MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre
On Thursday 15th May 2014 at 7pm.
Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chair), M Facey, J Morgan, G Shephard, C Robins, J Arthur, S Hrydziuszka, A Williams,
E Chesterfield, J Barron, J Feeley, J Whatty.
Apologies Cllrs. J Daniel, M Bunney (CC).
In Attendance PJ Howson (Clerk), 23 members of the public.
UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED
- Declarations of interest. None.
- Gift Declarations. None.
- Police Report. A written report had been received for the period 15 April – 12 May detailing 10 crimes committed:
1 criminal damage to property, 1 criminal damage to dwelling, 3 criminal damage to vehicle, 2 burglary domestic, 2 non-crime domestic, 1 non-crime child protection. There does not appear to be a connection between the 3 vehicle crimes or between the 2 burglaries.
- Points from the Public.
a) Mr Thompson, Mr Maddox and Mrs Lee spoke on Agenda Items 7a and 7b (Steep House developments) to voice their objections. Mr Thompson said there should be no development in the Paddock, Mr Maddox said that Planning Policy 35 forbid any increase in density of housing on the site, and Mrs Lee said that the proposed replacement for Steep House would encroach onto the Paddock and that the reduction in the proposed domestic curtilage for the barn conversion was no reason for the Council to alter its previous view.
b) Messrs. Standsby, Watts, Bowker and Mitchell, and Mss. Ashton and Watts spoke on Agenda Item 9 (Dog Control Order on Portmellon Beach) to voice their opposition, and Mr & Mrs Palk spoke in support. Messrs. Watts and Mitchell urged Council to adopt the Dogs Love Portmellon (DLP) alternative scheme (dogs on leads between 10- 5 during July-August), Ms Ashton thanked Mr Mitchell for his work in organising the DLP campaign, and Ms Watts said that if dog owners couldn’t take their dogs onto the beach they would have to leave them in their cars. Mr Palk said there were plenty of other places to exercise dogs, and Mrs Palk said that no dog owner was capable of picking up dog urine, so pollution where children were playing was unavoidable.
- Minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Chesterfield that the Minutes of 17th April be Accepted. Carried.
- Actions from previous meeting:
- Clerk reported that the Pentillie steps had been cleaned and a new railing installed.
- Clerk reported that the damaged signs at Tregiskey should be repaired within the next couple of weeks.
- Clerk reported that the waste/dog bin at Portmellon had been replaced.
- Clerk reported that the Cornwall Council (CC) Conservation Officer had explained the implications were English Heritage to “list” the War Memorial: day to day maintenance, small repairs and maintenance of the surrounding area could continue as at present; if an additional name was to be added, this could be agreed by an “exchange of letters” rather than applying for formal consent via a listed building planning application; only if Council wanted to move the Memorial or if it suffered “catastrophic damage” would more formal proceedings be necessary. Clerk actioned to write to English Heritage saying that they were welcome to inspect the Memorial, but that the Council did not want it to be listed.
- Proposed by Cllr. Chesterfield, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that Clerk respond to the Lost Gardens of Heligan / Wildworks confirming Council’s agreement that they can use the War Memorial on 3 August as part of their planned WW1 commemorative event.
- Planning.
- PA14/00692 : Demolition of the existing house and the erection of two dwellings (revised plans).
Land at Steep House, Portmellon.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that Council objects: neither building shows any sensitivity to the vernacular or sensitive nature of the site, both buildings together present an over-dominant facade to the road below and to the public perception, and therefore the scheme as proposed would do harm to the Area of Special Character. Carried.
- PA14/00679 : The proposed conversion of and extension to the Old Portmellon Cottage to form a dwelling (revised plans). Land North West of Steep House, Portmellon.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that Council objects; we cannot approve a development within the AONB which is a substantial extension to a building which has never been habitable. Carried.
- PA14/03459 : Dormer extension and alterations within roof to rear of property.
10 Summerfield Close, Mevagissey.
Proposed by Cllr. Chesterfield, Seconded by Cllr. Arthur that Council supports the application. Carried.
- PA14/03549 : Proposed infill of covered way. 7 Church Lane, Mevagissey.
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robins that Council supports the application. Carried.
- PA14/01682 : Conversion of existing dwelling into 2 no. residential flats.
Ava House, Ava, Mevagissey. APPROVED Noted.
- PA14/01716 : Change of use from dwelling to guest house of 3 guest bedrooms and 1 owner’s bedroom.
5 Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey. APPROVED Noted.
6g PA14/01717 : Listed building consent for internal alteration to accommodate change of use from dwelling to a guest house of 3 guest bedrooms and 1 owner’s bedroom. 5 Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey. APPROVED Noted.
- Finances
| Bills to Pay | Clerk’s salary | £ | 646.30 | ||
| Income Tax & NIC | £ | 210.54 | |||
| CALC – Clerk’s training | £ | 270.00 | |||
| Zurich Insurance – renewal | £ | 708.39 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 1,835.23 | |||
| Accounts | Amount available to spend as of last meeting | £ | 28,943.53 | ||
| Expenditure last month | £ | 5,675.10 | |||
| Reclaimed VAT | £ | 3,822.06 | Received | ||
| Cheques cleared since 01/04/2014 | £ | 3,775.00 | |||
| Balance (money in bank) | £ | 27,185.49 | |||
| Unpresented cheque (101100) | £ | 95.00 | |||
| Available to spend | £ | 27,090.49 | |||
| Bank Statements (01/04/2014): | |||||
| Current Account | £ | 3,883.48 | |||
| Deposit Account | £ | 27,077.01 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 30,960.49 |
Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid.
Carried.
- Resolve whether to confirm the draft Dog Control Order for Portmellon Beach. The Clerk’s report had been presented to Council prior to the meeting. During the ensuing debate, Cllr. Whatty expressed concerns about aspects of the report, Cllr. Williams felt that public opinion had shifted towards a compromise, and Cllr. Feeley said that the alternative suggested by DLP was worth considering. Other Councillors urged that the Order be confirmed, and the Chairman pointed out that it could be reviewed again after a six month period, but that any amendment at this stage would rule out any controls for this summer because of the timescales involved. Cllr. Feeley asked that the results of the vote be recorded by name (having shown herself to be predetermined in the matter by objecting to the DCO during the consultation period, Cllr. Feeley was herself unable to vote on this resolution).
Proposed by Cllr. Chesterfield, Seconded by Cllr. Arthur that the Order be confirmed.
Votes for: Cllrs. Shephard, Facey, Morgan, Arthur, Chesterfield, Roberts. Total 6.
Votes against: Cllrs. Hrydziuszka, Williams, Whatty, Barron. Total 4.
Carried.
The Order was executed following the meeting, signed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, witnessed by the Clerk.
(The Order makes it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to take a dog onto, or to permit the dog to enter or to remain on, Portmellon Beach at any time from 1 July to 30 September each year).
- Review of polling stations. Cllr. Feeley said that the step up into the Portacabin in the Rising Sun Inn Car Park, Portmellon, was too high for some people. No issues were raised about the Jubilee Hall station. Clerk actioned to respond accordingly.
- Devolution Business Plan (Cllr. Roberts). Following discussion, Cllr. Roberts said he would ask Cllr. Bunney to arrange a presentation on devolution. Clerk to ask Cllr. Bunney if there is a CC Business Plan template.
- The Hollies – proposed enforcement action. Cllr. Facey said that there were now broken windows on the first floor and a hole in the roof, and that with the weather getting in it would deteriorate quickly. It’s in the Conservation Area and is a blight to neighbouring properties. It should at least be sealed against the weather.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Chesterfield that the Clerk seeks Enforcement action and advises the owner accordingly. Carried.
- Purchase of temporary road closure signs. The Clerk detailed various quotes obtained.
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Morgan that the Clerk is authorised to spend up to £300 on 3 signs, subject to confirmation of requirements by the Feast Week organiser.
- School Hill development – update. The Planning Application will be heard by Committee on 9 June.
- The meeting ended at 9pm.
Date of next meeting : 19th June 2014