SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular Meeting on Thursday 6 November 2025
at 6.30pm at Silverdale Library
Present: Cllr H Adamczuk (HA), Cllr J Crabtree (JC), Cllr I Gould (IG), Cllr R Stewart (RS) and Cllr R Jones (RJ), Cllr A Osobu (AO), County Cllr M Nixon (MN), Borough Cllr J Brown (JB)
In attendance: One member of the public was present.
| 228/25 | To nominate and elect the Vice Chair and to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
RESOLVED to elect Cllr J Crabtree as the Vice Chair and the declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed. |
| 229/25 | Chair’s thanks to the previous Vice Chair (HA)
HA thanked the previous Vice Chair as a long-term member of the Council. HA noted the unfortunate circumstances around their resignation. |
| 230/25 | Public Participation:
One member of the public attended the Meeting to raise concerns and seek advice about the parking issues at Farmers Gate. There are issues relating to vehicle access to empty bins and concerns over access for emergency vehicles. MN had attempted to contact Aspire and was to have a meeting with County Highways. The Cabinet Minister for Highways is aware of the issues. JB and MN to take a joint approach to put pressure on Aspire from the County and Borough Councils regarding ability to carry out their statutory duties to empty bins and to raise concerns about access for emergency vehicles. |
| 231/25 | To receive apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr S Toon (ST) and Borough Cllr R Adcock (RA). |
| 232/25 | To resolve that the minutes of the Regular meeting held on 2 October 2025 are correct and for the Chair to sign at the meeting
RESOLVED to approve. |
| 233/25 | To note the written updates from the County and Borough Councillors
Borough Councillor written reports had been circulated. MN reported that the issues on Farmers Bank are likely to take up to six months for Highways to resolve. There is the opportunity for a speed camera van to be located in Silverdale. MN asked for locations. RJ advised that the speeding issues are worse during the evening. Potholes on the bridge have been reported. |
| 234/25 | To adopt the Civility and Respect Statement of Assurance and for all members to sign (HA)
HA asked all Councillors to sign the Civility and Respect Statement of Assurance to draw to a close the reasons behind the earlier resignation. All Councillors signed the Civility and Respect Statement of Assurance. RJ requested that these be made visible with other public documents so that everyone can see the commitment of Silverdale Parish Council. |
| 235/25 | All members to sign the Statements of Pecuniary Interest Form (HA)
All councillors have completed the form. |
| 236/25 | To nominate representatives to the following Parish Council sub-Committees (HA)
a. Allotments sub-Committee RESOLVED to appoint JC, IG and RS to the Allotments sub-Committee. b. Communication and Events sub-Committee RESOLVED to appoint JC, RJ, RS and ST to the Communication and Events sub-Committee c. Parks and Recreation sub-Committee RESOLVED to appoint IG, RS, ST and AO to the Parks and Recreation sub-Committee d. Finance sub-Committee RESOLVED to appoint DP, HA, JC and ST to the Finance sub-committee e. Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group RESOLVED to appoint all Councillors and those members of the public who have attended the meetings to the Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group. |
| 237/25 | 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 an update on the NatWest bank signatories. JC and ST have been added as bank signatories. e. To consider the budget setting for 2026/27 Councillors were asked to review the budget for 2025/26 and consider the budget for 2026/27 for the December Meeting. |
| 238/25 | Planning sub-committee feedback (Standing Item) and to approve comments for the following Planning Applications
RESOLVED no comment Ellam’s Place Winter Planting 11 No Saplings- Phase 7 Urban Tree Planting Programme NBC Landscaping department are looking to plan saplings to the rear of Ellam’s Place. RESOLVED to look favorably on the project provided that the residents are informed. |
| 239/25 | To receive feedback from sub-committees
a. Allotments Sub-committee i. To receive an update on the Allotments extension (HA) Awaiting NBC. HA had asked the solicitor for a contract. Awaiting Terms of Engagement.
b. Communication and Events Sub-committee i. To discuss the Christmas events 2025 including the seniors’ lunch (JC) JC advised that the numbers were increasing and lots of helpers had offered to volunteer. ii. To receive an update on Silverdale lights (HA) The Christmas Lights Switch-on had been advertised. IG has the Christmas lights. HA had contacted the contractor at Aspire who had agreed to collect and install the lights. HA to prepare a risk assessment. The car park closure notice is complete. The Police have agreed to attend. HA to be the Master of Ceremony. RJ advised on the costs of St John Ambulance being present of £114.40. RESOLVED to approve. RJ to look into shelters for First Aiders in case of need. RESOLVED to approve donations of £200 each to The Lions Club for the provision of Santa and his sleigh and also to Silverdale Methodist Church for the provision of the Brass Band. RESOLVED for RJ to purchase a megaphone at £104.99. RS to check that the shops on The Parade will remain open. It had been arranged for the SPC litter picker to litter pick the morning after the Christmas event. JC to arrange collection of the Hi-Viz jackets. iii. To discuss the cost of replacing defective canopy lights 2 Lengths of ‘icicles’ and the option to replace one entire length at the Parade (HA) RESOLVED to approve the quote of £270 for replacement icicle lights. iv. To received other events updates (JC, IG and RJ) HA has the wreath for Remembrance Sunday. c. Parks and Recreation Sub-committee i. To receive an update on the adult exercise equipment (HA/IG) The Meeting discussed the inspections detailed in the License from NBC as no costs had been included. HA to contact NBC regarding the details of the inspections of the exercise equipment after it has been installed. ii. To discuss the Borough Council Questionnaire for Silverdale Park (HA) This matter was rolled over. |
| 240/25 | Community matters (Standing item)
a. To receive an update on the Community Speed watch volunteers and training (RJ) RJ awaiting forms and a training date from Staffordshire Police. b. To receive an update on the successful S53 Application to add a Footpath between Quarry Bank and Staveley Place. The footpath has been approved. Awaiting the Order. c. To discuss correspondence received from a resident regarding tracks and access. This relates to anti-social behaviour by some users of e-bikes on the tracks on the Mineral Line since the barrier design. Sustrans had changed the barrier design and a review is to take place on increased accessibility and the barrier redesign. |
| 241/25 | Walley’s Quarry Ltd Landfill (Standing item)
See Borough councillor reports. |
| 242/25 | Neighbourhood Development Plan
a. To receive an update on the Green Spaces Audit Update (ST/JC) The Green Space Audit showing 39 green spaces had been written by JC and ST and sent on to the Planning Consultant. A few changes are to be made and then the document can be reviewed by Councillors before being sent out to members of the public for comments. b. To discuss the 19 November Agenda Proposal for a questionnaire for Silverdale businesses (HA) The Planning Consultant is to attend the next Steering Group Meeting and it is hoped to send a questionnaire out to the businesses in Silverdale before Christmas. |
| 243/25 | Parish jobs referred to the contractor (Standing item)
DP to ask the contractor for a quote to clean the bus shelters and to clear the Culvert. |
| 244/25 | Borough Local Plan
a. Borough Council Plan Update (HA) The consultation on the Borough Local Plan was initiated on 5 November 2025. The cow field between Cemetery Road and Keele Road is proposed to be outside of the Green Belt. This matter is to be raised. The Acres Allotment area identified for use by travelers has been changed to a housing site. HA asked councillors to visit the NBC website to check the plans. |
| 245/25 | To consider any grant applications (SPC Grants annual budget £2,500)
a. To consider a grant application received from Silverdale Methodist Church £335.23 RESOLVED to approve. b. To receive an update on the grant request of £250 towards the printing costs of History of Monument to Mining (HA) RESOLVED to approve. |
| 246/25 | GDPR (Standing Item) – INFORMATION ONLY
Subject Access Requests/Information Security/Data Breaches – reminder. None. |
| 247/25 | To note the Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association Bulletins and correspondence received. Noted. |
| 248/25 | Highways matters (Standing item) None
The Meeting closed at 8.25pm |
|
THE NEXT MONTHLY MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON 4 December 2025 at 6.30pm To agree future dates to include 8 January 2026, 5 February 2026. |
The Financial appendices are in the PDF version of the minutes
Cllr Rupert Adcock report November 2025
Local plan update
The modifications to the local plan made in work with the planning inspector are now out for consultation. I welcome the elimination of the Gypsy and Traveller site 8 near the Acres allotments which the allotment holders and I had been asking for in our comments at the last consultation. I also welcome the addition that any developers of the former golf course sites will be expected to make financial contributions to the ongoing maintenance of the Country Park and an assessment on the structural stability of the Spring Pool will need to be carried out. All previous consultees have been contacted, and responses can be submitted until 17th December.
Walleys Quarry
The picture continues to be positive for odour and emissions. I have asked council officers to continue to press the EA to hold a public information meeting (that they had previously committed to) to explain the next steps for this site. On 16 October the government rejected the request for a public inquiry for a second time. This is very regretful as I believe waste crime to be a growing problem, and crucial lessons need to be learned as this could happen again elsewhere. The council has maintained its position on the inquiry for a long time and we continue to press for further action but I believe it is up to the MP to be lobbying for this to happen within government.
Former Conservative Club
I have identified potential trustees of the club but have not been able to contact them directly. However, their solicitors have passed on my comments on my behalf and I await a further response. In the meantime, there have been no further developments at the site, and it remains sold STC whilst delays and issues at land registry are addressed. It is regrettable that the planning decision stands and I am happy to work with all others on a strategy way forward.
Local government reorganisation
The Council has published its position regarding LGR following work with consultants. We believe that a Newcastle-under-Lyme Unitary Council would be the best option compared to larger models and is best placed to protect our taxpayers, decision making independence and heritage. A meeting discussing this position will be held on 19th November.
County Health and Care Committee
I will be attending a meeting next week at County Council to have an update on the Staffordshire and Stoke Winter Plan as well as the performance of the West Midlands Ambulance Service. I am happy to pass along any feedback relevant to our area.
Ward Councillor report to Silverdale Parish Council Date of report 3.11. 25
Councillor: Jacqueline Brown, Silverdale ward. No of cases: 111 No resolved: 93 ongoing: 18
Planning & housing: Planning Application 25/00336/FUL permission granted to use the former Conservative club on Church street as a 15 bed HMO. NULBC finally responded to my Stage 2 Complaint on the 22nd October 2025 this is 23 working days after the deadline of 19th of September. This is in breach of their own complaint`s procedure. Their response was from J Hallam, the reviewing officer from the Information and Governance Team, who said the following:
I have identified no additional evidence and therefore the decision has been taken to not uphold your request at Stage 2.
As stated in the Stage 1 response there are some learning points which have been highlighted and actions put in place.
This is our final response to your complaint. If you feel that it has not been dealt with in the appropriate manner, you may complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to investigate independently of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
There is the option of taking the matter to the Ombudsman and there is also the question of whether to contact the Trustees. I now must decide my next move, and I would like to discuss this with the PC.
Silverdale Sidings 106 moneys: No change since OCT report
Environment
Walleys Quarry Our MP Adam Jogee featured a piece on WQ in his `A year in Parliament leaflet` which I am helping to deliver. In this piece he talks about being in regular contact with the EA who are overseeing the site`s restoration. Work is underway to cap the landfill, manage gas emissions and improve conditions on site. The M.P. has recently visited the site to see the work in progress.
The untidy business on Cemetery Rd, former garage site. No change since Oct report.
Hedge at the back of May st/The Dell I am reporting success with this case the hedge has now been cut to a tidy height.
At this week`s surgery a new case of overgrown hedges has been reported to me at the Knutton end of Silverdale Road. I have taken a photograph and reported it. The hedge further along by the bus stop is out of my ward and I have let the Knutton Councillor, Cllr. Lyn Dean, know about it.
Care Home/Supported housing on May Street. Since the last report it has continued to be quiet with no further reports of Anti social behaviour. The M.P.`s office had suggested the residents make `impact statements` but there has been little interest in this as things are quiet at the moment. The MP has written to residents saying he would continue to keep an interest and for residents to keep him informed of any change.
I have heard nothing from Jayne Letts concerning the Parade Park Lights since 9.7.25. With the dark nights now here and the Silverdale Lights Xmas event coming up it seems a real shame that there is no progress on this. No change since Oct report.
Silverdale Community Centre Park Road No Change reported since Oct report
Events
Opening the new library at Silverdale Primary Academy. On the 9th of October I Opened the new library at Silverdale Primary Academy. I had the great pleasure of cutting the ribbon to open The Reading Nook on Thurs. 9th October. The children had worked so hard to organise and set up this new facility. The Rotary Club who had donated many of the books. I presented the children with an engraved plaque which has been put on the library wall reading
Silverdale Primary Academy- The Reading Nook-opened 9th October 2025 by Cllr. Jacqueline Brown
Remembrance I will be laying a wreath on behalf of the Labour Party at the service at St. Luke`s church on Sunday 9th November. Afterwards I have been invited to watch the screening of The Imitation Game a WW2 film telling the story of Alan Turing at The Brampton`s museum.
I held my usual Councillor surgery at 12.30-1.30 on Mon 3rd Nov at Silverdale Library and the next one Mon 1sr Dec at the same time.
Next Planning Committee Meetings 4th Nov and 2nd Dec 2025
Next full council meeting Wed 19th November
Next Silverdale Neighbourhood Plan Steering group meeting 26.9.25
Silverdale Xmas Lights switch on Friday 5th December
Christmas Sing Songs and mince pies at Silverdale Library Mon 15th Dec at 1.30pm. All Parish councillors welcome.
Weekly updates available F.B. page Councillor Jacqueline Brown in Silverdale