Minutes Feb 2007

Month by Month Minutes - for easy search

February 2007

DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MAWNAN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, 15th FEBRUARY 2007 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL

PRESENT : Cllr D Gartside (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs M Briars, M Dearnley, N Gilmore, D Odell, R Sadler

PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no public comments on items on the agenda.

238/05 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Stimson and South.

239/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a) In Items on the Agenda
Cllr Gilmore declared a prejudicial interest in Planning Application PA07/00183/F (The Square) – see Minute 245/05 (c) (v).

Cllr Gartside declared a personal (non-prejudicial) interest in Planning Applications PA07/00135/F and PA07/00158/F (Highlands) – see Minute 245/05 (c) (iii) & (iv).

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

240/05 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Meeting of Parish Council, 18th January 2007
It was proposed by Cllr Odell, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 18th January 2007 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

b) Extra Ordinary Meeting of Parish Council, 26th January 2007
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Briars, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting held on 26th January 2007 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

241/05 TO REPORT MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
a) Old School Sign
The Clerk reported that he had been in correspondence with Coastline Housing Trust, who had offered to trim back the shrubs, so the sign could again be seen by passers-by.

b) Kerrier DC assistance with CPO of land for Graveyard Extension
The Clerk reported that he had been progress chasing, but that the “locum solicitor” who was handling this matter was no longer working for the District Council. The Clerk agreed to give a further progress report at the next council meeting.

c) Toilets & Bus Shelter – Maintenance Requirement
The Clerk reported that, since October 2006, there had also been no progress with the transfer of the above from Kerrier DC to Mawnan Parish Council, because of a staffing shortfall in Kerrier’s Legal Department, and because this is not a high priority issue.

The Parish Council’s cleaning contractor has identified a number of maintenance issues, which would cost between £200 and £250 to rectify. The Clerk had contacted Kerrier DC about this, as they were still the owners, and asked them to organise for this work to be done. He agreed to give an update on progress at the next council meeting.

d) Mawnan Self-Build Group’s Planning Application
The Clerk reported that he had recently had a visit from one of the applicants, who had stated that there was still little progress, since County Highways’ involvement in late 2006. C Cllr Hatton stated that he intended to give a further update in his County Councillor’s report.

242/05 AGENDA ITEMS
a) Parish Council Election Procedures for Thursday, 3rd May 2007
The Clerk summarised a letter from Kerrier DC’s Elections Officer, which detailed potential costs to the Parish Council of approximately £750, for the May 3rd 2007 Elections. Although this had not been budgeted for under a separate budget heading, it had been allowed for under the Contingency heading within the 2007/08 Budget.

A poster had also been received from CALC, to assist in raising public profile and awareness, both of the election, and also potentially to recruit candidates to stand as Parish Councillors. The poster was on the notice board, and details had also been posted on the website.

The Chairman suggested that he and the Clerk consider the use of other profile-raising activity.

b) County Highways Issues – Report back by the Clerk
The Clerk reported that he had recently visited Penwarne Road, Old Church Road and Grove Hill with Cornwall CC’s Area Surveyor, to look at flooding and road surface problems. Fortuitously, the visit had been the morning after very heavy overnight rain. The Area Surveyor had agreed to the following :-

• Resurfacing work would take place in 2007 on both Penwarne Road and Old Church Road.
• At the same time, the white line on Penwarne Road would be extended so it was in front of all the houses, and a white line would be introduced on the opposite side of the road. The problem drains in both Penwarne and Old Church Roads would also be sorted out.
• Grove Hill would not be resurfaced this year, but white lines would be introduced near to the school, as previously suggested, to try to slow traffic down. Resurfacing would probably be undertaken in 2008, when the impact of the new white lines and also the Speed Visor could be assessed.
• He would write to the Parish Council, confirming his proposals.

C Cllr Hatton stated that he would be happy to contribute to the cost of the Speed Visor, from his member’s budget.

Councillors enquired about the deep potholes in two different locations on Penwarne Road, and the Clerk agreed to discuss this with the Area Surveyor.

c) Maenporth Beach Access – Progress report from the Clerk
The Clerk reported that a letter had been received from Carrick DC, stating that it was prepared to re-open the Mawnan access. He agreed to meet with the relevant officer from Carrick, to ensure that his proposal would be acceptable.

d) To consider the transfer of play equipment to the Junior Playing Field Trust
The Chairman stated that, as the new equipment had been purchased by the Parish Council, with grant assistance, the Parish Council had had to insure it. The insurance of both the Parish Council and Junior Playing Field Trust were due for renewal shortly, and it would seem more appropriate for the equipment to be owned and insured by the Trust, rather than the council.

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

RESOLVED that the new equipment be transferred to the Junior Playing Field Trust, removed from the Parish Council’s fixed asset register, and insured by the Trust in future.

e) Tenders for Footpaths Maintenance, Grass Cutting and Public Toilet Cleaning - Progress Report
The Clerk reported that requests for tender details, which had to be made by 12 noon that day, had been received as follows :-

• Footpaths maintenance – 9 requests
• Grass Cutting – 7 requests
• Public Toilet Cleaning – 3 requests

Closed tenders were to be returned by 12 noon, on 15th March 2007, and would be considered at the next meeting of the Parish Council.

f) To consider proposed removal of night-time Fire Cover from Falmouth & Camborne
Cllr Dearnley stressed that, while there was not a lack of support for retained firemen, concern had been expressed by residents about the time it might take to respond. These concerns were for Falmouth, with its hotels and docks, and also for rurally isolated areas, as much as for Mawnan Parish.

Cllr Gartside added that there was already no night-time ambulance cover, and that the proposal represented a cut in front-line services, at the same time as the County Council had announced a 4.9% increase in its precept.

C Cllr Hatton stated that he had already written to the Leader of Cornwall CC, and that the proposal had been discussed at its recent budget meeting.

Following further discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Gartside, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that the Clerk write to Cornwall CC, expressing the Parish Council’s concerns about this matter.

g) To consider the response from Cornwall County Council about Footpath #16
The Clerk stated that he had received a letter from Cornwall CC, stating that the work on Footpath 16 would finally be carried out before the end of the current financial year. Due to the history of similar assurance, the Clerk was asked to monitor this situation on a weekly basis, stressing the need for the work to be completed in advance of the March meeting of the Parish Council.

h) Report on discussions with Memorial Hall Committee concerning grant funding
Cllr Dearnley reported that there had been a further exchange of correspondence with the Memorial Hall Committee, who now understood and accepted the Parish Council’s procedures. There was no longer a need for a meeting on this subject.

i) Progress report on South Kerrier Alliance participation
The Clerk had received an Email from the South Kerrier Alliance, containing dates of its meetings up until the end of March 2007, and that he would circulate this to all councillors. Cllr Odell agreed to attend its next meeting.

j) Proposed Welcome & Information Signs – Progress Report
In the absence of Cllr Stimson, the Clerk reported that there was no AONB grant underspend in 2006/07, and that Mawnan’s application was now under consideration for 2007/08.

243/05 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported on correspondence received, a schedule of which is attached to the minutes as a record.

244/05 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

a) District Council
Cllr Sadler reported on two issues :-

i) Unitary Bid from the District Councils – This had been submitted by 25th January, with feedback anticipated from Central Government by the end of March. Although the County Council had made a separate submission, the Districts and the County Council were continuing to work in partnership.

ii) Kerrier DC Budget – An increase of around 2.5% was being recommended for 2007/08, excluding precepts.

b) County Council
C Cllr Hatton reported on a number of matters :-

i) Unitary Bid from Cornwall CC – This had been submitted, following a meeting on 23rd January. He understood that, throughout the country, 26 bids had been submitted, and that there were only likely to be 8 accepted.

ii) Cornwall CC Precept – this was confirmed as being increased by 4.99% for 2007/08, following an executive recommendation.

iii) Possible AONB Funding for signs in Mawnan – 20 bids had been submitted for 2007/08, for which the grant budget would be no more than £100,000 in total. He had pointed out to the funding body that the Mawnan grant application was for items identified within the recently published Parish Plan.

iv) UK Youth Parliament – Kerrier DC had hosted further events, with another being held at County Hall on Saturday, 20th January 2007. “Elections” had been held in schools during the past month.

v) Fly Tipping & Abandoned Vehicles – This appeared to be on the increase, although Kerrier DC had been responding very quickly to any reports made.

C Cllr Hatton also reported on two planning matters :-

vi) Mawnan Self-Build Group – He stated that the applicants’ agent was already considering writing to the ombudsman, on the grounds of non-determination.

vii) Laundry Room at Ferryboat Inn Complex – This application was likely to be taken to the March meeting of Kerrier DC’s Planning Committee.

245/05 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

a) To Note Planning Decisions received from the Planning Authority
The Clerk reported on decisions received, a schedule of which is attached to the minutes as a record.

b) To Note Planning Enforcement Complaints received by the Planning Authority
No enforcement complaints have been received in Mawnan, since the last meeting.

c) To Consider Planning Applications Received From the District Authority
The Chairman stated that he had received a letter of objection to a planning application which had not, as yet, been received by the Parish Council, and that he had asked the Clerk to keep this on file, for consideration if/when an application was received.

i) PA07/00035/F – Mr AMT Doe, River House, Budock Vean Lane, Mawnan Smith – Felling of 5 x Monterey Cypress and 1 x Monterey Pine
The Clerk stated that Cllr Moyle had inspected the trees, which showed sign of a fungal infection of the roots, and agreed that they should be felled.
OBSERVATION : No objections.

ii) PA07/00089/F – Mr N Bowser, Swallows Rest, Penwarne Road, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a conservatory extension to dwelling
OBSERVATION : No objections.

iii) PA07/00135/F – Mr & Mrs Statham, Highlands, Helford Passage – Formation of a vehicular access
OBSERVATION : No objections.

iv) PA07/00158/F – Mr & Mrs J Statham, Highlands, Helford Passage – Erection of extensions and alterations to dwelling
OBSERVATION : No objections.

v) PA07/00183/F – Mr C Warren, The Square, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a dwelling
Having previously declared a prejudicial interest, Cllr Gilmore left the room for the duration of this discussion.

The Parish Council’s Standing Orders state that, for any application to build a new dwelling, a site visit is required. The Clerk was asked to organise this as soon as possible.

Cllr Gilmore returned to the meeting.

246/05 FINANCE AND PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
a) Payment of Accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Briars, seconded by Cllr Dearnley and

RESOLVED that accounts totalling £931.14 be approved for payment and duly signed. A schedule of these is attached to the minutes as a record.

247/05 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES

a) Footpaths
Cllr Mrs Briars reported that she looked forward to the completion of the work on Footpath Number 16.

b) Carwinion Trust
Cllr Dearnley reported that a Carwinion Stakeholders Meeting had been organised for Friday, 23rd February 2007, at the request of the Playgroup, to discuss their proposals for a separate building. In addition the refurbishment of the benches was proceeding.

c) Junior Playing Field Trust
Cllr Gartside reported that, following an inspection, the wooden supports of some of the 20 to 30 years old swings had been condemned as unsafe, so the swings had been cordoned off for the present. A grant application had been submitted to “Awards For All” to replace the swings and extend the garden, for which the granite blocks would be used. Another “stay” on the Zip-Wire had failed, and would be replaced by the supplier.

d) Anvil Trust
Cllr Sadler reported that the roof would shortly go on, and the scaffolding removed. He thanked the public for their tolerance of the scaffolding and plastic covering during the recent bad weather. He also reported a good response to the recent request for further financial assistance to cover contingency items

248/05 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 15th March 2007, at 7.30pm.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
a) An enquiry was made about the replacement for the Grove Hill tree. Mrs Loomes agreed to contact the County Forrester.

b) The proliferation of road signs at Lamanva crossroads was raised. The Chairman stated that this was in Budock Parish, but that he would investigate.

c) Problems at Anna Maria Creek – The Helford River Association thanked the Parish Council for its support.