Minutes
4th April 2016
11227 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 4th April 2016.
11228 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors J. (John) Bennett, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons and D. (David) Sandiford, the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, City Councillor N. (Nigel) Goodrich and 37 members of the public.
11229 Apologies for Absence: Councillors A.J. (Tony) Houghton and P.N. (Paul) Williams
11230 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
11231 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday, 7th March were approved then signed by the Chairman.
11232 Receipt of Information about Matters Arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda
The Clerk referred to: (1) item 11122, regarding a Speed Indicator Device (SpID), and advised that she has asked PC Barr to re-apply for one; (2) item 11154, regarding a tree in the War Memorial Garden in Mr Tyson Edmondson’s memory, and reported that Mr Paul Holgate and Mr Stefan Laws will meet on site to decide upon the best position for the tree; (3) item 11201, regarding the formulation of a community emergency plan, and advised that Mr Mark Bartlett, Lancaster City Council’s (Lancaster CC) Civil Contingencies Officer will attend the June meeting to discuss this; (4) item 11207, regarding the website, and informed that Mr Steve Lamb has agreed to continue to maintain the website for another 12 months from June 1st, he will put the new bus timetable on the website if possible.
Councillor Bennett referred to: (1) item 11173, regarding the dispensers for dog waste bags, and advised that three are in place and the fourth will be put up in the next few days; (2) item 11199, regarding the bus service, and drew attention to the bus for Carnforth High School which will stop at the Royal Hotel at 8.05am on school days (and not at 8.15am as it did previously); (3) item 11204, regarding the fence round the toilets, and advised that Councillor Williams and he will look at this again before deciding if the fence is necessary or should be altered; (4) item 11206, regarding the risk assessment, and reminded Members that it would be good practice to have the electrics to the toilets checked soon. RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain quotations for consideration; (5) item 11210, regarding overgrown vegetation, and said there have been many compliments about the cutting back of the vegetation at Slackwood, but there have been complaints (e.g. from Traveller’s Choice) regarding the overgrowth at Warton Crag and he is pursuing this with Lancashire County Council (Lancs. CC).
The Chairman referred to: (1) item 10737, regarding the Royal Hotel, and said that he understands that the Royal will reopen for business on 6th April; (2) item 11064, regarding mobile phone masts, and advised that St. John’s church are waiting to hear from the phone company about a mast being fitted inside the church tower.
11233 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
1. Two additional sites have been suggested as possibilities for development on the AONB development Plan Document (DPD) – on Redbridge Lane (near the golf course) and on Bottoms Lane; the consultation period ends at the beginning of May. Concern about the Bottoms Lane site was expressed as it was felt that the view will be spoilt. Members of the public were urged to comment.
2. Regarding overgrown vegetation at the roadside – it was pointed out that hedges are the responsibility of the landowner – Highways can take action and recover the costs if sufficient notice has been given.
3. Appreciation that a bus service is to be continued. It was remarked that the new timetable is on display at the bus stops. Members were thanked for their work on this.
4. United Utilities have left a hole in the road in the centre of the village – temporary traffic lights are in place.
5. A request for a SpID, indicating 20mph as the speed limit, in an attempt to deter drivers speeding. [The Chairman advised that this is in hand].
6. A number of residents raised objections to the planning application for the construction of a skate park, tennis court and running track on the Silverdale Institute field and made the following points:
(a) the hall and land had been left for Silverdale inhabitants; it was felt that the proposed development would be too close to elderly residents, that neighbouring properties would lose their views and privacy and there may be problems with noise, crime and disorder;
(b) the distance of the skate park from the boundary of one of the properties is only 4.75metres which is much less than the recommended distance;
(c) a request for an alternative site to be found;
(d) the Institute field is perceived as a village green rather than a playing field and is used for fetes etc.; perhaps there could be landscaping around the edges with a path for running/ jogging and walking with the central area left untouched;
(e) there would be a loss of green space – the area should be protected from development being in an AONB;
(f) the space might be needed for the landing of an air ambulance;
(g) some are under the impression that a larger development (with more noise) is proposed than has actually been applied for.
It was pointed out by Members that the Parish Council’s comments are only classed as being from one body; the public are encouraged to make their own representations to Lancaster CC and to attend the Planning Committee meeting should the application go to Committee. It is understood that comments will be accepted by Lancaster CC until they have made their recommendation even if the official deadline for comments has passed.
11234 Report from City Councillor Nigel Goodrich
Councillor Goodrich reiterated the points made by Members in connection with the Silverdale Institute planning application.
11235 Reports on any Meetings Attended by Members or the Clerk
Councillor Palmer had attended an AONB Executive Committee meeting on 30th March. The two additional proposed sites (referred to in 11233 above) had been discussed. The timetable for the remainder of the preparation of the AONB DPD is expected to be as follows: spring 2016 – consultation on new site suggestions; autumn 2016 – draft Plan consultation; early 2017 – publication and submission of the Plan; summer 2017 – public examination of the Plan; autumn 2017 – adoption of the AONB DPD.
11236 Annual Parish Meeting
It was noted that there were no issues raised at the Annual Parish Meeting in need of discussion.
11237 Planning
(1) It was noted that no planning applications had been dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25a.
(2) The following planning applications were considered and comments made as indicated:
16/00334/FUL 16 Cove Drive. Erection of a single storey rear extension. NO PLANNING OBJECTIONS;
16/0297/FUL The Institute, Spring Bank. Construction of a skate park, tennis court and running track. The Chairman read out the letter sent by this Council to Lancaster CC when a planning application was made last year; it was noted that some of the issues raised then have been addressed, but some concerns remain. Whilst supporting the intention of the application to improve recreation facilities for all ages in the village, Members RESOLVED to OBJECT to the plans on the following grounds:
1. the proposed location of the Skate Bowl and the Tennis Court/ Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) are considered to have the potential, due to issues of noise and visual impact, to significantly affect the amenity of surrounding properties. In particular points at the edge of the Tennis Court/ MUGA and the Skate Bowl are located approximately 8 metres from the boundary of The Ashes and The Chestnuts bungalows in Spring Bank. It is understood that Sport England guidelines for a MUGA suggest a minimum distance from surrounding properties of 30 metres is normally required, but that this might be reduced by the use of suitable measures, such as sinking or earth banking or mounding, to a minimum of 12m. Separation distances for Environmental Health compliant Skate Bowl installations are several times these distances;
2. the proposed plan and supporting information do not include any trial hole information to inform of either the topography of the subsurface limestone rock or the drainage/ permeability situation. The limestone bedrock may prevent the Skate Bowl being significantly sunk into the ground and no specific finished surface level has been stated. Elevation of the Skate Bowl has the potential to exacerbate noise and visual intrusion, particularly since the surrounding properties form an amphitheatre around the Skate Bowl;
3. there are no noise or visual impact analyses provided by the applicant in order to demonstrate that any loss of amenity would be tolerable, or against which any mitigation measures could be assessed. The Lancaster CC Environmental Protection Team report dated 22 March 2016 states: “this development proposal presents an unacceptable risk of significant adverse environmental health impact(s). We recommend that the application should be refused”;
4. access to the site is via a single track private road. There are nine parking spaces shown on the submitted plan for all facilities on the site. There are no public car parks nearby. There is also restricted visibility where the private road joins onto the public highway at Stankelt Road. The proposal does not include any information as to how some of the requirements in the Lancs.CC report dated 21 July 2015 (which has been carried forward to this application) are to be addressed. These issues include: re-engineering the private roadway along its length to a standard that will support both construction traffic and finished user traffic; suitable passing arrangements for two-way road traffic and segregation of the footway/ public footpath from the road traffic;
5. there is no plan included for control and supervision of the facilities. Councillors are aware of concerns about hours of use and supervision arrangements. It is noted for information that there are some hours of use limitations imposed as planning conditions at Halton;
6. there is no information, such as that from trial holes, which might indicate that a suitable drainage arrangement is possible. The subsurface may retain water or alternatively may fill with foul water draining from surrounding septic tanks.
Councillor Sandiford wished it to be recorded that he took no active part in the discussion.
(3) It was noted that no decisions had been advised by Lancaster CC.
11238 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.
11239 Correspondence
Receipt of the following items of correspondence was noted:
a) Lancs. CC – email about the Bus Service subsidies;
b) Mr Mark Bartlett accepts the invitation to speak at June’s meeting about Emergency plans;
c) newsletter from “Parish Champion” County Councillor Dereli;
d) the AONB supply a copy of their comments regarding the plans to develop the rear of Whinney Fold;
e) Mr Keith Reed supplies a copy of his letter to the AONB regarding the rear of Whinney Fold development plan;
f) LALC – Minutes and Agenda for 4/3/16 and booking form for conference at Leyland on 14/5/16.
11240 Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD
RESOLVED that the Chairman and Councillor Bennett draft a response to the proposed addition of two additional sites (Redbridge Lane and Bottoms Lane).
11241 Silverdale Waste Water Drainage/ Treatment
It was noted that the Environment Agency introduced new rules for private/ non-mains waste water systems on 1st May 2015. RESOLVED that Councillor Bennett (with advice from Mr Geoff Wood) produce some simple guidelines to help residents implement the rules; the guidelines will be put on this Council’s website and some information will be produced for the parish magazine.
11242 Traffic Speed and Pedestrian Safety
It was noted that there is no safe place to board the bus by Silverdale station or the RSPB visitors’ centre and that the speed limit is 60 mph in this area. RESOLVED: 1. that advice be sought from the “Safe Routes to School” project; 2. that Highways be contacted regarding possible traffic calming measures; 3. an article be published in the parish magazine to make drivers aware of the dangers to pedestrians in this area.
11243 Silverdale Library
It was noted that Lancs. CC are looking at all their buildings and preferred options for each and that a consultation period will begin once those options are made known on 16th May. RESOLVED that the Clerk press Lancs. County Councillor, Jennifer Mein, and Mrs Julie Bell (Head of Lancs. Libraries, Museums, Culture and Registrars) for the information requested in January on the costs of running Silverdale library.
11244 Finance
(a) It was noted that no payments had been received since the last meeting. It was further noted that Lancaster CC have granted Small Business Relief for Silverdale public toilets which means there will be no charge for rates, however, their contribution to the running costs will be reduced by 50% (to £2513.00) in 2016/17. RESOLVED that the Chairman draft a letter to Lancaster CC to complain about the lack of notice for this reduction which was given too late for an additional amount to be included in the precept request.
(b) RESOLVED to authorise payment and sign cheques for the following accounts:
Mrs S. Hayward (salary, expenses & holiday pay) £729.16 (1141)
Mrs L.D. Challenor (salary and expenses & holiday pay) £1347.67 (1145)
HMRC (PAYE for LDC) £308.39 (1146)
Mr P. Williams (toilets cleaning etc.) £249.08 (1147)
Mr S. Laws (contractor) £166.25 (1148)
British Gas (clock electricity) £21.57 (1150)
Westmorland Tree Care Ltd. £1374.00 (1151)
Envirocare (contractor) £189.19 (1152)
Lancashire Playing Fields Association (annual subscription) £15.00 (1153)
11245 Village Maintenance
It was noted that two contractors (Mr Stefan Laws and Envirocare) have supplied tenders for grass cutting (St. John’s Avenue and Woodwell) and Parish Contractor work, one (Envirocare) has supplied a tender for the playground (grounds maintenance). RESOLVED to accept Mr Stefan Laws’ tenders for grass cutting (£595.00 pa) and Parish Contractor work (£2,355 pa) and Envirocare’s tender for the playground (£2,000pa). It was noted that the contracts are for two years.
11246 Items for Information
1. Councillor Bennett reported that he has obtained a quotation from Playdale for supplying and fitting new roof panels to the towers in the playground (£1,111.08 + VAT (this compares favourably with a quotation from Duckett’s for supplying unpainted roof panels)) and noted that, as children have been seen climbing onto the roof, the replacement of the rotten panels is now urgent.
2. Members noted that some late correspondence (e mail of 29th March) had been received from Lancs. CC inviting those Parishes and Community Groups that are interested in developing their own Parish Bus, public transport scheme to a workshop/ seminar on 7th April. Members further noted that they would like to attend such an event given more notice.
11247 Suggestions for Future Agenda Items
1. Possible closure of Silverdale library.
2. Problems with sewage discharging onto the shore.
3. Inspection of the electrics in the public toilets.
11248 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Thursday, 5th May 2016. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to be with the Clerk by Tuesday, 27th April.
Sue Hayward
Deputy Clerk to the Council