MEVAGISSEY PARISH COUNCIL
http://mevagisseyparishcouncil.co.uk/
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held as a virtual meeting
On Thursday 17 September 2020 at 7pm
Present Cllrs. M Roberts (Chairman), D Drake, M Facey, J Morgan (from 8.15pm), P Simpson, J Whatty.
In Attendance Cllr. J Mustoe (Ward Member), Frits Sutmoller and Lynnette Furse, P Howson (Clerk), 2 members of the public.
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UNRATIFIED UNLESS SIGNED
- With five members in attendance, the meeting was quorate.
The Chairman welcomed Dale Drake to the Council, this being his first meeting since co-option.
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs. Hereward, Gann, Shephard and Nathan.
Cllr. Morgan would be unable to join the meeting until 8.15pm.
The Chairman announced that as of 14 September Mevagissey Surgery had become part of the network of branch surgeries operated by St Austell Healthcare. Feedback so far had been positive and the group’s Strategic Partner would be joining the next meeting to talk about the group and answer questions.
- There were no declarations of interest or gifts.
- Frits Sutmoller and Lynnette Furse spoke about their plans for 15 Polkirt Hill (agenda item 8b), explaining that the building was too unstable to be saved and that demolition and re-build was the only option. Cornwall Council (CC) Building Control had served a ‘dangerous structure’ notice on the property. A road closure would be necessary during the demolition and some of the construction work. Mr Sutmoller answered questions from members and agreed that any road closure could be limited to between 10am – 4pm on weekdays only.
- Public participation.
Alice Foard spoke on agenda item 13, reporting that the waste bins on Pentillie field were often overflowing and were used for dog waste, and asking whether the bin by the road could be replaced with a gull-proof combined general / dog waste bin.
- Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2020 be accepted. Carried.
- The Clerk reported that:
- He had written to the Head of Planning regarding enforcement of planning conditions on the School Hill development (minute 2020/08/9h[iii]), including this Council’s intention of escalation above CC if nothing was done, and her reply had been circulated;
- He had responded for the Council to the consultation on the Climate Emergency DPD Pre-Submission document;
- Improvements to the surface of public footpath #1 on its approach to Heligan Mill had started this week;
- He had written to the Area Planning Leader regarding land adj. 38 Kiln Close (minute 2020/08/9c) and his reply had been circulated to members;
- The Secretary of Nare Court Residents Company had provided an update on the closure of access to the viewing platform. While the search for insurance continues, the residents have been considering the suggestion made at the last meeting that this Council might be willing to take over responsibility for the platform;
- A Strategic Partner from St Austell Healthcare had been in touch and will, together with one of the GP partners, attend the October meeting to talk to members;
- The new recycling banks from Biffa will be in place by the Valley Road bus stop from 1st October, and information stickers had been ordered;
- The Covid-19 Business Rate Grant of £10,000 had been received.
- The Ward Member reported that:
- On 28 August, St Austell Healthcare were successfully approved to provide primary care medical services for the population registered at Mevagissey Surgery from 14 September;
- Cormac have repaired the railing on Cross Park Terrace above Vicarage Hill;
- From today a contractor is carrying out work on the public footpath from the multi-use trail to Heligan Mill to improve the surface that is often muddy to the point of being impassable in the winter months;
- There has been a complaint raised about the siting of a dog bin immediately adjacent to a property at Pentillie. Cllr Morgan has spoken to nearby residents and a solution that has broad support is to move the bin to the top of the green next to the general waste bin. Cllr. Mustoe can achieve this but would be grateful for the Parish Council’s comments;
- With the wilding scheme for Pentillie Green that the Parish has initiated, he suggested that the Parish send a letter to houses in the vicinity so that the residents feel included with any changes;
- He is calling in a pavement licensing application request from the King’s Arms because Cormac has objected. [Note: the application was subsequently approved];
- He expressed his thanks to Cllr Morgan and Village Sweeper Mark Groom for going above and beyond in managing the additional bin service in the village;
- Following objections by CC Environment to the placing of the additional litter bins around the village, he secured agreement from the CEO for the use of the paved areas on Oliver’s Quay and by the Corner Shop for this purpose;
- He has arranged a meeting on 29 September at 1pm with Cormac and Ocean Housing at Wesley Court to discuss the long term maintenance of the scruffy paved area in the middle [note: see minute 21 below];
- Community litter picks are currently suspended because of Covid-19, but he has a lot of litter picking equipment available for use by individuals who wish to use it.
The full report can be seen on the Council’s website.
- Planning and Enforcement.
8a. PA20/06311 : Planning permission for the removal of existing rear pitched roof and creation of flat roof area created intended for use as a balcony with new access French doors from Bed 1. flat roof area to be lined with black galvanised steel railings with timber handrail. 5 River Terrace River Street Mevagissey St Austell Cornwall PL26 6UG Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Drake that the Council is concerned about the impact of a balcony on the many surrounding residents, and that it would set an unwelcome precedent, but has resolved to defer further consideration until the next meeting, on 22 October, by which time there should be input from the Historic Environment / Conservation officer. Carried.
Note: Cllr. Morgan joined the meeting at this point.
8b. PA20/04346 : Demolition of structurally unsafe dwelling and construction of new dwelling on same footprint with juliet balcony to front elevation and dormer to rear roof slope (amended plans). 15 Polkirt Hill Mevagissey PL26 6UR Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Facey that the Council cannot support this proposal until details of the Construction Traffic Management Plan and proposed road closures have been developed with the involvement and agreement of the Parish Council. Carried.
8c. 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. Investigation underway.
iii) Landscaping at properties on School Hill: a reply had been received from CC Head of Planning indicating that no action would be taken. Cllr. Mustoe will write to her expressing the frustration of local councils regarding the persistent failures of planning enforcement. This Council will consider escalation at the next meeting.
- iv) WC and boat storage at Portmellon car park. No update.
8d. The following planning decisions have been received (for information only):
PA20/05679 : Non material amendment to adjust access to proposed dwelling land in respect of decision notice PA13/06204. The Retreat Vicarage Hill. NOT ACCEPTABLE AS AMENDMENT
PA20/02753 : Listed Building consent for High level maintenance works as approved under applications: PA18/00889 and PA17/00212. 11 And 13 Polkirt Hill, APPROVED
PA20/03600 : Retrospective planning permission for erection of wooden non-fixed sauna to existing patio in rear garden. Skysail Polkirt Hill. APPROVED
- To approve the monthly finances.
| Bills to Pay | Salaries | £ | 970.53 | ||
| HMRC (PAYE) | £ | 242.80 | |||
| Monthly subscription to Zoom | £ | 14.39 | |||
| Vacuum shredder / blower (for use by street cleaner) | £ | 269.00 | |||
| Attendants at PCs 29/08/20 – 05/09/20 | £ | 1,070.00 | (paid) | ||
| Labour for construction of bin store at West Wharf PC | £ | 300.00 | (paid) | ||
| Office costs (phone) | £ | 10.00 | |||
| Valley Rd PC electricity 01/08/20 – 01/09/20 | £ | 44.15 | (paid) | ||
| West Wharf PC electricity 02/08/20 – 01/09/20 | £ | 33.46 | (paid) | ||
| LMP (SWCP 3rd cut) | £ | 324.33 | (paid) | ||
| Attendants at PCs 05/09/20 – 12/09/20 | £ | 1,070.00 | (paid) | ||
| Operate Valley Road PC September 2020 | £ | 996.15 | |||
| Operate West Wharf PC September 2020 | £ | 1,058.29 | |||
| West Wharf PC water 04/08/20 – 02/09/20 | £ | 437.24 | |||
| LMP (inland 2nd cut) | £ | 368.21 | (paid) | ||
| West Wharf PC August waste collections | £ | 83.90 | |||
| Stickers for recycling banks | £ | 95.76 | |||
| Attendants at PCs 12/09/20 – 19/09/20 | £ | 1,070.00 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 8,458.21 | |||
| Accounts | Amount available to spend as of last meeting | £ | 86,529.40 | ||
| Expenditure last month | £ | 8,484.57 | |||
| plus Attendants at public toilets 22/08/20 – 28/08/20 | £ | 1,070.00 | |||
| Valley Rd PC water 26/06/20 – 03/08/20 | £ | 510.00 | |||
| Hand soap, hand gel, refuse sacks | £ | 162.00 | |||
| Seafarers UK (grant) | £ | 200.00 | |||
| COVID-19 Business Rate Grant | £ | 10,000.00 | Received | ||
| West Wharf PC entry charges | £ | 4,395.00 | Received | ||
| Available to spend | £ | 90,497.83 | |||
| Bank Statements (01/09/2020) | |||||
| Current Account | £ | 3,197.91 | |||
| Deposit Account | £ | 87,299.92 | |||
| TOTAL | £ | 90,497.83 |
It was noted that the last two bills to pay had been added after the agenda had been published.
Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the accounts be accepted and the bills paid. Carried.
- Cllr. Facey reported that the public conveniences remained busier than usual for this time of year and that Gary Farr’s team of permanent attendants had proved very effective. It had become clear that improvements to the Valley Road block were required and this will be considered once the season is over. The Council thanked Cllr. Facey for his hard work throughout the pandemic crisis.
- Cllr. Gann was absent and had sent no report on the proposed Community Land Trust and issues related to affordable housing.
- Cllr. Facey reported that the temporary one-way system on Polkirt Hill was generally agreed to have satisfied its objective, with improvements to air quality, social distancing and the visitor experience. There was an issue with traffic queuing at the top of the hill waiting for 5pm and then coming down in a convoy only to meet traffic going up. The Council recognises the impact of the scheme on residents and appreciates their forbearance.
- Cllr. Morgan reported that the temporary system of extra litter bins was working well, and that Mark Groom had been very helpful in assisting with the scheme. Problems include the fact that Biffa’s lorries are too small for the extra bins so some have not been emptied when they should have been, and some second home owners have been taking advantage of them to dispose of their household rubbish prior to departure The temporary contract ends on 21 September and Cllr. Morgan thought it should be repeated next year if circumstances remain unchanged. Cllr. Morgan also reported that Gary Farr’s team had acted as de facto bin monitors, and the Council appreciated their efforts. The Council also thanked Cllr Morgan for the excellent job she had done in organising the scheme. Cllr. Morgan then referred to the issue raised by Alice Foard during agenda item 4 and it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Ward Member asking that the dog waste bin on the coast path at the corner of Pentillie field be moved up to the road, adjacent to the general waste bin.
- Cllr. Whatty said there was nothing to report this month from the Climate Emergency Working Group.
- To consider revisions to the existing signage at Tregiskey croasroads, including: a) add right turn to Portmellon for all traffic, and b) remove Polstreath from left turn (deferred from last meeting). It was agreed that there should be no change to the right turn information and that the left turn information should be removed including the pointer.
- To consider a response to the government consultation on proposals for reform of the planning system in England – Planning for the Future (Cllr. Shephard). Cllr. Shephard being absent, this was deferred to the next meeting.
- To consider a response to Cornwall Council’s Marine European Sites SPD consultation (Cllr. Simpson).
Proposed by Cllr. Simpson, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the residents and guests of Mevagissey would not impact on the Fal & Helford SAC, but would impact on the Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay SPA. Carried.
- To consider the creation of a Planning Committee (Cllr. Shephard).
Cllr. Shephard being absent, this was deferred to the next meeting.
- To consider agreeing a licence from the Duchy of Cornwall to control activities on Portmellon Beach.
Proposed by Cllr. Morgan, Seconded by Cllr. Drake that discussions with the Duchy should progress. Carried.
- To review the current method of holding Council meetings on Zoom.
It was agreed that the current method should continue for the time being.
- To consider maintenance issues in the Wesley Court area (Cllr. Roberts). To address these issues, Cllr. Mustoe had arranged a site meeting with Cormac and Ocean Housing at 1pm on 29 September. Due to Covid-19 restrictions there is a limit on the number of attendees. It was agreed that Cllrs. Roberts, Nathan and Whatty would attend.
- To consider a response to the email from the Cornish Buildings Group regarding buildings at risk (Cllr. Roberts).
Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Drake that The Hollies should be reported as a heritage asset at risk. The proposed demolition of the building was halted by Historic England and it was consequently included in a 2015 approved planning application, since when there has been no work and the building has been allowed to deteriorate.
Carried.
- To fill by co-option the casual vacancies on the Council. There were no applicants present.
- The Chairman reported that because the Harbour Trustees’ request to the MMO for funding for harbour repairs had been unsuccessful because all available funds had been diverted to Covid-19 relief measures, a quotation had been obtained for the minimum work necessary to make the harbour safe and a request would be made for funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which would require support from the Ward Member and the Parish Council. Proposed by Cllr. Facey, Seconded by Cllr. Whatty that the Council supports the Harbour Trustees’ request for CIL funding for harbour repairs. Carried.
- The meeting ended at 10pm. Date of next meeting: 22 October 2020 (virtual meeting unless advised otherwise).
NOTE: This is the fourth Thursday in the month.
Signed …………………………………………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………