Silverdale Parish Council

5th September 2011

9724 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 5th September 2011.

9725 Present:  Chairman  –  Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H. (Harriet) Bradfield, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, 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, PC 2866 Tony Marsh, County Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick, City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham and 9 members of the public.

9726 Apologies for Absence:  Councillor S.L. (Shirley) Mason.

9727 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
 None.
9728 Minutes of the Previous Meetings
 The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 1st August were approved then signed by the Chairman.

9729 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
 The Clerk referred to item 9709 (4), regarding the use of weedkiller, and reported that the Parish Contractor has not used any.

 Councillor Houghton referred to item 8883, regarding various issues in connection with improving the train station and train services which are in need of revisiting.

9730 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
 1.  A resident referred to the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) for Beech House, Lindeth Road and advised that Ms Maxine Knagg, Tree Protection Officer, would be visiting his property regarding this.
 2.  A resident of Stankelt Road showed Members a picture of the boundary of his property with adjacent trees; he stated that he understood the trees had been discussed at a parish council meeting and that he had received a letter from Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) regarding ‘overhanging trees’ obstructing the highway. A representative from Lancaster CC had subsequently visited the property but found there to be no issue with the trees and had simply suggested that the trees around the telegraph pole be cut back. The resident asked that, should there be any similar issues in the future, the parish council speak to him directly.
 3.  A resident referred to the Local Development Framework, he thought that all the sites identified in the Silverdale area are greenfield sites and referred to the Silverdale Parish Plan which states that new developments be confined to brownfield sites. He asked if the parish council had made any comments and, if not, why not.

 The Chairman responded that some Members had attended the open meeting held by the Lancaster CC Planning and Housing Policy Team in the Gaskell Hall in July and pointed out that the Framework comprises proposals – planning permission has not been applied for and this Council has made no comments as yet; if any applications are made this Council will comment.

 4.  A resident asked if the car park belonging to the Royal Hotel can be marked so that the car park and pavement areas are clearly distinguished.
 5.  Two residents referred to the minutes of the meeting of this Council held on 1st August (item 9711) stating that they were unaware of any ‘intimidation’ during the process of collecting signatures for the petition regarding Gibraltar Farm and they considered the minutes to be incorrect as they had no recollection of this Council making a statement about the petition.
 
9731 Update from the Community Police Officer
 PC Marsh reported that: (1)  2 crimes have been recorded in the last month – burglary from a property at Jenny Brown’s Point and a theft at Cove Road, (2)  parking and traffic on Cove Road (near the playing field) is a problem. Highways have been contacted and asked to review the situation, (3)  in relation to the PACT priorities the village has been regularly patrolled with particular attention being paid to Cove Road and wild camping spots, (4)  due to unforseen circumstances PC Marsh has been appointed temporary Community Beat Manager for Carnforth. This is in addition to his existing responsibilities.

 Members referred to 2 incidents of wild camping, including criminal damage, of which the police were unaware.

 RESOLVED that the police continue with the same PACT priorities with regard also being made to inconsiderate parking on Shore Road (particularly at weekends) which creates access problems.

9732 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
 Councillor Fishwick reported that: (1)  there is a problem with parking and traffic near the playing field on Cove Road, (2)  Lancaster CC has the contract for Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) Highways and have been spraying the verges with weedkiller, (3)  the  regulations that are being introduced whereby all private sewage tanks must be registered with the Environment Agency will not apply to England, although householders can register if they wish, (4)  trees encroaching onto the highway can be a problem if they affect visibility for pedestrians or drivers or if pedestrians are unable to walk around the overhanging branches safely.

9733 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
 Councillor Graham reported that: (1)  she has had clarification from Environmental Health that a limit of 60 permanent pitches has been set for Gibraltar Farm, (2)  she has been contacted by a resident who is concerned about the problems with traffic and parking near the playing field on Cove Road.

9734 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
 1.  RSPB
 The Chairman reported that he had met with Officers from the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss to discuss a planning application which the RSPB will be submitting.
 
9735 Correspondence
 Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
 a)  A resident writes about the BT payphone being out of order and noxious weeds on the side of Cove Road and other places; he suggests the Parish Contractor is employed to attend to the weeds.
 b)  A member of the public writes to put forward a suggestion to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; perhaps by building a limestone pillar in a prominent location; the suggestion was noted.
 c)  LALC supply the accounts for the year ending 31/3/11, their newsletter and autumn conference and training details as follows: conference – 28 & 29/10/11 in Leyland (£35),  Community Engagement Workshop – 7-9pm on 26/10/11 in Penwortham (£25), Chairmanship Workshop – 7-9pm on 23/11/11 in Penwortham (£25).
 d)  South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) raise awareness of their Local Development Framework Land Allocations (information can be found on southlakeland.gov.uk, at South Lakeland House, Kendal and in the libraries in the South Lakeland district).
 e)  FLAG Newsletter August 2011.
 f)  Clerk and Council Direct publication.
 g)  Craven Rail, Selrap magazine.
 h)  Lancaster Area Committee Minutes and info. (as emailed 30/8/11) which includes the Claughton Moor 13 Turbine Windfarm Public Inquiry.

9736 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:
 11/00502/FUL  High Bank House, Lindeth Road – Notice of Amendment.  Erection of a single storey extension to the rear and side, a raised terrace area to the rear of the property and an erection of a porch to the front of the property.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
 11/0086/TPO  Beech House, Lindeth Road.  1 x Beech tree – reduce limbs and felling of 2 x Ash, 1 x Oak, 6 x Sycamore, 1 x Beech, 3 x Cherry, 2 x Maple and a group of Lime and Maple trees.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
 (2)  It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.

9737 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
 25(a)  Parish Council Property and Functions
 It was noted that following a report that the public toilets were blocked the Deputy Clerk (in the Clerk’s absence) had arranged for the toilets to be cleared by Mr Arthur Graves.
 25(b)  Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
 It was noted that the Clerk had contacted British Telecom (BT) to enquire whether the telephone exchange on Gaskell Close might be for sale and had been informed that there are no plans to sell it as it is in use; she had also asked who to contact about any drainage problems that might occur on the BT exchange land.

9738 Dates of Parish Council Meetings
 It was noted that the dates for the 2012 meetings have been set and a list of dates has been circulated to Members.

9739 Parish Contractor
 Councillor Ribbons updated on the following in connection with the playing field contract:
 1.  the swing for the zip wire is awaiting repair,
 2.  the dome caps for the equipment have been replaced by Councillor Ribbons,
 3.  the area from which the seat and bin were removed (then placed elsewhere) still needs to be made good; the bin needs fixing in its new location.
 
 It was noted that the Clerk has not received copies of the weekly inspections of the playground.

 RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Mr Michael Knight regarding 1 and 3 above. Further RESOLVED that a worksheet/checklist be introduced as soon as possible for the playing field and Parish Contractor work based on the tender documents – Councillor Ribbons will prepare a suitable document for the playing field and the Clerk will prepare one for the Parish Contractor work in conjunction with Councillor Houghton.

9740 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 cheques for the following accounts:
 Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning)      £175.00  (640)
 Envirocare (grass cutting – 7th and 21st July, 4th and 18th August)    £96.00  (641)
 Mr Michael Knight (Parish and Playground contractor – cut and strim grass to playground/ some repairs to playground/painted some seats/ weeding around village/War Memorial seat repair)    £376.66  (642)
 CALC (new Councillors training)        £48.00  (643)

9741 Remembrance Sunday
 It was noted that the usual arrangements will apply on Remembrance Sunday (a service at St. John’s Church, a parade to the War Memorial, the laying of wreaths by the Council and other organisations, a bugler). The Chairman advised that a talk would be given in the evening about those whose names are inscribed on the Memorial as a part of the bicentenary celebrations.

 It was noted that the plans to further improve the War Memorial Garden, including the provision of access for people with disabilities, have not been drawn up as yet. It was further noted that some trees in the Garden may need replacing – RESOLVED that the Chairman seek the advice of an arboriculturalist and that this Council pay up to around £60 for such advice (if necessary).

9742 Items for Information
 1.  Councillor Palmer advised that Mr Knight had approached him about the loose stones around the clock.
 2.  Councillor Williams reported that the payphone at the bottom of Elmslack Lane/ Woodlands Drive is dirty.
 3.  Councillor Ribbons noted that the George Turnbull memorial bench is with Mr Paul Holgate and is ready for fitting in the playing field.
9743 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
 1.  Replacement of the door to the ladies’ public toilet. (Councillor Williams)
 2.  The co-option of new Members from time to time to take part in discussions.  (Suggested at the October 2010 meeting.)
 3.  Green grants. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)
 4.  War Memorial improvement works. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)

9744 Date of the Next Meeting
 It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 3rd October 2011. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 23rd September and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 26th September.
 Sue D. Hayward
 Deputy Clerk to the Council