Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 7th April 2015
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 5th May 2015 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Case, German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Morse, Symons, Taffinder ( Chairman);
CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)
5 members of the public attended.
041501
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
The Chairman read out a statement in respect of the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 reminding those in attendance and participating in the meeting that they were liable to be filmed, recorded, photographed or otherwise recorded.
041502
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Edwards, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek; CC J German
041503
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None
041504
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Jo Holah gave notice that she had submitted a planning application in respect of Petersplosh, 7 Wellington Terrace. The PC had objected to a previous application (ref. PA15/00195) in respect of this property on the grounds of infringement of a neighbour’s privacy by a proposed balcony. Mrs Holah said the new design omitted the balcony, and hoped the PC would support it.
Mr Jon Smith, Chairman of the Roseland Neighbourhood Development Plan (RNDP) Steering Group (SG), reported that the SG was now beginning to make progress on its two principal projects. He said the Conservation Area management plans were progressing with support from CC Julian German and Gerrans PC member Cllr Hetherington, and also the SG had begun to use the RNDP to assess planning applications and to understand the processes that needed to be followed.
He also reported that an examiner, Claire Wright, had been appointed and the examination had begun, and was expected to be completed by the end of April. This meant that the Referendum could possibly be held in June as planned.
041505
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3rd March 2015 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
041506
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
The clerk said he was aware of the concerns of parishioners over the continuing malfunction of Gerrans church clock and that the engineers, in liaison with Dr Bill George, who has kindly volunteered his time, expertise and experience of this particular clock, were still working towards resolving the problem.
041507
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Email from Phil White of the National Trust (NT).
This follows an on-site meeting with Cllr Iddison and 2 parishioners and outlines the agreed schedule of remedial action to be taken by the NT in respect of overgrown trees and shrubbery in the field below the New Road car park which now obscure the view over the bay. The work, consisting of a rotational coppice regime, is expected to commence in the autumn of this year. Councillors noted the contents of the email.
- Notice from Cornwall Council (CC) Planning Department.
Notice of an appeal in respect of application ref PA14/03614 for a proposed development on land east of Bowling Green, St Just. (PC objected and CC refused original application). Councillors decided they had nothing further to add to their original objection.
- Request for financial donation.
Request from Roseland Youth Sailing Trust for a contribution to its funds. Councillors wished the Trust well but maintained its policy of not making donations from public funds to individual charitable bodies. Cllr Hatwood suggested the Trust might wish to apply to Roseland Online for funding. Action clerk to reply.
041508
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 1 new application. This is outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA15/02644 | Loft conversion and alterations at Pensue, Rosevine | Support |
DECISIONS
PA15/00170 – Non-material amendment in respect of decision notice PA14/01326 to make changes at Tatams Stonebaked, The Quay, Portscatho. Approved by CC. Noted.
PA15/00195 – Proposed changes at Petersplosh, 7 The Quay. (PC objected) Refused by CC
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
Nothing to report
041509
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Cllr German reported on behalf of the Charities Committee. He said there had been 2 meetings of the Trustees since the PC last met. There are now 2 trustees from the PC (Cllrs Iddison and German) and 3 members of the public had also agreed to serve as Trustees: Mr Duncan Backus (Chairman), Mr Andy Mullins (Secretary) and Mr Kevin Pratt (Treasurer).
Cllr German said it had been ascertained from the Charities Commission that the scope of potential beneficiaries of the funds could be broadened from “the poor of the Parish” to include, for example, deserving local businesses, and the Trustees were looking to get local businesses involved in the development of the charities going forward.
Cllr Taffinder agreed that the Charities were fortunate to have found new Trustees of such calibre, and that recent developments were most encouraging.
Cllr German also reported that work on the Memorial Hall improvements was scheduled to begin in May.
041510
LOCALISM
The clerk reported he had begun the process (in liaison with Cllr Taffinder) of compiling the details for an application to list the Fishermen’s Shelter as a Community Asset.
041511
CHURCH CLOSE OPEN SPACE LAND
The clerk reported that meeting of the Enys Estate trustees scheduled to take place in early March had not in fact taken place, and he was informed that the next meeting would now be in mid April. Therefore the Estate’s position on the PC’s request for a lease on the parcel of land informally known as “Brian’s garden” was still not known.
The clerk also reported that there had been a site meeting attended by himself and Cllrs Taffinder and Symons at which a practical job specification for the initial fencing and gate access works had been agreed, and subsequently he had sent out letters to 5 local contractors inviting tenders and quotations.
At the site meeting it was noticed that the condition of the grass surface was very poor and somewhat overgrown with thistles, nettles and other weeds. After discussion, Cllr Case proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) that the whole of the affected area be sprayed to remove all the weeds, and afterwards the area should be re-grassed. This was agreed unanimously but it was also agreed that this should not be done until after the fencing contractors had finished their work, and that the spraying operation should be publicised in advance.
041512
CAR PARKS
The clerk reported that Cllr Edwards had repaired the honesty box at Percuil with a new door and lock, so no new box was now necessary. Councillors expressed their appreciation to Clr Edwards in his absence.
Cllr German said that Treloan car park was being used as a “race track” by certain people, causing damage to the surface.
The clerk reported that there was still no news forthcoming from Cornwall Council on the issues of the lease negotiation or potential freehold availability at New Road car park. It had in fact now been 4 months since CC had apologised for lack of progress and promised to progress the situation, After a discussion, Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Case) that the clerk should send an email expressing the PC’s profound dissatisfaction at this lack of communication and evident lack of regard for the PC shown by CC and to send a copy to the Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr. Action clerk
041513
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
The clerk presented a revised quote of £692.00 received from Seth Toms for carrying out immediate repairs required to the plumbing and drainage at Percuil toilets, including the installation of an infrared-activated flushing system for the urinals in the Gents. Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) that the quote be accepted. Agreed unanimously. Action clerk
There was discussion of options for the storage of cleaning materials at Portscatho toilets to avoid their taking up space in the disabled facility, as at present. Cllr Hatwood volunteered to investigate various alternatives, and he and the clerk agreed to liaise with the tenant on this matter. Action Cllr Hatwood and clerk
041514
FINANCIAL MATTERS
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices totalling £4,750.61 (including VAT of £213.58) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th March was £51,940.67
041515
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
Cllr Case reported a corroded drain cover outside Bermuda Cottage in Churchtown Road. The clerk said he would notify the appropriate authority. Action clerk
Cllr German said he had received complaints that the benches on the Lugger needed cleaning. Cllr Case said they needed to be power-washed. The clerk said he would look for a local contractor and investigate other options. Action clerk
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm