Gerrans Parish Council
MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council
held on Tuesday 3rd May 2016
in the Memorial Hall Annexe
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 7th June 2016 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe
Present:
Cllrs German, Greenslade, Hatwood, Hetherington, Iddison, Meek, Morse, Neal, Taffinder ( Chairman);
CC J German, S Skull (Clerk)
2 members of the public attended.
051601
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.
051602
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Taffinder was the only candidate (nominated by Cllr Greenslade, seconded by Cllr Iddison) and was re-elected to the post by eight votes in favour, with Cllr German abstaining.
051603
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Case, Edwards
051604
ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Hetherington was the only candidate for deputy chairman (nominated by Cllr Greenslade, seconded by Cllr Neal) and was re-elected to the post by eight votes in favour, with Cllr German abstaining.
The clerk produced a list of the existing committee appointments and it was unanimously agreed to make no changes, although Cllr Neal said she would consider volunteering to serve in some capacity and report at the next meeting.
051605
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Taffinder declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the proposed devolution of the Fishermen’s Shelter (included in item 12 on the agenda) by reason of her husband’s employment.
051606
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Brenda Collins suggested that a system of rising bollards could be used to address the problem of dangerous parking opposite the Plume of Feathers.
CC Julian German apologised that he would have to leave the meeting early, so it was agreed to bring forward consideration of Cornwall Council’s decision to approve with conditions PA16/01329 re Trewince Manor, included in item 10 on the agenda. The PC had objected to the application, and after the Case Officer had indicated he was minded to recommend approval, requested that it go before the Planning Committee for resolution. Notification had since been received that the application had been approved by delegated powers with no Committee hearing. The Officer stated that he had “discussed the application at length with the local Member” (CC Julian German).
CC German said that he had taken the view that in light of the fact that the Conservation Officer had indicated there was no need for formal consultation regarding any impact to heritage assets the likelihood was there was no prospect of success for the PC at Committee. Councillors expressed their frustration and displeasure that, not for the first time, a request for a Committee hearing had been disregarded by Cornwall Council. The clerk was asked to send to Mr Phil Mason, Head of Planning, a letter to be drafted by Cllr Hetherington expressing that frustration and displeasure. Action clerk
051607
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5th April 2016 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
051608
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
Cllr German noted that a letter of complaint about noise nuisance had been sent to the occupant of No 7, The Quay but pointed out that it had been agreed at the April meeting to send one also to No 6 The Quay. The clerk said he would draft a suitable letter. Action clerk
051609
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
There was no correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.
051610
PLANNING MATTERS
APPLICATIONS
The PC had received 1 new application. This is outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.
| Application | Description | PC decision |
| PA16/03467 | Demolition of existing dormer bungalow and construction of a contemporary family dwelling at Ansells, Rosevine | Unanimous object. No necessity to replace existing building. Form and materials out of keeping. Increase in overall height. |
DECISIONS
| Application | GPC comment | CC Decision |
| PA16/01329 – Trewince Manor | Object | Approved |
| PA15/00128 – Tregaire Barton Farm | Support | Approved |
| PA15/01877 – 3, Treventon Road | Support | Approved |
ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
Cllr Taffinder said she had received a complaint from the neighbouring property to Knightor Vineyard about alleged planning consent infringements. The neighbours had themselves lodged a complaint with the enforcement authorities. Councillors agreed that, as a complaint file had already been opened, there was no point in lodging a separate complaint, but the clerk was asked to contact enforcement to say the PC had been approached, and was interested in being informed of the outcome of any investigation. Action clerk
051611
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Cllr Hetherington had attended the Network Community Panel meeting on April 12th at which two health initiatives had been discussed – “Living Well”, a multi-agency scheme focussed on improving quality of life and social integration of the elderly, and “E-consult” a diagnosis service accessible from home.
Cllr German said the Roseland Surgeries Patients’ Group (RSPG) had successfully applied for a grant of £3,000 towards the set-up costs of a drop-in café, and was looking for volunteers to help with the project. Cllr Meek welcomed the initiative and said the PC would do well to reach out to organisations such as the RSPG, the Regatta Committee and the mobile library and invite them to come to talk about their various activities, and perhaps identify possible opportunities for co-operation. Other Councillors agreed and the clerk was asked to contact the RSPG, as a start, to invite them to send a representative to the next PC meeting. Action clerk
051612
LOCALISM
– Fishermen’s Shelter funding bid
Cllr Hetherington summarised Cllr Hatwood’s report on his attendance at the AGM of the Portscatho Harbour Users’ Association (PHUA) on 9th April. He said that in essence the PHUA had made it clear that they neither wanted, nor felt the need for, any assistance from the PC in the matter of the refurbishment and ongoing management of the Shelter. After discussion it was agreed to withdraw the PC’s bid for funding for this project, to put on hold its bid for the transfer of the freehold of the Shelter and surrounds and invite the PHUA to a meeting to discuss the PC’s concern that, although the Shelter is listed as a “Community Asset” and the PC would have the right to bid to buy it should Cornwall Council (CC) ever decide to put it up for sale, nevertheless there would be no protection for the community against losing the facility should CC decide to lease the Shelter, for example to a catering franchise. Action clerk to draft and circulate invitation to PHUA
– Tesco “Bags of Help” Community funding scheme
The clerk read out the basic details of a previously circulated publicity flyer from Tesco inviting applications from local organisations for grant funding for community projects. Three schemes would be selected from the applicants and the grant recipients would be decided by “exit ballots” of Tesco customers in Truro. As the deadline was 2nd June and the next PC meeting not until 7th June, the clerk suggested applying for funds to refurbish the children’s playground, as he had just received the emailed RoSPA report detailing potential works. This was unanimously agreed. Action clerk
051613
CHURCH CLOSE – UPDATE
The clerk read out a formal confirmation from Cornwall Council that the scheme to improve the open space amenity had been accepted as qualifying for the lodged S106 monies. He said he would now move to invite a number of contractors to visit the site and make suggestions as to what facilities might be appropriate, with costings.
051614
CAR PARKING
The clerk reported that he had received from Cornwall Council the new draft lease re New Road car park late the previous Friday afternoon but it had contained several errors so he had returned it for corrections to be made.
He also presented a first draft of a design received from Cormac for a pavement build-out in Victoria Terrace intended to remedy the issue of dangerous parking. He said comments were awaited from the St Mawes Fire Service, and the design was still in its early stages.
The clerk also reported that he had received from Cornwall Council a draft contract for this year’s attendance by Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO). The contract involved a previously unannounced price rise of 52{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} on last year, and he was intending to enter into correspondence to ascertain the justification for this increase, which, if the same level of enforcement as last year were to be commissioned, would impact severely on the PC’s budget. Councillors wondered whether an alternative means of enforcement was available and the clerk was asked to investigate the possibilities. Action clerk
051615
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
The clerk presented the latest safety report from RoSPA. The conclusion of the report was that the facilities were low risk from a safety point of view and there was no critical work which needed to be done, Councillors felt that despite this the area could do with some refurbishment, particularly the Wendy House. The clerk said he would approach the local builder who repaired the climbing frame to ask for a quote to build a new one using the existing house as a template. Cllr Meek suggested he might be asked to quote to make two, so that one could be installed at Church Close. Action clerk
051616
HARBOUR CLUB BALCONY
– to consider any complaints received following the opening of the new balcony.
The clerk reported he had received no complaints concerning the operation of the new balcony.
051617
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 £3,947.44 (including VAT of £150.24) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk. Cllr German objected to the payment of £187.50 plus VAT to Devon and Cornwall Housing for an S106 certificate. Of the other Councillors, Cllr Meek abstained and seven voted to make the payment, albeit reluctantly, in the interests of finalising the lease.
BANK RECONCILIATION
The reconciled bank balance as at 25th April was £43,432.88
051618
OTHER PARISH MATTERS
- Any urgent business
– None
- Matters to be included on the next agenda
– Cllrs Neal and Iddison expressed concern at the positioning of external boiler flues at the Plume of Feathers on the River Street side at children’s eye level. It was agreed to make this an agenda item for June.
- Minor items for report
– Cllr German reported the roadside bench at New Road had been overgrown but cleared by Mr Luke Dunstone
– Cllr Taffinder reported two broken footpath signposts at Trewithian
The meeting closed at 9.55 pm