SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Thursday 4 September 2025
at 6.30 pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr C Mrozicki (CM), Cllr I Gould (IG), Cllr S Toon (ST), Cllr J Crabtree (JC), Cllr A Osobu (AO), Cllr R Jones (RJ), Borough Cllr J Brown (JB, part), County Council M Nixon (MN, part)
Parish Clerk: Ms D Powell (DP)
In attendance: 2 members of the public were present.
| 192/25 | Public Participation:
A member of the public attended to observe the Meeting. A member of the public attended the Meeting to ask about volunteering on the County Park and play area. ST advised that they contact the Country Park Ranger and would pass on the contact details. The member of the public also offered to volunteer for the Community Speedwatch. RJ encouraged the member of the public to complete a form. Regarding volunteering in the play area, CM advised that the play area is managed by Aspire and care should be taken around contact with children. Any anti-social behaviour should be reported to Aspire and the Police. |
| 193/25 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA). The report had been circulated. Advance apologies were received from ST who will be working overseas until the end of February 2026. ST will continue to volunteer for SPC in the background and will try to attend to observe meetings on Zoom. RESOLVED to approve ST apologies until the end of February 2026. HA thanked ST and told the Meeting that ST was fantastic to have on the Parish Council and it was important to keep ST connected. RJ agreed to provide IT support for the Parish Council Meetings. |
| 194/25 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 7 August 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting.
RESOLVED to approve. |
| 195/25 | To receive an update from Adam Jogee MP Not present. JB advised that there are weekly newsletters produced by AJ to which members could subscribe to receive updates. |
| 196/25 | To note the written updates from the County and Borough Councillors
MN advise the Meeting that there are no funds available to change the grassland at Farmers Bank into carparking. SCC could improve the parking, but it would create parking issues elsewhere. There are funds left in the Community Fund and the deadline is November 2025 and applications should be emailed to MN. JB had contacted MN about the closure of Church Street for the Remembrance event. MN to liaise with JB. Borough Councillor written reports had been circulated. JB gave a verbal report. |
| 197/25 | Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B. Attached to the minutes. c. To note and approve the budget report – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. |
| 198/25 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and approving comments for the following
Planning Applications 25/00568/FUL | Single Storey Rear Extension | 76 Sutton Avenue Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6TB. No objection. 25/00346/OUT Land South East Adjacent Junction 16 M6 At Cheshire Boundary Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire Development of up to 220,000sq m GIA of storage and distribution units (B8), general industrial units (B2) and industrial units (E(g)(iii)); training and education (F1(a)) and occupier support services accommodation; service yards and parking areas; new main vehicular access off the A500 and emergency access off Barthomley Road; lorry parking and ancillary driver amenity facilities; with associated landscaping, earthworks, drainage and attenuation features and other associated works (outline, all matters reserved except for the principal means of vehicular access to the Site) (HA) HA had received correspondence from a neighbouring parish council requesting support regarding the above application. RESOLVED for HA to contact the Planning Department to request that the planning application be called in. |
| 199/25 | To receive feedback from sub-committees
a. Allotments Sub-committee i. To complete the lease arrangements and to protect the parish council’s position to agree the fee for legal services from Steven Kirwan, of Nowell-Mellor Solicitors in the sum of £995 plus vat plus disbursements (HA) RESOLVED to approve. JB left the Meeting at 7pm. b. Communication and Events Sub-committee i. To receive feedback on the summer event 2025 (CM/JC) The summer event had been a success with positive feedback received. JC to arrange for SPC banners for the next events. St John’s Ambulance to be invited to future events. JC requested that the payment to Gurzle Tankard be increased to £200 in line with the other providers. RESOLVED to approve. HA thanked JC and CM. ii. To discuss the Christmas event 2025 (CM/JC) HA to circulate the program for last year. A sub-committee meeting is to be arranged before the next Parish Council meeting. c. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee i. To approve the Borough Council Licence for provision of adult exercise The lease is being revised. RESOLVED to delegate to HA and IG to consider the licence when it arrives. MN left the Meeting at 7.24pm |
| 200/25 | To receive and update on the new email and website provider
All members are set up with new email addresses. The website is ready and will be uploaded when the audit is complete. DP thanked ST. Members gave a vote of thanks to ST. |
| 201/25 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. To receive an update on the speed device maintenance and training (RJ) RJ reported that Staffordshire Police have advised that the speed gun is safe to use. Posters are to be placed on the noticeboard. Volunteering forms are in the Library and have been emailed out. A training session is to be organised. The insurance is through Staffordshire Police. HA thanked RJ. One member of the public left the Meeting. |
| 202/25 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill (Standing item)
This matter is covered in the Borough Councillor report. Waiting for the Liaison Meetings to be set up. |
| 203/25 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive an update on the Green Spaces Schedule for Urban Vision (HA/ST/JC) ST and JC had prepared a map showing sites of green space in Silverdale. HA commented that it was the most comprehensive list of green spaces. |
| 204/25 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor (Standing item)
Nothing further at this time. |
| 205/25 | Borough Local Plan
a. Borough Council Plan Update (HA) HA had circulated two important letters. Issues had been raised by the Planning Inspector which are to be answered by the Planning Policy Department of NBC by the end of September. The meeting discussed the letters. HA to write to the Planning Inspector to express SPC views. |
| 206/25 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grants annual budget £2,500)
None received. |
| 207/25 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder None. |
| 208/25 | To note the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association Bulletins and correspondence received
Noted. |
| 209/25 | Highways matters (Standing item)
None. The meeting closed at 7.55pm. |
| THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 2 OCTOBER 2025 at 6.30pm
To agree future dates to include 6 November 2025, 4 December 2025 |
Financial appendices can be found in the PDF version of the minutes.
Cllr Rupert Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council Sept 2025
Walleys Quarry
Positive date continues at Walley’s Quarry. I have been updated by Simon Tagg that at the last Council Cabinet meeting there has been concern raised over the EAs admission that their powers ‘do not extend to site restoration’. The council is still pushing for more explanation on the plan for the site and asking for the government to step in and guarantee that the site will be fully capped and restored and funding will be made available for this if necessary.
Former Conservative Club Church Street
I made some enquiries with the Conservative Clubs Association and they replied to say that they were dealing with the solicitors representing the trustees but were not aware of any covenants but welcomed any information residents may have. They have stated that the sale is not yet completed and encouraged a conversation with the trustees to seek more clarification onto the buyers’ intentions for the building. I am attempting to establish who the trustees are so we can make direct contact and welcome any help in tracking them down.
Local Plan
The Planning Inspector has suggested further changes to the local plan. The housing target will not need to be raised which is welcome. They have suggested the new Country Park be placed into Green Belt which would be a sensible move and I am pleased that the Gypsy and Traveller site in Silverdale will be removed as I had visited with members of Acres Allotments and put in my opinions that this site was unsuitable. I have been told it will not need to be replaced with alternative G&T provision.
Civic Pride Event and Pirates in the Park Event
I attended both events and wish to thank the Police, Council staff, Councillors, and all volunteers who came and helped tidy the village and support with tagging bikes. I cleared a further two bags of rubbish from Ilkley Place. The metal goalpost socket that was a danger has now been removed from the park.
The Pirates in The Park event seemed to be a big success and thank you to all who organised.
Supporting Silverdale Primary School
I have been pleased to hear that the school have been awarded £300 in County Council grant. We are still waiting to hear back from Knutton Quarry Community Fund and I have been asked to chase this up as the school are keen to use this money to develop their outside area. Comments from members of the liaison committee so far have been supportive.
Supporting the Mayors charities
The Mayor Cllr. Robert Bettley-Smith is doing a walk around the borough boundary to raise money for Papyrus suicide prevention charity. I was pleased to join him on his latest walk, and I encourage those interested to see the Mayor of Newcastle under Lyme Facebook page to see the campaign and look at future walks.
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale PC Date of report 1. 9. 25
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown, Silverdale ward. No of cases: 106 No resolved: 86 ongoing: 20
Walleys Quarry. Since the full council meeting on 23.7.25 there has been very little news. The Health Well Being & Environment Committee meets again on the 15th of this month. WQ is a standing issue on the agenda however no agenda or report packs were available at the time of writing this report. There is the Judicial Review being heard on 4th/5th November, on behalf of the child M. We need more transparency between all the stakeholders concerning the long term plans regarding permanent capping and restoration of the site and ultimately who is going pay.
Silverdale Sidings 106 moneys: No change since August report
Planning & housing: Planning Application 25/00336/FUL to use the former Conservative club on Church street as a 15 bed HMO. I submitted my request to escalate the complaint against this planning permission decision on 21.8.25 and have received confirmation that it is being considered at Stage 2 of the complaints policy. This means if we are still unhappy with the response we can go to the Ombudsman. Here is a summary of my complaint (with technical information removed)
You have admitted three mistakes where you have failed to follow your own procedures. Firstly, in the type of planning description officially named in the application i.e. Class 4 instead of the correct Sui generis. Secondly, the failure to record the submission of Silverdale Parish council`s objections in the officer`s report. Thirdly, the fact that the decision to grant permission was taken on the 9.6.25 by the planning officer who failed to take into account the objections of Silverdale Parish Council. You admit the planning officer concerned was not aware of these objections. Connected to this is your admission that planning support systems were not updated or shared with the officer.
I am therefore not satisfied. The outcome which I think appropriate is for the planning decision to be revoked and the planning application process repeated using the correct deployment of your own procedures.
In representing the local community, we feel this application was rushed through and the errors you have admitted add weight to our concerns. We still do not know why this is and there is a feeling that yet again Silverdale is the ward where we have to just `put up with` NULBC decisions, particularly when the application received the highest number of objections to any development in the last decade.
A resident has raised with me this week the concentration on HMOs in Silverdale, and in particular this vicinity which I will discuss at the PC meeting. The Chair of the Pc informed me data available several years ago suggested this was average in comparison to other wards. I have now requested more up to date information form the Head of Finance at NULBC.
Cllr. Adcock got a reply from the Conservative Association in London saying they knew of no covenant which would prevent/limit the sale. However, they urged us to get in touch with the Trustees who would have knowledge of this. They also confirmed that although planning permission had been granted the sale was not yet complete. We will discuss this at PC meeting.
Environment Following up the of new cases came which came in August, about grass and hedge cutting not being done, Aspire are telling me they are delaying the cutting of hedges until the beginning of October due to risk of bird nesting but in some cases the hedges are really high and overgrown.
A strip of land which provides bin access at the back of Duke`s Place was reported to me and Aspire have now said they will weed kill and clear the area. It seems unless these issues are not reported in they are not done routinely.
The untidy business on Cemetery Rd on the former garage site. No change since Aug report.
Care Home/Supported housing on May Street I have been informed that Adrian Grainger (responsible person) has now left Hadet Healthcare Trust and that all communication should be with Harry Dada, director. We are trying to arrange a meeting with Hadet, NULBC officer Gill Taylor, myself and the residents on Fri 19th of September. Residents tell me it has been quieter of late, and the company have installed `privacy gates`. However, there is still no signage or information given to residents on how to make complaints which was promised at the meeting in 18th July.
After Jane Letts of NULBC said there would be no decision on the funding for the Parade Park Lights until the Autumn, I discussed this with the PC. The Vice Chair put forward a proposal to match fund the repairs. I put this proposal to Jayne on 9.7.25. No change since Aug report.
Silverdale Community Centre Park Road: Neighbouring residents are complaining of the lack of upkeep of this building, particularly the grounds maintenance. I have emailed Andrew Arnott at NULBC to ask who is responsible as in the past there has been confusion about this i.e. NULBC or a PVI provider. Any information the PC has will be welcome.
Civic Pride Event: I attended an event on 11th Aug at The Parade. I joined volunteers who were out litter picking and we were able to catch up on local issues. The police were also busy making residents bikes more secure using the latest technology and there was a good take up.
Play in the Park event Thurs 14th Aug. Congratulations to Silverdale Parish council for organising this very successful event. I enjoyed joining in the circus skills! I received a great deal of positive feedback about the event from residents.
Events
My Councillor surgery took place Mon 1st September 12.30-1.30 at Silverdale Library and will continue at the same time on the first Monday of every month, next one
Next Planning Committee Meeting Tues 9th September
Next full council meeting Wed 24th September
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale