Grampound with Creed Parish Council

Present:

Cllr. Hardaker (Chairman)

Cllr. Blayney

Cllr. Lobb

Cllr. Paynter

Cllr. Mrs Tyler

Cllr. Hunkin (CCC)

Cllr. Egerton (RBC)

Mrs Thompson (Clerk)

Minute

AGENDA ITEMS

Action

Chairman’s Welcome and Public Forum – the Chairman welcomed those present, with a particularly warm welcome to Cllrs. Hunkin and Mrs Egerton, and Ms Jess Pytel (RBC).

73/2007

Apologies for Absence – Parish Cllrs. Mrs Lundie, Mrs Sloan and Webb; and Cllr. Penhaligon (RBC).

74/2007

Members’ Declarations :

1. Declarations of Interest, in Accordance with the Agenda – none

2. Declarations of Gifts over £25 – none

75/2007

Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 th May 2007 – AGREED as a true record.

Prior to the start of the Meeting, Members had met with Rosemullion Homes on the site of the Manor Tannery. The buildings are in a very rundown state and Rosemullion are weighing up their options.

Ms Jess Pytel was asked to join the Meeting to discuss the contents of a letter to be sent to landowners of “priority sites” identified by RBC. It was AGREED to authorise Cllrs. Hardaker, Mrs Egerton and Ms Pytel to draw up a draft letter, to be circulated to all Members. Ms Pytel will make a suitable press release. Ms Pytel left at this point.

Cllrs Hardaker/ Egerton/ Ms Pytel/ Clerk

76/2007

Casual Vacancy – it was not possible to co-opt to fill the vacancy. It was AGREED Cllr. Hardaker would approach Mr Dean Richards.

Cllr Hardaker

77/2007

Traffic Matters –

1. Minute 62a/2007 refers. The shelter has been erected and a further grant of £1,500 received from CCC. It was AGREED to send a letter of thanks to Mr Tony Davies.

A request for a bus shelter in Fore Street had been received, which will be dealt with under Agenda item 77b/2007.

2. Bench, Fore Street – Minute 62b/2007 refers. Cllr. Hardaker reported Highways has indicated the base will need to be installed by an accredited contractor. Mr Biddick has said he would prefer a wooden bench and his family is willing to clean it regularly. The Clerk to liaise with the donor.

3. 2 nd Speed Warning Light/Hand-held Speed Device – standing item. Minute 62c/2007 refers. Devon & Cornwall Camera Safety Partnership have sent a graph showing the average speed to be circa 30mph. The Clerk to ask for more data.

4. Grass Verges – Minute 62d/2007 refers. Mr Paul Clarkson, Highways has advised the weed infested soil will be replaced and then turfed shortly. Volunteers are needed to keep the turf watered until it becomes established. Clerk to pursue.

5. Bollards – Minute 62d/2007 refers. Cllr. Hardaker will paint one, in the hope this will progress the repainting of the bollards.

6. Road Signage – the Clerk will liaise with Cllr. Hunkin, who will speak to Highways regarding the signage at the Probus/ Trewithen roundabout and the Grampound Road turning; also the lack of a sign to Mevagissey at the eastern end of Fore Street.

7. Creed Lane – a letter had been received from Mrs Stella Thomas, following another near miss on this road. Cllr. Hardaker pointed out there is a footpath adjacent to part of the road, which could serve pedestrians walking to Grampound. Cllr. Mrs Tyler said there are similar problems with Pepo Lane. Cllr. Lobb said matters had become worse now the hedges weren’t cut back so regularly. A previous request to Highways, for a speed limit had been refused, as unworkable. Cllr. Hunkin will discuss the possibilities of having the hedges trimmed with Highways. The Clerk will reply to Mrs Thomas.

8. Pepo Lane – Members sympathised with the resident who had complained about the poor visibility when exiting Pepo Lane, but there was little they could do.

9. Bypass – the strategy document is out and it was regretted the bypass does not even get a mention.

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Cllr Hardaker

Cllr Hunkin/ Clerk

Cllr Hunkin/ Clerk

78/2007

Financial Matters

1. Accounts for Payment – Schedule No.3/2007-8, to a total of £759.36 was APPROVED for payment. Cheques were signed by Cllrs. Blamey and Mrs Tyler.

2. Internal Auditor’s Report – Members’ discussed the Internal Auditor’s original report and draft reply attached, and it was AGREED to send to the reply to Mr White. The Clerk will seek clarification as to whether the VAT element can be reclaimed, when the invoice is not made out to the Council.

3. Review of Accounting Systems – it was AGREED Cllr. Mrs Tyler will check the accounts on a quarterly basis and review the effectiveness of the Council’s internal control system, in the light of the Internal Auditor’s report.

Clerk

Clerk /
Cllr Tyler

79/2007

Quality Council Conference – Minute 63c/2007 refers. Cllr. Mrs Sloan had provided a written report, copy on file.

80/2007

Planning Matters –

1. Planning Committee – no Meeting had been held, as there had been no planning applications. Cllr. Blayney reported on previous applications, which had been granted by RBC.
   
   A resident had raised a number of questions regarding the house currently being built in Mill Lane, including the disposal of sewage, which Cllr. Mrs Egerton will discuss this with Restormel’s Planning Department.

2. Grampound Development Plan – Minute 67b/2007 refers. The meeting, scheduled for 20th June 2007, has been cancelled.

Cllr Egerton

81/2007

Public Rights of Way

1. Golden Mill Footbridge – standing item. The application for a grant under the Breathing Places programme has been unsuccessful.
   
   A number of complaints have been received regarding the partial blocking of the footpath by tree cutting activities. It was AGREED the Clerk will write to Trewithen Estates expressing disappoint-ment the Parish Council were not notified of the work and asking if any remedial work will be made to the riverside walk.
   The bridleway at Winnows Spring Cottage is overgrown with nettles. The Clerk to request the Footpath Warden cut back.

2. Mill Lane to Trevillick Footpath – Minute 65b/2007 refers. Confirmation has been received from Mr David Juleff that he will remove the debris blocking the footpath, within 28 days.

3. Categorisation of Footpaths – Minute 136/2005 refers. CCC has refused the request to allocate gold status to the Mill Lane to Trevillick footpath.

4. Countryside Access Strategy – the draft consultation document can be viewed by clicking here.

Clerk

Clerk

82/2007

Town Hall

1. Heritage Centre – Minute 66a/2007 refers. Cllr. Hardaker reported the Working Party had been in discussion with the builder, who had been very co-operative in cutting back the specification to save costs. This meant the funding application was now almost ready for submission.

83/2007

Environmental Matters

1. Renewable Energy – Minute 52a/2007 refers. Cllr. Hardaker reported that Mr David Rodda, Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership had organised a meeting with local farmers. The Council will be kept informed of progress.

Cllr Hardaker

84/2007

Grampound School & Community Hall – Minute 68/2007 refers. Cllr. Hardaker had been in touch with Mr Gareth Pinwell, RBC Chief Executive as to whether it would be in order for the Parish Council to take over management of the Community Hall, in the event of the Hall Committee folding, provided there were no residual debts. Mr Pinwell was willing to give a legal opinion on a draft agreement. The Clerk to pursue with Cllr. Webb.

Clerk

85/2007

Code of Conduct – it was AGREED to defer adopting the Code until the training had been received from Restormel.

86/2007

Unitary Authority Consultation – Minutes 70 & 71/2007 refers. Cllrs. Paynter and Hardaker had attended the CALC consultation meeting, which they described as “an eye opener”. At that meeting the Council’s representatives supported the CALC response. Both Members were impressed with Mrs Sarah Mason, CALC Chief Executive and Cllr. Hardaker will put this in writing to her.

The deadline for response to Matthew Taylor’s survey has passed.

Cllr Hardaker

87/2007

Review of Parishes, Polling Districts and Polling Places – Cllr. Mrs Egerton explained why the review was being undertaken and indicated that it was not likely to affect Grampound with Creed. Cllr. Hardaker mentioned “clustering” and wondered if the Parish Council had the scope to take on more services, under the unitary proposals. There was also concern that Grampound could be “swamped” by Mevagissey, better cluster partners might be to work more closely with Probus and Tregony.

88/2007

Council Meetings – Minute 72b/2007 refers. The Council deferred a decision as to whether or not to change the meetings dates, until more Members were present.

July Agenda

89/2007

Parish Meeting –

1. Tree Preservation Orders – two trees on the Manor Tannery had been identified as rather special. The Clerk to contact Mr Mark Hall, Planning, RBC and indicate this should be considered as part of any planning application. Cllr. Mrs Tyler said the Parish Meeting had felt all the trees in the recreation ground should be given tree preservation orders. Clerk to advise RBC.

Clerk

Clerk

90/2007

Post Box – a resident has asked the Council to look at promoting a post box to be placed near Bonython Drive. The Clerk’s declared an interest in this item. Grampound has three post boxes, unusual for a village this size. Noted the rural postman will pick up mail, if asked.

Clerk to record

91/2007

Diary Dates –

1. Section 106 Seminar – 21st June 2007, 6-8pm, The Eden Project (Foundation Building), cost £10. Cllr. Blayney to attend.

2. Community Consultative Meeting – 27th June 2007 at Mevagissey Primary School at 7pm.

3. Affordable Housing Presentation – 16th July 2007, 7pm.

Clerk

92/2007

Information Only Items –

1. Calor Best Village Competition – judging will take place at the end of July/beginning of August.

2. Rural Bus Services – the Council had no comments to make regarding the provision of scheduled conventional bus services in Cornwall and how accessibility issues in more rural areas can be addressed through the role of community based transport. The village is well served for buses.

3. Shaping the Future – Members will respond individually to Restormel’s survey.

4. RBC Environmental – the Portfolio Holder will contact the Clerk, regarding meeting with the Parish Council.

All members