Gerrans Parish Council

MINUTES of the Meeting of Gerrans Parish Council

held on Tuesday 3^rd October 2017

in the Memorial Hall Annexe

NEXT MEETING – Tuesday 7^th November 2017 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Annexe

Present:

Cllrs Mary Bax (MB), Richard Cochrane (RC), Robin Edwards (RE), Ralph German (RG), Helen Hastings (HH), James Hetherington (JH), Rick Iddison (RI), Val Neal (VN), Charlotte Taffinder (CT) ( Chairman);

S Skull (Clerk), CC Julian German (JG)

 

3 members of the public attended.

 

101701

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

– Cllrs Gill, Meek

101702

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

-RI declared a non registerable interest in PA17/09053, to be discussed in item 7 on the agenda.

101703

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Hugh Syms spoke in support of his proposed planning application in respect of 2 the Quay, Portscatho, site of the old Post Office. The intention was to seek change of use so that the whole building would be a single residential house, used as a holiday home and also for holiday letting. Mr Syms had previously submitted a pre-application enquiry to Cornwall Council. The plans had been distributed to PC members prior to this meeting, albeit at relatively short notice, for their information / feedback. The initial consensus of Councillors was that there would be concerns over the loss of commercial space in the village, of which there was already a shortage, parking, and some aspects of the proposed design. There was an exchange of questions and answers and it was agreed that all issues arising could be more fully and formally addressed in the event of an actual application being submitted.

101704

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The Council accepted the draft minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5^th September 2017 as being a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.

101705

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – ITEMS FOR REPORT / DISCUSSION

The clerk reported:

1. A correspondence had been commenced with the Bosom Buddies charity and the proposal to site a clothing bank in the Parish. Nothing had yet been confirmed.
2. Mr Richard Sharpe had confirmed that work had begun on installing the new mobile mast at Roseland Squash Club but he could not as yet give a completion date.

101706

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

1. Cornwall Council

Invitation to members to attend an Electoral Review conference. Members considered that, given their experience in the recent consultation by the Boundaries Commission, there was little point in sending a representative.

2. Devon and Cornwall Police

Acknowledgement from Superintendent Sarah Crane of the PC’s letter of 13^th June to the Chief Constable concerning falling Police numbers amongst rural communities. Members considered that the content of the letter gave little reassurance that matters were likely to improve, and that there was little point in continuing the correspondence.

 

There was no further correspondence which would not be addressed in other items on the agenda.

 

101707

PLANNING MATTERS

(a) Applications

The PC had received 3 new applications. These are outlined below and comments are noted in the Planning Register.

 

Application	Description	PC decision
PA17/07899	Replacement garage/store, Land at Bohortha.	Unanimous support
PA17/08353	Replacement of LPG boilers and installation of new flues through walls. 1 & 2 the Court, access to Bohortha.	Majority object. 6 object, 3 support. Unnecessary harm to character of listed building. Inadequate justification.   RNDP policy CV2 applies.
PA17/09053	Extension and conversion to residential. The Barn, Higher Tregassa.	Unanimous support

(RI left the room during discussion of PA17/09053)

 

(b) Decisions

Application	GPC comment	CC Decision
PA17/06909 re Land adj Chapel House	Object	Refused
PA17/07454 re Tregaire Barton Farm	Object	Approved

(c) Enforcement matters

– To consider an alleged breach of planning regulations at Land adj. Chapel House, Well Lane.

The clerk read out the PC’s current protocol for considering allegations of this kind. After discussion RE proposed (seconded HH) that no action be taken in this case. This was carried by eight votes to one.

The clerk said there were no other current ongoing enforcement cases to report.

(d) Representation to Sarah Newton MP

Members considered a draft letter to Mrs Newton compiled by JH with input during the past month from HH. RG proposed (seconded HH) that the draft, with one minor amendment, be approved. Members agreed unanimously and thanked JH and HH for their efforts. Action clerk to send

(e) Roseland Character Guide

JH considered the Guide to be a sterling piece of work which deserved positive feedback from the PC. HH thought it was particularly helpful in that it dealt with each village individually.

RG proposed (seconded RE) that the PC should respond that it would certainly use the Guide in the assessment of future planning applications, and that thanks should be expressed to all who contributed to the document’s production. Carried unanimously. Action clerk to send

101708

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

– None this month

101709

LOCALISM

– No localism issues this month

101710

PERCUIL PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

The clerk said a local contractor had agreed to quote for the work, and that his quote could be used as a template to seek others if necessary.

RI said he had been advised that the large tree on private property immediately behind the block was in danger of damaging the block and its roots might be causing an obstruction to the drains, which were now overflowing. The clerk was asked to arrange for the drains to be pumped and to seek advice about the tree. Action clerk

101711                                               

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 £4,239.94 (including VAT of £146.38) be paid. A schedule of all the payments is available from the clerk.

BANK RECONCILIATION

The reconciled bank balance as at 25^th July was £69,740.87.

101712

OTHER PARISH MATTERS

1. Any urgent business

– None

2. Matters to be included on the next agenda

– Review of condition of car parks and prioritisation of possible improvement works.

3. Minor items for report

– Members were concerned about the foul smell of slurry spread over local farmland. JG said he would clarify the relevant rules wit the Environmental Health Department.

– RG was concerned about possibly abandoned cars in Treloan Lane car park. The clerk said he would investigate. Action clerk

– The clerk reminded members of the training session on the Code of Conduct scheduled for the following week at St Mawes.

 

The meeting closed at 8.59 pm