MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Mevagissey Activity Centre
On Thursday 18 September 2014 at 7pm.
Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chair), M Facey, J Daniel, G Shephard, S Hrydziuszka, J Barron, J Whatty, C Robins, N Florence, J Morgan.
In Attendance Jay Dorman, PJ Howson (Clerk), 7 members of the public.
UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED
1a. Apologies received: J Feeley, A Williams, E Chesterfield, J Arthur.
1b. Chairman’s opening remarks:
- a) The school head had reported delays to the installation of the play house, and will invite the Council to view it once it’s in place.
- b) A letter of thanks from St Peter’s PCC had been received following payment of the grant for the lamp repair.
- c) The Chairman presented a framed photograph to Capt. Hugh Bowles, recently retired Harbour Master, and expressed the Council’s appreciation of the qualities Capt. Bowles had shown during his 21 years in post, to the applause of the Council. Capt. Bowles responded by thanking the Council who he said had been a good partner to work with, especially on the most recent project on the Jetty.
2a. Declarations of interest. Cllr. Robins – Agenda Item 9f; Cllr. Florence – Agenda Item 9g.
2b. Gift Declarations. None.
- Resignation of Ward Councillor. The Chairman said that Cllr. Bunney had been one of the best Ward Councillors we had ever had. He had served the Ward very well and provided constant support to the Parish Council. The Council joined in recording their appreciation of his contribution during his time in office.
- Police Report. A written report had been received detailing 5 crimes from 19 August – 17 September as follows: 1 theft from vehicle, 1 common assault and battery, 1 theft by finding, 1 burglary domestic (vacant property), 1 non counting action fraud. The theft by finding was of a mobile phone in an open bag draped over the back of a chair in a local pub, and people were reminded to keep security in mind and report anything suspicious on either 101 or 999.
Jay Dorman (off duty) thanked the Council for their support since he had first arrived as our local PC, and, now that he had moved on, assured the Council that PC Dunn would continue the good work.
- Dog Control Enforcement Report. A written report had been received for the month to 16 September. No penalty notices had been issued but 10 people had been cautioned.
- Points from the Public.
Jane Barron spoke on Agenda Item 22, requesting a grant for Little Nippers for new gates. She said that the request came as a result of their grant from Cornwall Council (CC) having been cut after 6 years.
Heather Dellerue spoke on Agenda Item 9g, asking the Council to Object to the Planning Application to replace a disused squash court with a dwelling which was larger than surrounding properties but on a smaller site, out of keeping with its surroundings, invasive of neighbours’ privacy, and, despite what was claimed in the accompanying Bat Report, was well known locally as a haven for roosting bats. Joan Ryan said the proposed building would be too imposing and out of character; and Angela Florence said it would completely overshadow the properties below and was not appropriate in those surroundings.
- Minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr. Robins, that the Minutes of 21 August be Accepted. Carried.
- Actions from previous meeting:
08/12: The Senior Enforcement Officer will meet the Council as requested, and asked that the Council has ready a list of the five most untidy sites in the town which they can focus on; and that after 3-4 months another five properties can be added to the list. See Minute #25.
Clerk has written to Ocean Housing about the condition of Wesley & Meadow Courts. Their reply is awaited.
08/14: The Highways Manager has been unable to find the ‘Hitler’s Walk’ sign. To be progressed at next meeting.
08/15: Clerk has written twice to CC asking for clarification of their quote for renovating the seats in Cliff Park (a.k.a. Hitler’s Walk). Their reply is still awaited.
08/16: Clerk has posted a notice on the boards regarding overflowing bins.
Clerk has requested that Zone 2 Cleaning areas should be created as proposed., and CC’s Contract Compliance Officer has said that he will get back to us once the County wide review has been completed.
08/17: Clerk has written to Gorran PC expressing Council’s support for their opposition to the CC Wind Turbine Planning Applications, and they have replied thanking Council.
Clerk to progress repair to cemetery side gate.
- Planning.
Noted that, at the Community Network AGM on 3 September, Cllr. Malcolm Harris (St Mewan Ward) had offered to call in any Planning Applications until a new Mevagissey Ward Councillor has been elected.
Noted that PA14/04298 (for a pair of semi-detached houses on vacant land in Pentillie Way), which had been called in by ex-Cllr. Bunney because the Planning Case Officer was recommending Approval, would be determined by the Central Sub-Area Planning Committee in Truro on 29 September. There being no Councillors able to attend on that date, Clerk to be provided with a prepared statement to read out.
Noted that Cllr. Daniel had resigned from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, replaced by Cllr. Florence.
9a. PA14/02760/PREAPP : Pre-application advice for demolition of existing bungalow and erection of new dwelling to site. Orchard Cottage, School Hill, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that Council would not object provided that the height of the replacement building did not exceed that of the neighbouring house on the northern side. Carried.
9b. PA14/03019/PREAPP : Pre-application advice for proposed new single storey holiday cottage. Land south of Roseverth, Tregoney Hill, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robins that this kind of low density development is inappropriate use of the available land, and that the Applicants be asked to talk to the Parish Council before submitting a full Planning Application. Carried.
9c. PA14/06878 : Demolition of the existing derelict structure previously a four bedroom house and the front wall facing Polkirt Hill, for the construction of a new five bedroom house with roof accommodation and a basement garage. 59 Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that Councils Objects to this Application because what is being proposed is not as good as what is currently there, and any rebuild should be identical to the existing building; that to compare the proposed building to others nearby is specious because the existing building is of a better design than those nearby; that to allow a house to become derelict in order to replace it with something different is unacceptable; and that what is currently a two storey building would be replaced with what is effectively a four storey building. Also, that a Traffic Management Plan should stipulate that Polkirt Hill should not be closed at any time during any demolition or construction work. Carried.
9d. PA14/06816 : Listed building consent to install internal WC and build timber stud partition to separate from bedroom. 8 Bank Street, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Daniel, Seconded by Cllr. Hrydziuszka that Council Supports the Application, subject to approval from the Listed Building Officer. Carried.
9e. PA14/07806 : Rooms in roof addition to existing first floor flat, with utility rooms and escape staircase on site of existing store. Harbour House, The Cliff, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr. Robins that Council Objects to this Application because of the excessive level of alteration proposed to this important site in the harbour setting, which would result in the building failing to conserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area, and which would in addition be overbearing towards its neighbours. Carried.
9f. PA14/07852 : Two storey side extension and enlargement of conservatory. Stonebury, Cliff Street, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that Council Supports the Application. Carried.
9g. 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, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Shephard that Council Objects to this proposal because it represents an overdevelopment of the site, is out of keeping with the surrounding area, and would result in a loss of privacy for neighbours below, with the distance between habitable room windows being less than the recommended 21 metres. Further, if the Planning Case Officer is minded to recommend Approval of this Application, Council requests a formal Site Visit prior to Determination.
Carried.
9h. PA14/08552 : Demolish existing external porch and build hall extension with resited WC covering former footprint. 2 Higher Lavorrick, Mevagissey. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Robins that Council Supports the Application. Carried.
For information only:
9i. PA14/07108 : Porch extension and internal alterations to existing dwelling. 19 Lavorrick Orchards, Mevagissey.
APPROVED
9j. PA14/05829 & 05830 : Demolition of an existing Porch and Erection of a replacement Porch. Installation of Roof Window. Erection of Garage. Cheesewarne Farm, Mevagissey. APPROVED
9k. PA14/06430 : Single storey extension with hipped roof and re-roof part of existing bungalow.
Trevean, Penwarne Lane, Mevagissey. APPROVED
9l. PA13/02115 : Construction of 3 dwellings and onsite parking for 5 cars and associated works.
Land Adjacent 38 Kiln Close, Mevagissey. APPROVED
- Finances
| Bills to Pay | Salaries | £ | 646.09 | ||
| HMRC | £ | 210.74 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 856.83 | |||
| Accounts | Amount available to spend as of last meeting | £ | 18,782.58 | ||
| Expenditure last month | £ | 1,517.43 | |||
| plus St Peter’s PCC | £ | 200.00 | |||
| plus Mevagissey FC | £ | 250.00 | |||
| Matthew Facey | £ | 35.00 | |||
| Balance (money in bank) | £ | 17,765.15 | |||
| Unpresented cheques (101126, 29, 32, 38) | £ | 985.00 | |||
| Available to spend | £ | 16,780.15 | |||
| Bank Statements (01/09/2014): | |||||
| Current Account | £ | 625.00 | |||
| Deposit Account | £ | 17,140.15 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 17,765.15 |
Proposed by Cllr.Hrydziuszka, Seconded by Cllr.Shephard that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid. Carried.
- Devolution – update. Nothing to report.
- Household and business initiative for street cleaning (August Minute #16). No decision made.
- Portmellon Beach Champion (May to September 2015). Cllr. Facey will continue in this role, which involves liaising with the Environment Agency and displaying posters when water quality has been compromised.
- Parking restrictions at Hemmick Beach. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr.Whatty that Council supports the position taken by St Goran Parish Council in opposing the National Trust’s actions, and that Clerk to write to the National Trust, copied to St Goran PC. Carried.
- Openness regulations on filming and recording meetings – Documents and Standing Orders. Clerk to implement the required changes.
- Affordable Housing. Cllr. Roberts is arranging with Ocean Housing for a viewing by Councillors of the Phase 2 houses off Vicarage Hill, to take place at 2pm on Monday 13 October. It was agreed that Council should now start thinking about Phase 3, to be progressed by the Affordable Housing Sub-Committee.
- Provision of loading bay in Market Square. After discussion, it was agreed not to pursue this.
- Possibility of widening Polkirt Hill using part of Cliff Park. Clerk to write to Highways Manager to establish feasibility.
- Problems arising from temporary closure of Polkirt Hill. No action.
- Response to the awarding of listed building status to the War Memorial. Noted that the Memorial was now Listed at Grade 2 for the following reasons established by English Heritage: Historic interest: as an eloquent witness to the tragic impacts of world events on this community, and the sacrifices it has made in the conflicts of the 20th Century; Architectural interest: an accomplished and well-realised war memorial which takes the form of a carved Celtic cross; Intactness: the memorial is situated in its original location and survives intact.
- Confirmation of public toilet service provision arrangements from 1st October 2014. Noted as follows:
West Wharf Toilets : Winter opening arrangements – Unisex toilet during winter (1st October – 31st March).
Valley Road Toilets : Open all year – no change.
- Little Nippers security gate. Proposed by Cllr. Shephard, Seconded by Cllr. Daniel that the requested sum of £500 for new gates should be granted. Carried.
- The Hollies (Tall Trees Hotel). See Item 25.
- Recreation ground equipment update. Cllr. Facey reported on the prioritised list of work agreed by the forum of local parents which he had convened, as follows: 1) Clean and repair existing equipment in the three parks (Valley Road, Pentillie, Lamorak Close); 2) Add one new play item to Pentillie; 3) Provide picnic bench within fenced area at either Pentillie or Valley Road. Clerk to progress with CC on receipt of full details from Cllr. Facey.
- Neglected properties in Mevagissey. A list of target properties was agreed for the meeting with the Senior Enforcement Officer, which will take place at 9.30am on Thursday 2 October (see Item 8 above).
- The meeting closed at 9.40pm. Date of next meeting : 16 October 2014.
Signed …………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………