Meeting minutes 2nd July 2015

Item 1 Apologies for absence

Cllrs Strawson & Griffiths

Item 2 Public Speaking Period:

Mr. Galassini spoke about the removal of the Dog-waste bin from Primrose Lane. Cllr Nicholas explained the history and that it could not go elsewhere, as Cllr Griffiths had suggested, because that land belonged to a private person. Mr. Galassini very kindly expressed himself willing to have it replaced at 2 Primrose Lane. Cllr Nicholas said she would now arrange a meeting with the responsible Cornwall Council Officer.

Mr. Golay (AG) then spoke to the Council at length (at the Council’s invitation) about taking forward a Neighbourhood Plan. AG said:

  • A Neighbourhood Plan (NP) in preparation will carry some weight with Cornwall planners.
  • He had spoken to Mr. M. Broomhead and Ms Sarah Arden, both of whom were “cautiously encouraging” about a NP in progress.
  • The Penwith Development Plan still exists and does still carry some weight.
  • The Parish Council can proceed in stages and, if felt appropriate, abandon it without penalty.
  • Cornwall Council is having to reappraise its housing in various areas of which Perranuthnoe Parish is one.

The clerk then advised the Council as to whether the question of AG’s charges should be dealt with as a confidential matter, rather than in open session. AG said that as his figures were really rough estimates he had no objection to them being given in open session and, on that basis, the meeting so continued.

At this stage the clerk was asked to pass AG the results of the NP questionnaire. ACTION: Clerk.

AG continued:

  • As a rough estimate his charges would run out at between £2,000 and £3,000 to review existing policies, looking at constraints, doing the field survey and preparing an options paper
  • (On the clerk asking whether public consultations should be held at the outset, or when an option paper had been prepared, so there was something to discuss) he advised that this should be when there was something to discuss. He advised that his interim plan will provide a strategy on which to consult.
  • To take the process to the final stage will cost about another £1,000, so his charges will total roughly £4,000. He stressed this was a “ball park” figure only.
  • Housing demand is a hot topic.
  • He calculates that 12% of the population of the West Penwith Community Network area (excluding Penzance) is in this Parish. The County estimate for this area is about 400 houses and 12% of this is 48 houses over the next 20 years. These figures are estimates and will doubtless be subject to variation up, or down.
  • There is a need to stimulate “Affordable Housing” (of which, it was said, many will come at the site next to Collygree Parc)
  • Transportation is an issue and can be looked at in the preparation of the NP.
  • A separate professional may be needed to deal with this aspect, and there is a resource at County level.
  • He advises attracting people to help. Someone needs to be involved from Day 1.
  • It is important to have good communications strategy. Professional advice from a professional marketing and communications expert is needed. (Cllr Nicholas said that James Hardy may know about this).
  • A steering committee is needed to report to the Parish Council and to monitor and steer the proceedings.
  • The steering committee needs strong leadership, a clerk to do the administration and someone to deal with the finance.
  • AG can provide project management and support, writing reports, preparing the draft plan, writing policies and providing evidence base.
  • A sustainability assessment is critical (NPs have fallen at this hurdle through inadequate assessments)
  • He estimates that the total cost will be about £20,000 to carry a NP right through, and that it will take about 2 years to complete
  • The CIL difference equates to 10%. If there is a NP, the Parish gets 25% of the CIL; if there is no NP, it gets only 15%.

AG left at 20.25 hours

Item 3 Councillors Reports:

3a. Councillor Nicholas’ Report.

Cllr Nicholas reported:

  • The “Case for Cornwall” consultation is on-going
  • There is an extra full Cornwall Council meeting coming up to go through the Case for Cornwall.
  • She will now try to sort out the dog bins
  • The roundabout at the top end of the Marazion by-pass is still an on-going sage.
  • A resident in Rosudgeon has complained about speeding. She has put Highways in touch with PC Thomas over this, as well as having had various correspondence with them.

3b. Crime Report.

The clerk had no report to give. PC Thomas was going to come personally but had sent in his apologies as he was off work with a viral infection.

3c. Other Councillors’ reports

Cllr Wyatt reported that several pieces of verge in Rosudgeon had not been trimmed for the last two years. Cornwall Council used to contact the land owners and, if they didn’t so it, Cornwall Council would do it and then charge the land owners. Cllr Nicholas will look into this.

Cllr Scobie reported (a) that a dog walker had received an on the spot fine for allowing his dog to foul near the Perranuthnoe public conveniences;(b) on the AONB survey he had been passed.

Cllr Keskeys raised the matter of replacing the Kissing Gate as she had received complaints that it was impossible to push buggies through it.

Item 4 Minutes of the last meeting:

It was proposed by Cllr Keskeys and seconded by Cllr Scobie that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4th June 2015 be signed. This was unanimously approved.

Item 5 Matters brought forward from last meeting:

(a) Parish Plan. To resolve to undertake a Neighbourhood Plan. It was proposed by Cllr Scobie that the Parish Council gets under way with the preparation of a NP with the input of AG as a consultant. This was seconded by Cllr Summers and carried unanimously. The clerk reported that he had contacted Mr. Hardy with a draft of the formal notice and letter and would send this off when he heard back from Mr. Hardy. ACTION: Clerk.

(b) Emergency Plan. To resolve to undertake an Emergency Plan. It was proposed by Cllr Keskeys that this be undertaken. This was seconded by Cllr Scobie and carried unanimously.

(c) Youth Group. It was reported that nothing had yet been heard from Ms Wills. The clerk advised that he thought she had been on leave.. Cllr Nicholas suggested that matters be left in abeyance for the time being, until more information was forthcoming.

Item 6 Plans and Planning Matters:

a. PA15/05008. “The suggested work involves the removal of 4 trees/stems within the property. The reasons for this work are explained in the report attached with this application, where also pictures of such trees/stems are included. The report refers to tree/stems 1, 2 and 3. T4 is a Fraxinus Excelsior growing in a constrained space under the thick canopy of the neighbouring trees, having developed a very poor structure with none” (sic) “aesthetic or amenity value”. Chynors, Access to Trevelyan Lodge, Perran Downs, Goldsithney. Mrs. Alison Marks. It was proposed by Cllr Jago that, subject to the Tree Officer approving, the application be supported. This was seconded by Cllr Summers and carried unanimously but with the rider that Cllr Nicholas supports on the basis of the information now available but reserving the right to change her decision at a later date if further information comes to light (Cllr Nicholas’ Rider)

b. PA15/05162. Reconfiguration of existing single storey flat roofed rear extension to provide two storeys under pitched roof, redesign of sun room and demolition of annex. The Dubban, Perran Lane, Perranuthnoe. Mr. & Mrs. Offland. It was proposed by Cllr Wyatt that this application be supported. This was seconded by Cllr Jago and carried unanimously subject to Cllr Nicholas’ Rider.

c. PA15/05190. Construction of two dwellings (one affordable) and associated works (outline application with all matters reserved). Trescowe Stables, Trescowe Road, Perran Downs. Mr. & Mrs. Jose. Before this application was considered Cllr Keskeys declared an interest and left the room. It was then proposed by Cllr Scobie that the application be opposed on the grounds that (a) it was a Greenfield site (b) it was encroachment on the Countryside (c) it was outside the settlement boundaries and (d) was not within the Local Authority Planning Position Statement. This was seconded by Cllr Summers and carried unanimously subject to Cllr Nicholas’ Rider (varied by the substitution of “objects” for “supports”). Cllr Keskeys was then recalled to the meeting.

d. Any others received by the time of the meeting on 4th June 2015

e. PA15/05583. Demolition of existing mundic dwelling and construction of sustainable dwelling and associated works. Fair Havens, Boat Cove Lane, Perranuthnoe. Mrs. J. Lake. It was proposed by Cllr Nicholas that this application be supported, subject to the clerk drawing to the planners’ attention the fact that (a) the design statement doesn’t match the plans (b) the Council is concerned about the increase in size of the new dwelling’s footprint (c) the Council is concerned that there should be no overlooking of neighbours. This was seconded by Cllr Keskeys and carried unanimously subject to Cllr Nicholas’ Rider

Details of the following planning permissions having been granted were noted:

a. PA15/04215. Mr. Geoff Marks. Chynors, Perran Downs, Goldsithney. Works to 3 Goat Willow Trees.

b. PA15/04251. Mr. & Mrs. P. Linton. Men Zar, St. Pirans Way, Perranuthnoe. Demolition of existing mundic extensions, construction of replacement ground floor extensions and associated works.

c. PA15/04276. Mr. Leonard Evans. Woodlands, Trescowe Road, Goldsithney. Fell two Cupressus.

d. PA15/03867. Mr. S. Lavis and Ms Sarah de Larrinaga. Chapel House, Trevean, Trevean Lane, Perranuthnoe. Revised application to Planning Decision PA11/08541 for the conversion of redundant Chapel to a single dwelling together with the addition of a garden shed/studio.

e. PA15/04522. Ms Elaine Newman. Land at St. Petry, Goldsithney. Submission of details to discharge condition 6 in respect of planning decision number PA14/04115. (decision list states “S52/S106 and discharge of condition apps”)
And it was noted that no planning applications had been refused

Item 7 Date of next meeting:

Thursday 6th August 2015 in Goldsithney Village Hall (St. Piran’s Hall) at 1930 hours

Item 8 Correspondence, telephone calls and other reports:

a) Letter from Perranuthnoe Parochial Church Council’s secretary, requesting a grant towards renovation. It was proposed by Cllr Jago seconded by Cllr Keskeys and resolved that in pursuance of the power conferred by section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 and being of the opinion that the expenditure satisfies the requirements of this section and is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure, the Council approves the making of a grant of £1,000.00 to help defray the cost of the renovations outlined in this letter.

b) West Penwith Community Network Panel. The clerk reminded councillors that the next meeting was on 9th July and that he was unable to attend.

c) Roundabout at the top of the Marazion by-pass. This had already been covered and so there was nothing to add

d) Cornwall Council:

i.) Cornwall Council communities and devolution bulletin for June. This was noted

ii.) Planning appeal notification re. Land adjacent to Perran Barton, Perran Downs. Mr. & Mrs. Rescorla. This was noted

Item 9 Footpaths & Rights of Way:

The clerk reported on the information Cllr Griffiths had given him to the effect that he and Mr. Fry will meet as soon as convenient to discuss what might usefully be added to the LMP schedule next year and that Mr. Fry had carried out some extra cutting work over and above his LMP requirements. The clerk also reported on the exchange of e-mails concerning footpath 1 in Goldsithney.

Item 10 Section 17:

Crime & Disorder Act 1998 – Duty to promote Race Relations – Freedom of Information Act – Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – Human Rights Law – Personnel & Employment Law – Data Protection Act 1998.

Cllrs felt they had taken the Acts & Laws into consideration when making decisions.

Item 11 To receive advance notice of items for the next meeting’s Agenda:

a. Neighbourhood Plan
b. Emergency Plan

Item 12 Financial & Confidential Matters:

a. Receive and approve Bank Reconciliation Statement. This having previously been circulated, was noted and approved.

b. Receive and approve Cllrs Jago’s and Summers’ internal audit report. Cllrs Jago and Summers reported that they had audited the books (for the period from 1st April to 30th June) before the meeting and that these were in order

c. Receive and approve External Auditor’s (Grant Thornton’s) Report. This having been previously circulated was noted and approved.

d. Approve quarterly budget report to 30th June 2015. This having been previously circulated was noted and approved.

e. Approve for payment items listed on the schedule. It was proposed by Cllr Keskeys that these be passed for payment. This was seconded by Cllr Scobie and carried unanimously

Payments Schedule

1. St. Piran’s Hall. Room Hire Rent. £60.00
2. R. W. Beard. Bus shelter cleaning. £48.00
3. Grant Thornton. External Audit fee. £200.00 VAT £40.00. Total £240.00
4. Peter Thomas Grounds Care. Grass cutting and maintenance. £527.70. VAT £105.54. Total £633.24
5. Clerk’s salary for June
6. Payroll Direct. Invoice for PAYE and NI work. £26.83
7. Nigel Row (Playground inspections for May and June). £70.00

The Meeting closed at 21.35 hours