SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 11 January 2024 at 6.30pm at Silverdale Library
Present:
Chair – Cllr H Adamczuk (HA)
Parish Cllrs –Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr J Avison (JA), Cllr J Crabtree (JC) Cllr J Brown (JB) Parish Clerk – Ms D Powell (DP)
Four members of Sustrans were present
| 1/24 | Public Participation:
Four members of Sustrans were present. Ms Cat Watton provided a short presentation to the Parish Council. Sustrans is a UK Cycling and Walking charity and are custodians of the National Cycle Network. The presentation by Ms Watton is included at page 263/4 of the minutes. In addition, JC reported the problems with access for those using e-bikes and mobility scooters. CM reported issues around anti-social behaviour and the illegal use of motorbikes on the Mineral Line. |
| 2/24 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr C Jarrett, Cllr C Bennett and Cllr R Adcock. |
| 3/24 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 14th December 2023 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting
RESOLVED to approve the minutes with a minor adjustment. |
| 4/24 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda
None |
| 5/24 | To note the written update (to be circulated in advance) from the Borough Councillors
Borough Councillor reports had been circulated and are attached at Appendix D. In addition, JB reported the following. The number of cases had increased to fifty-eight. The Labour Group meeting will look at the Cabinet Papers containing the Draft Local Plan responses. Regarding the draft Local Plan, JB drew attention to: • The methods of submission were mainly individual emails, followed by letters. • Page 227 the Former Keele Golf Course. Page 241 regarding sites at Glenwood Close, Cheddar Drive and page 250 the former playground. The large floodlights are not working on The Parade. This had been reported BY JB and CM. Concerns and comments had been raised by JB regarding Polling Stations. The Brightons was included on the list as a Polling Station. However, the Brightons had been demolished. This Polling station will be replaced by the football club premises, Silverdale Athletic in Kent’s Lane. JB to follow up on the reduction in the numbers of Polling Stations. |
| 6/24 | 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. b. Update on response from SPCA regarding whether SPC can contribute towards the nighttime illumination costs of St Luke’s Church. No update. |
| 7/24 | To receive an update on the purchase and installation of the final two pieces of outdoor exercise equipment at the Ilkley Place play area, completing the upgrade which was started using the energy saving scheme funding.
This is to be discussed at the next LAP meeting on 7 February 2024. |
| 8/24 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications
23/00971/COUNOT | Conversion of betting shop into dwellinghouse. The front shop windowwill be exchanged for a double–glazed double window to match the existing windows in theproperty providing daylight and privacy to the dwelling. | 55 High Street SilverdaleNewcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LY (newcastle–staffs.gov.uk) No objection Outcome of Call in for 23/00174/FUL (AMMENDED PLAN RECEIVED Adj 125 Park Road Silverdale Newcastle under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LP. A call in had been requested where the planning application is debated by the full Planning Committee and not left to officer discretion. HA had written to the Chief Executive and a Planning Officer had replied informing SPC that the call in was out of time. The rule was that a 21 day period started applied, starting from when the planning application was verified. The policy on calling in planning applications had been established in the exchange of emails so the parish council would be in a better position to recommend a call in for the future. |
| 9/24
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Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B. RESOLVED to approve. c. To note and approve the budget report 2023/24 – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. d. To receive feedback from the Finance sub-committee to arrange to review the 2023/24 budget and the 2024/25 budget. The current year and next year’s budgets were discussed. It was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s hours. e. To approve the Budget 2024/25. RESOLVED to approve. f. To approve the Precept 2024/25. It was RESOLVED to approve the Precept in line with assuming Council Tax is to increase by 1.99% and request a Precept of £31,372 from the Borough Council. It was RESOLVED for the Clerk to submit the Precept paperwork to Newcastle Borough Council |
| 10/24 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting 19 December The minutes of the liaison meeting are to be circulated. The Environment Agency issued a statement last October admitting their monitoring stations had been under-recording values of hydrogen sulphide emissions by one half to two thirds lower than actual but had not finalized the figures relating to emissions over the period when the sensors were not working properly. The matter would come up in Cabinet and would include how to handle any health impacts. A report from the Health Executive had also been discussed with the Environment Agency. The odour had worsened in November and December partly due to a change in the weather. Complaints had increased above 100 per day to the Environment Agency. The next Liaison meeting is in three months’ time. A request for a judicial enquiry had been made by the borough council to the prime minister relating to the work of the Environment Agency. HA hoped this would be dealt with quickly. The Environment Agency were pursuing a legal action for alleged illegal waste activities and details were published on their web site. |
| 11/24 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group. Information is being collected for the next meeting of the Steering group. There had been changes due to flooding in Daleview Drive and Park Road Allotments. An engineer from NBC is developing a scheme to stop the flooding. HA to write a report on Keele Golf Course. A hydrology report is being considered to understand more about the ponds and water courses on Keele Golf Course. |
| 12/24 | For information only – Silverdale Gardens – Planning update regarding S106
No update regarding the S106 monies. Streetlights were still not working and a car port, built on a parking space without apparent planning approval had not been followed up. Residents have concerns about the car parking demarcation lines. |
| 13/24 | Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel
a. Quotes for external lighting for the Miner’s Wheel No update. |
| 14/24 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor
A quote had been received to repaint the railings around Silverdale Park and the railings around the play equipment (£1300) and a quote to repaint the play equipment had also been received (£2000). DP to ask NBC to supply the paint. A quote had been received to remove the old benches in Silverdale Park and install foundations for new benches at a cost of £450 per bench. All eight benches are to be removed. Six benches are to be replaced inside Silverdale Park and the two by the Pavilion will be decided on once the future of the Pavilion is clear. DP to speak to NBC about the broken swings. It was RESOLVED to accept the quotes. It was RESOLVED to install plaques on the benches. |
| 15/24 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update This matter was covered earlier in the meeting. See item reference 5/24. |
| 16/24 | 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 c. To agree in principle that if the Borough Council clears the waste material on the council’s land beyond lane four 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 No update. Awaiting the redraft of the agreement with Acres Allotments. |
| 17/24 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grant Programme £2,000) None received. |
| 18/24 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder – None |
| 19/24 | To receive an update on the noticeboard project
a. To receive an update on the Higher Horizons initiative for the noticeboard In progress. |
| 20/24 | To receive an update on the purchase of benches for The Parade and Silverdale Park. To consider purchasing benches for Silverdale Parish (Bath Road and Parksite)
This matter was discussed earlier. See reference 14/24. |
| 21/24 | Flooding reports Acres Allotments and Park Road Allotments and Daleview Drive from 20 October 2023 and Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet SilverdaleThis matter was covered at item reference 11/24. |
| 22/24 | 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
HA had emailed NBC again regarding the survey. JB to investigate whether there is funding for the survey. |
| 23/24 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Assoc Bulletins and correspondence received – Noted. |
| 24/24 | Western Communities LAP and Town Board 21 December (Knutton Master Plan Consultation update
HA reported that a presentation given at the Town Board for community internet connectivity does not directly affect Silverdale. However, public libraries and schools were not included in the proposals and this was raised at the meeting. To be followed up. |
| 25/24 | Highways matters (Standing item) – None |
| 26/24 | To implement the maintenance agreement on the Mining Monument and obtaining a quote for the Mining Wheel from Plowden Smith
An update will follow in the Spring. HA to follow up. |
| 27/24 | New Benches/Dedications
HA to contact the family concerned. Dedications on benches to be included in the newsletter. |
| 28/24 | Bonfiglios Garage site Cemetery Road update – No update |
| 29/24 | To discuss the Spring newsletter – To be discussed at the next meeting. |
| 30/24 | To approve changing the date of the March 2024 meeting (Thursday 7 March).
RESOLVED to change the date of the meeting. |
| THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON
8 February 2024 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include, 7th March 2024, 11th April 2024, 9th May 2024 |
Appendices A, B and C are in the PDF version of the minutes.
Ward Councillor report to Branch: Silverdale Ward Date of report 9 .1. 2024
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 57 No resolved: 48 ongoing: 9
Walley`s Quarry. I visited Garner`s Gaden Centre on 22.12.23 and the odour from the quarry was bad
again. As I reported in Nov, at full council meeting 22.11.23 the Labour group put in a motion to `admonish the secretary of state for Environment from failing to hold a public enquiry and repeated the request for an enquiry`. This motion was passed unanimously. The Labour PPC Adam Jogee would like to see a statutory inquiry into the situation at the quarry and his agent and I are due to meet for discussions. The input of the PC Chair would be appreciated as he has such a sound and comprehensive knowledge of this issue.
At the Licensing and Public protection committee meeting on 12.12.23 I was able to ask officer Darren Walker questions in relation to air quality in NULBC.
- How does the quarry affect overall air quality?
- How is NULBC doing compared to other areas in Staffordshire in terms of air quality?
Darren gave detailed answers. He said in previous years they had looked at how emissions from the
quarry affected `prescribed pollutants` such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The results were that that the quarry was not a cause of these pollutants but that is not to say that other pollutants are not a cause for concern, particularly when we have to question the validity of the E.A. monitoring data. He said air quality in NULBC is improving overall but there are `hot spots` in relation to traffic and `other issues`. He said that other built up/urban areas have similar challenges e.g. Stoke and Burton.
Planning & housing: At the last full council meeting 22.11.23 I asked the Chair of planning, Cllr Andrew Fear, about a statement in the new Local Planning Enforcement Plan which stated non compliance of Section 106 as `Low Priority`. As we have a high profile case of this in our ward which has taken years to get to court I wanted to query this. Cllr. Fear said the wording was unfortunate. He said the prioritisation was in relation to the speed the team would have to act e.g. damage to a listed building would have to be speedily dealt with before the building was destroyed or damaged beyond repair. It certainly seemed enforcement is not speedy as I still have heard nothing in relation to the case of Silverdale Sidings Section 106 money and the resulting legal action
There has been some progress on the overcrowding case at Malvern Ave in Parksite. As the extended
family of the residents are looking to be housed by Aspire in Silverdale I liaised with housing officer Nicula Mc Millan who has now given advice in order to move the case to a higher priority. I took the printed advice to the house on 3.1.24.
On 12.12.23. I attended Stretton Road. Unfortunately, Sanctuary housing failed to arrive and the tenant
was out. When I contacted their housing officer, they said the tenant had gone to a hospital appointment. They assured me they would be going back before Christmas to go through the list of problems but the surveyor would have to come out in January. Environment
I had the following update in relation to my request to have the Parade tennis court resurfaced
`Officers are currently in discussion with the LTA about the refurbishment of the two tennis courts at Clough Hall Park. We are aiming to secure funding for their next round of refurbishments and should hopefully know early January.
Once these are done we will discuss with them the potential for Park Parade in Silverdale. They haven’t got a set timescale for these programmes but seem to consider the next ones dependent on progress with current schemes, so it depends on other schemes across the region. Obviously your support for the community using them is useful as part of the discussions with the LTA to demonstrate community interest.`
I reported the lights out of action at the Parade Park in Dec to NULBC see below under Anti social
behaviour.
Streets & Highways: The case of the state of pavements including a sealed man hole cover on High St
was reported to Staffs CC on 13.12 23. They have accessed it as low priority and said it would be added to the work programme. I took the paperwork to the resident and gave him Cllr. Huckfield`s number so he could find out when the work will take place. The same resident also reported a car opposite that is a parking hazard i.e. people have to walk in the road to avoid it on the pavement. I emailed PCSO Neil Moffat to see if he could do anything about this.
Anti-social behaviour
Residents have reported the lights are out at the Parade Park. As it is dark as early as 4pm we are concerned this will increase anti social behaviour. We have established the lights are the responsibility of NULBC so Michelle Hopper has given me the name of the officer to report them to.
Since then I have submitted an online report requesting the lights are restored to working order.
General Comments: There were some lovely community events in Silverdale over Christmas. On Christmas eve I attended an event on the Parade organised by Silverdale Methodists were the Christmas story was brought to life by puppets. The brass band playing a variety of Christmas songs. There was also music and dancing.
I have been your councillor for 19 months and in that time, I have dealt with 57 cases for Silverdale residents. I am proud to say I have a 100% attendance record for all council meetings.
I hold my surgeries at 12.30-1.30 in Silverdale Library. The next one will be Mon 15th Jan. After that they revert to the first Mon in each month..
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.
Cllr. Rupert Adcock Parish Council report Jan 24
Walleys Quarry
At Walleys Quarry Liaison Committee in December I raised questions to the operator about their appeal of the latest enforcement notice by the EA which I believe will only cause further distraction and delay. I also asked to the EA why the number of site visits had reduced significantly last year and called for them to commit for these to increase this year. We also criticised the EA for taking so long to feedback on Walleys gas management plan earlier in the year. All councillors present expressed frustration to the operator and regulator that the situation was getting worse not better with H2S emissions on some weeks reaching 25% annoyance. I asked about the mist coming from the site on several days in recent weeks causing nuisance on Cemetery Road and Walleys asked me to send in photo timestamped evidence of this occurring to ‘look into why this was happening’ with their deodorizer. I sent in the photos and as yet no reply. We await to see what the rectified data due in January shows us and are also expecting a visit from a DEFRA minister this month.
Side by Side nursery visit
I visited Side by Side Nursery on Silverdale Road and met with nursery manager Christina and her staff to hear about what they do to support children with SEN in our area and their plans to expand to a new site. It was great to see the amount of support and care they give to families in our area despite the increasing demand on their services.
Motion to council
I will be submitting a motion to council in January that several Silverdale residents have raised with me about animal welfare and the banning of giving away ‘pets as prizes’ on council land and calling for a nationwide ban on this practice.
Silverdale Greenway Barrier Redesign Summary Note.
Summary written by Cat Watton on behalf of Sustrans. Cat Watton is currently on secondment with
Staffordshire County Council based in the Connectivity and Strategy Team. Note written on 09/01/2024
1.1 Sustrans is a UK Cycling and Walking charity who are custodians of the National Cycle Network (NCN). The Silverdale Greenway in Newcastle-under-Lyme is route number 551 of the NCN.
1.2 In 2013 a range of barriers were installed replacing gates along the route to deter motorbike usage.
This was in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council (SCC).
1.3 In 2018 Sustrans set out a vision for the UK network called ‘Paths for Everyone’ and this has included an audit of the network to look at route accessibility. A conclusion from the review was that existing barriers across the network prevent legitimate access and are in contravention of the Equalities Act 2010. The redesign of barriers is now a key priority for the charity to ensure equity of access.
1.4 The Department for Transport have funded Sustrans to redesign barriers along NCN routes across the UK as part of their Paths for Everyone programme.
1.5 In August 2022 SCC, in partnership with Newcastle Borough Council (NBC) were successful in securing a three-year Social Prescribing Pilot which focused on increasing rates of walking and cycling alongside improvements to infrastructure. The Wards adjacent to the greenway are the focus for the scheme. The greenway barriers were identified as an element of the project which needed to be redesigned to enable cycles, adapted cycles, mobility scooters and pedestrians with walking aids or pushchairs to gain access to the greenway. (Pilot project name : Get INTO Newcastle-under-Lyme)
1.6 In October 2022 Sustrans and SCC approached NBC to discuss the redesign of barriers along the route to improve accessibility.
1.7 In November 2022 a meeting was held with Staffordshire Police. Police support has since been obtained, upon an agreement reached that certain barriers should be retained. There is recognition from the police that the barriers do not deter motorbikes from accessing the greenway for a variety of reasons.
1.8 In 2023 a report was written and circulated to NBC to outline the project in more detail. Sustrans’ internal Research and Monitoring Unit has carried out monitoring of usage on the greenway to enable pre and post data analysis of the barrier redesign. We have engaged with INTO Newcastle Walking and Cycling attendees from the local area and had meetings with local councillors.
1.9 Jan 2024 onwards: We are continuing to engage with local councillors on how we can make reasonable adjustments to the barriers in line with the Equalities Act. There is a DfT funding deadline approaching, and we would like to secure funding to trial alterations to the greenway barriers.
1.10 Feedback in relation to the redesign, or requests for specific engagement is welcomed. Please email cat.watton@sustrans.org.uk.
| Figure 1. Map indicating the locations of the barriers along Silverdale |