MINUTES OF THE ST NEOT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY , 10th MAY 2017 AT 7:30PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, ST NEOT VILLAGE HALL, ST NEOT Present: Councillors N J Ball, H Bunt, Mrs M Merrett-Jones, Dr L Jones, D Lucas, C Smith, R Berrett and G Rogers. Cornwall Councillor M Eddy Mr A L Bellringer Sue Blaxley (Parish Clerk) The Chairman opened the meeting at 7:30pm. Public Participation None 1. Apologies Apologies were received from Councillor G Rogers. 2. Election of Chairperson It was proposed by Councillor D Lucas and seconded by Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones that Councillor Dr L Jones be elected as Chairperson. No other nominations were received. All Councillors voted in favour of the proposal. Councillor Dr L Jones thanked everyone for their support and took the Chair. The retiring Chairman thanked everyone for their support during his term in office. 3. Election of Vice Chair It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor C Smith that Councillor H Bunt be elected as Vice Chair. It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones that Councillor R Berrett be elected as Vice Chair. Councillor H Bunt said that he was happy for Councillor R Berrett to be elected as Vice Chair. There were no other nominations and the proposal that Councillor R Berrett be elected as Vice Chair was carried unanimously. 4. Election of Planning Committee It was proposed by Councillor D Lucas and seconded by Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones that Councillor Dr L Jones be elected as Chairperson of the Planning Committee. No other nominations were received. All Councillors voted in favour of the proposal. All councillors, except for Councillor D Lucas expressed a desire to be on the Planning Committee. 5. Election of Finance Committee It was proposed by Councillor H Bunt and seconded by Councillor D Lucas that the following Councillors would be on the Finance Committee: Councillors C Smith (Chairman), Dr L Jones, R Berrett and D Lucas. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 6. Election of Representatives a) Goonzion Downs Commoners. It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor Dr L Jones that Councillor H Bunt be appointed as the representative for the following year. The proposal was carried unanimously. b) Village Hall Management Committee. It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor Dr L Jones that Councillor C Smith be appointed as the representative for the following year. The proposal was carried unanimously. c) Bodmin Moor Parishes Network It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor N J Ball that Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones be appointed as the representative for the following year. The proposal was carried unanimously. d) Liskeard Looe Community Network Panel It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor N J Ball that Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones be appointed as the representative for the following year. The proposal was carried unanimously. e) Liskeard Have Your Say Panel It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor D Lucas that Councillor Dr L Jones be appointed as the representative for the following year. This proposal was carried unanimously. 7. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12th April 2017 The minutes of the meeting held on 12th April 2017, having been previously circulated, were agreed as an accurate record subject to an amendment to the final sentence of minute 6 to read “Councillor C Smith said that he would meet with the scout leaders and sort out the issues but this was not considered necessary”. 8. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda None 9. To receive a report on any matters arising from the previous meeting It was noted that there was still no response from Adrian Drake regarding the overgrown hedge on the road to Fawton. Councillor C Smith said that he had cut the hedge belonging to Tregurrier. Councillor H Bunt said that Steven Masters had looked at the hedges and gorse on Goonzion Downs and said that they should be left uncut until September in order to protect the flora and fauna unless they pose a highway danger. He said that the trees adjacent to the highway at Linkindale may fall into this category. Councillor H Bunt said that Steven Masters will also cut the hedges on Penkestle Moor in September. 10. To receive the Chairman’s Communications The Chair read out the St Neot United Charities report which said that there was a meeting on 5th December 2016 chaired by Rev P Briggs. The minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2015 were read and approved. The accounts were presented and adopted. Income for the year totaled £1144 and monies spent assisting 14 persons in the parish and the school totaled £1100. The report went on to say that the value of their investments has increased to £6430. The report also said that as CAF have decided to charge £5/month for the maintenance of the bank account, it has been agreed to change the bank account to Lloyds. The report concluded by saying that it is considered that adequate funds remain to help with any unforeseen emergency. 11. To answer any questions from Councillors, previously notified to the Clerk Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones said that the Holy Well needs cleaning and the brambles surrounding it need cutting back. Councillor D Lucas said he would attend to this matter. As the Holy Well is on land owned by Arthur Hooper, it was agreed that the Clerk would seek his permission before Councillor D Lucas undertook the work. Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones said that a gravel track has been laid in a field at Milltown and boulders have been placed in the river. Councillor C Smith said these works were part of a maintenance programme. Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones said that a hedge has been cut at Water Meadow Cottage without the owner’s permission. She also said that the railing by the side of the steps leading into Water Meadow is rotting. It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor H Bunt that Councillor C Smith undertakes any necessary repairs. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. Councillor Mrs M Merrett-Jones also said that a pipe outlet from Trevenna is leaking sewage into the stream especially after a busy weekend at the venue. She said that she thought that a new sewage system had been installed at the venue. Councillor N J Ball said this should be reported to the Environment Agency as the discharge is polluting a river and that the parish council were first made aware of this matter 18 months ago. Councillor H Bunt said he had no recollection of it being discussed by the parish council at a previous meeting. It was proposed by Councillor D Lucas and seconded by Councillor C Smith that Cornwall Councillor M Eddy asks Mr Rowe to undertake the necessary repairs to the sewage system as soon as is practically possible or the parish council will have to report the matter to the Environment Agency. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 12. To receive a report from the Clerk The Clerk said the parish council’s website is now up and running. She said that Chris Timms will be taking over the administration of the St Neot website. 13. Councillor Surgery at Local Produce Market To receive feedback from the Councillor surgery on Saturday 6th May 2017 and to appoint a volunteer for the next surgery on Saturday 3rd June 2017 Councillor Dr L Jones said she had attended the market on 6th May 2017. She said that a parishioner had complained that the bus shelter needs sweeping as it is full of leaves. Another parishioner complained about the potholes on the road to Colliford Lake. She said that parishioners were concerned that there seems to be no action by Cornwall Council regarding the deposition of tyres and stationing of a mobile home on land near Colliford Lake. It was agreed that Cornwall Councillor M Eddy would follow up this matter. Councillor Dr L Jones said that Penny Greenwood had said that there is to be a celebration of the Church and their achievements on 24th and 25th June 2017 which will include a concert and picnic in Doorstep Green. Councillor Dr L Jones also said that Jenny Hart is trying to reinstate the footpath between Wortha and Draynes Ryland as it is an old drovers’ track. Jenny has submitted an application to Cornwall Council for a modification of the Footpath Order. Councillor R Berrett volunteered to attend the next surgery on Saturday 3rd June 2017. 14. To receive reports from - a) Police / Liskeard Have Your Say Panel None b) Cornwall Councillor M Eddy Cornwall Councillor M Eddy thanked the parish council for all their hard work under the chairmanship of Councillor N J Ball and he said that he was looking forward to working with the parish council over the next four years. He said that he will attend the produce market in St Neot as often as he can. He thanked everyone for their support in the local elections. Cornwall Councillor M Eddy said that Pengelley Hill is in the schedule of roadworks for re surfacing. Councillor N J Ball questioned why this road is to be resurfaced when it is rarely used when other well used roads are full of potholes.