Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 3rd September 2013
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 1st October at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe

Present:
Cllrs Case, Davis, Fletcher, German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Iddison, Symons,
Taffinder ( Chairman); CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)
2 members of the public attended.

091301
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

– Cllrs Morse (holiday), Emmett (harvest);

091302
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– Cllr Davis declared a non registerable interest in planning application PA13/07620 (to be considered in item 16 on the agenda) as a family member owns the property involved.

– Cllr Fletcher declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item 1 in “Correspondence” (Agenda item 6) concerning the rent review at Percuil car park, in that he is a partner in the firm acting as managing agents for the Landlord.

091303
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
CC German reported that the first draft of Cornwall Council’s budget had been released. Public meetings would be announced soon. He said there was a need to make considerable cost reductions and that although CC would be making efficiency savings there would inevitably be some cuts to frontline services. There would be consultations on this. Cornwall Council is proposing an increase of 1.7{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} in Council Tax which is expected to raise £3.6m.

091304
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 6th August 2013 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.

091305
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – ITEMS FOR REPORT/DISCUSSION.

The clerk was asked to write to the National Trust and the local farmer to complain that there had still been no work done to cut back the brambles at the approach to Porthcurnick beach so that cars could be parked closer to the edge of the road. Action clerk.

091306
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
The correspondence not covered elsewhere in the agenda was reviewed and actions determined.

1. Caerhays Estate – proposed 20{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} increase in Percuil car park rent
Cllr Fletcher left the room but was invited back to give his opinion on the Landlord’s likely reaction to any suggestion of the installation of a pay and display machine. After discussion Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that the Council accept the Landlord’s proposed increase to £300 per annum. The clerk was asked to inform the Landlord of this and to prepare a schedule of the car park finances in time for the next meeting. Action clerk

2. Bonfires in Gerrans
A MoP had written to complain about a neighbour’s alleged frequent bonfires. The clerk was asked to reply suggesting the County’s Environmental Health Department was the proper agency to contact. Action clerk

091307
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
No reports were presented.

091308
OPEN SPACE NEGOTIATIONS
The clerk reported that he had received an email from Enys Estate’s agent saying he was still awaiting a formal response from Devon and Cornwall Housing prior to progressing a lease of the land to the PC.

The clerk was asked to pursue the matter, emphasising that the PC cannot progress negotiations with Enys without DCH’s confirmation that they will comply with their agreement with Enys. Action clerk

091309
ROSELAND NDP
Jon Smith, Chairman of the Steering Group, presented an update on progress. The application for Consultancy Support had been accepted, which in financial terms is worth nearly £9,000, and the Group would now be able, with the help of the Consultant, to finalise a strategy for community engagement.

There had been a positive response to the questionnaire but there was still much work to be done in informing the community of what exactly an NDP is and what it can do. He hoped that next month he would be able to explain what the finalised community engagement strategy is.

Cllr Taffinder thanked Mr Smith for his report.

091310
ROSELAND DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT
Cllr Davis reported that the proposed defibrillators each cost £1,250 plus VAT, and that across the Roseland parishes there were enough charitable funds to fund all 5 required.

Cllr German said the Memorial Hall would not be making any donation because the advice of a local GP had cast doubt upon the likely effectiveness of the devices in practice.

After further discussion Cllr Davis said he would research the matter further, and a decision was deferred.

091311
NEW ROAD CAR PARK
The clerk reported no progress as regards further quotes for the resurfacing works, due mainly to key personnel having been on holiday. He suggested it might be wise to seek independent, qualified advice in the matter, including the relative merits and suitability of “Grasscrete” as opposed to tarmac, before pursuing the matter further. He was authorised to seek quotes in this regard. Action clerk

The clerk also produced a report outlining the revenues and costs relating to the car park over the last few years and there followed a discussion about the terms of the existing lease. It was resolved that the car park committee should meet to consider the matter further. Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that Cllr Greenslade be co-opted onto the committee for this meeting because of his prior experience in these matters. This was agreed unanimously.

091312
FOOTBALL FIELD
The clerk reported no response had been received from parishioners in the last two months in response to articles both in The Roseland Magazine and on Roseland Online inviting suggestions for an alternative community use for the field.

Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Case) that the PC should therefore give notice that it wished to surrender the lease. Eight councillors voted in favour of this and Cllr Symons abstained. The clerk was therefore asked to contact the landlord and give notice. Action clerk

091313
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES – POSSIBLE FINANCING OPTIONS
Cllr Hatwood suggested the possibility of selling advertising space, as in motorway service stations, and also presented plans he had previously drawn up with which to approach Cornwall Council, before the PC took over the running of the toilets, to let out half the building as a café and fund the toilets with the proceeds.

CC German said there should not be a problem with the lease from Cornwall Council’s point of view as long as public toilets were still provided. The PC would need to apply for change of use.

Cllr Fletcher pointed out that the lease specifically states that “permitted use” is defined as “use as public conveniences for use by the public”.

Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that the clerk should contact Cornwall Council to ascertain whether such change of use would be acceptable, and what would be the planning department’s position. Unanimously agreed. Action clerk

Cllr German said he was still researching the possibility of running the toilets as a charity.

091314
PARKING AT GERRANS HILL JUNCTION
Bollards had been used as an effective temporary solution since the last meeting but had now been stolen. Cllr Taffinder suggested the area could be considered for yellow lines in the next parking order.

Cllr German asked about progress with the new parking arrangements in Portscatho Square. Cllr Hatwood said he would take the matter up with Cormac.

Cllr Greenslade asked whether signs might be erected directing motorists to the Memorial Hall car park but Cllr German replied that spaces there are needed for users of the hall.

091315
RAISED PAVEMENT OUTSIDE GERRANS CHURCH
Cllr Iddison reported more complaints about vehicle damage and personal injury.

Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that the clerk should contact Cormac to ask for a site meeting. Carried unanimously. Action clerk

091316
PLANNING MATTERS

APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 2 applications. These are outlined below and the PC’s comments were subsequently lodged under “Consultee Comments” in the Online Planning Register.

DECISIONS

PA13/06054 (supported by the PC) – approved

ENFORCEMENT MATTERS

Nothing to report

091317
FINANCIAL MATTERS

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices in the total sum of £4,289.78 (including VAT of £171.73) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.

BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th August 2013 was £67,425.40

STATUS TO BUDGET
All payments were within budget.

Cllr Greenslade queried the amount paid to the street cleaner. The clerk confirmed that the hourly rate and the hours worked were within contract for this time of year. Cllr German asked if the contractor could be requested to obtain a licence to spray weeds rather than pull them, and the clerk was asked to do this. Action clerk

091318
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
Cllr Hatwood reported the padlocked binstores had insufficient capacity to cope with the amount of household waste generated in peak season, and said he would investigate the possibility of providing further temporary storage space in the future.

Cllr Hatwood also said he had enquired about the continuing presence of the temporary traffic lights on the St Mawes road and had been advised by Cormac that there had been difficulty obtaining access to the adjacent land to carry out the necessary works. Cllr Fletcher said that in fact the problem was not with the landlord and the delay was being caused by Cornwall Council’s own procedures.

Cllr Davis reported the pedestrian handrail at the “Triangle” was overgrown and that the stile at the bottom of the cricket field needed a handrail. Cllr German said the stile was on a Cornwall Council footpath, not one for which the PC was responsible.

Cllr German reported the traffic cones belonging to the Memorial Hall were still missing. The clerk said he would follow this up. Action clerk

Cllr German also said the broken gatepost at the cricket field would soon be mended, and that a neighbour of the Cricket Club had asked permission to cut the hedge behind the pavilion. There was no objection.

Cllr Symons reported the shrubbery at Turnpike Cottage needed cutting. Cllr Case said he would let the clerk have the name and address of the owner.

091319
RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE PRESS AND PUBLIC TO LEAVE
This was proposed by Cllr Taffinder and seconded by Cllr Greenslade in order that item 20 might be discussed in confidence. The resolution was passed unanimously and all non-members left the room.

091320
REVIEW OF CLERK’S PAY AND CONDITIONS
(The clerk left the room during the discussions and was informed of the principal points on his return)

Cllr Taffinder proposed that the clerk’s paid hours should be increased to 16 hours per week, backdated to 1st April 2013, following a detailed representation by the clerk to the Finance Committee and after consultation with CALC. Cllr Greenslade seconded this and it was carried unanimously.

Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Case) that the hourly rate remain the same but would be reviewed when the precept for the next financial year was being considered. This was also agreed unanimously.

Cllr Greenslade proposed (seconded by Cllr Case) that the hourly rate for the management of the Pay and Display machine, to include emptying the machine regularly, counting and banking the money and accounting for the proceeds, including reconciliations to the machine’s audit system, should be £12.50 per hour. This was unanimously agreed.

The clerk said he accepted all the above proposals.

Cllr Taffinder thanked the clerk on behalf of the Council for his contribution to date.

The meeting closed at 9.45 pm