Minutes
2nd February 2015
10875 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 2nd February 2015.
10876 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors 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 and 5 members of the public.
10877 Apologies for Absence: Councillor H.M.E. (Harriet) Bradfield and City Councillor Kath Graham.
10878 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
Members expressed interests as follows: Councillor Williams – agenda items 12 and 14 in that he is employed, as a member of the public, to clean the public toilets; Councillor Houghton – agenda item 12 in that he owns a part of the shore and Councillor Palmer – agenda item 13 in that he has carried out some contractor work for the AONB.
10879 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
It was noted that item 10869 should read: “Members noted that it would be useful to have barrier tape on hand in the event of needing to cordon off unsafe Council property pending remedial works and/ or repairs being carried out”, the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 5th January were duly amended, approved then signed by the Chairman.
10880 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
Councillor Houghton referred to item 10863, regarding a mobile phone base, and advised that he had met with Harlequin and shown them possible sites. They will contact him to inform him as to which site they would like to proceed with.
Councillor Ribbons referred to item 10867, regarding the proposed Kermesse cycle race. He remarked that an e mail had stated that the race would appear as an agenda item this month and commented that, had this been the case, members of the public would have been aware that it was to be discussed again and wished it to be recorded that he regretted its absence from the agenda. Councillor Ribbons raised a number of concerns about the proposed race including the likelihood of queues of traffic developing because of the road closures; he also questioned the benefits to local businesses. He added that a race held out of season in 2016 might be a better option as this would give the organizers more time to plan and there would be fewer tourists/ cars around. Other Members also expressed concerns about the race, including the 20mph speed limit and traffic congestion ,and some felt that residents and visitors would enjoy the event, that any extra footfall would benefit businesses and that positive and negative effects would only be known if an event actually takes place.
The Chairman pointed out that posters have been put up in the village and an article published in the parish magazine inviting public discussion. He said that it is for the organizers to take into account any comments and at the last meeting this Council resolved to support them in looking further into the possibility of the proposed Kermesse race.
10881 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. The seat on the shore which has been taped off and looks unsightly.
2. Lancaster City Council’s (Lancaster CC) street and property list by electoral area (Silverdale ward) has some properties missing and some of the addresses listed are incorrect.
3. A request for the Council to support the planning application for Ridgeway Park.
4. A request for information on correspondence item b) – “Highways Services’ reply to comments made by the Parish Council on the traffic calming measures”.
5. Mr Graham Orr and Mr Tim Stothert reported that they have met with Highways and the police regarding the proposed Kermesse race and were advised that they need to show that they have the support of local businesses and that there is provision for parking. Messrs Orr and Stothert are in the process of talking to the various businesses in the village – those spoken to so far support the race. It was noted that in order to mitigate the effects of the road closure a managed system can be implemented using marshals, e.g. limited access to and from the golf club can be arranged. Mr Orr will be attending a meeting of the Lancaster District Event Safety Advisory Group.
10882 Update from the Community Police Officer
There was no police representative and their report was not available.
10883 Report from County Councillor Alycia James
Councillor James was not present at the meeting and her report was not available.
10884 Report from City Councillor Kath Graham
Councillor Graham was not present at the meeting and her report was not available. The Chairman advised that he had received an e mail from Councillor Graham stating that she will not be attending any more meetings.
10885 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
1. AONB Annual Conference
Councillor Palmer reported that he had attended the conference and that the Bittern Award had been presented to Mrs Ayre on behalf of her late husband, Mr Barry Ayre.
2. Silverdale United Charities
Councillors Mason and Woods reported that they had attended a meeting at which an application for help had been agreed.
3. LALC
The Chairman advised that he will no longer attend the LALC meetings due to the lack of representatives from the police, Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC) and Lancaster CC.
10886 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted:
a) consultation on Lancs. CC’s budget proposals for 2015-16 to 2016-17. Recommendations to be submitted by 4th February;
b) Lancashire Highways Services reply to comments made by this Council on the traffic calming measures;
c) consultation running to 2nd March on planning onshore oil and gas developments;
d) Clerk & Councils Direct;
e) Meeting Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document consultation (ends 6th March).
10887 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:
15/00008/FUL Silverdale Golf Club. Alterations to existing track, removal of exit point and creation of a larger entrance/exit. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
14/01368/FUL Silverdale Golf Club. Erection of a timber framed golf teaching bay (resubmission of approved application 13/01273/FUL). NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
14/01355/FUL Grayrigg, Gaskell Close. Construction of two-dormers to the rear elevation. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
15/0010/TPO To reduce 2 trees and fell 3 trees at High Bank House, Lindeth Road. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
15/0009/TPO To fell one Beech and reduce one Beech at The Chase, Stankelt Road. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS.
(2) The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
15/00003/FUL 14 Lindeth Close. Erection of a 2-storey side extension and a detached garage/stable, demolition of front porch and erection of a replacement. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
15/00049/RCN Ridgeway Park, Lindeth Road. Change of use of residential school (use class C2) to one residential dwelling and two holiday-let dwellings (use class C3) pursuant to removal of conditions 3,4,5 on application 14/00729/CU to allow all 3 approved dwellings to be used and occupied as such without further limitation). It was noted that this Council would like all 3 dwellings to be residential dwellings and none to be holiday-lets;
15/00050/FUL 5 Castle Bank. Erection of a detached summerhouse and retention of raised veranda (resubmission of previously approved application 14/00538/FUL). NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
(3) It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.
10888 Urgent Action Taken in accordance with Standing order 25 (other than Planning)
25(a) Parish Council Property and Functions
1. The Clerk reported that the rotten bench on the shore should not prove a hazard as it is obviously broken and has been taped off. Mr Stefan Laws has quoted for repairing the bench. Members discussed the option of having the bench repaired or removed and RESOLVED to ask Mr Laws to remove and dispose of the bench (leaving the concrete parts in situ). Further RESOLVED to ask Mr Laws not to repair any benches pending a survey being carried out by Councillors Houghton and Williams and decisions made as to which benches should be repaired and which renewed.
2. It was noted that the door on the ladies’ toilet has blown off and that 2 quotations have been submitted to deal with this: one from Mr Gary Fishwick to renew the door and frame and add a lock – £1,142 and one from Mr Mike Murphy to repair the door – £120.
RESOLVED to accept Mr Murphy’s quotation and to ask that a door-closer be fitted.
10889 AONB
RESOLVED to defer a discussion as to whether or not a donation should be given to the AONB to the next meeting of this Council pending a report from the AONB on work carried out in Silverdale last year.
10890 Public Toilets
RESOLVED to authorize the proposed tender document for toilet cleaning and dog hygiene measures and to advertise the tender (applications should be sent to the Clerk by 21st February).
It was noted that the deadline for tenders for the painting and repair of the toilets is also 21st February. RESOLVED that the Clerk provide an account of income and expenditure for last year for the next meeting.
10891 Finance
(a) It was noted that no payments have been received.
(b) RESOLVED to authorize payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mr Paul Williams (toilet cleaning) £213.33 (1026)
Mr Stefan Laws (contractor) £166.25 (1027)
British Gas (electricity – toilets) £25.10 (1028)
Envirocare (contractor) £78.00 (1029)
(c) The quarterly Financial Statement of Accounts was noted and approved.
(d) It was noted that it is unlikely that Mrs Jean Colwell will be able to continue carrying out the internal auditing of the accounts for much longer. RESOLVED that the Clerk approach a contact about possibly taking on the role for a fee of £100.
10892 The Management of Trees and Brambles in the Playground
The Chairman presented a drawing of the playground indicating the areas of brambles and sycamore saplings. RESOLVED to reduce the height of/ cut back the brambles and fell the saplings within the next 6 months and to keep any saplings under control (any extra costs to be borne if necessary). Further RESOLVED to add reducing the height of/ cutting back the brambles every 3 years, felling any saplings every 4-5 years and keeping saplings under control (ongoing) into future contracts for the grounds maintenance of the playground.
10893 Christmas Lights
It was noted that there were a lot of positive comments about the Christmas trees and lights along Emesgate Lane. RESOLVED to arrange for trees and lights again this year and to ask that the trees be taken down before the end of January in future. RESOLVED to ask Library Services it would be possible to provide a socket in the courtyard.
10894 Agendas
It was noted that new regulations amend Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 and that a summons to attend a meeting, together with the agenda for the meeting, are allowed to be sent by e mail to Members who agree to receive it this way. RESOLVED to e mail the agenda and minutes (in pdf) to Members in future. It was noted that Councillor Mason does not have access to the internet at the moment and so will continue to be sent hard copies.
10895 Items for Information
1. The Chairman advised that: (1) an invitation has been sent to Members to the official unveiling of the village mural at Silverdale Library, but that this is unlikely to happen on 5th February as planned; (2) a poster advertising an event “Safeguarding Morecambe Bay’s Birdlife” to be held on 10th February has been received. Booking essential (www.morecambebay.org.uk/ events).
2. Councillor Ribbons updated Members on progress regarding Broadband for Yealand and Silverdale (B4YS) – a conduit has been installed under the motorway and will be taken under the A6 this week. The meeting in Borwick (held in January) was well attended. There is no set timescale for reaching Yealand as this depends on signing some outstanding Wayleaves.
3. Councillor Williams noted that Parish Council elections will take place in May and that forms can be obtained from Lancaster CC.
10896 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. AONB donation. (All)
2. Public toilets – income and expenditure. (Chairman)
3. B4YS update (monthly agenda item). (All)
10897 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, 2nd March 2015. Items for the agenda to reach the Clerk before Friday, 20th February and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 23rd February.
Sue D. Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council