MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL

http://mevagisseyparishcouncil.co.uk/

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre

On Thursday 19 March 2020 at 7pm

Present              Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), M Facey (Vice-Chairman), K Robinson, P Simpson, J Whatty.

In Attendance     P Howson (Clerk), Lisa Solly (Situ8 Planning Consultancy), Alex Williams (Mevagissey Community                                Support Group).

                                    .

UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED

 

1a.        Apologies were received from Cllrs. Shephard, Gann, Hereward, Blackmore, Morgan, Barron and Florence,

and Cllr. Mustoe (Ward Member).

 

1b.        The Chairman announced that John Daniel had resigned from the Council on health grounds.  Paying tribute to his   long service as a stalwart member of the Council, with a particular interest in Portmellon, the Chairman Proposed a         vote of thanks for his service to the Parish Council over the years.  This was Seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

 

2. There were no Declarations of Interest or Gifts.

 

3. The presentation of the devolution process by Helen Nicholson (CC Community Link Officer) has been postponed until further notice.

 

4. Public participation. Lisa Solly of Situ8 Planning Consultants spoke on agenda item 8a (Listed building consent for            works at 3 River Terrace), explaining the purpose of the work which would be an improvement to the building.

 

5. Proposed by Cllr. Whatty, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2020 be accepted.                                                                                                                         Carried.

 

6a.        Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that agenda item 8a be brought forward.                     Carried.

 

6b.        Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that PA20/01300 be Supported.                               Carried.

 

7. The Clerk stated that:

• The police website shows 8 crimes reported in January as follows: 3 x violence and sexual offences (under investigation on or near Mount Street and Polkirt Hill; unable to prosecute suspect on or near Valley Road car park); 2 x criminal damage and arson (unable to prosecute suspect on or near Portmellon car park; investigation complete                        but no suspect identified on or near Chapel Street); 3 x anti-social behaviour (on or near Sunny Corner car park,       Portmellon car park and Valley Park Lane).
• Completed Highways Scheme application forms had been sent to the Community Link Officer;
• A letter had been sent to the Area Planning Team Leader regarding unfulfilled conditions on the Westcountry Land development on School Hill, and a reply was awaited;
• A letter had been sent to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) asking for the 11 Polkirt Hill pre-application and any subsequent full application to be expedited so that the scaffolding could come down without delay;
• A letter had been sent to West Country Mussels of Fowey Ltd asking to be kept updated on developments with their proposed mussel farm expansion;
• The Council’s objection to PA20/00281 (Rope House) was withdrawn following receipt of a 5-day protocol letter;
• A letter had been sent to Robert Rowett (Architect) regarding Tall Trees and his reply circulated;
• An invitation from the Air Ambulance had been circulated.

 

8. A report had been received from the Ward Member and this can be seen on the Council’s website.

 

9. The Chairman reported that he had received a call from Frank Brewer advising the Council that development work was due to start next month on the Seapoint Hotel site and that materials would be stored on land opposite the school       and conveyed by dumper truck to the site as required.

 

10. Planning and Enforcement.

 

10a.      PA20/01300 : Listed building consent sought for works to infill an existing window opening within lean-to extension to property.  3 River Terrace River Street Mevagissey PL26 6UG.    Dealt with previously (minute 6b above).

 

10b.      PA20/01207 : Construction of extension to create a new second floor bathroom.  51 Polkirt Hill Mevagissey PL26 6UR        Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the Council Objects to the proposed development which would be overbearing to the downhill neighbour and would result in a loss of privacy due to overlooking from the proposed Velux windows.                                                                                                        Carried.

 

10c.      PA20/00723 : Retrospective permission for a shed and lower deck area.  7 Polkirt Heights Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6TT Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that the Council Objects to this proliferation of domestic clutter in such a sensitive area in full view of the harbour setting.  These properties do not have permitted development rights and the Council is concerned that, if permitted, this would set a precedent and we could be looking at a row of sheds.  The increasingly cumulative effect of these additions is causing harm to the view from the historic harbour.                                                                                                               Carried.

 

10d.      PA20/00720 : Erection of conservatory and refurbishment of deck including addition to provide steps.

8 Polkirt Heights Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6TT              Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that the Council Objects to this proposal. The property is in the Conservation Area in full view of the harbour and does not have permitted development rights, and the addition of a large glass structure in this historic setting is out of keeping.                                                                                                                   Carried.

 

10e.      PA19/10659 : Conversion of Loft space with alterations to 1st floor to accommodate stair access. Increase in decking size to rear of property.  3 Coastguard Station Mall Access To Coastguard Station Mevagissey PL26 6QP

To consider a response to a 5-day protocol letter received.      Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that the Council ‘agrees to disagree’ with the planning case officer.

 

10f.       PA20/00325/PREAPP : Pre application advice for works approved under PA18/00889 and PA17/00212 – high level maintenance works (removal of render and replacement of Lime render to front and side gable elevations, fenestration repairs chimney repair) In additional the removal of the man made fibre cement roof covering and replacement with natural slate. Removal and rebuild of the dormer of similar dimensions and flat roof.  11 Polkirt Hill Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6UR          Included for information only.  Noted.

 

10g.      The following planning enforcement decision has been received:

EN19/00832 : Alleged works not being carried out in accordance with approved plans for PA18/02818

Steep House Portmellon Road Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall            NO BREACH FOUND.  CASE CLOSED.

 

10h.      The following planning decisions have been received:

 

PA19/08774 : Listed Building Consent to remove chimney stack.  2A Chapel Street.                    WITHDRAWN

PA20/00281 : Alterations to windows and doors.  Rope House 55 Cliff Street.                            APPROVED

PA19/09922 : Listed Building Consent for Repairs to Lawn House and boundary wall.                APPROVED

PA19/00155 : Listed Building Consent for internal alterations.  28 Church Street.                       APPROVED

 

11. To approve the monthly finances.

 

Bills to Pay	Salaries	£	970.53
	HMRC (PAYE)	£	242.80
	Operate Valley Road PC March 2020	£	978.54
	Operate West Wharf PC March 2020	£	1,039.58
	Floor cable cover	£	9.20
	Stationery (lever arch file)	£	2.00
	W. Wharf PC February waste collection	£	20.98
	Valley Road PC electricity 02/12/19 – 01/03/20	£	49.15
	West Wharf PC electricity 02/12/19 – 01/03/20	£	55.86
	Valley Road PC water 04/02/20 – 04/03/20	£	216.61
	West Wharf PC water 04/02/20 – 29/02/20	£	124.20
	TOTAL	£	3,709.45
Accounts	Amount available to spend as of last meeting	£	83,011.82
	Expenditure last month	£	7,783.21
	plus installation of footpath signage	£	200.00
	Valley Rd PC water 04/01/20 – 03/02/20	£	184.53
	West Wharf PC water 04/01/20 – 03/02/20	£	146.85
	Cruse Bereavement Care (grant)	£	200.00
	The Fishermen’s Mission (grant)	£	1,000.00
	Gorran Rainbows (grant)	£	100.00
	Tanya’s Courage Trust (grant)	£	100.00
	Balance (money in bank)	£	73,297.23
	Available to spend	£	73,297.23
	Bank Statements (01/03/2020)
	Current Account			£	595.49
	Deposit Account			£	72,701.74
	TOTAL			£	73,297.23

 

It was noted that the bills for water charges and stationery had been added since the agenda was published.

Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid.         Carried.

 

12. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that the revised version of the Financial Regulations be adopted by the Council.                                                                                                                         Carried.

 

13. Cllr Gann had sent an update on the proposed Community Land Trust as follows:

• A review of all potential sites is continuing with an aim to complete by end of May 2020;
• We have been asked to meet with Savills and Ocean to clarify constraints to the small Vicarage Hill site.  Action is with Savills to confirm a date;
• A number of residents have asked about activities on Tregoney Hill and we have confirmed that these are investigations by Verto Homes to try and fully understand any issues on site;
• Verto have confirmed that they will hold public consultation meetings before any planning application is submitted.  Timescale for consultation approx 3 months;
• An update was issued to local residents that made contact on the issue.

 

14. Cllr. Facey reported that the public toilets would remain open during the Coronavirus pandemic for as long as Gary Farr was happy to continue servicing them. There was ongoing theft of handwash dispensers and toilet rolls and ways to thwart this were under consideration.  Public Health England advice about hand washing and waste disposal would be displayed in all units.

 

15. Proposed by Cllr. Robinson, Seconded by Cllr. Simpson that Gary Farr’s quotation for operating the public toilets in 2020/21 be accepted, with the West Wharf disabled unit to remain open throughout next winter.             Carried.

 

16. Cllr. Whatty presented his report from the 12 March meeting of the Mevagissey Climate Action Group (MCAG). The first step in producing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) is to commission a carbon audit and the evening started with a talk by Charmian Larke of Atlantic Energy who has since produced a carbon audit for Mevagissey.  This was followed by a presentation by Phil Simpson and Mike Thorpe of their shoreline management plan which lays out the effect of rising water levels around the harbour and coast to Portmellon. There was talk of planting trees in the Parish as part of the Forest for Cornwall, and Cllr. Whatty would be pleased to receive suggestions of land available for this.

 

17. Cllr. Whatty had spoken to Savills regarding their auction of land to rent at the top of Vicarage Hill and a bid had been submitted for a half-acre plot to be used for allotment gardens, subject to formal approval by the Council.

Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robinson that formal approval be given.                               Carried.

 

18. There was no update on the surgery.

 

19. Consideration of a possible devolution package is postponed until further notice.

 

20. In anticipation of the possible expansion of marine mussel farms, the LPA has confirmed that this Council will be consulted on future Marine Management Organisation (MMO) applications in St Austell Bay.

 

21. The MMO’s consultation on the draft South West Marine Plan was noted without comment.

 

22. It was agreed that consideration of replacement of the memorial bench on East Wharf, donated by the Parish Council, should be deferred until later in the year; and that the Clerk to the Harbour Trustees should meanwhile be asked to arrange for the bench to be tidied up for VE Day 75.

 

23. Cornwall Council’s Climate Change Development Plan Document (DPD) was noted.

 

24. In consideration of taking over from Cornwall Council responsibility for the recycling banks on Valley Road, it was agreed that a site meeting be arranged between Biffa and Cllr. Facey.

 

25. The Clerk has been advised that there are moves to apply for a diversion of the definitive line of public footpath no. 6 (part of the Coast Path) onto the walked line of the path (Chapel Point Lane). Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the Council would not object to such an application.                                                      Carried.

 

26         Consideration of complaints about the noise of forklifts operating at night during the sardine season were deferred until further notice.

 

27. The rest of the meeting was concerned with the possible implications and impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Alex Williams outlined to the Council her progress in forming a Mevagissey Community Support Group to help vulnerable and isolated members of the community throughout the crisis.  Over 260 people have so far volunteered their services and Alex asked the Council for support.  The Clerk will put her in touch with CC’s Community Link Officer to ensure that information and support is effectively aligned.

 

The following resolutions will enable the Council to continue functioning until further notice.

 

27a.      Proposed by Cllr. Robinson, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the Council delegates authority to the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to take any actions necessary with associated expenditure to protect the interests of the community and ensure Council business continuity during the period of the Coronavirus pandemic, informed by consultation with the members of the Council.                                                                     Carried.

 

27b.      Proposed by Cllr. Robinson, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the financial limit to revenue expenditure which in the Clerk’s judgment it is necessary to carry out as detailed in para. 4.5 of the Financial Regulations be increased to £1,000 until further notice.                                                                                                                     Carried.

 

27c.      Proposed by Cllr. Robinson, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the Council suspends future meetings until such time as government advice indicates that it is safe to resume.                                                                          Carried.

 

27d.      Proposed by Cllr. Robinson, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that, during the period of suspension of meetings, the Council will adopt the mechanism for handling planning consultations as detailed in the CALC guidance note of 17 March 2020 or to comply with any instruction issued by Cornwall Council.                                                 Carried.

 

27e.      Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded Cllr. Whatty that the unused portion of the ‘free resource’ (as defined by the Local Government Act 1972, s 137), up to the value of £7,000, be made available as a social emergency fund to support the community throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, to be administered by the Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.                                                                                                       Carried.

 

28. The meeting ended at 9.20pm. Date of next meeting to be advised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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