Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 3rd December 2013 at 7.30 pm
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 7th January 2014 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Davis, Fletcher, German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Iddison, Morse,
Taffinder ( Chairman); S Skull (Clerk)
6 members of the public attended.
121301
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
– Cllrs Case, Symons (illness), CC German
121302
CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER
– Three nominations had been received to fill the existing casual vacancy. The three candidates were Mr Neville Meek, and Mr James Hetherington (present) and Mrs Cynthia Calton (absent on holiday). After two split votes, the Chairman used her casting vote and James Hetherington was co-opted.
Cllr Taffinder thanked all the candidates for their interest, and Mr Hetherington completed and signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office form, which was witnessed and countersigned by the clerk, and was given a Register of Interests form, a copy of the current Code of Conduct, and the Council’s standing orders and financial regulations. He then took his seat.
121303
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– Cllr German declared a non registerable interest in Planning Application PA13/10382 (to be discussed in item 13 on the agenda) because of close friendship with the family of the applicant.
121304
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A MoP, the applicant in PA13/09198 regarding Trewince Manor (to be discussed in item 13 on the agenda) said she wished to give some context for the application and explained her intentions and the need to increase the amount of living accommodation at the property for her family.
Cllr Iddison suggested there should be a site visit by the Planning Committee because it was a complicated application. It was decided to defer further discussion until item 13 on the agenda.
121305
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5th November 2013 as being a true record subject to the correction of two typographical errors.. The Chairman signed the corrected minutes.
121306
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – ITEMS FOR REPORT/DISCUSSION.
The clerk reported that the roadside brambles at Porthcurnick had now been cut back, and the collapsed wall at Tregassick Road was being repaired.
He also confirmed that a site meeting at New Road car park with Cormac’s engineer had been arranged for 10th December. Cllrs Iddison, Greenslade and Fletcher said they would attend.
Cllr Fletcher proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that as no meeting with Cornwall Council (CC) had yet been arranged to discuss the terms of the car park lease, The PC should inform CC in advance of its proposals in order to speed up the procedure. This was unanimously agreed and the clerk was asked to contact CC to this effect. Action clerk.
121307
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
No correspondence not covered elsewhere in the agenda had been received.
121308
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
1. Toilets Committee
Cllr Taffinder outlined a report from Mr N A Sargent of Smiths Gore relating to the proposed scheme to sublet part of the public conveniences as a café to offset the ongoing costs of keeping the facility open. In summary the report found the scheme potentially viable.
Cllr Hatwood said the way forward was to set a firm plan and then put a definite proposal to Cornwall Council.
Cllr Greenslade proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that the PC should move to apply for outline planning permission for the project. The estimated cost of this would be between £500 and £750. This was agreed unanimously and the clerk was asked to contact CAD Architects Ltd to initiate proceedings. Action clerk
2. Finance Committee
The clerk read out the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on Tuesday 26th November and circulated copies of the budget for 2014 – 2015 recommended by the Committee, in which the proposed precept remained unchanged from the current year at £19,356.
Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that the budget be approved. Carried unanimously.
3. Charities
Cllr Davis reported on the meeting of the Laura Gates Charity held on Wednesday 13th November. At that meeting Cllr Clifford-Wing (Philleigh) was appointed a trustee. Cllr Davis declared the present value of the fund to be £8,392.21 and it had been agreed at the meeting to purchase 3 defibrillator units each for Gerrans and Philleigh at a total cost of £7,380.
4. Percuil River Moorings Ltd
Cllr Davis reported on the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 13th November. He said the business was mainly routine and it had been agreed to increase charges for the next year by 9.09{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20}.
121309
OPEN SPACE NEGOTIATIONS
Cllr Hatwood referred to an “update” email from Enys Estate’s agent Chris Anderson received by the clerk that afternoon. Cllr Hatwood said it was clear that Enys’ negotiations with Devon and Cornwall Housing Association (DCHA) to get them to recognise and comply with the terms of the S106 agreement on the land had now broken down. He said that Tim Marsh (CC Planning) had previously indicated he would be reluctant to bring enforcement measures to bear while the two sides were still in negotiation, but this email clearly changed the situation.
Cllr Hetherington observed that the S106 agreement was between DCHA and Cornwall Council so there was no reason CC should not enforce it.
Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that the clerk should write to Mr Marsh and CC Julian German to say that it was the PC’s view that whatever enforcement measures are available should now be brought to bear on DCHA. Carried unanimously. Action clerk
121310
ROSELAND NDP
Jon Smith, Chairman of the Steering Group, presented an update on progress. He said that 304 completed “Q2” questionnaires had been returned to date. He said feedback from all the parishes had been very positive and the results were being analysed in real time. He urged all at the meeting to complete their questionnaires and encourage others to do the same, pointing out that although December 17th was the deadline for inclusion in the prize draw, forms would continue to be accepted until January 15th at least.
Cllr Taffinder thanked Mr Smith for his report.
121311
ROSELAND DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT
Cllr Davis reported on an informative visit to St Mawes Fire Station at which there had been a demonstration of the operation of one of the units. He further confirmed that there will be training sessions arranged in due course for local people.
121312
FOOTBALL FIELD
The clerk read out a letter from Mr Simon Leather of Tregothnan Estate Office proposing a surrender date for the lease of 24th March 2014. Mr Leather confirmed the PC would have to enter into a formal Deed of Surrender which the Estate would prepare at a cost to the PC of £500 plus VAT.
Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) that the Mr Ed Rimmer’s firm be asked to prepare the deed on behalf of the PC and this might be a cheaper option. Carried unanimously. Action clerk.
121313
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 4 applications. These are outlined below and the PC’s comments were subsequently lodged under “Consultee Comments” in the Online Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC Comment |
| PA13/10050 | Roof alterations and part loft conversion at
5 Treventon Close |
Unanimous support |
| PA13/10382 | Extensions at
22 Treventon Road |
Unanimous objection because proposed conservatory considered disproportionately large. |
| PA13/09198 | Conversion and extension and development of existing accommodation at Trewince Manor | Decision deferred pending site visit. |
| PA13/10366 | PVCU conservatory to the rear of 32 North Parade | Unanimous support |
Cllr German left the room during discussion of PA13/10382
During consideration of PA13/09198, Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that Cllr Hetherington be co-opted on to the Planning Committee. Carried unanimously.
DECISIONS
PA13/09334 – The clerk referred to an email from the Planning Officer concerned stating that it was the intention of the Planning Department to approve this application in spite of the PC’s declared objection. Cllrs Hatwood and Greenslade left the room during the discussion which followed, having both declared an interest when this application was first considered.
Cllr German proposed (seconded by Cllr Fletcher) that the clerk should write to say the PC maintains its original objection and is prepared to send a representative to attend any subsequent hearing. Of the 7 Councillors remaining in the room 2 abstained and 5 were in favour. Motion carried. Action clerk
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
Nothing to report
121314
FINANCIAL MATTERS
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices in the total sum of £1,720.31 (including VAT of 52.79) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th November 2013 was £68,115.55
STATUS TO BUDGET
All payments were within budget as adjusted by minuted Council decisions.
121315
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
Cllr German observed that the caravan on the site of the water tank at Trewithian had been “rated” although there is no residential permission existing.
Cllr German also noted that meals had been supplied by the foodbank to some families in the parish in September and October and suggested Councillors should be alert to who might be in need locally. Cllr Hatwood said he would spread awareness via Roseland Online that some funds are available via the charities administered by the PC, and that he would liaise with Cllr Davis in this regard.
Cllr Greenslade drew attention to a recent increase in dog fouling in the Parish. The clerk said he was aware of this and steps were being taken to try to remedy the situation.
Cllr Iddison said he was not satisfied with the quality of the rebuilt wall at Tregassick Road.
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm