Minutes Parish Council Meeting 14th July 2022

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. No participation.

RESOLVED to approve the minutes which were signed by the Chair.

There was a discussion about whether ‘Risk Assessment’ was the appropriate title for that policy. The chair stated that previously the policy had been reviewed twice but that the title was misleading because it covered many areas from Pandemics to Assets risks and Financial Liabilities. Risk Assessment and Policy Guidance was approved with an alteration to the title.

The remaining policies are to be reviewed by council for the August 2022 meeting.

Ward and Parish councillors agreed to share the workload of reviewing the contents of each policy.

a.     To receive a report from the Neighbourhood Planning Group meeting, held 9 July. The Steering Group made up of HA, CM, CJ and LL has been meeting for the past four to five months. The notes of the last meeting had been circulated.

b.     To discuss the Locality grant application and Housing Needs Assessment confirmation of consultancy.

The Locality Grant had been approved and £8663 had been received. Technical support for the Housing Needs Assessment is to be provided by AECOM

Consultants, an urban planning specialist. The first on line Team meeting is to take place on 30 August 2022. A technical document based on planning policy and legislation will be prepared. A toolkit is available on the Locality website which shows how the Housing Needs Assessment works. HA had circulated a revised brief which explains what SPC should gain from the assessment emphasizing the health issues to be identified from the older population in the parish and the impact of emissions from Walleys Quarry on house prices.

It was discussed that the Steering Group should be opened to residents including members of the Silverdale History Society and also an activist group regarding the Golf Course. It was RESOLVED to agree a constitution. It was RESOLVED to go forward with the Housing Needs Assessment.

c.      To note the next meeting – noted

d.     Resolve to agree an amount of £4,000 from Reserves for 2022/23 to fund expenditure for consultation events during the current year across Silverdale. The expenditure will cover design of printed material such as layout plans, displays and maps of Silverdale for training of parish councillors and questionnaires, consultation packs and associated resources for members of the public to complete as evidence for their participation. It was RESOLVED to move £4000 from reserves to be allocated to the NDP to cover the costs of the Housing Needs Assessment consultant.

e.     NALC Webinar attended by HA 27 June as an example of the required documentation for public consultations run by councillors. HA to speak to Hannah Barter for a programme to include preparation of materials for face to face and Zoom consultation meetings.

The next newsletter is to focus on the NDP. HA and CM had prepared articles and a few more are needed. The newsletter will be placed on the website and there will be delivery of hard copies. It was RESOLVED to approve £800 to produce a brochure design newsletter and the printing of 500 copies.

A planning meeting had taken place last week. The next is taking place on Tuesday 19 July 2022.  JB has sought advice about the S106 monies from the Leader of the Labour Group. The S106 monies agreed at the beginning of the build in 2013 have not been settled. Various agreements have been reached over the years, but the monies have not been paid over. The concern is that money for the local community and benefit of the local residents has not been forthcoming. This matter is to be placed on the next NBC Planning Agenda.

a.     Concrete Slab installation around Interpretation Board

The slabs have been laid. The Interpretation Board has been installed. HA had a meeting with officers from the Landscape Department. Tree Lopping Issue raised by resident in Mill Street to JB. HA to speak to NBC about the lopping of trees.

b.     Energy Cost from Monument Lighting Installation. DP to follow up.

c.      Britain in Bloom Judges Inspection 13 Jul

The Britain in Bloom judging has taken place. Judges asked about the sculptors. Whyte and Talbot who were then based in Stafford had been the original designers. HA spoke about Steven Whyte now a California based sculptor and Michael Talbot also well-known British sculptor. The judging went smoothly.

To consider the list of outstanding jobs in Silverdale.

DP to follow up with Achieve.

b.     Save Our Green Space update. The next meeting is on 25 July 2022 at 7pm Keele Village Hall.

c.      Census 2021 0.5 per cent decline in population for Newcastle under Lyme from 2011.

d.     There has been a reduction from an expected 130,000 residents to 123,300 as at March 2021. The Census shows a 0.5% decline over ten years where most areas have increased and by over 6 per cent on average. Therefore, the Local Plan projections of the previous years do not seem to apply. As Newcastle is one of the few areas not growing there needs to be an adjustment to the housing target figures. More information is to be sought from The Office of National Statistics.

a.     To update on the tenancy at will agreement request to NBC.

The letter had been received on the day of the meeting recommending that the tenancy of the existing lease of land be extended with a fresh tenancy and rent of £1. The details need to be examined and a report will be discussed at the next meeting.SPC are proud to have Acres Allotments and to have them extended by 25% and then another 25%.

b.     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 and Acres Allotments Nos 1-80).

c.      To consider appointing a consultant regarding the remediation of waste in the legal agreement to represent the parish’s council’s interest.

HA

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

There had been no breaches

a.     To install a new noticeboard at the library and to install (note: may need permission from SCC/Highways).

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

Item deferred to the next meeting.

Quotes had been received a couple of months ago for benches similar to those provided before and which were easy to clean and paint. HA to speak to the Ranger.  

One hanging basket had disappeared from The Parade. A receipt for the pullies is awaited.

a. To approve the Payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A RESOLVED to approve the payments

b.     To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation.

c.      To note the budget report for 2022/23 – Appendix C RESOLVED to approve the budget report.

22/00526/FUL | Proposed Two Storey Side Extension | 2 Farmers Bank Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6NE (newcastle–staffs.gov.uk)

HA had prepared the following comments

The plans show an enlarged kitchen and dining/study area, an additional bedroom and an office.

The extension to the side of 3.65m extends to close proximity to the boundary and is 70per cent of the original width. With the upper storey, it is a considerable additional mass in the street.

It is difficult to estimate how the proposal would impact on neighbouring houses at 24 and 26 Abbey St and the corner property Abbey St/Farmer’s Bank; firstly potential overlooking/overbearing and their right to light but also the impact of re-routing services. There are no internal layout details to infer about the effect of new services on adjoining owners.

The construction will also impact on quiet enjoyment at 4 Farmer’s Bank, the adjoining semi. The owner should discuss proposals with these neighbours before committing the scheme.

22/00507/TWA | Reducing the branch back so that it takes the weight off and will thenprevent it from snapping off and causing damage to Number 4 treacle Row (Neighbours) | The Cottage Scot Hay Road Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6RQ (newcastle–staffs.gov.uk)

No comments

a. Walley’s Quarry Liaison Meeting 9 June updates. (HA/CJ)

A Liaison meeting had taken place. The correlation between complaints and odours through the complaint’s tracker was discussed. There was a concern about the numbers of complaints dropping due to people becoming tired of complaining. The weather causes fluctuations. There are long-term health concerns and the thresholds are to be looked into.

Brampton Sidings to Silverdale, Knutton and Cross Heath along the Mineral Line) – (HA/CJ)

Item deferred to the next meeting. Next LAP Meeting 3 Aug 2022.

Number of cases: 13 Number resolved: 7 Number ongoing: 6

Planning & housing: I am working on the issues of the 106 money that remains

unpaid for the Silverdale Sidings development. I am dealing with the repercussions of the building of a large dormer bungalow on Vale St which has blocked the rear access of several houses on Church St.

Attended Silverdale PC 20.6.22. Silverdale PC has had funding approved for the Neighbourhood Plan. A housing analysis will be an important tool for us in opposing building on former KGC. Chair also has valuable new info from census in terms of negative growth in NUL population.

Ownership/responsibility for land is a constant theme since the selling of

corporation land to Aspire in 2000. One such case is on Mill St concerns who owns the land where the council planted trees 30+ years ago as they are very close to a house.

Environment: I attended the Health, Wellbeing and Environment committee on 23.6.22 and asked a question concerning the inevitable conflicts between implementing the sustainability plan and decisions on land usage etc. A commitment to consulting with local residents was made by the officer when such conflicts arise.

I have liaised with S.O.G.s and the Chair of Keele Parish Council in relation to the

site of the former Keele golf course. A meeting has been arranged for 25.7.22 for all stakeholders to discuss our opposition to building plans and our vision of the land usage for leisure, health & education.

Reporting fatigue has set in amongst residents in relation to the Quarry. Fellow Cllr Rupert Adcock, as a local resident is knowledgeable on this issue. I have received support in terms of background information from Baroness Golding.

Streets & Highways: I liaised with the local County Councillor on the issue of

temp. traffic lights at the Silverdale/Cemetery Rd junction. The main lights are now working again. Problems with weeds in gulleys & drains were reported to Sustainable Environment dept and the second weedkilling is now due.

Waste: Problems with bin collections and return of bins at Haydock Court was

reported and dealt with. Assisted collections in relation to Church St residents above requested.

Anti-social behaviour: Residents on Mill St complained of land at the back being

driven over by noisy mopeds in the evening. Cllr Adcock has had similar incidents behind him at Cheddar Drive and on Silverdale Country park. These have been reported to the police. I have arranged a meeting between the Silverdale Councillors and the PCSOs to look at the reporting & management of anti-social behaviour on 16.7.22  

General Comments

I have responded to constituents’ emails concerning the council`s use of Bailiffs

and `Fair Tax Council charter` the latter issue has been taken up by Cllr. Stubbs in relation to presenting a motion to council. I am now trained for Licensing & Public Protection 28.6.22. My second surgery took place 2.7.22. Continued to meet regularly with Chair of Silverdale PC for much needed advice and support

I will be attending a performance by St.Luke`s Primary children at keele University

on Sun 17^th July.

25.6.22 Met with fellow Silverdale Councillor R. Adcock and discussed ward

issues. Liaison was agreed to prevent duplication and repetition and to ease workload. A generally positive meeting. It was important to be honest about being political rivals, but it is in our best interests to brief each other and ensure a co ordinated response and service for Silverdale residents.

A weekly update of my activities in Silverdale can be found on F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.

•       On 9 Jul Martin Hamilton had updated the full Council on Walley’s Quarry explaining the legal position and the latest gas emissions,available on youtube. Gas management, permanent and temporary capping were discussed. Hydrogen sulphide levels had decreased recently but it was early days.  There was a correlation between complaints and gas emissions. There were health investigations, routine monitoring by the council and county, long term studies by the Health Executive and a study by Keele University discussed.

•       A meeting had been held with PCSO regarding anti-social behaviour involving quad bikes, noise and environmental complaints.

•       Tree planting – Dave Adams at NBC would ensure that trees are looked after.

•       A meeting had taken place with Cllr Huckfield regarding the cutting of grass verges.

•       Highways – Cllr Huckfield is addressing the poor state of the speed bumps in several areas of Silverdale.