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ST. GORAN PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 2009
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MINUTES OF A MEETING of the St Goran Parish Council held on 2nd April 2009 in the St Goran Church Schoolrooms at 7.30p.m. with Mr P Grose in the Chair.
Present were Messrs Ayres, Bullen, Church, Husband, Lobb, Trevarton, Mrs Crouch, Mrs Gouldsmith, Mrs Stokes, County Councillor Mr B. L. Hunkin and three members of the public.
PUBLIC SESSION Representatives from Gorran Haven Institute stated their concerns, both on a personal nature and highlighting those of the Institute, regarding the visual impact of Gorran Haven. They feel it looks scruffy and run down at times. They understand the problems that the P.C. face but feel that as the area relies so heavily on tourism, it should offer a welcoming atmosphere. They stated that Gorran Haven is a vibrant and community spirited place. They wondered whether the P.C. could work together with the Institute to ensure the Triangle becomes a more welcoming area, perhaps with the planting of colourful ground cover plants, nothing too big to obscure vision. It was felt that there would be a lot of support from residents to assist with improving the Triangle. Mr Grose spoke of the previous problems that the P.C. had had in relation to receiving more input from the community on such issues. He stated that the P.C. try to ensure that all of its endeavours are completed to the best of its ability, within its constraints. The decision to remove the shrubs was taken to enable the area to be kept neat and tidy. Mr Grose thanked the members of the public present and stated that their views would be taken into account and discussed in full during the formal session.
The P.C. then went into formal session.
APOLOGIES None.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE 5th February 2009 The minutes were agreed.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES C.C.C. Letter received thanking the P.C. for their copy of the Parish Newsletter which they felt was very informative. They hope that next year the P.C. will find that Cornwall Council is more responsive to what needs doing locally. Matthew Taylor, M.P. Letter also received thanking the P.C. for their copy of the Parish Newsletter. Cemetery. The bench for the cemetery has been ordered, however, in addition to the original quote, a delivery charge of £24.00 will apply. Agreed to accept. As there has been no interest with regard to memorial plaques it was decided not to go ahead with the granite block at this time. Milfords Sign. A site meeting had taken place between Mr Church, Mrs Brewster and Mrs Frost, C.C.C. Area Highways Manager on 31 March 09. Mrs Frost stated that she would be able to move the sign to a location of the P.C's choice for repair and then replace it in a new site on the opposite side of the road to ensure it was more visible to road users. The cost of the repair would need to be met by the P.C. Mr Church has subsequently inspected the sign and stated that although the fingers were in a good state of repair, the centre pillar is weak and the bolts are significantly rusted in. It was agreed to approach Mr Crouch for a quote to repair, sandblast and repaint the sign. Bell Hill Virtual Pavement. Concern had been received from residents stating that the signage is in the wrong position and that it had been understood that the colour of the tarmac should have been red. Mrs Frost has visited the site and taken the comments on board. She will make the necessary investigations. Canton Street. Mr Hunkin reported that the driveway at The Glen, Canton Street has been blocked on numerous occasions. County Highways are considering painting a 'Keep Clear' sign on the road at the bottom of the driveway. Winter Maintenance Gritting. Mrs Frost stated that the winter maintenance routes are currently being reviewed and will look into whether road gritting can be increased to the junction for Treveor. She will also look into whether a 'grit bin' can be placed on Bell Hill. Bodrugan to Gorran Speed Sign. Mrs Frost suggested the possibility of using red tarmac as a warning sign on the road at the corner instead of moving the speed sign. The P.C. agreed to ask her to go ahead into checking whether this would be a feasible option. The Triangle. Mrs Gouldsmith and Mrs Brewster met with Mr Crook at the Triangle to establish the condition of the shrubs. It was felt that the azaleas behind the bench were still looking good but the other areas were overgrown. Mrs Frost has visited the area and stated that she may be in a position to assist with wooden posts to deter people parking on the Triangle should the shrubs be removed. An e-mail had been received from Gorran Haven Institute stating that the Triangle is the gateway to the village and as such should be a pleasant welcome area. They wondered whether the PC had considered asking for sponsors for the beds or inviting villagers to adopt them. It was agreed to discuss this matter further during General Purposes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. Footpaths. Nothing to report. Beach. A request had been received to put out the public benches on the beach for the Easter weekend. It was agreed that this would be done on either Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. Mr Ayres to liaise with Mr Vercoe. General Purposes. It was agreed to write to Gorran Haven Institute stating that the P.C. will arrange for the shrubs, excluding the azaleas, to be removed from the Triangle. This will then enable the Institute to organise for the purchase and planting out of the areas with colourful low level plants. It was agreed that as the P.C. are liable for the upkeep and maintenance of the area, the Institute's attention should be drawn to safety whilst working there. There was some discussion as to the risks that would apply as the work would be completed close to the highway. It was agreed that if any costs are incurred with regard to safety measures that the P.C. would consider assisting with those expenses. There were two abstentions from this motion. The P.C. agreed for a letter of thanks to be sent to Mr David Grose relating to the pruning of the tree within the cemetery overhanging the Vicarage. There were also a number of issues relating to the cemetery. It had been noted that more garden waste has been accruing at the entrance to the old cemetery. This had previously been removed by R.B.C. as it was classified as fly-tipping. Also within the new cemetery, a significant pile of ashes has been dumped by the wall at the far end of the cemetery. It was agreed for a letter to be sent to the residents of the house adjoining the cemetery. It has also been noted that a dog has been exercised from one of the houses adjoining the cemetery. Tracks are showing in the grass and a lot of dog faeces are causing a health hazard in the area, in particular to the grasscutting contractor. It was agreed to send a letter to the residents of the property. There is an overgrown rose shrub on a grave in the centre of the cemetery – it was agreed to ask Mr Crook to cut this back. A shrub has been planted at the foot of a grave at the bottom corner of the cemetery, a wooden cross is also at the foot of this grave. It is proving very difficult for Mr Crook to cut this area and so it was agreed to ask him to move the shrub and cross to the top of that grave. It has been noted that there are a lot of empty jam jars littering the cemetery. Mr Grose and Mrs Gouldsmith will clear these. Again there is an issue with regard to wreaths being discarded in the compost bin. The plastic on these does not break down. There was some discussion on how this can be prevented. It was agreed to place a notice in the Parish Magazine regarding the problem of fly tipping at the cemetery and also to write to R.B.C. to alert them to the problem.
CORRESPONDENCE Planning questionnaire. Questionnaire received requesting information as to the types of planning applications the P.C. would like to be consulted on. It was agreed for Mr Trevarton to complete this on behalf of the P.C. Cornwall's Countryside Access Strategy. Details received. Taxi provision questionnaire. Questionnaire received regarding a consultation of taxi provision for Cornwall. It was agreed that Mr Church will complete this on behalf of the P.C. SLCC. Details received regarding the Regional Conference. The Playing Fields Trust. E-mail received. The Trust is aware of the damage to the septic tank and are trying to seek funding to replace it. Their A.G.M. will be held on 20th April 2009. A request was also made as to whether a county funded and maintained dog litter bin could be installed at the Playing Fields. Cornwall Council will look into whether this can be provided. Clean Cornwall Weeks. Details received. CALC. Annual membership renewal received. Agreed to go ahead and renew this membership. It was also agreed not to include the additional voluntary donation with this renewal. Senior Life Skills Exhibition. Details received. Gorran Haven Institute. The Institute are planning to enter the Calor Village of the Year Competition and wondered whether the Parish Council are planning to enter as they do not want to duplicate. It was agreed that the P.C. would not be entering this competition. A request was made as to whether the P.C. would support the Institute with their entry. It was agreed that Mrs Gouldsmith would represent the P.C. and would liaise with the Institute. Local Maintenance Partnership Grant. Details received showing a significant drop in the amount of this grant. It was agreed for the Clerk to meet with a representative from Cornwall Council to discuss whether this amount can be increased. Gorran and District Community Bus. Letter received confirming oral advice to the March meeting. Noted. It was also agreed for an advert for the bus within the Parish Magazine showing the Parish Councils support.
PLANNING 09/00237: Mr A Parker. Proposed dwelling and detached garage at Meadowside, Gorran. Full Planning. No objections. There was one vote against this motion. 09/00277: Mr S Welsh. Storage area for caravans, seasonal use of field for holiday purposes at Treveague Farm, Gorran. Full Planning Change of Use. Objection. The P.C. continue to oppose this proposal in lieu of insufficient detail being provided. It is a retrospective planning application and is therefore subverting the planning process. This would represent an over development of a small rural camp-site. The plans submitted are contradictory with differing information being provided. There are no dimensions shown and no indication of the numbers of caravans involved. Mrs Crouch declared an interest in this matter and abstained from voting. There were two further abstentions. 09/00369. Mr and Mrs Carolan. Proposed ground floor shop alterations including altered door and window positions, new non illuminated shop signs and new render externally at The Haven Takeaway and The Beachcomber, Canton, Gorran Haven. Full Planning. No objections. There was one abstention from this motion.
BILLS FOR PAYMENT RECEIPTS
Mrs Brewster Clerk’s salary 348.44 Grant Reid Tourism 30.00 Mrs Brewster Clerk’s Expenses 55.13 HMRC VAT Refund 268.46 Mrs Brewster Clerk’s Purchases 53.40 Mr J Williams Grasscutting 95.00 Schoolrooms Hall Hire 22.00 Mr ME Crook Grasscutting 69.00 Mr S Church Paper - Newsletter 6.84 TOTAL £649.81 TOTAL £298.46
All the bills for March have been paid. Agreed to pay the bills for April and to transfer £2,000 from the deposit account to the development fund.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING The draft copy of the Section 106 Agreement has not yet been finalised by Mr Paul Bateman of Laurence Associates. In addition to the standard contents of the 106 Agreement as drawn up by R.B.C. it was agreed to request that the following points be added to the draft document: To endorse a 106 Agreement that results in the provision of 15 dwellings for affordable, local need. Agreed. The 15 dwellings to comprise of four apartments and eleven houses to meet the needs of all sectors of the community. Agreed. All 15 dwellings should have the criteria that provides for occupation for local persons, including recognition of local connections using the councils proposed hierarchy system. Agreed. Nine dwellings available for letting by a Registered Social Landlord, three to be sold in shared ownership and three freehold with a market forces reduction of approximately 20 -25%. Agreed. That the dwellings to be sold are protected for locals to perpetuity by a requirement to first market to those only with local connections to St Goran for the first 90 days, subsequently to the immediately adjoining Parishes for a further 90 days and then finally on the open market but not until at least 180 days after first marketed. Marketing to be defined in accordance with the councils definition but also to include notice in writing to the P.C. of an impending sale. The subsequent applicants to be required to fulfil the local persons definition according to the date of which they made an offer to purchase. Agreed. Mr Grose declared an interest in this matter and abstained from voting.
GORRAN GREEN It was agreed to obtain quotes for the purchase of a new bench for the Green. The clerk to obtain quotes for a low maintenance, anti vandalism bench. It was agreed for the clerk to go ahead and order the bench should a suitable quote be received at less than £550.00. Agreed.
AGENDA FORMAT The clerk presented to the P.C. a draft copy of a proposal for a new style agenda. It was agreed to adopt this format and to put in place in time for the Annual Meeting.
PARISH PLAN E-mail received from Gorran Haven Institute stating that the Institute was supported by the P.C. in the Parish Plan and wondered whether support would continue following a review. It was agreed that the original plan should stand for the time being whilst recording that the Beach Scheme had been implemented and was on the whole very successful, with the exception of the Beach Warden. This had been discontinued due to lack of public support. It was also acknowledged that the P.C. are presently actively supporting the provision of affordable housing. It was agreed that the plan would benefit from being kept up to date and relevant and so an annual review would be appropriate. It was agreed for the clerk to distribute copies of the Parish Plan to the P.C. members in January 2010 for consideration to assist in the next review.
PARISH PROBLEMS The Ash tree at Willowmead has been cut right back. Letter to be sent to Planning Enforcement. The area around the seat under the wall at the Church is in need of tidying. Clerk to contact Mr Crook. The public footpath sign at Zion Church is damaged. Clerk to contact Cornwall Council Highways Department. The question of the possible development of a retail outlet at Mevagissey was discussed. It is understood that an approach has been made to Mevagissey P.C. regarding the possible provision of such a development which could include a car park and affordable housing. As no details have been confirmed, it was agreed that the P.C. would be unable to comment on speculation. The issue of bonfires within the Parish was raised. The fingerpost at Boswinger is damaged, in particular to the directional post to Caerhays. Clerk to contact Mr Crook to request repair. A question as to whether the caravan in the car park has been inhabited recently was raised. This matter will be looked into and addressed by the owners of the car park.
The meeting closed at 10.10pm.
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