Silverdale Parish Council

7th July 2014
10706 Confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 7th July 2014.
10707 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons 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, Mr Simon Shipperd, Level Crossing Manager (Network Rail) and 3 members of the public.
10708 Apologies for Absence: Councillor P.N. (Paul) Williams and PCSO 7242 Sarah Leverton.
10709 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
10710 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on Monday, 2nd June were approved then signed by the Chairman.
10711 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to: (1) item 10695, regarding finger posts in need of repainting, and advised that Highways have looked at the finger post at the top of Bottoms Lane and consider the location to be too dangerous for it to be painted by a volunteer so they will include it in their schedule of work; (2) item 10698 and reported that Mr Stefan Laws has pressure-washed the War Memorial.
The Chairman referred to: (1) item 10697, regarding the Parish Plan, and advised that Councillors Bradfield, Houghton and himself have met with Mr David Porter, Senior Planner (Lancaster City Council (Lancaster CC) Regeneration and Planning Service), in Silverdale and looked at short, medium and long-term ideas for the village centre. They alerted Mr Porter to the issues that exist around sceptic tanks and of possibilities regarding the use of the telephone exchange. Mr Porter will examine the possible dual use of the telephone exchange site. They discussed the need for special needs housing in the centre and for low cost housing. It was felt that the meeting had been productive; (2) item 10704, regarding the bin at the cove, and reported that it has been replaced and positioned to one side.
10712 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. A ‘community clean up’ working party to spruce up the village centre by planting flower tubs etc.
2. The parking situation (on Emesgate Lane and Stankelt Road in particular).
3. The white lines on the road outside the playing field which are in need of replacement following the re-surfacing of the road.
10713 Update from the Community Police Officer
A written report from PCSO Sarah Leverton was read out: (1) 24 incidents were reported in June in the Yealand/Silverdale area including 4 incidents classed as anti-social behaviour and 2 crimes – the contents of the honesty box at the Shore car park were stolen and there was a case of harassment on Stankelt Road.
It was noted that PC Barr had attended another Saturday morning coffee morning at the Gaskell Hall.
RESOLVED to ask the police to monitor the parking on Emesgate Lane, Shore Road and Bank House Lane.
10714 Silverdale Level Crossings
Mr Simon Shipperd, Level Crossing Manager (Network Rail), explained his role which is to reduce risk at level crossings. He discussed the following with Members:
1. The level crossing on New Road – Members felt that the road signage is not clear to drivers when they approach the crossing from the direction of Silverdale and noted that a number of incidents have occurred when it is dark and/ or raining and/ or cold. The course followed by the road and railway track is not as one might expect. It was suggested that solar powered cats’ eyes might be helpful as the angle of the road means that headlights do not light up the cats’ eyes on approach. It was felt that there is a need for chevrons on both sides of the road (not just on one side as is currently the case). Mr Shipperd advised that he is arranging a site meeting with Highways to look at this and is looking into having the vegetation cut down by the crossing to improve visibility; he will re-visit the site at night-time. Members pointed out that the barriers have failed on several occasions (staying in the down position) and that drivers have been known to drive round the barriers. Mr Shipperd advised that Network Rail are looking into replacing the half barriers with full ones;
2. The barrow (station) crossing – Network Rail are looking to close this crossing which is one of the 50 most dangerous crossings in the country, they are liaising with the RSPB about access onto the platform via a ramp from the RSPB car park. Members advised that around 30-40 school children use this crossing every school day and asked if warning lights could be installed as a temporary measure pending closure. Mr Shipperd advised that lights would cost more than £25,000 to install and are not a possibility given that Network Rail are looking at closing the crossing.
3. Footpath crossings – these are also being looked at but are the most difficult crossings to close due to the need to divert footpaths/ provide alternative routes.
Mr Shipperd asked Members if they could keep him informed as to any new housing developments as this increases the usage of crossings – even small scale developments have an impact.
10715 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
Councillor James reported that Lancashire County Council is investing a lot of money in repairing potholes.
10716 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham reported that the planning application for a garage at Appleby has been turned down.
10717 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
1. Silverdale Institute
Councillors Houghton and Woods reported that the recent committee meeting had been well attended and that a survey of every household in the village is to be carried out asking residents for their ideas on the use of the Institute building and field.
10718 Planning
(1) It was noted that the following planning application had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a:
14/00594/FUL Wallings, Cove Road. Erection of a two storey rear extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
14/00684/FUL 30 Emesgate Lane, demolition of existing garage and erection of a replacement. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(3) It was noted that the following decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC:
LCC2014/0080 Bleasdale House School, porch. GRANTED.
10719 Urgent Action Taken in Accordance with Standing Order 25 (other than Planning)
25 (a) Parish Council Property and Functions
It was noted that:
1. Mr Stefan Laws had been instructed to proceed with the jet washing of the War Memorial at a cost of £50, he was grateful for the provision of water and power to carry out the work;
2. A plank of wood to repair the zip-wire enclosure has been ordered at a cost of approximately £13.

25(b) Non-Parish Council Property and Functions
None.
10720 Parish Precept
RESOLVED that the Council give a dispensation to its Members to participate in and vote on matters relating to the setting of the parish precept under section 33 of the Localism Act, 2011.
10721 Finance
(a) Councillors Bradfield and Woods conducted the monthly check of all money received by the Council and found the records to be satisfactory; it was noted that a payment had been received by BACS in respect of a VAT repayment – £1561.72.
(b) RESOLVED to authorize payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr Stefan Laws (contractors tenders – £166.25, strimming (4 hrs. extra (3 cuts)) – £110, war memorial work – £50) £326.25 (954)
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning etc.) £213.33 (955)
Mrs LD Challenor (salary and expenses) £1028.62 (956)
HMRC (PAYE for Mrs Challenor) £232.80 (957)
Mrs S. Hayward (salary and expenses) £356.43 (958)
British Gas (toilet electricity) £29.65 (959)
Envirocare (playground maintenance, 3 visits 13/14, 2 visits 14/15) £390.00 (960)
Absolute Tree Management (tree health survey) £1037.00 (961)
Hygiene Cleaning Supplies Ltd (public toilets) £105.80 (962)

10722 Community Assets
RESOLVED to apply for registration of the Silverdale Hotel and the Woodlands Hotel as community assets under the Localism Act, 2011 on the grounds that they offer employment, act as social meeting places and provide function rooms.
10723 Temporary Skate Park
It was noted that 6 volunteers have offered to help set up and take down the skate park each day and supervise its use, but that more are needed if the skate park is to go ahead. A rota is proposed to cover the planned 2 week period in August with each volunteer on duty for half a day. RESOLVED that an article be submitted to the Silverdale e-newsletter and that a deadline of 18th July be given for volunteers to come forward.
10724 War Memorial Gardens
It was noted that:
1. the Clerk has obtained 3 quotations for stainless steel plaques as requested:
Classic Gifts and Engravings (a Morecambe firm) – £756.00 (2mm thick stainless steel) ; Signs of the times (on-line) – £528.80 + VAT plus £15 p & p (2mm stainless steel) and Brunel Engraving (on-line) – £499.60 + VAT plus £11 p & p (1.5mm stainless steel). RESOLVED to find out if the quotation from the Morecambe firm includes VAT and, if so, to order the plaques from this firm as it is local;
2. the yew trees have recovered and are not in need of replacement;
3. some more of the letters are missing from the Memorial. RESOLVED that the Clerk arrange their replacement.
10725 Trowbarrow Quarry
It was noted that Trowbarrow quarry is owned by Lancaster CC. RESOLVED that the Chairman draft a letter to Lancaster CC asking them to talk to the landowners about access to the quarry, particularly for emergency vehicles.
10726 Parking
Members discussed Mr Bruce Bensley’s (Engineer-Traffic, Lancashire Highways Service) response to this Council’s request for advice as to methods for dealing with inconsiderate parking and RESOLVED not to pursue the introduction of yellow lines or parking bays at the present time.
RESOLVED to purchase up to 5 ‘no parking’ traffic cones for no more than £100 for use in the village (including Shore Road) and to ask the police to take action against drivers who park inconsiderately.
10727 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted and any action determined as indicated:
a) an invitation from Lune Valley Rural Housing Association to attend their AGM on 27/7/14;
b) B Hygienic Ltd write to give a 3 year fixed price to service the sanitary bins in the toilets as UK Washrooms has gone into liquidation. RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the administrator to ask for the sanitary boxes to be recorded as a lien against the goods and that Mr Paul Williams be asked to empty the bins (up to 7kg of sanitary waste can be disposed of with ordinary waste), this would be part of his cleaning duties and his contract will need to be varied to take account of this additional duty;
c) LALC newsletter and invitation to their AGM on 8/11/14 at 1.45pmin Preston;
d) the Rural Housing Policy review seeks views on affordable housing. RESOLVED that the Chairman complete the questionnaire;
e) consultation on subsidized bus services;
f) minutes of the Woodland Management Committee held on 20th May 2014;
g) information about ‘Lights Out’ participation for World War 1 on 4th August from 10-11pm. RESOLVED that an article be submitted to the Silverdale e-newsletter and that the Chairman submit one to the parish magazine;
h) SELRAP update;
i) LCR publication.
10728 Items for Information
1. The Chairman reminded Members of the Code of Conduct and that they should continue to act responsibly as Parish Councillors and Trustees in view of the recent issue locally. He reported that: (1) he had spoken with Mr David Morris MP on a recent trip to London and had been advised that the petition about train services has resulted in the listing of a 90 minute parliamentary debate on local train services; (2) the vegetation on the footpath by The Lots on Stankelt Road needs clearing.
2. Councillor Palmer advised that the contractors have inadvertently damaged a tree in the playground when strimming the grass around it.
3. Councillor Houghton commented that: (1) perhaps consideration could be given to the need for a parish office and the possible use of the Institute for this purpose; (2) the railings at the top of Hazelwood have become obscured with posters etc. which affects visibility; (3) there is no sign of superfast broadband as yet; (4) bins in the village need emptying on a Monday during the summer months; (4) the wiring to the lamp post behind the Institute is exposed and the light on Stankelt Road (past the entrance to The Lots) is out.
10729 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
None.
10730 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, August 4th 2014. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 28th July.

Sue D. Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council