Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 5th April 2016
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs German, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Taffinder (Chairman);
S Skull (Clerk)
10 members of the public attended.
041601
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.
041602
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Case, Edwards, Greenslade and Neal; CC Julian German
041603
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Taffinder declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the proposed devolution of the Fishermen’s Shelter (included in item 9 on the agenda) by reason of her husband’s employment.
041604
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Malcolm Tozer asked whether the PC had confidence that the planning restriction on the new balcony at the Harbour Club , whereby use of the balcony after 11.00 pm was prohibited, would be observed. Cllr German suggested this matter should be an agenda item at the next meeting. The clerk was asked to arrange this. Action clerk
Mrs Brenda Collins recalled that the National Trust field below New Road car park was formerly known as “The Meadows”, and commented that the site might benefit from the tree stumps left by the recent clearance being removed. Mrs Hannah Whale said there were three springs which ran down the hill, and removal of roots could lead to problems of soil erosion.
Mr Howard Emmett reported that the Cornish granite seat commemorating the diamond jubilee of HM the Queen was now in place at Church Close. There were plans for a formal dedication and a tree planting ceremony. Councillor Taffinder thanked Mr Howard and the Jubilee Committee on behalf of the PC for their efforts and Cllr Meek asked for the thanks to be formally minuted. Agreed unanimously. Action clerk
Mrs Liz Gill read out a letter from the residents of North Parade in support of their request that the PC reconsider its decision at the March meeting not to allow the siting of signage on the lamppost at the junction of North Parade and River Street. Cllr Taffinder said the letter would be considered under item 7 on the agenda.
Mr Steve Hooper, of CAD Architects, said the recent application in respect of Highview, Churchtown Road, had been withdrawn because the Planning Officer was minded to refuse it. He wanted to emphasise that the reason for its withdrawal was not the issue of affordability under the Roseland Plan because the Secretary of State had made it clear that that policy carried no weight.
Cllr Hetherington said that the issue was still in flux because CC Edwina Hannaford was disputing the results of the appeals which gave rise to the Secretary of State’s remarks and it was expected the Cornwall Local Plan will re-instate the policies concerned.
041605
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on 1st March 2016 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
041606
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
The clerk reported:
– he had still received no suggestions from Cormac Solutions Ltd for a physical remedy to resolve the issue of dangerous parking opposite the Plume of Feathers but had now obtained a direct contact in the Cormac design group and was still pursuing the issue.
– he had now received confirmation that the long-awaited new regulations which will restore the enforceability of the parking restriction in The Square, Portscatho will now come into force on April 22nd.
Following on the address on 1st March by Mr David Hall of the Wild Roseland Ecology Group, Councillors discussed possible sites for establishing wild flowers in the Parish. The most favoured suggestion was the grass bank bordering Gwarak Gwel An Mor. Action clerk to inform Mr Hall
Re HM Queen’s 90th birthday on 21st April, Cllr Taffinder said she now had a list of events planned by the Church in June and August. Cllr German said the PC might join with the Church in offering a tree to be planted as part of the August events. Cllr Taffinder said she would liaise with the vicar.
041607
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Letter from the residents of North Parade
A request for the PC to reconsider its decision at the March meeting not to allow signage to be sited on the lamppost at the junction with River Street. The residents now wanted just a single “No through road” sign on the post, which they would themselves supply. After discussion, Cllr Iddison proposed (seconded by Cllr Hetherington) that the sign be allowed. In favour : 3. Against: 0 Abstained: 4. Proposal agreed. Action clerk to reply
There was no further correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.
041608
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA16/01877 | 3, Treventon Road.
Rear extension and garage conversion to bedroom |
Unanimous support
|
| PA16/01867 | Pendennis, New Road.
Extend walls of store room to form utility room with storage over and provide link between utility and existing porch. |
5: Support
1: Object (Cllr German) 1: Abstain (Cllr Meek) |
| PA16/01329 | Trewince Manor
Amendment from 3 bed to 4 bed unit of Lodge 18 |
Unanimous object.
Proposal would increase footprint of building and density of site. Would not protect setting of listed building (Contrary to RNDP policy CV2) |
DISCUSSION OF REPORTING ROLE OF RNDP PLANNING ASSESSMENT GROUP (PAG)
Cllr Hatwood expressed his concern that the (unelected) PAG sends reports on planning applications direct to the Planning Authority rather than to the PC to inform the (elected) PC’s own comments.
Other Councillors commented that any person or body is free to submit comments, and that the PAG had amended their practice by giving the PC notice in advance of any comment they submit.
Cllr Hatwood proposed that the PC should request that the PAG refrain from commenting directly, but there was no seconder.
APPEALS
APP/D0840/W/16/3142431
– Notification of appeal against refusal re PA15/04240 – New dwelling house at Chapel House, Well Lane.
Cllr Hetherington read out the PC’s original grounds for objection. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Meek) that the PC stand by this objection, particularly now that the Roseland Plan was formally adopted.
6 were in favour, Cllr Morse against. Proposal carried. Action clerk to inform Planning Authority
DECISIONS
| Application | GPC comment | CC Decision |
| PA16/01196 – 37, Churchtown Road | Support | Approved |
| PA15/11168 – 7, Tatey Basin Farm, Portscatho | Object | Approved |
| PA15/00225- Highview, Churchtown Road | Support | Withdrawn |
| PA16/01190-93 – NT Car Parks P&D Machines | Support/ object to signs | Approved |
Councillors also considered an invitation to support an online petition seeking the right for Parish Councils to appeal against approval decisions in Planning Applications. Cllr Iddison proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that the PC should do so. 6 were in favour and Cllr Hetherington abstained. Proposal carried. Action clerk
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
Nothing to report
041609
LOCALISM
Cornwall Council’s Local Devolution Fund
Cllr Hetherington explained the background to the bid for funding re the Fishermen’s Shelter. He said the PC was applying to take over the freehold, and the building needed refurbishment in order to encourage more community use of the facility. Therefore the PC was applying for funds from the Local Devolution Fund. He proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that the bid be formally submitted to the next meeting of the Community Network Panel on 12th April This was unanimously agreed. The clerk said he had notified the Harbour Authority and the Portscatho Harbour Users’ Association (PHUA) and the PHUA had invited the PC to send a representative to address their AGM on 9th April on the matter. Cllr Hatwood volunteered to do so.
041610
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Cllr German reported that the annual return in respect of the Martin Baker Harris Charity had been made, and a meeting was arranged with Gerrans School to discuss a possible donation for their sea awareness scheme.
041611
PARISH CAR PARKING
The following were suggested as possible additions to the next Traffic Regulation Order:
– Gerrans Hill – extend double yellow lines at T junction
– The Square, Portscatho – double red lines
– Clifton Terrace – extend current seasonal restriction to all year round
– Tregassick Road – speed bumps by school.
The clerk was asked to put this item on the May Agenda for any further suggestions. Action clerk
The clerk presented a quote from Cormac Solutions Ltd for £315 plus VAT to renew the faded yellow lines at Porthcurnick slipway. Cllr Taffinder proposed acceptance. Seconded by Cllr Hatwood. Agreed unanimously. Action clerk
041612
NOISE NUISANCE
Cllr Hatwood referred to a succession of complaints he had received about excessive noise from late night parties in nos. 6 and 7 The Quay. Complainants cited disturbed nights caused by music, shouting and swearing continuing until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. The PC was asked if it could use any influence to persuade the occupiers of those houses to show more consideration for their neighbours. After discussion, the clerk was asked to draft a letter on behalf of the PC and circulate it by email to Councillors for their approval prior to sending. Action clerk
041613
ANNUAL INTERNAL AUDIT
The clerk presented the Annual Governance Statement, in which the PC acknowledges its responsibility for ensuring that there is a sound system of internal control, including the preparation of the accounting statements. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Meek) the statement be approved. Carried unanimously. The Chairman and clerk then signed the Statement.
041614
CHANGES TO PRECEDENT
Cllr Taffinder enquired, prior to the May Annual Parish Meeting, whether it was the wish of Councillors to amend the Standing Orders to limit the number of successive years in which a Chairman may hold office. Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that no such change be made. Voting was 6 in favour and one abstention. Proposal carried.
041615
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 £5,769.27 (including VAT of £319.26) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th March was £33,485.41
STREET CLEANER CONTRACT
Councillors considered a request from the contractor, having completed the initial 3 years of the contract, for the hourly rate to be increased by 4{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20}. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) the request be granted. Carried unanimously. Action clerk to initiate.
041616
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
- Any urgent business
– None
- Matters to be included on the next agenda
– General condition of the playground next to Gerrans school
- Minor items for report
– none
The meeting closed at 9.45 pm