St Columb Major Town Council
Minutes of the Council Meeting Held 12 March 2012 at 7pm
Present : Cllr D Swindells (Mayor) Cllrs A Abaza, A Banfield, A Blake, D Crewes, P Crewes, L Heggie, A Martin, D Middleditch, R Rose, R Stott, P Wills,
Apologies : Cllr D Doran (Personal),
Absent : Cllr V Worrall
In Attendance : Mrs E M Banfield – Town Clerk
122/11 MAYOR’S WELCOME:
(i) Housekeeping – The Mayor, Cllr Swindells addressed members and public giving advice re emergency procedures; mobile phones and all electronic equipment to be switched off. (ii) Announcements and diary report : The Mayor explained he had had a busy month Attended the WI Annual meeting Attended a meeting at Tretherras Academy where cabinet Members and Cornwall Councillors spoke about budget. Issues. The Mayor raised the matter of the Eco Town and was pleased with the response from Residents. Presented a bouquet of flowers to a Senior Resident who had reached 103 years of age Attended the Steering Group meeting and wanted residents to know of the excellent work being undertaken Had been advised earlier in the day that contrary to rumours circulating the town the development of a supermarket is certainly still on the cards though moving a little more slowly than anticipated. John Pengelly Librarian is leaving his current post for pastures new within Cornwall Council, John’s service has been a credit to himself and the service.
123/11 PUBLIC FORUM:
Police : A report for the past month had been sent by PC Lenton which was read to those present by the Town Clerk
Cllr Mrs P Harvey: Referring to the letter from the Town Council, Mrs Harvey suggested a line be drawn under what has happened in the past. She told members she would attend as many meetings as possible Eco Town – Cllr Harvey told Members she knew nothing about the Strategy but things would change radically Parking arrangements outside the surgery have been completed and the six spaces created should ease the situation there. Health and Safety implications prevented more than six spaces being created.
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Mr R Ford : Mr Ford was told by the Mayor that the topics he wished to discuss were not on the agenda which explained that matters to be raised had to be listed somewhere in the Agenda. Mr Ford refused to accept this advice and continued to berate the Council and the Clerk about the lack of provision of services, nothing for the youngsters and spending £40,000 on a skatepark for the youngsters. He said he had asked the Clerk when she was on holiday to provide information about the quotes for the skatepark as in his belief, a builder could have done the job for less.
Mr W Calton : Referring to agenda item 10 and 11 Mr Calton reminded those present that contrary to what was being implied in the press it was in fact Cllr Abaza reporting 7 members of the Town Council to the Standards Board that had cost in excess of £70,000, all those Members had been cleared of all accusations save for the one accusation for which the Mayor had had to apologise.
At this point Cllr Abaza got to her feet and shouted for Mr Calton to be ‘ejected’ from the meeting and continued while the Mayor was asking her to sit down. The Mayor asked Cllr Abaza three times to sit down before she complied.
The Mayor told Mr Calton that the matter was not on the agenda and further discourse would not take place. Mr Calton responded it was on the agenda but sat down anyway.
Mr B Bosisto : Spoke about the yellow lines in town and the visit on the weekend in particular by the Enforcement Officers. He asked why St Columb didn’t have ‘winter parking’ as was allowed in Newquay.
Mr J Weller : Told the Town Council that over £360,000 had been raised in fines by Cornwall Council since the start of the financial year. Enforcement Officers were over vigilant, the Town Council should be the decision makers, waiting times could be brought in and that a level playing field should be adopted whereby all working or attending County Hall should pay to park.
Both Mr Bosisto and Mr Weller queried the Town Council’s practice of only allowing members of the public to speak on agenda items during the public session which they said in their opinion was for the public to say what they liked.
No opportunity was given to explain the reason.
Cllr P Harvey : responded to the criticism regarding parking stating that the public and businesses have complained that they cannot park in town. If drivers parked appropriately there would be no need for wardens and she advised she had requested the attendance of the Enforcement Officers in town.
124/11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies : Cllr Doran (personal)
Absent : Cllr V Worrall
125/11 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
i. In Accordance with the Agenda – Cllr Banfield, Payment of Accounts Item 5 - Personal and Prejudicial. ii. Receipt of Gifts to the value of £25 or more – none
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126/11 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD 13 February 2012
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting be taken as read So proposed Cllr D Crewes and Seconded by Cllr R Stott
127/11 MATTERS ARISING
Page 5, 114/11 Town Meeting Date : The Town Meeting date is to 18 April at 7pm
Page 5, 116/11 : Cllr Middleditch objected to Cllr Stott’s statement in the minutes stating that it cast aspersions on all Members as Cllr Stott had not given examples or stated names and had therefore not been verified. The Deputy Mayor jots down the names of those waiting to speak and therefore order should be maintained.
Cllr Stott in response stated he shouldn’t need to verify anything as all members attending meetings know what takes place : Constant picking and biting at each other. If he feels things are wrong he must be able to say. In this instance there should have been no need for Cllr Middleditch to raise this at a meeting, he could have approached Cllr Stott direct, this he said further proved the point that some members prefer to argue in public.
The Mayor suggested that training for all those Members who had joined the Town Council since the training events had been held with Sarah Mason should be undertaken and anyone else who wished to attend as things had changed even in this short period of time.
It was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk arrange some training sessions with Sarah Mason So proposed Cllr Stott Seconded Cllr P Crewes
128/11 COMMITTEE REPORTS : TO BE ADOPTED AND SIGNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS MADE THEREIN RESOLVED
Planning 29 February 2012
The Mayor who had chaired this meeting spoke of the valuable input by members of the public who had attended with regard to the proposed Eco Town Development.
RESOLVED that the minutes be adopted and signed Proposed Cllr Blake, seconded Cllr Middleditch
(i) Community Committee 27 February 2012
C/93/11 Date of Civic Service should read 4 June not 3 June.
RESOLVED that with this correction the report and minutes be adopted and signed Proposed Cllr Wills seconded Cllr D Crewes
Recommendations :
C/94/11 : Ramp Wood Preservative RESOLVED that Chris Rodwell carry out the work as quoted So proposed Cllr Wills Seconded Cllr P Crewes
C/96/11 : Fence - Gap in hedge
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RESOLVED to accept the quote from Mr Richards shown as D-E on the plan So proposed Cllr Wills Seconded Cllr D Crewes
Car Park Border : RESOLVED to accept the quote from Mr Richards shown as A-B on the plan So proposed Cllr Wills Seconded Cllr Swindells
Area C-A : RESOLVED to leave in abeyance until a later date So proposed Cllr Wills Seconded Cllr Martin
(ii) Environment Committee 27 February 2012
Cllr P Crewes acknowledged that although it was stated at the meeting that Mr Hancock’s relative had built the wall, it was only in fact tiled by a relative of Mr Hancock’s.
RESOLVED that the report and minutes be adopted and signed Proposed Cllr Swindells, seconded Cllr Banfield
Recommendations
E88/11 : Cemetery Policy – RESOLVED that the draft Policy be adopted in full So proposed Cllr P Crewes Seconded Cllr Wills
(iii) Finance and General Purposes 29 February 2012
Cllr Wills asked that it be minuted that the Christmas Lights Committee is not a registered charity
RESOLVED : That the report and minutes be adopted by the Council So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr Middleditch
Recommendations
FGP126/11 Policy re Car Park Permits : RESOLVED that the draft Policy as amended be adopted in full So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr A Blake
FGP128/11 : Grants
Shelter - RESOLVED - the Committee’s recommendation to give a grant of £100 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr P Wills Merlin Project - RESOLVED - the Committee’s recommendation to give a grant of £100 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr Martin Athritis Research UK - RESOLVED - the Committee’s recommendation to give a grant of £100 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr L Heggie CAB - RESOLVED - the Committee’s recommendation to give a grant of £250 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr P Crewes
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Christmas Lights – RESOLVED – The Committee’s recommendation that the Town Council purchase a suitable illumination along the lines of the one sponsored by the Rotary So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr P Crewes Cruse Bereavement - RESOLVED - the Committee’s recommendation to give a grant of £250 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr Wills
FGP129/11 Website : RESOLVED - The Committee’s recommendation to give the contract to Sea Dog IT in accordance with their quote So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr R Stott
FGP130/11 Bank mandate : RESOLVED item (iii) that online banking be introduced for the purpose of paying the Town Clerk’s Salary So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr Heggie
129/11 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS TO END FEBRUARY 2012
RESOLVED : that payments by cheque (numbers 103834-40 and 103721-28 = £13620.88 ) be approved and Direct Debits (£3233.99) be noted . Total expenditure £16854.87 So proposed Cllr D Crewes Seconded Cllr P Crewes. Cllr Banfield had declared interest in this matter and took no part in the decision making.
130/11 REPORTS FOR INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL APPOINTED TO OUTSIDE BODIES
Community Network : Cllr Middleditch told Members he would be placing notices regarding the Newquay Arts on parish notice boards at Talskiddy and Ruthvoes. Recycling had been discussed with the possibility of fortnightly collections. The airport was also discussed and members asked the Town Clerk to contact Miles Carden to see whether he would come back to update all members as he had been doing on a quarterly basis last year. The area is to become an Enterprise Zone with many jobs being created mainly in the aerospace industry. The Mayor told Members that originally representation to this Meeting had been made by two members of the Town Council and asked that another Member consider accompanying Cllr Middleditch to the next one.
Steering Group (Parish Plan) : Cllr D Crewes told Members that there is not much more to tell since the last Council meeting. A few final adjustments were being made to the results before printing. The Mayor asked that it be noted that the work done to date by those involved has been phenomenal
131/11 STANDARDS BOARD INVESTIGATION : CLLR ABAZA
Cllr Abaza began explaining to those present of her attempts at the Hearing to speak before proceedings began to the panel and that before the last Council Meeting she had approached the Mayor in the Town Clerk’s office to suggest that the whole matter be concluded. Cllr Abaza told members that she had spoken to the Mayor offering to ‘build bridges’ and, as ‘a gesture of goodwill, put her arms around the Mayor’ but that this ‘gesture’ had been reported to the Police.
The Town Clerk interrupted Cllr Abaza advising that perhaps Cllr Abaza may wish to not have the matter discussed given the circumstances since the last Council Meeting. Cllr
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Abaza queried the Town Clerk’s advice and was reminded that the matter had been put for Hearing at a Tribunal. Cllr Abaza told Members she knew nothing of a tribunal and continued.
Cllr Abaza told members that the Council appears to be ‘unprofessional’ to the public. The ‘Town’ knows more about what is going on in Council than Councillors do and there are ‘factions’ within the Council which cause ‘exclusion’. Disagreements are taken to the Standards Board rather than sorted out in Council; adverse publicity is created but a line should be drawn under the past and the Council should move on.
Cllr Heggie responded saying that the seven complaints against seven councillors had been made by Cllr Abaza and speaking personally, her life had been made a misery for two years. This sort of thing is not easily put behind people, she said.
Cllr Banfield agreed that a line should be drawn under the past. He had come to the Council to help the town progress and had joined three committees to do so, that was how Members helped he said, by working in a group at Committee level.
Cllr Stott commented that much of this matter had happened before he and several other members had come to the Council, there was no communication about it just some things brought to meetings in public which did not help the public’s perception.
Cllr Martin asked Members to look ‘where we are at now’. He explained he had returned to the Council after a period of absence and had found a pleasant change in proceedings, there was more communication and time was given freely, people working hard. He told Members that the past was now being brought back to the fore by just discussing it. It had caused a lot of upset and had been long drawn out. He asked when would it stop? Varied opinions and points need to be out there, Members won’t all agree but time is given by Members for the people of the town.
Cllr Wills commented it was an open wound from a long drawn out process which should be brought to an end. There would be elections next year and people would decide who they wanted to represent them but until then Members should ‘behave, show a sense of decorum in the next 12 months’.
Cllr Rose told Members he had returned to the Council to do some good for the town, all he has learned is that there is bad feeling.
132/11 STATEMENT REGARDING CONDUCT AT MEETINGS
Given the discussion under the previous Minute, this item did not take place.
133/11 CPRE
An e mail had been sent to Members. Cllr Heggie told members that given the representation regarding the possible Eco Town, this could be another resource to help the Town with the matter. The Town Clerk was asked to place the matter on a future F&GP Committee agenda.
134/11 NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR FOR 2012/13
The Town Clerk advised that one nomination had been received in writing for Cllr Wills as Mayor but it had not been seconded in writing although Cllr Abaza had advised that Cllr Worrall would do so. With Cllr Worrall not present and unable to confirm, the Town
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Clerk offered that she had spoken to Cllr Worrall who had confirmed she would second the nomination however, there was no difference in telling the Town Clerk to telling Cllr Abaza. After a short discussion, Cllr Middleditch offered to second the nomination and this was accepted.
Cllr Wills accepted the nomination
There had been four nominations for Cllr D Crewes as Mayor, all seconded.
Cllr D Crewes accepted the nomination
There had been four nominations for Cllr Heggie as Deputy Mayor, all seconded.
Cllr Heggie accepted the nomination
The Town Clerk asked Members whether they would accept a vote by a show of hands at the next meeting or whether they wanted ballot papers as last year.
Members elected for a vote by a show of hands.
135/11 DIAMOND JUBILEE MEETING
An update was given in that the beacon at Castle an Dinas will be lit with the help of the Young Farmers and Old Cornwall Society, mugs would be purchased for all children of Primary School age and younger, the ‘Archers’ would be re-enacting a mediaeval battle on the Recreation Ground, the Carnival Committee had offered to put up the bunting, a Civic Service would be held in the Church on Monday 4 June and a ‘tea treat’ would follow at the Recreation Ground. The next meeting would be held on 2 April at 7:30 in the Town Hall.
It was acknowledged that there would be a number of street parties taking place which would be a chance for people to get together within their own communities.
Cllr P Crewes told members a number of sample mugs had been obtained, one was the preferred choice but all Members should look at them to decide.
136/11 CORRESPONDENCE
A list had been issued to Members.
1. CALC : Newsletter Legal Briefing re Prayers at Council meetings and Legal Topic Note80. E Mailed to those Members able to receive. Members considered this to be an emotive issue and needs consideration at an F&GP meeting
2. FootAnstey : Letter regarding transfer of portion of land at Praze and Cronor. Town Clerk advised that the Town Council had asked that Cornwall Council be offered in the first instance and if they were not interested to make an offer to the Town Council. Nothing further was heard until now. Mr Bedford advised that he would be ‘taking instructions’ and get back to the Town Council. The Town Clerk advised she awaited a reply
3. Victim Support : Letter of thanks for grant - Noted
4. Cornwall Air Ambulance : Letter of thanks for grant - Noted
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5. Cornwall Council : Consultation website. Info on how to access the Engineering Design Group consultations on line - Noted
6. Letter from Mr Haughton re Old Egg Packing factory which appears to be having a site clear up. Mr Haughton asked whether the Town Council knew what was happening. Call made to Planning Dept. Nothing heard back.
Cllr Wills left the meeting at 9:05pm
7. Cornwall Council : Public Convenience Review. Letter regarding the £1m received which will ‘provide more time to engage with town and parish councils. In addition to that letter Mr Ian Bounsall visited the Town Clerk to see what had taken place so far. Meeting to be arranged in due course with Mr Bounsall and Members. Cllrs Stott, D Crewes, Martin, Swindells, Heggie and Middleditch to meet with Mr Bounsall.
8. Road Traffic Act – Cornwall Council : Notification of Temporary Prohibition of Traffic. Road form Junction North of Higher Gluvian Farm to Penvale and Road from Bridge Hill to Penvale, Gluvian, St Columb 8-12 May (08:00 to 16:15 weekends included) Surface dressing works.
Road from Toldish Road to Moorland Road and Road from Ruthvoes Farm to Moorland Road St Columb 8-12 May (08:00 to 16:15 weekends included) Surface Dressing Works
Road from junction north of Blackacre to Ruthvoes Farm, St Columb 8-12 May (08:00 to 16:15 weekends included) Surface Dressing Works
Road Closure : 13 June to 26 June (weather dependent) – B3274 Winnards Perch to Tregonetha – essential highways maintenance
All noted
9. Cornwall Council : Reply from CCllr P Harvey in response to the Town Council’s Letter of 21 February. - Noted
10. Letter from Spiritualist Church regarding the unauthorised storage box in the Council Chamber Members asked the Town Clerk to write to the Spiritualist’s Church advising them that their ‘box’ must not be made any larger than it is at present or they will be asked to keep their possessions elsewhere.
11. Cornwall Council : St Columb Major Library. Letter noting the work to the Library window has now been completed - Noted
12. St Columb Carnival Cttee : Request to use Car Park and for a grant (F&GP Cttee?) – The Town Clerk was asked to write to advise use of the car park was sanctioned and that consideration for a grant would go to the F&GP Committee.
137/11 DATES OF MEETINGS
Allotment Sub Committee 21 March at 7:30 Community and Environment :26 March at 6:30 and 7:30
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F&GP and Planning : 28 March at 6:30 and 7:30 Full Council 14 April Appraisal Staffing Committee TBA
The meeting closed at 9:24pm
Signed : ...... Mayor of St Columb Major
Date : ......
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