Parish Council Minutes
Page 12
LINKS
MINUTES OF A MEETING of the St Goran Parish Council held on Thursday 7th December 2006 in the St Goran Church Schoolrooms at 7.30p.m. with Mr G. Husband in the Chair.
Present were Messrs Ayres, Bullen, Church, Lobb, Michell, Whatty, Mrs Gouldsmith, County Councillor Mr B.L.Hunkin and Restormel Borough Councillor Mr P. Trevarton
PUBLIC SESSION
Mr Husband welcomed Restormel Borough Councillor John Wood and Director of Corporate Resources Andrew Tremaine who were attending the meeting to explain to the Parish Council the changes planned for the future in respect of the Double Charges Grants. Mr Tremaine explained the history behind these grants and why they are now no longer representative of the spending of P.C.s on local public services. It is proposed that there should be closer working between P.C.s and District Councils and individual expertise shared. It is proposed to set up Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between individual Parish Councils and the D.C. and to start the procedure in March 2007. This will be done by senior officers and District Councillors visiting each P.C. that agrees to join in the scheme. In the first year only each participating P.C. will receive a one-off payment of £500.00. This will not be extended to P.C.s that want to join after the first year. Meetings held already between representatives from P.C.s and Restormel have already identified areas where expertise can be shared e.g. risk management and Health & Safety. It had also become clear that there are communications problems. Councillor Wood explained that research done by the D.C. has identified that there is a need for the sharing of information and expertise and that the D.C. can provide professional help in many areas e.g. in legal matters. Mr Whatty commented that P.C.s are not always able to employ people with the necessary qualifications. Mr Tremaine said this is exactly the case and the D.C. can often provide this support and information. County Councillor Hunkin expressed concern about the change in the licensing regulations and there was some discussion on this subject. Councillor Wood explained that in view of the recent Local Government White paper he believes closer cooperation between the P.C.s and D.C.s is the only way forward. Councillor Lobb commented that the D.C.’s website is very out of date. Mr Tremaine stated that the D.C. is aware of this and plans are in place to update it. However it will take some time to complete. He also confirmed that letters in connection with the new SLA scheme will be sent out shortly with the precept letter. Mr Husband thanked Mr Tremaine and Councillor Wood for attending the meeting. They then left.
Councillor Hunkin commented on the Local Government White Paper, explaining that the County must decide whether to become unitary or a two-tier authority. Mr Church commented that, in his experience, in a unitary authority there is a loss of communication and control by the elected members.
The P.C. then went into formal session.
APOLOGIES
Messsr Grose, and Vian, and Restormel Borough Councillor Mrs D.Mutton.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE 7th NOVEMBER 2006
The minutes were agreed with the addition that Mr Lobb had declared an interest in the planning application for Plowright and had left the room while this item was discussed.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Lime Kiln. Two quotes for the seats have been received. As there are only two firms that manufacture these type of seats it was agreed to accept the cheaper of the two and to go ahead and order them.
Highways. Letter received stating that the speed limit change agreed in June could not be effected until after April 2007. Mr Hunkin confirmed that his budget for this year has been spent. Mr Church commented that it had been agreed that the job would be tacked onto another one in order to reduce the cost. Councillor Hunkin agreed that this is the case and that it would be done as soon as money is released. The letter also stated that problems with reinstatements by May Gurney would be followed up by the Street works Inspector. Mr Hunkin will also follow up. He confirmed that he had received the e-mail from Councillor Lobb in connection with the non replacement of setts in Rattle Street where a water meter had been fitted. He also stated that there are not enough funds to go round. The Highways budget must reduce by 4.5 million this next year and 15 million the year after. The unclassified road from Tregerrick to Polsue will also be inspected.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Footpaths. Waymarks need doing.
Beach. The Clerk reported that she has contacted the Legal Department and also spoken to the Head of the Property Services Section at R.B.C. As the owner of the beach is The Duchy of Cornwall they must be consulted first before any bye-law can be applied for. It may be that they do not want any bye-law to be taken out. He will contact the Duchy and also look at the original lease agreement. He also stated that bye-laws can sometimes take up to 4-5 years to be passed. They can be taken out under Parish Council powers but this is rare. He does not see why we do not have the authority to enforce charging boat launching fees. He also agreed to get someone to look at the wall below the Mermaid which urgently needs repair. A letter has since been received that this work will be done shortly. Mr Ayres reported that the 2 manholes on the slipway are leaking effluent. Mr Lobb reported that the seals are supposed to be being replaced. However there is a third manhole leaking where the seats are situated which, he believes, is not having a new seal.
General Purposes. Mr Husband reported that the leaves on the ground in Crooked Lane are a hazard. Councillor Lobb will arrange for these to be cleared.
CORRESPONDANCE
R.B.C. Details of consultation on changes in respect of ‘additional or alternative sites’ in respect of the Newquay Action Plan.
St Goran Rowing Club. Request to use the beach for the annual regatta on Saturday 4th August 2007. Agreed.
R.B.C. Details of next S.W.Coast Community consultative meeting.
St Goran Parochial Church Council. Canon P. Robson will become Priest in Charge of the Parish of St Goran with St Michael Caerhays.
NALC. Details of Local Government White Paper.
Penwith District Council. Invitation to White Paper event.
C.C.C. Details of preferred options and sustainability appraisal of Cornwall Minerals Development Framework.
PLANNING
Mr & Mrs Billing. Erect a PVCU conservatory to rear of property at
28 Trelispen Park Drive, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objection.
Mr & Mrs Jordan. Single storey extension, construction of pitched roof over existing flat roof with solar panels and alterations to entrance at Omega, Bodrugan Hill, Mevagissey. Full Planning. No objection.
Dr & Mrs Enos. Conversion of single garage to games/hobby room at Treveague House, Foxhole Lane, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objection.
Mr Paul Tregunna. Four bedroom dormer bungalow & boat/garden store at Plot adjacent Pedmore, I Trelispen Park, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objection. Mr Lobb declared an interest in and left the room for this item.
M & J. Burr. Detached double garage & hobbies workshop for family use at Wosteweth, Wansford Meadow, Gorran Haven. Full planning. Objection on the grounds that the application is an inappropriate development, too close to the road, in front of the building line and detrimental to the visual effect on entering the village.
Mr & Mrs Robinson. Replacement of conservatory extension at 1 Perhaver Park, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objection.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT Receipts
Mrs Miles clerk’s salary 340.00 Newcombe 50.00
Mrs Miles clerk’s expenses 53.79 Larcombe’s 50.00
Mrs Miles clerk’s purchases 16.82 R.B.C 690.00
Mr M. Crook grasscutting 50.00 Tourism 30.00
Mr L. G. Husband grass & footpaths 49.00 820.00
Vercoe Bros bins & seats 40.00
Church Schrms hall hire 44.00
Poppy Appeal poppy wreath 35.00
628.61
All the bills for November have been paid. Agreed to pay the bills for December.
COUNCILLORS NON - ATTENDANCE
Councillor Grose has been unable to attend the last 5 Parish Council meetings because he has been caring for his wife who is seriously ill. In which case he would be disqualified from the Council. It was unanimously agreed that this would not be in the interests of the P.C. and that Mr Grose should remain as a Councillor. It was also agreed that reasons for councillors’ non-attendance should be minuted.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
There was discussion on the fact that the current scheme under consideration with Ocean Housing is not moving forward. It was agreed to consider alternative schemes and possible alternative providers. Mrs Gouldsmith declared an interest in and left the room for this item.
PRECEPT 2007
The Clerk presented figures estimating the precept required for the financial year ending 31st March 2008 at £13,000.00. This represents a considerable increase on this year’s precept owing to the cost of an election in May 2007 and the possible cost of operating the beach safety scheme. After some discussion it was agreed to request a precept of £13,000.00. There were 5 votes for, 1 (Mr Whatty) against and 1 abstention
PARISH PROBLEMS
Mrs Gouldsmith asked whether there would Christmas lights on the Triangle this year. The Clerk has been advised that there will no lights as Mr Dutton is unable to put them up because of an injury.
Mr Ayres informed the meeting that the padlock on the Lime Kiln store door has been vandalised. He will get another one.
Mr Church reported that there is a lot of water, possibly from a spring, running into the driveway of a private house at Boswinger. Neither the Highways nor South West Water will accept responsibility. Councillor Hunkin will deal with this. Mr Church also proposed that computer photographic paper be bought for Mr Maple who is producing photos for the tourist brochure. Agreed.
Mr Lobb advised the meeting that he has attended a presentation at the school in connection with a wind turbine that the school is planning to have erected. This should provide all the school’s electricity needs. They are hoping that the P.C. will support this scheme.
Mr Lobb reported that the new footpath from Bell Hill to the school is ongoing and funding is being sought.
The meeting closed at 10.00p.m.
