Mevagissey Parish Council Minutes & Reports – May 2017

Mevagissey Parish Council Annual General Meeting – May 2017

Chairman’s Report

Review of the Year

I am conscious that this report refers to the last year of the previous parish council and following this meeting council will begin their new term with some new faces. The last 4 years has flown by and during that last year the council had consolidated its performance as a responsible authority, dealing with local issues to ensure the parish gets the best representation possible. Fortunately we did not have to deal with any serious emergencies or highly contentious planning applications, nevertheless there were still important issues to resolve many of which will pass to the new council to find a solution. Unfortunately there has been no change in the provision of full Post Office facilities, although the outreach branch at the Jubilee Hall has helped fill the gap. I am still hopeful that a new Post Office counter will be restored sometime in the not too distant future. Lloyds Bank was next to advise of the closure of the local branch. The Parish Council together with councillor James Mustoe and local M.P all made representation to the bank to no avail and the bank closed its doors at the end of March. Following closure the bank advised of a mobile service and asked advice of the council but with no further acknowledgement. As there were serious deficiencies in the service offered, particularly for businesses I am still in contact with Lloyds in an effort to resolve problems and improve the service.

Our relationship with councillor James Mustoe has remained strong both working together to get the best co-operation with Cornwall Council in the many issues that arise and I would thank James for the prompt way he has dealt with the many requests over the year, also for his initiative in created a volunteer group doing jobs to make the village more attractive. While some problems such as Cliff Street rock fall were eventually sorted out, Cornwall Council yet again trying to avoid responsibility, others Wesley Court for example will require further pressure from James and the PC.

In anticipation of taking over the Valley Road toilets the precept was raised last year and we have now operated them for a full year. In spite of a few hiccups it has been a successful venture, even though Cornwall Council’s estimate was not entirely accurate by several thousand, but with rate relief being granted and contributions from local businesses of £2150 total cost was under £20,000. Thanks must go to councillor Facey for overseeing much of the operation. With a new local cleaning and maintenance contract for the coming season it is to be hoped for an improved and more consistent service for the coming year.

The precept for the coming year remains the same and with a healthy reserve, however with the news that there is, at least for the present, no cap on parish council’s precept there is always the likelihood of pressure from Cornwall Council to take over more responsibility for local services.

After many years our PCSO Tony Hemmings retired from the force in August, Tony had over the years built up a strong relationship with the community and the council and will be greatly missed.

Council wished him well for his retirement; he does however remain in contact with the village.

His place was taken temporarily by PCSO Julie Carpenter and more recently by Tony’s replacement Jasmin Dingle. From my recent attendance at the Police liaison meeting the future of PCSOs is unclear but overall the force strength will be restored to what it was a few years ago rather than being further reduced.

With thanks to councillors Daniel and Facey and after considerable consultation with the coastguard and RNLI the new safety equipment has been installed at Portmellon. While now providing much better cover we sincerely hope it will never have to be used as intended.

PLANNING

The most important milestone of not just the last year but the whole term of council is following 3 years of hard work by the group responsible and with particular thanks to Garth Shepard the Mevagissey Neighbourhood Development Plan was finally approved by the parish council and submitted to Cornwall Council. It now begins the formal process of scrutiny by Cornwall Council then an inspector and finally if successful to a local referendum, hopefully sometime later this year. Significantly, now it has been submitted, it does carry some weight in planning matters as an emerging document and it is to be hoped that if and when it becomes adopted it will help and support the parish and Cornwall Council’s decisions on all local planning matters.

It is disappointing that even though permission has been granted Tall Trees (The Hollies) still remains dilapidated, it is to be hoped that work will commence in the not too distant future’

The same can be said of the old Post Office, permission granted to retain ground floor retail with flats above, but no sign of any work starting.

Application to extend Pentillie House is ongoing after refusal of the original application; we will continue to monitor any further proposals.

The benefit and importance of having pre-application discussions with developers has proved successful on several important and sensitive sites namely Seapoint Hotel, Longpoint, Portmellon, 26 Fore Street and Ocean’s proposal for Tregoney Hill. Of these the first three were agreed and permission granted to the satisfaction of all parties. Tregoney Hill the most contentious received a more critical debate and remains dormant. Longpoint was a prime example of co-operation between Parish, Planning Officer and Architect including a site meeting. We will be hearing more from Cornwall Council in the near future on pre-apps and the way they are to be arranged and managed so I would encourage anyone who is contemplating submitting an application that could attract opposition or comment to approach the parish council prior to even submitting a pre-app.

We continue to pressure the enforcement team to press on with the cleanup of untidy sites within the village, that as we know is a long and slow process, however our clerk does keep the matter under review to inform council of progress and ensure matters are not forgotten.

Finally I must thank Phil Howson who, having completed his first full term serving the parish, has proved to be an excellent officer keeping councillors fully briefed on the latest legislations and changes from all sources and with Cornwall Council no longer issuing paper plans providing meetings with visual displays to help us all make those difficult decisions. I must also thank all councillors who served during that period for their hard work and service to the community. It is a position that gets little thanks, some criticism and many complaints, so a broad back and thick skin is a prerequisite. Nevertheless there is a great deal of satisfaction to be derived when community benefits are achieved through the efforts of council and councillors. Congratulations to all councillors who have been re-elected, to those new ones venturing into unknown territory and to Cornwall Councillor James Mustoe for his re-election, to which must be added his position as deputy leader.

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MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL

www.mevagisseypcc.co.uk

Chairman                                                                                                                       Clerk to the Council

Mr M Roberts                                                                                                                 Mr PJ Howson

Rowan                                                                                                                           Trevellion

Tregoney Hill                                                                                                                 School Hill

Mevagissey                                                                                                                    Mevagissey

PL26 6RF                                                                                                                      PL26 6TH

01726 842267                                                                                                                 07570 832669

michaeljohnroberts@hotmail.co.uk                                                                                    phil.howson@btinternet.com

 

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre

On 18 May 2017 at 6.30pm.

 

Present:             17 electors

In Attendance:     Cllr. Mike Roberts (Chairman of the Parish Council)

Cllr. James Mustoe (Ward Member)

P Howson (Clerk to the Parish Council)

 

 

 

  1. Roberts, Chairman of the Parish Council, took the chair.

 

  1. Proposed by Mr Garth Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. James Mustoe that the Minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting, held on 19 May 2016, be Accepted.

 

  1. The Parish Council Chairman presented his annual review, which will be posted on the Council’s website.

 

  1. The Ward Member presented his annual review, which will be posted on the Council’s website.

 

  1. Ms Alexis Williams addressed the meeting regarding the recent public meeting about the West Wharf public toilets, which had been attended by 35 people and discussed costs, required actions, the availability of volunteer help, and the possibility of reinstating a Community Interest Company (CIC) (the Mevagissey Bay Company) to take on the lease. They had voted for operation to be by an alliance of the Parish Council and the community, and wanted to know if the Parish Council would agree to provide grant funding and work with the community to keep the toilets open. There was to be a further public meeting on 22 May to set up working groups, eg to carry out renovation work. Mr Mark Dooling spoke in support, as did Ms Ann Butler, who said that this would be for the benefit of local people as well as visitors. Mr Matthew Facey said that, ideally, the Parish Council would fund it entirely, and asked whether the lease would be signed by the CIC or the Parish Council. Cllr. Mustoe pointed out that Gorran Parish Council operates the toilet there, but that it is very integrated with the community, eg cleaning rotas, fundraising. Mr John Whatty said that there appeared to be money left over from the operation of Valley Road toilets last year. The Chairman noted that this topic was on the agenda for the Parish Council meeting later this evening, and brought the discussion to a close.

 

  1. The Chairman ruled that there was no urgent business.

 

  1. The meeting ended at 7.15pm. Date of next meeting: 17 May 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed ……………………………………………………………………………..         Dated ………………………………

 

_________________________

MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL

www.mevagisseypcc.co.uk

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Annual General Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre

On Thursday 18 May 2017, following the Annual Parish Meeting.

 

Present              Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), Julian Barron, T Barron, J Blackmore, N Florence, M Facey, J Morgan, H Nathan, K Robinson, G Shephard, D Speed, J Whatty.

 

In Attendance      Cllr. J Mustoe (CC), P Howson (Clerk), 1 member of the public.

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UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED

 

  1. Following Declarations of Acceptance of Office by all Councillors, Cllr. Roberts opened the meeting at 7.20pm and then stood down as Chairman.

  1. Nominations for Chairman were invited.

            Cllr. Mike Roberts was nominated by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard.

            Cllr. Roberts was elected unopposed.

  1. Nominations for Vice-Chairman were invited.

            Cllr. Matthew Facey was nominated by Cllr. Whatty, Seconded by Cllr. Florence..

            Cllr. Facey was elected unopposed.

  1. Apologies were received from Cllrs. J Daniel and Jade Barron.

  1. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Morgan, that the Minutes of the previous AGM, held on 19 May 2016, be Accepted.                                                 Carried.

  1. Council representation on the Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group was confirmed as follows:

                        Cllrs. Blackmore, Morgan, Nathan, Shephard and Whatty (plus Chairman and Vice-Chairman).

  1. It was agreed that the Affordable Homes Working Group should lapse until further notice.

  1. Membership of the Public Toilets Working Group was confirmed as follows:

                        Cllrs. T Barron, Facey, Morgan and Whatty (plus Chairman).

  1. Other Councillor responsibilities were confirmed as follows:

            Transport Rep: Cllr. Facey                        CALC Liaison: Cllr. Morgan        Keeper of village sign & clock: Cllr. Facey

            Salt Bins: Clerk                          Harbour Trustees Liaison: Cllr. Roberts

  1. The meeting ended at 7.35pm.   Date of next AGM: 17 May 2018.

 

Signed ……………………………………………………………………………..         Dated ………………………………

 __________________________

Ward Member’s Report

I would like to begin my report this month by thanking everyone who voted for me at the recent local elections.

 

My majority increase from 67 in 2014 to 835 in 2017, I hope shows that the good people of the Mevagissey Division have heavily endorsed my positive way of working.

 

I look forward to working with the Parish Council and residents for the next four years to make Mevagissey Parish a better place to live, work and grow up in.

 

My second full year as your Cornwall Councillor has been an eventful one with a lot going on. Thank you for your support. Here are some highlights:

 

In Mevagissey I have set up a community action group dedicated to restoring areas of the village that have become neglected over previous years.

 

This has transformed several areas of Mevagissey but there is still much more to do with regular maintenance of places we have already been to and new places to discover and take care of.

 

Places we have been so far include, land on Tregoney Hill steps, steps from West Wharf Quay to Polkirt Hill, Battery Park, Shilley Alley Op, land on Valley Road, Portmellon seafront and Wesley Court.

 

I have been pleased to visit Mevagissey School on several occasions and have worked with Surfer’s Against Sewage and Friends of the Earth to give presentations to the children on the importance of dealing with marine litter and protecting our bees, as well as looking forward to having the school and its pupils take over the maintenance on Valley Road later this year.

 

I have also got the village centre post box back, and worked with residents to keep the village post office when the old building closed,

 

I was also pleased to push through the long-delayed installation of new play equipment on Valley Road Park as well as a tidy up of the general area with re-installation of bins that had been removed and not returned in previous years.

 

On a Cornwall-wide basis I have worked with other councillors to bring forward measures that now see Cornwall Council recognised as a ‘bee friendly’ local authority

 

I have used my Community Chest funding in Mevagissey over the past year, including £300 to help the Parish Council alter the village war memorial and £150 towards the very successful Mevagissey Live Advent events.

 

Local casework issues of note include:

 

Roads and lines repainted on School Hill, Vicarage Hill, Cliff Street – long awaited and now done.

 

Issues with traffic management on Polkirt Hill during construction work noted and will need to be reviewed when later work is carried out.

 

Working with Cornwall Council to conduct review of enforcement of double yellow lines in Mevagissey.

 

Hole on land on Valley Road has been made safe, and Cormac have now replanted it.

 

Landslide on Cliff Street – Council have said they are starting corrective work in May.

 

There are always loads of local casework issues ongoing, particularly regarding potholes and verge trimming – I do my best to get a speedy and positive response once I get involved.

 

I would like to congratulate the Parish Council on their excellent work and positive approach and attitude You are a pleasure to work with and I always look forward to coming to the monthly meetings.

 

As ever, should the residents of the Mevagissey Ward want to contact me you can do so via james.mustoe@btinternet.com or on my telephone number 07885 277670.

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MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL

www.mevagisseypcc.co.uk

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre

On Thursday 18 May 2017 at 7.35pm.

 

Present              Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), Julian Barron, T Barron, J Blackmore, N Florence, M Facey, J Morgan, H Nathan, K Robinson, G Shephard, D Speed, J Whatty.

 

In Attendance      Cllr. J Mustoe (CC), Ms Helen Nicholson (CC), P Howson (Clerk), 1 member of the public.

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UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED

 

  1. Apologies were received from Cllrs. J Daniel and Jade Barron.

 

  1. Cllr. Roberts declared a possible interest in agenda items relating to the West Wharf public toilets, depending on how the debate unfolded.

 

  1. Report received from PCSO Dingle for the period 18/04/17 – 12/05/17 detailing a total of 8 crimes: 1 x theft (items missing from a handbag in a public house), 1 x use of threatening or abusive language (following a road rage incident), 1 x harassment (ongoing neighbour issues), 1 x criminal damage (to an electricity meter), 1 x taking a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, 2 x assault (one drink-related, the other neighbour-related), 1 x sexual offences (not disclosable). PCSO Dingle also submitted a crime summary for the last year, showing a total of 80 crimes, compared to 51 crimes for the previous year (see previous minutes for details). September 2016 saw the most crimes in any one month. PCSO Dingle also notified that PCSOs will be cut by more than half in the next 3 years, and a visible police presence will be reduced accordingly. Meanwhile, a new role has been created to reduce the demand on frontline response officers. This is the Police Community Investigation Officer, and PCSO Dingle has been seconded to this role for 3 months, expecting to return as PCSO in September (as PCSO Barrott, following her marriage at the end of May). Meanwhile, the existing 4 PCSOs for St Austell Police Station will be covering all areas of St Austell, including Mevagissey (St Austell has gone from 10 PCSOs to 4 in the last 12 months and there are no plans to recruit again).

 

  1. Helen Nicholson, Community Link Officer, addressed the meeting to summarise the work of the St Austell and Mevagissey Community Network Panel, stressing its effectiveness in addressing issues which affect the whole network area, eg policing. She asked that attendees to the forthcoming AGM come prepared to contribute a list of ‘highlights and lowlights’ from the past year. She concluded by describing how Cornwall Council is keen for the public to report problems online in future. Although it is still be possible to report by phone, the online form prompts the reporter to provide more specific information.

 

  1. There were no comments from the public.

 

  1. Proposed by Cllr.Facey, Seconded by Cllr. T Barron that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2017 be accepted.                                                             Carried.

 

  1. The Clerk reported that:
  • Local businesses contributed a further £635 last year towards the cost of operating public toilets as follows: Model Railway, Issey, Central Café, Stone’s Throw, Harbour View and Salamander – £100 each; Bacchus £30; Anon £5.
  • The Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) was providing grant funding towards the capital costs of installing CCTV systems for connection to the existing monitoring hub at Tolvaddon (the Council decided not to pursue this);
  • Notices of intention have been received for the following road closures by South West Water: School Hill, 26 May to 4 June, 24×7; Road between Polkirt Hill and West Wharf, 14-20 June (24 hours only).       For the School Hill closure, vehicular access for residents and pedestrian access will be maintained throughout
  • Following a complaint about litter around the Kings Arms / Meadow area, and CC’s refusal to provide more waste bins, I have asked the Ward Member to obtain a quote from Biffa to provide a bin at the junction of Du Maurier Court and Fore Street, to be funded by the Parish (Cllr. Whatty suggested that the Harbour Trustees consider dedicating some of their savings from having removed waste bins from the harbour area (£20,000 pa), to fund new bins elsewhere, and Cllr. Roberts agreed to raise this at the next meeting of the Trustees).

 

  1. The Ward Member reported that:
  • Cornwall Council is yet to form a new administration following the local elections;
  • He has met with Heligan Gardens management to discuss collaboration on areas to be improved by the Community Action Group;
  • Church Street and Church Lane have been added to the list for resurfacing this year;
  • He is pressing for the grass to be cut in St Peter’s Churchyard, which is now overdue;
  • The plastic recycling pilot is now running, and he will obtain copies of the explanatory letter for anybody who has not yet received one.

 

  1. To receive Correspondence.
  • Letter from St Peter’s Church thanking MPC for the grant towards Tower & Spire printing costs.
  • Letter from the MAC thanking MPC for the grant towards improvement costs.

 

  1. To consider Planning and Licensing Applications.

 

10a.      PA17/03642 : Rear extension to roof; velux windows to front roof elevation; addition of patio doors to the front elevation. Curlews Penwarne Lane Mevagissey PL26 6PF

Proposed by Cllr. T Barron, Seconded by Cllr. Florence that the Council supports the application.                      Carried.

 

10b.      The following planning applications have been Approved (included for information only):

 

PA16/12077 : Listed building consent for refurbishment and extension. 24 Fore Street.

PA17/02679 : Partial demolition and construction of new extensions. Waterside, Polkirt Hill.

PA17/02643 : Loft conversion, rear extension, front conservatory with balcony over. 7 Battery Terrace.

 

  1. To approve the monthly finances.

 

Bills to Pay Salaries £ 648.34
HMRC (Income Tax & NIC) £ 206.16
Annual insurance £ 740.80
Women’s Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (grant) £ 200.00
Valley Rd. PC cleaning March 2017 (less credits) £ 530.41
Highways weed control (1 of 2) £ 372.00
Valley Rd. PC water charge April 2017 £ 302.19
Upgrade to Valley Rd PC gents facility £ 1,875.00
TOTAL £ 4,874.90
Accounts Amount available to spend as of last meeting £ 45,318.58
Expenditure last month £ 6,709.37
Precept & CTS Grant (part 1) £ 28,195.72 received
Contributions to public toilet fund £ 635.00 received
PAYE refund £ 108.86 received
Unpresented cheques £ 2,451.26
Balance (money in bank) £ 70,000.05
Available to spend £ 67,548.79
Bank Statements (01/05/2017):
Current Account £ 3,507.11
Deposit Account £ 66,492.94
TOTAL £ 70,000.05

 

It was noted that the last two items on the list of bills to be paid had been added since the agenda was published.

Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Florence that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid.       Carried.

 

  1. Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the 2016/17 Annual Accounts and Accounting Statements be approved.                                                                         Carried.

 

  1. Proposed by Cllr. Florence, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the revised version of the Financial Regulations be adopted. (minute 2017/04/15 refers).                                                                           Carried.

 

  1. Cllr. Shephard reported that the Neighbourhood Development Plan, having been formally approved at the last meeting, had been submitted to Cornwall Council for their approval. Once any required amendments have been agreed and implemented, the plan will be submitted for inspection prior to a public referendum, expected in October.

 

  1. Cllr. Facey reported that the agreed upgrade of the gents’ public toilets on Valley Road had been completed, including replacement of the steel ‘trough’ with three ceramic urinals. The improved quality of the toilet block has led to renewed interest from advertisers. Possible further upgrades include a rain collection cistern on the roof.
  2. Feedback from the public meeting regarding the future of the West Wharf toilet block had been covered during the Annual Public Meeting earlier, and there was nothing further to add.

 

  1. Proposed by Cllr. T Barron, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that grant funding of £5,000 was ring-fenced to enable the reopening of the West Wharf toilets at short notice, pending an agreed long-term plan. Carried.

 

  1. Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Nathan that the Council should assume responsibility for the West Wharf public toilets. Amendment moved by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Florence, that although such adoption of the West Wharf toilets would remain a Council initiative, the many offers of support from the public, for both the West Wharf and the Valley Road facilities, were recognised and welcomed.

Amendment and substantive motion carried.

 

The Clerk will include an item on the next agenda for the Council to move to take over the lease on the West Wharf toilet block.

 

  1. Cllr. Facey reported that there was no change to the status of the Mevagissey Flood Plan, which remains in need of major revision.

 

  1. The Chairman reported that there is no further update on negotiations with Lloyds Bank.

 

  1. Following consideration of the Standards Committee’s request that Standing Orders be amended to require Code of Conduct training to be completed within 6 months of acceptance of office, it was Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the Standing Orders be amended to include the following: ‘All councillors should undertake training in the Code of Conduct within 12 months of the delivery of their first Declaration of Acceptance of Office.’                                                             Carried.

 

  1. Cllr. Nathan, referring to the earlier discussion about waste bins, said that the Council should pursue a broader vision of recycling within the Parish, and agreed to look into the possibilities and present her findings at a future meeting, The Ward Member offered to work with Cllr. Nathan on this.

 

  1. Cllr. Nathan outlined her wish to create a Mevagissey Gardening Club to make improvements within the Parish. She would work in collaboration with the Ward Member, involving interested parties including the Community Action Group and the school.

 

  1. The Chairman reported that he would be attending the ‘Little Nippers’ event on 4th June to open their new pathway, part-funded by the Council.

 

  1. The meeting ended at 9.20pm. Date of next meeting: 15 June 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed ……………………………………………………………………………..         Dated ………………………………

 

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