Minutes Parish Council Meeting 12th March 2020

There were no members of the public present.

It was agreed to bring this item forward.  It was noted that the LAP are developing a potential project to improve the mineral line and to create a new longer and attractive route.  This would form part of a project whereby children can access maps from the Brampton Museum to find way markers along the route and discover important facts.  The next steps will be to get buy in from relevant partners.  This was noted.

1. Update on Community Engagement activities – Lantern making (15.02, 18.02) and parade 28.03, Film showing inc Proud Valley 06.04.20, TBC – Scratch and Sniff

Theatre, Dalien singers, Poem, Banner, Researcher, Voice recordings  

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the impact of the Corona Virus on the future activities.  It was RESOLVED to seek a 6 month delay from the Heritage Lottery Fund – from September 2020 to March 2021.  In addition it was RESOLVED to postpone the lantern parade scheduled for 26^th March until 4^th December 2020 to tie in with the Christmas lights opening.  This was postponed due to the inability to obtain Public Liability insurance cover and also the numbers likely to attend could be low based on other events.  Until the outbreak, 140 people had attended the lantern workshops.  Suggestion was made regarding the mineral line being the main route.

It was also agreed to postpone the Proud Valley film showing on 6^th April 2020, this could be held at another time this year.  The badge working with the scouts will continue on 21^st March but will be closed to the scouts only.  Banner making is also on hold due to the sewing group consisting of vulnerable people.    It was noted that the Silverdale Colliery banner has now been located.

The research has now been completed and a local historian has input into it.

2. To receive an update on the current programme for the capital works

RESOLVED to sign the contract with Plowden and Smith, following the appointment in line with their tender for the refurbishment of the monument up to £27k.  The Contract was signed by HA and AS in the presence of the Clerk as the meeting.  It was noted that the Risk Assessments and Method Statements had been sent to the Borough Council for sign off and were awaited.  The lifting operation would entail the use of a gantry rather than crane.  However it was approved that the extra cost of seeking approval for temporary traffic management would be agreed at our cost.  This was estimated to be around £300 plus fees.

The Clerk was instructed to appoint Duttons Traffic Management.

A press release and community update regarding the proposed works would need to happen before the tribute was removed.  HA to consider a press release.   

3. To receive a budget update – Sarah to circulate this after the meeting once the costings had been worked through in relation to the delays.

To note delegated authority used to pay any invoices received in between meetings in accordance with the approved amounts) – Noted that the clerk had paid Bacs 117 to 121 in advance following approval from the Chair.  This was noted.

S Bonam

Clerk

Clerk

HA

S Bonam

Update regarding the installation of kissing gates and fencing along Mineral Line to stop entry and exit of illegal motorbikes onto Heritage Park and Silverdale Sidings – This work would start 16^th March 2020.  AS and MM to meet Peter Stepien (Landscape Officer, NBC) with the contractor on site.

Annual Leave policy

Equality and Diversity policy

Whistle blowing policy  

Sickness Absence Policy

To note the outcome of the Walley’s Quarry Liaison Group meeting on 20 February 2020

HA updated the meeting to state that the Aaron Bell MP had initiated a debate on 25 February in Parliament regarding the odour from landfill sites across the country and explained the specific problems at Walley’s Quarry in a lengthy speech.  The MP suggested that stronger regulations were required, as the current regulations permit the existing levels of pollution which are causing considerable annoyance to local residents.  It was RESOLVED that a letter would be sent to Mr Aaron Bell MP to ask for the change in legislation to be applied, otherwise the statutory nuisance action being taken on behalf of individuals by the Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department will also be affected.

In addition the borough council’s investigation under the Scrutiny Committee is continuing and there was no final decision yet from the Environment Agency on the application of variation of tonnage.

HA

Clerk

RESOLVED to ask Mr Hough to carry out work to clear the culvert up to a cost of £60 and to include the rubble.  Also Mr Hough to be asked to rub down and re-varnish the noticeboard up to a cost of £80.  Community Payback to be asked to carry out the work to the bus shelters and repaint the benches.

Clerk

Clerk

To consider renewing the contract from 1^st April 2020 – RESOLVED to extend the contract until March 2021.

Clerk

Single storey rear extension 48 Sutton Avenue Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6TB Ref. No: 20/00118/FUL – No comment.

Proposed two storey side extension and single storey rear extension. 179 High Street Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LJ Ref. No: 20/00102/FUL – No comment.

Proposed detached dwelling, garage and vehicular access Former Builders Yard Park Road Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LL Ref. No: 19/01000/FUL – RESOLVED to request that the development should consider the risks of the wider geology from past mining extraction and how the waste will be treated in accordance with CSG Consulting Engineers Limited report dated December 2018. It was also RESOLVED that the Parish Council raise the concerns in relation to the application regarding the road being used on a frequent basis by dog walkers and children walking to/from school and to the park. Therefore, consideration should be given to a traffic management plan and a 20 mph speeding zone plus a designated footpath and street lighting.

Retention of wooden trellis on the first 3 panels of the boundary fence to the rear of the property between number 5 & 3 Underwood Road.  5 Underwood Road Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6QG Ref. No: 19/00872/FUL – No comment.

•   To note the latest position with the Joint Local Plan – On hold until Spring 2020 – to arrange the Joint meeting with Keele Parish Council and Cllr Jones (dates requested) – RESOLVED to arrange this meeting once the public consultation had started.

•   Update regarding Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor – RESOLVED to arrange a joint meeting with Keele.  It was also resolved to look at appointing a planning consultant to assist with the response.  HA to obtain details relating to a similar case in Kirklees in West Yorkshire (Bradley Urban Extension) where a viable golf course had been designated for a housing development.

Update regarding Keele Mobility Hub Consultation and to approve consultation response – There was no response approved.  

Clerk DJ

Clerk

HA Clerk

Data breaches/Subject Access requests/Information Security – reminder of responsibilities. Feedback regarding County Council email for all Councillors (change over for all?)

This was noted. It was agreed that as Cllr Rout was using the Borough Council email, the same protections regarding subject access request searches should be available in the event that she were to no longer be a Borough Councillor.

–       Aspire School uniform project – RESOLVED to award £500 towards the school uniform project for children in the Silverdale Parish.   

–       Park Road Allotment Tree works – RESOLVED to provide £300 toward the felling of a diseased tree at the site, which had been agreed by the Tree Officer at the Borough Council subject to relevant permissions being obtained.   

STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SAFETY PLAN CONSULTATION (DEADLINE 22^ND MARCH) www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/media/2567/draft–safety–plan–2020–2024.pdf TO VIEW THE PLAN AND www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YMP58PB – TO COMPLETE A short survey about our plans -There was no response agreed.  

Mr Aaron Bell MP had responded regarding the Community Payback service reduction which was noted.

Skate Park update – Cllr Rout announced the successful funding achieved for the skate park and thanked all those involved.  It was suggested that Community Payback could paint the railings in the summer.  Work was now underway to consult with the various groups.

Cllr Jones reported on the issues regarding the flooding at Underwood Road relating to one property which had water inside.  He is paying for the drains to be unblocked using the Divisional Highways budget.  Noted that funding is only available for 25 or more affected properties and this was a high bar to meet to apply for additional flood assistance.

There is also ongoing discussions about flooding from water run off at the allotments at Park Road.  A meeting to discuss responsibilities will need to be held with Parish and Borough Councils and Park Road Allotments.