Minutes Feb 2004

Month by Month Minutes - for easy search

February 2004

DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MAWNAN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 2004 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL

PRESENT : Cllr D Gartside (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs M Briars, M Dearnley, N Gilmore, P Moyle, D O’Dell, R Sadler, R South

148/03 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were accepted from Cllrs Hibbert and Taylor who were away from the Parish.

149/03 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a) In Items on the Agenda
Item 8 b ii) Planning Application – MMO2 Cllr Sadler – Prejudicial Interest

b) Of gifts of a value of more than £25
There were no declarations of gifts of a value of more than £25

150/03 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
It was proposed by Cllr Briars, seconded by Cllr Sadler and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of January 15, 2004 be approved and signed as a true record subject to the following amendments

Correspondence – amend to read ‘…proposed removal ….’

Declarations of Interest – amend to read ‘… no declarations …’

151/03 TO REPORT MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NO ON THE AGENDA (for information only)
a) Maenporth Beach – the Clerk advised that she had been unable to speak to Mr Hughes of Carrick D C despite several attempts to confirm a date for the meeting. The issue of the Moor behind the beach had also been raised at a previous meeting and Cllr Sadler advised that the land is privately owned and that the owners wish to for the land to become a saltwater lagoon.

It was agreed that the item be placed on the Agenda for the next meeting.

b) Parish Council Leaflet – Cllr Gartside advised that he had been working with Richard Allen (Kerrier D C Leisure Services Manager) to progress the application for further funding. There may also be some additional funding for some of the current advertisers. The working party are also considering a few amendments to the leaflet to include some village facilities not included in the first edition.

152/03 AGENDA ITEMS
a) To award tenders for the Footpath and Public Open Spaces Maintenance Contracts 2004/6.

It was proposed by the Chair and agreed unanimously that under the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act this item be dealt with in private session at the end of the meeting.

b) Traffic Calming
i) Grove Hill – a report by Cllr South
Cllr South explained that he had held several meetings with the Police and Cornwall County Council officers and that a speed visor had been used on Grove Hill to monitor traffic coming from Durgan into the village. The results of this survey would be available at the next meeting. He was seeking an appropriate site to monitor traffic travelling through the village in the opposite direction but this also involved the erection of a suitable post to take the visor. The purpose of the survey was to confirm the Council’s concerns about the volume and speed of traffic through the village and in particular around the junction of Shute Hill and Grove Hill in the area of the school. The County Council were looking at ways of improving the road signs around the school.

He felt that the Council needs to consider a short term strategy which will slow traffic down through the village, and a longer term plan to make the case for some proper traffic calming. This plan might require professional help in order to make the best representation to the Highways Department.

It was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Briars and

RESOLVED that the Chairman and Cllr South negotiate with Cornwall County Council to spend up to £150 on the installation of a temporary post on the condition that this guaranteed the use of the visor in the village as soon as possible.

ii) Quiet Lanes Project
Cllr South took this opportunity to report on an information event on ‘Quiet Lanes’ which was trying to identify routes suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The event had been attended by himself and Cllr Sadler and both advised that the scheme was not really appropriate for the parish at present.

iii) Bus Services Survey
The Council asked for members of the public who used the local bus services to contact Cllr South for information which would help him and the Clerk complete the survey on the provision of bus services in the village.

c) Street Lighting
The Council had received a letter asking them to look at the provision of street lighting in the parish and in particular the area of Carlidnack Road. The Clerk advised that the Council had considered this service in the past but never supported the installation of street lighting. She also advised that whilst the Council had the power to install the lighting it also had the power to pass on the cost of maintaining the lighting to the individual residents who benefited from the service.

After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Gartside, seconded by Cllr Briars and

RESOLVED that no further action be taken unless the residents of a specific area approach the Council with a suitable scheme.

d) Second Homes Rate Reduction and the implications for the Parish
The Clerk advised that under the scheme to attract 90% Council Tax on all second homes, there was a benefit to householders in the parish which equated to approximately a £2 rate reduction on a Band D property. There had been an opportunity for this money to be used by the Parish Council rather than reducing the Council Tax but this option had not been made available to the Council by the District due to a lack of time. During discussion it was recognised that the District Council intended to spend the extra income on affordable housing. It was also noted that rural areas such as Mawnan have a significant number of 2nd homes but that the funds may well be used in the urban areas of the district. It was proposed by Cllr Gartside, seconded by Cllr Gilmore and

RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Kerrier requesting that the District Council use this funding to focus on affordable local needs housing in the rural areas.

It was proposed by Cllr Sadler, seconded by Cllr Briars and

RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Kerrier requesting consultation on how the parish element should be used before the start of the next financial year.

e) Tree Protection Order at Castle View Park
The Clerk advised that the Planning Authority now wished to have photographs in support of the Council’ application for tree protection orders on the hedgerow trees in the field at Castle View Park.

It was agreed that the Chairman, Cllr Mrs Briars and Mrs Loomes would progress this and report back in due course.

153/03 CORRESPONDENCE
A schedule of correspondence received was circulated at the meeting and is attached to these Minutes as a record.

154/03 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

a) County Council
Cllr Hatton reported that the County Council had met to set the budget for the year and will reconvene on February 27 to consider an amended budget which will have an increase of approx. 5% without cutting services. He noted that new Government initiatives and statutory requirements were creating more tasks for the council making it increasingly difficult to deliver the same standard of services without an increase in the budget.

b) District Council
Cllr Sadler reported that :

· The Local Government Association was making representations to try and change the way local government is funded. Currently 75% comes from central government and 25% of income is sourced locally.

· He had attended meetings at Taunton and Weston Super Mare on affordable housing. It was suggested that the south west region should be making representation through the Regional Assembly to get legislation to bring down the price of land and properties to make them more available to local people.

· Kerrier D C will meet on March 2 to set the budget for 2004/5.

155/03 PLANNING
a) To Approve Minutes of the Planning committee held on January 22nd, 2004
It was proposed by Cllr Gilmore, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning Committee held on January 22nd, 2004 be approved as a true record and duly signed by the Chairman.

b) To consider Planning Applications Received from the District Authority
i) Messrs T Myners & G Peters, Brynn Cottage, Helford Passage – Erection of an extension to dwelling. It was agreed to hold a site meeting to inspect the amended design.

ii) MMO2 Airwave Ltd, Meudon Farm, Maenporth Road, Maenporth – Installation of digital radio communications service for the Police. It was agreed to hold a site meeting to inspect the application.

iii) Mr & Mrs Adams, The Nest, Maenporth Beach, Maenporth – Erection of a replacement dwelling. In line with Standing Orders it was agreed to hold a site meeting.

iv) Mr & Mrs A Patlick, Tregarth, Bar Road, Helford Passage – Conversion of dormer window into a balcony with French doors NO OBSERVATIONS

v) Mr & Mrs Wingfield, Lower Tregarne Barn, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a double domestic garage NO OBSERVATIONS

vi) Mr & Mrs Legge, 14 Castle View Park, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a dormer extension to dwelling NO OBSERVATIONS

vii) Mr T P Lawry, Lower Tregarne, Mawnan Smith – Felling of one oak tree. It was agreed to have a site visit to inspect the status of the tree.

viii) Mr & Mrs D Masters, Boswyn, Carwinion Lane, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a lounge extension to dwelling NO OBSERVATIONS

ix) Mr Taylor, Chy an Treth, Helford Passage – Erection of a bathroom extension, balcony and landscaping NO OBSERVATIONS

x) Dr Bligh, Pedn Billy, Bar Road, Mawnan Smith – erection of a replacement greenhouse NO OBSERVATIONS

156/03 To note Planning Decisions of the Planning Authority

i) APP/Y0815/A/03/1126931 Bodergy, Budock Vean Lane – erection of a timber jetty. DISMISSED

ii) PA03/T0054 Mr E James, Longsight, Little in Sight – Lopping and topping of six Oak trees APPROVED

iii) Pa03/01588/F Mrs R Mason, 8 Greenfields Close, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a dormer extension to dwelling APPROVED

iv) PA03/T0039 Mr Hough, Bar House, Bar Road, Helford Passage – Felling of twelve trees and works to three trees APPROVED

v) PA03/01541/F Mr & Mrs Ballard, Bow Green, Trelawney Close, Maenporth – Erection of a replacement dwelling REFUSED

vi) PA03/00895/F Mr & Mrs S Wills, Groveside, Grove Hill, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a double domestic garage APPROVED

vii) PA03/01601/F Mr P Marriott, Mullion Cottage, Bar Road, Helford Passage – Erection of a replacement observatory (amended design) APPROVED

viii) PA/01651/F Mesrs Lamotte and Brass, Bourne Place, Budock Vean – Infilling of boat park and raising of garden level APPROVED

ix) PA03/01694/F Mr & Mrs Inness, 6 Coastguard Cottages, Helford Passage – Erection of a first floor extension to dwelling (amended design) APPROVED

x) PA03/01581/F M Jackson & Miss Poll, Chenhalls Farm, Maenporth Road, Mawnan Smith – Conversion of barn to form a holiday unit, conversion of piggery into a yoga studio and installation of a septic tank APPROVED

xi) PA03/01227/O Mr R Matthews, Grove Hill, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a new dwelling WITHDRAWN

157/03 FINANCE AND PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

The Council received a financial statement for the previous month. Cllr South confirmed that he had checked the invoices for payment. He asked that the Council consider the payment for toilet cleaning in private session.

It was proposed by Cllr Briars, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that the accounts for payment be approved with the exception of the payment for toilet cleaning which would be discussed in private session at the end of the meeting.

158/03 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES
a) Footpaths
It was noted that the junction of Carlidnack Close and Carlidnack Road was slippery and the Clerk was asked to report the matter to the County Council. It was also noted that a complaint had been received about the muddy and wet state of the footpath from Carwinion to Bosveal. The Clerk had inspected the path and it was once again dry. The Council appreciated the changeable nature of the path but felt that the problems were a cause of the weather and that any work would not cure the problem.

Cllr Briars reported that she was still working with the County Council to get the paths at Maenporth put on the definitive map.

b) Police
P C White confirmed that there had been a reduction in calls to the police during the previous month. He was patrolling the village on foot and making contact with many local people. He hoped that this method of policing was having a direct effect on the calls for help.

c) Cornwall Association of Local Councils
Cllr South reported that he had attended a meeting of the Cornwall Association of Local Councils. There had been a presentation (made by the Clerk) on Members Allowances and he felt it would be very useful if this presentation could be repeated for the benefit of all councillors.

159/03 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Council would be on Wednesday, March 17th, 2004 starting at 7.30pm

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

· Litter at Carwinion Playing Field – Complaints had been received noting that the refuse was not being collected from Carwinion Playing Field. It was now mounting up and beginning to be a health hazard.
· Litter at the Junior Playing Field – the bins had been filled with free newspapers which were now littering the playing field.
· Site Inspection at Castle View Park – Mr Birch was concerned that whilst the applicants and agent had been invited to attend the site inspection, residents had been asked to stay away. The Clerk confirmed that the purpose of the inspection had been to inspect the site and get information from the applicant. The discussion of the application had taken place at a meeting of the Planning Committee where there had been time for public comment both before and after the meeting.
· Cllr Gartside confirmed that the First Response Team would start work at the beginning of March. He had been asked to stress that if a resident has to dial for the emergency services, they should make every effort to identify their house or stand in the road to hail the service.
· Bus Survey – public comments included a request for larger print timetables and better service on the route to Truro.

The Chairman thanked the public for attending the meeting. As previously resolved under the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act the Council went in to private session.

152/03 TO AWARD THE TENDER FOR THE PATH TRIMMING AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACES MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS 2004/6

The Council awarded the contracts for the Path Trimming and Public Open Spaces Maintenance to Mr M Rashleigh at an annual cost of £3130 +VAT per annum.

156/03TOILET CLEANING

It was resolved to approve the payment of January and February payments for toilet cleaning services and to advise the contractor that the toilets would be closed until completion of all refurbishment work, when a revised job description and contract would be issued.