Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 1st April 2014 at 7.30 pm
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 6th May 2014 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs Case, Fletcher, German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Hetherington, Meek, Morse, Symons,
Taffinder ( Chairman); S Skull (Clerk)
4 members of the public attended.
041401
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
– Cllr Iddison (illness), CC J German
041402
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
– None
041403
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. A MoP requested that the PC reiterate its objection to a planning application now under appeal. The clerk said this was scheduled to be discussed in the agenda item “correspondence”.
2. Another MoP mentioned that the old waterworks site below the football field was in a bad state again, the tenant having left. The Clerk was asked to inform the land owners, South West Water Limited. Action clerk
3. Mr Jon Smith, chairman of the Roseland Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group, provided an update and gave out copies of a letter to be circulated throughout the Roseland explaining the results of the community questionnaire, and a further document identifying the future objectives. Mr Smith said it was proposed to amend the terms of reference of the Steering Group to enable them to extend their work post delivery of the Plan. The clerk would receive details of this prior to the May meeting.
A discussion followed during which Mr Smith confirmed that he considered everything referred to was achievable within the proposed time frame and a Draft Plan would be in place by June. Affordable housing under the Plan was discussed and it was generally agreed that indentifying local need was key. Mr Smith said that an up-to date Homechoice list would be the basis for this but Cllr Meek pointed out that Homechoice lists in the past had a history of inaccuracy. Cllr Greenslade said the only reliable way of identifying need on the Roseland was for people to sign on to a truly local register.
041404
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4th March as being a true record subject to 2 amendments to the wording. The Chairman signed the amended minutes.
041405
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – ITEMS FOR REPORT/DISCUSSION.
Cllr German said he was still getting reports of dog fouling at the cricket field and other members noted other areas affected. The clerk was asked to insert a paragraph in the next article for Roseland Magazine. Action clerk
Cllr Taffinder reported it would not after all be possible to hold the August meeting in the Fishermen’s Shelter. The clerk was asked to enquire into alternative dates at the Memorial Hall annexe. Action clerk
041406
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
1. Quote from SSE for £1,150.66 for the supply of 2 new street lights for the Lugger. The clerk was asked to make this an agenda item at the next meeting. Action clerk
2. Email from Helen Hastings
Request for the PC to re-submit its objection to planning application PA13/05623 re a proposed zero carbon dwelling at Seagers Barn, Curgurrel which is currently under appeal. Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr German) that this should be done. Carried unanimously. Action clerk
3. Football field
The clerk reported a telephone conversation that afternoon with the agent of Tregothnan Estate in which the agent had said there were remedial works he considered still necessary prior to the formal surrender of the lease, and that he would be sending a report listing the items of concern.
041407
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 5 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 |
| PA14/01981 | New section of roof and ground floor extension at 17 Parc an Dillon | Support |
| PA14/02250
|
Replacement extension and new extension at Seascape, Rosevine | Support |
| PA14/01240 | Bay window and window alterations at Vine Cottage, St Anthony | Support |
| PA14/01889 | Toilet extension with rooflight at
3 Clifton Terrace |
Support |
| PA14/02248 | Part demolition of garage and rebuild as s/c holiday unit at The Royal Standard | Support |
DECISIONS
None
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
None
041408
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Cllr Taffinder had attended a meeting at Portscatho Memorial Hall arranged by Cornwall Council with a speaker from the Environment Agency at which the subject was the formation of local emergency plans. The speaker dealt primarily with the risks and effects of flooding. Also attending were Cllr R German, CC J German and the clerk.
Councillors decided that the potential formation of a Parish Emergency Plan should be an item for discussion on the agenda next meeting. Action clerk
Cllr Hetherington reported on a Truro and Roseland Community Network Panel meeting held at New County Hall on 18th March, at which the Panel’s own modus operandi was reviewed. Also discussed was Cornwall Council’s consultation on the Library review, of which some delegates felt the Council’s proposals were urban-centric, and there was a presentation on the Cornwall Local Plan. Cllr Hetherington said there was now a consultation on what has changed since the last version. Cllr Meek volunteered to study the new document, and he and Cllr Hetherington agreed to consult.
041409
JOLLITY FARM OPEN SPACE LAND
CC German had reported to the clerk that he had made further enquiries of Cornwall Council’s planning department as to progress with the enforcement of the S106 agreement on the land and was still awaiting a response. The clerk said he was now in contact with Mr Colin Sellars, the department’s group leader, but was similarly awaiting a response.
041410
PARKING ORDERS
– Update
The clerk reported he had that day received draft drawings for the extended yellow lines at New Road and at Gerrans Hill. He said that if upon detailed inspection they appeared to be as the PC had requested he would instruct Cormac to proceed . This was agreed. Action clerk
– Contribution from St Just in Roseland PC
The clerk reported he had received a query regarding the amount that St Just would contribute towards the cost of the TRO for which Gerrans PC had just paid, and which included some works in St Mawes. Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) that as £500 had been the figure agreed from the outset, that should be the amount now requested from St Just. Carried unanimously.Action clerk
– To approve renewal of the CEO contract with Cornwall Council
The clerk reported the proposed agreement for 2014 was for the same hours at the same rate as for 2013. Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) the agreement be approved. This was agreed unanimously but some members said they would like to have sight of the contract for information. Action clerk
041411
CAR PARKS
-New Road Update
The clerk reported that work was scheduled to start on the surface repairs and drainage improvements 0n Monday 28th April.
– Treloan Lane Update
Cllr Case said there had still been no meeting to agree a proposed job specification for ground alterations due to illness.
041412
FOOTPATHS MAINTENANCE
The clerk reported that he was still awaiting the documentation for the SWCP paths. There were now 3 contractors who had expressed interest. He said that he and Cllr Morse intended to walk all the footpaths during the next month to assess their condition. Cllr Meek offered his assistance also. The clerk was asked to place the awarding of the contract on the agenda for May. Action clerk
041413
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
Portscatho : The clerk said he was now in receipt of the Landlord’s consent to alterations as specified in the PC’s planning application PA14/01326, and Cornwall Council’s proposed lease. Councillors were concerned that the lease specified no start date or lease term, and no lease plan was included. Cllrs German and Hatwood agreed to liaise with the Landlord re the changes necessary and seek to obtain an engrossed lease for signature at the May meeting.
Cllr German reported that Smiths Gore would charge £1,200 for advertising the tender and conditions of a sub-lease. He circulated a letter from them detailing the works required to bring the property into tenantable condition. Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Taffinder) that to save expense the PC should advertise the vacancy itself via Roseland Online and the Roseland Magazine. This was agreed unanimously.
041414
FINANCIAL MATTERS
ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
It was resolved that the outstanding invoices in the total sum of £19,251.95 (including VAT of £2,492.56) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th March 2014 was £52,712.38
STATUS TO BUDGET
All payments were within budget as adjusted by minuted Council decisions.
041415
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
The clerk said he had been in contact with the firm which carried out the repair to the church clock last year, and they were able to come at the end of April to carry out a service and repairs as necessary. The firm had offered an annual maintenance agreement for £160 plus VAT per annum. The clerk was authorised to approve fees for this April’s visit up to £200 plus VAT.
Cllr Hatwood asked if the PC would be taking over minor road repairs such as pot-holes. Cllr Hetherington said that as Cornwall Council were cutting planned road maintenance, a dialogue with parish councils was to be opened. He said the PC could post an enquiry via Mark Obrien, the local Network Panel manager as to exactly what might be done. The clerk was asked to write to Mr Obrien to enquire as to the practicalities, the possibility of funding, and to establish issues such as public liability. Action clerk
Cllr German asked whether the PC received any rental income from boat storage at Percuil car park. The clerk replied that in the last financial year the PC received approximately £2,300 plus VAT.
Cllr German also raised an objection from a parishioner to the size and prominence of signs advertising a catering establishment on the road from Trewithian towards St Mawes. Councillors felt this should be a matter for the individual parishioner to take up with the proprietor.
041416
RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE PUBLIC TO WITHDRAW FOR ITEM 17
Cllr Taffinder proposed the resolution on the grounds that item 17 involved a private negotiation between the clerk and his employer. It was seconded by Cllr Greenslade and passed unanimously.
041417
REVIEW OF CLERK’S PAY AND CONDITIONS
(The clerk left the room during the Council’s deliberations)
Cllr Taffinder reported on a letter addressed to her and the Finance Committee from the clerk. The letter expressed the clerk’s opinion that his pay scale was no longer appropriate to his duties and experience according to the NALC’s benchmarking guide, which he attached to the letter. He requested to be paid according to pay scale SCP 26. After discussion Cllr Taffinder proposed (seconded by Cllr Greenslade) that this request be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
The clerk returned to the room and was informed of the decision and of the course of events for the minutes.
The meeting closed at 9.46 pm