Minutes of the meeting of South Petherwin Parish Council held on Wednesday 13th October 2021, at 7pm, in South Petherwin Village Hall.
Present: Cllr P Parsons (Chairman), Cllr A Finnimore (Vice Chairman), Cllr S Rogers, Cllr A Barham, Cllr A Jasper, Cllr J Barlow and Cllr J Butler.
In Attendance: Linda Coles, Locum Parish Clerk, and Cllr Adrian Parsons, Cornwall Councillor.
There were three members of the public present.
1. Chairman’s welcome
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr R Kneebone and Cllr M Screech.
3. Declarations of Interest
a) Agenda Items. Cllr Finnimore declared an interest in item 8a) PA21/08008 and PA21/08410.
b) Gifts. None declared.
4. Consideration of written requests for dispensation
None received.
5 Unitary Councillors Report
Cllr A Parsons reported that the MIU at Launceston Hospital reopened on the 1st October 2021 as planned.
Cllr Parsons gave a brief update on the recent Network Meeting. GLL Leisure, providers of the leisure centres in the county want to close the 4 least profitable centres in Cornwall, of which Launceston is one, by January 2023. It is hoped that another company will take them on because leisure centres are not a statutory responsibility for Cornwall Council.
There is another survey out about the current housing strategy for Cornwall.
The Administration is looking to install 20mph speed limit zones in villages throughout Cornwall, where an interest is expressed. It was agreed that the Clerk will speak with Oliver Jones, Highways, and register SPPC interest. Action – Clerk
6. Public Participation
A member of the public said that the village pump desperately needs renovating. This is in hand with the contractor. The member of the public also thanked those who had cleared the footpath between Trelinnoe Close and Trelinnoe Gardens, an excellent job has been done.
The Applicant for PA21/08410 gave details of why the application is needed and what the company is trying to achieve. Extending the existing premises will enable a larger space for offering apprenticeships to young, local people, school leavers, and set them on a career path.
Another member of the public read out a question from a resident regarding Daws House asking if the Parish Council has responded to the ladies who attended the December meeting and spoke about educating people on speed awareness. The Clerk will reply directly to the resident who has asked the question, and follow up with a conversation with Cornwall Council on the same. Action – Clerk
7. Response to Public Participation
Not applicable.
8. Planning
a) Planning applications received before the agenda was finalised: Cllr Finnimore left the meeting, having declared an interest in the following applications.
PA21/08008, Land South West of RK Transport Ltd, Kennards House, Launceston Cornwall. Further extension to external yard for commercial (Use Class B2) premises consented under PA19/03232. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application, proposed by Cllr Jasper, seconded by Cllr Barlow with all in favour.
PA21/08410, Alan Snow AG Engineers, Kennards House, Launceston, Cornwall. Extension of existing commercial premises. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application, proposed by Cllr Rogers, seconded by Cllr Jasper with all in favour.
Cllr Finnimore was invited back to the meeting.
b) Planning applications received after the agenda was published: None.
c) Planning decisions notified by Cornwall Council: None.
d) Other Planning Matters. None.
9. Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 8th September 2021
It was RESOLVED that the above Minutes are a true record of that meeting. Proposed by Cllr Jasper, seconded by Cllr Barlow with all in favour.
10. Matters Arising from the above Minutes
None.
11. Policies
a) Unreasonable, Vexatious and Persistent Behaviour Policy. Copy circulated to Members.
b) Complaints Policy. Copy circulated to Members.
It was RESOLVED to adopt both of the above policies en bloc proposed by Cllr Finnimore, seconded by Cllr Jasper with all in favour.
12. Highway and Footpath Matters
a) Trelinnoe Gardens/Close footpath adoption. The Clerk will contact the Countryside Access team at Cornwall Council to find out the way forward with the Modification Pack, liaising with Cllr Barlow who has secured letters from residents as evidence of the path’s use. Action – Clerk
b) Speed Awareness Campaign.
Daws House – Phase 2 – Priority Buildouts. The consultation is now open on Consultation Finder and ends on 3rd November 2021.
The white lines have been removed and it is felt that this is making vehicles use the middle of the road. There was some discussion and the members will email their comments to the Clerk for a response to Cornwall Council.
A meeting to discuss the Feasibility Study for South Petherwin will take place on Saturday 6th November when the Members will walk the village to discuss. Action – Clerk
13. Dog Bins
The Clerk will progress the purchase of bins from BIFFA. Action – Clerk
14. Proposed Closure of Launceston Leisure Centre in 2023
Cllr Barham led on this item. The online survey is very misleading as it steers to one conclusion. A complaint will be sent about the survey. Action – Clerk
Launceston is a developing town, its new estates are attracting families, and it is felt that the Leisure Centre is vital for health, wellbeing and mental health. The Centre is used by local schools and there is a strong need for children to learn how to swim given where we live, surrounded by coastline. It was felt that a conversation could be useful between the Parish Council and Launceston Town Council about financing the Leisure Centre. It was RESOLVED to send a response to Richard Pears giving the Council’s objections to the closure, stating that the Centre is a vital local service, inclusive of all ages and abilities, proposed by Cllr Barham, seconded by Cllr Butler with all in favour. Action – Clerk
15. Parish Sign
In the past Cllr Parsons has put up a big sign by the Village Pump to advertise events etc. It was RESOLVED to purchase a sign to advertise future events, proposed by Cllr Barham, seconded by Cllr Jasper with all in favour.
16. Facebook
Cllr Parsons asked for a volunteer Member for Facebook. Cllr Jasper is happy to look at this, proposed by Cllr Finnimore, seconded by Cllr Butler with all in favour.
17. Correspondence
a) Letter from Bodmin Town Council re Planning Reforms and White Paper. Cllr A Parsons said he thinks that the White Paper is being pulled. The Clerk will find out. Action – Clerk
b) Email from Cornwall RCC re Inclusion Matters Service. Noted. Action – JBu
c) Request from a resident for a sign at Tregaller Lane. Cllr Butler will check the situation and report to the Clerk who can then speak to Oliver Jones, Highways. Action – Clerk
d) The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Event. The Parish Council very much wants to be a part of this and it was agreed that the Clerk will register its interest. Action – Clerk
18. Finance
a) Payments. It was RESOLVED to make the following payments, proposed by Cllr Barham, seconded by Cllr Barlow with all in favour:
- Chq 100801 – L Coles, Clerk’s salary etc. for September
- Chq 100802 – HMRC, PAYE for Clerk, September
- Chq 100803 – A Peerless, September toilet cleaning – £56.00
- Chq 100804 – EDF Energy, electricity for the Public Toilets – £34.19
- Chq 100805 – PKF Littlejohn LLP, external auditor fee – £240.00
Receipts: Cornwall Council £4052.58 Precept and CTS Grant and LMP £317.45
b) Bank Reconciliations. It was RESOLVED that the bank reconciliations for August and September are correct, proposed by Cllr Barlow, seconded by Cllr Butler with all in favour. As at the 30th September 2021 the bank balance is a total of £36,695.93.
c) Unity Trust Bank Account. The new accounts are now open. The balance needs to be transferred manually from HSBC. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Parsons and Cllr Finnimore will visit HSBC and transfer the balance of the deposit account to the current account so that a cheque for the total balance can be sent to Unity Trust, proposed by Cllr Jasper, seconded by Cllr Butler with all in favour.
d) Report of Conclusion of Audit (AGAR 2020/21). (Copies circulated to Members). The Clerk reported the conclusion of the audit and the External Auditor Report, with audited Accounting and Governance Statements, and the Notice of Conclusion of Audit have been published on the website.
e) Purchase of Wreath for Remembrance Sunday
It was RESOLVED to purchase two wreaths for Remembrance Sunday, proposed by Cllr Barham, seconded by Cllr Rogers with all in favour. Action – Clerk
19. Any Other Business
Cllr Parsons reported that Pipers Pool want to use speed signs and had been in touch regarding the purchase of signs by South Petherwin Parish Council. It was agreed that Cllr Barlow will be the representative of the Council on the Wind Turbine Committee, proposed by Cllr Butler, seconded by Cllr Barham with all in favour. The Clerk will inform the Committee. Action – Clerk
20. Items for inclusion in future meetings
To consider the possibility of the purchase of the triangle at Trecrogo. Action – Clerk
21. Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 10th November at 7pm in the Methodist Chapel Hall.
22. Appointment of Clerk.
The Employment Committee met on Wednesday 5th October to interview applicants for the Clerk’s position. Initially, there had been three applicants but two dropped out and did not submit an application. The Locum Clerk, Linda Coles, was interviewed and the Committee recommended to Full Council that the post is offered to her. It was RESOLVED that the new Clerk for South Petherwin Parish Council will be Linda Coles, proposed by Cllr Finnimore, seconded by Cllr Jasper with all in favour.
23. Closed Session
Pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, members of the public left the meeting and the Council moved into Closed Session.
The Clerk and Cllr Parsons (Cornwall Council) also left the meeting.
The Council met in Closed Session to discuss and agree the Clerk’s remuneration.
There being no further business to transact the Chairman closed the meeting at 21.00 hrs.