Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held as a virtual meeting
On Thursday 20 August 2020 at 7pm
Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), J Blackmore, J Gann, J Morgan, G Shephard, P Simpson, J Whatty.
In Attendance Cllr. J Mustoe (Ward Member), Andrew Abbott and Kirsty Lewis (Director and Deputy Director of Primary Care, NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group), Neal Rankin (Secretary to Nare Court Residents Company Ltd, P Howson (Clerk), 10 members of the public.
UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED
- The Chairman announced the resignation from the Council of Nigel Florence.
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs. Hereward, Facey, Robinson and Nathan.
The Chairman wished Cllr. Hereward well during his course of treatment.
Cllr. Mustoe apologised that he would have to leave the meeting early.
- Cllr. Roberts declared an interest in agenda item 17.
- Andrew Abbott and Kirsty Lewis summarised events leading up to the Veor Group withdrawing from their contract to provide services at Mevagissey surgery from 14 September, the exercise currently underway to find an alternative means of providing these services in the future, and the possible outcomes from this exercise. They then took questions from Councillors and members of the public.
- Neal Rankin explained that Nare Court’s insurer of many years has withdrawn from providing cover for blocks of flats and it has proved impossible to date to find a replacement who is prepared to provide public liability insurance for the viewing platform above Stuckumb Point, and access has been closed until this is resolved. It was acknowledged that this was in contravention of the S106 agreement which was a planning condition, enforceable by the LPA. Various suggestions were made by members and Mr Rankin will keep the Clerk and the Ward Member informed of developments.
- Public participation.
Alice Foard asked that any further information provided by NHS Kernow be shared with the public. The Chairman said that all information would be shared unless NHS Kernow indicated that it was In Confidence;
Andrew Potter spoke on agenda item 9a, seeking the Council’s agreement with the proposed works at 11 Tregoney Hill.
- Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Gann that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 be accepted. Carried.
- The Clerk reported that:
- The temporary one-way scheme on Polkirt Hill was implemented on Monday 10th August;
- A replacement advisory traffic sign has been deployed on Valley Road;
- Facey has cleaned the village sign at the Tregiskey crossroads;
- A claim for a Small Business Grant Fund of £10,000 towards COVID-19 relief has been submitted;
- The trash screen improvement works on the Mevagissey Stream were delayed but were due to resume on 13 August and complete by the end of the month;
- Following the suspension of the no. 23 bus service serving School Hill because of the scaffolding at Central Café, the bus company agreed to reinstate the service, but turning at Trevalsa Court to retrace back to Tregiskey before turning down to the Trevarth stop.
The Chairman wondered whether the village sign at Tregiskey should be replaced with a new design but the consensus was to retain it.
- The Ward Member presented his report which can be seen on the Council’s website.
- Planning and Enforcement. The Chairman referred to CC’s recent briefing on the new planning regulations and asked for this to be added to the agenda for the next meeting and that members should look at the presentation when it is published in advance of the meeting.
9a. PA20/00869 : Listed building consent for various internal and external proposed works (amended plans). 11 Tregoney Hill Mevagissey PL26 6RD. Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the application should be supported subject to the views of the Conservation Officer. Amendment moved by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard and Carried, that the support should be subject to the production of a Construction Traffic Management Plan showing how disruption to traffic will be managed. Substantive motion Carried.
9b. PA20/03600 : Retrospective planning permission for erection of wooden non-fixed sauna to existing patio in rear garden. Skysail Polkirt Hill Mevagissey PL26 6UX.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that the Council has no objection. Carried.
9c. PA20/02210 : Construction of a terrace of three houses and a detached one and a half storey house, reconstruction of existing pedestrian access and adaption of existing car parking (previously approved under PA18/08553). Land Adjacent 38 Kiln Close Mevagissey PL26 6TP. To review previous Objection following meeting with architect.
Proposed by Cllr. Gann that a further response should be deferred until discussions had taken place with the Conservation Officer, but there was no Seconder. It was agreed that further attempts to engage with the planning case officer were futile and the LPA were not going to pull down a building just because it extended two feet further than the previously approved plans, so a line should be drawn under such considerations. However, it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Area Planning Leader, copied to the Conservation Officer, taking issue with his handling of the application and the lack of courtesy shown by the case officer with no appreciation of the strong local feeling and a refusal to engage with the Council at a site meeting. This development is now on the market as a finished product with no landscaping and management plan in place despite intruding into a key view from the village centre of the conservation area.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that the Council Objects because there has been no action taken to provide a landscaping plan to ensure appropriate screening and there has been no attempt to seek the views of the Conservation Officer. Carried.
9d. PA20/02838 : Proposed annexe and first-floor extension. Highbury 5 Higher Lavorrick Mevagissey PL26 6TB
To review previous Objection following site meeting. Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Gann that following a site meeting the Parish Council maintains its objection to this application on the same grounds, ie it would constitute an overdevelopment of the site and cause loss of light and amenity to the neighbouring property on the north-western side. It has been suggested that the recently approved application at no. 2 provides a precedent, but an inspection of the approved plans show this not to be the case. Alternative possibilities for expansion at the rear of the property, rather than at the side, exist and the Council would look more favourably at proposals in that area. The Council also objects to that part of the scheme which sees the creation of a parking platform for four cars by raising the level of the front garden. This would impact negatively on the street scene. Carried.
9e. PA20/01494/PREAPP : Pre application advice for proposed works to extend into the roof space of the main dwelling and the annexe , create new entrances and access and extend the decking around the building and to divide the dwelling and annexe into a pair of semi detached dwellings. Cosy Nook Valley Road Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6SB (not a consultation). The Clerk was instructed to remind the LPA that if a new dwelling was created it would be subject to a principal residence requirement (Mevagissey NDP Policy HO1).
9f. PA20/05679 : Non material amendment to adjust access to proposed dwelling land in respect of decision notice PA13/06204. The Retreat Vicarage Hill Mevagissey PL26 6SY. Note: This is a retrospective application. A holding objection was submitted pending ratification. Proposed by Cllr. Gann, Seconded by Cllr. Blackmore that the Council confirms its objection to the application because the revised parking space for the new dwelling does not permit turning and vehicles would have to reverse onto the highway. Carried.
Cllr. Mustoe had to leave the meeting at this point.
9g. PA20/04460 : Extensions to front, side and rear elevations. 28 Higher Lavorrick Mevagissey PL26 6TB
The Council is concerned, having been assured that the proposed oil tank would be located in the back garden rather than the front garden, and been notified of the revised drawing submitted by the applicant to support this change, that the application has now been approved on the basis that the tank will be in the front garden but must be screened by vegetation. This was a further example of the apparent breakdown in co-operation from the LPA and the Council will now seek a meeting with the Head of Planning to air grievances and press for improvements.
9h. To receive an update on planning enforcement cases.
i) Property 1 at Portmellon: Enforcement case EN20/00602: investigation still underway.
ii) Property 2 at Portmellon: Enforcement case EN20/00913 was notified by CC on 28/07/20.
iii) Landscaping at properties on School Hill: Proposed by Cllr. Gann, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the claims made by CC in their email of 20 July should be challenged and raised with the Head of Planning, and that if the issues raised are dismissed yet again they should be escalated above CC . Carried.
iv) WC and boat storage at Portmellon car park. No update.
9i. The following planning decisions have been received (for information only):
PA19/09527 (and associated Listed Building application PA19/09758) : Application, part retrospective, to replace existing rotten pitched roof over rear extension with flat amenity area; create platform at first floor level within inner yard, with spiral staircase to amenity area; replace one rotten window with timber French doors giving access to platform; replace remaining rotten windows with timber; replace rotten lintel over back door; remove part of internal partition in rear extension. 41 Cliff Street Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6QJ REFUSAL
PA20/04460 : Extensions to front, side and rear elevations. 28 Higher Lavorrick Mevagissey PL26 6TB
APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
- To approve the monthly finances.
| Bills to Pay | Salaries | £ | 970.74 | ||
| HMRC (PAYE) | £ | 242.60 | |||
| West Wharf PC July waste collections | £ | 83.90 | |||
| Valley Rd PC additional hygiene services 01/07/20 – 28/09/20 | £ | 56.02 | |||
| W Wharf PC additional hygiene services 01/07/20 – 07/09/20 | £ | 35.59 | |||
| Operate Valley Road PC August 2020 | £ | 996.15 | |||
| Operate West Wharf PC August 2020 | £ | 1,058.29 | |||
| West Wharf PC water 26/06/20 – 03/08/20 | £ | 374.92 | (paid) | ||
| West Wharf PC electricity 02/06/20 – 01/08/20 | £ | 46.88 | (paid) | ||
| Monthly subscription to Zoom (repaid to Clerk) | £ | 14.39 | |||
| Parish phone top-up (repaid to Clerk) | £ | 10.00 | |||
| LMP (SWCP 2nd cut) | £ | 325.78 | (paid) | ||
| Replace tap at Valley Rd PC | £ | 75.00 | (paid) | ||
| Extra-strong large liners for street bins | £ | 40.97 | (paid) | ||
| Replace secure door lock at West Wharf PC | £ | 140.00 | (paid) | ||
| Attendants at public toilets 01/08/20 – 08/08/20 | £ | 1,030.00 | (paid) | ||
| Attendants at public toilets 08/08/20 – 14/08/20 | £ | 1,040.00 | (paid) | ||
| Valley Rd PC hygiene services Sep-Dec | £ | 265.22 | |||
| West Wharf PC hygiene services Sep-Dec | £ | 302.59 | |||
| Valley Rd PC electricity 02/06/20 – 31/07/20 | £ | 25.53 | (paid) | ||
| TOTAL | £ | 7,134.57 | |||
| Accounts | Amount available to spend as of last meeting | £ | 94,842.23 | ||
| Expenditure last month | £ | 5,421.68 | |||
| plus Attendants at public toilets 11/07/20 – 01/08/20 | £ | 2,310.00 | |||
| Waterproof bin signs | £ | 74.77 | |||
| Traffic consultation letters | £ | 315.99 | |||
| Extra Covid-related consumables for public toilets | £ | 190.39 | |||
| Available to spend | £ | 86,529.40 | |||
| Bank Statements (01/08/2020) | |||||
| Current Account | £ | 529.48 | |||
| Deposit Account | £ | 85,999.92 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 86,529.40 |
It was noted that £280 for materials for the bin store at West Wharf PC and £1,070 for toilet attendants during the week ended 21 August had been paid since the agenda was published.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Gann that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid. Carried.
- Cllr. Facey was unable to attend because he was carrying out Flood Warden duties, but he had sent a report following the risk assessment of the public toilets he had completed with Cllr. Gann, indicating some further improvements to be made and commending Gary Farr and his team for their performance. The Council wished to record its appreciation of the excellent work being carried out by Gary and his team.
- It was agreed that the temporary one-way system on Polkirt Hill was achieving its objective, despite problems with signs being moved. The need for monitoring was acknowledged, as was the lack of resource to do this, and it was noted that there were many learning points for any future such scheme.
- Cllr. Morgan reported that the litter bin initiative was working well, and thanked the street cleaners, Mark and Andy, for coping with the extra work. She said that their task would be much easier if they had a blower/shredder machine, which CC had declined to provide. Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard that such a machine should be obtained for their use. Carried.
- Cllr. Whatty said that, given the late hour, he would defer his update from the Climate Emergency Working Group.
- There was no further discussion regarding the operation of the surgery.
- The Council considered the temporary closure of public access to the viewing point at Nare Court and agreed to look again when there was any development.
- To ratify the Traffic Management Working Group (TMWG)’s proposal to grant £6,000 to the Harbour Trustees as compensation for potential loss of parking fees. Cllr. Roberts withdrew for this item, having declared an interest.
17a. The Vice-Chairman being absent, it was Proposed by Cllr. Gann, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that Cllr. Shephard would act as Chairman. Carried.
17b. It was explained that the TMWG had met in the River Street car park on 21 July with CC’s Community Link Officer (CLO) to review the impact of traffic on the ability of pedestrians to maintain social distancing in the village centre. Sometime around the beginning of the month the CLO had joined members of the Community Support Group in an informal ‘walkabout’ to consider traffic options, as a result of which CC Highways had deployed two signs on the Valley Road to encourage visitors to park at the earliest opportunity rather than drive into the village centre, and on 5 July Mevagissey Harbour Trustees (MHT) had voiced their objection to this because of the possible impact on their own income from harbour parking dues (these two signs then shortly disappeared, which was reported to the police as a theft). Hugh Bowles, MHT’s representative on the TMWG, repeated that objection at the 21 July meeting. The meeting was considering extending the signage to discourage traffic and, to overcome the resistance from MHT, it was suggested that the Parish Council might offer compensation for income lost as a result of the signage. Mr Bowles thought the amount lost was c. £12,000, so the figure of £6,000 was agreed. However, because the TMWG’s delegated powers did not extend to making financial payments to third parties, this proposal had to be ratified by the full Council.
17c. At this point, it was Proposed by Cllr. Gann, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that Standing Orders be suspended to allow the meeting to proceed beyond 3 hours. Carried.
17d. It was further explained that the TMWG meeting had agreed the deployment of a large sign at the Tregiskey crossroads diverting all unnecessary traffic to Portmellon via Gorran High Lanes to avoid the village entirely, and three signs at intervals on the Valley Road to replace the two that had been stolen. It was understood that the CLO would arrange for this signage to be deployed by CC Highways. In the event, none of this was deployed except for one sign on the Valley Road which did not appear until 14 August. The Council therefore considers that the impact on MHT’s harbour parking dues as a direct result of any temporary signage, rather than as a result of the pandemic and associated lockdown, may be considerably less than they had at first thought.
17e. Proposed by Cllr. Gann, Seconded by Cllr. Morgan that the Council should defer until the November meeting any further consideration of a grant to MHT, by which time the impact of the temporary signage would be better understood, and that it would be dependent on receipt from MHT of a detailed comparison of parking income from the start of lockdown until the end of October this year and for the same period last year, together with details of any pandemic-related grant funding which MHT may have received from elsewhere. Carried.
17f. Cllr. Roberts returned to the meeting.
- It was agreed to use Cllr. Shephard’s draft response to Cornwall Council’s consultation on the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document (DPD) Pre-Submission Report as the basis for the Council’s response.
- It was noted that the Red Ensign would be flown as usual on Merchant Navy Day.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Morgan that £200 be donated to Seafarers UK for their Merchant Navy Fund Emergency Appeal. Carried.
- The Council considered revisions to the existing signage at Tregiskey crossroads. Given the late hour it was agreed to ask CC Highways for more time, but it was agreed that the left turn sign for ‘Polstreath’ should be removed.
- Cllr. Gann wants the Mevagissey Community Land Trust (CLT) Working Group, aka the Housing Working Group, to reach out to the public to gather information about housing needs other than what is reflected on the Housing Register to identify people who may be ‘falling through the gaps’. He asked whether he could invite non-councillors onto the group to assist with this and it was agreed that he could.
- Lee Price and Dale Drake introduced themselves and were co-opted to fill the casual vacancies on the council arising from the previous resignations of Teresa Barron and John Daniel. The Chairman welcomed them both and looked forward to seeing them at the next meeting.
- This was Cllr. Blackmore’s last meeting following her move to Somerset, and the Council joined in wishing her all the best for the future.
- The meeting ended at 10.20pm. Date of next meeting: 17 September 2020 (virtual meeting unless advised otherwise).
Signed …………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………