Minutes Jan 2006

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January 2006

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MAWNAN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2006 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL

PRESENT : Cllr D Gartside (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs M Briars, M Dearnley, D O’Dell, R Sadler, R South, C Stimson

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA (this item will not exceed 10 minutes)

There were no comments on items on the agenda.

Before opening the meeting, the Chairman welcomed John Harrop who had been appointed to take over as Clerk to the Council from April 1st, 2006. He would work alongside the Clerk from February 1st, 2006 to affect a smooth changeover.

104/05 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Gilmore, Hibbert and Moyle.

105/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a) In Items on the Agenda
There were no declarations of interest in items on the Agenda.

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

106/05 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
a) Finance Committee Meeting December 15th, 2005
It was proposed by Cllr South, Seconded by Cllr O’Dell and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on December 15th, 2005 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

b) Council Meeting December 15th, 2005
It was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Mrs Briars and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on December 15th, 2005 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

107/05 TO REPORT MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA (for information only.)
a) Ownership of Bus Shelter
The Clerk advised that the Land Registry search would be done by the new Clerk and there would be a report back to the next meeting.

b) Street Naming Powers
It was agreed that this item would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

108/05 AGENDA ITEMS
a) Trees
i) Report on the proposed felling of the Macrocarpus tree on Grove Hill
The Chairman reported that a successful meeting had been held with Oliver Bennett, County Forester. The main points arising from the meeting were that the tree would be felled in late February, early March, but he would try and arrange for the work to be carried out during half term to minimise the impact on the flow of traffic. The stump would be ground out and then the pavement would be made level and repaired. He was seeking approval for the planting of a new tree on the pavement a little further up Grove Hill and that this was likely to be a Swamp Cypress tree which was deciduous but with a small leaf. A verbal agreement had been given that the tree would be maintained by Cornwall County Council.

The Council were concerned that another deciduous tree would drop leaves onto the pavement and cause a hazard during the autumn. The Clerk was asked to write and confirm the Council’s preference for an evergreen tree to be planted on Grove Hill.

ii) To consider proposals for replacement tree planting in Mawnan Smith
A further inspection had been carried out to identify other possible sites where the County Council could plant additional trees. It was proposed that a Liquid Amber should be planted on the green central reservation at Shute Hill. The County Forester was also contacting the Highways Department as the roots of the cypress trees on the grass appeared to be breaking up the road. It might be possible for these trees to be replaced with other decorative trees such as Magnolia.

iii) Report on a visit to Maenporth to review the status of the tree planting scheme
After visiting the village, the Chairman and Cllr Stimson had met with the County Forester and the agent for County Farms at the field behind Meudon Beach. The County Forester felt that the majority of the existing trees were in a fair condition, but required some thinning; there was also a need to clear some of the scrub from around the trees in selected areas.

The meeting had also inspected the footpath at the bottom of the field which is currently walked as the main path through the field. The Land Agent confirmed that there was no money available to reinstate the old cart track path but that there might be an opportunity to clear the existing path and apply for a modification order.

Cllr Mrs Briars explained that she and the Clerk had visited the path several times with Dan Thomas, Footpaths Officer for the area. He had been insistent that the cart track was the definitive path and as such should be restored. The current path is not on the definitive map and any money spent should be spent on the original path. Cllr Mrs Briars also reported that in the past Mr Thomas had been insistent that that the Parish Council should not undertake any work on non definitive paths and that there appeared to be confusion between the two departments of the County Council. The Clerk advised that the Land Agent and the Footpaths Officer were meeting at Meudon on Friday, January 20th, 2006. It was recognised that the council had hoped to co-ordinate an environment project in the field and that the confusion was unhelpful. Therefore Cllr Mrs Briars and Cllr Sadler offered to attend the site meeting and report back to the next meeting.

b) To Confirm Appointment of a the new Clerk to Mawnan Parish Council
It was proposed by Cllr Gartside, Seconded by Cllr O’Dell and

RESOLVED that Mr John Harrop be appointed as Clerk to the Council from April 1st, 2006.

c) Home Front Recall Project – status report on the production of the CD Rom
The Chairman reported that Cllr Hibbert was co ordinating the editing of the material and it was hoped that copies would be available shortly. The Clerk noted that there would be approximately £600 left of the original grant after production costs which would allow for more copies to be produced for distribution in the parish.

d) Best Kept Village Competition – a progress report by Cllr Stimson
Cllr Stimson reported that a second meeting had been held and that there was a growing support for the parish entering the 2006 Best Kept Village Competition. Staff from Glendurgan and Trebah had also attended and were keen to get involved. He therefore planned to hold the first meeting of the co-ordinating committee on January 25th, 2006 in the Rendlesham Room to start planning the work to be done.

Several areas had been identified including the following areas :

Carwinion Playing Field – the Playgroup had offered to work with the Trustees to carry out painting and planters. There are also a number of cast iron benches which could be restored. It was also noted that the sycamore trees needed heavy pruning and that there were some cast iron benches which needed restoring.

Cherry Trees on Sampys Hill – It was believed that these trees had been planted by the Fox family of Glendurgan. Mr Porter, Head Gardener, had offered to inspect the trees and carry out any work required. The Council noted that it was important that any work be done with the landowner’s approval who was keen to protect the trees.

Village Signs – Cllr Stimson reported that the meeting had supported the idea of a more decorative welcome sign at the entrance to the village on Sampys Hill. The Council supported this suggestion and agreed to investigate further.

Bus Shelter / Village Toilets – this area needed some improvements but it was agreed to wait until the parish council could identify ownership of both facilities.

Shute Hill – the Clerk was asked to write to Western Power requesting that they finish the installation of the sub station on the corner and make the area safe.

It was agreed that the last three items be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Through the Chair, the Council thanked Cllr Stimson for all of his hard work in co ordinating the village’s entry into this competition, which it was believed would have a lasting effect on the appearance of the village.

e) Mawnan Skip
Cllr Sadler reported that whilst Mr Walsh from Kerrier D C was supportive in principle, he was investigating whether the District Council could afford to support this initiative. If the event went ahead, the parish council would have to man the skip and co-ordinate the arrangements locally.

The Council thanked Cllr Sadler and it was agreed to place this item on the agenda for the next meeting when he would have further information.

f) Mawnan Parish Plan
The Committee were now working with the Cornwall Rural Community Council to host a prioritisation event in the Memorial Hall. A provisional date of February 18th had been identified. The event will encourage the community to help prioritise themes from the responses to the questionnaire and will lead to the publication of the final plan later in the year.

The Clerk advised that the Council’s application for funding from Kerrier’s Community Fund had been unsuccessful. She was working with the Regeneration Team to identify other funding opportunities within Kerrier and Cllr Sadler confirmed that he was also taking this matter further.

g) Mawnan Memories Project
The Clerk advised that this project was taking place on January 27th, 2006 and was hoping to record memories of the parish from 1945 – 1954. The results would be published in a book which would be available in the parish.

h) Traffic and Highways - a report by Cllr South
Cllr South reported that he was co ordinating a working party which included representatives from Cornwall County Council and the local policeman to identify traffic and highways issues and how to take them forward. He had reported the drains and flooding problems around Boskensoe and Bosilliac and some minor clearance work had been carried out.

i) Staffing issues – to establish the salary of the incoming clerk and the gratuity for the outgoing clerk.
The Council agreed that under the 1960 Public Admissions to Meetings Act, this item be left to the end of the meeting and that the public and press be excluded as the discussion involved salaries and gratuities of staff.

109/05 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported on correspondence received and a schedule is attached to the minutes as a record.

110/05 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
a) County Council
· Waste – the County Council had identified its preferred contractor for the development of a waste incinerator in the county. It had been a very emotive debate and the specification of the contract included a requirement for energy from waste. The details of the contract will now be defined including the detail and site for the plant.
b) District Council
· Tetra Mast – the Public Inquiry will be held on January 25th and 26th at Kerrier D C. Evidence for both sides had now been collated and exchanged and Cllr Hatton hoped to receive public support during the hearing. He confirmed that it would take a further two to three weeks to learn the outcome of the appeal.
· Waste Collection – the Kerrier contract for waste collection would be reviewed in 2008 at which time consideration of recycling would be given a stronger focus. The District Council may also seek to work with Penwith D C to achieve economies of scale but would welcome the input of parish and town councils.
· Budget – Kerrier hoped to keep any increase in the budget to below 5% and was hopeful of achieving an increase of only 3.5%.

111/05 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) To Consider Planning Applications Received From The District Authority
There were no planning applications for consideration at the meeting.

b) Local Needs Housing at Castle View Park – to note progress report from Chief Planning Officer at Kerrier D C
The Council had received correspondence from the Chief Planning Officer confirming that the new highways proposals had been forward to Cornwall County Council for consultation. On receiving a response, the planning application would then be resubmitted to the Planning Committee for further consideration. Members of the council were concerned at the delay taken over final outcome of the application and were unhappy that the process had taken so long.

112/05 FINANCE AND PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Stimson and

RESOLVED that accounts totalling £ be approved for payment and duly signed. (A schedule is attached to the minutes as a record)

113/05 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES
a) Footpaths
Cllr South reported that the new path at Durgan Crossroads was a great improvement and it was agreed that the Council should write and congratulate Mr Lugg and the National Trust team for their work.

b) Police
P C Alan Jordan attended the meeting and was welcomed as the new community policeman for the village. He confirmed that Cllr South had shown him around the village and identified some of the current issues such as the parking at Durgan, and traffic speed through the village and at Penwarne. As a result he had carried out some survey work on traffic speeds and would continue to use the speed gun to patrol traffic speed and issue fines if necessary.

There had been 58 crimes in the village in 2005 which was identical to the figure for 2004.

P C Jordan confirmed that he policed six parishes but intended to police each community on a regular basis to maintain a high profile.

114/05 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16th, 2006 at 7.30pm

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

There were no comments from the public.