Minutes Parish Council Meeting 11th November 2021

A member of the public who was an ex-miner, attended the meeting to discuss the future use and display of the Mining Banner. It was RESOLVED to try to ensure that the banner be made available for the use of the North Staffs Miners Federation for events. It was further RESOLVED that SB would approach The New Vic Theatre and The Brampton Museum to ask if the Miners’ Banner could be placed on display for families to view. The chairman thanked the member of the ex-miners’ group for attending the meeting.

SB

As this meeting was that last for Jake Wu, the Chairman thanked Jake for his contribution over the last few years and presented Jake with a signed copy of “Pit Boy to Prime Minister”. The Chairman also thanked Chris Spence for his contribution to the Parish Council over the last seven years and presented a gift of “Newcastle under Lyme Railway and Canal History” along with a letter of thanks. The Chairman wished Chris and Jake good luck in their future careers.

1.     The appointment of a Vice chair.

•       It was RESOLVED to appoint Amelia Rout as the Vice-Chair and to add Amelia Rout to the Bank mandate as a co signee, replacing the previous vice chair Chris Spence.

2.     Affirming the Clerk/RFO position and hybrid meeting arrangement.

•       The Chairman reiterated the Clerk’s contracted entitlement to work from home and to attend meetings remotely. The Meeting was reminded to take care not to discuss personal matters.

3.     Statutory employment responsibilities and current policies in the conduct of meetings

•       The Chairman reminded the Meeting that responses and comments should be addressed through the Chair and that councillors should avoid talking amongst themselves.

4.     Re-issuing Staffordshire Parish Councils Association Councillor training course information, including Equalities and Fundamentals.

•       Councillors were requested to enrol on to the SPCA training courses if their training needed refreshing.

HA is writing the newsletter to include the Local Plan consultation. The newsletter will be placed onto the website and a few areas will be targeted. HA asked SB to obtain a quote for the production the newsletter.

HA/SB

1.     To receive an update on the final community engagement activities – budget and programme (£19443.23 left to spend with £19,955.00 committed to be reviewed by SB)

2.     Update on engagement activities planned:

a.     Website creation, poetry, and silk banner update.

•       the banner and poetry are complete.

b.     Lantern Workshop 6 Nov and Lantern Parade 13 Nov

•       All arrangements are in place for the lantern parade including use of stored lantern bags and the brass band for the parade.

c.      Lighting up the Tribute and sync with Christmas lights Fri 3 Dec.

•       The Christmas lights are to be switched on Fri 3 December 2021. The lighting up of the monument will take place on Sun 5 December 2021.

•       The possibility of a popup gazebo as shelter and music would be looked into for the Tribute

d.     January 2021 Weekend Exhibition in Silverdale as concluding Event

3.     To consider a quote for legal costs SCC to progress the Borough Council’s agreement to the asset transfer of the monument.

4.     To note delegated authority used to pay any invoices received in between meetings in accordance with the approved amounts).

1. To finalize the list of jobs.

•    Homeworks are to focus on Silverdale Park and to clear the leaves around the Miners’ Monument. It was noted that there are some funds left in the budget.

2. Horizons initiative

• AS had met with Homeworks about the proposal to run a project whereby young are tasked with coming up with a project idea to the village. They would be given a budget and be managed by Achieve Training. This would be run alongside the Curriculum at AS Level 2 with advancement to Levels 3 and 4. This would be assessed and marked with an awards ceremony.

1.     Borough Council Plan Consultation 1 Nov to 13 Dec 2021 Issues and Strategic

Options

• Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council had held a meeting at Silverdale Library on 4^th November. HA attended but not many members of the public.

2.     Problem of Accessibility of Local Plan Documentation to partially sighted people and need for paper copies for those without access to suitable IT devices.

3.     Notice period for residents for 4 Nov Public Consultation Event

4.     Winter newsletter focus on consultation and will advise members of the public of how to object.

5.     Public protest against development of Green Spaces and the Local Plan in Newcastle on 17 November 2021 at Castle House.

6.     Save Our Green Spaces update.  

Specimen letters objecting to the Local Plan were prepared available on the website.

1.     To receive an update on whether a Christmas tree can be supplied and illuminated at Parkside.

2.     To discuss the illuminating the lower parade Christmas trees and lights.

This matter was discussed and trees in the Upper and Lower Parades will be arranged along with a lighting up event.

The information is to be circulated to DP. This matter is on hold until an agreement is reached regarding the allotments.

1. To consider an application from St Lukes School for books – to follow.

No application has been received.

Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder.

There have been no breaches.

1.     To install a new noticeboard at the library (to be circulated) and to install (note:

may need permission from SCC/Highways).

2.     To consider a special memorial sign for the noticeboard.

It was RESOLVED to purchase a new noticeboard and to insert a memorial sign.

HA/AS

A letter is to be sent to the Headteacher of St Luke’s asking how the parish council can help with speeding issues outside the school.

AS

It was RESOLVED to approve the payments and to transfer £8000 from the Deposit to the Current Account. The budget report was noted.

It was agreed that HA, AR and LL would meet before the next meeting to discuss the future budget requirements for 2022/23.

No planning Applications had been received.

1.     Walley’s Quarry Landfill updates on Parish Council website and social media.

2.     Update from Liaison Committee 11 Nov (timing clash with this Council).

3.     Silverdale PC Ombudsman enquiry against Environment Agency Chair update. No further progress has been made with the complaint. The Ombudsman had written that their rules stated a public body such as a parish councils cannot take such a case to the Ombudsman. HA would pursue other avenues to investigate the role of the Environment Agency in the waste tonnage increase 2019/20 which precipitated the odour health emergency in Newcastle.

HA