Gerrans Parish Council

MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council

held on Tuesday 4^th February  2014 at 7.30 pm

in  the Memorial Hall Annexe

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 4^th March 2014 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe

Present:

Cllrs   Case, German, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Morse, Symons,

Taffinder ( Chairman); CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)

1 member of the public attended.

021401

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

–  Cllr Greenslade (tree down obstructing drive), Cllr Fletcher (work commitments)

021402

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

– Cllr Iddison declared a non registerable interest  in Planning Application PA13/11720 (to be discussed in item 8 on the agenda) because of close friendship with the applicant.

– Cllr Hatwood declared  non registerable interests in Planning Applications PA13/11720 and PA13/00205 (to be discussed in item 8 on the agenda) because of close friendship with the applicants.

021403

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

CC Julian German highlighted the fact that there would be a meeting at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 11^th March in the Memorial Hall to discuss the Local Emergency Plan.

021404

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7^th January as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.

021405

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – ITEMS FOR REPORT/DISCUSSION.

No items that were not due to be discussed later in the agenda were raised.

021406

ROSELAND NDP

Jon Smith, the chairman of the Roseland Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group, reported that the Group was in the process of finalising analysis of “Q2”, of which some 812 had been returned to date. The local business community had also been consulted. He said the analysis process should be complete by the time of the next PC meeting and suggested a 30-minute presentation at an informal meeting prior to the March meeting would be useful. This was agreed and Cllr Taffinder thanked Mr Smith for his report.

021407

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

1. Letter of resignation from Cllr Brian Davis

The clerk read out Cllr Davis’ letter, in which he confirmed his resignation as from 28^th January and wished all the Councillors his best for the future. The clerk then explained the procedure for filling the consequent vacancy.

Councillors volunteered to take over from Cllr Davis on various committees as follows:

Disciplinary appeals  – Cllr German

Charities – Cllrs Taffinder and German

Traffic and transport – Cllr Hatwood

Planning –  Cllr Case

Percuil River Moorings Ltd – Cllr Morse

Cllr Hatwood also volunteered to take over as a bank signatory, which was unanimously approved.

2. Cornwall AONB

An invitation, programme and booking form for the Annual Forum on 22^nd March, along with two copies of the CAONB Delivery Plan 2011-2016.

3. Email from CC J German

A request for the PC to discuss the future of the Mobile Library Service on the Roseland. It was agreed this should be an agenda item at the next meeting. Action clerk

4. Report by Stithians PC on waste management in Cornwall

The PC was asked to consider supporting its proposals by making representations to Cornwall Council. Councillors agreed that although they were broadly sympathetic this was more of a local Stithians issue and no formal response was appropriate.

021408

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.

Application	Description	PC  Comment
PA14/00205	First floor extension with roof light at 15 Churchtown Road	Unanimous support
PA13/11720	Conversion of bungalow to two-storey dwelling at 12 Highertown	Deferred pending site visit by Planning Committee

 

Cllr Hatwood left the room during discussion of both applications

Cllr Iddison left the room during discussion of PA13/11720

DECISIONS

PA13/09334   (no objection by PC)     –  approved

PA13/09198   (PC objected)     –  withdrawn

ENFORCEMENT MATTERS

Nothing to report

021409

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

Cllr Hetherington had attended a meeting of the Roseland Network Panel at County Hall, at which subjects discussed had included the mobile library service, rural roads maintenance (reported to have become mostly reactive rather than “planned proactive” for budget reasons), and the number of applications to the area’s schools.

021410

OPEN SPACE NEGOTIATIONS

The clerk referred to the latest email received from the Landlord’s agent again inviting the PC to decide either to take a lease on the land or not. The clerk was asked to write explaining that the PC is awaiting the outcome of the ongoing enforcement action relating to the S106 agreement on the land before any decision can be made. Action clerk to write

021411

PARKING RESTRICTIONS  –  UPDATE

The clerk gave a report of a site meeting of six Councillors on Wednesday 8^th January at which was decided the proposed the extent of new double yellow lines at New Road and Gerrans Hill. He had since had a further meeting with Ms Helen Scott-Daniels of Cormac who came to measure out the proposed lines for the purposes of preparing a draft for public consultation.

The clerk was asked to ascertain the cost implications of changing the summer restriction throughout the Parish to include the month of May. Action clerk

Cllr Hatwood said he was informed that the recent severe weather was holding up the alterations to the obtrusive signage in New Road.

021412

CAR PARKS

– New Road

The clerk said he had one quote for the revised works and was seeking more.

He had also had a site meeting with Mr Robert Smith of CC’s valuation department to discuss the lease negotiation. Mr Smith had subsequently produced a summary of his understanding of the PC’s position which the clerk had agreed, and which Mr Smith had then submitted to the relevant department. The latest development had been a request by CC for evidence that the PC had fulfilled its obligations to maintain the car park since the beginning of the lease. The clerk was in the process of assembling the necessary information.

– Treloan Lane

After discussion, Cllrs Case and Iddison agreed to produce a job specification for ground improvement works at the site to be used as a basis for seeking quotations.

021413

FOOTPATHS MAINTENANCE

The clerk reported there had been interest so far from three contractors and that he had requested up-to-date cutting schedules and a model small works contract from CC.

021414

PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

Cllr German presented the architect’s drawings of the proposed layout of the building which would make it suitable for letting. The plan would be to sublet the whole building, with the tenant being responsible for the cleaning of the public conveniences. Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that the drawings be submitted for planning permission. Carried unanimously. Action clerk to liaise with architect.

021415

FINANCIAL MATTERS

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was resolved that the outstanding invoices in the total sum of £5,225.41 (including VAT of £559.18) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.

BANK RECONCILIATION

The reconciled bank balance as at 25^th January 2014 was £65,168.97 

STATUS TO BUDGET

All payments were within budget as adjusted by minuted Council decisions.

021416

OTHER PARISH MATTERS

Cllr Iddison said the school road sign had fallen down CC German said he would investigate.

Cllr Case pointed out that one would need a mobile phone signal in the operation of the new defibrillators – something that was lacking in a significant area of the parish. There was a need for a mobile mast. Other Councillors replied that there had been much local objection to such proposals in the past

Cllr Case also asked whether there was a parish by-law requiring dogs to be kept on a lead while in the village. This question arose as a result of a recent severe attack on one dog by another. The clerk said he would research the subject. Action clerk.

Cllr Case further mentioned that the pavement below Stodden Steps was lifting due to underground water. CC German said he would follow this up.

Cllr Hetherington suggested there should be publicity given to Cornwall Council’s consultation on school transport in the parish. Cllr Hatwood said this was about to be a lead story on Roseland Online.

Cllr German said that advertising boards at the Trewithian road junction were being left up for too long after the events advertised. He also reported rubbish at Treloan Lane car park and litter along the main road from Pendower Dip. CC German said he would alert the appropriate department.

Cllr Taffinder enquired whether the PC was required to hire CEO enforcement officers from Cornwall Council or whether it could appoint its own. CC German said he would investigate the legal implications.

 

The meeting closed at 9.36 pm