MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL
www.mevagisseypcc.co.uk

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre
On Thursday 18 December 2014 at 7pm.

Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chair), J Daniel, J Arthur, G Shephard, J Whatty, S Hrydziuszka, M Facey, J Barron.
In Attendance Cllr. J Mustoe (CC), PJ Howson (Clerk), 5 members of the public.

UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED

1. Apologies received: Cllrs. E Chesterfield, J Morgan, A Williams. N Florence, C Robins.

The chairman reported that Cllr. Chesterfield had been delighted to receive the flowers from the Council, and passed on her thanks to all.

2a. Declarations of interest. None.
2b. Gift Declarations. None.

3. Police Report. A written report was received detailing 3 crimes from 15 October to 16 November as follows: 2 harrassment, 1 use of threatening / abusive / insulting words and behaviour.
A further written report was received detailing 5 crimes from 16 November to 14 December as follows: 1 criminal damage to dwelling, 1 assault occasioning actual bodily harm, 2 burglary domestic, 1 abstract / use electricity without authority. The 2 incidents of burglary took place at the same property in Penwarne Lane a couple of days apart and are currently being investigated by CID. PC Ken Dunn and PCSO Tony Hemming wished all the Councillors and residents of the Parish a Happy and Safe Christmas and New Year.

4. Points from the Public.
Mr Peter Hedger, referring to Agenda Item 13, asked the Council to bear in mind that any extension to the double yellow lines in Cliff Street would result in even more vehicles crammed into Pentillie.
Ms Sue Grigg spoke in opposition to Agenda Item 7a (PA14/11088), stating that it was unreasonable that the proposed fencing on the roof of what was a holiday home should have such an impact on neighbouring residents. Ms Grigg also thanked the Council and Cllr. Mustoe for progressing the cutting back of the bank below Prospect Place.

5. Minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, that the Minutes of 20 November be Accepted. Carried.
Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Daniel, that the Minutes of 12 December be Accepted. Carried.

6. Actions from previous meeting:

08/12: Cllr. Roberts and the Clerk met Beverly Kingdom (Ocean Housing’s Neighbourhood services Officer) on site to discuss the general neglect in Wesley and Meadow Courts. Although the meeting was encouraging, she subsequently informed Cllr. Roberts that the paved areas belonged to Cornwall Council (CC) and the buildings would not be attended to until the next scheduled visit in the maintenance cycle. Cllr. Mustoe asked for details and will pursue it with CC.
Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded By Cllr. Daniel that the Clerk escalate via the media. Carried.

Samuel Dunn (Planning Officer) reported that the agent for the Ava House site had confirmed that the owner would like to develop the land in the future, although the scale and type of development is as yet undecided. Mr Dunn is unwilling to attend a site meeting at present as there is no current planning application to discuss. The Clerk was asked to write to the Agent requesting a meeting to discuss plans. Cllr. Shephard expressed concern that the piecemeal nature of the site might avoid any commitment to affordable housing.

11/20: a quote for signage at Hitler’s Walk is still awaited.

11/18: The alleged dangerous section of SWCP by Chapel Point Lane will be inspected by the Area Ranger.

10/12: The Cormac Contracts Manager (Andy Medlin) has reported that the order for the renovation / repainting of the seats at Hitler’s Walk is now with the contractor and will be undertaken during the next break in the weather.

11/8f: The requested site meeting with the Planning Officer at the disused squash court, Tregoney Hill, is on hold because the application has been withdrawn.

11/16: The maintenance of the grassed area adjacent to 32 & 33 Pentillie is now being discussed between CC and Ocean Housing.

11/19: Cormac plan to repair the railings on the Portmellon slipway in January; and they have said that they will respond to reports of any health and safety risks arising from seaweed washed onto the road and pavements at Portmellon, on the day of reporting if possible.

11/22: Neil Grigg (CC Highways Manager) will consider appropriate signage, in addition to the existing 20mph speed limit, to alert drivers to the presence of children crossing Vicarage Hill to reach the rear entrance to the school.

11/24: CC have denied any responsibility for cutting back the undergrowth on the steep bank on School Hill, despite the fact that they have done so in the past; and their position will not change unless it can be shown that they own it. Cllr. Mustoe will continue to pursue this.

10/14: Cllr. Roberts reported that a quote for the War Memorial gate was still awaited.

09/24: The Clerk noted that he is still awaiting written details of the prioritised list of agreed works in the recreation grounds.

7. Planning.

7a. PA14/11088 : Refurbishment and extension. 29 The Cliff Mevagissey St. Austell PL26 6QT.
Copies of 7 letters of objection had been received. Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Arthur that Council Objects to this proposal. The roof has never been used as a terrace and the introduction of screening and glazing would obscure the view of the harbour from the well used public footpath which passes to the rear of the property, and would be inappropriate in this setting. The proposed extension together with the design of the windows and door would also be out of keeping, and the design proposals as a whole amount to too much inappropriate change within the Conservation Area. Carried.

7b. PA14/11566 : Demolition of existing chalet bungalow and erection of one and a half storey new dwelling to site. Orchard Cottage School Hill Mevagissey Cornwall PL26 6T.
Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Daniel that Council Supports this proposal. Carried.

7c. PA14/11518 : Amended design to a two storey detached dwelling house with room in the roof on land to the West of 22 Portmellon Park. Land To The West Of 22 Portmellon Park Mevagissey Cornwall PL26 6XD.
Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Arthur that Council Supports this application, on condition that the proposed balcony does not intrude into the privacy of the neighbouring property. The Council would also point out that the site is within an Area of Special Character, under which Saved Policy 35 of the Restormel Local Plan restricts an increase in density of development. Carried.

For information only:

7d. PA14/10856 : EIA screening opinion request for proposed residential development. Land Off School Hill.
EIA NOT REQUIRED
7e. PA14/08061 : New three bedroom dwelling to replace existing disused squash court with onsite parking space for three vehicles in adjacent car port. Tregoney Hill. WITHDRAWN

7f. PA14/09609 : Felling of 1 Monterey Pine. 14 Portmellon Park. APPROVED

7g. PA14/10049 : Proposed single storey extension and alterations to existing dwelling. The Cottage 41 Tregoney Hill. APPROVED
7h. PA14/09890 : Dropped kerb to provide vehicular access. 1A Penmeva View. APPROVED

7i. PA14/07820 : Listed Building consent to remove the existing Black-jacked coated slates and re-instate with New Slate. The Candy Shop East Wharf. APPROVED

7j. PA14/09626 : Proposed agricultural machinery store. The Stables, Tregoney Hill. APPROVED

8. Finances

Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid. Carried.

9. Devolution – update. Cormac have said that path cutting plans will be issued by end of December for LMP.
Cllr. Facey reported that Cormac had removed the garden waste box from the cemetery because they kept finding plastic waste in there and did not have time to keep sorting it out, but that they would be emptying the other bins more regularly. Clerk actioned to write asking for clarification.

10. Agree budget for next financial year (deferred from November). A draft budget assuming a 2{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} increase in the Precept was considered, but it was agreed that this was insufficient to provide for the expected levels of Section 137 payments (grants) or the ever increasing pressure to fund works previously provided by CC but now lost to budget cuts. It was noted that a 50{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} increase would add less than £1 per month to a Band D Council Tax bill.
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard that, in anticipation of maintaining services in the light of CC’s cuts, there should be a 50{c8c3b3d140ed11cb7662417ff7b2dc686ffa9c2daf0848ac14f76e68f36d0c20} increase in the Precept for 2015/16. Carried.
Proposed by Cllr. Arthur, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the draft budget be approved pending confirmation of the increased Precept. Carried.

11. Neighbourhood Plan – update. Cllr. Shephard reported that the Plan is currently in the Public Consultation stage, with 2 further public meetings in January and a public survey starting at the end of January, the results of which would feed into the final Plan, expected by the end of March. A grant of £6,850 had been agreed with Locality to fund this. The time required by CC and the Inspector for later stages of the process suggested that the Referendum would be next Autumn.

12. Request for support from the Cornwall Blind Association. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that the Clerk replies explaining that Council policy is to support only charities based within the Parish.

13. Extend yellow lines in Cliff Street. Cllr. Barron argued that vehicles parked between the Beach Road junction and the lock-up garages were blocking residents’ driveways, and the double yellow lines should be extended accordingly.
Cllr. Mustoe will enquire of CC as to the feasibility of this, and report back at the next meeting.

14. Weed spraying – consideration of Cormac quote. Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that Council should take financial responsibility for this, but that Clerk to obtain further quotes. Carried.

15. The Chairman wished Councillors and the public a Happy Christmas and New Year.

16. The meeting ended at 9.05pm. Date of next meeting : 22 January 2015

NOTE: the next meeting will be on the fourth Thursday of the month, not the third as is the usual practice.

Signed …………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………