SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Thursday 6 March 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 S Doyle (SD), Borough Cllr J Brown (JB, part), Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA, part)
Parish Clerk: Ms D Powell
In attendance: One member of the public attended the meeting.
| 54/25 | Public Participation: One member of the public attended to observe the Meeting. |
| 55/25 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr A Osobu (AO) |
| 56/25 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 6 February 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting.
RESOLVED to approve. |
| 57/25 | Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary interest in any item on the agenda None |
| 58/25 | New councillors to complete and sign the pecuniary interests form
New councilors were asked to sign the pecuniary interests form. The forms were signed by IH, GC and SD. |
| 59/25 | To consider the co-option to vacant councillor position
No one in attendance. |
| 60/25 | To note the written update from the Borough Councillors
Borough councillor written reports had been circulated. RA updated the Meeting regarding Walleys Quarry, anti-social behaviour and the Councils reorganization. RA left the Meeting. JB joined the Meeting at 7.30 with apologies for lateness. JB proved an update on anti-social behaviour relating to the off-road bikes. The Knutton Quarry license had been set up to 2039 to extract clay and other material. JB also updated on the English Devolution Bill and a unitary Staffordshire Authority. JB left the Meeting at 7.45pm |
| 61/25 | To discuss a new email provider
ST is reviewing the list of providers. Matter rolled over. |
| 62/25 | Finance
a. To approve the payments, receipts and transfers – Appendix A. RESOLVED to approve. b. To note and approve the bank reconciliation – Appendix B. Rolled over. c. To note and approve the budget report – Appendix C. RESOLVED to approve. d. To consider earmarked reserves. RESOLVED to approve the allocation from general reserves to earmarked reserves of the following: Defibrillator £2,500 Email provider £3,000 Neighbourhood Development Plan website £1,000 Bleed kits for the defibrillator cabinets £500 Defibrillator pads and batteries £1,000 Adult exercise equipment £10,000 |
| 63/25 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and approve comments for the following Planning Applications.
25/00088/FUL | Proposed first floor rear extension | 111 Church Street Silverdale Newcastle UnderLyme Staffordshire ST5 6JJ No objection 24/00427/FUL | Replacement garage | Adj 37 Racecourse Silverdale Newcastle Under LymeStaffordshire ST5 6PD No objection |
| 64/25 | To receive feedback from sub-committees
a. Allotments Sub-committee To consider the Allotments Sub Committee-Terms of Reference HA had prepared the Terms of Reference which the Meeting discussed. RESOLVED for the revised Terms of Reference and an update on the lease with NBC to be included on the next agenda. b. Communication and Events Sub-committee To discuss an afternoon tea and Christmas event 2025 JC advised the Meeting that an afternoon tea event had been arranged for 24 and 25 June 2025 at The Dell. A Christmas lunch had been arranged for 16 and 17 December at The Dell. c. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee A meeting to discuss this is due to take place. |
| 65/25 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. Locally Listed and Statutory Listed Buildings Update (HA) This had been confirmed. Item to be removed for the agenda. b. To receive an update on the locations and installation of the defibrillators. (IG) Two defibrillators had been installed. One at the Silverdale Athletics Club and one outside the tattoo artist shop. |
| 66/25 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill
a. To discuss Walleys Quarry Liquidation announcement Item contained within the Borough Councillor report |
| 67/25 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group and to receive comments on the Guidance and Codes A Steering Group Meeting had taken place on 26 February 2025 where the AECOM Guidance and Coding report had been discussed. HA had circulated the minutes. The document had been approved. Mappings show green spaces and the greenbelt in Silverdale. A final report is expected from AECOM next month. SP11 and SP23 will be within a separate document. b. To consider a community event to mark the completion of the AECOM final report and to publicize achievements with the Design Guidance. A community event is to be considered by the Communications sub-committee. It was decided to publicize this in a newsletter. CM thanked HA for his involvement in the NDP. HA thanked the members of the Steering Group. The Meeting discussed funding from AECOM for a health check of the document. HA to write to NBC and Keele Parish Council in readiness to start the Master Planning process to cover the Golf Course and site SP23. |
| 68/25 | Mining Monument and Miners Wheel
a. To discuss refurbishment of the Miners Wheel RESOLVED to approve the quote from the contractor of £150 to jetwash the Miners Wheel. b. To consider quotes for the cutting back of hedges and trees at the Mining Monument. JC had not received a response from NBC to emails. It is now too late to cut back the trees as the nesting season has started so this matter will be considered in September. |
| 69/25 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor To consider the estimate regarding the water course at Kinsey Street.
RESOLVED to approve the quote for two days to clear the watercourse at a cost of £500 and then to review the job. RESOLVED to approve a quote for the installation of a dog waste bin at £205. |
| 70/25 | Local Plan consultation and Keele/Silverdale Growth Corridor
a. Borough Council Plan Update Awaiting an update from the Inspector. No hearing date has been set. |
| 71/25 | Acres Allotments
a. To discuss progress HA had spoken with NBC. This matter is not yet finalized. |
| 72/25 | To consider any grant applications (SPC grant scheme £2,000)
To reconsider a grant application from Silverdale Methodists Church A grant application had been received earlier in the year from Silverdale Methodist Church for £429 for a Christmas Eve event. SPC had resolved to approve £200 of the application as a donation of £250 had already been paid for the provision of the Brass Band for the cancelled SPC Christmas event. The Meeting discussed the follow up email received from Silverdale Methodist Church. SPC RESOLVED not to change position on the previous decision. |
| 73/25 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches. None. |
| 74/25 | To receive and update on flooding reports on the Mineral Line at Sutton Avenue/High Steet Silverdale.
No further update. |
| 75/25 | To note the Staffs Parish Council Association Bulletins and correspondence received.
Noted. |
| 76/25 | Highways matters (Standing item)
The number of potholes had increased. Councillors were asked to send details of potholes to JC for reporting. |
| 77/25 | To discuss Freedom of Information re T&G8 site Silverdale Business Park West.
No update. |
| 78/25 | To discuss adult exercise equipment for the park (IG).
This matter is ongoing. |
| 79/25 | To discuss a memorial (CM). CM had discussed the memorial with the family. A bench for the location of the memorial has been chosen and a plaque is being sourced. |
| 80/25 | To discuss anti social behaviour at the Pavilion Silverdale Park (JC)
This matter was discussed earlier. |
| The Meeting closed at 8.30pm
THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 3 April 2025 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include, 1 May 2025, 5 June 2025, 3 July 2025 |
Silverdale Parish Council
Payments Schedule March 2025
| DATE | REF/ Ch no | PAYEE | DESCRIPTION | NET £ | VAT £ | AMOUNT £ |
| 10/02/2025 | 427 | Henryk Adamczak | Reimbursement for Absolute
Drainage payment |
660.00 | 0.00 | 660.00 |
| 18/02/2025 | 428 | Silverdale Methodist Church | Grant for Christmas event | 200.00 | 0.00 | 200.00 |
| 06/03/2025 | 429 | Litter picker | Litter picking contract 20 hours 8 February 2025 to 28 February 2025 | 228.80 | 0.00 | 228.80 |
| 06/03/2025 | 430 | Payroll | March 2025 | 745.33 | 0.00 | 745.33 |
| 06/03/2025 | 431 | Staffordshire Pension Fund | Pension contributions March
2025 |
284.80 | 0.00 | 284.80 |
| 06/03/2025 | 432 | VAST | HMRC month 12 and year end payroll charges | 100.38 | 5.10 | 105.48 |
| 06/03/2025 | 433 | Office expenses | Mileage, Zoom subscription, stamps, paper | 49.38 | 2.60 | 51.98 |
| 06/03/2025 | 434 | Keele SU Trading Limited | Printing NP DDC document | 57.96 | 0.00 | 57.96 |
| 06/03/2025 | 435 | Midlands Electrical Fire and Security Ltd | Installation of defibrillator at Silverdale Athletics Club | 295.00 | 59.00 | 354.00 |
| TOTAL | 2,621.65 | 66.70 | 2,688.35 |
Silverdale Parish Council Budget Report 2024/25
| EXPENDITURE | BUDGET | TOTAL | VARIANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk’s Salary/PAYE/NI/Pension/Locum | 12,000 | 13,081 | 1,081 |
| Chair allowance | 250 | 0 | -250 |
| Contingency | 500 | 0 | -500 |
| Expenses/Postage/Payroll charges/Room hire | 650 | 1,238 | 588 |
| Office Equip/Stationary/Printing | 600 | 309 | -291 |
| 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 | 2,983 | 2,983 |
| Total | 15,200 | 19,926 | 4,726 |
| Mining Project -see Special Projects | 0 | 209 | 209 |
| Groundwork/NDP – see Special Projects | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Allotments | 2,500 | 660 | -1,840 |
| Comm Safety (match funding measures) inc speed measures | 1,000 | 0 | -1,000 |
| Entertainment & the Arts (eg Xmas parties, youth activities etc) | 1,700 | 1,578 | -122 |
| Highways (inc provision of Grit Bins £500, refill and culvert cleaning, signs) | 1,500 | 0 | -1,500 |
| Fencing De rusting Painting | 2,500 | 3,332 | 832 |
| Litter collector/ranger/Community payback | 0 | 686 | 686 |
| Newsletter/Website/Publications | 2,500 | 1,745 | -755 |
| Asset additions (benches, dog waste bins and 2 x defibrillators) – see Special Projects | 0 | 295 | 295 |
| Assets (maintenance & cleaning, new noticeboard (Library), Bus shelters) | 1,500 | 1,314 | -186 |
| Housing condition and heat loss survey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Powers and Duties | 13,200 | 9,819 | -3,382 |
| Flowers / Plants/ Wreaths /Litter picks/Hanging baskets | 500 | 685 | 185 |
| Grant applications | 2,500 | 782 | -1,718 |
| Total Grants | 3,000 | 1,467 | -1,533 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE (General running costs) | 31,400 | 31,212 | -188 |
| 31,212 | |||
| SPECIAL PROJECTS (Budgets transferred from Reserves) | BUDGET | TOTAL | VARIANCE |
| Earmarked reserve – Groundwork UK/NDP | 1,799 | 1,568 | -231 |
| Earmarked reserve – Mining monument refurbishment | 4,940 | 4,940 | 0 |
| Earmarked reserve – Asset additions benches, dog waste bins and defibrillators | 8,992 | 8,992 | 0 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON SPECIAL PROJECTS | 15,731 | 15,501 | -230 |
Cllr R Adcock report for Silverdale Parish Council March 2025
Walleys Quarry
With the company shamefully deciding to enter liquidation there are many worries and unanswered questions about what happens next. I have been working with my fellow councillors on the Liaison Committee about what we can do to influence the next steps. We have written to Adam Jogee MP to ask him to take up the following points with the government:
1) commit to a public inquiry on the Walleys disaster 2) seek assurances criminal investigations will be followed up and prosecuted 3) provide funding if necessary so that the burden does not fall on local taxpayers 4) consider what reparations may be due to the local residents.
I am also suggesting that once the situation is a little clearer, we ask the EA for a public meeting so they can explain the liquidation process and implications for capping.
I have contacted Alison Powell from Arcadis suggesting that the Community Steering Group that was setup on Walleys Quarry be continued for at least the immediate future so residents have a voice and a place to air their questions and concerns about the community impact of capping off and restoration of the site. We await the views of the other members of the Group.
Anti Social Behaviour
With the ongoing issue of off road vehicles causing nuisance and damage to green space (as seen again in Kidsgrove last week reported on Midlands Today) as Chair of Health, Wellbeing and Environment Committee I have invited the Borough Police Commander to the next meeting of our committee to hear a report on anti-social behaviour and ask questions on their plans to deal with the bikes issue.
Council merger opposition
I was contacted by a Silverdale resident opposed to the government’s plans to abolish Newcastle Borough Council and force a potential merger with Stoke on Trent. I agreed with his points about how Newcastle voices could be marginalized in a larger council and our taxpayers being used to finance Stoke on Trent’s debts as well as the significant costs of reorganization. I spoke at the last Full Council to oppose these plans and voted for the motion to make clear our opposition to this proposal. Labour led Stafford Borough Council are also opposing plans to be merged with Stoke. We are holding a Special Council meeting on 19th March to agree a submission to the government on the Council’s position on reorganization and look at alternative proposals.
Heritage Park adopted roads
I have helped a representative from David Wilson Homes to follow up their case with the County Council in their ongoing efforts to get the roads on Heritage Park adopted. They have been successful in getting Severn Trent to adopt the sewers last Summer but highways are proving a more tricky issue. The unadopted nature of the roads is causing some issues for residents when buying and selling houses on the estates. They have now heard back from County and I offered to help them with a meeting to push the process along should it fail to make progress.
Aspire Housing issue
I have helped a resident of Park Road who was suffering with mould and moisture in her home which was worsening her health conditions. I contacted Aspire’s mould and damp team urgently and an officer was sent out the next day. They are looking at alternative accommodation for her until the structural issue has been resolved.