MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre
On Thursday 16 July 2015 at 7pm.
Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), M Facey (Vice Chairman), J Whatty, S Hrydziuszka, G Shephard, T Barron, J Daniel, J Morgan, N Florence, A Williams, D Speed.
In Attendance P Howson (Clerk), 3 members of the public,
.
UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED
1a. Apologies received: Cllrs. J Mustoe (CC), E Chesterfield, J Barron.
2a. Declarations of interest. Cllr. Roberts, as a Harbour Trustee, declared an interest in item 15.
2b. Gift Declarations. None.
- Police Report. A report was received detailing 9 crimes for the period 14th June to 12th July: 1 criminal damage to property by a juvenile, 3 criminal damage to vehicle, 1 theft from a person, 1 theft by an employee, 1 common assault, 1 assault occasioning ABH, 1 cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal (enquiries are ongoing regarding injury to swan).
- Dog Control Enforcement Report. The seasonal Order for Portmellon Beach resumed on 1st July and the Enforcement Officer has reported that, in the first 2 weeks, he spoke to 12 separate dog owners walking their dogs on the beach who claimed not to have seen the sign. They all left the beach when advised to do so and no fixed penalty notices were issued.
Cllr. Roberts noted that the Environment Agency (EA) used to provide regular water quality reports for Portmellon and Polstreath beaches, and wondered why that had stopped. Cllr. Facey, in his role as Beach Champion for the EA Short Term Prediction Scheme, said he would enquire.
- Points from the Public. Mr Peter Hedger spoke on item 9, further to the letter he had written to the Council on the subject of the Pentillie open space, recently the subject of a refused planning appeal. He, along with other residents and with the active support of Steve Double MP, was pressing Cornwall Council (CC) to take back the site using a Compulsory Purchase Order, and he asked the Council for their support in this.
- Minutes of last meeting. Proposed by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr. Barron that the Minutes of 18 June 2015 be Accepted. Carried.
- Actions from previous meeting:
- 2015/06/17: Cormac have now raised a job to renovate and paint the finger signposts in Chapel Square and will fit the work in between programmed work, weather permitting.
- 2015/05/08: the Cornwall Area Change Manager for Post Offices reports that the proprietor of the retail business who is considering taking on the franchise when the existing PO closes is not yet in a position to resume discussions.
- 2015/06/13: the Harbour Trustees will not entertain a meeting with the Council until legal uncertainties surrounding the West Wharf toilet premises have been resolved with CC.
- 2015/06/09: the complaint about overnight illuminated signage at a retail premises on the quay has given rise to planning enforcement case EN15/01299. A decision can be expected within 13 weeks.
- Following intervention by CC Highways Department, the problem of obstructions placed on the highway by a public house in Fore Street appears to have been resolved.
- 2015/03/20: within a month of the village clock being re-set, only one face is giving the correct time. As this is technically impossible, it was concluded that some human intervention was the cause, perhaps via the window adjacent to the clock. Cllr. Daniel agreed to ask the fire brigade to re-set it as part of their next training session, and consideration of an alternative position for the clock will be a future agenda item.
- 2014/10/14: the sprung closure for the War Memorial gate has been fitted and an invoice is awaited.
- Ward Member’s report. Cllr. Mustoe had sent his apologies.
- Correspondence received.
9a. Letter from Mr Peter Hedger regarding open space at Pentillie. Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Speed that the Council supports the move to press CC to re-purchase the site. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that if successful the Council would contribute to the maintenance of the site.
Both Carried unanimously.
A letter will be sent to CC to press the Council’s case in support. It was noted that the site will be included in the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) as an Open Space.
9b. Letter from Edwina Hannaford CC regarding cessation of paper copies of planning applications. Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that a letter be sent to Cllr. Hannaford offering general agreement, conditional on a) paper copies continuing to be made available to local councils who specifically requested them and b) the necessary investment to be made to bring the robustness of the online planning system up to industry standards.
Carried.
9c. Request from Mevagissey Football Club for a £400 grant towards the cost of a defibrillator. To be placed on the next agenda for consideration. It was noted that the Council had once previously bought a defibrillator which had been handed over for safekeeping to 2 local paramedics. The Clerk to establish its present whereabouts.
- Planning.
10a. PA15/05305 : Erection of new garage and conversion of existing garage to kitchen. Casma, Chapel Point Lane, Portmellon. For consideration following site visits (deferred from last meeting). Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Florence, that the Council makes no objection. Carried (2 abstentions).
10b. PA15/05340 : Alteration and extensions to dwelling : Hokent, Tregoney Hill, Mevagissey.
Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard that the Council supports the application. Carried.
10c. PA14/00692: Demolition of the existing house and the erection of two dwellings : Land At Steep House Portmellon.
To consider the outcome of the planning appeal decision. The consensus was that the Council would not seek a Judicial Review of the decision. The Paddock is included as an Open Space in the NDP, which will keep the boundary issue alive.
Proposed by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr. Morgan that the Steep House curtilage should not be included as an Open Space in the NDP. Carried.
Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr.Florence that CC Legal Department should be asked to clarify the line of the boundary between the Steep House curtilage and the Paddock. Carried.
10d. PA15/04048 : Proposed new dwelling : Plot 2, The Boatyard, Portmellon.
Proposed by Cllr. Barron, Seconded by Cllr. Florence that, although the Council stands by its previous objection, the request for the Ward Member to call it in to committee should be withdrawn. Carried.
Following discussion about the apparent indifference of the planning system to architectural design considerations, it was agreed that Phil Mason (Head of CC Planning Department) be invited to address the Council on the subject. This would also provide an opportunity for Cllr. Shephard to ‘dry run’ his 20 minute presentation on the subject in advance of its scheduled premier at the next Community Network Meeting.
10e. EN15/00295 – Compass Point, Polkirt Hill (enforcement). Cllr. Mustoe to provide an update to the Council, including the status of the S106 agreement.
The following planning decisions have been published (included for information only):
10f. PA15/03545 : Construction of summerhouse/home office in rear garden. 57 Portmellon Park APPROVED
10g. PA15/03844 : Installation of new conservatory to rear of 4 Polkirt Heights. 4 Polkirt Heights APPROVED
10h. PA15/01969 : Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of new dwelling. Tresleigh Polkirt Hill.
APPROVED
10i. PA15/03515 : Two storey extension to rear of property to extend kitchen and bathroom to existing ground floor flat, create a double garage, utility room and workshop, three no. 1 bedroom self-contained flats to first floor level and two no. 1 bedroom self-contained flats to attic area. Pentillie House School Hill. REFUSED
10j. PA15/03086 : Proposed conversion of store and workshop to provide dwelling. Yard Adjacent To 28 Church Street.
REFUSED
10k. PA15/03423 : Listed building consent for proposed conversion of store and workshop to provide dwelling.
28 Church Street Mevagissey. REFUSED
- Finances
| Bills to Pay | Salaries | £ | 647.37 | ||
| HMRC (Income Tax & NIC) | £ | 207.67 | |||
| Footpath cutting (FP9 – 1st cut) | £ | 42.50 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 897.54 | |||
| Accounts | Amount available to spend as of last meeting | £ | 27,832.63 | ||
| Expenditure last month | £ | 1,443.24 | |||
| plus office equipment | £ | 388.98 | |||
| Public conveniences fund contribution | £ | 1,185.00 | received | ||
| Bank interest | £ | 3.35 | received | ||
| Balance (money in bank) | £ | 27,188.76 | |||
| Available to spend | £ | 27,188.76 | |||
| Bank Statements (01/07/2015): | |||||
| Current Account | £ | 1,356.89 | |||
| Deposit Account | £ | 25,831.87 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 27,188.76 |
Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid. Carried.
- To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Development Plan. Cllr. Shephard noted that D0.7 of the Plan had been presented to the Council on 9th July and had received approval. Comments had been invited and these should be emailed to Cllr. Shephard for consideration at the next meeting of the NDP Steering Group (SG). Further drafts of the Plan will be circulated to all members of both the Council and the SG and will be subject to formal version control. Proposed by Cllr. Florence, Seconded by Cllr.Facey that D0.7 of the Plan represents an agreed baseline from which to go forward. Carried.
There was a chorus of approval from the Council for all the time and hard work which Cllr. Shephard has invested in driving the development of the Plan to its current stage.
- To agree who will represent the Council in future negotiations with Savills over the provision of glebe land for affordable housing phase 3. Cllr. Shephard had indicated that because of his involvement with the Parochial Church Council he had decided to withdraw from this process, which will now be progressed by the remaining members of the Affordable Housing Committee together with Cllrs. Facey, Whatty and Florence.
- To consider the use of a Community Land Trust for the provision of affordable housing phase 3. It was agreed that this will be revisited by the group identified at item 13 above following the meeting with Savills.
- To receive an update on funding for public toilets. A further £2,200 had been received during the month from the following local businesses: Buckingham House, Curio Corner/Mackerel Sky, David Weston, Avellana, Cornish Fudge Shop, The Salamander, The Sharksfin, Martins Bakery, St Austell Bay Ferries, The Willow Car Park, Cornish Bath and Soapery. Contributions to date total £3,835.
Cllr. Roberts, as a Harbour Trustee, had declared an interest in the West Wharf toilet site, but after answering questions and providing historical information he was prevailed upon to remain to chair the ensuing discussion.
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Florence that the Council should explore the next stage to taking over the running of at least one toilet facility from CC and explore how it will be funded. Carried unanimously.
Cllr. Facey will arrange a meeting with Jon James ((CC Environment Manager) to progress. The Clerk to assess the insurance requirements. It was stressed that any solution would be dependent on an ongoing financial commitment from the business community.
- To receive updates on the forthcoming Post Office closure. Negotiations are ongoing.
- To receive an update on the harbour litter bins. There are currently no plans to replace them.
- To consider the responses to the ‘Case for Cornwall’ from CALC and Lanner Parish Council.
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Florence that a letter be sent to Lanner PC expressing agreement with the views expressed in their letter. Carried.
- The meeting ended at 9.20pm. Date of next (extraordinary) meeting : 23rd July 2015.
Signed …………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………