Silverdale Parish Council

5th May 2016
11249 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Thursday, 5th May 2016.
11250 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors J. (John) Bennett, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons, D. (David) Sandiford, P.N. (Paul) Williams the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, City Councillor N. (Nigel) Goodrich (part) and 13 members of the public.
11251 Election of Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Bond be re-elected as Chairman. Councillor Bond signed his declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair.
11252 Election of Vice-Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Bennett be elected as Vice-Chairman.
11253 Apologies for Absence: Councillor S.L. (Shirley) Mason.
11254 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
11255 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 4th April were approved then signed by the Chairman.
11256 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Chairman referred to: (1) item 11154, regarding a tree in the War Memorial Garden in Mr Tyson Edmondson’s memory, RESOLVED that the Clerk ask Mr Paul Holgate and Mr Stefan Laws to plant the tree as soon as possible; (2) item 11237, regarding the planning application for the construction of a skate park, tennis court and running track at the Institute and reported that it has been refused. RESOLVED that he and other Members meet with members of the Institute to discuss any future plans.
Councillor Houghton referred to item 11173, regarding the dispensers for dog waste bags, and advised that they are all in place.
Councillor Bennett referred to: (1) item 11204, regarding the fence round the toilets, and advised that he and Councillor Williams have still to consider what action should be taken; (2) item 11241, regarding waste water drainage/ treatment, and reported that he and Mr Geoff Wood are working on some guidelines to help residents implement the Environment Agency rules for private/ non-mains waste water systems. He is hoping to have draft guidelines available for the next meeting of this council. Councillor Bennett noted that United Utilities (UU) are investing approximately £3.5 billion in the North West region. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact UU to enquire as to whether or not they have plans for mains drainage in Silverdale and look up previous correspondence from them regarding this issue (sent around 12-24 months ago).
The Clerk referred to item 11244, regarding the reduction in Lancaster City Council’s (Lancaster CC’s) contribution to the running costs of the public toilets, and said that Mr Paul Cocker, Public Realm Officer, had suggested that City Councillor Goodrich be approached about the matter.
Councillor Ribbons referred to item 11246 and informed Members that the work to replace the roof panels to the tower structure in the playground has been completed.
11257 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. There is a proposal to hold a bike race in the village on September 11th starting at 12.30pm (this date coincides with the last day of the Tour of Britain). British Cycling support the proposal, they produce comprehensive guidance notes and their standards would have to be met for the race to go ahead. They would take control of the race on the day itself. The proposed route is circular starting and finishing at the The Royal and would involve roads being closed for 2.5 hours (this allows time for children’s races). A Risk Assessment has been carried out for the race itself, but more Risk Assessments will be needed to cover risks for spectators and pedestrians etc. It was noted that the road from Carnforth to Millhead will be closed over a 12-week period (including September 11th) whilst UU carry out works and that Highways consider this to be a problem for the race going ahead. The application for road closure costs £1,500 (signage will be required in both Lancashire and Cumbria) and so the organisers would like to know whether or not this council is supportive of the event before applying for this.
Members suggested that: a traffic survey be carried out in order to have an idea as to how much traffic comes into the village; as much information as possible about the event be made available and an open meeting be held.
1. Members were asked for an update on the removal of footpath 22 in connection with the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
11258 Report from City Councillor Nigel Goodrich
RESOLVED to defer agenda item 6 as Councillor Goodrich was expected to arrive later.
11259 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
1. Natural England
The Chairman reported that he had attended a drop-in session held by Natural England regarding the Silecroft to Silverdale stretch of the England Coast Path, and that they are in the process of ascertaining which land owners are involved.
2. Friends of Silverdale Station
Councillor Williams advised that Network Rail are keen to close the crossing at the station and are looking at other ways of accessing both platforms.
11260 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted:
a) Development Plan AONB consultation (ends 3/5/16);
b) Mr Martin Humphrey writes to ask for a day’s hire of Gaskell Hall for the Arnside and Silverdale Food Festival on 9/7/16. RESOLVED to pay for the cost of the hall hire (up to £72);
c) an invitation from Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) to be involved in the maintenance of Public Rights of Way. RESOLVED not to be involved;
d) notice of Natural England’s drop-in sessions about the development of the Silecroft to Silverdale to stretch of the England Coast Path (see 11259 above);
e) invitation to [City of Lancaster’s] Mayor’s Sunday service on 15/5/16 at 3pm at Lancaster Priory. It was noted that the Chairman will attend;
f) email from a resident pointing out an error in the parish council’s AONB DPD submission regarding the speed on Bottoms Lane in the area of the proposed site and requesting that it is corrected. It was noted that the site in question has since been withdrawn;
g) notice of a Lancaster CC/ South Lakeland District Council/ AONB Partnership drop-in event at the Gaskell Hall on 25/5/16 (2-7pm) as part of a public consultation about the list of Local Heritage Assets. It was noted that this council submitted suggestions for the list in 2014;
h) LALC Conference at Leyland on 14/5/16 (9.30-4.15pm);
I) the Local Government Boundary Commission inform of their final recommendations of the Electoral Review of Lancashire which can be found online;
j) LCR publication;
k) Ms Sue Briggs from Superfast Lancashire gives an update on fibre broadband in Silverdale. RESOLVED that Councillor Houghton draft a letter in response;
m) Came and Company Newsletter, Spring 2016.
11261 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a, and comments made as indicated:
16/00391/FUL 5 The Green. Erection of a single storey side extension and a single storey rear extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
16/00326/FUL 43 The Row. Erection of a single storey front extension and installation of a raised roof to front and side. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
16/00391/FUL 16 Cove Drive. Single storey rear extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
16/0043/TPO 2 Stankelt Road. Works to trees. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
16/00457/FUL Croziers Croft, Moss Lane. Creation of a new driveway and erection of associated fencing. It was noted that a resident had contacted the parish council regarding this. RESOLVED to ask Highways to look at the traffic safety issues, particularly with regards to reversing out onto Moss Lane.
16/00480/FUL The Sun House, Lindeth Road. Erection of a two storey side extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
LCC/2016/0030 Bleasdale House Special School. Single storey extension to provide office accommodation. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(3) It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.
11262 Report from City Councillor Nigel Goodrich
Councillor Goodrich reported that: (1) the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are looking at building in resilience to help protect Lancaster from the effects of flooding in the future e.g. by identifying those residents who are most vulnerable, installing external sockets to critical buildings (such as care homes) for generators and by making plans to put the Caton Road electricity substation on stilts; (2) the planning application for a new development on Whinney Fold has been withdrawn.
The Chairman asked Councillor Goodrich about Lancaster CC’s late announcement of their decision to reduce their contribution to the running costs of the public toilets. Councillor Goodrich acknowledged that the announcement about the cuts had been too late for the precept application.
11263 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that the Clerk had ordered replacement roof panels and floor repairs to the tower (at a cost of £1,333.30) and had asked Mr Stefan Laws to repair the strip of wood to the aerial runway in the playground; all these repairs have now been carried out.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
The Clerk has checked that the council’s insurance covers the putting up of bunting; the insurance company have confirmed that it does and have asked for a Risk Assessment to be kept on record.
11264 Electrical Inspection for the Public Toilets
It was noted that two quotations to carry out an electrical inspection of the toilets had been obtained from Mr Mulholland (£154 + VAT) and Mr Cooper (£150 + VAT). RESOLVED to ask Mr Mulholland to carry out the work as this would act as a counter check (Mr Cooper having carried out electrical works in 2011).
11265 Election of Representatives etc.
RESOLVED that the following appointments be made for 2016/17:
Morecambe Bay Partnership – unappointed;
Lancaster and District Sustainable Transport Forum – Councillor Williams;
Silverdale United Charities – Councillor Mason;
Mansergh’s Charity – Councillor Williams;
AONB Executive Committee – Councillor Palmer;
LAPTC (Lancaster Area Committee) – Chairman;
Playground Committee – Councillor Bennett;
Archbishop Hutton Trust – Chairman;
Silverdale Institute Committee – Councillor Sandiford;
Woodlands Management Committee – Chairman and Councillor Houghton;
Friends of Silverdale Station – Councillor Williams.
11266 Finance
(a) Councillor Ribbons conducted the monthly check of all money received by the Council and found the records to be satisfactory. It was noted that there had been the following receipts: Precept – £19,901.00 (BACS payment); Lancaster CC contribution towards the maintenance of the public toilets – £2,513.00 (BACS); VAT refund – £650.31.
(b) It was noted that Lancaster CC have advised that the toilets are subject to Small Business Rate Relief and the charge will be £0.00.
(c) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
British Gas (toilet electricity) £56.80 (1154)
Gaskell Memorial Hall (hire for Annual Parish Meeting) £24.00 (1156)
Hygiene Cleaning Supplies Ltd. (public toilets) £63.65 (1157)
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning etc.) £225.83 (1158)
Mr Stefan Laws (contractor) £166.25 (1159)
Mr John Allen (internal audit) £100.00 (1165)
SELRAP (membership) £15.00 (1161)
FLAG (membership) £10.00 (1162)
Mr Paul Holgate (tree) £150.00 (1163)
R.E. Salt & Co Ltd. (toilet taps) £93.60 (1164)
11267 Silverdale Library
It was noted that Lancs. CC have still not responded to the request made in January for information on the cost of running the library or to subsequent reminders. It was further noted that Lancs. CC will make known the options for all their buildings on 16th May, the consultation period will begin then and will end on 7th August. Decisions will be made on 8th September. RESOLVED to refer to the consultation document when it is available online and to discuss what action should be taken at the next meeting of this council.
11268 Sewage on the Shore
It was noted that Highways have not responded to a request made last year to put a camera down the road drain on Shore Road, and beyond, to discover whose septic tank is discharging into it and map the layout of all feeds into it. RESOLVED to press for a response and to ask Councillor Goodrich if he can also pursue the matter with Lancs. CC.
11269 Items for Information
1. Councillor Houghton advised that there is a cover missing from the water mains tap outside Beech Court, Stankelt road (on the footpath).
2. Councillor Williams reported that the drain outside 61 Stankelt Road is full of mud and the concrete there is proud of the ground and a hazard.
3. The Chairman informed that he has been approached by a resident who has received a letter from the Land Registry regarding landowner’s rights – apparently various residents have been written to in connection with Dallam Tower’s wish to assert rights over their land. He explained that if objections are raised the landowner has to prove their right; if there are no objections the landowner does not have to prove it.
11270 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. Possible closure of Silverdale library.
2. Problems with sewage discharging onto the shore.
3. Funding of the hire of a hall for a meeting about the proposed bike race.
11271 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 6th June 2016. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 30th May.
Sue Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council