Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 6th March 2018
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 3rd April 2018 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Richard Cochrane (RC), Ralph German (RG), Will Gill (WG), James Hetherington (JH), Nev Meek (NM), Val Neal (VN), Charlotte Taffinder (CT) ( Chairman); S Skull (Clerk),
two members of the public attended.
031801
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
– Cllrs Bax, Edwards, Hastings, Iddison; CC Julian German.
031802
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– None
031803
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
– None
031804
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6th February 2018 as being a true record, subject to the correction of one typographical error. The Chairman signed the corrected minutes.
031805
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – ITEMS FOR REPORT / DISCUSSION
– None not featuring in discussion of subsequent agenda items.
031806
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
There was no correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.
031807
PLANNING MATTERS
(a) Applications
The PC had received 1 new application. This is outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA17/01416 | Removal of planning obligation dated 30/03/1993 re decision PA10/0104/91 – 9 & 7, Churchtown Road. | Majority support:
5 support 2 abstentions |
(b) Decisions
| Application | GPC comment | CC Decision |
| PA17/12188 re 11 Tregassick Road | Support | Approved |
(c) Enforcement matters
– Nothing to report
(d) Pre-application enquiries
Councillors considered an informal enquiry about a plan to site a “glamping pod” in a paddock behind Seager’s Barn at Rosevine. The proposer had been informed by Cornwall Council that planning permission would be required. After discussion it was unanimously agreed that this was agricultural land and the proposed structure was not an agricultural building and so the development would not be supported in the event of a formal application being submitted. The clerk was asked to inform the proposer, informally and without prejudice, that this would be the PC’s view. Action clerk
(e) Neighbourhood planning
The clerk said there had so far been no further response from Dominic Raab, Minister of State for Housing, re the PC’s concerns about the repeatedly demonstrated disregard shown by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol towards the legally constituted and adopted Cornwall and Local Plans in recent appeal decisions.
RC said he had mentioned the matter to Lord Matthew Taylor and would now summarise the correspondence to date and send it to him.
NM said the Government was now threatening to move all of the planning infrastructure to Bristol, and wondered what was the point of the previous encouragement from Government for people to spend time, money and effort on setting up local neighbourhood plans if the Inspectorate could simply ignore them
031808
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
WG reported that Percuil River Moorings Ltd had appointed a new Managing Director, Mr Alan Macklin. Some moorings were still available,
031809
LOCALISM
The clerk said the proposition that the PC would take on the freehold of Treloan Lane car park subject to a sound fence being in place prior to transfer had now been acknowledged by CC but no further official response had been received to date.
031810
STREET CLEANING
Councillors reviewed the 9-month performance history of the current street sweeping and litter picking contractor at the conclusion of his extended probationary period. After discussion it was concluded that, whilst recognising that circumstances had not been advantageous to the contractor, the performance had not been adequate. NM proposed that, with deep regret, the contractor be given a month’s notice of termination of the contract because the PC had a responsibility to the Parish to keep the streets clean and tidy. This was seconded by WG. On a vote, 6 were in favour and 1 abstained. Action clerk
031811
CAR PARKING
Councillors reviewed the charges for the pay and display car park and for residents’ and visitors’ permits. The clerk said no change in charges had been registered in the budget for the coming year.
After discussion RG proposed there should be an increase but there was no seconder. VN proposed (seconded JH) there should be no change. Approved by 6 votes to 1.
031812
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
CT said proposals for improvements were still in progress and it was hoped that a detailed plan and quotes would soon be available.
031813
CHURCH CLOSE
In the absence of MB, who raised the matter at the February meeting, the clerk said that, as the playground was expected to be improved and the Church Close S106 funds could not be spent there, it might make sense to use the remainder of those funds to install some items of outdoor fitness equipment at Church Close, given that the gym facility in the Harbour Club had closed.
After discussion CT proposed (seconded WG) the clerk be authorised to seek approval from CC Open Space department for such use of the S106 monies and also to look for quotes. Agreed unanimously. Action clerk.
031814
FINANCIAL MATTERS
CLERK’S REPORT
The clerk reported that all payments submitted for approval were materially within budget, or within forecast and agreed contingency levels where actual figures were unknown at the time of setting the budget.
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices totalling £11,398.95 (including VAT of £1,600.75) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th February was £43,430.47.
031815
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
- Any urgent business
– None
- Matters to be included on the next agenda
– None other than as minuted elsewhere.
- Minor items for report
– JH asked how long the plastic tree guards on the trees planted by Tregothnan below Treloan needed to be in place, and whether there was an aftercare plan. The clerk said he would make enquiries. Action clerk.
– WG asked whether the PC should have more than one road salt bin in place going forward. The clerk said he would ascertain current prices and availability. Action clerk.
– NM asked how long Parish records needed to be kept, and what documents needed to be archived. The clerk said he would research the detail. Action clerk.
– NM also complained about the continued nuisance of dog fouling in Eshcol Lane. In a discussion, members agreed that vigilance was probably the only way of tackling the problem. Experience had shown that considerate dog owners do not need notices put up to make them clear up after their dogs, and inconsiderate owners ignore notices. Just one or two dogs fouling the same area routinely once or twice a day can lead to a considerable build up, and the perpetrators really have to be caught in the act. The clerk said he would look into the possibility of installing CCTV.
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm