Minutes Annual and Regular Parish Council Meeting 11th May 2023

2023 Minutes Uploaded on July 2, 2025

SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 11 May 2023 at 7.00pm at Silverdale Library

Present:

Chair – Mr H Adamczuk (HA)

Parish Cllrs –Cllr C Spence (CS), Cllr L Leighton (LL), Cllr C Jarrett (CJ), Cllr J Crabtree (JC), Cllr A Sutcliffe (AS), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM) and Cllr C Borough Cllr J Brown (JB),

Parish Clerk – Ms D Powell (DP)

One member of the public was present.

116/23	To nominate and elect the Chair and Vice Chair and to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. RESOLVED to appoint Cllr H Adamczuk as the Chair. RESOLVED to appoint Cllr A Sutcliffe as the Vice-Chair.
117/23	Public Participation: Chair *This item is on the agenda to allow the public to raise issues at the Parish Council* The period of time designated for public participation in accordance with standing order 2 f shall not exceed 10 minutes unless directed by the chairman of the meeting. Subject to standing order 2 g. a member of the public shall not speak for more than 2 minutes. A member of the public attended the meeting to inform the councillors of a potential business opportunity focused on children and young people and seeking ways of responding to problems of isolation in the community. The PC was asked about the possibility of using the Pavilion for this purpose. CS explained the current situation with the Pavilion which was in poor repair and ‘mothballed’ by the borough council, but parish council were hoping to jointly fund a repair scheme. The members of the public was preparing a future business proposal for the Councillors to consider and members looked forward to seeing the document and with a possibility for a partnership in the future.
118/23	To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk) Apologies were received from Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA) and Cllr M Melvin (MM).
119/23	To resolve that the minutes of the SPC meeting held on 20^th April 2023 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting (copy attached) *Please read these before the meeting as they will be taken as read.* RESOLVED to approve and the minutes were signed by the Chair.
120/22	Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda (Note member should notify Monitoring officer within 28 days if not already. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships) ALL to complete DPI forms and return electronically. None
121/23	Insurance Renewal with Zurich at a cost of £565.62 on a Long-Term Agreement – as circulated RESOLVED to approve.
122/23	To review the Model Standing Orders and Financial Regulations – as circulated RESOLVED to approve.
123/23	To nominate representatives for outside bodies including Walleys Quarry Liaison, Western Communities (Silverdale, Knutton and Cross Heath) LAP and Planning Committee (Borough Council) and Parish Council sub-committees, such as the Finance and Steering Sub-Committees It was RESOLVED for HA and CS to represent SPC at the Walleys Landfill Liaison Group with CJ as a substitute. It was RESOLVED for HA and CJ to represent SPC at Knutton and Cross Heath LAP. It was RESOLVED that HA, CM, LL, CJ and JC be members of the NDP Steering Group sub-committee. It was RESOLVED that HA, LL, CS, AS and DP be member of the Finance sub-committee. It was RESOLVED that HA, CM, CS and DP be members of the Planning sub-committee.
124/23	Feedback from residents and county councillor on the planning application process for the 16metre Mast in front of Silverdale WMC concluded in 2022. HA had prepared a letter regarding the installation of the mast. The graffiti had been removed. It was RESOLVED for HA to send the letter. Concerns regarding emergency vehicle access to the Working Mens’ club were discussed.
125/23	To approve comments for the following Planning Applications *(please click on the link to view* *BEFORE the meeting) and to approve delegated authority to deal with any urgent ones in between meetings in consultation with the Chair.* A PA was received on the day of the meeting and is to be discussed at the Planning sub-committee meeting and along with 2 other applications would be taken up by the Planning sub-committee.
126/23	To refer applications to the call-in protocol so the application is discussed at the Planning Committee and a vote taken on the decision rather than approved under delegated authority by the planning officer. This matter is to be discussed at the Planning sub-committee meeting.
127/23	To note the written update (to be circulated in advance) from the Borough Councillors – as circulated. In addition to the reports (pp.182-184), JB reported the following: a. A different date had been given regarding the Teams meeting for Aspire Housing’s Bath Road development. This was 24 May at 10am. b. The Legal Department at NBC are speaking to SCC solicitor regarding an update on a joint legal action relating to Silverdale Sidings. HA had included a statement in his report. c. The prospective Labour candidate for Parliament Adam Jogee, involved in the Walleys Quarry matter. A member of “Stop the Stink” campaign group had written a letter to Aaron Bell who had confirmed his support.
128/23	Finance a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B The latest bank statement had not been received. To follow. c. To note and approve the budget report 2023/24 – Appendix C RESOLVED to approve.
129/23	Year-end Accounts 2022/23 a. To note the outcome of the Internal Auditors report in relation to the Accounts year ending March 2023– See Appendix D Noted. b. To approve the Annual Return in relation to Section 1 for the Accounts year ending March 2023 – See Appendix D RESOLVED to approve. c. To approve the Annual Return in relation to Section 2 for the Accounts year ending March 2023 – See Appendix D RESOLVED to approve. AS thanked DP.
130/23	Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting update This matter was covered earlier in the meeting. b. Chair report on statutory investigation and information gathered during 2018-19 Ombusman’s Enquiry. The prospective Labour candidate is looking into the enquiry.
131/23	Neighbourhood Development Plan a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group and the fees part of the Neighbourhood Grant for 2023. The amount spent was £5,775 out of a total grant of £8,663. The remaining amount of the grant of £2,888 is to be repaid to Groundwork UK. b. To receive feedback on the consultation of residents held on 29 April 2023. Fifteen completed questionnaires had been received and the information collected would be analyzed with the workshop data gathered for the June meeting. Only Parksite and Silverdale had been leafletted within a week of the event and the low take-up reflected the late leafleting. Social media had ben the main source of dissemination for the event. c. To discuss the updates to the Policy Mapping document. Nothing further. d. To agree a further date for the 2nd Public Meeting and Workshops covering headings in the Policy Mapping Document. A second neighbourhood consultation meeting is to be scheduled for Saturday 1 July 2023 focusing on Keele Golf Course with the issue of the future of the former Keele Golf Course as an important item with the expected publication of the Draft Local Plan
132/23	For information only – Silverdale Gardens – Planning update regarding S106 This matter is included in the report from JB.
133/23	Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel a. Quotes for external lighting for the Miner’s Wheel This matter was rolled over.
134/23	Parish jobs referred to the contractor The location of new benches is to be decided by HA and CS.
135/23	Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor a. Borough Council Plan Update This is due on 23 May 2023. b. Save Our Green Space and Keele PC update No meetings had been held. c. Audley Parish Council Petition update A meeting is to be set up at Keele Village Hall. d. NULBC Urban Tree Planting Strategy 2023 Keele Golf Course HA had met with residents at Hulme Close and High Street Silverdale who were going to complain to the Chief Executive of NBC about the lack of consultation over planting and try to change the planting plan. e. Consultation with Planning at Silverdale Library June 2023 A Local Plan meeting is to be held at Silverdale Library on Thu 22 June 2023 from 4 -8pm.
136/23	Acres Allotments (no additional legal/site remediation/Knotweed costs) 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. Meeting to be held with HA, DP and Jackie Phillips. Negotiations are ongoing with the solicitor and a meeting is to be set up with Jackie Phillips. 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). d. To consider appointing a consultant regarding the remediation of waste in the legal agreement to represent the parish council’s interest. Not currently an issue.
137/23	To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Programme £2,000) No grant applications had been received.
138/23	GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder. Noted.
139/23	To consider a quote a. To install a new noticeboard at the library (note: may need permission from SCC/Highways). b. To receive an update on the New Horizons initiative for the special memorial sign for the noticeboard (AS). AS reported that good progress is being made on procurements lists. A cohort of young people living within 10 miles of Silverdale had been sourced. Artists and academics had been sourced. There would be a delay until the school holidays for a start to the scheme.
140/23	To consider purchasing benches for Silverdale Parish (The Parade, Bath Road, the Park, Parksite) This matter was discussed earlier and the location of new benches was covered.
141/23	Silverdale Athletic Club Car Parking changes No further update.
142/23	To receive an update on contact with NBC regarding use of the former Bowling Club Pavilion, including sharing the cost of the survey of the state of repair with the borough council An email is to be sent stating that half would be paid by SPC.
143/23	To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins and correspondence received Noted
144/23	Western Communities LAP and Knutton Master Plan Consultation update – (HA/CJ) No further update.
145/23	Highways matters (Standing item) None.
146/23	Community matters (Standing item) a. Silverdale Bus Transport: To receive an update on the potential of a bus subsidy to enhance the existing service. No update at present. b. Dog Litter Bins: Update regarding new and replacement bins and whether to scan Silverdale for dog litter signage. Two bins are in a terrible state and JC will send the details. c. To receive an update on the purchase of hanging baskets. CJ is to look into purchasing hanging baskets at the nursery farm in Leysett Lane. A hanging basket was to be provided at Silverdale Library as well as at Parade shops.
147/23	Emergency Plan Risk Assessment (HA) No further update.
	THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 9 June 2023 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include, 13 July 2023, 10 August 2023, 14 September 2023, 12 October 2023.

Appendices A, B and C can be found in the PDF version of the minutes

Silverdale Parish Council 11 May 2023

Chair’s Annual Report 2023

May 2023

1 Membership: Parish Council

In Jan 2023, Julie Crabtree joined Silverdale PC and has made her mark already, for example in supporting the green spaces assessment for our Neighbourhood Plan. There are 2 further vacancies yet to be filled.

2 External Contacts

From June 2022 two new ward councillors regularly attended our monthly meetings and update us on their activity with written reports. Parish Council members should know so much more about ward councillors’ activities and the wider policies in Newcastle under Lyme. There is a partnership in place reflecting a noticeable increase in dialogue at councillor level in relation to Silverdale.

A good outcome example is the joint legal action agreed by the borough council with County Council in an attempt to recover the Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money after questions from Jacqueline Brown.

Congratulations are due therefore to Rupert Adcock and Jacqueline Brown for taking up residents’ issues and in supporting the work of the parish council, particularly as they represent different political parties. The current county councillor does not attend PC meetings. Frequently Highways issues are reported and a voice at county is important for Silverdale in dealing with County issues such as road maintenance and flooding. We would wish for regular information to be made available and note recent attendance at the neighbourhood plan public meeting as a positive.

3 Outstanding at March 2022

3.1 The practical completion of the Mini-wheels Skatepark in Silverdale Park, built at a cost of £87,000 sourced from several funding agencies through the Western Communities Locality Action Partnership (LAP) with project management and design handled by officers of the Borough Council.

3.2 The independent review of the Miners Monument project and the five-year Management and

Maintenance Agreement with Newcastle Borough Council (NBC) were signed off by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The final payment of £7,280 was received. The Mining Monument was completed within budget and all additional costs absorbed for the unplanned but necessary re-fabrication of the colliery truck.

3.3 The installation of the interpretation panel and footpath extension at a cost of £540 for building work requested by NBC was also completed (funded by HLF grant).

3.4 The Tenancy at Will with NBC now gives Silverdale PC the right to produce a tenancy agreement for the Acres Allotments Association. In agreement with the local authority, the extension land is at last being prepared to support new plots. The parish council funded the cost of two skips on the basis that clearance would be carried out by volunteer members of the Acres Allotments Association. The appointment of a firm of solicitors was also approved by the PC to settle the tenancy agreement with the Acres Allotment.

3.5 The rescheduling of one-off repair and tidying requests to replace HomeWorks has started. There has been a considerable saving in costs compared with the financial year 2022/23.

4 Silverdale Parish Council Budget

Silverdale PC continues to operate fully on the lowest total precept of all Parish & Town Councils in the district.

2023/24’s Precept of £31,878 was a nil increase in line with the previous year 2022/23. The Net Balance of £65,408 at end March 2022 has increased substantially so there are several earmarked reserves that indicate priority projects for which funding has been allocated in the next year.

4.1 Parish Council Community Grants

Silverdale PC was happy to approve a Grant Application from Silverdale Methodist Church in November of 2022, and I would like to remind village community groups that they can apply to the Parish Council for grant funding of up to £2000.

5 Walley’s Quarry Landfill

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 2022 report was discussed last year. It provided evidence from the Environment Agency on the cumulative percentage of time that each monitoring station recorded hydrogen sulphide concentrations above WHO (30 minute) odour annoyance guideline level (7 μg/m3): MMF1 3% 14/04/2021 to 30/04/2022 MMF2 5% 05/03/2021 to 30/04/2022.

MMF6 3% 24/04/2021 to 30/04/2022 MMF9 17% 06/03/2021 to 30/04/2022

‘’At MMF9, the 24-hour average guideline value has been exceeded on two days at the beginning of the monitoring period: 7 and 8 March 2021, with 24-hour average concentrations of 163 μg/m3 (7 March 2021) and 202 μg/m3 (8 March 2021). No further exceedances have occurred to date, and subsequent 24-hour average values have been significantly below the WHO 24-hour average guideline value of 150 μg/m3.’’

The UKHSA report evidenced serious indications on the impact of high levels of pollutants on the local population and confirmed the science behind the massive level of complaints made in Silverdale and elsewhere in the borough over that year. However, this has changed. See below:

Date	3-9 April 23	10-16 April 23	17- 23 April 23	24-30 April 23
MMF1 Silverdale Cemetery	0.6	0.9	0.3	0.0
MMF2 Severn Trent Pumping Station Silverdale Rd	1.5	0.6	0.3	0.9
MMF6 Fire Station Silverdale Rd	0	0	0	0
MMF9 Galingale View	6.6	0	O.9	8.9

Weekly Odour Reports	45	64	101	278

Source: Environment Agency weekly Update hydrogen sulphide concentrations above WHO (30 minute) odour annoyance guideline level (7 μg/m3)

Table 1 – Environment Agency Weekly Report on Hydrogen Sulphide Concentrations in Ambient Air at new website from April. See References

The subsequent down-wind change has been noticeable and has been generally far less intense than the terrible aroma experienced in Spring 2022. The Environment Agency had pressed the operator to find better management solutions including sealing greater areas of the Quarry area with a plastic-based material in addition to temporary and permanent clay capping. A further series of wells were sunk and the gas management system active to destroy certain gases and retain methane as an energy source.

A significant development was the Abatement Notice (see 6 October 2022 Chair’s summary) which expired on 5 March 2023.

The latest Environment Agency report stated that the matter is improving but the number of complaints and the hydrogen sulphide levels continued to be high for Galingale View and far lower elsewhere. The chair had to speak out to oppose a plan to reduce the number of monitoring stations through de-commissioning MMF6 at the Fire Station.

It is still too early to remove the ring of strategic monitoring stations around the quarry, your Parish Councillors took the view it should remain, and the Environment Agency must stay vigilant. Thanks first to the Stop the Stink campaign, the legal action by Silverdale resident Rebecca Currie over her son’s health conditions, and the joint effort of all borough councillors in taking the operator to court and making the nuisance abatement order. Our Parish councillors who have reported conditions at the landfill site on many occasions played their role in that action. Will it be enough? The site has approval for 400,000 tons of waste per year for the remainder of the permit, with an end- date in 2026.

The reason behind the sudden and continued rise in hydrogen sulphide emissions from the quarry has not yet been established. The operator published a consultancy report that suggested the role of mine water was a critical factor. The Chair considers that the Environment Agency decision to increase the permitted tonnage from 240,000 to 400,000 per annum on 30 October 2020 was a plausible explanation that should be explored further with the Environment Agency/DEFRA.

6 Neighbourhood Plan

Last year £4,000 was earmarked from Reserves for 2022/23 to fund expenditure in preparation for consultation events across Silverdale. Much has been spent on projects (commissioning the drone survey, Staffs Wildlife Trust data and the Arbtech PEA survey at the Spring Pool) and on additional equipment and expenses for the consultation events. Unspent funds are automatically carried over to 2023/24.

The Steering Group of Chrissy Mrozicki, Celia Jarrett, Lee Leighton and I met regularly to settle policy issues following the substantial Locality Grant, administered by Groundworks. That capital grant was £8,663 and has been underspent by £2,552. The grant was specifically sought to fund Planning Consultant, Hannah Barter of Urban Vision Enterprises. During the summer I went on two outings with Hannah on a walking tour, accessing the mineral Line and the former Keele Golf Course areas to establish the extent of buffer zones. Hannah helped the Steering Group and parish councillors navigate through the Neighbourhood Plan process in Zoom sessions on policies and mapping, and the underspend has to be repaid to Groundworks.

Minutes and policy reports from Steering Group meetings were circulated to Parish Councillors. The task of keeping an up-to-date version of the Draft Neighbourhood Plan has been allocated to our Parish Clerk and Financial Officer, Debra Powell. The possibility and funding of feasibility and topographical studies on wetlands, marshlands, ponds and watercourses is still ongoing and searching hydrology studies had been carried out for historical mine shafting connections through Silverdale and the former Golf Course.

6.1 Neighbourhood Plan Public Meeting 29 April 2023

The drone video for Silverdale Neighbourhood Plan was shown at parish council meeting and got all thumbs up ready for 29 April. So, a special thank you from all to Chrissy for promoting that idea. Preparations were greatly aided thanks to Lee Leighton, including the Methodist Church venue with 3 screens and equipment for recording the proceedings.

There had been considerable activity in preparation for the first public Neighbourhood Plan meeting and the ambitious programme including 3 workshops was delivered. We hope to have more residents at future consultation events but would especially thank those who came along to the April 29^th session. I would like to thank Parish Councillor Chris Spence who produced posters, leaflets and the questionnaire at short notice. Chris’s designs can be adapted and re-used for future meetings and amount to our Silverdale style of neighbourhood presentation.

We are currently looking at Silverdale Park and the future of the pavilion, bowling green and tennis court. The Tennis court needs resurfacing, the bowling green is now disused and abandoned and neither are maintained properly by the Borough Council, so we will seek views on how best to make use of these facilities, given the success of the mini wheels/skatepark and existing facilities for children and youth. A break-in via an upper unglazed boarded window on 6 August indicated the vulnerability of the pavilion if left unused, and we are very keen to reinstate public toilets for Silverdale by bringing this building back into use and renovating the facilities to a modern standard. We feel this is particularly important for our many elderly and disabled residents, as well as those with young children, and would make the centre of the village more accessible to all.

6.2 Census result for Newcastle under Lyme (Office for National Statistics)

There has been a reduction from an expected 130,000 residents to 123,300 counted as at March 2021. This shows a 0.5% decline over ten years whereas most areas have increased, and the average increase for England was 6 per cent. Therefore, the Local Plan household projections based on 2014 projections and data do not stack up under closer scrutiny in our town. That does not mean they can be changed as the Government has stipulated it is the 2014 projection that should apply!

6.3 Local Plan and former Municipal Keele Golf Course Site (Looking forward to 2023/24)

The borough administration has gained a clear voting majority after municipal elections results last May. Progress on the Local Plan is likely to be steady and follow the programme set last October and one Silverdale ward councillor sits on the side of the current administration, with one on the opposition benches. At national level, there is opposition to changes in the planning system among constituencies with green belt sensitivity and high housing numbers. There is also a new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (2^nd stage at Lords in committee) and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2023 – this is the guidance for all local planning in England. There is also a general election next year, and any of these might have an impact on the emerging Local Plan.

The NBC timetable shows that the draft local plan will be produced on 23 May 2023, but the full documentation may take up to a year to go through NBC consultation procedures, which would take it up to third quarter 2024 when the local plan will go to the planning inspection.

NBC have made a call for brown field sites but the total size of brownfield land is c2,500 houses. Proposal for significant land supply release from the green belt and from rural areas will be required to meet the target of 7,000 new homes over 2020-40.

The Audley Parish Group protesting about the Local Plan impacting the green belt in their area and rallying support across Newcastle is a recent development. In taking a petition to require the council to rehearse the housing need numbers for Newcastle under Lyme this will expose the calculation of the housing numbers to scrutiny and allow us to make the case that 2014 projections are wildly divergent from the actual population and household numbers we see today.

Silverdale and partners at Keele Parish have several approaches to justifying no change to the green belt, and this partnership is now extended to Audley and the Facebook group Protect Audley Greenbelt. I attended a meeting at Audley where a presentation was given on protecting Audley PC green belt and followed up to exchange information with a parish councillor about working together to fight green belt proposals.

I attended the meeting called by Aaron Bell and made the point that a committee had been set up previously to bring together the parish councils in discussions with the borough council. He agreed to ask NBC Chief Executive Martin Hamilton to set this up.

Keele and Silverdale parishes will work closely together and join potential partners where there are mutually beneficial outcomes in the preservation of greenbelt land, and to effectively express out concerns for the impact of climate change on local biodiversity and ecological health, as well as questioning the overly high housing need numbers. I will report separately to Parish Councillors on the likely developments as the draft Local Plan emerges, and residents can see all updates via attending PC meetings or via the Minutes which are published on our website.

7 Planning and Staffordshire County Council

Your Parish Council objected to Walleys Quarry Ltd application in November 2022 to allow waste carrying vehicles to park on the internal haul road between 0600 and 0700 hrs Monday to Friday prior to start of operations, and we supported the application for designating as a Public Footpath the track from Hulme Close to the outer perimeter of Keele Golf Course in September. Our objections were heard but not accepted. The borough council supported the Walley’s Quarry application and contested the public footpath application. It is virtually impossible to change those without the support of the borough. Many lessons there.

8 NBC Planning Applications

Many Borough Council planning applications were commented on extensively and discussed at parish council and unfortunately it seems that often our views were not taken up by NBC Planning Officers.

An appeal at 106 Park Rd against refusal was a serious case of very poor development quality. Various decisions can now be utilised within the Design Quality of the Neighbourhood Plan Document so that once made, our Neighbourhood Plan policies will help to ensure a better built environment for all in Silverdale.

The mast in front of the Working Mens Club is an ongoing reminder that the planning system is not ours to control and is stacked in favour of developers and against local people unless ways can be found to respond to applications through extensive community campaigning. Perhaps there’s a specialist role for members of the parish council to actively connect with other campaigning groups and to utilise social media in the future so we learn from these experiences and do better in future.

8 Collaboration with Higher Horizons, Keele University

At Higher Horizons, Ant Sutcliffe has led the co-ordination of art and design support professionals to enable young people to develop their skills on a new project. We look forward to a purpose-built and fitting memorial at the Parade.

References

Environment Agency Weekly Report on Hydrogen Sulphide Concentrations in Ambient Air at new website from April. Environment Agency weekly Update; Table 1 https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/latest –news –1 Newcastle under Lyme (2023) Parish Council (Precept) Allocation https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-summary/9

Ward Councillor Reports

Ward Councillor report to Silverdale P.C. Date of report 8. 5. 2023

Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 39 No resolved: 28 ongoing: 11

Planning & housing: Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money I have requested an update from Dan Dickenson Head of Legal on progress of the joint legal action between NULBC & Staffs CC to recoup the money from the developers on 8.5.23 and will report any developments in the June report.

Bath Rd development: A date for the task group on this, which includes the borough ward councillors, PC Chair and Parksite resident has been suggested for 10.5.23 TBC. The task group is being organised by Megan Horn of Aspire. The need for the shop has been established. I will continue to liaise with the current leaseholder. The lease expires in August, and he wishes to continue once the development is completed.

Environment: No progress to report so far on in relation to a change of use to the untidy business premises on Cemetery Rd, I will seek an update from the landowner`s agent.

On 21.4.23 I attended the `Get into cycling event` at the Bramptons Museum. This is a really exciting project where cycling equipment will be loaned to residents on special cycling days and Silverdale will be one of the prime areas i.e. mineral line cycle route. Further details to follow.

16m 5G telecommunications Mast, High street. Obviously, residents are rightly very unhappy about this `eye sore` in the heart of our community. In my Nov 2022 report to the PC I included a discussion with a Pepper st resident concerned with the location of the mast. After communication with the Chair of SPC and reassuring her that the objection had been raised on 18.10.22. I followed this up by emailing my objections as ward councillor on 21.10.22 to Planning Consultation at NULBC and to the company in question. There is a general feeling in Silverdale, after the pit and the quarry, that this ward could be used as a `dumping ground` for this kind of industrial/commercial development.

Despite these objections, and an alternative site being suggested by the PC permission was granted by NULBC planning office. Paul Lejman, planning officer, emailed me on 3.5.23 about an `alleged breach of planning regulations` in relation to the mast and asked me to contact him if I had any questions. I telephoned him but he was unable to answer my questions and told me Anna Adams, planning officer, had made the decision and I should speak to her. I telephoned and left a message for her to contact me but as yet I have had no reply. The Chair of the PC has now drafted a letter of complaint in the strongest terms following an incident of graffiti on the ancillary boxes at the base of the mast.

Keele Golf Course: Planting of the 850 Lime trees to mark the anniversary of the royal borough charter went ahead on W/B 27.3.23. The leader of the council, Simon Tagg was photographed planting a tree in the Stoke Sentinel. Residents complained to me in the Hayfield Rd area about the amount of NULBC and contractor vehicles around the adjacent streets during this operation. The Chair of the PC also received complaints from residents who back on to the golf course in terms of the lack of consultation.

Walley`s Quarry The next meeting of the last W.Q. Liaison Committee will be on 22.6.23. I am hoping to attend. I have reported the odour twice since my last report including a particularly bad Saturday evening and another occasion whilst driving up through Clayton.

Streets & Highways:. Pot holes continue to be a difficulty. Cllr Huckfield informed me he is having difficulties getting the work done in Silverdale but he assured me that Sneyd Terrace is indeed next for resurfacing. Residents report they have never known Silverdale roads to be in such poor condition and it is very frustrating as a borough councillor not to be able to see any progress. I put in 2 further reports concerning a dangerous street sign at the Crescent and a broken tree branch resting on an electric cable on Moffat Ave. With the help of a resident the second case was resolved as an emergency by Staffs Highways, the former is still outstanding to my knowledge at time of report.

Waste & Litter One of the bowling green bins has now been relocated to Staveley Place. Residents are happy about this and report it is well used already. I have said `use it or lose it` as NULBC will be monitoring.

A resident in Madeley street asked me about the possibility of the Council fining people who leave their bins out all week, causing obstruction and a general nuisance to other residents. This is now happening in Stoke, as reported in The Sentinel and I have been in touch with Andrew Bird about NULBC taking up the same policy. This may be something I can ask about in full council.

National Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean Has now come to an end. Our final litter pick went from the Parksite shop to the Coppice Ave area but we will be continuing to organise litter picks over the summer.

A resident on Newcastle street reported litter from passing lorries and trucks. She offered to help in our next litter pick having seen Silverdale Labour posts. In the meantime, I saw the contractors organised by W.Q. LTD road sweeping that area and turning up Cemetery road. I also asked NULBC for details about the new state of the art Litter sweepers i.e. the rounds taken but have yet to have a reply.

Anti-social behaviour: No specific cases reported since the April report. However, it was clear at the PC consultation event on 29.3.23 that this is an issue for residents in the Parade Park area. Unfortunately, residents said it is not worth investing too much in the pavilion and park areas unless we can ensure facilities are `vandal proof`.

General Comments

The May Surgery on 6^th did not take place due to the Coronation. I attended the Elim Church on High Street to watch the event on the big screen and joined in activities with the children e.g. making crowns and flags.

I attended the PC neighbourhood plan consultation event on 29.3.23. I hope to have the notes taken in the Parade Park Facilities workshop typed by the time of the PC meeting.

From Jan-May has been a busy time helping Labour candidates standing in local elections in

Stoke, Stone, Stafford and Cheadle. On election day 4.5.23 I served as a polling agent in Meir, Stoke-onTrent. All our efforts were rewarded with a fantastic set of results for the party including the retaking of Stoke council. I learned a great deal about campaigning and the electoral process which will help me in my work in this ward.

Silverdale Health & Well Being day: I am organising this event outdoors in the summer and have had further interest from various partners. Pastor Jim from the Elim church has kindly allowed me to use the garden at Cornerstones Community Centre for this event which is scheduled for Wed 2^nd Aug 2023.

I will be on holiday 3-11^th June and so will be unable to hold the June surgery on the usual date.

New date to be confirmed. I will also be unavailable for the LAP meeting 7.6.21

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

Cllr. Rupert Adcock report for Parish Council May 2023

Walleys Quarry

I have been told by Aaron Bell that the EA are planning to hold a public drop in meeting in June for members of the public to discuss their actions on the site. This is something we had been asking them for. This will hopefully give opportunity for residents to express their experiences and ask questions in a more personal way than the online videos which have had a drop off in engagement. I await further news on this event. I submitted a question to the EA about MMF6 monitoring station and their justification for closing it down when it is still recording useful data. They told me they intend to make a video to address this soon and publish it on their website and Facebook.

I have been discussing with Simon Tagg about the state of the Council’s abatement notice and potential use of this going forward. Dog controls consultation

At Licensing and Public Protection Committee this week, we agreed to put out a consultation about extending the dog controls relating to fouling and restricting dog access to certain areas (e.g. fenced child playground) and having dogs on leads in some public parks (Silverdale Park, Underwood Park, Ilkley Place etc.). The current controls will expire in October unless they are extended or modified. We hope to get as many people as possible, dog owners and non-owners to respond.

Dog waste bin

Lyndon Ryder from the council has informed us that unfortunately Groundworks have not paid their invoice for two years so they dog waste bin at Butters Court will no longer be serviced. We cannot remove it as it is their property. Does anyone have a contact at Groundworks we can talk to about this before we get complaints about overflows?

Silverdale Neighbourhood Plan consultation event

It was great to attend the event on Saturday 29^th and hear the views of residents. Thanks to the Parish Council and Methodist Church for organising and hosting the event. In the workshop I attended, we came up with good ideas for the development of the Silverdale Park.

Highways

I spoke to Derrick Huckfield about the pothole issues we have been having and he’s assured me he has been in touch with Highways Staffordshire and they will be sorted out in the near future.

Underwood Road park

A resident contacted me about overgrowing trees and brambles on Underwood Road Park. Aspire own this site and I lodged a request for maintenance. They gave a quick response and sent a ground team to cut back the trees and someone is coming out this week to mow and trim the brambles.

Silverdale Sidings

We await a new update from Dan Dickenson about the legal case preparations. He is awaiting a response from the legal team and will feedback to us.