Minutes of the Meeting of Probus Parish Council held on Monday 17th December 2012 in the Probus Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Members Present:
Councillors, Colton, Williams, Cole, Rogers, Jones, Willcox, Booth, Eyres & Cornwall Councillor Egerton.
1. Apologies
Councillors Datson, Harvey & Fielder.
2. Co-option of Councillor
One application received, Miss Mary Eyres.
Proposal by Councillor Williams to co-opt Miss Eyres to the Parish Council, seconded Councillor Rogers, carried.
The above was duly resolved.
Declaration of Acceptance of Office signed, Code of Conduct, Standing Orders & Financial Regs given to Councillor Eyres. Register of Interest to be returned in 28 days.
Councillor Eyres welcomed to the Parish Council.
3. Declaration of Interests on Agenda Items & to issue Dispensations (if required)
Councillors Cole & Rogers declared a non-pecuniary interest in Village Hall (committee members)
Councillor Colton declared a pecuniary interest in item 10 (printer) a family member has given a quote.
Councillor Willcox declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 13 Parish Clock (Church Warden)
Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary in agenda item 13 Parish Clock (treasurer to bell-ringers)
4. Public Session (15 minutes)
Query raised regarding planning application for a wind turbine a Treverbyn Farm; Councillor Egerton confirmed this was a pre-planning application therefore would not come to Parish.
5. The minutes of the meetings held on 17th November 2012 (ordinary & planning) proposed as correct by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Rogers; all agreed the Chairman signed them as a correct record.
6. Matters Arising
a) Standing Order Review- clerk confirmed that an advisory sheet had been received from CALC therefore Councillor Williams and the Clerk would get together in the beginning of January to review the Standing Orders.
7. To receive the financial statement of accounts for the year to date.
Proposal to approve December 2012 payments by Councillor Williams, seconded Councillor Rogers, carried.
The above was duly resolved.
Updated budget sheet produced.
The Chairman reported an Extra-ordinary Meeting may need to be called if the precept is to be capped; legislation due to be received on 19th December.
8. Police report to Council.
Written report received; 26 calls to the Parish this month, with 4 crimes recorded including theft of wood from Trevorva Farm.
9. Cornwall Councillor’s report
Councillor Egerton produced a written report for members and explained issues in more detail.
Councillor Egerton reported the issue with Western Greyhound was serious and had been resolved in the short term, although in the long term more money would need to be found.
Query raised regarding work outside Time Cafe; this is due to the kerb needing to be lowered by 6mm.
Resident also complained about the state of the bus shelter at Carne View Road; clerk to ask litter picker to clean.
10. Parish Council printer
Councillor Colton left the room.
Council’s printer is currently not functioning and a replacement is needed.
Quote received to lease a professional printer at £54 per month, and a domestic printer (currently used) costs £100. The professional printer includes ink, approx £20 is used for ink.
Query how old current printer is; approx. 4 years.
Proposal by Councillor Booth to purchase a replacement printer at £100, seconded Councillor Willcox, carried.
The above was duly resolved.
Cllr Colton re entered the room.
11. Village Hall- report back from the meeting
Councillor Cole reported there were 9 people present at their meeting on 21st November.
New heating has been installed, and appears to be working very well. 14 tables sold for the Xmas Fair. Finances are low due to the purchase of the heating.
Query raised regarding the boxing in of the heating pipes, Councillor Cole is unsure if this is to be done but will check and report back to the next meeting.
12. Inter-School Link
Councillor Booth reported she was working with Cllr Egerton looking at the safety issues on Ladock Road.
New Head Teacher is starting in January. The School is presently full, although all appeals have been won and the class sizes are becoming larger.
13. Parish Clock
The Parish Clock has stopped, again. Gillett and Johnson are due in the first week of January for the annual service. Councillor Willcox reported that Theo Watkins, who previously restarted the clock for the Parish Council is no longer attending the bell-ringers. Councillor Williams felt the sticks should be removed, Councillor Willcox stated even if the sticks were removed there was no guarantee the Clock would work as Gillett & Johnson can find no obvious fault. Councillor Booth felt this should be a Church responsibility, Councillor Willcox stated if the Church had to contribute it would have to come out of Church precept.
It was agreed to wait until after the service before any firm decision is made.
14. Bridleway on The Green- causing flooding of properties.
Clerk read out 2 letters from residents regarding this issue.
This is a private road and not a public footpath or bridleway therefore the Parish Council or Cornwall Council cannot re-instate. Councillor Egerton stated that Cornwall Council will only adopt it if it is brought up to standard.
Proposal by the Chair a letter is sent to both residents stating that unfortunately as it is a private road there is nothing the Parish Council can do, agreed.
15. Wind Turbines
Councillor Willcox is concerned with the amount of wind turbines proposed and the proximity. He wishes to request Councillor Williams brings this up at the next Network Meeting to obtain views from other Parishes.
Proposal by Councillor Willcox clerk writes to both CALC & the Network Meeting regarding the wind turbines, seconded Councillor Colton, carried.
The above was duly resolved.
16. Highways issues- Probus School
Councillor Egerton felt funding would not be available until at least May. He has an idea for coloured paving and planters to make the road more pedestrian friendly.
Councillor Willcox stated Tredenham Charity has a field opposite the School that could potentially be used for additional car parking.
Councillor Jones stated there is a similar scheme in Milbrook, with coloured paving, and it does make a difference.
Cornwall Councillor Egerton and Councillor Booth will continue liaising with the School.
17. Grass Verges
Clerk reported that Andrew Tullett had increased the area he is cutting round the Jubilee plantings. Clerk felt the area was looking much better and it was still in the budget of £50. Members agreed they were happy with the area, Councillor Fielder also stated in a telephone conversation with the Clerk that she was happy with the Clerk’s and Mr Tullett’s decision.
18. Report from Network Meeting.
Councillor Williams reported the recent Network Meeting was poorly attended, and therefore not much information came out. The floor was ‘hogged’ by one or two Councillors with issues that only affect Truro City.
Query whether it is worth Councillor Williams attending if nothing is being achieved, and wasting his time. It was felt we should attend in case there is important information we need to know.
Clerk to send a letter to the Network Manager expressing concern with the lack of attendance and Truro Councillors debating too long.
19. Car Park
The Clerk had been asked by Councillor Datson, on an informal basis, to obtain a quote for tarmacing the rear car park.
Mr Hadfield has supplied an informal estimate of £8,000-£10,000.
Councillor Egerton felt planning permission would be needed due to issues with flooding.
To place on hold.
20. Correspondence
a) 36 emails/letters objecting to Wainhomes proposed development- clerk to place on file until/if a planning application is submitted.
21. Items for Next Agenda
· Village Hall
· Minutes & Agendas in Probus News
· Parish Clock
· Playing Field
· Code of Conduct Training (report back)
· Standing Orders Review
· Date of Annual Meeting
· Empty properties in Probus
· Clerk’s pension
· Date of December meeting
22. The date of the Next Meeting was agreed as 21st January 2013
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm
Cllr Booth apologised for the January meeting.
Chairman…………………………………… Date......
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