2009/07/06
6th July 2009
9114 Un-confirmed Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 6th July 2009.
9115 Present: Chairman – Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors, E. (Eve) Holden A.J. (Tony) Houghton, D. (Dorothy) Kitson, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, J.S. (John) Taylor and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, PC 2866 Tony Marsh, County and District Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick and 2 members of the public.
9116 Apologies for Absence: A.W. (Arthur) Graves.
9117 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
9118 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 1st June were approved then signed by the Chairman.
9119 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
Councillor Kitson referred to item 9098 and advised that Silverdale Playground is unable to open an account without funds. The Clerk referred to item 9105 and reported that all necessary information regarding the Council’s website has been passed to Mr Steve Lamb. The Chairman referred to: (1) item 9106, regarding the War Memorial Garden, and advised that he has not met with Mr James on site, as yet, and that no more tenders have been submitted. Members RESOLVED to discuss the renovation of the War Memorial Garden at the next meeting of this Council, (2) item 9110, regarding the National Trust footpath between the Lots, the old post office and Shore Close, and reported that some of the area concerned has been cleared.
9120 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
None.
9121 Update from the Community Police Officer
PC Marsh gave a verbal update: (1) 3 crimes had been reported in the last month – damage to a car at Jenny Brown’s Point, the theft of a handbag (which had been left on display) at the Wolf House Gallery and a burglary from a RSPB hide at the Eric Morecambe hide, (2) there have been 2 incidents involving campers at the Cove and the Shore, (3) the speed of vehicles continues to be checked with the use of a speed gun, (4) inconsiderate parking has been monitored on Saturday mornings, (5) burglaries in Lancashire are at the lowest level for 35 years, (6) the Police have launched a summer campaign (known as Operation Julius) to help reduce burglary offences across the Lancaster City Council District. The public are encouraged not to leave windows and doors insecure when they leave their homes – particularly in the warm weather. The Police will be putting warning notices and crime prevention advice through the letter boxes of any property they see as being insecure whilst on their regular beats.
Members asked if a Police priority for July and August could be to patrol the Cove and the Shore on Friday and Saturday evenings with a view to deterring campers.
9122 Report from County and District Councillor Sarah Fishwick
Councillor Fishwick reported that: (1) she has received a number of complaints about traffic travelling to and from Holgates and Far Arnside caravan parks, (2) she had attended a planning committee meeting to object, on a number of grounds, to the proposed plans for West Lindeth House, (3) the appeal for The Parrock, Shore Road against a refusal to grant planning permission, has been allowed and planning permission granted; Members expressed their dismay at this decision, (4) she is to arrange a meeting with Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) to discuss their policy on giving Tree Preservation Orders.
9123 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
Councillor Taylor reported that he attended a meeting of the AONB at which their 5-year plan was launched.
9124 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) Reply from the National Trust regarding allotments. RESOLVED that the Chairman speak to Mr Simon Waterhouse, Chairman of Silverdale Cricket Club, regarding the terms under which land (including the cricket pitch) had been donated to the National Trust.
b) Reply from Mr Robin Horner of RSPB Silverdale, regarding camping on land owned by the RSPB at Silverdale. RESOLVED that the Chairman arrange to meet with Mr Horner to discuss this issue. It was noted that incidents of camping on RSPB land should be reported to the Police.
c) The Lancashire Constabulary ask for a pledge of £140 towards a SPiD device. The Police intend placing one on Emesgate Lane.
d) A resident of Lindeth Road writes to express her concerns about the traffic should Gibralter Farm develop the caravan park. Members noted the comments made.
e) Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) explain the problems experienced with the grass cutting this year due to delays in finalising contracts. Lancs. CC apologizes as the standard of the first cut was not what is expected due to the length of the grass at the time of cutting. Grass cutting will be monitored to ensure that the correct standard is met.
f) Lancaster CC write about the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – they inform of an error in the Notices of Decision sent in March 2009.The Notices refer to Point X rather than Point Z. The relevant Notices are included.
g) LALC invites the Council to attend the AGM on 7/11/09 at 10am – 3.15pm in the County Hall, Preston.
h) Flag Newsletter.
I) Waymarker.
j) LCR NALC’s Magazine.
k) Glasdon brochure.
l) Charity Commission Newsletter.
9125 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning applications had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a and comments made as indicated:
09/00422/FUL Land to the rear of Brentin Cottage, Shore Road. Erection of a new dwelling. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS, although this Council is concerned that a precedent might be set.
09/00555/FUL Fir Trees, Woodwell Lane. Erection of a single storey extension to rear. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/00539/FUL 16 Cove Drive. Erection of a two storey side extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS although this Council is concerned about how the development might affect the neighbours.
09/00367/CU and 09/00368/LB Slackwood Farm, Slackwood Lane. Conversion of barn and extension to form two dwellings, including the removal of modern agricultural extensions and changes to access and external areas. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS although adverse comments were noted regarding the curved wall.
09/00460/FUL Hillside Cottage, Lindeth Road. Erection of a single storey extension, porch and detached garage. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) It was noted that the following decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC:
Tree Preservation Order 457 (2009). West Lindeth House, 2 Stankelt Road.
9126 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that the Council had received high estimated electricity bill in respect of the clock and that the meter has since been read and a revised bill sent. The clock was out of order temporarily but is now working again.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
9127 Speed Indicator Display Sign (SPiD)
It was noted that the Lancashire Constabulary had written to this Council regarding the provision of a SPiD, it is proposed that a SPiD be deployed at 2 locations a week over 10 sites, one of which is in Silverdale (Emesgate Lane), and a contribution of £140 has been requested. RESOLVED to contribute £140 provided that the SPiD can be placed on Stankelt Road, rather than Emesgate Lane, as there are concerns about speeding on Stankelt Road.
9128 Finance
(a) It was noted that no money had been received by the Council since the last meeting.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payments and sign cheques for the following accounts:
British Gas (electricity for clock) £161.48 (600389)
Silverdale Playground (interim payment to enable a bank account to be opened) £100.00 (600390).
9129 Parish Plan
It was noted that the Parish Plan had been produced in 2003 and that it could be accessed on this Council’s website. RESOLVED that Members consider the plan and the extent to which the short, medium and long term objectives have been achieved to date. RESOLVED to discuss the objectives at the next meeting of this Council.
9130 Parish Magazine
RESOLVED that the Chairman speak to the producers of the parish magazine regarding the possibility of:
1. making the magazine widely available for sale e.g. in the library, post office, newsagents and caravan parks.
2. putting ‘back’ copies of the magazine on this Council’s website (with any advertising removed).
9131 Safety on the Shore
Members discussed the possibility of increasing the amount of signage at major access points to the shore, warning of the dangers of the tide etc. and what action to take. RESOLVED:
1. to ask Councillor Fishwick if she could find out the legal position with regards liability if signage is provided by this Council. It was noted that the proposed sites for signs are Jenny Brown’s Point, the Shore and the Cove,
2. that the Clerk make enquiries about the provision of tide tables (or tide clock),
3. that the Clerk look into the possibility of the provision of a siren, and someone to operate it, to warn of the imminence of the bore,
4. to ask Councillor Fishwick if she could arrange to leave some leaflets publicising the dangers of the Shore at the caravan sites and to look at the possibility of more leaflets being produced.
9132 Items for Information
1. Councillor Taylor advised that he had received a complaint about weeds not being cleared under the seats.
2. Councillor Houghton reported that vegetation by the wall on Post Office Hill is overgrown and obstructing the footpath and he asked if Members could be copied into any letters the Clerk sends by e mail.
3. Councillor Mason noted that: (a) it is difficult to see oncoming traffic at Pool Bridge due to the growth of vegetation, (b) the footpath at the back of Lindeth Road is overgrown, (c) the hedges on Cove Lane are in need of trimming.
4. Councillor Mason reported that: (a) there is a problem with blocked gullies on Cove Road, (b) vehicles are often seen being driven too quickly along Cove Road.
5. The Chairman advised that: (a) the hedges overhanging Gibraltar Lane are a hazard for emergency vehicles, (b) the areas around the seats by the bus stop, War Memorial, clock and village wells are in need of trimming, (c) the War Memorial Garden is in need of weeding.
9133 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. The 3-year plan for the playground (Councillor Kitson).
9134 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 3rd August 2009. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 24th July and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 27th July.
Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council