MINUTES of the Meeting of Bodmin Town Council Held on Thursday 21 November 2019 at 6.00 P.M

1 MINUTES of the Meeting of Bodmin Town Council held on Thursday 21 November 2019 at 6.00 p.m. in the Shire House Suite, Shire House, Bodmin PRESENT: The Mayor, Councillor J P Cooper, presiding, together with Councillors T M Barbery, J A Bassett, P Brown, P T Cooper, J R Gibbs, D A Henderson (left at 6.50 p.m. and from item C/2019/297), A M Kerridge, K J Phillips, K W Stubbs. IN ATTENDANCE: Mr S Facer (Town Clerk (TC)), Mrs A Banks (Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)), Mr P Martin (Deputy Chief Executive (DCE)) and Mrs B Briggs (Senior Admin Assistant (SAA)). CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS & APOLOGIES: The Chairman advised that the Council had received a letter of thanks from Bodmin Lions for support with their Senior Citizens Christmas party on 1 December. The Chairman also advised of the Bodmin Band Rocks concert to be held by the Rotary Club of Bodmin at St. Petroc’s Church on 23 November. Apologies had been received from Councillors L L Frost, J Gammon and S H Kinsman. Action Date C/2019/286 Declarations of Interest a) Members to declare interests in respect of any item on the agenda No items to declare. b) To consider written requests from Members for dispensations; No written requests for dispensation had been received. C/2019/287 Presentations, to include: a) Helen Fearnley on behalf of Cornwall Council Public Space Team regarding enhancement of green space in Bodmin A slideshow was presented which is attached to these minutes. Helen Fearnley reported that, following the success of Phase 1 of the project, Phase 2 was now underway, entitled Making Space for Nature, with the idea to improve the quality of Cornwall Council owned assets of seven towns, including Bodmin. She noted that this initiative fits well within Cornwall Council’s Environmental Growth Strategy, Pollinator Action Plan and under the Climate Change Action Plan. Helen Fearnley outlined that the idea behind the project was to increase biodiversity and improve access to sites in terms of entrances, benches and disability access where appropriate and to encourage community engagement both in the development phase 2 and after completion of the project. A project aim was to turn green desserts into places for people and wildlife through soft interventions and landscape architects were being engaged to assist with design work. The total project cost was around £2.9M which had secured £2,339,624 from ERDF and £551,591 from Cornwall Council. Councillors A J Coppin and E M Ahearn arrived at 6.09 p.m. Helen Fearnley noted that she had already met with the Bodmin Vision group, Bodmin Climate Action Network and IntoBodmin. It was noted that there was an error in the slide which referred to Tredanek Close where it should refer to Treningle View. Helen Fearnley informed that more information about the project could be found online at https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment- and-planning/parks-and-open-spaces/making-space-for-nature/ and the contact email address for the project was [email protected] Helen Fearnley commented that the team would like to receive input regarding sites that local residents would like to be considered for inclusion in the project as well as thoughts about community group engagement and any upcoming events that the team could potentially get involved with. Helen Fearnley responded to questions from Members regarding the long-term management of the project. She confirmed that there was a 15-year management plan in place with Cornwall Council having responsibility to maintain the sites for that period, and that the long- term management plan would be passed to Cornwall Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Team by the Public Space Team in 2022. It was also hoped that community engagement would be maintained following completion of the projects. Helen Fearnley confirmed that any management plan would detail the number of site visits and the scope of works at each location. The contribution of the Bodmin Tidy it Team to maintaining flowerbeds around the town was raised and recognised. Helen Fearnley noted that the team was happy to work with local organisations with regards to providing plants for small open spaces, but that the focus of their team for this particular project was larger open spaces. Helen Fearnley advised that she would share appropriate information with the Town Council for wider dissemination. b) Bodmin Town Council 2019 Christmas Card Design competition – To consider final three designs and present certificates to finalists The Mayor noted his thanks to Berrycoombe School for inviting him to meet the children and for taking part in the competition. The Mayor noted that there was a certificate for each of the finalists. 3 The winner was announced as Katelyn Truman, who attended the meeting and was presented with a finalist certificate by the Mayor. It was AGREED that this design be used for the Council’s 2019 SAA Christmas card. C/2019/288 Public representation session No members of the public present at the meeting wished to speak during this session. C/2019/289 Cornwall Council ward members for Bodmin – opportunity to provide a brief report to Bodmin Town Council The Chair noted that Councillor J Gammon had not been able to submit an update prior to the meeting due to personal circumstances. The Chair provided an overview of Councillor L L Frost’s update and noted that this information had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting and would be attached to the minutes of this meeting. Cornwall Councillor Pat Rogerson then provided an update on the following issues: - Good news for Children’s Services, who received an outstanding grade from Ofsted, the only council in the South West to do so. She noted that this was the result of 10 years of hard work to improve from a previous special measures grade and credit was due to all the officers who had done sterling work to achieve this. She noted that, sadly, all three of the senior officers in Children’s Services were now leaving or retiring. A new Director had started on November 1, with the other two positions currently in the recruitment process; - Berrycoombe Road parking – she met with Community Link Officer and Senior Highways Officers in Bodmin. She confirmed that they are investigating the possibilities of putting in yellow lines, or her preferred option, making the whole of the low speed environment a no waiting zone. She reported that this would go out to public consultation in due course; - She was aware of a backlog of Cornwall Council owned housing repairs and was looking into these concerns; - Good news from Cornwall Housing who had secured funding to look at improving areas including Gregory Court and Officers would be looking to meet with Bodmin Town Council and to talk to residents about requirements; - Crossing patrol at Beacon Academy – she reported that the current number of children crossing at the point in question did not meet the government’s threshold to provide an additional warden, but another visit would be undertaken; 4 - Health service – she was continuing to press the urgent issues and work was ongoing. She noted that there would be further updates in due course; - Disabled access at Parkway Train Station – she reported that the increase in frequency of train services through Bodmin was excellent news for local residents, but it had unfortunately led to the issue of people in wheelchairs no longer being allowed to be escorted across the tracks to the opposite platform due to safety concerns. It appeared that, at the current time, the cost of a lift would be prohibitive but that they had secured funding to improve parking and the turning circle in the car park. - Cornwall Council are looking at an enquiry into access to children’s mental health services due to the current level of backlogs and number of levels of access. Members wished to pass their congratulations to Children’s Services. C/2019/290 To note the result of the election for St Mary’s Ward held on 24 October 2019 The Chair confirmed that Councillor T M Barbery had been elected on 24 October and offered the Council’s congratulations to Councillor Barbery. The Town Clerk confirmed that Councillor Barbery had signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and had been issued with a Councillor Policy document pack and had also met with himself and the Mayor for an induction briefing. Councillor Barbery commented that he was looking forward to working with all Members for the best interests of Bodmin. C/2019/291 Committee Membership Population – To fill vacancies – Town Clerk to report The Town Clerk advised that the Council had a vacant seat on the following committees: - Planning Committee - Policy Committee - Promotions Committee The Town Clerk and the Mayor had discussed these vacant seats with Councillor Barbery who had intimated that he would be happy to fill the vacancies as set out. It was AGREED that Councillor T M Barbery fill the vacancies on the Planning, Policy and Promotions Standing Committees. The Town Clerk noted that the Town Council website would be SAA updated accordingly. 5 C/2019/292 To consider and, if approved, adopt the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 19 September 2019 A copy of the minutes was circulated with the agenda. The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 19 September 2019 were approved and passed for signing. Councillor T M Barbery abstained from voting on this item, not having attended the meeting. Matters arising: Page 18, minute ref C/2019/259(a), Correspondence – St.

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