Silverdale Parish Council

5th September 2016
11351 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 5th September 2016.
11352 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors J. (John) Bennett, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, City Councillor N. (Nigel) Goodrich and 13 members of the public.
11353 Apologies for Absence: Councillor D. (David) Sandiford.
11354 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Williams expressed an interest in agenda item 13 (g) regarding an application for funding from FOSS in that he is a member of FOSS.
11355 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 1st August were approved then signed by the Chairman.
11356 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
11154 – a stone has been put in place and a tree planted in the War Memorial garden in memory of Mr Tyson Edmondson.
11305 – it has not been possible to have a link to the bus timetable put on the website; Councillor Bennett has requested a copy of the timetable in PDF for the website.
11357 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. A number of residents spoke of their concerns about the future of Silverdale library which it is felt is a valuable community asset. Points were made about rural areas possibly being disadvantaged, the number of people who do not use the internet (and rely on the library to access information) and to the provision of computers in the library which are used by those who do wish to use the internet, but do not have use of a computer at home. A resident explained her understanding that the decision about proposed library closures had not been based on usage but on the property itself and its suitability for use by multiple services, she gave Councillor Bond a list of ideas as to services this Council might consider including should they wish to put forward a proposal to Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) for taking over the running of the library as a neighbourhood centre.
Councillor Bond advised residents to make their views known to Ms Jo Turton, Chief Executive of Lancs. CC.
2. Disappointment was expressed about the lack of response to various queries etc. from County Councillor Alycia James.
3. Comments were made about the signage in connection with the diversions in place whilst United Utilities carry out work at Millhead – the signage is considered to be unclear.
4. A number of street lights are out along a stretch of Emesgate Lane.
5. The post at the top of Bottoms Lane has been painted.
Councillor Bond advised that this was carried out by a member of the public who wishes to remain anonymous, he expressed thanks that the work has been done.
11358 Report from City Councillor Nigel Goodrich
Councillor Goodrich reported that: (1) whilst drivers are encouraged to use certain routes in one direction during the United Utilities diversion, a one-way system is not in place; this will cause problems for larger vehicles passing on narrow roads; (2) he has written to Lancs. CC regarding the proposed library closures and reiterated Councillor Bond’s suggestion that residents do the same; (3) County Councillor James has been expelled from the Conservative Group.
11359 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
None.
11360 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning application was dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a and comments made as indicated:
16/0089/TPO 15 Spring Bank. Pruning and Management of Ash Tree T2 and various trees. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
16/00905/FUL 42 Lindeth Road. Erection of a single storey side extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
Councillor Ribbons asked that the agenda include the date that planning applications were emailed to Members.
11361 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that:
1. the toilet flush has been repaired by RE Salt & Co Ltd.;
2. Mr Stefan Laws has removed the tree which had fallen down at Burton Well and that this was done within his normal hours.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Function
None.
11362 Risk Assessment
RESOLVED to make no changes to the insurance cover at the present time. RESOLVED that Councillor Bennett look at the Risk Assessment separately and in more detail.
11363 Finance
(a) It was noted that no payments had been received since the last meeting.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £225.83 (001189)
Envirocare (contractor work) £199.99 (001196)
Mr Stefan Laws (contractor) £196.25 + £79.32 = £275.57 (001190)
United Utilities (April-July (estimated)) £118.22 (001191)
Mr E. Salt (repair to toilet flush) £34.20 (001192)
Gaskell Memorial Hall (s137 – food festival) £72.00 (001193)
Bio Bags (dog waste bags) £145.44 (001194)
Came and Company (insurance) £1125.30 (001195)
UKhost4U (domain name) £119.99 (001197)
RESOLVED that the Clerk look at suppliers of the ‘bio bags’ and report back on the price per bag.
11364 Waste Water/Sewerage (Off Mains Systems)
Councillor Bennett reported that Morecambe Bay Partnership have offered to do a presentation in the Gaskell Hall on this subject and to provide publicity material/ information leaflets. Councillor Bond asked that this take place over a weekend or one evening. RESOLVED to delay the production of any information by this Council until Members have seen the publicity provided by the Morecambe Bay Partnership.
11365 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and circulated:
a) Parish champion newsletter;
b) FLAG publications;
c) Mr Ben Dawson from Lancashire Highways responds to Councillor Bond’s email on parking issues around The Royal and he states: “Highways are unable to help except by painting H bars across owners’ drives at the owners’ expense”. RESOLVED to ask Councillor Goodrich to follow up on this;
d) North West Coastal Access update;
e) severe weather update 2016 from Anne Woods at Lancs. CC;
f) response from Carnforth Rotary club and invitation to the end presentation regarding their Purple for Polio project. It was noted that no Member was able to accept the invitation until the date of the presentation had been established;
g) FOSS provide an update on progress and asks for financial support to provide more ‘Furness style’ seating at Silverdale station (s137). It was noted that a pair of painted cast iron ends (Furness style) costs £325 (plus slats and brackets). RESOLVED to contribute up to £400 towards the cost of one bench;
h) Ms Jo Turton informs that 7,700 replies have been received to the change of services consultation and the recommendations will go to cabinet on 8th September;
i) Mr Mike Buckley (Lancs. CC) asks permission to lay soakaways or alternatives on the field at the top of the playground to alleviate flooding on Elmslack Lane. It was noted that the Clerk had responded to say that the Parish Council do not own the field, but would want to see a Risk Assessment of the proposed work as there could be contamination from septic tanks, located in the field, flowing into the playground;
j) new Northern Train Times bulletin – No. 6;
k) press release concerning the future of the Co-op stores.
11366 Playground
It was noted that three quotations for wetpour had been received: from Safety Surfaces Ltd for £1467, from Abacus Playgrounds Ltd for £1975 and from Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) and that an order had been placed with the latter.
11367 Speed Indicator Device (SpID)
It was noted that there is no news regarding the SpID application.
11368 Benches
Councillor Bennett reported that a survey of those benches in need of repair has been carried out by Councillor Houghton and himself. He has found a supplier of local oak and stain made from plants. The cost of supplying wood for the bench opposite The Royal, one at the War Memorial and one at the end of Hazelwood would be £230 in total. It was noted that the cost of the work had been agreed at the last meeting of this Council. RESOLVED to order the wood and to order plastic slats for the concrete ended benches in need of repair.
11369 High Speed Broadband Cabinets
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Lancaster CC Development Control asking that the proposed siting of one the cabinets by Openreach be reconsidered because it would spoil one of the iconic views in the village. RESOLVED to copy the letter to Councillor Goodrich who will support the request.
11370 B4RN High Speed Community Broadband
Councillor Bennett described the achievement made by B4RN in bringing high speed fibre optic to Silverdale as phenomenal and noted that it is expected that St. John’s church will be connected by the end of September at the latest.
11371 External Service Report
It was noted that the report had been circulated with the agenda. It was further noted that item 1 – post at top of Bottoms Lane had been painted (see 11357 above); RESOLVED , therefore, to remove this from the list and to notify Lancs. CC that the work has been carried out. Further RESOLVED to add a column headed ‘intended completion date’ to the report.
11372 Silverdale Library
It was noted that this Council had been unable to put forward a business proposal to Lancs. CC before its 14th August deadline as it did not have sufficient information to do so at the time (although the information had been requested). It is now known that the running costs for 2015/16 were £2,500 plus staff costs although the full costs to this Council of running a library service are not clear, for example, would rent be payable to Lancs. CC? What costs would be incurred when transferring books between libraries? RESOLVED that this Council express an interest in taking on the running of the library as a library/ community hub (before 8th September), request more details and see templates of volunteer-run libraries from other areas.
11373 United Utilities Project/ Road Closure at Millhead
RESOLVED that the Clerk email United Utilities and Lancs. CC and ask that a one way system be implemented as a part of the traffic diversion (as had originally been described) in the light of difficulties that larger vehicles will have passing each other on narrow roads. Further RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and ask them to review their procedures regarding routes in the light of the current traffic diversion.
11374 Dog Fouling
Councillor Bennett reported on two Dog Control Orders that Lancaster CC have in place – one which states that all dog waste must be collected immediately from any land unless it is privately owned and one which covers dogs on leads. Whilst there is some ambiguity with the latter the Order requires that dogs be kept on lead when on the road in most areas. In view of the ambiguity Councillor Bennett has contacted Lancaster CC and asked for a definition of the areas concerned.
11375 Maintenance of Roadside Hedges and Verges
It was noted that this Council has a map showing the areas of roadside hedges and verges maintained by Lancs. CC and Lancaster CC, but no schedule. RESOLVED to consider whether or not this Council should take on the role of maintenance itself when its 2017/18 budget is considered and ask about the possibility of a devolved budget from the local authorities.
11376 Sports and Recreation Committee
Members discussed resurrecting the Silverdale Sports and Recreation Committee with the purpose of looking at the provision of new sports facilities in the village. RESOLVED to discuss this matter further at the next meeting.
11377 Co-operative Store
Nationally the Co-operative Group have announced a sell-off of stores. It was noted that the new Manager of Silverdale Co-operative store has been assured that the future of the store is secure. RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Co-operative head office and seek assurance from them.
11378 Items for Information
1. Councillor Mason reported that: (1) the wooden signpost on Bottoms Lane is rotten; (2) nettles are growing on the footpath that goes behind Beach Garage to Lindeth Road.
2. Councillor Bond advised that Mr Jim Bolton no longer feels able to read out the list of the fallen on the War Memorial at the Remembrance Sunday Service and that the task has been passed onto the Chair of the Council.

11379 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
• Emergency Plan – October
• Setting meeting dates – November
• Risk Assessment
•` Sports and Recreation Committee
11380 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 3rd October 2016. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 26th September.

Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council