Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 5th May 2015
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 2nd June 2015 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Edwards, German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Symons,
Taffinder ( Chairman);
CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)
2 members of the public attended.
051501
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.
051502
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Taffinder was the only candidate (nominated by Cllr Greenslade, seconded by Cllr Iddison) and was re-elected to the post by nine votes in favour, with Cllr German abstaining.
051503
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Case
051504
ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Hetherington was the only candidate for deputy chairman (nominated by Cllr Taffinder, seconded by Cllr Greenslade) and was re-elected to the post by nine votes in favour, with Cllr German abstaining.
The clerk produced a list of the existing committee appointments ant it was unanimously agreed to make no changes.
051505
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Planning matters (item 10)
Cllr Taffinder declared a non-registerable interest in planning application ref PA15/03597 (Curgurrell Cottage).
Cllrs Hatwood and Symons each declared a non-registerable interest in planning application ref PA15/02673 (Treloan Camp Site).
051506
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Symons, speaking as a member of the public, presented a copy of a notice he has erected warning footpath users that there may be cows with calves and possibly a bull in one of his fields through which a footpath runs diagonally. The footpath remains open but the notice advises that an alternative path has been fenced off, using an electric fence, around the perimeter of the field as an alternative and possibly safer route. He said he had shown the notice to his insurers, who had agreed he could do no more to warn the public, and had taken this action in the wake of the prosecution by Cornwall Council of a farmer on The Lizard following an injury to a member of the public walking in a field containing livestock. General support for Cllr Symons was expressed by other members of the Council.
Mr Jon Smith, Chairman of the Roseland Neighbourhood Development Plan (RNDP) Steering Group (SG), reported that the SG now hoped to have the results of the examination of the RNDP the following week. He said a group had been formed to test a process to assess planning applications against the Plan. If the process proved satisfactory the SG would make it available to the Parish Councils. It was hoped that by the June PC meeting the shape of the final Plan would be known and a date for the referendum would have been set.
Mr Peter Messer – Bennetts said it was time the mobile phone signal reception issues in the parish were addressed. He had thought the PC had resolved to take action on this some 5 years previously. Cllr Hatwood said that a previous move to request Vodafone to site a mast by the Squash Club (their recommendation as to the best position) had been stopped following threats from parents that they would remove their children from the school because of perceived danger. He said the PC really had no powers in this matter. The phone companies install the masts, and the same mast will not supply all the different providers so it is not an easy fix.
CC Julian German said there was now a government programme to cover so-called “not spots” and there is currently a scheme being trialled at Veryan Social Club.
Mr Messer – Bennetts also appealed for publicity in the Roseland Magazine requesting that residents and visitors alike do not feed the seagulls in the area or allow them to nest on their property. The clerk said he would include this in the PC’s next article. Action clerk
051507
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th April 2015 as being a true record subject to the correction of 2 typographical errors. The Chairman signed the corrected minutes.
051508
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
The clerk said he had reported the corroded drain cover outside Bermuda Cottage, together with 2 others in the parish, to Cornwall Council but had been informed they were all managed by South West Water (SWW).
The correspondence with SWW was ongoing.
051509
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Email from Cornwall Council giving an update on the public library and one-stop shop service consultation. Contents noted.
051510
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 4 new applications. These are outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA15/02763 | Seasonal use of ex-football field for up to 36 campsite pitches | Support |
| PA15/02810 | House conversion at 7 Wellington Terrace | Support |
| PA15/03224 | Conversion of redundant barns to 2 residential units at Tregaire Barton Farm | Object on grounds of conflict with policy HO3 of the RNDP.
Cllr Symons abstained. |
| PA15/03597 | Replacement garage and first floor extension at Curgurrell Cottage | Support |
DECISIONS AND ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
Nothing to report
051511
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Cllr Hetherington reported that the Network Community Panel meeting at Feock had been attended by approximately 25 people, with no members of the general public in attendance. The main agenda items had been traffic improvements in the Threemilestone area and the proposed dualling of the A30 between Carland Cross and Chiverton.
He said the next meeting would be back at County Hall, where items for discussion would include the recent black alerts at Treliske Hospital and progress on Local Neighbourhood Development Plans.
The Panel was also looking to identify Parish priorities, and all suggestions were welcomed.
051512
LOCALISM
The clerk reported he had now completed compiling the necessary information for an application to list the Fishermen’s Shelter as a Community Asset and would send off the form and begin work on the next.
051513
CHURCH CLOSE OPEN SPACE LAND
The clerk presented an email from Playsafety Ltd summarising the recent risk assessment on behalf of ROSPA. He said the job specification for initial works would need to be adjusted in the light of the assessment. A quote had been received only that afternoon but he would refer the assessment to the contractor and try to obtain a revised quote in time for the next meeting. Action clerk
Cllr Hetherington referred to recently introduced regulations regarding the awarding of public contracts and asked if they would have any bearing on this matter. The clerk said he would research the matter. Action clerk
Cllr Meek said he would circulate amongst Councillors his own plan for the ongoing maintenance of the site.
Cllr German said he was pleased to announce that the Memorial Hall Committee had passed to the clerk a cheque for £686.00. This was an amount donated to the Hall towards legal costs when the Hall itself was considering taking a lease on the S106 land. Councillors generally expressed their appreciation of this donation.
051514
CAR PARKS
The clerk reported that he had still heard nothing from Cornwall Council in respect of the lease or possible freehold transfer at New Road car park. He said he had not sent the email proposed at the last meeting because he had been informed that some initiative from CC as regards the freehold was imminent.
CC Julian German said there was to be an internal meeting that week at which he would be recommending the transfer of freeholds both of New Road and Treloan Lane car parks to the PC.
051515
PORTSCATHO PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
Cllr German stated there had still been no progress in resolving the issues regarding the exact site plan in the lease with Cornwall Council, which meant the lease could not be registered. He said this was due, amongst other factors to more personnel changes at Cornwall Council, but would continue to pursue the matter.
051516
PERCUIL PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
The clerk reported that Seth Toms had now completed the works to the plumbing and drainage works approved at the last meeting, and the urinals in the Gents toilets were now flushing for the first time in years.
Cllr Edwards said he had obtained 1 quote for painting and decorating the building and would try to get more.
The safety of the heavy wheelie bins remained an issue. CC German said the PC should report the matter to Cornwall Council as a Health and Safety issue. This was agreed, and CC German gave the clerk the relevant contact details. Action clerk
051517
FINANCIAL MATTERS
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices totalling £3,585.72 (including VAT of £130.40) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th April was £58,712.10
051518
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
Cllr Hatwood said the collapsing wall in front of Nos. 1 and 2 Springfield was still giving cause for concern. CC German said he would follow this up.
Cllr German said that a barn was now in the course of construction at the Vineyard at Trewithian and asked whether permission had been granted for this. Cllr Taffinder said she thought there was an old permission in place but would make enquiries.
Cllr German also asked whether there had been any progress towards getting the benches on The Lugger cleaned and signs put up for the toilets. The clerk said he had ascertained it was possible to hire a diesel pressure washer. Cllr Edwards said he owned one and would liaise with the clerk on this. The clerk also said that the signs had now been made and would be up soon.
Cllr Meek asked if the clock at Gerrans Church was now fixed and the clerk said it was working following a temporary repair which it was hoped would soon be made permanent. Cllr Meek also said the PC should now start drawing down the S106 monies for the Church Close works, and the clerk said he would begin the process. Action clerk
Cllr Symons reported footpath ref 33 between Trewince and Pelyn to be in a poor state of repair. CC German said he would take the matter up with the Footpaths Officer at Cornwall Council.
The meeting closed at 9.42 pm