Silverdale Parish Council

7th November 2011

9765 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 7th November 2011.

9766 Present:  Chairman  –  Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H.M.E. (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 and 3 members of the public.

9767 Apologies for Absence:  PC 2866 Tony Marsh.

9768 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
 Councillor Williams expressed an interest in agenda item 15 in that he is employed (as a member of the public) to clean the toilets.

9769 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
 The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 3rd October were approved then signed by the Chairman.

9770 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
 The Clerk referred to item 8883, regarding train services, and advised that she had received a response from Mr David Morris MP stating that he had forwarded the queries on to Northern Rail.

 The Chairman referred to item 9730, regarding overhanging trees, and asked Members to notify the Clerk of any overgrown vegetation causing a problem for drivers or pedestrians and she will send a letter to the property owner.

 Councillor Woods referred to item 9762 (4), regarding the tree outside the Royal Hotel, and reported that Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) are in the process of applying a Tree Preservation Order.

9771 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
 None.
  
9772 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)  there have been 26 incidents reported in the Silverdale area of which 3 have been recorded as crimes – damage to gates at Jenny Brown’s Point, a robbery on Cove Road (enquiries are on-going) and damage to wooden fencing at Trowbarrow, (2)  some suspicious circumstances had been reported and, although innocent explanations had been found, the police would like to thank residents for their vigilance, (3)  there have been a number of phishing telephone calls made in the Carnforth area. The most common involve a company who offer to access computers and remove viruses on behalf of Microsoft and a company offering an unbelievable discount on winter heating costs. The police would like to remind residents to be wary of cold callers and to simply hang up. The Telephone Preference Service is a free service that can reduce the number of sales calls received – tel: 0845 070 0707 to register your phone line. (Members asked that permission be sought to display this information in the butcher’s shop window.) (4)  in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to patrol the village regularly with particular attention being paid to wild camping spots, Cove Road and Shore Road.

9773 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
 RESOLVED to defer agenda item 7 as Councillor Fishwick was expected to arrive late to the meeting.

9774 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
 Councillor Graham reported that: (1)  as requested by the Chairman of the Parish Council, she has arranged for a Planning Enforcement Officer to visit The Parrock on Shore Road to ascertain whether or not planning permission is needed for the side extension which is being built, (2)  she has requested that the planning application for the land at Appleby, Emesgate Lane, be heard by the Planning Committee. No date has yet been set. If necessary, she will also ask for a site visit by the Planning Committee, (3)  she has, after several months of negotiation, secured a waiver of charges, in excess of £1000, for the residents of 5 – 14 Lindeth Close who have been in dispute with Environmental Services for nearly 2 years on septic tank issues, (4)  she has written an article for the parish magazine about the district wide consultation process by Lancaster CC and how it affects the future development plans for Silverdale.

9775 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
 1.  Trowbarrow LNR Management Advisory Group
 Councillor Palmer reported that a new ‘Rock Fall’ warning sign was to be installed by the end of October; the damaged fencing (referred to in 9772 above) has been repaired.
 2.  AONB Executive Committee Meeting
 Councillor Palmer advised that Mr Paul Hatch, Senior Planning Policy Officer, had said that AONB policies are taken into account when considering planning applications.
 3.  Silverdale United Charities
 Councillors Mason and Woods noted that one application for assistance had been received and granted.

9776 Planning
 (1)  It was noted that no planning applications had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a.
 (2)  The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated 11/00530/FUL  land at Appleby, Emesgate Lane.  Erection of 3 detached dwelling houses.  PLANNING OBJECTIONS on the grounds that:
 1.  The development is considered to be over intensive.
 2.  The building line is too far forward.
 3.  The development is considered to comprise of large, unaffordable housing.
 11/00781/FUL  52 Emesgate Lane.  Erection of a 3 bed detached house on land adjacent.  PLANNING OBJECTIONS on the grounds that:
 1.  The development is considered to be over intensive.
 2.  The design is not considered to be sympathetic to existing houses and to the church.
 11/00956/FUL  Leighton Moss, Storrs Lane.  Replacement of two existing hides and erection of a viewing tower.  NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS apart from the choice of materials for the construction of the tower – Members would prefer materials that blend in with the surroundings.
 11/00932/LB  Slackwood Farm, Slackwood Lane.  Listed building application for the demolition of lean-to and erection of new single storey extension together with various repairs and alterations.  It was noted that the Council had not been sent the proposed plans, RESOLVED that the Clerk request that they be sent as soon as possible.
 (3)  It was noted that the following decision had been advised by Lancaster CC:
 Tree Preservation Order 494.  Gibraltar Farm.

9777 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
 Councillor Fishwick reported that: (1)  The Environment Agency is looking at the catchment area for the Lythe Valley drainage board and is consulting on this. Councillor Fishwick will circulate the consultation document to Members, (2)  Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) are considering introducing a 20 mph limit for parts of Silverdale and have invited comments by 20th December. It was noted that, to date, this Council has not received any information on this and that the Chairman would try and arrange a public meeting to look at the proposals and would invite Lancs. CC to attend.

9778 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
 25(a)  Parish Council Property and Functions
 It was noted that:
 1.  There is a problem with the gentlemen’s toilet not flushing properly and that the Clerk has asked Mr James Langhorn (the plumber who carried out various works to the sanitary ware in the public toilets) to deal with the repair.
 2.  The bark to the aerial slide was in need of replacement at a cost of £246 – Councillor Fishwick had been approached regarding the Local Member Grants Scheme and it is hoped that the cost can be claimed from this.
 3.  The AONB have been given permission to go ahead with clearing Woodwell on 8th November at a cost of £50.
 25(b)  Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
 It was noted that the Clerk has been notified by HM Revenue and Customs that the penalty notice to pay £400 does not apply.

9779 Correspondence
 Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
 (For information a copy of a letter to the Chief Executive of the Co-operative store, regarding their pricing policy and gives suggestions.)
 a)  Town and Planning Enforcement Services provide an update of the improvement works at Gibraltar Farm.
 b)  Cumbria County Council write about their Minerals and Waste Development Framework, inviting comments on the site allocations policies and proposals map. Comments by 5/12/11.
 c)  Npower write about costs for non-contract customers which are about to increase and suggest a possible saving by entering into a fixed term contract. (Toilet electricity.)  RESOLVED not to pursue a fixed term contract.
 d)  3/10/11 Npower send a disconnection notice due to the payment being due 21/9/11 and threaten up to £4250 in charges. (Payment posted 4/10/11.)
 e)  LALC provide a briefing on the code of recommended practice, details of a finance workshop and Came & Company’s (this Council’s provider) autumn parish council insurance newsletter.
 f)  A brochure regarding the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee beacons.  RESOLVED that the Chairman contact the organisers about possibilities for Silverdale.
 g)  Lune Valley Rural Housing Association newsletter.
 h)  Clerk and Councils Direct.
 i)  Keer to Kent, Autumn/Winter 2011.

9780 Bankwell and Woodwell
 RESOLVED to authorise the expenditure to have Bankwell (£50) and Woodwell (£100) renovated by the AONB.

9781 New Notice Board
 It was noted that the AONB have approached the Council and offered to install a notice board in each of the 6 parishes in their area to mark the occasion of their 40th anniversary in 2012. The notice boards would be labelled along the lines of “[Silverdale] Parish Council in the Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”; the cost of the notice boards could be funded by the AONB.  RESOLVED to accept the AONB’s offer to fund and install a notice board; it was suggested that a suitable location would be in the playing field (facing the road), further RESOLVED to discuss the suggested siting at a Playground Management Committee meeting.

9782 Drainage to Public Toilets
 It was noted that the Clerk had had e mail contact with Monteroy Vision (working with British Telecom property) and Mr Neil Emery, Technician, Property Services, Lancaster CC and that Monteroy Vision have advised that Lancaster CC is responsible for the trees and the drains in the area.  RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Mr Emery to ascertain what action Lancaster CC can take to resolve the problems with the drains.

9783 Regulations regarding Septic Tanks and Effluent Waste
 RESOLVED that Councillor Fishwick seek information from Mr Andrew Frankish of the Environment Agency (Penrith) as to what the regulations pertaining to septic tanks and effluent waste involve.

9784 Burton Well Scroggs
 RESOLVED to defer discussion of the report about Burton Well Scroggs until the next meeting of this Council as the report was not available.

9785 Parish and Playground Contractor
 It was noted that:
 1.  The Contractor, Mr Michael Knight, had not filled out the monthly return which had been e mailed by the Clerk and that Mr Knight has had problems with his computer.  RESOLVED that the Clerk deliver paper copies of the forms as soon as possible.
 2.  The gate to the playground is still in need of repair.
 3.  Mr Knight had alerted the Clerk as to the need for the bark under the aerial slide to be replaced.
 4.  The weekly inspections of the playground have not been reported.  RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Mr Knight to confirm that the playground must be inspected weekly and a record of the inspections kept.
 
 RESOLVED not to authorise payment of Mr Knight’s invoice (see Finance below) until the monthly return (including a record of the playground inspections) have been received.

9786 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 A. J.  Houghton (Basic Parish Allowance)      £25.00  (658)
 Mrs S. Mason (Basic Parish Allowance)       £25.00  (659)
 Mr N. Ribbons (Basic Parish Allowance)       £25.00  (660)
 Mr K. Palmer (Basic Parish Allowance)                    £25.00  (661)
 Mr P. Williams (Basic Parish Allowance)       £25.00  (662)
 Mrs A. Woods (Basic Parish Allowance)        £25.00  (663)
 Mrs H. Bradfield (Basic Parish Allowance)       £25.00  (664)
 Mr T. Bond (Chairman’s Allowance)             £185.00  (665)
 Mr Paul Williams (toilet  cleaning)      £175.00  (666)
 Envirocare (grass cutting)         £24.00  (668)
 United Utilities (public toilets)      £421.27  (669)
 British Gas (clock electricity)         £49.36  (670)

 RESOLVED not to authorise the payment of £311.66 to Mr Knight (Parish and Playground Contractor).
 (c)  RESOLVED to receive the quarterly financial statement of accounts.
 
9787 Ceramic Panel
 RESOLVED to defer consider making a donation towards the proposed ceramic panel (as presented at the last meeting) pending a proposal as to the location of the panel(s) and advice on costs.

9788 Christmas Trees
 RESOLVED to authorised expenditure of up to £120 for the supply and removal of 2 Christmas trees (18-20′ tall).  RESOLVED that the Chairman e mail Members with information on LED tree lights (including costs) in the next few days.

9789 Multi Wheel Park
 RESOLVED that the provision of a Multi Wheel Park is a good idea in principle and that investigations into the size and cost should be made (perhaps with reference to Halton Parish Council’s experience). The site of a park is an issue and Members would welcome suggestions from residents.

9890 War Memorial Garden
 It was noted that the Chairman had spoken to Mr Paul Holgate regarding the replacement of the dead trees and Mr Holgate had confirmed that he will replace the trees free of charge before Remembrance Sunday.  RESOLVED that the Chairman check with Silverdale School that the planting will not clash with the school visit to the Garden.

9891 Items for Information
 1.  Councillor Houghton noted that there continues to be a problem with inconsiderate and, sometimes, illegal parking, particularly on Shore Road, and wished this to be raised as a PACT priority with the police.
 2.  Councillor Mason reported that there is a problem with vegetation overhanging the wall of The Royal Hotel (on Gaskell Close).
 3.  The Chairman: (1)  advised that there is a problem with vegetation growing onto the road at the back of Silverdale Hotel/ Shore Close and also on Bottoms Lane and that he had received a complaint about overhanging branches at 13 Stankelt Road which were at head height, (2)  reminded Members that 13th November is Remembrance Sunday.

9892 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
 1.  A discussion on the report about Burton Well Scroggs (deferred from this meeting).
 2.  The work of the Parish/Playground Contractor.  (All)
 3.  A financial contribution towards the cost of producing a ceramic panel (once a proposal as to location(s) and costs have been received).
 4.  The provision of a play area for scooters etc.  (All)
 5.  A financial contribution towards the cost of the circular history trail leaflet which is a National Trust/ Silverdale Parish Council joint publication.  (Chairman)
 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. (To be considered in 2012.))

9893 Date of the Next Meeting
 It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 5th December 2011. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 25th November and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 28th November.

 
 Sue D. Hayward
 Deputy Clerk to the Council