ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL Minutes of a Full Council Meeting of St Columb Major Town Council, held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, St Columb Major, on Tuesday, 9th January 2018 at 7.00pm. Present: Cllrs P Wills, Mrs J Warner, E Culley, Mrs L Jiggins, Mrs F Fuery, W Draper, B Daniels, K Roberts, M Jenkin In attendance: Mr M C Uren (Town Clerk), five members of the public and a Reporter from Newquay Voice. 247/17 Mayor’s Welcome: The Mayor, Cllr Wills, welcomed everyone to the Meeting. i) Housekeeping: The Mayor addressed Councillors, and members of the public, giving advice on emergency procedures, asking that all mobile ‘phones be switched off, or turned to silent. ii) Announcement and Diary Dates: The Mayor’s Report (also incorporating the County Councillor’s Report) was presented by Cllr Wills:- “Since our last Meeting, it has been a relatively quiet time over the Christmas month. I will go through what I have been doing in chronological order since 5th of December. I attended a Meeting of the Youth Club Committee, held at the Youth Club. I will be giving Members an update on how things are going later in our Meeting, as this is an Agenda Item. Since we last met, I have attended two meetings to further our discussions on the Devolution of the Library, and held one Skype Meeting. Again this is an Agenda Item, so I will update Members later in our Meeting. I chaired a Meeting of the Licensing Act Committee, in St Austell, on 11th of December, and also a Meeting of the Street Trading Sub- committee. ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL – FULL COUNCIL MEETING – 9TH JANUARY 2018 Page 1 The Mayoress and I attended the annual Christmas Tree Lights Switch On, held in the Church, and a few days later we both attended the annual Community Carol Concert, again held in the Church. Thanks were extended to Cllr Mrs Rogers, and her granddaughter, for decorating the Town Council Christmas Tree. I attended, as Mayor, the funeral of Henry (Tim) Tinsley, who many in the parish will know. Henry assisted me in the unveiling of the Hurling Painting, commissioned by the Town Council back in the spring of last year. He was, at the time of his passing, the oldest living winner of the Hurling Ball from the Town. I attended, at County Hall, a Meeting of the Electoral Review Panel of Cornwall Council, where the new electoral divisions for the 2021 elections were discussed, and a briefing given to Elected Members. Cornwall Council has until 19th of February to submit its ideas and recommendation to the Electoral Review Commission. It is looking likely that Cornwall Council will recommend that Withiel Parish becomes part of the new St Columb ED, alongside St Wenn and St Mawgan. The Officer-in-Charge stated that there has been widespread support locally for such an idea. The Panel will make its final recommendation to a Meeting of the Full Council, at County Hall, in February, before submitting them to the Commission. I have today attended a Special Joint Briefing for Members of the Customer and Support Services OSC, and the Economic Growth and Development OSC, on the Business Case for the establishment of “Contemporary Cornish Living Ltd.” – proposed as a wholly owned Company of Cornwall Council. The idea is that Cornwall Council will borrow £168 million to build 1,000 new homes within the next four years. The Company will oversee the properties once built and ensure that there is a return on the Council’s borrowed money within forty years. 60% of the new homes built would be sold off straight away, and 40% would be social housing. Now for the mathematical minded amongst you, that would equate to the cost of building each house at £168,000. Most of the housing would be built at Langarth, on the outskirts of Truro, subject to Full Council agreeing to this. However, it looks likely that the Cabinet will approve the establishment of this Company, regardless of whether the Langarth development goes ahead, or not. The initial ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL – FULL COUNCIL MEETING – 9TH JANUARY 2018 Page 2 driver for the Company, is the Council’s Housing Development Programme. Not such a busy month, but I am sure things will again start to get busy in the weeks and months ahead”. 248/17 Public Forum: Mr Ford had a number of items he wished to raise: a) Many thanks for the light in Lower East Street b) Concern was expressed regarding the closure of the road – all connected to work going on at the old Liberal Club. Why could not the work have been carried out at night-time? It was thought that this would have caused a noise problem for residents. c) What is happening at The Cabbage Patch? It was explained that it is a “one man show”, and that the work is slow and laborious. It could take between four and five years to complete the project. Cllr Daniels advised that Mr Neil Waller is using his own money. He has not been seen recently. It could be said that work is progressing at a snail’s pace. We, basically, need to speak to him. The Planning Department have issued him with Notices in the past, which he always adheres to. The situation needs to be monitored. Could we, perhaps, also involve the Enforcement Team? d) Why could not the Town Council take over the land at the rear of the Columba Centre, and use it as a Car Park. Cllr Draper advised that the land in question is owned by the Diocesan Board of Truro. The land is rented out as farm land. The current Car Park is leased to the Columba Centre. Cllr Jenkin advised that this matter has come before the Council previously. One of the main problems was access to the site. Mr Jackson spoke about Planning Application PA17/09436 - provision of container storage units off Station Road. They have submitted for an extension of time. They have appointed a Highways Consultant. It is considered that there will be a low traffic flow. Signs will not be installed. There will be an increase in screening vegetation. It was stated that the storage units will still be visible, to a certain extent. Cllr Jenkin stated that there will only be 16 visits, for 92 units per day. Is this feasible? They have, or will be, submitting an amended Planning Application. The land is owned by Mr Harding’s parents. It was confirmed that all storage facilities in the area are full. The entrance to the site will be moved down towards the roundabout, by about 15 metres. Cllr Mrs Warner stated, that the storage facilities at Roche are behind the Industrial Estate – out of view. ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL – FULL COUNCIL MEETING – 9TH JANUARY 2018 Page 3 There will be an automatic gate entry system. Basically, we will now have to wait for the amended Planning Application. Mr Beason had handed round a letter regarding the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce, unfortunately, will cease this year. The two main outstanding issues are the remaining monies that the Chamber has, and the managing of the Christmas Lights. We need to keep an open conversation going. Cllr Wills advised that he has responded to Mr Beason’s letter. The Town Council considers that the Chamber’s Chain of Office should be vested with them, and the monies should be handed over to the Town Council, to hold in trust, should the Chamber ever start up again. Mr Beason advised that currently there is about £1,000 in the Chamber’s account. The Chamber would like half to be vested with the Town Council, and half to whoever organises the Christmas Lights. “Our Town” Group had been approached, with a view to taking this on. Mr Beason, in answer to a question raised, advised that Mr Bob Bosisto has still not released the monies to the Chamber. Mr Beason confirmed that the Christmas Lights will be dismantled this coming weekend. The Christmas Lights Shed will also be cleared out, and items disposed of, if they are no longer required. 249/17 Police and County Councillor: There was no Police presence, and no report had been received. The County Councillor’s Report has already been given. 250/17 Apologies for Absence: Apologies for Absence had been received from Cllr Mrs Rogers (family commitment). 251/17 Members Declarations of Interest: i) Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Agenda: None ii) Declarations of gifts to the value of £25: Cllr Jenkin advised that he was given a food hamper by the Football Club at Christmas. ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL – FULL COUNCIL MEETING – 9TH JANUARY 2018 Page 4 252/17 To confirm Minutes of the Full Council Meeting, held on 5th December 2017: The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting, held on 5th December 2017, were presented by the Mayor. The Town Clerk advised that a new Contract has been entered into with Mr Greetham, for the maintenance of the Jackie Law Memorial Garden – 12 visits per year – 1.5 hours per visit, at £20 per hour. Could the Town Councillors who have requested to have Council e-mail addresses, please let the Town Clerk have their private e-mail addresses. Signs will be erected by South West Water, indicating where the track is to enter the Halveor Sewerage Works, on the Newquay Road. Cllr Wills proposed, Cllr Mrs Fuery seconded, and it was RESOLVED that the Minutes be accepted.