Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 3rd January 2023
1327  Confirmed Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held on Tuesday, 3rd January 2023 at 7pm at the Silverdale Village Institute, Spring Bank, Silverdale.
13277. Present:
Chairman: M. Fletcher (Mike) Vice Chairman: J. Bennett (John)
Parish Councillors: T. Bond (Terry), J. Ferguson (Jim), A. Houghton (Tony), K. Reed (Keith),
E. Unsworth (Liz)
Lancaster City Cllr: J. Greenwell (June); County Councillor: P Williamson (Phillippa);s
Police Sergeant L Brown, 3 members of the public and the Clerk: L.D Challenor (Denise)

13278. Apologies for Absence – S. Higham (Sue) – illness, Deputy Clerk: K. Lambert (Katie) – leave
13279. Declarations of Members’ Interests – none
13280. Approval of the Minutes from the Previous Silverdale Parish Council (PC) Meeting
The minutes of the ordinary PC meeting held at the Silverdale Village Institute on 5th December 2022 were APPROVED by the Council and signed by the Chairman.
13281. Matters arising from the Minutes of Previous Meetings, not Covered by the Agenda:
a) 13246 lack of mobile signal coverage – Cllr Bennett has been surveying the different areas of Silverdale and found that there are many areas where there is no signal (“not spots”) This information when gathered should help to convince the officials that Silverdale does qualify for government funding to improve the coverage.
b) 13216 i) village notice boards – will be ready for delivery and siting in January
c) 13215 d) defibrillator at the Methodist Church – still no decision as to when one could be located there.
d) 13243 Electricity North West Wayleave –The Clerk has received a response
from Electricity North West to say that the new cables have not yet been laid at the Corner House development and the Wayleave will be sought if necessary. – The Council believes that a new cable has been laid and will investigate further.
e) 13268 the lights on the SPID – can be dimmed as they currently appear overly bright with a potential to dazzle motorists, however this means that they won’t be as bright in the daytime – Cllr Higham will experiment;
f) 13265 Community First Responders (CFR) –the public funds which are used to support the organisation are now held by a former CFR. The Council wish the Clerk to enquire whether the CFR would prefer the funds to be transferred back to the Council to be ringfenced for First Responder’s. There are 8 kits a number of which will probably require updating. Three are held by the active first responders. There needs to be a log of where all the assets are. RESOLVED The Clerk will write about both matters.

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13282. Report of Relevant Matters from Police Sergeant (PS) L. Brown
December has been quiet with no crimes in Silverdale and only 6 incidents as follows:
1 safeguarding issue with an elderly person; 1 incident of deer poaching; 1 missing dog; 1 of sheep worrying; 2 calls regarding car crashes in the icy weather.
Sergeant Brown answered various questions from the Councillors particularly with regard to the proposed Neighbourhood Watch Scheme where he suggested the Council contact ‘Trading Standards’.
He was asked about the ease of recruiting extra police officers. He replied that around 80% of the officers have been with the service for under 3 years and that the force was particularly short of COMMS (communications) operatives.
13283. Matters Raised by the Public for Future Consideration – 2 residents wished to speak and raised the following:
Resident 1. Thanks for all that the Councillors do for the village. The Arts and Crafts weekend will be at the end of June. Would they consider favourably the request to put a memorial tree for Alison Calnan in the children’s playground and listed her many attributes and service to others.
Resident 2. Asked the Council to support the Neighbourhood Watch idea; pointed out that Crag Road (LA5 9) is still in a bad state particularly dangerous as it’s a cycle route; if the planning application for Townsfield is undecided, perhaps the application should be refused.

13284. Report of Relevant Matters from Lancaster City Councillor June Greenwell
The City Council, is facing increasing costs and anticipates having to make significant financial savings in the next financial year. One factor is the increasing cost of heating the various properties the City Council owns and uses, and the City Council is therefore looking to close down some properties and locate more services in fewer buildings. It is also likely that staff who leave may not be replaced in order to control staffing costs. The City Council is attempting to manage these financial pressures in ways that will have the lowest possible impact on service delivery, but there will inevitably be some consequences.
On a different matter, there is likely to be an announcement in January about changes in the way postal votes will be managed for the City Council elections in May. I will send you details of these changes as soon as I receive them.
13285. Report of Relevant Matters from Lancashire County Councillor Phillippa Williamson

Highways staff have been out and about during the holidays ensuring the roads have been kept open and will continue. Any large pot holes developing can be reported using the app ‘love clean streets’. Cllr Houghton asked Cllr. Williamson to raise the subsidence on New Road and just beyond ‘Myers
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Farm’ as these could significantly affect access to the village if they become sink holes. – Cllr. Williamson agreed to oblige.

Adult Social Care staff have been mobilising to help the NHS manage increasing pressures on bed capacity. The County Council are meeting daily with the NHS to support hospital discharges.

The County Council will be presenting its budget for 2023/24 and the following 4 years in the first
week of February and have been looking carefully at the way services are delivered. It is intending not to increase Council Tax beyond the levels of increases in previous years whilst keeping Council reserves at a healthy level.

Children’s homes are being considered as currently the provision is very expensive.
The County council’s Children’s Services have been subject to a full Ofsted inspection. The final report will be published at the end of January 2023, initial feedback was very positive.

Bleasdale School – work on utilisation of the residential part of the site continues and recommendations are due to be made to the County Council Cabinet in February.

Proposals on spending on road resurfacing and overlaying schemes will be put to the County Council Cabinet in February. These proposals currently include work on The Row.

13286. Verbal Reports from any Meetings of Relevance Attended by Members, or the Clerk, Circulated Before the Meeting and Not Listed Elsewhere in the Agenda: None.
13287. Correspondence – receipt of the following items of correspondence with any actions taken:
a) SLDC weekly update,(Emailed 30/11/22, 7/12, 15/12, 22/12)
b) Crowdfunder are offering more funding for opening “warm spaces” helped by funds from the Co-op. (Emailed 13/12/22) – It is mostly libraries in Lancashire that are supplying ‘warm spaces’ but details can be found on Silverdale’s Facebook page if other building owners or businesses are interested.
c) Parish Online newsletter. (Emailed 13/12/22)
d) A response has been received regarding the Silver Sapling campsite, saying that only 10% of activities are private and these are not normally noisy and raises funds for the Girl Guide Association. (Emailed 13/12/22) – The Clerk has been instructed to respond asking the GGA to check its use of the site with Lancaster City Council, with a copy to Cllr. Greenwell.
e) Mawson’s Garden Newsletter. (Emailed 18/12/22
f) A copy of a letter of complaint regarding building works and obstructions in Wallings Lane. (Emailed 19/12/22)
g) A letter regarding the care of local Highways from County Cllr. Williamson and a suggestion that residents may wish to report future Highways issues to the County Council directly via the ‘Love Clean Streets’ app., or the helpline 0300 123 6780. (Emailed 22/12/22)
h) An announcement that all main Lancashire bus operators are taking part in a scheme offering a maximum fare of just £2 for any single journey between 1 January and 31 March.
i) A resident requested a grit bin for Bottoms Lane. -This was thought to be a good idea and County Councillor Williamson agreed to ask for 2 to be supplied on Bottoms Lane, which would be topped up by County Highways for community not private use. Also gritting is needed on Lindeth Road and Ford Road.
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13288. Planning Matters:
(a) The following Planning Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25:

• 22/01344/FUL Scar Close, 13 The Row. Proposal : Demolition of existing single storey outrigger and erection of replacement single storey side extension and construction of a dormer window to the rear. (Emailed 30/11/22) – Supported.
• Appeal Reference: 22/00053/HAS Willodene, Shore Road. Appeal Description: Excavation of land and erection of a part 2 storey part single storey rear extension with patio above, construction of a dormer extension to the rear elevation and erection of a detached garage. (Emailed 30/11/22) – No further comments.
• SLDC weekly planning update shows a new property being built at Holgate’s, Caravan Park, Middlebarrow Plain as follows. Erection of new staff accommodation and change of use of existing accommodation to office space (Resubmission of SL/2021/0990) (Emailed 7/12/22 & 15/12/22) – No comments.
(b) Current Planning Applications – None
13289. Clerk’s Report of any Action (other than consideration of Planning Applications) Taken Under the Provisions of Standing Order 25
• Urgent Danger notices for ponds, due to worries about breaking ice/children, circa £32, received and soon to be put in place.
• Toilet pipes were frozen and then leaked after the thaw and had to be closed. Parish Council asked Dave Wain to attend to them as an emergency. Cost of parts £37.50.
13290 Finance:
a) For the monthly check of monies, a bank statement was given to Cllr Ferguson who verified the following balance on the Current Account to be 64431.12 on 23/12/22:

b) The payments to the following accounts were approved and the required cheques signed:
• Waterplus, toilets 3 mths, £221.52 bacs
• EDF, toilets, £16, Bacs
• EDF clock, £23, Bacs
• Silverdale School Fund, Biodiversity grant, £70, cheque 622414
• D Challenor, salary, backpay & expenses £1682.88 cheque 622421
• HMRC, paye for LDC £396.69 & KJL £8.40, £405.09 cheque 622422
• Katie Lambert, salary, backpay & expenses, £585.77, cheque 622423
• North West Air Ambulance, donation under Section 137, £300 cheque, 424
• Dave Wain, May to December, general plus extra £168/rooflight, £3713.35, 425
• J Bennett, 3 Danger signs for village ponds, £31.46, 622426
• Great Oaks Tree Services Ltd, contractor- Nov. 7 Dec., £2076 cheque 622427 (late arriving but within the Tender agreement).

c) The final Budget of £57857.00 was confirmed and the signing of the precept request for
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2023/2024 was completed.

d) Mr Malcolm Richardson has agreed to act as Internal Auditor for 2022-2023 for a fee of £100 plus expenses.

e) (e) The Financial Summary of Accounts for January, 2023 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

f) (f) Two places have been reserved for new Councillors on LALC’s training evening, in anticipation of the Election results 7-9 pm on 12th June at a total cost of £70.

g) g) Land Registry. Re: Wood Well Lane – The First Registration was approved and will now be ready to submit with the valuation of land and fees when available.
13291. Working Groups (WG) and Streetscape Matters:
Toilets
a) The revised Tender document is acceptable and will now be published as the new Tender starts 1/4/23 It will be displayed on the website and noticeboard and circulated to interested parties.
b) Security measures for apprehending vandalism in the toilets – CCTV will be put in place if a suitable site can be agreed upon. RESOLVED Cllr. Fletcher will approach one of the owners of the nearby buildings AND will purchase 2 more sets of keys for the toilets.
c) Measures to be taken when the outside temperature drops to below 4C– Dave Wain will be asked to fit a drain tap in the store room to enable the water to be turned off in appropriate weather.

Decorations/Christmas.
a) The provision of Christmas decorations in the village seemed to be much appreciated by many and the children again enjoyed hunting for the elves; 4 winning children are to receive a selection box.
b) Extra lights were needed for the communal trees due to their size. The tree with bulbs by the Co-op failed to light up and need to come down for checking.
c) The Council wish to give thanks to St John’s School for the lovely carols they sang, outside’ The Royal’ and ‘Bleasdale’ before Christmas.
d) Thanks to Mr & Mrs Wright, the Gaskell Hall and Stoneleigh management for providing electricity for the community Christmas trees.

13292. Playground Matters
Cllr Bennett circulated a report to Cllrs ahead of the meeting which detailed the following:
a) The email which has been sent to M. Henry, City Council Public Realm, requesting a quote for cleaning the moss and algae from all the soft surfaces, steps and walkway areas of the play equipment together with a quote for re-pointing the paving inside the entrance area in a hope it can be covered by the Annual Allowance allocated to each Children’s Playground within the district. – Cllr. Bennett has not yet received a response.
b) New issues noted on the Parish Contractor’s weekly inspection reports: Lots of leaves in areas; these will be left for a while before deciding on any action.

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c) RESOLVED A “Caramel Tree – Cercidiphyllum Japonicum” tree in memory of Alison Calnan will be placed in the upper area of the playground on Cove road and permission given for a memorial plaque. Cllr. Bond will meet the applicant on site to agree a spot.

13293. Cold Calling.
a) The Council did not decide to send letters to appropriate organisations to deter fundraisers from cold-calling in Silverdale.
b) They will investigate whether the whole village could be made into an official “No Cold Calling Zone” and the Clerk will write to Trading Standards for help, with advice also from the Police and County Councillor Williamson.
13294. Woodland Management
No movement due to the inclement weather and holidays.
13295. Parish Contractors Worklist:
a) Fix Danger signs on the three watering places, Wood Well, Bank Well and Burton Well.
b) Take the lights off the trees including the one by the Co-op; dispose of the two trees from the tubs; inform the clerk where the lights are stored.
c) Inform the Council how the SPID can safely be accessed and moved when required.
d) Erect the new noticeboards when received.
e) Fit a drain tap in the store room of the toilets.
a. NB The Clerk to check with Dave Wain if the ivy in the playground has now been treated satisfactorily.
13296. Suggestions for Future Agenda Items:
To consider Partnership with the Silverdale United Charity
To Report on the application to the Rural Prosperity fund, regarding the toilet for the foreshore.
Annual Assembly arrangements. – The Clerk suggested inviting the Deputy police and Crime Commissioner Andy Pratt to speak at the Annual Assembly. Cllr Reed thought it would be also worth considering an item on the Zero Carbon Working Group.

13297. Items for Information
13298. Date and Time of Next Parish Council Meeting – Date of the next ordinary Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 7th February 2023. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk by 3oth January 2023.

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SILVERDALE PARISH COUNCIL
Councillors are hereby summoned, and members of the public are invited, to attend a
Parish Council Meeting at 7pm on 3rd January 2023 at The Institute, Springbank for the purposes detailed in the following Agenda:

1 To receive apologies for absence.

2 To receive declarations of Members’ interests relating to any items appearing on the agenda.

3 To approve the Minutes of an Ordinary Council Meeting held on 5th December 2022

4 To receive information about matters arising from the Minutes of previous meetings, not covered by the Agenda.

5 To receive a Police Report if available.

6 To receive a report of any relevant matters by City Councillor June Greenwell.

7 To receive a report of any relevant matters by County Cllr. Phillippa Williamson.

8 To receive reports from any meetings attended by Members, or the Clerk (these reports are only acceptable where no decision, or action, is required):

9 To hear matters raised by Members of the Public for future consideration. Time is limited to 3 minutes per person. It appreciated if a spokesperson is selected to represent a group with the same subject and one can chose to write to the clerk in advance. Note: Members of the Council are not permitted to respond, except to ask questions for the purposes of clarification only.

10 To consider the following items of correspondence received since the last meeting and to determine what, if any, action should be taken:
a) SLDC weekly update,(Emailed 30/11/22)
b)

11 Planning Matters:
(a) To note that the following Planning Applications were dealt with under the provisions of Standing Order 25:
b) Planning Applications:

12 To receive the Clerk’s report of any action (other than consideration of Planning Applications) taken under the provisions of Standing Order 25:

13 Streetscape Working Parties
a) Toilets
• To confirm the revised Tender document is acceptable and ready to publish as the new Tender starts 1/4/23.

b) Christmas Decorations To review the provision of Christmas decorations in the village.

14 Finance
(a) To conduct the monthly check of all money received by the Council (bank statements to be inspected by a Member who is not a Bank Signatory, or more than one such Member.
(b) To authorise payments and sign cheques for the following accounts:
• EDF, toilets, £16, Bacs
• EDF clock, £23, Bacs
• D Challenor, salary & expenses £
• HMRC, paye for LDC, £
• Silverdale Institute, £, cheque
• Katie Lambert, salary & expenses, £, cheque
• Lancaster City Council, well clearances, £, cheque
• North West Air Ambulance, donation under Section 137, £ cheque
• SELRAP, membership £ cheque
• Westmorland Tree Care Ltd. Tree work, £, cheque
• Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, £ cheque
• i-clean, toilets, £ cheque

(c) To confirm the final Budget of £ and authorise the signing of the precept request for 2023/2024.

(d) To record that Mr Malcolm Richardson will act as Internal Auditor for 2022-2023 for a fee of £100 plus expenses.

(e) To receive any comments on the Financial Summary of Accounts for January, 2023.

15 Playground
To receive a report on any urgent actions that have been taken and to consider any other issues raised in either the Lancaster CC quarterly, or Parish weekly inspections.

16 To form the list of work for the contractor Dave Wain.

17 To receive items for consideration for a future agenda.

18 To note any “Items for Information” (no decisions or action permitted)

19 To note that the date of the next meeting is at the on 7th February 2023 at 7.00pm Items for the agenda, to reach the Clerk before 27th December 2022.

Signed:

L D Challenor

Mrs Denise Challenor, Clerk to the Council, Tel. 01524 761824