St Martin – By - Looe Parish Council
MINUTES FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 3rd NOVEMBER 2011 AT 7.30PM AT NO MAN’S LAND MEMORIAL HALL.
Attended by:
Chair: Kim Smith. Vice-Chair: Robert Henly.
Parish Councillors, Lynne Burt, Michael Elford, Ronald Matthews,
Barbara Reynolds.
Mr Charles Hyde, Clerk and Proper Officer of the Council.
County Councillor Armand Toms.
Before the meeting commenced the Chairman expressed the Council’s sympathy to Councillor Barbara Reynolds on the sad loss of her husband Ray.
Public Question Time & Councillors comments on declared interests:
Nothing raised by members of the public attending.
Agenda Item 1: Declarations of Interest:
The Chairman 8.1.5 Personal Looe Town Council Member.
Vice Chair Henly 5.1.1 Prejudicial Land owner.
Councillor Elford 8.1.4 Personal Rents stable to the applicant.
The Clerk 7.6.3 Personal Employee.
Agenda Item 2: Apologies for absence:
Roberta Powley, PCSO Dave Billing.
Agenda Item 3: Minutes of the Parish Council/ Planning Meeting(s):
3.1: Minutes for the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th August 2011.
Due to insufficient Councillors who were present at the August meeting this item will be carried forward to the December meeting.
3.2: Minutes for the Parish Council Meeting held on 6th October 2011. It was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Matthews and agreed 5-0 that they be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Vice Chair Henly abstained due to not being present at the meeting.
Agenda Item 4: Planning Applications:
4.1.1 Application No: PA11/08654
Description of Development: Use of land for stationing of four camping pods together with retention of three areas of raised decking.
Location of Land: Tregoad Caravan and Camping Park, Shortacross, Widegates, Looe.
Name of Applicant: Mr. P Hannay.
As this item had just been received by The Clerk and due to its complexity, it was suggested by the Chair that this planning application be circulated to the Councillors for discussion at a future meeting. ALL AGREED.
Agenda Item 5: Planning Decisions received by the date of the meeting:
5.1.1: PA11/02636 Pethick Bungalow – Application approved subject to:
1. Agricultural Occupancy condition.
2. Samples of materials to be used must be submitted to LPA.
3. Restrictions re size of development.
Noted, details in the information pack.
Agenda Item 6: Planning Matters:
6.1.1: Consultation on the proposed changes to the pre-application service – Letter attached.
The Chair asked for comments from Members, he also read out the document for the the public attending.
Vice Chair Henly felt it was a good idea as it would take the cost away from the Council Tax payer.
No further comments were made.
The Chair suggested that he work with the Clerk on a suitable response. ALL AGREED.
6.1.2: PA11/02841 Millendreath Holiday Village – Communication received from Cheryl Stansbury, Cornwall Council Planning asking for comments from the Parish Council.
County Councillor Armand Toms told Members that he felt removing the S106 was the way forward as it only complicated matters regarding the other application for the relaxation of the holiday occupancy restriction.
Further discussions ensued including an update from Millendreath resident Jenny Wallis, following which the Chair proposed that the Parish Council support the removal of the S106 under delegated powers. ALL AGREED.
6.2: Correspondence.
None received.
Agenda Item 7: – Finance.
7.1.1: Summary of Accounts.
Reconciled balances date 28/10/11
Opening Bank Balances 1st April 2011 £13,937.21
Income to date £9,201.83
Expenditure to date £4,054.61
Balance to date £19,084.43
7.2: Accounts to be paid in October 2011.
Cheque No / Organisation / Amount529 / Clerk expenses / 33.97
530 / Clerks August salary and admin fee / 439.33
531 / Spectrum (donation) / 50.00
528 / Audit Commission fee £144.00 (On Hold) / On hold
Total / 523.30
7.3: Income in October 2011
It was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by The Chair that Items 7.1 and
7.3 are ratified. ALL AGREED.
7.4: Requests for Funding received by date of meeting.
7.4.1: Penhaligon’s Friends – Request for a donation from Cornish Charity who support children and young people following the death of a loved one.
The Clerk read out the letter from the Charity and reminded Members that the budget for the year was almost spent.
Vice Chair Henly asked for the letter and leaflet to be circulated via the information pack for all to see and further discussions take place at the December meeting. ALL AGREED.
7.5: Receipts and letters of thanks received by the date of the meeting.
None received.
7.6: Financial Business.
7.6.1: External Audit – New 5 year contract received from Ken Abraham, new cost to be £90 (variable). (Previous contract £75).
Discussions ensued and it was proposed by Vice Chair Henly, seconded by Councillor Burt that the contract be accepted for another 5 years. ALL AGREED.
7.6.2: HMRC Requires the Parish Councils register as an employer – The Clerk has spoken to HMRC (26/11/11) who have confirmed that because Cornwall Council pay the Clerk’s salary and the Parish Council pay Cornwall Council, there is no need to register as an employer. Noted.
7.6.3: Clerk’s Annual Salary Review – Currently paid SCP 21, £10.00 per hour, 10 hours per week, = £100. Plus £125 per year energy allowance and £12.50 per month telephone and internet package. Mileage rate 45p (HMRC maximum before expense becomes taxable).
Discussions ensued and it was proposed by Councillor Elford, seconded by Vice Chair Henly that the Clerks salary and allowances remain unchanged for another year. ALL AGREED.
7.6.4: Presentation of half year accounts – The Clerk updated the Council.
7.6.5: 2012/2013 Precept – Discussed at the end of the meeting. The draft precept, prepared by the Clerk, was carefully considered. It was proposed by Vice Chair Henly, seconded by Councillor Reynolds and unanimously AGREED that the precept for 2012/13 be set at £9073.00.
(2% increase due to increased costs across the board).
During the meeting it was proposed that a further salt bin be purchased for Bucklawren Road/ B3253 junction and that the grant given by the former Caradon District Council for a community project be used for celebrating the Diamond Jubilee in 2013 in the Parish.
7.6.6: Interest paid to our business account – Mailshot received from Nat West Bank re: Fixed rate deposit accounts for Parish Councils.
Discussions ensued and it was recommended by The Clerk that the Council transfer £6,000 to a new Fixed Rate Deposit account.
It was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, and seconded by Councillor Matthews that the Clerk open a new Fixed Rate Deposit account (subject to seeing the teams and conditions). ALL AGREED.
7.6.7: Audit Commission Invoice – Audit received from the Audit Commission, invoice to be paid.
7.7: Accounts to be paid in November 2011.
It was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Matthews that the following be
authorised for payment. ALL AGREED.
Cheque No / Organisation / Amount532 / Clerk expenses including donation to F.L.E.E.T (As per Chairman’s request) / 56.65
533 / Clerks September salary and admin fee / 439.33
534 / Clerks October salary and admin fee / 439.33
535 / Annual Energy Allowance / 125.00
536 / Viking Direct (Office supplies) / 71.30
528 / Audit Commission / 144.00
Total / 1275.61
Agenda Item 8: Reports on Matters arising from the Minutes.
8.1.1: Parish Roads – Email received Alan Hutchins on 11th October advising that the pot holes have been filled.
Members unhappy with this response as the general condition of the Parish roads is very poor, Councillor Reynolds made particular reference to a new large holes outside number 2 Bucklawren Road. The Clerk to contact Cornwall Council Highways.
8.1.2: No 3 Bucklawren Road - Emails received:
Hi Cllr Toms
I no longer cover this area as we have restructured and Vicky Tattersall is the new Housing Officer for this area.
With regards to the animals at the property, I visited last year and all the animals are looked after, all the relevant paperwork is in place, and given the size of the gardens and the property location I saw no issue with the number of animals on site as long as the situation I saw was maintained.
With regards to the estate visits, following a long period of discussion, planning and restructuring the estate walkabout programme has been put on hold this business year to date, and we are waiting for an update from management as to how to proceed with this. I will update Vicky on the situation and ask her to provide her own assessment and update.
Richard Lewis. Housing Management Officer. Cornwall Council Landlord Services
Dear Mr Hyde
I visited the property last week and could find no evidence of livestock being kept at the property.
If you hear of this problem resurfacing then please let me know and I will do another spot check
Vicky Tattersall, Housing Management Officer, Cornwall Council Landlord Services.
Discussions ensued during which it was suggested that a Parish Councillor meet up with Vicky Tattersall to ensure that she is going to the correct house as there is most definitely pigs, geese, ducks and chickens in the garden of number 3 Bucklawren Road. The Clerk to write again.
8.1.3:Development on land between Murrayton and Penhale Corner, PA10/05147 – Enforcement case opened with Lindsay Elson (01208 265712) re: caravan and bore hole equipment on site. Noted.
8.1.4: Salt Bins – carried over from last month. – Request for a salt bin received from Caroline Petherick at Windsworth. Discussions ensued and it was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by The Chair to refuse the request this time. ALL AGREED.
The Chair and The Clerk informed Members that Looe Town Council have offered to include our Parish in a contract with Dave Peat Waste. This was discussed and it was proposed by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Burt to accept Looe Town Council’s offer subject to quotation. Agreed 5-0. (The Chair abstained due to declaring a personal interest.
Vice Chair Henly suggested the Parish Council should look again at providing a salt bin for the junction of Bucklawren Road and the B3253 at the top of Tregoad Hill. See 7.6.5 (Precept at the end of the meeting).
8.1.5: Development Orders (Parish Plans) – Carried over from last month, PP update required.
The Clerk informed Members that we had missed the deadline for funding this year and that we should be prepared to apply for funding when next year’s budget is announced.
8.1.6: Code of Conduct – Information received via CALC. Noted and accepted (attached).
Agenda item 9: Business received after publication of agenda.
9.1.1: 2012 Meeting Dates – Agreed and attached.
Agenda Item 10: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
10.1.1: Stone Mason – Awaiting quotation.
10.1.2: China Mugs – Details in information pack. Additional items added in this month’s pack.
10.1.3: Jubilee Woods – Details in information pack. The Clerk was asked to find out if the National Trust would be interested in partnering the Parish Council in this project.
Agenda Item 11: Information received from CC and other Authorities:
11.2.1: Cornwall Council.
East Sub-Area Planning Committee – Agenda 19th October 2011.
Localism – Newsletter, October 2011, issue 20.
Local Council Planning Forum – Notes from the meeting on 3rd October 2011.
Cornwall Conversations – Budget Event for Parish & Town Councils, 14/11/11. New County Hall, Truro
11.3.2: Other Authorities.
CALC – This Week – Issue 45 & 46.
Looe Police – Monthly update October 2011, issue 18.
Came & Company – Parish Matters Newsletter, Autumn 2011.
CAB Cornwall – AGM 30th November 2011, at Kingsley Village. Invitation to attend.
Devon & Cornwall Police Authority – Engagement with the Authority letter to the Council.
The Signpost – Edition 54.
Sheryll Murray MP – Letter re: National Planning Policy Framework.
12: New Business.
12.1.1: SE Cornwall Constituency Renaming – It has been proposed by the Boundary Commission that the new enlarged constituency be named ‘Liskeard’. This is open to discussion and so far Caradon, SE Cornwall and Caradon and East Restormal have been suggested.
Discussions ensued and it was proposed that the Parish Council support the continued use of South East Cornwall as this is the only correct name for the constituency. The Clerk to write a letter to the Boundary Commission.
12.1.1: Looe and Seaton Rivers – Email received from County Councillor Toms:
Dear All, The Environment agency are putting money into solving the problems with farm runoff on the Looe and Seaton rivers, this is excellent news and will of course help with the problems on the beaches. This should be welcomed for all our communities
Regards
Armand Toms
Noted.
12.2: Around the table:
Councillor Burt:
Missing Road sign – The sign to Looe has been removed during the construction of Pearns cottage extension. The Clerk to report to Cornwall Council Highways.
Councillor Elford:
Nothing raised.
Councillor Reynolds:
Thanks were passed on for the donation to F.L.E.E.T in memory of her late husband Ray.
Virador Credits – Attended the first meeting of the new committee, found it very interesting and worthwhile.
Sign obstructing visibility A38 – Diversion signs to Polperro badly positioned causing reduced visibility. Councillor Reynolds reported this to Cornwall Council Highways and the sign was moved.
Pothole and blocked drains – Pothole outside No.2 Bucklawren Road, (see 8.1.1). Drains also need clearing out. The clerk to report to Cornwall Council Highways.
Councillor Matthews:
Nothing raised.
Vice Chair Henly:
Nothing raised.
The Chair:
Chainy Cottage (next to Polborder) – Running a car restoration business contrary to planning conditions, also development on site not as submitted plans. The Clerk to contact Cornwall Council Planning Enforcement.
County Councillor Armand Toms
Nothing raised.
PCSO Dave Billing:
Police Report - During the month of October 2011, there were a total of 43 Incident Logs raised, for the whole area covered by Looe Police Station.
The good news is that during October 2011, there was no crime reported within the Parish.