Silverdale Parish Council

7th October 2013
10461 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 7th October 2013.
10462 Present: Chairman – Councillor T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, K. (Keith) Palmer and P.N. (Paul) Williams, PC 2866 Tony Marsh, City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward and 2 members of the public.
10463 Apologies for Absence: Councillors S.L. (Shirley) Mason, N. (Nigel) Ribbons and A. (Angela) Woods, County Councillor Alycia James and the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor.
10464 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Williams expressed an interest in that he is employed (as a member of the public) to clean the toilets.
10465 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 2nd September were amended as follows: item 10443 “The Clerk referred to item 10422…the grant…will have to be returned by the Silverdale Children’s Playground Charity due to “double funding” [the rest of the sentence is deleted]”, the Minutes were then approved and signed by the Chairman.
10466 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
Councillor Houghton referred to: (1) item 10363, regarding sight-lines at the junction of Hollins Lane and Slackwood, it was noted that where vegetation on private land restricts visibility, Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) will write to the landowner reminding them of their responsibility to manage the vegetation. RESOLVED that the Chairman speak to the landowner and that general advice be sought from the police service.
The Chairman referred to: (1) item 10054, regarding a toposcope next to the Pepper Pot, and showed Members the proposed design; some additions were suggested. RESOLVED that the Chairman discuss the design and installation with the National Trust, (2) item 10434, regarding Burton Well Scroggs, and reported that a working party has been set up for 7th November, (3) item 10455, regarding the Commemoration of the Great War, and advised that the Gaskell Hall has been booked for November 2014 for a talk on “Silverdale’s War Dead”, (4) item 10409, regarding an exhibition of photographs of the AONB area, and reported that this will take place in the Gaskell Hall over the weekend of 19th / 20th October. The public are invited to enter their photographs (contact Terry Bond (01524 702693 or tgbond@hotmail.com) to find out more or to enter).
The Deputy Clerk referred to item 10448, regarding the public toilets, and advised that the Clerk has received a quotation from Newclear drains who would carry out a camera survey for £90 + VAT. RESOLVED to ask Newclear drains to carry out the survey for a stretch of around 10 metres starting at the WC pans.
10467 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
A representative from the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss reported on the forthcoming visit to Leighton Moss by BBC’S Autumnwatch team. The programme will be on air from 29th October for 4 nights. It is anticipated that there will be a temporary substantial increase in numbers after the visit and options for additional parking (for staff/ volunteers and/ or the public) are being considered.
10468 Update from the Community Police Officer
PC Marsh’s report for August had been circulated to Members by e mail. PC Marsh presented his report for September: (1) 27 incidents were reported in Silverdale, 3 of which have been recorded as crimes – the theft of garden furniture from a property on Emesgate Lane and 2 instances of criminal damage to drainpipes also on Emesgate Lane, (2) in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to monitor the parking situation and have patrolled the village concerning anti-social behaviour. No incidents have been reported at the playing field, there have, however, been complaints of youths playing at a junction on Emesgate Lane and the police will be monitoring this; (3) the police can be contacted using the non-emergency telephone number 101, or by email – carnforth.npt@lancashire.pnn.police.uk . Morecambe Neighbourhood Policing Team (which includes Silverdale) has its own Facebook page and the Constabulary has a presence on the web, Facebook and Twitter. A free SMS and email bulletin service – “In The Know”- is offered. To subscribe please visit http://www.lancashire.police.uk/intheknow.
PC Marsh acknowledged the difficulties of enforcing the 20mph speed limit.
10469 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
Councillor James was not present at the meeting and her report was not available, it was noted that she has been unwell for some time but that she is hoping to resume public duties soon.
10470 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham advised that: (1) Planning Officers visited the Hawes Villa campsite but did not inspect the whole site; (2) regarding the planning application for 55 Stankelt Road – it was noted that if a member of the public wishes to object to an application they can give notice that they wish the application to go before Committee (where they may speak) by registering with Governance (Democratic Services).
10471 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
None.
10472 Trees at Bankwell
RESOLVED to arrange tenders for the removal of 2 dead trees at Bank Well.
10473 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) LALC Newsletter, accounts to 31/3/13, leaflet about gritting, Agenda 240th meeting and Minutes 239th meeting;
b) Lake District National Park write to notify of the publication of the Inspector’s Report for the Allocations Plan and Minerals Plan. www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/allocations (also in Kendal Library);
c) Mr David Morris MP writes to invite the Council to facilitate a petition in the village regarding the changes in the train service proposed for Silverdale;
d) Lancs. CC write about public footpath 14 Silverdale – to inform that the making of the Order to delete parts of the footpath be deferred;
e) Clerk and Councils Direct.
10474 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning application had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a:
13/00775/FUL 5 Castle Bank. Erection of a single storey rear extension – NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
13/00344/CU Glenside, Red Bridge Lane. Creation of a new vehicular access. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) It was noted that the following decisions had been advised by Lancaster City Council:
TPO no. 522 (2013) – relating to trees at Silverdale Golf Club, Red Bridge Lane.
10475 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25 (a) Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions.
None.
10476 Basic Parish Allowance
It was noted that Members are entitled to receive a payment of £25 (Basic Parish Allowance) for the financial year and that anyone not wishing to receive it should inform the Clerk in writing.
10477 Insurance Cover
RESOLVED not to enter into a new 3-year contract for insurance cover with Broker Network Ltd (thereby gaining a discount of £79.42 on this year’s premium) as there is still one year to run on the current 3-year contract and Members might wish to review the contract next year.
10478 Traffic Issues
It was noted that:
1. a public meeting will be held in Silverdale Institute on Wednesday, 6th November at 7.15pm to review the 20/30 mph speed restrictions;
2. there is likely to be an increase in traffic to the village over half-term (in part due to interest following the televising of BBC’s Autumnwatch from Leighton Moss). RESOLVED that the Chairman contact the police regarding the possibility of using traffic cones;
3. Silverdale’s fire engine was recently replaced by a larger vehicle and it might not be possible to manoeuvre it through the streets if cars are parked inconsiderately;
4. the organizers of the Art Trail are looking into the parking situation during the trail weekends; RESOLVED that the Chairman invite the organizers to a meeting of this Council to discuss this;
5. the new fence at Quicksand Pool Bridge has restricted access and parking to the RSPB hide there; it is on land owned by Leighton Hall. Although the RSPB are trying to expand the car park this can’t be accessed by high vehicles, such as camper vans, because of the bridge and the height restriction, on reaching the bridge drivers of high vehicles find that they have to reverse on to the road because there is no turning point. Restricted access is also a problem for the fire service which relies on the site as it is the only suitable place to test the fire engine pumps. RESOLVED that the Chairman draft a letter to Leighton Hall Estates about the problems of access and parking.
10479 Train Service – Petition
RESOLVED that the Chairman draft a letter to Mr David Morris MP requesting the following wording for the petition about the train service:
“We the undersigned support the campaign by David Morris MP and Silverdale Parish Council regarding train services to Silverdale Station. In particular;
increasing the number of trains stopping at Silverdale
reducing overcrowding by the provision of more modern carriages, especially relevant to Northern Rail
reversing the reduction of direct services to Manchester”.
RESOLVED to ask local shops and organizations (e.g. the post office, library, Co-operative store and newsagents) if they would have the petition available on their counters.
10480 Finance
(a) Councillor Bradfield conducted the monthly check of money received by the Council and found the records to be satisfactory. It was noted that there has been the following receipt: £145 from Silverdale Childrens Playing Field Charity – towards the repair of the aerial slide.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Post Office Ltd. (HMRC PAYE) £432.20 (857)
Mrs S. Hayward (salary & expenses) £274.96 (858)
Mrs L. D. Challenor (salary & expenses) £812.70 (859)
Mrs L. D. Challenor (website/domain name (ukhost4u)) £119.99 (860)
Mr Stefan Laws (parish contractor) £166.25 (861)
Mr P. Williams (toilet cleaning £218, unblocking drains £20, tiling £44.25) £282.25 (862)
Envirocare (contractor – grass cutting and playground grounds maintenance) £277.20 (863)
Npower (toilet electricity) £63.83 (864)
British Gas (toilet electricity) £14.24 (865)
British Gas (clock electricity – £43.01 less credit of £34.64) £8.37 (866)
Mr Andrew Bodenham (toilet supplies) £87.59 (867)
BDO LLP (external accountant) £240.00 (868)
Broker Network Ltd (insurance) £1588.39 (869)
(c) RESOLVED to approve and accept the Annual Return; it was noted that the Auditors had requested more information about this Council’s assets but that all available information had already been provided apart from the locations.
(d) RESOLVED to enter into a 3-year contract for the annual service of the pillar clock to benefit from a 15% discount on charges.
(e) RESOLVED to approve the draft budget which had been circulated to Members with the agenda.
10481 Remembrance Sunday
It was noted that the Chairman has ordered a wreath from the parish council, the bugler has been booked and Mr Stefan Laws will ensure that the War Memorial Gardens are tidy.
10482 Christmas Tree
RESOLVED to provide a Christmas tree for the village (Picea Abies variety) 10-12’ tall at a cost of around £298 +VAT plus £50 delivery charge.
10483 Aerial Slide
RESOLVED to suspend the meeting in order that an Extraordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Children’s Playground Charity Trustees could take place. The meeting of Silverdale Parish Council was reconvened and Members RESOLVED to fund a new adjuster bar for the playground aerial slide at a cost of £313.66.
10484 Items for Information
1. Councillor Houghton reported that: a) he has a number of Keep Britain Tidy posters which ask people to dispose of dog waste bags in any rubbish bin; b) a cycling organization has been inspecting the potholes in the village.
2. Councillor Williams advised that a planter has appeared at Silverdale Station and that the Network Rail container has graffiti on it.
3. Councillor Bradfield reported that there are a number of potholes in the road near Challan Hall.
10485 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. An update on The Royal. (Councillor Palmer)
2. Progress on the proposed skate park. (Councillor Palmer)
3. A discussion on the AONB Management plan Review. (Chairman)
10486 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 4th November 2013. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 25th October and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 28th October. Sue D. Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council