery Road –

Cllr G Snell MP

Bus shelter owned by County Council and permission would be needed to install a bench.

It was noted that it was not in the best of conditions. DJ to enquire with CC if due for replacement and if so whether a bench could be included in the design.

165/17	To consider arrangements for Christmas 2017 The substantive discussion for this agenda item was deferred until the next meeting as AR had sent apologies. However, there was discussion that signage would be needed around the Christmas Tree once it was lit up. All electrical connections needed to be checked and CS offered to do a “dry run” in early November 2017.	Next agenda CS
166/17	To consider preparation for further cuts to Highways maintenance budgets. (Weed control and grass cutting) CS had contacted David Greatbach in Staffordshire County Council re what support may be available for grass cutting and weed control 2018-2019. It was noted that weed killing by SCC would reduce to twice yearly and cutting of grass verges would only be conducted where visibility was compromised and not for cosmetic reasons. If weed killing was to be carried out by volunteers then they had to hold the correct certification and insurance to do that. CS to make further enquiries and report back.	CS
167/17	To consider any further information regarding the underground fire site at Pepper Street. The last update had been circulated earlier in the week by the Clerk. The matter had also been discussed prior to the start of the meeting in the public open forum.
168/17	To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Programme £2000) No applications had been received.
169/17	To receive any reports from the Grants Sub-committee – Mr. H Adamczuk Included in error-this item would be removed from future agendas.
170/17	Miner’s Monument and the HLF bid –Brief for community engagement and update from the meeting with Sarah Bonham regarding the bid completion Despite assurances that a quote would be sent out, nothing had yet been received from Sarah Bonham-this to be chased by the clerk again.	Next agenda Clerk
171/17
	To receive an update on the Miners Wheel relocation project (following closure of voting at Tesco’s) and to agree a budget to enable the procurement of the installation works. To note the application submitted to the County Councillor fund County Councillor had approved £1000 application. If there was any money left after other applications there was the possibility of having this sum increased. The procurement of the installation works is still in progress. It was agreed to place a poll on the Facebook page. It was also agreed that the following people be approached for community support: Head teacher of St Luke’s School; Rev Brian Nixon from St Luke’s Church and Silverdale History Group. It was further agreed that GS would write to Paul Farrelly MP and Baroness Lynn Golding. GS
172/17	To consider items for a draft budget for 2018/19 and to note the budget update for 2017/18 A draft budget had been circulated by the Clerk for comments. It was agreed that the budget was a sensible one. However, it was noted that there may have to be changes made in the light of picking up grass cutting/weed killing when the full cuts of SCC maintenance budget are known. It was RESOLVED to note the budget update for 2017/18.
173/17	To note correspondence received:- See Appendix B A request for consultation had been received from NBC via e-mail re. New controls for dog owners under a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order. The e-mail correspondence had been received after the agenda had been issued. However, as the closing date for comments was prior to the next SPC meeting it was agreed to consider the proposals at this point. It was RESOLVED to fully support the additional controls as proposed by NBC Clerk
174/17	To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins received: – See Appendix C This was noted.
175/17	To approve the Payments schedule and note receipts, and budget update Appendix D
	RESOLVED that the following payments were approved:

CHQ No.	PAYMENTS	Gross
Bacs 030	C.Withington Clerk-Aug salary and expenses	511.48
Bacs 031	HMRC & NI Aug	120.20
Bacs 032	Staffordshire Pensions Aug	176.13
		807.81