Minutes Parish Council Meeting 6th February 2025

2025 Minutes Uploaded on July 2, 2025

SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Thursday 6 February 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 A Ososbu (AO)
Parish Clerk: Ms D Powell

In attendance: Two members of the public attended the meeting.

26/25	Public Participation:A member of the public attended the meeting regarding anti-social behaviour at the park and in particular relating to the pavilion. HA advised that NBC has no plans for the pavilion or the bowling green. CM advised that the pavilion building is not fit for purpose. HA advised that the Steering Group discuss the facilities and the park area. HA invited the member of the public to join the Steering Group. GC advised the Meeting that the Park is not fully utilized to its full potential and more could be done to encourage use of the Park. This is to be discussed at the Steering Group meeting and with the involvement of both Borough Councillors. A member of the public attended the meeting to ask whether SPC was governed by NALC procedures. HA explained that SPC is governed by NALC procedures and takes advice from the Staffordshire Parish Councils Association as the local representative for NALC.
27/25	To receive apologies (in writing to the Clerk) Apologies were received from Cllr R Adcock and Cllr J Brown.
28/25	To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 2 January 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting RESOLVED to approve.
29/25	Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda None.
30/25	To consider the co-option to vacant councillor position The prospective councillor had sent apologies and is planning to attend the March meeting to be considered for co-option.
31/25	To note the written update from the Borough Councillors The written reports from both Borough Councillors had been circulated.
32/25	To adopt the National Association of Local Councils Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy HA advised the Meeting that an email had been received from a member of the public regarding procedures in the Parish Council. SPC had responded to the email to confirm the Parish Council obligations and statutory requirements. HA advised the Meeting that this was the latest in a series of strong emails received from the particular member of the public. It was RESOLVED unanimously for Silverdale Parish Council to adopt The National Association of Local Councils Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy.
33/25	To consider councillor roles and responsibilities RESOLVED to appoint the following councillors to Sub-committees: Planning Sub-committee: Chair: Chrissy Mrozicki, Henryk Adamczuk, Sam Toon Finance Sub-committee: Parish Clerk, Chair: Henryk Adamczuk, Chrissy Mrozicki, Julie Crabtree. Steering Group Chair: Henryk Adamczuk, all other parish councillors, nominated resident members, Parish Clerk, Borough Councillors Rupert Adcock and Jacqueline Brown. Allotments Sub-committee: Chair: Ian Hall, Chrissy Mrozicki, Ian Gould. Communication and Events Sub-committee: Chair: Sam Toon, Chrissy Mrozicki, Ade Osobu, Julie Crabtree, Gareth Churton. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee: chair: Gareth Churton, Chrissy Mrozicki, Ian Gould. Nominations to External Bodies Town Board Henryk Adamczuk to resign and Sam Toon to be nominated. Walleys Quarry Liaison Committee (meetings suspended from Dec 2024). Henryk Adamczuk, Gareth Churton, probably after May 2025. New Lead Roles Allotments Management Leads Ian Hall, Ian Gould, Chrissy Mrozicki Communication lead Sam Toon Events Management Lead Gareth Churton Neighbourhood Planning Lead Henryk Adamczuk Park and Recreation Chrissy Mrozicki, Ian Gould and Gareth Churton Walley Quarry Liaison Leads Henryk Adamczuk, Gareth Churton
34/25	To discuss a new email provider ST and DP to look into a new email provider.
35/25	Finance a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. RESOLVED to add the cheque payment for HA as reimbursement for the flooding and drainage payment. 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.
36/25	Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and approve comments for the following Planning Applications. 25/00016/FUL \| Change of use of former public footpath to domestic garden \| 11 AshGrove Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6JX No comment. 24/00725/PLD \| Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the proposeduse of the main hall for a community dance studio \| Rear of First Floor 61 – 63 HighStreet Silverdale Newcastle Under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 6LY No comment.
37/25	Community matters (Standing item) a. Locally Listed and Statutory Listed Buildings Update (HA) HA reported that a property in High Street, The Vine and The Crown public houses are now locally listed buildings. HA to contact JB regarding the listing of The Roebuck. b. To discuss the locations and installation of the two defibrillators. (IG) The installation of a defibrillator at Silverdale Athletics Club is being arranged. IG to check the expiry date of the defibrillator pads at the Working Men’s Club. RESOLVED to earmark reserves of £1000 for replacement defibrillator pads, batteries and maintenance. c. To consider a quote for the installation of a dog waste bin. RESOLVED to approve the quote of £299 for a dog waste bin to be installed by St Luke’s Church. RESOLVED to approve the purchase of a grit bin for Stonewall. d. To consider quotes for the cutting back of hedges and trees at the Mining Monument. JC had obtained one quote. DP to contact the contractor for an alternative quote. JC to contact the Landscape Department of NBC about cutting back the trees around the monument.
38/25	Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill a. To receive an update on Environment Agency’s Closure Notice commencing 29 November 2024 ST had circulated the latest information regarding the failure of the operator to seek a judicial review. b. Walley’s Quarry Liaison meeting due on 17 December 2024 The meeting on 17 December 2024 had been cancelled and postponed indefinitely until the operator begins meetings again.
39/25	Neighbourhood Development Plan a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group The Minutes had been circulated by HA along with the first outline of the Neighbourhood Plan. Locality had requested a draft which will be discussed at the next Steering Group meeting. b. To consider the approval of a draft objectives, vision and themes of the NDP to enable an application to Locality for a grant to cover the technical support for a Neighbourhood Plan ‘Health Check’. HA is writing the draft objectives, vision and themes of the NDP involving preserving the history and the transformation of Silverdale through the closure and regeneration of the mines. RESOLVED to send the draft objectives, vision and themes of the NDP to Locality.
40/25	Mining Monument progress (HLF) Project and Miners Wheel a. To discuss refurbishment of the Miners Wheel This matter is to be followed up.
41/25	Parish jobs referred to the contractor RESOLVED to obtain a quote to clear the culvert. RESOLVED to approve the quote to clean the benches and litter pick. RESOLVED to obtain a quote to cut the trees back at the Mining Monument and to jet wash the Miners Wheel.
42/25	Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor a. Borough Council Plan Update HA advised the Meeting that the BLP had been referred to the Planning Inspectorate. A letter had been sent by the Inspector to the Planning Department asking for other inclusions. Therefore there may be a delay. The inspection is expected to take three to six months to complete.
43/25	Acres Allotments a. To discuss progress HA had circulated emails. RESOLVED to extend the lease in the Tenancy at Will Agreement to include the red rectangle in the middle which excludes the green waste land. b. To consider the flooding issues Flooding issues at Acres Allotments had been report to SPC by a member of the public. HA arranged for Absolute Drainage to inspect the site. The water had evaporated or soaked into the ground but the drains were blocked solid. The blockage is outside of the SPC boundary. HA is awaiting a report and invoice from Absolute Drainage. HA had paid £550 plus VAT. HA to advise NBC and the adjoining owner that there is a systematic problem with the drains in the area. The drain is blocked under the carpark and the drain may collapse.
44/25	To consider any grant applications (SPC grant scheme £2,000) To consider a grant application from Silverdale Methodists Church for £429.02 The Meeting considered that grant application and the donation previously made to Silverdale Methodist Church for the provision of the brass band for the Christmas event which had been cancelled. RESOLVED to ask for receipts for the event and to pay £200 to Silverdale Methodist Church in respect of the latest grant application.
45/25	GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches. None.
46/25	To receive and update on flooding reports on the Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale. None
47/25	To note the Staffs Parish Council Association Bulletins and correspondence received. Noted.
48/25	Highways matters (Standing item) The traffic lights on Pepper street are not working. The PCSO had been contacted.
49/25	To discuss Freedom of Information re T&G8 site Silverdale Business Park West. The matter is ongoing.
50/25	To discuss the maintenance of the clock at St Lukes Church The chimes are now working.
51/25	To discuss adult exercise equipment for the park (IG) A meeting had taken place with NBC. Plans are to be sent to NBC and the equipment is to be selected. IG to follow up. RESOLVED to approach Ibstocks with a grant application.
52/25	To discuss a memorial (CM) This matter is ongoing.
53/25	To discuss anti social behaviour at the Pavilion Silverdale Park (JC) JC had contacted NBC about lighting and locking the gates at Silverdale Park during the nighttime. NBC had advised that there were no funds available and the gates would not be locked. GC had spoken with an electrician about replacing the lights with LED lights. HA to obtain a price and contact NBC.

The Meeting closed at 8.40pm.

THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 6 March 2025, at 6.30pm

To agree future dates to include, 3 April 2025, 1 May 2025

Silverdale Parish Council

Payments Schedule February 2025

DATE	REF/ Chq no	PAYEE	DESCRIPTION	NET £	VAT £	AMOUNT £
02/01/2025	419	Julie Crabtree	Reimbursement of expenses for Christmas afternoon event. Paid Jan 25	161.67	0.00	161.67
06/02/2025	420	Midlands Electrical Fire and Security Ltd	Replace Samgamo Time Clock at Silverdale Miners Monument	209.17	41.83	251.00
06/02/2025	421	Litter picker	Litter picking contract 20 hours 29 December 2024 to 28 January 2025	228.80	0.00	228.80
06/02/2025	422	Payroll	February 2025	745.33	0.00	745.33
06/02/2025	423	Staffordshire Pension Fund	Pension contributions February 2025	284.80	0.00	284.80
06/02/2025	424	VAST	HMRC month 11	74.88	0.00	74.88
06/02/2025	425	Office expenses	Mileage, Zoom subscription, stamps	41.58	2.60	44.18
06/02/2025	426	Steve Hough	Refilling grit bins	537.50	0.00	537.50
		TOTAL		2,283.73	44.43	2,328.16

Ward Councillor report to Silverdale Parish Council Date of report 3. 2. 2025

Councillor: Jacqueline Brown, Silverdale ward. No of cases: 87 No resolved: 79 ongoing: 8

Walley`s Quarry. As expected W.Q. LTD appealed the closure notice which had been issued by the E.A. in Nov 2024. Stakeholders were asked to submit their response to the appeal by 13^th Jan 2025 and I made my submission as ward councillor on the 12^th. The M.P., Silverdale Parish council and the Labour group all made submissions. In the Christmas and New Year period complaints increased with the Sentinel reporting the ‘Smell worse than ever’. I spend some time explaining to residents why this was the case as some of them believed that stopping any further waste being deposited would end the problem. Until the site is effectively capped off and restored, we will continue to suffer from the pollution. All stakeholders now are urging the Planning Inspectorate to set a date for the appeal hearing as soon as possible so we can start the restoration process.

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. I tried again in the New Year and the situation was still the same. However, those tenants that have got until April 2025 have made some progress with Newcastle Housing and are on the list for a 2 bed flat. Without a tenancy agreement there is no ‘protocol’ for the eviction. In the meantime I found articles about N.F.Es elsewhere in the country, including some that had been overturned. Unfortunately, if some tenants are allowed to stay others that have already found new homes, sometimes giving up pets or making other sacrifices, they feel aggrieved. They are always paying more rent into the bargain!

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 took his case to a meeting of Labour councillors with Aspire housing on 10^th January. I had support form the Head of allocations but no change in his situation as yet.

St. Luke`s Close development: Plans for 42 flats on the former site of bungalows built by Aspire Housing’s were approved at the Planning Committee on 28.1.25. I broadly welcomed the proposal, as anything which increases social housing provision in the ward is a bonus. However, I had some concerns about parking and density. I asked about the demarcation of parking spaces, as I predicted some issues with allocation due to well below 100% spaces provided. I was told by planning officer Rachel Kileen that a parking management scheme would be put in place by the developers but what this entailed would be up to them. The Chair of the PC made some excellent points regarding the density of the development and the percentage of flats, more inline with the type and density of inner city developments. He said that the PC would ensure that their N.P. would specify a density ratio below this. Yet again much was made of existing amenities when we know these are under considerable strain. The full debate can be found here

Planning Committee 28/01/25 Two further planning applications have been delegated. One in relation to a dance studio being provided at 61-63 High Street and the second being at Ash Grove with ‘change of use of former public footpath to domestic garden’. I am sure the PC will consider these carefully.

Environment

A Flood occurred at the Silverdale Methodists church early in January causing extensive damage. The church worked with other venues eg St Lukes and the Football club to put on an only slightly scaled down programme of activities. Lee Leighton advised me that they hope to open the building again on Easter Sunday, all being well Great effort!

We have made some progress regarding the bins in George st/Kinsey Street with unclaimed bins being removed by NULBC. However, there is still one grey bin there that has now been filled with cardboard so the bin men have left it. I have contacted Andrew Bird at NULBC about this.

Anti-Social Behaviour. I am currently trying to help a resident on the Parade who is experiencing ASB. In getting help for him I found out the PCSO Neil Moffatt has left Silverdale and is now in Stone. This is sad news as Neil had done a great deal of good work in our ward. I wish him every success in his new patch. The new PCSO for Silverdale is Matthew Henshall and I have been in touch with him to arrange a joint meeting with him and Aspire officer for Silverdale Nicola MacMillan.

Council News 2025 started with a flurry of news and controversy concerning the English Devolution White Paper. The ruling Tory administration have taken an immediate and firm stand against plans to disband borough councils and move toward Unitary authorities. They have started a campaign `Save Newcastle council` and have protested outside the M.P.s office. I spoke in the debate on this at full council on 22.1.25 which can be viewed on You Tube. My position is, all options should be looked at and if anything can make services more effective and accessible, plus save tax payers money, then I think it deserves deeper consideration.

By election in Town ward Thurs 23^rd January 2025. Labour’s Sheelagh Casey Hulme was elected as councillor for Town ward on 23.1.24. She ran an excellent campaign and it was good to see support from all the neighbouring CLPs in terms of canvassing & leafleting. Having a Labour M.P. makes a terrific difference! I look forward to working with Sheelagh in the neighbouring ward.

In the last report I mentioned my selection as the County Council candidate for Newcastle South for the May 2025 local elections. We now know Staffordshire CC have not submitted any plans for re organisation to central government. This means the elections in May this year will go ahead. The selected Labour candidate for the division which includes Silverdale is Cllr. David Jones who is leader of the Labour group and was previously the county councillor for Silverdale. The current councillor for this division is Conservative, Cllr. Derrick Huckfield. There is now speculation that the borough elections due in May 2026 will be postponed due to impending reorganisation. If this is so it means myself and the current borough councillors will have to continue for another 1 or 2 years.

Events I held a surgery on Monday 13^th Jan 2025 12.30-1.30 at Silverdale Library. A resident came to report anti social behaviour around the Parade flats and I am working with Aspire and the PCSO on this. The MP has expressed an interest in holding a joint surgery going forward and I will advise of a date when arranged.

Australia Day 26.1.25 The High Commissioner of Australia, Stephen Smith, attended a celebration held in

Silverdale to pay tribute to the ward as birthplace of Joseph Cook, Prime Minister of Australia from 1913-14. The M.P. and Parish Councillors met the Commissioner at the Miner’s Monument. He then visited the birthplace of Joseph Cook on Church st. The celebrations continued at the Bush public house. This event really got Silverdale on the map!

Silverdale Primary Yr.4 attended the library and brought their book reviews. I did a review of the latest book I had been reading. I then read to them, ‘My class visited Parliament’ which was very relevant as their Y.6 had just done so. The reviews are now displayed in the library and people have enjoyed reading them.

Up coming Events I have organised a ‘Time to Talk’ event at Silverdale Library on Thurs 6^th Feb 10am until 12 noon. This is a national initiative to combat loneliness and social isolation. Come along for a cuppa, biscuits and a good chat with some fun activities and games.

Under 5’s story continues every Monday 1.30-2pm (no story on 17^th & 24^th Feb due to holidays)

Surgeries first Monday every month (except Bank Holidays) 12.30 to 1.30 at Silverdale Library. Next surgery Mon 3^rd March . Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale.

Cllr Rupert Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council Feb 2025

Walleys Quarry

Cllr Tagg has kept me up to date on the latest developments. Walleys have attempted to bring a legal injunction to force their reopening but this was rejected by the courts. We await a date for the wider appeal hearing which might be in May. We have written to the Secretary of State asking for him to intervene for this to be expedited and prioritised. We will also be inviting the ministers to come to visit Silverdale to see the worsening stench for themselves.

Save Our Borough campaign

At the last full council, I was proud to support a motion along with the Conservative group to oppose the rushed reforms of local government which would see the abolishing of Newcastle Borough Council and a larger council likely run from Stoke on Trent being put in place. I believe for areas like Silverdale this would lead to much less representation with much larger wards, fewer elected members, less focus on our issues and decisions being taken much more distantly and with many more demands on the council. This could lead to fewer resources to dedicate to local issues like Walleys Quarry. A petition is currently going around online and on paper for residents who wish to sign it.

Aspire Housing

A resident of The Dell contacted me about persistent damp and mould in her property. I spoke to Nicola

McMillan of Aspire who forwarded me to their damp and mould dedicated team. They have already been round to assess with a view to potentially moving her out to alternative accommodation whilst essential structural work takes place.

Civic Pride

The Council is launching a Civic Pride Campaign over 2025. There is a programme of events on the Council website. The first 3 day event took place in Kidsgrove on 28-30 January. There will be a civic pride fund which, with support of councillors, groups can apply for funding to promote civic pride events in their wards.

Play Parks Task and Finish Group

As reported at the last Parish meeting, a group has been set up to look specifically at the state of play parks in the borough and scrutinise future plans and maintenance schedules. Both Silverdale councillors will be on the group and the first meeting will be on Monday.