NOTES ON THE CAMELFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF 19^th SEPTEMBER 2006

Present : Cllrs Finch (chair), Lush, Ireland, Pierce, Shaw, Williams, Elford.  B Jordan (clerk), Cllr Clark absent

Public Participation

A letter has been received from Mr Samuel which will be on the public participation items of 5 October meeting.

1. APOLOGIES from B Grills, L Crockford and J Sanders.  Acceptance proposed by D Pierce, seconded B Lush, all in favour.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
   1. B Lush – 13a personal (blue badge holder), 17a – personal (B Lush said he had been advised to declare a personal interest, not speak in the debate and not vote).  B Ireland – 11d, friend.
3. MINUTES
   1. 3 August 2006, deferred from the meeting of 7 September 2006 - B Jordan said that item 6b, B Lush had asked to have included that D Pierce said his (B Lush’s) statement had sounded like electioneering, but D Pierce apologised unreservedly when challenged.  With this addition A Shaw proposed acceptance of the minutes, seconded B Lush, all in favour.
   2. 7 September 2006 – B Lush said that during public participation Mr Huntley had made comments regarding the council.  J Finch asked if anyone had any problem with this being added.  Also, B Lush had asked that posting agendas on the website be included in the meeting of 19 September.  B Jordan said they are now going out to all the websites.  B Ireland started to ask for some additions to the minutes, but J Finch brought down the gavel, saying it was not important.  D Pierce agreed with her and said it was not important.  The clerk said that B Ireland had had the minutes since the previous Wednesday.  B Ireland explained that he had been at the finance meeting all day Thursday, away from Friday to Sunday, in hospital on Monday and had finally looked at the paperwork on Tuesday (the day of the meeting). A Shaw said that all that was required was to ratify that the general context of the minutes are true and in the spirit of the meeting.    B Ireland said that the council would see in due course that it is very important that the minutes are accurate.  D Pierce said , as he had said earlier in the year, that we (council) are not Hansard and do not have the benefit of someone taking shorthand.  ‘We spent nearly 40 minutes bleating on about the minutes at the last meeting’ he said, and he thought that the meeting should move on and stop bleating about the minutes.  A Shaw proposed acceptance of the minutes, D Pierce seconded, 4 in favour, B Lush and B Ireland against (asked to be named), M Williams abstained.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
   1. .gov.uk – date for meeting 26 September confirmed, at council offices in College Road, for councillors to have a look and see what it is about.  4 – 5 pm.
   2. Chapel Street – J Finch proposed this be removed from the agenda.  B Lush asked for it to be left on the table – all in favour.
   3. Traffic Monitoring – J Finch said she had spoken to Oskar van Winden today, phase two of the pedestrian safety scheme will now be January/February 2007.  NCDC does not like the new street lights and this could mean new planning consent.  No cameras will be installed.  Bollards will go ahead, but no island to be installed.  Traffic lights at the top of the town were talked about and Oskar agreed to bring the subject up again.  Monitoring of flow to continue during the ‘quiet’ season.  He has spoken to Tesco and asked if their lorries need to go through Camelford. 
   4. Brown Information Signs – no more information.
   5. Town Infrastructure – nothing from NCDC
   6. Grit Bins – awaiting reply
   7. Medical Centre – Community First will have a public meeting, but until plans are available they do not see any point.
5. ANSWERS TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 7 SEPTEMBER 2006 – none
6. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS OF WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN – none
7. ITEMS REQUIRING A DECISION
   1. Camelford Carnival, request for free parking permits.  B Lush said that last year this had been refused, but apologised that he was mistaken when J Finch pointed out that on page 70/2005 council had decided to give free parking for residents for the week.  M Williams said that the permits were issued from the office.  J Finch said it would run from 30 October to 4 November inclusive.  Residents to prove residency and collect permits from the council office on 27 October 2006.  D Pierce proposed that free parking be provided on the same basis as last year, seconded S Elford, all in favour.
   2. Restormel Borough Council, democracy declaration for Cornwall – B Lush said he thought this would be replacing one kind of bureaucracy  for another.  A Shaw proposed, M Williams seconded that it be left on the table, all in favour.
   3. Cllr Lush, Valley Truckle roundabout – he said that there had been problems this summer getting onto the A39 and with 50 more houses there will be extra traffic.  On this side of the bridge at Wadebridge a sign directs heavy traffic through Camelford.  Would the county council look and see what they can do because this will not get any better.  A Shaw said that if the distributor road has been put on hold any major road improvement would prolong the agony and the building of a business park for industrial use.  The more the aggravation the more the motivation to make a decision.   J Finch asked if Highways should be asked to remove the sign at Wadebridge.   D Pierce said that during the presentation about the pedestrian safety scheme it had been admitted that it would do nothing for the traffic problems in Camelford.  The worse the traffic the greater the case for the distributor road.  There is no solution.  A mini roundabout would work and do a temporary job, but we have to look at the system and the safety of people.  A roundabout would be the cheaper option.  J Finch asked if council should write.  M Williams said that putting in a roundabout would encourage more people to use the road and was the sign in Wadebridge permanent?  J Finch said it was.  J Finch proposed that council write to Highways at Cornwall County Council asking if the sign will be removed when Gossmoor is finished and if not would they consider putting a small roundabout in the 30-mile an hour limit, seconded B Lush, 6 in favour, A Shaw abstained.
   4. Cllr Lush, preservation of benches – J Finch said she had been told that this work is being carried out.
   5. Cllrs Pierce and Shaw, bus stop seats – since the demise of the bus shelter but the reinstatement of the bus service D Pierce said he thought there should be a seat, nothing fancy.  He gave dimensions of one which would not intrude onto the pavement.   A Shaw asked that the seat be removed from outside Lloyds Bank and NCDC be asked to locate it set into the bank on Clease car park.   Permission will be needed from NCDC, and B Jordan added that it may need planning permission.  B Lush said that planning permission may still be in force in that area, for which D Pierce thanked him.  M Williams said that council should go ahead and do it.  Proposed by D Pierce, seconded B Lush, 6 in favour, B Ireland abstained.  A Shaw proposed that NCDC be asked to relocate the seat, seconded S Elford, all in favour.
8. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
   1. Westcountry Rivers Trust, invasive weed symposium, 26 October – B Lush suggested that J Finch and D Pierce attend.
   2. NCDC, supporting village halls – B Lush said he had attended as Hall chairman, but though it was interesting there was nothing to concern council.
   3. Living streets, London conference 15 November – cost £238.50 per person including VAT.  No takers.
   4. NCDC, 30b Market Place – B Grills had asked B Jordan to check into the replacement uPVC windows which had been installed in this building.  Planning had been granted in June 2005 but had not included planning about the windows.  Planning department had been approached and they will investigate.
   5. CCC, road closure from Romany to junction west of Trecarne, Helstone – 4 October for 3 days.
9. Cheques for Payment
   1. B Jordan explained that invoices now have to be initialled as well as the cheque stub as an added check under the new regulations.  A Shaw proposed, M Williams seconded that cheques for payment be signed, all in favour.
10. RESOLUTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS – none.
11. CORRESPONDENCE      
    1. Lanteglos-by-Camelford Church – letter of thanks for £100 grant for grass cutting.
    2. Letter from Mr Graham Ferguson, a voluntary paramedic responder,  about vandalism to his car while he was giving emergency treatment to a child.  A Shaw said that it was a shame you could not leave your vehicle anywhere.  He said council must apologise on behalf of the town for this.  The parents of these children should have more control over them – they rely on others to bring them to book.  J Finch said the police had some time ago done a leaflet which had been sent to the schools and to parents – “Do you know where your child is?”.  Council should continue to work with the police.  If nobody comes forward about this there is nothing council can do.  B Lush said that there seems to have been an influx of newcomers into the town; at a recent event he had not recognised anyone.  M Williams said that the level of vandalism had gone down but on a Friday night (no youth club) there is a problem with kids from outside Camelford.  Parents drop them off (ostensibly to go to the youth club) and collect them later.  A Shaw said that now the new school term has started the youngsters meet up on a Friday night.  They are between 10 and 14.   J Finch said all council can do is speak to Sergeant Jones and ask for increased patrols.  B Lush asked if the support officers are now working.
    3. Letter from Camelford Association of Residents – thanking Cllrs Lush and Elford for all their work getting the bus service resumed.
    4. Letter from Margaret Shillaber about the Remembrance Day meeting on 27 September.
    5. Letter from Cllr Colin Brewer, Chairman of NCDC, referring to his speech in council on 4 September saying that planning permission is not needed to fly the flag of St Piran.  Indeed, the flag of St Piran can be flown with pride.
12. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – none
    1. PLANNING APPROVAL NOTICES - as agenda.
    2. PLANNING REFUSAL NOTICES – none.
13. COMMITTEE REPORTS
    1. Amenities Committee 6 September 2006 – inquorate and adjourned until 21 September 2006 at 7.30.
    2. Car Park Committee 11 September 2006 – B Lush raised the point of the £3 waiver which he considered would be gross discrimination against people parking on Saturday.  B Jordan explained that the ticket machine will give a £3 ticket, representing an instant fine.  B Lush asked when the Town Trust was meeting again (21 September).  B Ireland asked when the car park committee will meet next?  B Lush asked that, to achieve proper scrutiny of the lease he proposed that all councillors receive a copy and discuss it at full council.  J Finch could not see a problem with that.  M Williams said the Town Trust said they would draw up this lease and it will be run past a tame lawyer – it had cost him a beer last time.  It will be simple like the youth club lease.  B Ireland said that the clerk had asked the Town Trust about the parking and what was the purpose of this.  J Finch said that the Town Trust had talked to the previous clerk and they were considering introducing clamping because the area was not policed at all and members of the Trust were quite distressed that the parking was being abused.  They wanted (and want) it used for short term parking so people can go to the chemist or the bank or to the post office.  The Town Trust had no facilities to police the area and asked council to do so.  This had been put on the back burner, but the idea of permits came forward when the off street parking order would have to be changed, and if the Town Trust still wished council to manage their area it could be included in the new order.   D Pierce said that it was also to stop abuse of the disabled parking areas.  (author’s note – he said this with a straight face and nobody even grinned – I was laughing)  B Lush said that the problem was that people with blue badges can park in the street for three hours.  One lady always parks outside the chemist now.  He proposed that to achieve proper scrutiny council members need to see the lease, seconded J Finch, 6 in favour, M Williams abstained.  J Finch said that if council can get a lease in the next few days it can go out with the next agenda.  B Jordan said that a draft lease was already available and could go out.  A Shaw proposed, M Williams seconded adoption of car park minutes.  6 in favour, B Lush abstained.
14. REPORTS
    1. Camelford Town Forum – next meeting tomorrow (20 September)
    2. CDCDT – A Shaw reported that they had not acquired the ground under discussion.
    3. Youth Club – the committee is to be asked to help design a t-shirt.  B Lush added that the younger group are designing the logo for the t-shirt.
    4. HERS – A Shaw said that the funding would be OK in spite of the problem with the lighting.
    5. Mayor’s report – sponsor form for the mayor’s walk to Liskeard given out – money raised will go to a youth organisation in the town.  The council newsletter was shown and B Ireland asked about the cost of having some of it in colour.  B Jordan said he would be printing it and B Lush asked about the total cost.  B Ireland asked that the Trefrew Bridge project be referred to by its name, Broadwood Path, and that it was a Town Forum project with CDCDT.  B Lush said that the youth club is open for two evenings a week and one afternoon for the ladies.  The skateboard park has been repaired.  The format of the newsletter was proposed by A Shaw, seconded S Elford, 6 in favour, B lush abstained.  B Lush asked if that was subject to costings?   J Finch said it was a three month trial with distribution by hand. 
    6. The press release about the distributor road.  County councillor Matt McTaggart and Dan Rogerson were willing to go to London.  Council must fight the South West Regional Assembly, which is made up of 82 councillors, 3 from CCC, 3 from NCDC, others from other district councils, 35 representatives from other organisations, in all 117 people.  Meetings held in Exeter, next 20 October.  D Pierce said that the decision about the distributor road is the biggest blight the town has received since he didn’t know when.  (M Williams said he had had a thought that the South West Regional Assembly should be lobbied and every householder in this town should have a list of those people (SWRA members) to lobby them with thoughts about this.)  There will be people in the town aware of the problems, but not of this decision and who has made it.  A Shaw said this had gone on for several decades.  Cllr McTaggart had chaired the public meeting and is aware of the feeling in the town.  J Finch said that the town needs the road system before the business park.  Fifty more houses are being built and there is no work for anyone.  D Pierce said that the local parishes are included in this as well.  They should be made aware as well and lobby SWRA.  M Williams said that central government is using the assembly as a shield, Department of Transport, No 10 and No 11 should be lobbied, also letters to the national papers.  B Lush said it seemed that the SWRA has done this to us – they have taken our money and given it to Weymouth – it was all to do with the 2012 Olympics.  We (CTC) should be writing to Seb Coe.  M Williams said that The Times last Monday had listed Camelford as one of the by-passes not approved.  J Finch said that perhaps council should get on to The Times.  Camelford is going to have to lobby and for a long time.  M Williams said that this issue should be put on to the next meeting with proposals for letters.  D Pierce said that the Town Forum should also be involved. 
    7. B Ireland reported from the Finance Training Day last Thursday – this is important because there is a lot of work involved.  On the next agenda he asked that council create a Finance Committee as it is council members who are responsible.  He emphasised the need for a Finance Committee.  D Pierce asked if the new regulations were mandatory.  B Jordan replied that they are.  On the issue of setting a budget B Jordan said that they had been told that the best guess is always going to be wrong.  M Williams asked what software had been used to create the budget.   This to be an agenda item at the next meeting.
15. NEWSLETTERS AND CIRCULARS
    1. NALC – local council review – policy document about council taking on more responsibility.
    2. DEFRA – Rural standards review.
16. ITEMS FOR 5 OCTOBER MEETING
    1. M Williams – Distributor Road
    2. B Ireland – Finance sub-committee
17. EXEMPT INFORMATION

TO CONSIDER PASSING THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IN RESPECT OF THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW

‘That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve likely disclosure of information prejudicial to the public interest as defined in the Local Government Act 1972.’

Court summons                   Report from Beachcroft (solicitors)

B Lush had declared a personal interest, but left the meeting under protest when told that this could not proceed with him present.

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