2009/12/07
7th December 2009
9230 Un-confirmed Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 7th December 2009.
9231 Present: Chairman – Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors A.J. (Tony Houghton), S.L. (Shirley) Mason, A. (Anne) McNaughton, J.S. (John) Taylor and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, County and District Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick. There were no members of the public present.
9232 Apologies for Absence: Councillors A.W. (Arthur) Graves and E. (Eve) Holden and PC 2866 Tony Marsh.
9233 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Mason expressed an interest in agenda item 13 in that she lives opposite the public toilets.
9234 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 2nd November were approved then signed by the Chairman.
9235 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to: (1) item 9189, regarding a discussion with Mr David Hall (Development Control Manager, Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC)), it was noted that she is waiting to hear back from Mr Hall with a date for the meeting which he will attend, (2) item 9202, regarding the vandalised seats; RESOLVED that the Clerk instruct Mr Paul Holgate (Parish Contractor) to repair the seats with wood, (3) item 9145 regarding a planning application for 2 hard standings at Hollins Farm, and advised that permission had been granted by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) subject to certain conditions, (4) item 9146, regarding a planning application for 10 timber clad twin unit caravans at Holgate’s Caravan Park, and advised that SLDC had refused permission, (5) item 9226, regarding a date for the Annual Parish Assembly – the Green Room at the Gaskell Hall is not available on 25th March, RESOLVED to book the room for Monday, 22nd March.
The Chairman referred to: (1) item 9181, regarding the footpath between Stankelt Road and Lindeth Road, and advised that one of the land owners has not cleared the overgrowth from his land; RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the resident concerned explaining that this Council is legally entitled to carry out the work by default and to invoice the landowner concerned for so doing, (2) item 9224, regarding the War Memorial Gardens, and reported that a number of residents had paid compliments about the recent improvements. It was noted that provision for wheelchair access will be made in the next phase of works, (3) item 9181, regarding the painting of the railings; RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Chief Probation Officer to query the delay in carrying out the works.
9236 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
None.
9237 Update from the Community Police Officer
A written update from PC Marsh was read by the Chairman: (1) four crimes have been reported in the last month – criminal damage to a garage door on Woodlands Drive, the theft of stone from a wall at Jack Scout, damage to a car window and the theft of a handbag from a car on Storrs Lane, (2) there have been 2 reports of suspicious activity – one involved a Polish door-to-door seller who was traced and everything appeared to be in order, and one involved the knotting of a horse’s mane on Moss Lane (possibly to identify it to thieves), (3) the police are aware of complaints from residents near to Gibraltar Farm about the speed of traffic passing along Lindeth Road and a meeting has been held between representatives of Silverdale Neighbourhood Watch, affected residents, Ridgway Park School and the police to discuss the problem and agree a way forward. The site has been visited by the Traffic Liaison Officer who suggested that an additional sign (facing traffic leaving the lane) be installed before the narrowing, however this has been rejected by Highways. The police also explored other options such as the ‘quiet lane’ scheme but this is not currently being extended by Highways, (4) between the 1st December and 1st January Lancashire Constabulary will be taking part in the national anti-drink and drug driving campaign.
9238 Report from County and District Councillor Sarah Fishwick
Councillor Fishwick reported that: (1) Mr John Thompson and Mr Steven Hall, representing the Co-operative store, had attended a public meeting, in the Gaskell Hall on 10th November, about the proposed plans for the Co-operative store but that the finalised plans had not, as yet, been publicised, (2) she had received complaints about vehicles exceeding the 30 mph speed limit on Redbridge Lane, (3) the budgets for Lancashire County Council (Lancs CC) and Lancaster CC will be available for comment shortly.
9239 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
1. Silverdale United Charities
Councillor Mason advised that she and Councillor Holden had attended a meeting at which 2 applications for grants had been approved.
2. Silverdale Children’s Playground
The Chairman reported that he had attended a site meeting.
3. Lancashire Locals
The Chairman advised that he had attended a meeting at which it was noted that: (a) budget cuts of 20-30% in Lancs CC spending are anticipated. Various public meetings are to be held by Lancs CC as part of a consultation exercise, details of which can be found on this Council’s notice board outside the Gaskell Hall, (b) the bridges crossing the River Lune will be checked for safety following the recent floods.
9240 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:
09/01030/FUL 4 Woodlands Drive. Erection of a conservatory to the rear – NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/00916/FUL 20 Emesgate Lane. Alterations to existing extension and erection of an extension to create a new dwelling – comments were as follows:
1. Proposed parking space would prevent access for (permission already given) 3 storey flats: does this supercede this?
2. Small development/backyard not appropriate. Backland development is not allowed under Lancaster CC policy.
09/01088/REM Land to rear of Brentin Cottage, Shore Road. Reserved Matters application for the erection of a new dwelling and treatment plant. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/01068/FUL Land at Claughton Quarry, Claughton Moor. The erection of 20 wind turbine generators, each with a maximum height of 126.5 metres, together with access track, hardstanding, control building, borrow pits, meteorological mast and temporary storage compounds. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/0122/TPO St. John’s Church, Emesgate Lane. Felling of a tree. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
01/09/1151 Bleasdale House School. Erection of new classroom block for food technology, WC area and entrance lobby. OBJECTIONS on the following grounds:
1. This Council is disappointed at the loss of an area of well-maintained green space.
2. The erection of a separate building means that students will be exposed to the weather when passing between buildings.
3. The proposed building is larger than the surrounding buildings.
09/01116/FUL 8 Hazelwood. Installation of chimney. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/00747/RCN Hazelwood Hall, Hollins Lane. Appeal against a refusal of planning permission. Proposal: removal of condition no 3 on approved application 03/01547/CU relating to use as a holiday accommodation or as a second home only. It was noted that this Council has read the supporting documentation and is in agreement with the proposal. The Council was in support of the application when proposals were made to convert the Hall originally. Having second homes at the Hall has not been viable financially neither has it benefited the economy of the village; holiday homes only increase the amount of traffic within the village whereas residents are more circumspect about using vehicles. The Hall itself is not far from the centre of the village, albeit further by road than on foot, and in fact is closer than some parts of the village such as Cove Road or The Row. This Council believes that this application should be granted and that the village will benefit accordingly. Lancaster CC mention setting a precedent if this appeal is granted, however, they have already allowed planning applications for holiday homes recently in the case of The Parrock in Silverdale.
09/01115/FUL Church Cottage, 54 Emesgate Lane. Erection of a single storey extension to the rear. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
09/01138/FUL 1 Shore Close. Erection of a dormer window to the front, new pitched roof over existing dormer to front, installation of two velux windows to the rear and windows to first floor side elevations. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(3) The following the following decision advised by Lancaster CC was noted:
Tree Preservation Order 462 (2009) Appleby, Emesgate Lane.
9241 1 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
9242 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) Lancaster City Overview and Scrutiny Task Group are holding a meeting at 6.30pm on 12/1/10 to follow up and invite comments on their “Review and Audit Parish Council Funding and Removal of Special Expenses” at Lancaster Town Hall.
b) LALC minutes of the 216th meeting, Treasurer’s notes for the Annual General Meeting, and the Annual Report for 2008/ 09.
c) Lancaster CC inform of two public meetings: 1. at Lancaster House Hotel on 8/12/09 to discuss the consultation on shoreline management proposals, 2. to present the proposals to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9/12/09 at Morecambe Town Hall at 6pm. It was noted that the Chairman and Councillor Taylor would attend the meeting on 8/12/09 if possible.
d) Latest edition of the Lancaster Playing Fields Association newsletter, subscription rate £15.
e) AONB write to request continued financial support and include their Annual Review and magazines “Outstanding” and “Keer to Kent”. RESOLVED that this matter be included on the next agenda of this Council and that, in the meantime, the Clerk contact the AONB to establish the nature of any works carried out in Silverdale.
f) Clerk and Councils Direct journal.
g) Gaskell Hall write to agree to the placing of a police notice board on the wall near to the Green Room.
h) SLDC give notice that on 26/11/09 the Core Strategy DPD (Local Development) was submitted to the Secretary of State. Submission documents can be viewed at Arnside and Milnthorpe Libraries and a CD is available.
I) Copy of letter sent by Neighbourhood Watch to Mr Robson of Highways, Lancaster, requesting a meeting regarding the inadequate signage for Lindeth Road traffic. It was noted that a reply had since been received and that a meeting will not be held, neither will additional signage be supplied. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the police to ask if the monitoring of careless and inconsiderate driving on Lindeth Road could be made a PACT (Police and Communities Together) priority; any action that can be taken by the police would be appreciated (it was noted that the area concerned has a speed limit of 60 mph).
j) A resident expresses concern about dead wood falling from trees in West Lindeth. It was noted that the Chairman has spoken to the resident of the property concerned and that this matter has been dealt with.
k) Waymarker publication.
9243 Local Businesses
RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Mr Steven Hall of the Co-operative stores, following the public meeting on 10th November, to thank him for attending the meeting, advise of this Council’s support for local businesses, ask for details of the Silverdale Co-operative store’s plans and how and when those plans will be publicised.
9244 Public Toilets
It was noted that the proposal to ‘mothball’ public toilets in non-key areas is to be discussed by Lancaster CC on 8th December, RESOLVED to await the outcome of that meeting and discuss the matter at a future meeting of this Council.
9245 Police Notice Board
It was noted that the Gaskell Hall have agreed to the placing of a police notice board on the wall near the Green Room, RESOLVED that:
1. the Chairman consult with the Neighbourhood Watch regarding this possibility,
2. the Clerk liaise with PC Marsh about this matter,
3. the provision of a new notice board be discussed further at the next meeting of this Council.
9246 Finance
(a) It was noted that no money had been received by the Council since the last meeting.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign a cheque for the following account:
Lancashire Playing Field (subscription) £15 (600411)
9247 Items for Information
1. Councillor McNaughton advised that she has received complaints about flooding on the road by Bank Well.
2. The Chairman advised that: (a) there is a problem with inconsiderate parking on the road/ pavement near The Parrock (near the junction of Shore, Lindeth and Stankelt Roads), (b) the First Responders have a shortage of members and are unable to provide a full service.
3. Councillor Houghton reported that: (a) he was pleased to note that Highways have dealt with the tree roots on Cragg Road, (b) a number of residents have mentioned a problem with their televison reception following the switch over to digital in that the local programmes are transmitted from Wales.
4. Councillor Williams noted that TransPennine are to hold a public meeting on 10th December between 4.30 – 6.00pm.
9248 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 4th January 2010. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before 26th December and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 28th December.
Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council