Silverdale Parish Council

3rd October 2011

9745 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 3rd October 2011.

9746 Present:  Chairman  –  Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield, A.J. (Tony) Houghton (part), 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, City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham and 7 members of the public.

9747 Apologies for Absence:  PC 2866 Tony Marsh and County Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick.

9748 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
 None.
9749 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
 The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 5th September were approved then signed by the Chairman.

9750 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
 The Chairman referred to: 1.  item 9730 (2), regarding overhanging trees, and advised that the 1980 Highways Act has provisions for dealing with vegetation that impedes passage on a public highway – hedges or other vegetation should be cut back to the boundary and for a clear height of 2.2 metres, 2.  item 9741, regarding the trees in the War Memorial Garden, and reported that he had spoken with an arboriculturist who suggested that the dead trees be replaced with younger, smaller trees. Councillor Ribbons said that Mr Paul Holgate has offered to replace the dead trees free of charge.  RESOLVED to accept Mr Holgate’s offer.  The Deputy Clerk advised that the Remembrance Day talk would be given on Saturday, 12th November and not on Remembrance Sunday.

 Members referred to item 9739, regarding the Parish Contractor, and discussed the format of the checklist to be introduced.  RESOLVED that the Clerk make some amendments to the proposed checklist and to issue it to Mr Michael Knight.

9751 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
 1.  A resident advised Members about a project involving the ceramist, Ms Norma Tate, and the children of Silverdale School who are working on a tactile, frost-proof ceramic panel which, hopefully, will be displayed in the village. Any financial support to help with the project would be welcomed.

 2.  Another resident referred to a letter he had written to the Parish Council (agenda item 13 – correspondence a)) and said that he considered no action to be necessary at this point but asked that the contents be noted.
  
9752 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)  12 incidents had been reported in the last month but no crimes had been recorded, (2)  over the course of a week Lancashire Constabulary ran a force-wide operation targeting rural and wildlife crime. The operation focussed on local priorities. In the Carnforth area a number of offenders were dealt with for rural burglaries and thefts and over £5000 worth of property was recovered and returned to its owners, (3)  in relation to the PACT priorities the village has been regularly patrolled with particular attention being paid to wild camping spots, Cove Road and Shore Road, (4)  the police are unable to assist with the Remembrance Service due to attending the Service in Carnforth.

9753 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
 Councillor Fishwick was not present at the meeting but had reported to the Chairman that she has contacted Highways regarding flooding on Cove Road (at the bottom of Woodlands Drive).

9754 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
 Councillor Graham reported that: (1)  Yealand Redmayne Parish Council would like to be made aware of any planning developments in Silverdale because of possible traffic implications for their area, (2)  the petition about Gibraltar Farm was presented at the Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) meeting on 14th September and she gave Members a paper explaining her involvement in the recommendations that had been made to Lancaster CC; it was suggested that the Parish Council should have input into, and sight of, any report produced by Lancaster CC, (3)  there had been contact between herself and a Parish Councillor about the role of  the District Councillor. The Chairman offered clarification on this to Councillor Graham and other Parish Councillors which resolved the matter.

9755 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
 None.

9756 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:
 11/00767/FUL  West Lindeth Bungalow, Stankelt Road.  Erection of a conservatory.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
 (2)  The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
 11/00819/OUT  Scar Close, 13 The Row.  Outline application for the erection of a new dwelling in garden area.  PLANNING OBJECTIONS on the grounds that:
 (a)  there should not be any backland development,
 (b)  by extending the ‘building line’ to the North this could allow future (detrimental) development to the North.
 (3)  It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.

9756 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
 25(a)  Parish Council Property and Functions
 The Clerk reported that:
 1.  the toilet drains had needed unblocking again and that she arranged for Mr C Bantleman to carry out the work.  RESOLVED that the Clerk write to British Telecom (BT) regarding the tree roots on their land, which are causing a problem with the drains, and that copies of any invoices in connection with the unblocking of the drains be sent to BT.
 2.  Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) have been contacted about the fallen tree at Burton Well and Mr Kevin Almond, Public Rights of Way Officer, visited the site and reported that the fallen tree was no longer there.  RESOLVED that the Chairman visit the site to check if the tree is still there and, if so, arrangements be made for Mr Steve Watts to remove the tree; it was noted that Mr Watts offered to do this for no charge if he could take the wood.
 25(b)  Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
 None.

9757 Finance
 (a)  Councillor Ribbons conducted the monthly check of all money received by the Council and found the records to be satisfactory. It was noted that there had been the following receipt: £119.81 – BACS payment from Lancaster CC (refund for toilet rates).
 (b)  RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
 Mrs S. Hayward (3 months salary & expenses plus tax refund)    £654.29  (644)
 Mrs L.D. Challenor (3 months salary & expenses)    £1006.08  (645)
 Post Office Ltd (PAYE)           £38.40  (646)
 Mr P. Williams (toilet cleaning)        £175.00  (647)
 Mr M. Knight (Parish and Playground Contractor)      £311.66  (648)
 Mrs L.D. Challenor (paid UKhost4u – website domain name)    £119.99  (649)
 Mr C. Bantleman (clearing drains)          £84.00  (650)
 Npower Limited (toilet electricity)          £69.04  (651)
 Playsafety Limited (RoSPA inspection)         £97.50  (652)
 Mr Andrew Bodenham (toilet supplies)         £41.68  (653)
 BDO LLP (external auditor)         £342.00  (654)
 Hygiene Cleaning Supplies         £128.02  (655)
 Mr J. Graves & Son (clearing drains)          £60.00  (656)
 Envirocare (grass cutting)           £48.00  (657)
 c)  RESOLVED to accept the estimate submitted by Mr Gary Fishwick to replace a door in the public toilets at a cost of £275 providing he will undercoat and topcoat the door instead of putting on the 5 lever lock.
 d)  RESOLVED to approve and accept the Annual Return. Regarding the Auditor’s issues arising – the Council accepted that the Clerk had obtained as many purchase prices as possible and were happy with the figure in box 9 of section 1; the Clerk will supply the Auditors with a list of seat locations in the next Audit.

9758 Correspondence
 Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
 a)  A resident writes to the Parish Council regarding the comments made in their August Minutes, about the Gibraltar Farm issues, being misleading.  The comments of the letter were noted.
 b)  A resident supplies a copy of his response to Lancaster CC’s recent consultation on Land Allocation.
 c)  A resident writes about issues of safety in the playground.
 d)  Local Development Framework consultations regarding the Lake District National Park (which run to 30/11/11) with several events to present the plans. www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/allocations.
 e)  NALC supply a copy of their new guide: “How to respond to planning applications” it is also downloadable from www.planninghelp.org.
 f)  Boundary Commission for England write to inform of their 2013 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies in England.  Consultations until 5/12/11.  Information at local libraries or www.independent.gov.uk/boundarycommissionforengland.
 g)  LALC Minutes of the 227th meeting held on 25th July 2011.
 h)  Mr Steve Shaw (National Co-ordinator of Local Works) writes regarding a new proposal to empower Parish Councils and asks for support.  RESOLVED to give support.
 i)  Biological Heritage Sites Partnership thank the Council for allowing the survey of Burton Well Scroggs and provide a copy of the report. 
 j)  LCR publication.

9759 Budget and Precept
 RESOLVED to approve the draft 2012/13 budget, as submitted by the Clerk with the agenda, and to set the parish precept at £19,945.00 for 2012/13.

9760 Christmas Tree
 RESOLVED to provide 2 Christmas trees for the village – one at Bleasdale House (subject to permission) and one in the playground.  RESOLVED that the Clerk contact the Headteacher at Bleasdale House School to request permission for a tree there, contact Mr Arthur Graves regarding the provision of the trees, advice on tree lights and costs and contact Mrs Brenda Cropley to ask if she would kindly provide the electricity for the tree lights in the playground.

9761 Duty of Care Certificate (Public Toilets)
 It was noted that of the new Duty of Care certificate had been received from Phs (regarding the disposal of waste).  RESOLVED to laminate the poster then display it in the public toilets.

9762 Items for Information
 1.  The Chairman noted: (a)  that an extension is in the process of being built at The Parrock and that this Council has not had sight of a planning application for this, (b)  that the Morecambe Bay Partnership is holding its Annual Conference on Saturday, 8th October at the Coronation Hall, Ulverston from 10am – 4pm.
 2.  Councillor Williams advised that a new litter bin has been provided at the station.
 3.  Councillor Mason noted that it would be useful to have the contact details for the current Members.
 4.  Councillor Palmer: (a)  expressed concern as to the dangers of children playing on scooters etc at Stoneleigh Court, (b)  asked if the tree outside the Royal Hotel is the subject of a Tree Protection Order.

9763 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
 1.  A financial contribution towards the cost of producing a ceramic panel as described in 9751 above.  (All)
 2.  A financial contribution towards the cost of the circular history trail leaflet which is a National Trust/ Silverdale Parish Council joint publication.  (Chairman)
 3.  Clearing Bankwell and Woodwell.  (Chairman)
 4.  The provision of a play area for scooters etc.  (Councillor Palmer)
 5.  The work of the Parish/Playground Contractor.  (All)
 6.  The co-option of new Members from time to time to take part in discussions.        (Suggested at the October 2010 meeting.)
 7.  Green grants. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)
 8.  War Memorial improvement works. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting.)

9764 Date of the Next Meeting
 It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 7th November 2011. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 28th October and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 31st October.

 
 Sue D. Hayward
 Deputy Clerk to the Council