SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 4 December 2025
at 6.30pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr J Crabtree (JC), Cllr I Gould (IG), Cllr R Stewart (RS), Cllr R Jones (RJ), County Cllr M Nixon (MN), Borough Cllr J Brown (JB), Borough Cllr Rupert Adcock (RA)
In attendance: Cllr S Toon attended the Meeting on Zoom. One member of the public was present.
| 249/25 | Public Participation:
A member of the public attended to observe the Meeting. |
| 250/25 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr A Osobu (AO) and Cllr S Toon (ST). |
| 251/25 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 6 November 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting
RESOLVED to approve the minutes. |
| 252/25 | To note the Chair’s intentions for 2026
HA informed the Meeting of his intention to move house in the New Year. HA committed to attend Parish Council Meetings and the Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group Meetings until May 2026 and to continue to be involved in the NDP and Borough Local Plan. |
| 253/25 | To note the position on co-options to the current Councillor vacancies
Confirmation had been received from the Elections Office of NBC that co-options could take place if needed. |
| 254/25 | To note the written updates from the County and Borough Councillors
The Borough Councillor written reports had been circulated and are attached to these minutes. County Councillor Mark Nixon informed the Meeting of the following matters. · The Community Fund had been spent. · MN is following up on the parking issues along Cemetery Road. · Speed and traffic monitoring is to take place on Sneyd Terrace for seven days. Additional funds are available with the possibility of creating a one-way street which would require residents consultation. · MN had raised issues regarding the hedge on Silverdale Road. MN, RA and JB left the Meeting at 7.05pm. |
| 255/25 | Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B To follow. c. To note and approve the budget report – Appendix C RESOLVED to approve. d. To consider adding new bank signatories. Item to be included on the January 2026 agenda. e. To consider the budget for 2025/26 and revision of Earmarked Reserves. The Meeting discussed the budget, earmarked reserves and financial position to date for 2025/26. It was RESOLVED to amend the earmarked reserves of £10,500 to remove the reserves for a grit bin £1,000, ecological reports £2,000, defibrillators £3,500, a new email provider £3,000 and the NDP website £1,000. These items were paid for out of the general reserve or through grants. It was RESOLVED to earmarked reserves of £10,500 for the Neighbourhood Development Plan Consultants’ Fees. f. To consider the budget setting for 2026/27. Item to be included on the January 2026 agenda. g. To consider the Precept for 2026/27. Item to be included on the January 2026 agenda. |
| 256/25 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications. None received. |
| 257/25 | To receive feedback from sub-committees
a. Allotments Sub-committee i. To receive an update on the Allotments extension (HA) Nothing further to report
b. Communication and Events Sub-committee i. To discuss the Christmas events 2025 including the seniors’ lunch (JC) JC informed the Meeting that the event had been over booked and more people were being added. Gifts and fresh food were to be purchased. ii. To receive an update on Silverdale lights (HA) The event will take place in the Working Men’s Club due to the severe weather forecast. iii. To received other events updates (JC, IG and RJ) RJ had completed a risk assessment which would be amended for the new venue. iv. To receive updates on notifications (HA) This had been discussed earlier. v. To note the recent weather reports (HA) This had been discussed earlier. vi. To approve the new quote from St John Ambulance for £279.40 plus VAT RESOLVED to approve.
c. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee i. To receive an update on the adult exercise equipment (HA/IG) The installation is to take place in January 2026. Signage is to be arranged until the concrete sets and an installation inspection is carried out. There is a £505 charge for the installation inspection. |
| 258/25 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. To receive an update on the Community Speed watch volunteers and training (RJ) RJ to message the Police to schedule a training session. |
| 259/25 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill (Standing item)
HA to write to NBC and SCC to request an update on the remediation works. |
| 260/25 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive an update on the Steering Group Meeting (HA) HA had circulated the minutes of the last meeting. HA to prepare a plan. A survey of the businesses is to take place. DP had requested a cost proposal from the Planning Consultants. The next Steering Group meeting is taking place on 17 December 2025. |
| 261/25 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor (Standing item)
a. To consider a quote to clean the bus shelters RESOLVED to wait until the Spring to clean the bus shelters. One has graffiti and it was RESOLVED to approve that this be professionally dealt with. DP to request a quote for the replacement of panels. b. To consider a quote to clear the culvert RESOLVED to approve. The Meeting discussed how to avoid further issues and future costs. |
| 262/25 | Borough Local Plan
a. Borough Council Plan Modifications Consultation Update (HA) HA discussed the BLP including linkages and transportation links on areas, reduced flexibility on green belt, the location of roads and access roads. HA to circulate comments for Councillors to add observations. |
| 263/25 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grants annual budget £2,500)
None received. JC had emailed the teacher at Silverdale School regarding a visit to see the STEM equipment purchased through a SPC grant. |
| 264/25 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder None. |
| 265/25 | To note the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association Bulletins and correspondence received
As circulated. |
| 266/25 | Highways matters (Standing item)
This had been discussed earlier.
The Meeting closed at 8pm. |
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THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 8 JANUARY 2026 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include, 5 February 2026, 5 March 2026, 2 April 2026. |
The financial appendices can be found in the PDF version of the minutes.
Cllr. Rupert Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council Dec 2025
Walley’s Quarry
At the last Health, Wellbeing and Environment Committee there was a further update on the situation at the site which remains positive. It was raised that the government has twice ruled out a public inquiry into the disaster, a key recommendation of the council inquiry and backed cross party. It was also agreed unanimously by members that a further joint letter from myself as chair of the committee and the council leader would be sent to the MP on the anniversary of the site closure asking for his help to secure a commitment on a public inquiry and help overturn the government decision. I believe a commitment to hold an inquiry is needed now and waiting until the site is restored before pursuing this could take many years perhaps decades and the moment will be lost.
Local government reorganisation
I spoke at the last full council meeting about the forced reorganisation of local government. I spoke about how I believe a vast majority of our residents don’t want it, concerns over the cost and the democratic deficit and that the government should halt the process. I voted together with the rest of the council for our preferred option of having a Newcastle under Lyme Unitary council rather than be merged with Stoke on Trent or a larger Staffordshire authority.
Crown Inn Silverdale
The pub has regrettably closed last month in this challenging time for the hospitality sector. I welcome their commitment that they will not be taking government contracts for the site to be turned into an HMO accommodation for asylum seekers. However residents have contacted me with concerns over the future plans for the site which they state include converting into multiple flats. Given the parking situation on the street, we will be watching with interest if and when a planning application comes up to be called in.
Resident assistance
After being contacted by a resident with a disabled daughter, I helped get her unsuitable wheelchair replaced after chasing up a reassessment with the NHS and the wheelchair provider.
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale Parish Council Date of report 2.12.25
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown, Silverdale ward. No of cases: 112 No resolved: 94 ongoing: 18
Council News: Local Authority Reorganisation At the full council meeting on Wed 19th Nov. the council passed a resolution to support the formation of a unitary authority of Newcastle -under-Lyme. This was unanimously agreed by all parties n.b. the Reform councillor was absent and one Conservative councillor abstained. I voted for this motion as it was the preferred option, put forward by the Labour group earlier this year. However, I am not opposed to governments plans to reorganise Local authorities/local government if improvements can be identified.
Planning & housing: Planning Application 25/00336/FUL permission granted to use the former Conservative club on Church st. as a 15 bed HMO. As far as we are aware the building is `Sold Subject to Contract`. I have communication with Mike Nadine, former PC Chair concerning the Ombudsman route. He did some research on the process and let me know that even if successful the planning decision would not be overturned. Mike thought it was futile to pursue it for this reason. We discussed how to avoid this situation in future and the only solution is to `call in ` all problematic applications and not assume applications will go to the Planning Committee based on size, controversy or number of objections. NULBC did admit to several failings during the complaints procedure. I need to inform the Labour selected candidates for Silverdale of this issue and the learning from this experience.
Local Plan I met with the Chair of the PC on 1.12.25 The consultation period ends on 17th Dec2025. We discussed the boundaries of proposed development sites and how these boundaries will be demarcated going forward. One suggestion is to have the sites fenced off. We had some discussion about SP11(3) as the PC Chair was concerned about the decision to take out a `ribbon` of land which formerly separated the area into 2 smaller sites. Concerns were raised about the impact on the `wildlife corridor` this provided. I will be making a submission as a ward councillor well before the deadline.
Silverdale Sidings 106 moneys: No change since NOV report. However, I am aware the NULBC Head of Legal, Anthony Harold will have a deputy appointed as there is obviously a significant workload, including the legal issues around Section106. I suspect the officer time and cost of pursuing the joint action with the CC has been prohibitive.
Environment
Walleys Quarry The Media recently covered the year anniversary of the closure notice 28th Nov 2024. BBC Midlands today had a feature with many local activists talking about how different life was in and around the ward now the noxious odours are gone. The EA continues to manage the site fulfilling their statutory powers. Going forward, everyone is agreed that the price of a permanent solution should not fall on local taxpayers. However, there is disagreement about the value of a public enquiry at this point. In response to the council’s previous call for an inquiry, Mary Creagh, Environment Minister, said a lot of issues were raised from the quarry but she did not believe it to be “the best use of public money”.
The untidy business on Cemetery Rd Recently an update came from a resident concerning the parking outside this business. A member of staff was challenged about the parking outside which included several vehicles, including a truck, left over the weekend. He said they had to park outside as there was no room inside! He then said NULBC had given the staff permission to park on the Highway. The resident has agreed to report this matter to Cllr. Mark Nixon and I will again pursue it with Paul Lejman of NULBC. It seems the long term failure to adequately regulate this site has led to a continuing deterioration.
I was again contacted about the overgrown hedges at the Knutton end of Silverdale Road. Which I reported in November. NULBC say this is a matter for Staffs CC Highways and I asked the resident to report it to Cllr. Mark Nixon.
I was contacted on 1.12.25 by Ryan Kershaw, Service Operations Manager for the Mining Remediation Authority. He informed me that his organisation treats mine water from the underground workings of the former Silverdale Colliery. Part of this process involves settling iron oxide (ochre) in two lagoons at the treatment scheme. These lagoons are now at capacity and require sludge removal to ensure the continued safe and effective operation of the scheme.
* The de-sludge works are expected to commence in January or early February 2026 and will take approximately 15 working days to complete.
* Access to the scheme will be via the Silverdale residential estate, entering at the Scot Hay Road roundabout near the Philip Astley Sculpture. The route will follow Sutton Avenue, cross the thoroughfare to the south of Poole Lane that connects Sutton Avenue with Foster Crescent, briefly use Foster Crescent, and then join the access track to the treatment scheme.
* Working hours for maintenance activities will be 07:30 – 18:00, aiming to time the loads so that they don’t clash with school traffic times.
They appreciate that this access arrangement is difficult and may cause some minor inconvenience and are committed to keeping disturbance to a minimum, maintaining clear communication with residents. A map has been provided. I would ask the PC consider warning residents of this disruption on their website. I have replied asking for a graphic to do so on my FB page.
Anti Social Behaviour An incident of ASB have been reported to me in the Kinsey st area. This has involved kicking doors. One resident had a boot print on their door on more than one occasion. Similar incidents have happened at Vale Terrace. Apparently in the past there have been problems with people kicking the doors along the High street. I have reported the incidents to the PCSOs, asking for further info and increased patrols.
Events: Remembrance: A beautiful service of remembrance was held at St. Luke`s church on Sunday 9th November. It was a very dramatic moment when church goers, including a veteran, went into the road to stop the traffic for the 2 minute silence. Afterwards I went to watch the screening of The Imitation Game a WW2 film telling the story of Alan Turing at The Brampton`s museum. This was very well attended, and I found it very thought provoking.
I held my usual Councillor surgery at 12.30-1.30 on Mon 1st Dec. The next surgery will be 5th January at the usual time. Next Planning Committee Meeting: Tues 6th Jan 2026 Next full council meeting: Wed 21st Jan 2026
Silverdale Xmas Lights switch on Friday 5th December. I will be attending the Xmas dinners at The Dell on 16th Dec . It will be my pleasure to be a guest at St. Luke`s Primary school for Xmas dinner on 8th Dec
Christmas Sing Songs and mince pies at Silverdale Library Mon 15th Dec at 1.15pm. All Parish councillors welcome. Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.