Gerrans Parish Council

MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council

held on Tuesday 2^nd February 2016

in the Memorial Hall Annexe

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 1^st March 2016 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe

Present:

Cllrs German, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Neal, Taffinder ( Chairman);

CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)

 

3 members of the public attended.

 

021601

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

The Chairman read out a statement in respect of the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 reminding those in attendance and participating in the meeting that they were liable to be filmed, recorded, photographed or otherwise recorded.

 

021602

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllrs Greenslade, Edwards and Case

 

021603

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

None

 

021604

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mrs Brenda Collins said that the view of the bay from New Road was still impeded by the overgrown hedge at the lay by. The clerk said the matter was in hand.

 

021605

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on 5^th January 2016 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.

 

021606

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING

The clerk reported:

– he had still received no suggestions from Cornwall Council for a physical remedy to resolve the issue of dangerous parking opposite the Plume of Feathers but was continuing to pursue the matter.

– he had discussed on site the matter of drainage of excess water run-off at the gate at the bottom of New Road car park with Phil White of the National Trust. Mr White had expressed the concern that merely to divert the flow would eventually just carve another fissure running down to the cliff. He had suggested an alternative scheme using a gulley drain at the top of the steps and was preparing a job specification and quote for the job. Mr White had said similar systems were being successfully employed at Pendower and Towan.

– he had contacted 3 contractors about the required tree surgery in the Parish and was awaiting quotes.

– he had replied to the letter from the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors of Gerrans School. His reply had been acknowledged and there had been no further developments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

021607

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

1. Letter from Mr David Hall

Mr Hall is co-ordinator of the Wild Roseland Ecology Group and has invited the PC to be involved in that Group’s Wild Flower Project. He has offered to attend the PC meeting on 1^st March to address parishioners on the subject and to answer any questions. It was unanimously agreed that the clerk should reply to Mr Hall, inviting him to do so. Action clerk

 

2. Notification from Cornwall Council

Invitation to comment on a proposed submission document involving significant changes to the Draft Local Plan. The consultation runs until 7^th March. The clerk was asked to make this an agenda item at the next meeting. Action clerk

 

3. Gerrans Church Christmas Tree Festival

“Thank you” cards from Jenny Keymer and Rev Jill Edwards for the PC’s contribution. The tree was donated by Cllr Taffinder and decorated by Cllr Neal.

 

021608

PLANNING MATTERS

APPLICATIONS

 

Application	Description	PC decision
PA16/00225	Conversion of detached domestic store to full time residential unit. 40, Churchtown Road	Majority support: 5:support, 2: object 1: abstain (Cllr Meek)
PA16/00548	Non material amendments to two windows at 7 Wellington Terrace	Majority support: 7: Support 1: Object (Cllr German)
PA16/00717	Amendment to PA15/08536. Change of internal alterations at Pendennis, New Road.	Majority support: 6: support, 1: object 1: abstain

 

 

 

 

 

DECISIONS

Application	GPC comment	CC Decision
PA15/11135 – Quay house, Portscatho	Majority support	Approved

 

ENFORCEMENT MATTERS

Nothing to report

 

021609

LOCALISM

Community Assets Listing

The clerk reported that he had received confirmation of the official listing of the Heritage Centre as a Community Asset.

Cornwall Council’s Local Devolution Fund

Cllr Hetherington said that the next meeting of the Community Network Panel would be considering this, and looking for an indication of the nature, location, purpose and likely benefit to the community of any projects nominated. Cllrs Hatwood and Iddison said they would liaise and bring a proposal in respect of the Fishermen’s Shelter to the next meeting. CC Julian German suggested the PC could look to take on the freehold of the Centre and surroundings, as devolution was at the core of the scheme. The clerk was asked to make preliminary enquiries in this regard. Action clerk

Playground adjacent to Gerrans School

The clerk said he was in correspondence with Cornwall Council (CC) over the question of a dormant lease which the PC has historically held, but on which no rent has been paid for some years. CC were asking whether the PC wished to continue its tenancy or perhaps apply for the freehold of the land. After debate, Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Iddison) that the PC declare itself in principle in favour of taking on the freehold. Voting was 7 to 1 in favour so the clerk was asked to communicate this to CC. Action clerk

 

Truro and the Roseland Network Community Panel

Cllr Hetherington had attended the latest Panel meeting and reported that mostly issues not directly affecting this Parish were discussed, apart from the Devolution Fund. More generally, observations were welcomed on the provision locally of adult social care. The clerk reminded the meeting that the Panel’s meeting on May 17^th was booked in at the annexe at Gerrans Parish Memorial Hall.

 

021610

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

There were no reports which did not feature in other agenda items.

 

021611

CHURCH CLOSE OPEN SPACE LAND

The clerk reported that completion date for the lease on the extra parcel of land was now set for 10^th February.

 

The clerk also presented a quote for the ongoing grass management at the site. No other tenders had been received. Cllr Iddison declared a non registerable interest in that the contractor concerned also did work for his business. Cllr Hatwood proposed (seconded by Cllr Hetherington) that the quote be accepted and a contract awarded for 12 months during which performance would be monitored, and at the end of which the situation would be reviewed. Cllr Iddison did not vote, and the proposal was unanimously supported by the remaining Councillors.

 

021612

PARISH CAR PARKS

The clerk reported he had still received no formal offer from Cornwall Council in the matter of lease review or freehold transfer. It was agreed that on receipt of any offer, a joint meeting of the Car Parks and Finance Committees should be called to consider it, and the matter should again be on the agenda at the next full meeting. Action clerk

 

021613

PORTSCATHO PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

The clerk said the final engrossed version of the main lease on Portscatho toilets had now been signed and returned to Cornwall Council.

 

021614

STREET LIGHTING

Cllr Iddison reported he had as yet made no progress in discussing with residents the possibility of installing some sort of lighting on the footpath between Churchtown Road and California Gardens. It was agreed to put the matter on the next agenda. Action clerk

 

021615

FINANCIAL MATTERS

 

CLERK’S REPORT

The clerk reported that all payments submitted for approval were materially within budget, or within forecast and agreed contingency levels where actual figures were unknown at the time of setting the budget.

 

ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was resolved that the outstanding invoices totalling £4,122.59 (including VAT of £389.06) be paid. A schedule of these payments is available from the clerk.

 

BANK RECONCILIATION

The reconciled bank balance as at 25^th January was £48,147.43

 

REVIEW OF BUDGET FOR 2016 / 2017

Cllr Taffinder reported that the Finance Committee, at their meeting on 26^th January, had reviewed the final budget for the financial year ending 31^st March 2017 and its accompanying notes, copies of which had since been forwarded to all members. She proposed (seconded by Cllr Hetherington) that the budget be approved. Seven Councillors voted in favour and Cllr German abstained. Budget approved.

 

 

 

021616

OTHER PARISH MATTERS

 

1. Any urgent business

 

– None

 

2. Matters to be included on the next agenda

 

– None other than as minuted previously.

 

3. Minor items for report

 

Cllr German reported that a fallen tree was obstructing the path from Treventon Road to the cricket field. The clerk said he would investigate. Action clerk

 

Cllr German also enquired whether the exterior perimeter of Gerrans Green could be sprayed against weeds.

 

Cllr Hatwood reported the continuing erosion of the bank in front of Nos. 1 and 2, Springfield.

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting closed at 9.05 pm