Silverdale Parish Council

2nd December 2013
10510 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 2nd December 2013.
10511 Present: Vice Chairman – A.J. (Tony) Houghton, Councillors H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward and 3 members of the public.
10512 Apologies for Absence: Councillors T.G. (Terry) Bond and A. (Angela) Woods, PC 2866 Tony Marsh and City Councillor K. (Kath) Graham.
10513 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Councillor Ribbons expressed an interest in agenda item 12 (a) (planning application for 4A Bottoms Lane) and Councillor Williams expressed an interest in agenda item 17 in that he is employed, as a member of the public, to clean the public toilets.
10514 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 4th November were approved then signed by the Vice Chairman.
10515 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
Councillor Williams referred to: (1) item 10484, regarding graffiti on the signaling cabin at Silverdale Station which should be brought to the attention of Network Rail; (2) 10479, regarding the train service, and handed the collected petitions to the Clerk who will pass them on to Mr David Morris MP.
The Vice Chairman referred to item 10492, regarding the pillar clock, the Clerk confirmed that Smiths have cancelled the 3-year contract to service the clock and are invoicing the Council annually.
10516 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. Members were asked how they might persuade people to use the Silverdale Shuttle.
2. A statement regarding the planning application for 4A Bottoms Lane was read out – the member of the public has written to Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) objecting to the application. She pointed out some errors she felt were in the documentation and outlined her objections: visual impact; restrictive covenants to 4/4A Bottoms Lane; loss of privacy; loss of light; light pollution (and its effect on bats); concerns regarding the shared septic tank; drainage.
10517 Update from the Community Police Officer
A written report from PC Marsh was read out by the Chairman: (1) 29 incidents were reported last month, 3 of which were recorded as crimes – the theft of 7 traffic cones from Storrs Lane, the theft of 2 wrought iron benches from Spring Bank and the theft of 2 quad bikes from Red Bridge Lane; (2) in relation to the PACT priorities the police have continued to monitor the parking situation in the village and have patrolled the village in general concerning anti-social behaviour. No incidents have been reported from the playing field; (3) the police can be contacted using the non-emergency telephone number 101 and 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. The Constabulary also offers a free SMS and email bulletin service called “In The Know” – visit http://www.lancashire.police.uk/intheknow to subscribe.
It was noted that inconsiderate parking in the centre of the village is of increased concern and Members ask that the police make every effort to deal with this; it was further noted that cars are frequently parked at the bus stop by the station – particularly at times when parents and carers are collecting children from the train after school. This is a safety issue.
10518 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
Councillor James was not present at the meeting and her report was not available.
10519 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham was not present at the meeting but had submitted a report: (1) the planning application for 55 Stankelt Road is to go before the Planning Committee on Monday, 9th December – if anybody would like to speak, they must register with Democratic Services by 12 noon on Thursday, 5th December (Mr Tom Silvani, tel 582132 is probably the best person to speak to); (2) Councillor Graham understands that the large hole at the front of the first house to be built at Appleby is for a storage tank which will contain Calor gas and she is looking into whether this was something which was agreed at the initial application or if there has been a change. Relating to the second house to be built at Appleby – an application has been submitted for a detached garage so that the integral garage space can be used as living space. The plan shows that the proposed building would be sited near the trees and the entrance to house number 2. The side of the garage would be on view from the road; (3) the reason why the Parish Council did not see a planning application for the caravan site at Hawes Villa is that it was a permitted development and did not need a planning application.
Councillor Graham had also e mailed a copy of a letter sent on behalf of BT Openreach notifying of the intention to install electronic communications apparatus in connection with Superfast Broadband, the letter included plans showing the location of the cabinet (outside the Telephone Exchange), its dimensions and a photograph.
10520 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
1. Councillor Mason reported that she had attended a meeting of Silverdale United Charities where an application for help had been granted.
2. Councillor Ribbons reported that he had attended a meeting in Borwick regarding the community lead Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) project – Borwick is coming on-line shortly. He explained that the speed offered by B4RN is 50 times faster than that offered by British Telecom, that the service fully encompasses everyone and the system has a life-span of at least 50 years.
10521 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
None.
10522 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) the AONB’s response to the Council’s request for them to support B4RN. RESOLVED to suggest that the AONB contact Bowland AONB for information on how they supported B4RN in their area;
b) a letter from a parishioner about creating a “Neighbourhood Plan” to address the building policy for the area. RESOLVED that the Clerk seek advice from LALC on this;
c) Lancaster CC is consulting on whether to maintain current levels of council tax support and whether to remove the “Second Adult Rebate”. Comments for consideration in December. RESOLVED to seek clarification from Lancaster CC about this;
d) Bulletin War Memorial Trust brochure;
e) Mrs Dodgshun (a former resident of Silverdale) sends a DVD of Silverdale celebrations of the Queen’s Jubilee in 1977. RESOLVED to ask the library to keep a copy and to write and thank Mrs Dodgshun;
f) Keer to Kent;
g) Minutes of 240th LALC area committee and Agenda for the 241st meeting;
h) FLAG publication;
i) thank you letter from the North West Air Ambulance for the donation sent.
10523 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning application had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a:
13/01126/FUL 31 St John’s Avenue. Erection of a single storey extension and conservatory to rear. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/01142/FUL 4A Bottoms Lane. Erection of a two storey rear extension. It was noted that Councillor Ribbons had e mailed to declare an interest. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/00828/FUL 55 Stankelt Road. Amendment to application. Erection of 4 bed dwelling and garage in the garden and a replacement garage for the existing dwelling. It was noted that the PLANNING OBJECTIONS minuted at the September meeting still apply; RESOLVED to reiterate these to Lancaster CC.
(2) The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
13/01039 St Johns Church, Emesgate Lane (parish room). Creation of a new entrance door, fire escape and 3 windows; re-cladding of building and surfacing of path. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/01137/FUL 29B Emesgate Lane. Erection of a detached garage, conversion of the existing integral garage to form living accommodation and construction of a raised terrace to rear. PLANNING OBJECTIONS on the grounds that the proposed development would:
1. be in front of the building line;
2. mean a reduction in the number of potential parking spaces from 3 to one;
3. over-develop the plot.
It was noted that Lancaster CC refused an application for 3 properties because the proposed development was in front of the building line.
13/01166/FUL 43 Emesgate Lane. Erection of a rear extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
13/01165/FUL 45 Emesgate Lane. Erection of a single storey rear extension, replacement of existing garage with new and erection of a porch to side. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(3) It was noted that the following decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC:
1. in order to save costs they will no longer send out paper copies of applications – all will be available on the internet. RESOLVED to request that paper copies continue to be sent as they are needed for consideration at meetings and it is often difficult to access applications on line – Lancaster CC need not send all of the paperwork – it is the basic statement and the plans themselves that are required.
2. Tree Preservation Order relating to Silverdale Golf Club. The Order No. 522 (2013) is confirmed without modifications.
10534 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:
Hygiene Cleaning Supplies (cancelled cheque 885) £177.50 (883)
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £229.50 (888)
Envirocare (contractor – grass cutting and grounds maintenance playing field) £312.00 (889)
Lancaster CC (septic tank charges – toilets) £636.00 (890)
Mr Stefan Laws (parish contractor) £166.25 (892)
Mr Stefan Laws (tree felling) £150.00 (893)
Smith of Derby (clock service) £224.40 (894)
Silverdale Village Institute (room rental to Oct.2013) £160.00 (895)
Ladybrook Nursery (Christmas tree) £312.24 (896)
Newclear Drains (camera investigation of toilet drains and DVD) £108.00 (897)
10535 Annual Parish Meeting
RESOLVED to book the Gaskell Hall for Thursday, 13th March 2014 (if the hall is available) and to defer the discussion of who to invite as guest speaker until the next meeting.
10536 North West Air Ambulance (NWAA)
It was noted that Mr Ian Lockhart, Service Delivery Manager, had responded to this Council’s offer to identify possible landing sites – he advised that the sites are dictated by the location and serious nature of the specific incident and are assessed by the pilot for safety and suitability; Councillor Houghton had subsequently spoken to NWAA who explained that they are unable to use agreed sites for emergency landings but are familiar with the area and circuit twice before landing to check for any changes e.g. new overhead wires.

10537 Standing Orders
RESOLVED:
1. that the Clerk contact LALC for advice on a suitable phrase for this Council to consider incorporating into its Standing Orders to convey that it is unacceptable for the public to be offensive towards Members;
2. on occasions where several members of the public are present, to read aloud the clauses from the Standing Orders which pertain to public participation before inviting the public to speak.
10538 Toilet Drains
It was noted that the recent camera survey shows 2 places where the drains have collapsed and that when Councillor Houghton saw the camera survey of the same area in 2011 the drains were in a good state of repair. RESOLVED that the Clerk contact United Utilities as it appears that the works carried out by them (to replace part of the mains pipe earlier this year) might have caused the damage.
10539 Items for Information
1. The Chairman had e mailed the following information: (a) Councillor Bradfield and he attended the meeting about speed/traffic in the village and he wrote an article about it for the parish magazine; (b) he had met with the Arnside Natural History group about Burton Well Scroggs – they will do a flora and fauna survey and are happy to be involved with the other areas dealt with by the new Woodland Committee; (c) Mr Michael Holgate had advised that he would put up fences round the Royal in the New Year.
2. Councillor Williams reported that a soap dispenser in the toilets had been vandalized and the matter has been reported to the police who have asked for more details.
3. Councillor Mason advised that: (a) several villagers have thanked this Council for supplying dog waste bags; (b) the computer class have passed on their thanks for the payment of room hire during the 3-month pilot period; (c) cars being parked on the footpath outside The Royal mean that pedestrians are having to walk in the road; (d) a dead tree is overhanging the wall at the bottom of Slackwood.
19540 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. An update on The Royal. (Councillor Palmer)
2. Progress on the proposed skate park. (Councillor Palmer)
3. Donation towards the conservation of the Silverdale Hoard. (All)
4. 20/30 mph speed restrictions (following the public meeting held on 6th November). (Chairman)
5. Ways to encourage more use of the bus service. (Councillor Bradfield)
6. Organizing a public meeting about the B4RN project. (All)
7. Guest speaker for the Annual Parish Meeting. (All)
10509 Date of the Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 6th January 2014. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before 29th December. Sue D. Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council