Minutes Jun 2007

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June 2007

DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MAWNAN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY, 21st JUNE 2007 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL

PRESENT : Cllr Gartside (Chairman), Cllrs Barlow, Dearnley, Gilmore, Mrs Harris, Mrs Lawry, Mrs Loomes and Odell.

There were no comments from the public.

285/05 TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Moyle and Sadler, C Cllr Hatton (late arrival) and Community PC Cormack / PCSO Huddlestone.

286/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
a) In Items on the Agenda
Cllr Barlow declared a prejudicial interest in Planning Application PA07/00898/F (Tideway).

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

287/05 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Annual Meeting of Parish Council, 17th May 2007
It was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Odell and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held on 17th May 2007 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

b) Meeting of Planning Committee, 31st May 2007
It was proposed by Cllr Gilmore, seconded by Cllr Odell and

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 31st May 2007 be approved as a true record and duly signed.

288/05 TO REPORT MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
a) Entrance to Maenporth Beach
As Carrick DC had taken no action, the Chairman reported that, as previously instructed by the council, the Parish Council had organised for the entrance to be cleared. The Clerk was asked to send a copy of the invoice for the work to Carrick DC.

b) Parish Council representation on the Rendlesham Trust
The Chairman stated that there had been some confusion over this at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. Trustees were appointed for a term of 4 years, and could continue to the end of their term, even if no longer a member of the Parish Council. Current Parish Council nominated trustees were Cllr Sadler (appointed 2004, with his term ending 2008) and ex-Cllr South (appointed 2005, term ending 2009).

There was, therefore, no requirement to nominate a new trustee, as yet. The Rendlesham Trust had agreed to contact the Parish Council when current trustees’ terms were about to end.

The Council apologised to Cllr Moyle, who had been mistakenly nominated as a trustee at the May meeting, for the confusion over this matter.

c) Election Expenses – “Nil Return” forms
The Clerk stated that Kerrier DC had asked for these to be returned, even though there had been no election (it had been uncontested), and that forms were available in the Parish Council office.

d) Warning Sign requested near the Smithy
Following a request from the Anvil Trust, the Clerk reported that County Highways had proposed placing a “Warning – Children” sign under the Mawnan Smith village name, at all road entrances to the village. It was agreed that this was acceptable, and the Clerk was asked to respond to County Highways.

e) Funding for new Welcome & Information Signs
The Clerk had met with ex-Cllr Stimson, who had not heard anything from Cornwall AONB, concerning the application for grant funding. It was agreed to place this as an agenda item for the July meeting.

f) Minibus at Anna Maria Creek
This had been reported as an enforcement complaint, and Kerrier DC were investigating..

g) Response from Planning Authority re Penwarne Barton
The Clerk reported that he had written to the Planning Authority, and received a reply, stating that the condition relating to completing existing development before commencing new activity had been applied to the Clubhouse aspect of the application, at their March Planning Meeting. As this aspect had subsequently been removed from the application, the condition had not been applied.

h) Proposed CPO for Graveyard Extension
It was reported that, although progress was very slow, Kerrier DC’s Legal Department continued to work on this, and the Clerk was receiving monthly status reports.

i) Community Planning Grants
The Clerk reported that these had been received (and banked), in respect of the sign for Carwinion Playing Field, and goalposts/nets for Saturday morning childrens’ football practice. Orders and payments would need to originate from the Parish Council. Cllr Dearnley agreed to progress the former, and the Clerk the latter.

289/05 AGENDA ITEMS
a) Formal response to CALC’s “Stakeholder Letter” in reply to Cornwall CC’s bid for a Unitary Authority in Cornwall
The Chairman explained that a meeting had been convened by Cornwall Association of Local Councils (CALC) on 4th June 2007, which he had attended, on behalf of Mawnan Parish Council. He had already expressed the Parish Council’s views, which were included in CALC’s “Stakeholder Letter”, which had already been sent to the government’s Unitary Structures Consultation Team.

He explained that, as stakeholder consultee, this represented its formal response on behalf of all parish and town councils in the county. He added that, in addition to the stakeholder response, it had later been agreed that any person or body should be allowed to submit a response, and that some other councils had done this.

CALC had written to ask that each Parish Council formally record their views on the Unitary bid, and its response, in the form of a resolution for the record. CALC had asked two simple questions of the council, both of which could be answered Yes or No :-

• Whether it supported the Unitary proposal submitted by Cornwall CC
• Whether it agreed with the content of CALC’s “Stakeholder Letter”

Following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Odell, seconded by Cllr Gilmore and

RESOLVED that, because of the lack of detailed information on the proposal, Mawnan Parish Council could neither support nor oppose Cornwall CC’s Unitary bid.

It was proposed by Cllr Gartside, seconded by Cllr Odell and

RESOLVED that Mawnan Parish Council agreed with the content of CALC’s “Stakeholder Letter”.

It was also proposed by Cllr Gilmore, seconded by Cllr Gartside and

RESOLVED that Mawnan Parish Council should not send in its own, independent response to the Unitary Structures Consultation team, as the CALC letter was sufficient.

The Clerk was asked to request more detailed information, should the Cornwall CC’s bid be approved.

b) Report back from AONB Conference, 19th May 2007
As portfolio holder, Cllr Barlow had attended the conference on behalf of Mawnan Parish Council. He reported that he had been one of around 60 delegates, and that he had found it a useful and informative meeting, at which he had established useful contacts, including those from the Helford River Association, which had briefed him on what they perceived as key issues.

c) To consider options for reducing the Business Rates for the Public Toilets
The Clerk stated that he had received a response from Kerrier DC’s Head of Finance, who had offered two alternatives for reducing the level of Business Rates :-

• The Parish Council, through Small Business Relief, could apply for a 50% reduction, from £680 to £340 per annum.
• If it was possible to transfer the public toilets into the ownership of a charitable trust, then no business rates would be due.

After discussion, during which councillors were unsure whether local charitable trusts would be willing or able to take on ownership of the public toilets, it was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Gartside, and

RESOLVED that the Clerk should apply for 50% Small Business Relief, on behalf of the council.

d) To consider the Council’s response to a letter from Cornwall CC’s Single Issue Panel on Rural Bus Services & Community Transport
The Clerk read a short letter from the Single Issue Panel, and stated that this was an opportunity for the council to pass comment.

There followed a discussion, during which Standing Orders were suspended to obtain views of members of the public who were present, and the Standing Orders reinstated.

The Clerk agreed to respond to the letter, including the following observations :-

• There were very good bus services from Mawnan Smith to both Falmouth and Truro.
• The policy of free bus travel for the Over 60’s had been received positively.
• Bus services are much improved in recent times.
BUT
• Buses often travel too fast on very narrow, unsuitable lanes.
• The bus company should arrange for the latest timetables to be sent to Parish Councils, for display on notice boards and on the website.
• Unsuitable buses were being used on the road down to Maenporth Beach, as a summer service. They were too big for both the road and the number of passengers.

290/05 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported on correspondence received, a schedule of which is attached to the minutes as a record.

291/05 REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
a) District Council / County Council
Nothing to report.

292/05 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
The Clerk reported on complaints received, a schedule of which is attached to the minutes as a record.

c) To Consider Planning Applications Received From the District Authority

i) PA07/00824/FD – Mr M Pleeth, 1 Coomb Pines, Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage – Use of existing house as holiday flat without compliance with Conditions 9 & 10 of decision Notice 2/06/81/01095/F (4th Feb 1982 – Holiday accommodation & Time of occupation)
The Council felt that this application was quite reasonable, and in line with the use of a number of nearby properties.
OBSERVATIONS : No Objections.

ii) PA07/00898/F – Mr & Mrs Causer, Tideway, Anna Maria Lane, Budock Vean Lane, Mawnan – Demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of a replacement dwelling & carport
Having expressed a prejudicial interest in this matter, Cllr Barlow left the room for its discussion, after which he returned to the meeting.

On examining the plans, they appeared to be identical to those of the original design, which was subsequently amended to remove the double garage, prior to approval being given. Having spoken to the agent, it was confirmed that this was the case, and that the objection which caused the garage to be removed had since been withdrawn.
OBSERVATIONS : No Objections.

iii) PA07/00795/O – Mr A Jermyn, Eveleth, Sampys Hill, Mawnan Smith – Erection of dwelling (amended design)
The change in design appeared merely to change the location of the fence between the existing dwelling and the new proposed dwelling, presumably to allow more car turning space. The council felt that its original observations should still stand …..

The site was still very tight for the construction of another dwelling. Of particular concern was the proposed vehicle access, especially on exiting, when the view down Sampys Hill towards Mawnan would be quite limited. There was still concern that it might be difficult to turn a vehicle round, in front of the proposed dwelling, resulting in the need to reverse out onto Sampys Hill.

Although no windows in the proposed dwelling would directly overlook other existing properties, concerns were also expressed that if the application was agreed, this might set a precedent for further, similar proposals to split small plots in Mawnan Smith, ultimately resulting in over-development, and changes to the nature of the village.
OBSERVATIONS : The Parish Council opposes this proposal, for reasons of access and over-development.

iv) PA07/01000/F – Mr & Mrs Butler, Karnbrea, Carlidnack Road, Mawnan Smith – Erection of a replacement extension and alterations to dwelling
OBSERVATIONS : No Objections.

v) PA07/01004/F – Mr & Mrs C Richardson, Helford Point, Trehunsey Close, Mawnan Smith – Erection of extensions to dwelling
The Council felt that a site visit was required, which the Clerk agreed to arrange within the next two weeks.

293/05 FINANCE AND PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
a) Payment of Accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Dearnley, seconded by Cllr Odell and

RESOLVED that accounts totalling £1,165.60 be approved for payment and duly signed. A schedule of these is attached to the minutes as a record.

294/05 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES
a) Footpaths
Cllr Mrs Loomes reported that the Bosveal footpath had now been cut. It was only scheduled for one cut per year, which was done in June. She was trying to contact Cornwall CC, to ask that the signs at Woodlands be reinstated as part of the Public Paths Improvement Program (PPIP). It had been reported that the gate had also been locked, and that this path might be classified as a bridleway, which would mean that the gate should be open.

The Clerk agreed to check the definitive map, before contacting the landowner.

b) Trees
Mrs Loomes reported that she had spoken to the County Forrester, about the replacement trees outside the school, which would be planted later in the year.

c) Village of the Year Competition
The Best Kept Village competition had been renamed, and Cllr Mrs Lawry reported that the date for the judges’ visit was Tuesday, 17th July 2007. She was organising activities from local groups, along with weed killing. The Clerk agreed to contact County Highways, and organise street cleaning for the 16th July, immediately prior to the judges’ visit.

d) Police Report
PC Cormack had sent in a report, which the Clerk read in his absence. During the month there had been 13 calls to the Police (10 in same period in 2006), which resulted in one crime report (4 in 2006), of Criminal damage to a dwelling on Castle View Park. No mention was made of whether the speed gun had been used in Mawnan.

Standing Orders were suspended for members of the public to comment on the report, which it was said should have included an incident at Bosveal where crossbows and airguns were being used, and two alleged thefts from money boxes at Bosveal and the old church. Standing orders were reinstated.

The Clerk agreed to speak with PC Cormack, and report back to the next meeting.

295/05 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Mawnan Parish Council will be held on Thursday, 19th July 2007, commencing at 7.30pm, in the Memorial Hall.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

a) Dog Bins
It was reported that there were no handles on the dog bins by the school and near Carwinion. The Clerk was asked to take this up with Kerrier DC..

b) Drains on Grove Hill
These were reported to be blocked. The Clerk agreed to contact County Highways.