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Camelford Town Council Meeting – 17th April 2007

Notes taken by A McCormick and M Baber

 

Councillors Present: Jenny Finch, Bonnie Grills, Jo Bass, Brian Lush, Philip Clark, David Pierce, Andy Shaw, Mike Williams, Lynn Crockford, Sue Elford

 

 

Public Participation - Rev Jim Benton-Evans

Rev Benton-Evans introduced himself and gave a short talk about his hopes for his involvement within the community, particularly with the youth of the Town.  He also advised that a House of Duty colleague would be joining him soon.

Rev Benton-Evans would like to see the youth of Camelford play a bigger part in the decision making of the town, under the guidance of the Council, by maybe forming a youth committee working with the Town Council.

Rev.Benton-Evans also talked about Lanteglos Church being in serious need of repair, and that a ‘Friends of Lanteglos’ group is being set up.

 

AGENDA

 

  1. Apologies
    1. Apologies received from Cllr R Ireland – Proposed BL, seconded AS, all in favour.
    2. Agenda items –

                                                              i.      PC pointed out that a complaint made against the Clerk (BJ) was not shown.  JF said it was because he was not here, PC said it should still be read to the council and be added to 8f.

                                                            ii.      BG requested that item 8.4, Lanteglos Parish Church, flower festival 20/21/22nd June be moved to 7d as it was a request for money.

 

  1. Receive Declarations of Interest
    1. List given to the Clerk (RH) – BL asked if it was necessary for councillors to declare an interest in 8f – RH said no.  BL item 11a, should this read letter from Hall Committee (not Clare Ireland), if so he would declare a personal interest.
    2. None

 

  1. Minutes, to receive and approve the minutes of the last meeting, 5th April 2007
    1. PC – item 2 no mention of the information he gave regarding declaration of interest. To be amended and to include a copy of the sheet distributed by PC at the last meeting.
    2. PC – item 7d no mention of the fact that he had pointed out the failure of Council to comply with their own complaints procedure. Also that AS declared an interest in 7d, but not noted.
    3. BL – item 14e the Mayors report, request that the following be inserted in the minutes, Cllr Lush replied “all he wanted was an apology but had to accept that he was not going to get one”
    4. SE – item 2 declaration of interest on item 12c should read family
    5. LC – item 7d recorded that she left room, should read ‘declared interest and left room’

Vote proposed AS, seconded BL, 8 in favour (with amendments) 2 abstentions.

 

  1. Items carried forward from last meeting
    1. Traffic Monitoring – JF c/fwd, BL asked if this was because we have had no reply, JF said it was because of the continuing Road works.  BL said that Friday, when the restrictions were lifted, it was chaos.  JF said no monitoring would take place until the road was finished, council should write and insist on a reply after completion of the work.  MW said that HGV’s usually have a ‘driven well’ notice and phone number on the back, suggests that council ring and say NO.  BL asked if the supermarkets concerned had been contacted, JF said yes but that the route was quicker and did not cause as much of the problem as using the A30.
    2. Footway and Street lights – c/fwd. BL commented that he was pleased the work to the footpath outside the Spar (at the bus stop) was being dealt with.
    3. Inventory of Council Properties – c/fwd to new Council
    4. Camera for car park attendant – RH suggested that this be moved to 7e as is was such a small amount, BJ had left information on a camera he recommended.  Proposed AS seconded DP, 8 in favour BL and PC against.
    5. Wall in Churchfield car park – one quote received.  NCDC / CCC would not survey the wall, and additional quotes had not arrived.  PC stated that at the last meeting it was carried that a survey of the wall be carried out which could not be discussed again for 6 months.  RH to request survey from outside body, and call a special meeting when received.
    6. Roughtor Road – Letter received from Paul Pocket asking for detailed information.  AS said their had been 5 bar gate, 2 x 2.5 m granite posts, approx 9’ wide, and trees and shrubs, DP said the top end was Cornish hedge with no access.  BG asked if NCDC had mentioned that they had adopted the Road?  RH said no.
    7. CDCDT request for grant – MW and AS declared interest and left the meeting.  Letter received re grant request for £5,000 (similar letter received last CTC meeting).  CDCDT will not be able to operate in 4 months due to lack of funds – they actively seek affordable housing, are working in Delabole to release land for units, work with the through school hoping to develop a small holding.  RH said that this project did not fall into the correct category to allow the Council to support it, in his opinion by the rules of the Council a grant could not be given (advice not taken up by JF or other councillors).  JF asked for more information relating to funding from other councils i.e. Delabole.  BG requested that the council write again (as per last meeting).
    8. Christmas Parade – waiting for reply from Forum. Next Forum Meeting is tomorrow (18/04/07)
    9. Cllr Grills – Dog Fouling becoming more of a problem, especially on and around new estates.  Request that Council write to NCDC and request increase in warden patrol.  BL commented on the need for a bin at the top of the High Street – council request for consideration of bins on new estates.  (RH no need for vote on this)
    10. Burrows Guides – JF showed draft copy of the Guide.  Containing advertisements, history of Camelford, information re organisations i.e. Town Band, photo and message from the Mayor (JF).  Draft needs to be back by 27/4 for publication.  BL - what is the circulation?  JF about 2,000 to start (she thinks).  PC, Council should have 3 days to consider any publication, PC felt that this should not be published with a photo and message from a possibly outgoing Mayor and Council.  DP proposed, MW seconded that the publication go ahead, 8 in favour PC BL against.  RH said a special meeting was needed on Monday (7pm CDCDT office) to give Councillors opportunity to proof read the Guide. PC to take the draft home and return it to the office next morning, MW wanted it to be returned by 9am, PC offered 10am MW said no and that he had other things to do.  PC offered MW the draft for him to proof read first, with the request that he pop it through PC’s door when he had read it, MW again refused.  RH said discussion was pointless unless it was read, decision could not be made for 3 days.
    11. Entrance to Enfield Park  – Wait for replies (wheelchair access). AS suggested the cobbles be relayed to make a run for wheelchairs etc. put it on the agenda for next meeting. PC requested that the bandstand also be added.

 

  1. Answers to Public Participation 5th April 2007
    1. JF – reply to letter from E McCormick re Information Commission findings.  JF refused to retract statement made 3rd August.  Referred to the decision notice that the Council had been ‘unfamiliar with the Act’.  Commented that the decision notice shows a request made by CAR on the 8th August when CAR knew that the forms had already been destroyed.

 

  1. To Answer Questions or Observations from Councillors of Which Notice Has Been Given
    1. Cllr Crockford – The state of the pavements on Victoria Road.  The road works have left the area looking like a ‘bad patchwork quilt’ gaps in the road and dangerous surfaces from the Park up to the Countryman Hotel.  RH to send a letter of complaint to Oskar Van Winden.

 

  1. Items Requiring a Decision
    1. Request from Royal British Legion Camelford for a stand at Enfield Park 7th July for recruitment day, OK’d. 7 in favour, BL abstained
    2. CALC Proposals for future unitary structures: stakeholder Consultation.  Mayor to report. – Small Town Councils and the Public not on the list for consultation but NALC is.  Request Councillors write comments. Comments to be back to NALC by 22/06/07.
    3. Camelford Crier – additional copy to be included into this issue.  RH requested that PC come to the office to help work on this issue to include the additional text (about ‘Love Parks’ week, and dog fouling), as he will be short of time as he will have to get minutes of this meeting and agenda ready for the meeting Monday out in time.  The Crier can then go onto Monday’s agenda for approval.  PC agreed, proposed AS seconded SE all in favour.
    4. Lanteglos Parish Church, Flower Festival 20/21/22nd July. (item moved from 8.4 to vote on support) request for donation to cover display at Festival, Council supported this last year – theme this year ‘Books’, Council to let Church decide on display (cost £30) proposed SE, seconded BL, 9 in favour PC abstained.
    5. Additional item – purchase of Camera for parking attendant, RH provided a printout of specifications of a camera suggested by BJ for purchase.  Handed around councillors, proposed AS, seconded MW, 8 in favour BL, PC against.

 

  1. Items for information
    1. RCS Systems.  Notification of change of ownership – now ADT, no change in service but cover now available 24hrs. (CCTV Camera in Park)
    2. CALC. FOL Act. New publication schemes do not need to be renewed until the end of 2008.
    3. NCDC.  License in place for Enfield Park – received before the Easter Fayre – no alcohol licence included.  BG/MW suggest similar activity in the park for ‘Love Parks Week’ MW suggested Jazz in the park (but may be useful to apply for Alcohol Licence for this).
    4. Lanteglos Parish Church – dealt with above.
    5. The Church of England, Parochial Fees Order 2007.
    6. Complaints from members of the public against – Cllr Pierce, Cllr Williams, Cllr Finch, Cllr Grills.  Complaints read out and councillors allowed to reply, no replies yet from complainants.  Cllr Pierce – old compliant for which he had apologised whole thing was electioneering.  Cllr Williams – had already apologised to the WI and had his apology accepted, although stated that comment was not directed at Mrs Ireland. Also asked if Mrs Ireland would apologise for calling the Mayor a liar.  Finally, MW stated that he wished all future complaints regarding his conduct to be addressed to him direct in the first instance, not to CTC.

Cllr Finch – stood by her statement made regarding posting on the CAR forum, and would not be apologising. Stated that if Mr McCormick didn’t like this then he should change his approach.  The Standards Board has received a copy of her statement and had decided not to investigate. JF/MW/BJ attended Standards Board hearing (re Cllr Ireland) as individuals not as Councillors so felt no need to apologise for her/their actions or comments at the hearing or the last council meeting.  JF then ripped up her intended reply.

Cllr Grills – stood by her actions and would do the same again.

DP then commented that all these complaints were electioneering, and that no one had raised the matter of the Vice Chair of C.A.R. posting onto the web forum about skinning a councillor.

PC then attempted to speak, but was asked by JF to stand. PC refused and so JF advised that he would not be allowed to speak. PC tried to continue (seated), but JF requested that other councillors ignore PC. JF addressed PC ‘You have no respect for Councillors or the electorate’. PC responded ‘I respect the electorate, but not this Council’ PC then left the meeting – 8.45pm.

 

  1. Finance
    1. Cheques for payment. NCDC (Rent and Service Charge) needed to be paid before 10/05/07. Proposed MW, seconded BG, all in favour.

 

  1. Resolutions or Recommendations from Councillors.
    1. None

 

  1. Correspondence
    1. Letter from Mrs Ireland (Hall secretary) re use of the Conference Room for Parish Meeting.  Big hall will be in use till 9pm, if large numbers of residents attend meeting, meeting may need to be put back till 9pm.  BJ has been looking for alternative venues.  Guest speaker due to give presentation at 7.30pm.
    2. Letter from CALC. At next meeting either Paul Masters or Mark Hall will be giving a talk on the Lyons report. BL to attend.
    3. JF read letter from Mrs Ireland re JF/MW/BJ’s behaviour and comments at the Standards Board hearing JF brought against Cllr Ireland, Standards Board found in favour of Cllr Ireland.  No report available as yet from the Standards Board relating to this case.

JF commented that she had attended as the complainant and that MW had attended as a member of the public. She also referred to the case of Ken Livingstone, when he had been found to be acting as a private individual. She also stated that the conversation between a member of the Standards Board Committee and BJ was private.

 

  1. Planning Applications
    1. 2007/00671 – Hendra Farm, Trevia. Engineering works to field namely reshaping of soil. No objections. Proposed AS, seconded BL, all in favour.
    2. 2007/00670 – Land at Trefrew Road. Amended design for the erection of an agricultural dwelling previously approved under decision 91/3035. BG declared prejudicial interest and left, BL declared a Personal Interest. No objections, subject to agricultural clause being implemented. Proposed MW, seconded DP, 7 in favour, BL abstained.

 

  1. Planning Approval Notices
    1. None

 

  1. Committee Reports
    1. None

 

  1. Reports
    1. Camelford Town Forum – meeting 18th April
    2. CDCDT – None. Meeting rearranged for May.
    3. Youth Club – BL, youth club doing well. PCSO was there tonight to meet members and staff of Youth Club.
    4. HERS – no report, BJ on holiday, no report left for RH
    5. Mayors report – Easter fayre a great success, something in the region of £600 raised for local charities.
    6. Other reports – DP funding for the new medical centre has been withdrawn, council agree that pressure should be put on PCT to find out what is happening.  AS worried that Camelford will end up with something that is not fit for purpose.

BG – Parks for People update. 4 members on the committee but more volunteers needed. Bid being worked on - £250k minimum, £500m maximum. 10 year rolling program to include repairing banks and inmproving access.

Love Parks week – 17th – 24th June. Groups and organisations will be asked to sponsor a day. Council will be asked to sponsor a day, and could councillors please put forward suggestions for the next council. Maximum use of the park needs to be demonstrated.

MW (from CCC website). Central Government put up £6m for primary schools that are innovative. CCC has put forward Camelford Primary School, but work must be completed for August 2009.

 

  1. Newsletters and Circulars
    1. Signpost Newsletter from East Cornwall CVS

 

  1. Items for the 10th May Annual Meeting
    1. None

 

  1. Exempt Information - None

 

End of notes – 9.20pm

 

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