Silverdale Parish Council

4th July 2011

9681 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 4th July 2011.

9682 Present:  Chairman  –  Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H. (Harriet) Bradfield, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons, P.N. (Paul) Williams and A. (Angela) Woods, the Clerk  –  L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk  –  S.D. (Sue) Hayward, County Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick (part), City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham, Mr Tom Burditt, National Trust Lead Ranger (South and East Cumbria and Morecambe Bay), Mr Alan Ferguson, National Trust Ranger (Morecambe Bay), and 26 members of the public.

9683 Apologies for Absence:  PC 2866 Tony Marsh.

9684 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
 None.
9685 Minutes of the Previous Meetings
 The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 6th June were approved then signed by the Chairman.

9686 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
 The Clerk referred to: (1)  item 9664 and 9666, regarding Ridgway Park School, and reported that the Headteacher (Ms Lesley Davies) had contacted her in connection with the Council’s letter to Chief Superintendent Bayley. Ms Davies has invited Members to a meeting at the school on 8th July to discuss the concerns raised in the letter and felt that some of the points in the letter were inaccurate. It was noted that, unfortunately, no Members were available for the meeting on 8th July but that they would be willing to meet with Ms Davies on another day given sufficient notice (preferably out of office hours). Ofsted had acknowledged the letter sent to them and had advised that it had been passed to the appropriate person, (2)  item 9664, regarding the Phs Group, who had advised that they are unable to waiver the annual Duty of Care certificate and associated charge.  RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the legal department of Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) for advice on the contract with Phs, (3)  item 9671 (b), regarding the proposed sculpture in the grounds of Silverdale Primary School, and advised that Ms Ruth Livesey (the artist involved with the project) has asked for a contribution of £150 towards the cost of materials and hiring a digger.  RESOLVED to contribute £150 towards the project, (4)  item 9674, regarding the reports requested on the condition of the seats, and noted that Mr Michael Knight had submitted one, (5)  item 9676, regarding dog fouling, and reported that Lancaster CC have requested information as to when and where incidents of dog fouling have taken place.  RESOLVED that Councillor Graham follow up this matter with Lancaster CC. Councillor Bradfield advised that she has contacted Mrs Catherine Armistead, the Headteacher of Silverdale School, who will involve the children in a campaign to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership.

9687 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
 Six members of the public spoke about the Gibraltar Farm camping and caravan site and the following points/ comments were made:
 1.  A photograph of the site was given to Members (dated June 2011) with the resident’s account of the growth of the site since 1977. The resident wondered if this Council had all the information on the site, he felt that there had been no problems until 2008 and advised that at a recent rally more than 100 caravans were present.
 2.  A plan of the site was submitted on which the “lawful use area” and other “areas being used” were indicated.
 3.  Whilst some residents present supported camping at Gibraltar Farm they felt there was a need for limits on the size of the site as ‘normal’ usage was considered to have increased.
 4.  Residents asked for this Council’s opinion on the situation at Gibraltar Farm.
 5.  Concerns were raised as to the traffic usage on Hollins Lane, disturbances during “major rallies” and the affects of any growth in the development of the site on the nature of the village.
 One member of the public expressed his concern as to Ridgway Park School’s planning application to expand the school, however, the Chairman pointed out that the application is to renew existing buildings (and not to expand).

 Another member of the public spoke of the problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership and advised that, apparently, a number of dogs have developed a toxic illness.

9688 Correspondence
 RESOLVED to bring forward agenda item 16.

 Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
 a)  An offer from Ms Ann Neligan to provide a kissing gate or bench in memory of a friend.  It was noted that the Clerk had suggested to Ms Neligan that she contact the AONB or National Trust as this Council does not own a lot of land.
 b)  LALC Legal Briefing on Data Protection; notes of concern from the external auditor; LCTP inform about CiLCA and provide an application form; newsletter June 2011.
 c)  Cumbria View write to thank the Council for bringing to their attention the overhanging shrubs and apologise for any inconvenience to the local community.
 d) Mr Joe Taylor writes about Holgates’ caravan traffic and road closures at “inconvenient times”.
 e)  Invitation to visit Glasdon premises.  It was noted that Glasdon supply recycled plastic bins and seats.
 f)  Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) inform of an increase in fares for community transport.
 g)  LALC invite the Council to attend the AGM on 12/11/11 at County Hall, Preston at 1.45pm.
 h) The Camping and Caravanning Club write to reassure the Council regarding controls of the number of units; they have “internal policies which restrict the number of camping events that are held on areas of land.” Local Authorities are consulted “when we intend to operate a Temporary Holiday Site…As part of this consultation, we will inform the Local Authority of the expected number of units to attend the event. Unfortunately, on this occasion we informed the local authority that 30 camping units were expected, however, this was an oversight on our part for which we do apologise…”.  It was noted that, in future, this Council would be consulted as well as Lancaster CC.
 i)  LALC Newsletter.
 j)  Clerk & Councils Direct.
 k)  Woodland, sea and wildlife publication.

9689 Update from the Community Police Officer
 It was noted that, unfortunately, no officers were available to attend the meeting. A written update from PC Marsh was read out by the Chairman: (1)  2 crimes have been reported in the Silverdale area (not in the village itself) – criminal damage (offenders arrested and charged) and a non-dwelling burglary (enquiries on-going), (2)  sheep worrying continues to be a problem with further stock being attacked and injured in the Jack Scout area. The police will take action, whenever they are able to, and urge residents to report any instances they see and to be certain that they are responsible when out with their own dogs, (3)  there has been suspicious activity reported concerning piles of dog/cat biscuits being left in the Townsfield area. This seems to correspond with a spate of sickness amongst dogs in the village. Dog owners are advised to ensure that they (as best they can) are aware of what their dog is eating whilst out, (4)  there has been one reported incident of camping which the RSPB attended. The offending party moved on without incident, (5)  the village has been patrolled regularly to meet the PACT priorities. Particular attention has been paid to the play area, The Shore and The Cove.

 It was noted that correspondence item (d) above had raised the issue of road closure when wide caravan loads pass through the village,  RESOLVED that the Clerk inform the police of this.

9690 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick.
 RESOLVED to defer agenda item 7 as Councillor Fishwick was expected to arrive late to the meeting.
 
9691 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
 Councillor Graham reported that:  (1)  she had been on the Appraisal Committee for the Chief Executive of Lancaster CC and that the problems of the election process were raised – they had been noted and the Committee had been assured that they would be taken account of at future elections, (2)  the litter bins are being emptied 4 times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) during the summer (until the August Bank Holiday), (3)  the Planning Enforcement Officer will visit 2 properties in Silverdale about which there are concerns, (4) Mr Andrew Holden, the Chief Planning Officer, had advised that a site license for Gibraltar Farm has been administered by Environmental Health, the upgrade of the toilet facilities and drains are being discussed and this Council is to be kept informed.

9692 National Trust Leaflet
 RESOLVED to bring forward agenda item 10.

 Mr Alan Ferguson, National Trust Ranger (Arnside and Silverdale), introduced Mr Tom Burditt, the new National Trust Lead Ranger for the area, and asked if this Council would be interested in working collaboratively with the National Trust in designing and producing a (free) leaflet prompted by the bicentenary celebrations. The leaflet will detail a circular history trail, it will include old photographs from various viewpoints and, perhaps, quotations from different generations of Silverdale residents; it is hoped that the leaflet will be ready by October.  RESOLVED that the Chairman work with the National Trust in the production of the leaflet and that if any other Members are interested in being involved they notify the Chairman.

9693 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
 Councillor Fishwick and the Chairman updated members on the plans for Silverdale library. Lancs. CC are to carry out works to the existing library building to make it fit for use before the winter (the library will be closed at some point to enable the works to be carried out). The long term plan is to find new premises and Lancs. CC is looking into the possibility of using part of the telephone exchange building.

9694 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
 1.  AONB Management Advisory Group – annual field visit to Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserve
 Councillor Palmer advised that he had attended the site meeting at which the DEFRA report on the running of the reserve had been discussed – the report had found arrangements to be satisfactory although some improvements to signage were needed.
 2.  Essentials for New Councillors
 Councillors Ribbons and Woods had attended a course run by CALC which had been useful. It was noted that Councillor Bradfield would like to attend a course should one be available one evening in the autumn or spring.

9695 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:
 11/0056/TPO  3 St Johns Cottages.  Reduce limbs on a copper beech tree.  NO COMMENTS.
 11/00169/FUL  1 Jack Scout Cottages, Lindeth Road.  Creation of new vehicular access.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
 (2)  The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
 11/00529/FUL  17 Shore Road.  Erection of a conservatory to the rear.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
 (3)  It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.

9696 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 Clerk has been in touch with Playdale who are to send the part necessary for the self-closing gate in the playground to be repaired,
 2.  Century Hose have supplied a stretch of zip wire for the playground free of charge.  RESOLVED that the Clerk write to thank Century Hose,
 3.  the Clerk will approach Lancaster CC regarding the possibility of the seesaw and matting beneath the seesaw being repaired as a part of the £100 worth of repairs which they have offered to carry out.
 
9697 Notice Board
 RESOLVED that the public notice board on the butcher’s wall be fitted with a more suitable surface to enable pins to be inserted easily.  RESOLVED that Councillor Williams obtain and fit the necessary materials the cost of which will be paid by this Council. It was noted that the board is for local community use and not for commercial advertising.

9698 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:
 Npower (electricity for toilets)       £87.78  (600623)
 Envirocare Maintenance Solutions Ltd. (grass cutting)    £24.00  (600624)
 Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning)     £175.00  (600625)
 Mr Terry Bond (printing costs – bi-centenary)     £85.00  (600626)
 Mrs S. Hayward (salary and expenses)    £395.44  (600627)
 Mrs D. Challenor (salary and expenses)    £817.07  (600628)
 Post Office Ltd. (tax for employees)     £556.80  (600629)
 Smiths of Derby (clock service)     £212.40  (600630)

9699 “Beating of the Bounds” banner
 RESOLVED that the banner (made by Ms Barbara Winkfield) be framed at a cost of £63, it was noted that the cost is covered by the bicentenary celebrations budget.

9700 Items for Information
 None.

9701 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
 1.  Review the condition of the seats so that a list of seats (which it would be desirable to replace) is readily available should a member of the public offer to provide a bench in the future.  (Councillor Houghton)
 2.  Clarification of this Council’s position regarding the Gibraltar Farm camping and caravan site following comments made by members of the public.  (All)
 3.  The co-option of new Members from time to time to take part in discussions.  (Suggested at the October 2010 meeting.)
 4.  Green grants. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)
 5.  War Memorial improvement works. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)

9702 Date of the Next Meeting
 It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 1st August 2011. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 22nd July and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 25th July.

 Sue D. Hayward
 Deputy Clerk to the Council