SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Thursday 2 January 2025 at 6.30 pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr J Crabtree (JC) Cllr I Gould (IG), Cllr S Toon (ST), Cllr G Churton (GC), Cllr I Hall (IH), Cllr R Adcock (RA, part) Parish Clerk: Ms D Powell
In attendance: One member of the public attended the meeting.
| 1/25 | Public Participation:
AA member of the public attended the meeting to raise concerns about vegetation growing on the footpath along High Street and concerns over the surface of the pavement breaking down. RA informed the Meeting that SCC has a weed spraying contract. DP to contact the Environment Department of NBC and SCC to request that the weeds be cleared. |
| 2/25 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr J Brown, Cllr A Osobu and Cllr S Doyle |
| 3/25 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 12 December 2024 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting.
RESOLVED to approve |
| 4/25 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda.
None |
| 5/25 | To consider the co-option to vacant councillor position. Two new councillors were co-opted in December. A third candidate has expressed an interest. It was decided to wait until the February meeting to allow time for the candidate to make contact. |
| 6/25 | To note the written update from the Borough Councillors
Written reports had been circulated. RA updated the meeting on the report. |
| 7/25 | 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 – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. d. To receive feedback from the Finance sub-committee review of the 2024/25 budget and the 2025/26 budget. RESOLVED to approve. DP advised the Meeting of discussions from the Finance sub-committee Meeting. e. To approve the Budget 2025/26. RESOLVED to approve. f. To approve the Precept 2025/26. It was RESOLVED to approve the Precept in line with assuming Council Tax is to increase by 1.99% and request a Precept of £31,674 from the Borough Council. It was RESOLVED for the Clerk to submit the Precept paperwork to Newcastle Borough Council. |
| 8/25 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following
Planning Applications. None received. HA updated the Meeting regarding the NBC Planning Committee approval of a new development at 20 Cheltenham Grove. HA commented on the appeal related to The Bush. |
| 9/25 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. Locally Listed and Statutory Listed Buildings Update (HA) No update. The Planning Committee meeting had been cancelled. There was no update on whether the three pubs had been included in the list. HA to request an update from the NBC Conservation Officer. b. To discuss the locations and installation of the two defibrillators. (IG) Awaiting a quote and date for installation of the defibrillators from the electrician. |
| 10/25 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. To receive an update on Environment Agency’s Closure Notice commencing 29 November 2024. An update had been included in the report from RA. b. Walley’s Quarry Liaison meeting due on 17 December 2024. The meeting had been cancelled. The next meeting is to take place once the appeal has been heard. |
| 11/25 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group HA had circulated the minutes for the last Steering Group Meeting. Questions were raised with the Consultant who is working on a reclassification of areas. Once this work is complete further work will be undertaken with AECOM. HA to contact NBC and Keele Parish Council regarding Master Planning. |
| 12/25 | Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheela. To discuss refurbishment of the Miners Wheel
The Meeting discussed the monument and it was RESOLVED for DP to contact the contractor for a quote for cleaning the Miners Wheel. |
| 13/25 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor
See above. DP to obtain a price for a dog waste bin and a quote for installation. |
| 14/25 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update. Awaiting an update. |
| 15/25 | Acres Allotments (additional legal/site remediation/Knotweed costs)
No further development. HA to contact Jackie Phillips. |
| 16/25 | To consider any grant applications (SPC grant scheme £2,000)
None received. |
| 17/25 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches. None. |
| 18/25 | To receive and update on flooding reports on the Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale
No reports had been received. ST had noticed standing water. This will be monitored. CM reported standing water on Pepper Street by Underwood Road. Councillors were asked to list areas of flooding and send them to HA who agreed to report the flooded locations to SCC. |
| 19/25 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Association Bulletins and correspondence received.
Noted. |
| 20/25 | Highways matters (Standing item)
See agenda item 18/25 regarding flooding. |
| 21/25 | To discuss Freedom of Information re T&G8 site Silverdale Business Park West.
HA to follow up. It was RESOLVED for HA to write a report, approach the MP and use the Ombudsman process regarding the mistake in identifying the travelers’ site. CM updated the meeting on the issues affecting the allotments. |
| 22/25 | To discuss the maintenance of the clock at St Lukes Church
The chime mechanism is still not working. |
| 23/25 | To discuss adult exercise equipment for the park (IG)
IG had spoke to a NBC Landscape Architecture Consultant. Discussions are ongoing. |
| 24/25 | To discuss a memorial (CM)
CM had spoken to the family member. This matter is ongoing. |
| 25/25 | To discuss anti social behaviour at the Pavilion Silverdale Park (HA)
HA to contact NBC. Repairs are required to the lighting around the Pavilion. RESOLVEDfor JC to write to NBC to ask for the lighting to be repaired and switched on after dark and to ask for NBC to lock some of the less well-lit gates to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour. |
THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 6 February 2025, at 6.30pm
To agree future dates to include,
6 March 2025, 3 April 2025, 1 May 2025
Appendix A
Silverdale Parish Council
Payments Schedule January 2025
|
DATE |
REF/
Chq no |
PAYEE |
DESCRIPTION |
NET £ |
VAT £ |
AMOUNT
£ |
| 12/12/2024 | 411 | Silverdale Methodist Church | Donation for brass band Christmas event | 250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 |
| 12/12/2024 | 412 | Newcastle Lions Club | Donation for Santa’s sleigh
Christmas event |
250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 |
| 02/01/2025 | 413 | Litter picker | Litter picking contract 20 hours 25 November 2024 to 20 December 2024 | 228.80 | 0.00 | 228.80 |
| 02/01/2025 | 414 | Payroll | January 2025 | 745.33 | 0.00 | 745.33 |
| 02/01/2025 | 415 | Staffordshire Pension Fund | Pension contributions January 2025 | 284.80 | 0.00 | 284.80 |
| 02/01/2025 | 416 | VAST | HMRC month 10 | 74.88 | 0.00 | 74.88 |
| 02/01/2025 | 417 | Office expenses | Mileage, Zoom subscription, stamps | 55.74 | 2.60 | 58.34 |
| TOTAL | 1,889.55 | 2.60 | 1,892.15 |
Appendix B
See PDF version of minutes
Appendix C
Silverdale Parish Council Budget Report 2024/25
| EXPENDITURE | BUDGET | TOTAL | VARIANCE |
| Clerk’s Salary/PAYE/NI/Pension/Locum | 12,000 | 10,911 | -1,089 |
| Chair allowance | 250 | 0 | -250 |
| Contingency | 500 | 0 | -500 |
| Expenses/Postage/Payroll charges/Room hire | 650 | 1,079 | 429 |
| Office Equip/Stationary/Printing | 600 | 251 | -349 |
| Subs/Ins/Fees/Audit Fees/Trg/DPO/Payroll costs/Room Hire/Legal fees | 1,200 | 2,315 | 1,115 |
| VAT (Cost neutral as reclaimed) | 0 | 2,875 | 2,875 |
| Total | 15,200 | 17,431 | 2,231 |
| Mining Project -see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Groundwork/NDP – see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Allotments | 2,500 | 0 | -2,500 |
| Comm Safety (match funding measures) inc speed measures | 1,000 | 0 | -1,000 |
| Entertainment & the Arts (eg Xmas parties, youth activities etc) | 1,700 | 1,416 | -284 |
| signs) | 1,500 | 0 | -1,500 |
| Fencing De rusting Painting | 2,500 | 3,332 | 832 |
| Litter collector/ranger/Community payback | 0 | 229 | 229 |
| Newsletter/Website/Publications | 2,500 | 1,745 | -755 |
| Asset additions (benches, dog waste bins and 2 x defibrillators) – see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| shelters) | 1,500 | 776 | -724 |
| Housing condition and heat loss survey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Powers and Duties | 13,200 | 7,498 | -5,702 |
| Flowers / Plants/ Wreaths /Litter picks/Hanging baskets | 500 | 685 | 185 |
| Grant applications | 2,500 | 582 | -1,918 |
| Total Grants | 3,000 | 1,267 | -1,733 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE (General running costs) | 31,400 | 26,195 | -5,205 |
Cllr. R Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council Jan 25
Walleys Quarry
A letter was put out by the EA regarding the appeal by Walleys Quarry Ltd against their closure notice. This invited comments from residents and participants on the Facebook groups. I have submitted comments referencing many of the long-standing issues and quoting both the Council’s Inquiry and the Arcadis Community Impact Study summarising that the only reasonable course of action left to the EA was to issue closure. I also contacted a Paediatrician friend of mine from UHNM and worked with the Paediatric team in the hospital and they submitted comments from a medical point of view about the impact the site has had on children’s health.
The appeal will be heard by the planning inspectorate in January with a possibility of public hearings if so decided by the inspector.
Stop the Stink FFJ invited residents affected by the pollution to submit minute long videos to potentially be shown in a BBC Morning Live report on the impacts of the landfill. I submitted a video detailing the health, economic and reputational damage it has had on Silverdale.
Silverdale Methodist Church Parking
I received a reply from the County Council about parking issues on Earl Street. Whilst they said no immediate action could be taken they encouraged complainants to report nuisance vehicles to the police. The issue will also be discussed at the next Divisional Highways Programme meeting. I have passed this response onto Lee at the church and PCSO Moffat.
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale P.C. Date of report 31. 12. 2024 Councillor: Jacqueline Brown No of cases: 84 No resolved: 76 ongoing: 8
Walley`s Quarry. As expected W.Q. LTD have appealed the closure notice issued by the E.A. We are told NULBC council officers will engage with the EA regarding the process, and will look to provide a members’ briefing on the process in early January. It seems stakeholders will be asked once again to provide evidence. In the meantime, there have been very strong odour coming from the site over the festive period, reported in the local media as `Smell worse than ever`.
Planning & housing: No Fault Eviction Notices. Despite repeated requests from myself and the tenants concerned there has been no tenancy agreements/contracts provided by the letting agents on behalf of the landlord. As I said in the Dec report this situation is totally unacceptable.
Regarding the disabled resident who lives on Peebles Road getting suitable accommodation, despite more bidding, he has been unable to secure a new home. I am taking his case to a meeting of Labour councillors with Aspire housing on 10th January.
Bush Appeal. This was submitted on 1.11.24. During the festive period I asked the pub manager about the situation and she did not seem to have an opinion on it or have knowledge of the potential impact on her business. I emailed Charles Winnet the planning officer involved to ask if/how I could make a submission on 31.1.25. I am concerned that refused planning applications are beginning allowed at appeal with the new National Planning Framework being given as the reason. Obviously careful consideration of each case is required.
Bath Rd development: The removal of the shop was covered well in the Sentinel.
Silverdale Parish Council chairman Henryk Adamczuk told the planning committee: “I have worked out from a contour map that from the top to the bottom you have to climb 39 metres. So it’s pretty inconvenient for people who live on that particular estate, certainly I’d be very annoyed if my local retail provision was demolished and taken away without some thought put to alternative provision.
Ward councillor Jacqueline Brown added: “I’m very much minded to vote to approve this application as any increase in social housing in my ward is to be very much welcomed. As the ward councillor for Silverdale and on behalf of Parksite residents I’d like to ask about the report which states quite clearly there is no interest in the option of providing a single retail unit and I’d like to know what efforts have been made to establish this fact.”
By election in Town ward Thurs 23rd January 2025. This has come about because Cllr. Wendy Brockie had a major bereavement and then significant health problems and was forced to step down. It will be the first time that an existing Labour ward is being contested by Reform U.K. as well as the Conservative party. I have been out canvassing with our candidate Sheelagh Casey Hulme who has been a prime mover in the Stop the Stink campaign.
Events
I attended the Mayor`s Carol service at Madeley church 8.12.24. For the first time this year I attended Christmas dinner at St. Luke`s Primary school on 11.12.24. What a wonderful meal and service! Afterwards the children entertained us with music. This was very well attended by the Silverdale community. On Sat 14th Dec I attended St. Luke`s church for mince pies and mulled wine with local residents. It gave me an opportunity to look around the church and appreciate the mining history which the church celebrates.
Mince Pies & Carols at Silverdale Library. What a lovely time we had on Mon 16th Dec when the Reception class form Silverdale Primary sang Christmas songs, with a drink and a mince pie for some local residents/PC members. Thanks to husband David for playing the guitar.
Silverdale Methodists Christmas Eve Parade Event: Well done to the organisers of this lovely event with brass band, dance troop, mulled wine and Christmas gifts. A lovely start to Christmas.
Upcoming Meetings/Events
My next surgery will be on Monday 13th Jan 2025 12.30-1.30 at Silverdale Library. The MP has expressed an interest in holding a joint surgery going forward and I will advise of a date when arranged
Under 5`s storytime continues every Monday at 1.30-2pm from 13.1.25
In the last report I mentioned my selection as the County Council candidate for Newcastle South for the May 2025 local elections. However it seems the local elections of May 2025 may be on hold due to the Labour governments Devolution Bill which would consider the reorganisation of local government.
14.1.25 Public Protection Scrutiny Committee
22.1.25 LGA training `After the riots`
22.1.25 (eve) Full Council
23.1.25 Round Table Event: Community Cohesion
28.1.25 Planning Committee
30.1.25 Licensing & Public Protection
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale Page