Silverdale Parish Council

9th May 2013
10342 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Thursday, 9th May 2013.
10343 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 A. (Alycia) James, City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham and 29 members of the public.
10344 Election of Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Bond be re-elected as Chairman. Councillor Bond signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair.
10345 Election of Vice-Chairman
RESOLVED that Councillor Houghton be re-elected as Vice-Chairman.
10346 Apologies for Absence: PC 2866 Tony Marsh.
10347 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Williams expressed an interest in agenda item 22 in that he is employed (as a member of the public) to clean the toilets.
10348 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 4th April were approved then signed by the Chairman.
10349 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to item 10322 (a), regarding public footpath no. 14, and advised that she has received a letter from Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) stating that the reference on one of the notices was incorrect – it should read claim number: 804/535.
10350 Election of Representatives etc
RESOLVED to defer agenda item 7 until later in the meeting.
10351 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
Several members of the public spoke about the proposed skate park. The comments made are summarized as follows:
1. the recent survey of some residents who live near the Institute field was felt to be too limited in scope and had not been published sufficiently – no notices had been posted and the Institute had not drawn attention to the survey in the parish magazine. The resident pointed out that the proposed structure is 1 metre high, would be made of low-sound concrete and would be 10 x 18 metres in size;
2. it was felt that there is no leisure provision in the village for young people and that there is a lack of trust in the behaviour of the young people;
3. some supported a skate park but felt that the Institute field is not the best place for one because (i) it is ‘hidden away’, (ii) is a green area used everyday for football etc, (iii) other areas should be considered;
4. one questioned whether or not there is a mandate for a skate park and felt that Members have been dismissive of the concerns of local residents;
5. one resident advised that the Institute field is needed as a landing place for the Air Ambulance and asked if there would be sufficient room for a helicopter to land should a skate park be built there;
6. a young person explained that he enjoys skating and uses the road as there is no other area where he can skate.
10352 Update from the Community Police Officer
A written report from PC Marsh was read by the Chairman; (1) apologies were sent for not sending a report for the previous meeting – PC Marsh was on leave; (2) 45 incidents have been reported for March and April – of these 3 have been recorded as crimes – theft from a vehicle at Gibraltar Farm, shop-lifting at the Co-operative store and the theft of a Land Rover at Challan Hall (the vehicle was used in a robbery in Morecambe); (3) in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to monitor the parking situation and have monitored the situation by the Co-operative store and by the clock tower. The police have patrolled the village to deter anti-social behaviour and no incidents have been reported from the playing field; (4) in relation to the question raised over the financial arrangements for the 20mph limit and its enforcement, additional equipment has been provided by Lancs. CC for Community Roadwatch Schemes. This is an educational and not an enforcement activity. The 20mph limit is enforceable but at this time the policy is one of education. Community Roadwatch is where trained volunteers undertake speed monitoring in a particular location. They can only operate at approved, risk-assessed sites. There are currently no sites within Silverdale Parish. Monitoring work to gauge the extent of the problem has been proposed and is under consideration by Highways.
10353 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
The Chairman welcomed Alycia James, the newly elected County Councillor, to the meeting.
10354 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham reported that Environmental Services are carrying out a routine inspection of wheelie bins with a view to replacing cracked bins.
Councillor Houghton asked Councillor Graham if she would remind Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) that the summer programme for emptying the bins should include emptying the bins on Saturdays and Sundays during Bank Holiday weekends.
10355 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
The Chairman reported that he had met with the Chair and the Secretary of the Silverdale Institute Trustees to look at the future of the Institute field – a public consultation exercise will be carried out whereby every household in the village will be asked their opinion about the use of the field. It is intended that a flyer be circulated with the next Neighbourhood Watch newsletter.
10356 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) Response from the Institute regarding the request to use their land for a skate park;
b) Lancs. CC write about their consultation on proposed changes to the planning application validation checklist, associated guidance and application form relating to minerals and waste developments and associated guidance;
c) proposal for an AONB-wide Local Plan;
d) Councillor Fishwick supplies copies of correspondence regarding parking on Hollins Lane;
e) a resident writes about moving the zip wire and putting the skate park in the playground;
f) a resident writes against the placing of a skate park and moving the zip wire in the playground;
g) LALC newsletter March 2013;
h) Clerk and Councils Direct.
10357 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:
13/00258/FUL 15 Hazelwood. Proposed Raised Timber Deck. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/00128/FUL Land at Claughton Quarry, Claughton Moor. Renewable Energy project comprising the erection of 10 wind turbine generators, each with a maximum height of 110 metres. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/00035/FUL Silverdale Hotel. Combined sewer separation works (revision of 12/00305/FUL). NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following application was considered and comments made as indicated:
13/00252/FUL 12 Hazelwood. Erection of a conservatory to the rear. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(3) It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.
10358 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25 (a) Parish Council Property and Functions
The Clerk reported that she has contacted this Council’s insurance company about the possibility of claiming for works to remedy the leak from the public toilets – there is a £250 policy excess and the 5% no claims discount (approximately £81) would be lost.
25 (b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
10359 Local Plan
It was noted that South Lakeland District Council’s suggestion to prepare a Local Plan to cover the whole of the AONB area has not been presented to Lancaster CC’s elected Members as yet. RESOLVED that this Council support the suggestion.
10360 Appraisals
It was noted that the Clerk and Deputy have had their appraisals and that both were satisfactory.
10361 Finance
(a) It was noted that no money had been received by the Council since the last meeting. It was further noted that the cheque for holiday pay to Sue Hayward had been returned by her as it was included in usual pay claim.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £216.80 (824)
Mr T. Bond (dog waste bags) £4.20 (825)
Envirocare (parish contractor work) £318.00 (826)
Envirocare (parish contractor work) £429.20 (827)
Envirocare (supply of non-slip boarding for repairs to playground) £180.00 (828)
Mrs J. Colwell (internal auditor) £100.00 (829)
British Gas plc (clock electricity) £22.92 (830)
Gaskell Memorial Hall £18.00 (831)
United Utilities (water for toilets) £477.94 (832)
(c) RESOLVED to approve and receive the accounts for 2012/13. It was noted that the internal audit has been carried out and that the Internal Auditor has noted/ suggested that:
1. a new PAYE system (where the monthly payments to employees are transmitted to HMRC before salary payments are made) has been introduced with effect from 6th April 2013. No P46s are in use. No P35 will be needed at year end 2014. Only P60s will be issued at year ends from 2014; P45s will only be issued to the employee and not to HMRC;
2. the Parish Contractors is self-employed. Payments are due to be paid for expenses incurred during the year but due to the lateness of some invoices some are to be paid in 2013/14, this has all been duly documented in variances. The contractor who cleans the toilets is also self-employed;
3. more VAT could be claimed if contractors making purchases on behalf of the council (e.g. dog waste bags) ask for a VAT invoice addressed to Silverdale Parish Council. Perhaps dog waste bags could be bought in bulk?
4. there is credit on the account with British Gas (clock electricity);
5. a charity bank account was opened in the name of Silverdale Children’s Playground Account with HSBC – this has been seen and checked.
RESOLVED to sign section 1 and sign and complete section 2 of the Audit Commission’s Annual Return.
(d) It was noted PHS have written to confirm that they have not charged for the end of the contract.
10362 Parking at the Junction of Hollins Lane and Lindeth Road
It was noted that former County Councillor Fishwick had contacted Mr Andy Ashcroft (Public Realm Manager, Highways) about the problems caused by parking and Mr Ashcroft has arranged for this matter to be considered at the next Lancaster District Officers Road Safety Group meeting on 5th June. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact Mr Ashcroft to note the parish council’s awareness of the problem and of its desire not to deter parking at the junction of Hollins Lane and Lindeth Road but to suggest that hardcore (e.g. granite chippings) be put down to stop the edge of the road deteriorating further.
10363 Visibility at the junction of Hollins Lane and Slackwood
It was noted that there is a problem with visibility for traffic due to the presence of banners attached to the railings at the junction of Hollins Lane and Slackwood Lane and that the railings are owned by Lancs. CC. RESOLVED that the Chairman speak to the owners of the banners and write a piece for the parish magazine explaining the problems with visibility.
10364 Skate Park
RESOLVED to: 1. find out the location of any temporary skate parks in the Lancaster CC area from Ms Helen Ryan, Public Realm Officer, Lancaster CC; 2. look at the suitability of the piece of land alongside Lindeth Road (by Lindeth Close) as a possible site.
It was noted that the following sites have been/ are being considered: (a) the playing field – the matter of age limits needs to be finalized; (b) the land at the top of Townsfield – the National Trust have (so far) refused permission for a skate park to be placed there; (c) the National Trust owned field next to the cricket field – this would not be suitable as it provides good farming land; (d) the land behind the houses on Lindeth Close (owned by Lancaster CC) – access for construction and emergency vehicles is non –existent; (e) the Institute field (see 10355 above).
It was further noted that Members would welcome suggestions for other sites from villagers.
10365 Toilet Leak
It was noted that the Clerk has contacted 3 plumbers regarding digging a trench to trace the leak to the toilets and fitting a sensor flush for the urinals – one refused the work, 2 others prefer to only do the plumbing. Mr Salt has estimated £300 – £400 for a devise flushes after every use.
RESOLVED that the Clerk: 1. contact Mr Stefan Laws about the possibility of digging a trench to find the leak (one plumber advised starting with the area under the flags near the toilets); 2. ask United Utilities if they can install a new meter and pipe close to the toilets.
10366 Election of Representatives etc
RESOLVED that the following appointments be made for the year 2013 to 2014:
Morecambe Bay Partnership Unappointed
Lancaster and District Sustainable Transport Forum Councillor Williams
Silverdale United Charities Councillors Mason and Woods
Mansergh’s Charity Councillor Williams
AONB Executive Committee Councillor Palmer
LAPTC – Lancaster Area Committee Chairman
Playground Management Committee Councillors Bradfield, Ribbons and Williams
Archbishop Hutton Trust Chairman
Silverdale Institute Committee Councillor Woods
10367 Items for Information
1. Councillor Mason reported that 2 requests for assistance have been made to Silverdale United Charities and the Charity was able to help in both cases.
2. Councillor Houghton advised that a wall on the narrow part of Stankelt Road is bulging and looks as if it could fall down;
3. The Clerk has received 2 letters – one describing an occasion when a timetabled train did not stop at Silverdale and one an invitation from Lancaster CC to the Mayor’s Sunday Service on 2nd June.
10368 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. This Council’s response to Silverdale Institute’s consultation exercise regarding use of the field. (All)
10369 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 3rd June 2013. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 24th May.

Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council