Notes from CTC meeting held on 18th December 2007.
Present: B Lush (Mayor) (BL), J Pearce (Dep Mayor) (JP), P Clark (PC), P Lessels (PL), A Shaw (AS),
B Ireland (BI), M Baber (MB).
Minutes: R Hart (RH), Acting Town Clerk
Public Participation
District Councillor Bob Ellison (BE) addressed the meeting. He began by expressing seasonal greetings to all present. He then thanked Council for the clear way in which the Press release in respect of the 2008/9 budget had been presented and referred to the sound footing on which the precept figure had been based although he believes that some residents will continue to dispute the wish expressed by the majority of voters at the last election for Churchfield car park to be funded via the town precept. He wished CTC well in their attempt at taking town maintenance/grass-cutting ‘in house’ and hoped this would result in a tidier look to the town.
1 – Apologies – A Hearnden (AH) ill, S Morris (SM) (working).
Absent without apology: D Elliott (DE), R Rotchell (RR).
Proposed for acceptance by JP, sec by AS, all in favour.
2 – Declarations of Interest – PC, item 4(b), personal, BI & MB, item 12(b), personal.
3 – Minutes of 6th December – RH pointed out an error, ‘FacePaint’ should read ‘Facebook’, prop for acceptance by MB, sec JP, a.i.f.
4 – Items carried forward –
(a) Ambulance response times – still no reply – Clerk to write yet again.
(b) Co-op to be re-sited – no reply.
(c) Ope-way rights of way – ongoing.
(d) Medical Centre update – no reply.
(e) Parish Plan update by JP – JP stated that his research had proven quite complicated. The existing Market & Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTi) is different to the Parish Plan although there are similarities and much of the work, including the setting-up of CDCDT, came under the umbrella of MCTi. BI asked when that plan had been drawn up and AS replied “2 and a half years ago.” BI asked when does the plan need to be reviewed, AS replied that it is currently under review by the RDA (Regional Development Agency). JP explained that the MCTi was more inclusive than just Camelford, therefore could not be recognised as a Town/Parish Plan and, during his discussion with Sally Lewis, had been told it would be difficult to change to a Parish Plan. AS stated that the existing MCTi plan has to be ‘signed-off’ by the RDA who are finalising the ‘blueprint’. JP reported that the existing arrangement was mainly being driven by Town Forum and CDCDT without the involvement of CTC. JP felt that now was a good time for the entire project to be reviewed and he expressed his thanks to BI for raising the profile of the issue because of its importance for Camelford. (Sally Lewis is responsible for regeneration matters and attends Forum, JP suggested that CTC reps at Forum contact and consult with her at the meeting tomorrow – 19th Dec.). BI remarked that he had been a member of Forum for around 3 years and has been enquiring about the Parish Plan for a several months. Prior to this he had not heard of the Parish Plan despite having been a Councillor for almost 2 years. He felt that, in spite of his repeated requests, this issue was being treated in a similar way to the ‘Parks for People’ project which had resulted in failure of the bid. Future funding for projects relies on an adequate Parish Plan which, for this purpose, excludes outlying parishes such as St Endellion. JP & BI reinforced how vital it was that the Plan was ‘collaborative’ and the involvement of CTC was essential.
(f) Update on sale of Car Park machines from PL – The likely purchaser must get approval of their committee before proceeding.
(g) Update on volunteer list from JP – He stated that this is a long term project and requested that it be removed from the ‘carried forward’ list of CTC but he will provide regular progress reports.
(h) Update on Clerk’s contract and job description – carried forward to meeting of 3rd Jan 2008.
5 – Answers to Public Participation of 6th Dec meeting – None
6 – Questions from Councillors – None
7 – Items requiring a decision –
(a) + (b) Traffic Warden cover for 2008 (from BL) – From May 2008 traffic warden cover will become the remit of County Council and there will be no discretion. If CTC does not ask for cover then it is possible that no warden cover will take place. There is the possibility that barring HGV’s from the centre of town could ease traffic problems but this has proven difficult to clarify with Highways Dept. AS believes that no change to HGV routing will take place until the dualling of the A30 at Temple is completed.
(BL suspended Standing Orders to allow BE to speak – BE suggested contacting County Councillor Janey Comber as a way forward via the new ‘Area Networks’ which can be managed locally.)
PL proposed a request that both warden cover and HGV restrictions be applied for, sec by MB, a.i.f.
(c) Cornwall Animal ambulance (grant application) – RH to write for clarification, prop by BI, sec by MB, a.i.f.
8 – Items for Information –
(a) Report on B Jordan appeal hearing of 13th Dec 2008. RH read a letter from the Committee to Mr Jordan which stated that they (i) Uphold the original decision in that he was guilty of bringing the Council into disrepute and (ii) that he withheld information from the Council. The letter did not uphold item (iii) that he broke the terms of suspension by accessing the Council website. The outcome was that Mr Jordan was dismissed for ‘Gross Misconduct’. BL, PL and BI expressed concern over validity of the third item stating that there was enough evidence to prove item (iii) and this had been supplied in good time. BL felt that by rejecting item (iii) the panel had cast doubt on the integrity of those Councillors who had passwords and access to the website at the time. PC replied that it was the decision of the panel that there was insufficient evidence passed to the panel to confirm the accusation. MB agreed with PC and the item is to be put on the agenda for the next CTC meeting. Should this matter go to a Tribunal then members of the public can attend.
9 – Approval of payments – Details available from the Clerk’s office. Refunds re car park season tickets and advertising tickets partially completed, remainder to be quantified for repayment. Proposed for acceptance by AS, sec by BI, a.i.f.
10 – Resolutions/Recommendations from Councillors – None
11 – Correspondence –
(a) From Mrs C Ireland – Re Press release- Mrs Ireland stated that the decision to return Churchfield car park to non-paying was not “controversial” at all, the referendum, the conciliation exercise and most importantly the May election had been overwhelmingly in favour or removing charges for use of the car park. She reminded CTC that 8 members had been elected on a ‘Free Car Parking’ ticket and asked that Council cease pandering to the minority who remain in favour of charging. BI stated that the Press release published was not the one agreed by the Finance Committee and which he had provided by email to members of the Committee including Cllr Pearce. RH reminded the members that BI’s document had not been available at the last CTC meeting so could not form the basis of JP’s press release. JP believes there may have been a slight misunderstanding over the relevant minute and suggested that a revised, more extensive press release be provided for inclusion in the free press and local shops and outlets but this was deemed unnecessary. RH suggested that CTC reply to Mrs Ireland by stating that her comments had been noted.
(b) From M Williams – BL stated that the content of Mr Williams letter was not Council business because it referred to an unauthorised account of the hearing re B Jordan’s dismissal and a witness called at that hearing whose comments were posted on the ‘Facebook’ website. BL had subsequently spoken to the witness who did not wish the matter to go any further.
(c) From M Williams – re Precept for 2008/9 – Mr Williams referred to the press article of 12th December calling it ‘spin’ and stating that CTC should be ashamed of themselves. He believes that CTC should apologise for ‘misleading the electorate’. He also referred to CTC minutes of 12/12/06, particularly Items 31 & 32 in respect of the setting of the precept for 2007/8 and the voting figures relevant to those items. Mr Williams then commented re the case of B Jordan – he believes this will now be the subject of an Employment Tribunal and wishes that there will be no further cost to the taxpayers of Camelford. Mr Williams ended by expressing season’s greeting to CTC.
In reply PC stated that CTC’s reply to Mr Williams should include the information, stated officially by candidates at the time, that returning the free use of the car park could cost around £30 per household per annum on the precept. MB recommended that CTC reply by stating that Mr Williams’ comments had been noted. This was agreed and seconded by BI, a.i.f.
(d) From B Jordan – Re his appeal – various items of evidence were questioned/disputed. JP replied that CTC had acted on the advice of SWPE. Some of Mr Jordan’s queries were stated as being untrue by RH. Reply from CTC to be contingent on Tribunal dealings. JP stated that all of Mr Jordan’s observations were basically untrue.
12 – Planning applications –
(a) Inns Park for Wainhomes – modified details – no objection proposed by AS, sec by BL, 6 in favour, 1 abstention (PC).
(b) Lib Club – covered seating & smoking area on rooftop – no objection proposed by AS, sec by JP, 4 in favour, 3 abstentions (PC, BL & MB).
13 – Planning approval – (i) Tree preservation at Daws Meadow. (ii) Removal of hedgerow at Deer Park Farm, Helstone. (iii) Land adjacent Longfield Drive.
14 – Planning refusal – None
15 – Planning applications withdrawn – None
16 – Committee reports –
(a) Amenities Committee – report provided by PC. PL proposed not to accept the report, sec by AS, a.i.f. (to be referred back to Committee prior to re-presentation to Council).
BI presented a bundle of papers etc. to PC as Chair of the Amenities Committee, this is in respect of the failed Parks for People bid.
17 – Reports from outside bodies –
(a) Town Forum – meeting tomorrow 19th. RH had received a copy of accounts.
(b) CDCDT – AS reported on a meeting with Alan Fox, looking re a site in Delabole.
(c) Youth Club – No report.
(d) Mayor’s report – On 16th Dec BL attended annual Carol Service and delivered a lesson, also delivered Christmas greetings to various bodies/organisations.
(e) Other reports from outside bodies – JP spoke on 2 items (i) meeting with NCDC officials re areas of the town currently looked after by NCDC which may be taken over by CTC (shrubs, planted areas etc.). Maintenance of these areas could be taken ‘in-house’ – this to be clarified and costed because of potential cost of equipment and increased man-hours. RH to request a written proposal from NCDC and then this item to go to Amenities Committee. (ii) River – JP had attended with ?West Country Rivers Trust? who are undertaking a study and would be willing to address CTC. This would provide an update, possibly 18th January, on river matters.
BI then provided the audit report re Broadwood Path with a request for comments re history, build, maintenance etc. Copies to go to relevant organisations (Forum, CDCDT, CTC).
(f) Clerk’s report – RH informed CTC that he had been told that some gilding on the Town Hall clock appears to be coming off. (ii) Information requested under the Freedom of Information by E McCormick has been sealed in anticipation of Employment Tribunal. The request will be reassessed once the position re Tribunal is known.
18 – Newsletters & Circulars – (i) Fire Brigade Christmas message (ii) North Cornwall Grants newsletter.
19 – Items for 3rd January 2008 meeting – None
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