Gerrans Parish Council

MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council

                                           held on Tuesday 3^rd November 2015                                        

           in the Memorial Hall Annexe

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 1^st December 2015 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe

Present:

Cllrs Case, Edwards, German, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Neal, Taffinder ( Chairman);

S Skull (Clerk)

3 members of the public attended.

111501

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.

111502

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Greenslade and CC J German,

111503

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

None

111504

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Tim Whale said that some of the drainage pipes at New Road car park were blocked or ineffectively placed and in the recent heavy rain, water was still running down the footpath towards Portscatho.

111505

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on 6^th October 2015 as being a true record subject to the correction of 3 minor errors.. The Chairman signed the corrected minutes.

111506

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising which would not be addressed under subsequent agenda items.

111507

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

1. Email from Josyanne Thatcher

In response to an enquiry from the clerk, Ms Thatcher explained that Gerrans Parish would not meet the criteria for consideration under the Community Led Development funding scheme, but a new “LEADER” scheme was shortly to be opened, to which Gerrans would be able to apply. The PC would be sent details when the scheme was launched .

2. Letter from Mr and Mrs Collins

An enquiry as to the situation regarding works to overgrown trees and shrubs in the field below New Road car park. The letter expressed concern that preliminary works in October promised by the National Trust (NT) had not yet begun.

Cllr Hatwood said there had been workers on the site that day. The clerk was asked to contact the NT for a status on this, and also to invite the NT to send a representative to address the PC on the various issues that have come up for discussion in recent meetings. Action clerk

3. Email from the Friends of Pendower Beach (FoPB)

Invitation to the FoPB Annual General Meeting and open meeting on Thursday 19^th November at the Memorial Hall.

111508

ROSELAND NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Councillors discussed the future liaison process with the Planning Assessment Group (PAG) in the consideration of planning applications.

Some councillors expressed concern that, in the recent case of PA15/08536, it appeared that the planning officer had relied heavily on the advice of the PAG that the application was in compliance with the Roseland Neighbourhood Development Plan (RNDP) in arriving at her decision to approve the application. Members of the PC’s Planning Committee were of the opinion that the application did not comply, and also had other objections, which were overruled by the Planning Officer.

The clerk read out an email from the PAG stating that in future they would liaise with the PC prior to submitting their advice to the Planning Officer.

Cllr Hetherington said that another complicating issue in this case had been the lack of a precise definition of a “Conservation Area”.

After further discussion it was decided that, as the involvement of the PAG was still a recent innovation, the matter would be kept under review.

111509

PLANNING MATTERS

APPLICATIONS

Application	Description	PC decision
PA15/08536	Orangery and decking, internal alterations and new detached double garage at Pendennis, New Road	Objection already submitted to meet deadline. Unanimous opinion of Planning Committee and no request for full vote.
PA15/08972	Felling of tree at Trewince Manor	The PC would wish for the tree in question to remain but will accept the decision of the Tree Officer.
PA15/09090	Roof alterations and rear extension at Droskyn, Rosevine	Support
PA15/09972	Works at Towan Cottage, St Anthony	Support

 

DECISIONS

Application	GPC comment	CC Decision
PA15/08042 – Non-material amendment at 2 Admiralty Terrace	n/a	Approved

 

ENFORCEMENT MATTERS

Nothing to report

111510

LOCALISM

1. Cornwall Council’s proposed waste incentive scheme

The clerk had previously circulated the application form and conditions for this scheme, and after discussion, Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that the PC submit no application. Agreed unanimously. Action clerk to contact the scheme organisers.

2. Proposed Multi-Academy trust

Cllr German said he had attended a recent consultation meeting and gained the impression that the proposed scheme was inevitably going to happen, and that Gerrans Primary School, being the smallest involved, would probably be the first to close. He also said only four parents had attended, possibly because of the inconvenient timing of the meeting.

Cllr Meek suggested the school should be the subject of the next application for listing as a Community Asset. There was agreement and the clerk was asked to proceed. Action clerk

3. Community Assets Listing

The clerk reported that he now had all the necessary information to enable him to complete the application for the listing of the Heritage Centre, which he would now action, and then start the application procedure for the school.

111511

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

Cllr German reported that the date of the proposed meeting of the Parish charities on 2^nd November had been changed to the 3^rd (i.e. the night of this PC meeting) so there was still no discussion to report. Cllr Meek said the management of the charities was unacceptable and proposed that the clerk be asked to communicate this as the opinion of the PC by email. This was agreed. Action clerk

Cllr Hetherington said the next meeting of the Truro and Roseland Network Community Panel would be held on 10^th November at New County Hall. As he would be unable to attend, Cllr Meek said he would deputise.

111512

CHURCH CLOSE OPEN SPACE LAND

The clerk reported that the proposed lease for the small parcel of land at the bottom corner of the field was still between the solicitors of both parties.

He also suggested that, in consideration of the kind of play equipment eventually to be installed, it would be necessary to decide a target age group. Cllr Hatwood said an outreach approach would be useful, to get the opinions of parents of children likely to be users of the facility, and volunteered to try to gauge opinion using Roseland Online and other social media.

Cllr Taffinder said there was already provision in the Parish for younger children. Cllr Morse suggested a skateboard facility, and zip wires were mentioned amongst other ideas. The clerk was asked to put this on the next agenda for review. Action clerk

111513

CAR PARKING CONGESTION AT ROSEVINE

The clerk read out an email which Cllr Hatwood had received from the tenants who farm the field adjacent to New Road car park. The farmer explained that, under the terms of her Higher Level Stewardship agreement, the field may not be used for anything other than grazing and therefore it was not possible to offer them for use for even temporary overflow parking. The field was used for parking on Regatta Day this year but that was purely to honour an arrangement already made between the previous tenant and the Regatta Committee.

The clerk was asked to add this matter to his email to the National Trust mentioned in minute 111507/2 above. Action clerk

111514

TREE SURGERY

General locations where tree surgery was likely to be required were identified as:

Treloan Lane car park

Gerrans Hill

Percuil Lane

Eshcol Lane

The names of 5 possible contractors were noted and the clerk said he would set about seeking quotes if he could be supplied with more precise locations and details of actual works required. Action clerk

The clerk also reported a dangerous heavy dead branch overhanging the footpath from Percuil car park towards the river. Cllr Iddison said he would approach the owner of the property concerned.

111515

TREWITHIAN NOTICE BOARD

The clerk reported he had received a verbal quote from a local tradesman to remove the existing dilapidated board and replace it with a new one at an inclusive cost no greater than £200.

Cllr Edwards proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that the quote be accepted. Agreed unanimously.

111516

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 £3,253.71 (including VAT of £218.21) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.

BANK RECONCILIATION

The reconciled bank balance as at 25^th October was £56,044.24

111517

OTHER PARISH MATTERS

1. Any urgent business
   

– None

2. Matters to be included on the next agenda
   

– None other than as minuted previously.

3. Minor items for report

– The clerk said the precept for next year would need to be agreed by the Finance Committee in November. It was agreed to arrange a meeting.

– It was queried whether the building works at Trewithian were proceeding in accordance with planning consent. Cllr Hetherington said he would research the matter.

– The subject of the water run-off from New Road car park (mentioned in the open period) was discussed. The clerk said he had been making sure the pipes were not obstructed and had arranged for extra strimming to be done during the summer, but admitted he had not checked recently and would investigate. He said the water run-off down the steps had been the subject of a site meeting with Cormac’s engineers in January (see Min 111512), when it was decided that the simplest and most effective approach would be to establish a diversion below the gate, distributing the flow away from the paths. He said if he could now be provided with a job specification for this work by a Councillor with the necessary experience, he would seek a contractor. Cllr Iddison said he would provide this.

– Cllr Hetherington reported a complaint about the trees on Gerrans Hill, and overgrowth in the vicinity of Stodden Steps. The clerk said that the first matter was being addressed (see Min 111514) and the second had already been dealt with.

– Cllr Case expressed concern about parking congestion in Portscatho Square and the problem of access being obstructed.

The meeting closed at 9.43pm