Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 6th September 2016
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 4th October 2016 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs German, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Neal, Taffinder ( Chairman);
S Skull (Clerk), CC Julian German
8 members of the public attended.
091601
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.
091602
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Case, Greenslade, Edwards.
091603
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– None
091604
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Margaret Davis spoke about the upkeep of the streets and pavements in the Parish. She said both villages were filthy and disgusting throughout and the PC should pull its finger out. She also said the street cleaner was not given enough hours. The clerk said the contractor had been unable to work in July and August due to illness but was now back and doing extra hours to catch up.
Mrs Janet Axworthy said the water run-off drains in Churchtown Road had not been cleared for a long time and were silted up so could not cope with heavy rainfall. The clerk said he would investigate and report the matter to Cornwall Council.
Mr Steve Hooper spoke about two of the planning applications to be considered in item 8 on the agenda. On PA16/06785 re 3 Jubilee Place, he said that permission had previously been granted but had now elapsed, that there was much precedent for similar extensions locally, and that the resident family had a critical need for more accommodation with the imminent birth of a child.
On PA16/06716, re Chimes Cottage, he said the expected excavation works would only take 2 days, that the land owners had agreed with the scheme in principle, that there were previously 2 garages on site, and that the proposed new parking area. would remove a car from the road. He also said the applicants would be pleased to join in with the voluntary upkeep of the lane as regards pot holes, etc
CC Julian German reported:
– he had asked for PA16/05896 re Ansells, Rosevine to be referred to the Planning Committee
– the collapsed wall below nos. 1 and 2 Springfield was the responsibility of Cornwall Council’s housing department
– he was in discussion with Craig Taylor, of Cornwall Council’s parking services, on the matter of the provision of a core CEO service
– he had requested random evening CEO attendance on safety grounds in the Victoria Terrace area pending the conclusion of the intended pavement build-out.
091605
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 2nd August 2016 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
091606
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
The meeting addressed the issue of alleged breaches of planning permission at the Harbour Club in respect of its new balcony.The clerk read out a letter received the day before from the Club committee saying that it was making every effort to accord with the planning consent. Mr Malcolm Tozer asked whether the Club was still seeking clarification of the matter from the planning authorities. The clerk said he believed that to be the case. Cllr Taffinder said in that case the PC could revisit the issue at the October meeting. Mr Tozer thanked the meeting and left the room.
Cllr Hatwood said he was firmly of the belief that this was not a PC matter as the PC had no jurisdiction over planning issues. He said he felt it was one person complaining, and was in effect a neighbours’ dispute and proposed that the matter should not in fact be on the agenda for the October meeting. After a discussion it was agreed not to vote on this proposal as a matter of courtesy to Mr Tozer, who had left with the impression that this would be on the next agenda. Cllr Hatwood then asked that his proposal that the matter should not be further discussed by the PC should itself be on the agenda for October so that all concerned would have clear notice that this would be decided upon by a vote at that meeting. This was agreed. Action clerk
The clerk reported:
– The officer in charge of enforcement case ref EN16/00641 re Knightor Vineyard had been in touch again but he was still awaiting a final decision.
– He had not yet followed up the possibility of reconnecting the public water tap at The Quay, but would address the matter in the coming month.
091607
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- Email request from a film production company to rent space in New Road car park for approximately 20 vehicles on Monday 12th September. The clerk suggested a simple invoice of £100 plus VAT would be appropriate, and there should be ample space at this time of year. After discussion this was agreed. Action clerk
There was no further correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.
091608
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 3 new applications. These are outlined below and the PC’s comments were subsequently lodged under “Consultee Comments” in the Online Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA16/06785 | First floor rear extension including rooflight at 3 Jubilee Place, Gerrans | Unanimous support |
| PA16/06823 | Remove lower branches and dead branch at 4 Mount View Close, Gerrans. | Majority support: 7 in favour, 1 abstain. |
| PA16/06716 | Formation of parking area at rear of Chimes Cottage, 7 Churchtown Road, Gerrans. | Majority support: 3 in favour, 4 abstain. * |
*Cllr Neal left the room during the consideration of PA16/06716 having declared a non-registerable interest. Prior to the discussion, the clerk read out a letter of objection to this application from a neighbour.
DECISIONS
| Application | GPC comment | CC Decision |
| PA16/06386 Roof alterations, Droskyn, Rosevine | Support | Approved |
| PA16/06058 Extension and garage conversion, 31 Gwarak Gwel An Mor. | Support | Approved |
| PA16/05798 New porch/kitchen, 37Churchtown Road. | Support | Approved |
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
No new issues to report. Cllr German enquired whether any allegations of breaches of planning consent had been lodged in respect of the water tower at Trewithian. The clerk said he would investigate. Action clerk
091609
LOCALISM
Devolution funding
The clerk reported he was still awaiting confirmation that the Community Panel’s decision to grant monies from Cornwall Council’s Devolution Fund for a contribution to the replacement and refurbishment of the facilities at Gerrans children’s playground had been finally confirmed by the portfolio holder, Mr Jeremy Rowe, and had been informed this could still take several weeks.
Community Assets
The clerk produced the list of sites and structures to be considered for listing as Community Assets. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Hetherington) that the clerk be asked to resume work on the application to list Gerrans School. Unanimously agreed. Action clerk
Other localism issues
No other issues were raised.
091610
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
No reports
091611
PARISH CAR PARKING
The clerk said he would again seek a meeting with the management of Cornwall Council’s Parking Services about the potential to devolve enforcement powers, now that the holiday period was over, and he would also liaise with CC Julian German following his remarks in the open period..
The clerk also reported that he had received 2 quotes to date for the repair and rebuild of the section of Cornish hedge in New Road leading from the exit down to the pedestrian gate at the southern end. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that a decision should be deferred until at least a third quote had been received, Agreed unanimously. Action clerk to chase
On the issue of long term parking at Treloan Lane car park, the clerk reported all the abandoned vehicles had now been removed. Cllr Hatwood proposed nevertheless that the possibilities of establishing a time limit of 30 or 60 days at the car park should be investigated. Seconded by Cllr Neal. Unanimous. Action clerk to liaise with Cllr German.
091612
CHURCH CLOSE OPEN SPACE AREA
Cllr Hatwood introduced a revised design and estimate for facilities and equipment that might be installed. This had been arrived at following consultation meetings on site between some Councillors and local residents. He proposed an overall budget of £8,000 should be approved, and this was seconded by Cllr Iddison. After discussion the budget was approved unanimously, though it was noted that issues such as landlord’s consent, the potential need for planning permission, and RoSPA approved risk assessments would need to be taken into account and satisfactorily addressed before work could commence. Action clerk
At the site meetings it had become apparent that the amenity would benefit from improved sea views if some surgery were to be done to some of the trees in the “Brians Garden” area. As the site lies within a Conservation area, planning permission would be needed for this work. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that the application procedure should be commenced. Unanimously agreed. Action clerk
091613
PLUME OF FEATHERS PUBLIC HOUSE (“The Plume”)
The clerk read out emails both from the management of The Plume and from St Austell Brewery in response to the letters sent listing various issues of environmental concern. Councillors considered that the responses did not deal adequately with the concerns raised, and Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that the clerk be asked to write again to the Brewery management stating that the Plume’s performance in respect of its waste disposal was a continuous problem all summer, and inviting them in particular to address the issue of the siting of low level boiler flues on the River Street side. 6 members were in favour, Cllr German was against, and Cllr Meek abstained. Proposal carried. Action clerk
091614
NEW WASTE BIN
The clerk produced pictures of and information about a double waste bin to be sited in the vicinity of Tatams Café. The cost would be £406.49 plus VAT including fitted bird flaps and delivery. Cllr German proposed approval of the purchase (seconded by Cllr Hatwood). Agreed unanimously. Action clerk
091615
FINANCIAL MATTERS
AUDIT
The clerk reported he had received and published online and on the notice boards the Notification of the Conclusion of Audit of the Annual Return for y/e 31st March 2016 from the PC’s external auditors.
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 £5,751.00 (including VAT of £277.38) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th August was £51,469.83.
091616
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
- Any urgent business
– None
- Matters to be included on the next agenda
– No further items
- Minor items for report
– The clerk reported he was concerned about heavy low hanging branches of a large conifer which were resting on the roof of the Percuil toilets building. Cllr Iddison said he knew the owner of the adjacent property, whose tree it was, and would contact him on the issue.
– Cllr German said the fact that there had still been no reply from Phil Mason, head of Planning at Cornwall Council, to the PC’s 2nd email in July should again be minuted this month.
– Cllr German also said he had again been approached about the possibility of extending the double yellow lines at Gerrans Hill junction.
– Cllr Meek asked if the planning case officer who had approved the new orangery at Pendennis, partly on the grounds that it would only be visible from the footpath immediately below, had been made aware that, in fact, it could clearly be seen from as far away as the Lugger. The clerk said if someone could email him some photographs then perhaps these could be forwarded to the officer concerned.
– Cllr Iddison said the 30mph speed limit signs near the school had been knocked again.
– Cllr Neal reported trees on Eshcol Lane which were overgrown and blocking neighbours’ light. Cllr Meek said the trees were on his land, and would liaise with Cllr Neal on the matter.
– CC Julian German said the PC would need to supply a representative when the Committee hearing for the Ansells application was announced.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm