2011/12/05
5th December 2011
9894 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 5th December 2011.
9895 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, PC 2866 Tony Marsh, County Councillor S.M. (Sarah) Fishwick (part), City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham and one member of the public.
9896 Apologies for Absence: None.
9897 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
9898 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
It was noted that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 7th November item 9780 should read: “Bankwell (£100) and Woodwell (£50)”. The Minutes were duly amended, approved then signed by the Chairman.
9899 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to: (1) item 9770, regarding train services, and advised that she had heard no more from Mr David Morris MP. Members RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Mr Morris again if she has not had a response before the January meeting; (2) item 9778, regarding the gentlemen’s toilet, and reported that Mr James Langhorn has ordered a new flush mechanism; (3) item 9781, regarding a new notice board, and advised that she has notified the AONB that this Council would like to accept their offer to fund and install one; (4) item 9782, regarding drainage to the public toilets, and explained that she has reminded Mr Neil Emery of the need to rectify the problem of recurring blockages; (5) item 9785, regarding the playground, and advised that the gate is still in need of repair – Mr Michael Knight has arranged for a special bolt to be made and he is awaiting a copy of the weekly inspection form from Councillor Ribbons; the monthly return, however, has been completed; (6) item 9788, regarding Christmas trees, and confirmed that trees are now in place at Bleasdale House School and in the playground; Mr Knight has provided the lights for the Bleasdale House tree and the Chairman has bought some lights for the playground tree on behalf of this Council. Mrs Brenda Cropley is kindly providing the electricity for the playground tree lights.
Councillor Ribbons referred to item 9778, regarding the bark to the aerial slide, and explained that he will liaise with Councillor Fishwick regarding the possibility of funding for an ‘underlay’ as well as the bark under the Local Members Grants Scheme.
9900 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
A member of the public advised that the ceramic panel mentioned at the October meeting of this Council is now ready for firing and glazing. The panel will be mounted and framed, the cost of framing is not known as yet as this will depend on the weight of the panel. Once the cost is known a request for the funding of the frame will be made in writing to this Council via the Clerk.
Members suggested that planning permission may be necessary if the panel is to be fitted to a wall on the public highway.
9901 Update from the Community Police Officer
PC Marsh gave a verbal update: (1) there have been 18 incidents reported in the Silverdale area of which 2 have been recorded as crimes – the theft of a charity box from the post office and theft from a car parked at the Eric Morecambe Hide; (2) there have been a number of reports of sheep being distressed by dogs not kept under close control. The police would like to remind dog owners of their responsibilities for this and their animal’s fouling. The police will take positive action against any dog owners found committing such offences; (3) in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to patrol the village regularly with particular attention being paid to Cove Road and Shore Road.
Members explained that there are times when Shore Road is blocked by cars parked inconsiderately.
The Chairman advised that a public meeting is to be held in the Gaskell Hall on Tuesday, 13th December at 5.00pm to discuss the Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) proposals to introduce a 20 mph speed limit.
9902 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
RESOLVED to defer agenda item 7 as Councillor Fishwick was expected to arrive late to the meeting.
9903 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham reported that: (1) she has still not been advised of a date for the development at Appleby to be brought before the Planning Committee despite having made repeated requests for this information. She had been contacted by Councillor Fishwick who expressed doubts as to whether the owner of the site at Appleby actually had legal access to the site since there was no plan showing the curtilage within the documents contained in the planning application. Councillor Graham subsequently contacted the owner’s planning consultants who forwarded detailed drawings and was able to confirm that the developer owned the land from the highway to the site; (2) the Planning Enforcement Officer dealing with the conservatory/ porch at The Parrock had informed Councillor Graham that the matter is still ongoing but until the Officer is in receipt of further correspondence from the owners, she cannot provide any more information at present; (3) following a query from a resident Councillor Fishwick had asked if there had been any changes to the planning conditions for the new properties at Cove House, which state that these properties have to be sold to and occupied only by people who are in need of continuing care from the Abbeyfield home. Following her enquiries Councillor Graham was able to confirm that the planning conditions had not been changed; (4) the residents of 5 – 14 Lindeth Close have been presented with another invoice for the removal of waste from their septic tank only 7 months after the previous empty. Councillor Graham is awaiting the result of an investigation by Environmental Services before deciding what further action to take; (5) she has been contacted by a resident regarding the increasing incidence of dog fouling particularly in the Shore area. The resident had asked for it to be made known that she (the resident) would take photographs and record licence plates and would “name and shame” the offenders.
9904 Report from County Councillor Sarah Fishwick
Councillor Fishwick reported that: (1) she had been given supplies of a leaflet by Lancs. CC giving advice on preparing for “the challenges severe weather conditions can bring” – the leaflets are available at the post office and the Gaskell Hall, the following link can be referred to for gritting routes and grit bin locations: http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk/agsmario/default.aspx?categ=transportation&layeron=Precautionary%20Salt%20Routes;
(2) the registration of septic tanks in England is optional but the Environment Agency “are now undertaking a joint review with Government on the requirement to register small domestic sewage discharges in England”; (3) the Environment Agency has produced a briefing note on creating new internal drainage boards (including the Lythe Valley) and is consulting on this; Members have until 19th December to respond; (4) a ‘Scrutiny Meeting’ on cross-boundary looked after children is to be held on 9th December.
9905 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members, or the Clerk
None.
9906 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that Mr James Langhorn has been asked to look at the faulty flush mechanism to the gentlemen’s toilet.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
9907 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) A resident writes with suggestions for more ways to encourage dog owners to clear up after their dogs, which she urges this Council to organise;
b) Minutes of the 228th meeting of LALC;
c) Some residents write in response to this Council’s letter requesting them to remove shrubbery encroaching on the footpath on Spring Bank. They complain about the dog excrement making the job unpleasant and wonder whose responsibility it is to keep the footpath clear;
d) A resident writes in response to this Council’s letter requesting that she remove shrubbery and is perplexed as to what vegetation is causing the obstruction and says a much greater hazard is the partly buried rocks opposite the Institute on Spring Bank. Members noted that the rocks concerned are on private land;
e) War Memorials Trust Bulletin;
f) Some residents write regarding the problems of traffic congestion in Cove Road, opposite number 33.
9908 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:
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. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
1/00932/CU Cove Lea, Cove Lane. Conversion of dwelling into two dwellings, erection of a two storey side extension, new garage/workshop and creation of a new vehicular access. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
(2) The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
11/00976/FUL Croziers Croft, Moss Lane. Proposed decking to side and installation of a velux window. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
(3) It was noted that the following decision had been advised by Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC):
Tree Preservation Order 495 (2011) at former Royal Hotel, Emesgate Lane.
9909 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 M. Knight (contractor (for last month)) £311.66 (667)
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £175.00 (671)
Envirocare (contractor) £48.00 (672)
Mr David Wain (strimming grass around bottom of railings) £87.50 (673)
Mr Gary Fishwick (toilet door) £275.00 (674)
Lancaster CC (well clearance (AONB)) £180.00 (675)
Gaskell Hall (hire – bi-centenary fund) £36.00 (676)
Npower Ltd (toilet electricity) £89.95 (677)
Mr Andrew Bodenham (toilet supplies) £42.14 (678)
Mr M. Knight (Parish and playground Contractor) £311.66 (679)
Mr T. Bond (Christmas tree lights) £104.95 (680)
As yet unknown payee (National Trust) (contribution to trail leaflets) £400.00 (681)
9910 Annual Assembly
RESOLVED to invite a representative from the North West Air Ambulance to speak at the Annual Assembly (Monday, 19th March 2012).
9911 Land Registration of the Quarries and Wells
It was noted that the Deputy Clerk had submitted report to Members updating on the land registration of the quarries and wells which is complicated as no deeds have been located, she advised that a solicitor from the County Secretary and Solicitors Group at Lancs. CC is advising on how to proceed and she will report back at a future meeting of the Council.
9912 National Trust
RESOLVED to contribute £400 to the National Trust from the Council’s bicentenary fund towards the cost of producing the circular history trail leaflet.
9913 Burton Well Scroggs
It was noted that The Biological Heritage Site Project had submitted a site assessment with management recommendations for Burton Well Scroggs. RESOLVED that the Chairman approach the National Trust to seek advice on the recommendations and their implementation over the next 12 months in view of their knowledge and experience of managing woodland.
9914 Items for Information
1. Councillor Mason reported that Silverdale United Charities had received one application for assistance which had been received and granted.
2. Councillor Bradfield read out a letter from pupils at Silverdale School regarding their competition for a poster promoting responsible dog ownership; copies of the winning posters for each year group will be presented to the parish council.
3. Councillor Williams advised that a street map has been put up by the railway station but that there is no information regarding the Silverdale Shuttle bus service.
4. Councillor Woods noted that part of the wall by the War Memorial Garden has collapsed.
5. Councillor Ribbons suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Paul Holgate for replacing the dead trees on the War Memorial Garden before Remembrance Day.
9915 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. The work of the Parish/Playground Contractor. (All)
2. The provision of a play area for scooters etc. (Suggested at the November meeting.)
3. The co-option of new Members from time to time to take part in discussions. (Suggested at the October 2010 meeting.)
4. War Memorial improvement works. (Suggested at the August 2010 meeting. (To be considered in 2012.))
9916 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Thursday, 5th January 2012. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Tuesday, 27th December 2011.
Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council