ST GORAN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES FOR AUGUST 2007
LINKS
MINUTES OF A MEETING of the St Goran Parish Council held on 2nd August 2007 in the St Goran Church Schoolrooms at 7.30p.m. with Mr Grose in the Chair.
Present were Messrs Ayres, Bullen, Church, Husband, Lobb, Mrs Crouch, Mrs Gouldsmith and Mrs Stokes, Mr Tony Lee (Restormel Borough Council) and 4 members of the public.
PUBLIC SESSION
Mr Grose welcomed the members of the public and invited any questions or comments. Mr Fox of the Gorran Haven Harbour and Fishermen's Association wished to bring to the attention of the Parish Council a planning application for the conversion of part of the Big Cellars on the beach at Gorran Haven to holiday accommodation. The Big Cellars is part of the history of the village, it had been built by fishermen for the fishermen of the village and the Association is of the opinion that it is not in keeping. It is part of the heart of the village and should be retained in its original state. Mrs Smith agreed with these comments and stated that the Big Cellars have remained unaltered since they were built in 1815. She also stated that notices had only been posted at 5.00p.m. today and that there are only 21 days for any objections to be made and she does not believe that this is democratic. She would like to know that a site meeting will be held. Mr Grose stated that the application will be on the agenda tonight and their comments will be considered. Mr Lee informed the members of the public that they should advise their District Councillors of their opinions. 3 members of the public then left.
Mr Grose then introduced My Tony Lee, the Affordable Housing Officer at Restormel Borough Council who gave a résumé of the District Council’s policy on affordable housing. Those parishes that have produced Parish Plans are being prioritised and there are schemes in the pipeline for several parishes in the District. The District is keen for schemes in the villages to be of traditional design and unique rather than small urban type estates. R.B.C. has money available from second homes Council Tax and land sales which they can put into schemes. He then introduced Mr Robert Cock from Ocean Housing Association who had just arrived. He explained that the money that had been allocated some time ago to a scheme in Gorran had been spent elsewhere. There is now a 3 year programme for funding bids from the Housing Association. Mr Lee stated that R.B.C would support a scheme for Gorran. Mr Church commented that the previous scheme for Gorran had not had its design approved. Mr Cock stated that Ocean Housing’s design principles had changed. They now demand good, high quality design. Sustainability is also an important issue now. Mr Lobb expressed concern that there is not enough evidence about what type of housing is needed in the Parish and that the housing list register does not reflect the actual need. There was discussion on the need for the criteria for the allocation of affordable housing to be carefully worked out to ensure that it is local people who benefit. Mrs Gouldsmith commented that many local young people are having to move out of the area because they cannot afford homes here. Mr Lee will write to the P.C. to advise the way forward. Mr Grose thanked Mr Lee and Mr Cock for attending the meeting and they then left.
The P.C. then went into formal session.
APOLOGIES
Messrs Whatty (unwell), District Councillors Mrs D. Mutton and Mr P. Trevarton.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE 5TH JULY 2007
The minutes were agreed.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Footpath – Bell Hill. Letter from Highways stating that planning permission will need to be applied for.
Parish Review. Letter received from R.B.C. stating that St Michael Caerhays do not wish to be amalgamated with another parish at the present time.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Footpaths. Mrs Stokes reported that the footpath up Bell Hill is badly grown over the tarmac and needs clearing back for buggies etc.
Beach. Mr Ayres reported that May Gurney have work to do outside the toilets in Gorran Haven and that the road down to the beach will be closed for 5 days from 6th August between 7.00p.m. and 11.00p.m. Agreed that the bollards are lifted at 5.00p.m. for this period in order for the boats to have time to get off the beach before 7.00p.m. A letter received in connection with the number of kyaks on the beach. Operator to be reminded that only 8 kayaks and 1 rescue boat are allowed. Licence can be revoked if this is not complied with. Mr Lobb reported that there has been a smell on the beach. Environmental Health Department have been informed. However it is believed to be seaweed.
General Purposes. Mr Crook who cuts the grass in the cemetery has reported that there has been a problem with dog mess in the cemetery and glass flower containers are a hazard. He also suggested levelling some of the graves in the older part of the cemetery with top soil.
CORRESPONDANCE
Matthew Taylor M.P. Thanks for completing questionnaire in connection with Local Government Reform and Devolution and details of Cornwall M.P.s’ letter to Government about their broad support and some of their concerns with the unitary bid.
R.B.C. Jessica Pytel is now their Community Regeneration Officer.
St Goran P.C.C. Thanks for grant.
St Goran Cubs. Thanks for grant.
R.B.C. Draft Unauthorised Advertisement Stategy.
PLANNING
Rev. Pat Robson. Alterations to lychgate to west of church to allow for disabled wheelchair access and improve general access to and from main parking area at Gorran Church Lychgate( West), Gorran Church. Listed Building Consent. Objection. The application will take away the character of the church and it should not be changed. Only repairs as existing should be allowed.
Mr & Mrs D.Brady. Conversion of existing store to holiday lodge and beach store at Fisherman's Lodge, Big Cellar, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. Objection. The application is an inappropriate change of use and will set a precedent for future developments. It would destroy the character of the traditional fishing village.
Mr & Mrs D.Brady. Conversion of existing store to holiday lodge and beach store at Fisherman's Loft, Big Cellar, Gorran Haven. Listed Building Consent. Objection. The application is an inappropriate change of use and will set a precedent for future developments. It would destroy the character of the traditional fishing village.
Mr & Mrs E. Barkhuysen. Demolition of existing structure and construction of new entrance, dayroom/utility and alterations to existing kitchen/dining area at The Gwineas, 8 Chute Lane, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objection.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT Receipts
Mrs Miles clerk’s salary 340.00 Nil
Mrs Miles clerk’s expenses 53.79
Mrs Miles clerk’s purchases 47.30
Mr Williams grass cutting 42.75
Mr Crook grass cutting 106.00
Audit Commission audit fee 158.63
Mr Ayres padlock 7.98
Island Signs beach sign 34.50
790.95
All the bills for July have been paid. Agreed to pay the bills for August and to transfer £500.00 from deposit account to current account.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Mr Grose declared a personal interest in this item. There was discussion on the need to be very specific when setting the criteria for eligibility for any affordable housing built in the parish. Agreed to seek legal advice.
PARISH PROBLEMS
Mrs Crouch informed the meeting that the road between Carvynick and Treveague is in a poor state and that the passing space badly needs cutting back.
Mrs Gouldsmith reported that there have been problems with vehicles parked along Rice Lane and that there is a bad pothole at Gorran High Lanes.
Mrs Stokes expressed concern about parking on the cobbles at the bottom of Foxhole Lane.
Mr Church again raised the question of the sign at Milfords and the fact that nothing has been done to the road at Boswinger.
The meeting closed at 9.45p.m.
