Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 7th November 2017
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 5th December 2017 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Richard Cochrane (RC), Robin Edwards (RE), Ralph German (RG), Helen Hastings (HH), James Hetherington (JH), Nev Meek (NM), Val Neal (VN), Charlotte Taffinder (CT) ( Chairman);
S Skull (Clerk), CC Julian German (JG)
1 member of the public attended.
111701
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
– Cllrs Bax, Gill, Iddison
111702
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– None
111703
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Paddy Case complained on behalf of a number of residents about the quality of the street sweeping and weeding operation. The clerk said he was well aware of people’s concerns and that this had been a particularly difficult year, with the weed spraying contractor failing to fulfil his contract, and with personal health problems affecting both the previous and the current street cleaning contractor. He said the current contract was due for review at the December meeting of the Council.
111704
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3rd October 2017 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
111705
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – ITEMS FOR REPORT / DISCUSSION
The clerk reported:
- He and CT had met with the manager of the recycling company wishing to operate a clothing bank on behalf of the Bosom Buddies breast cancer charity and agreed that the proposed bank could be sited in Treloan Lane car park next to the recycling containers.
- There were now just two cars in Treloan car park which had been there very long term. He had been assured by the owner of one that it was awaiting pre-MOT repairs. The other would be reported as abandoned.
- He had reported the bad state of repair of the steps from the footpath below Admiralty Terrace up towards New Road car park to the National Trust.
111706
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
There was no correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.
111707
PLANNING MATTERS
(a) Applications
The PC had received 1 new application. This is outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA17/09124 | Listed building consent to repair render to building and to repair two flat roofs at 9 the Square Portscatho. | Unanimous support |
(b) Decisions
| Application | GPC comment | CC Decision |
| PA17/07899 re replacement garage, Bohortha | Support | Approved |
| PA17/08353 re replacement LPG boilers, St Anthony | Object | (Withdrawn) |
(c) Enforcement matters
– Nothing to report
111708
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
CT reported that a number of Councillors had attended the Code of Conduct training session held at St Mawes in October.
111709
LOCALISM
The clerk referred to the previously circulated offers from Cornwall Council (CC) for the transfers to the PC of the freeholds of Treloan Lane car park and the children’s playground opposite, both currently leased from CC by the PC. After a discussion RE proposed (seconded by NM) that the PC was in favour in principle subject to scrutiny of the relevant documentation by its solicitors and any issues they might raise. Unanimously agreed. Action clerk to refer to the solicitors.
Councillors considered the current consultation by the Local Government Boundary Commissions on the proposed new division boundaries for CC. JG said the proposed new scheme expanded the number of people he would represent and presented logistical problems. It was agreed to agree a form of words for a PC representation at the December meeting.
111710
PERCUIL PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
The clerk said he was awaiting a first quote for the roof repair, and that he had instructed a firm to pump out the septic tank. He was also seeking advice about the potentially dangerous tree on neighbouring land.
RE said there was also an issue with an overgrown hedge obstructing the road running down past the boatyard. The clerk said he would investigate. Action clerk
111711
CAR PARKS
The clerk said he, CT, VN and RI had met at New Road car park to assess the next possible improvement works. He said they found that a priority was to repair the surface below the exit, where a sharp edge on the tarmac represented a trip and tyre hazard. A repair was needed and also to be taken into account was that the drain at the pedestrian exit gate needed frequent clearing because of the loose surface washing down in heavy rain. Another possible project was to rebuild a further section of the bottom wall from the gate to the centre of the car park. After discussion, RE proposed (seconded RG) that quotes should be sought for both jobs, and also quotes to tarmac the whole car park. JH commented that there were complicated drainage issues involved with tarmaccing the whole area. The clerk said previous quotes for this had been prohibitively expensive. On a vote, 5 were in favour, 1 abstained and 2 were against. Action clerk.
Members also agreed that the clerk should be asked to enquire of the PC’s solicitors whether it would be within its rights, if the freehold of Treloan Lane car park were to be devolved, to impose a maximum stay of 28 days. Action clerk.
111712
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 £4,788.95 (including VAT of £286.63) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th October was £67,093.24.
111712
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
- Any urgent business
– None
- Matters to be included on the next agenda
– Review of arrangements for street cleaning and litter picking in the Parish at the conclusion of the probationary period of the current contractor.
– Agreement of level of Precept for 2018-2019
– Refurbishment of the PC’s bench at the Memorial Hall car park.
- Minor items for report
– NM said the footpath at Eshcol Lane, despite recent strimming, was being narrowed by the encroachment of grass on both sides. The clerk said the maintenance of Eshcol Lane was the responsibility of CC, including the strimming, but de facto the PC’s contractor has to do the strimming every year because CC fails to do it adequately. JG said he would report the matter..
– CT paid tribute to the late ex-Councillor Fred Greenslade for his years of service to the PC. She said she would be attending the funeral as the PC’s representative and suggested the PC send a card of condolence to his family. This was unanimously agreed.
The meeting closed at 8.35 pm