NOTES ON THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 19 December 2006
Present: Mayor J. Finch (JF),B.Grills (BG), J. Bass (JB), B. Lush (BL),
B. Ireland (BI), P. Clark (PC), D. Pierce (DP), A. Shaw (AS), M. Williams (MW),
L. Crockford (LC), S. Elford (SE).
Minutes were taken by Ron Hart (in the absence of B. Jordan)
1. APOLOGIES – none.
2. RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Agenda items : SE 4c, LC 7b, JB 12a (prej) 12b (prej), BG 12c. All personal unless otherwise shown.
3. TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE MINUTES OF 7 December 2006, proposed D Pierce, seconded L Crockford, all in favour. Approval of minutes of 12 December 2006 proposed A Shaw, seconded B Lush, all in favour.
4. ITEMS CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE LAST MEETING.
a. Traffic monitoring – carry forward, but A Shaw said that there had been a major accident on the A30 with resulting chaos in Camelford. Lorries were backing on both pavements. When the lights went green everyone went through. Traffic in the narrows was committed and stacked up. Council should write to Highways to ask them to spend days here to look at the problem of the traffic lights being out of sync. B Lush agreed, saying he had been in Camelford at 5.30 – it had been a nightmare and it seemed that all the traffic from both directions disrupted by the accident had been sent through Camelford. R Hart to write.
b. Information signs – JF had a meeting with Highways. New signs for traffic management. Legal requirements must be met, but drawings will be sent to CTC for approval.
c. Spectrum – Camelford schools do not use this facility. Leave on the table, proposed A Shaw, seconded B Lush, ten in favour P Clark against.
5. ANSWERS TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 7 December – none.
6. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS OF WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN – Council Newsletter – P Clark (leaning over table) said that he had been contacted by a member of the public as there had been a lot of errors in issue 3. PC asked that if these newsletters are to be published then someone should edit them and be responsible, or all councillors should receive a copy for approval. Proposed P Clark, seconded B Lush, 7 in favour, 2 against, D Pierce abstained. J Finch said this had been done tonight. P Clark said that issue 4 looks good. Approval proposed by J Finch, seconded S Elford, 10 in favour, one abstention (AS).
7. ITEMS REQUIRING A DECISION – Bus stop seat in Victoria Road – D Pierce said that in discussion with local suppliers he had been told that they were concerned that should such a seat collapse a report should be sought from a structural engineer to approve the design. A Shaw suggested waiting as his son can help with structural advice. Structural report awaited.
8. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
a. NHS Primary Care Trust – copy of last meeting’s presentation available. A Shaw said that another meeting is coming up. R Hart to write saying that council’s chosen venue is Bodmin.
b. Enfield Park gantry – essential reminder that 6 January 2007 is the date the gantry must be removed in order to avoid enforcement action. B Grills said the lighting committee was fully aware.
c. Planning and Parish Councils Conference – Local Development Framework workshop - 24 January 2007 at Camelford Hall, 2.15. JF stated the she and (ex) Councillor Samuel had attended an earlier meeting. Two places had been allocated, but R Hart to write to ask for 6 – 7 places, as planning could come down to parish councils.
d. Japanese Knotweed on public rights of way. No map has been provided but R Hart asked that Cllrs make him aware of locations so that the appropriate agency can be informed. A Shaw said that there was some outside Jonathan Holt’s surgery. It has been sprayed but it comes back. D Pierce expressed concern about coordination with abutting parishes. J Finch recommends that individuals contact CTC separately.
e. CCC – Allen Valley road closure – from 12 January, 4 hours, 1900 – 2300.
f. Precept for 2007/08 - £57,319, breakdown of figures available.
9. FINANCE – approval of cheques for payment proposed by A Shaw, seconded B Lush, all in favour.
10. RESOLUTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COUNCILLORS – none.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Royal British Legion, Camelford Branch – B Lush declared a personal interest as a member of RBL. R Hart to reply with copy of appropriate minutes.
b. Alternative sites for new Medical Centre – a meeting is suggested on the evening of 11/01/07
12. PLANNING APPLICATION
a. 2006/02327 - A Shaw proposed no objection, seconded B Grills, 9 in favour, P Clark abstained, J Bass left the room.
b. 2006/02326 - objection proposed (overdevelopment of site) B Grills, seconded S Elford, 7 in favour, P Clark against, 2 abstentions (J Bass out of room)
c. 2006/02355 – no objection proposed A Shaw, seconded B Lush, 10 in favour, BG against.
PLANNING APPROVAL NOTICES
2006/01975 –
13. COMMITTEE REPORTS – none.
14. REPORTS –
a. Camelford Town Forum – next meeting 20 December 2006.
b. CDCDT – looking for NCDCs help to find an industrial location. Five possible, favouring one. Through school being pushed. Community plan considered and requires ‘fine-tuning’. Looking for funders for an administrative officer. Cycle route – possibility of CCC paying a little, needs developing, the old railway track cannot be used.
c. Youth Club – Christmas parties held. A Shaw commented on the quality of the paintwork.
d. HERS – no report.
e. Mayor’s report – thanked Dairy Crest for clearing the pond and leat at Enfield Park. Urgent repairs needed to the area around the pond. P Clark said the grass has now subsided. The matter of wild ducks referred to Amenities Committee. P Clark gave the report on the meeting about the White Paper – Community Network Association - decision will be made on 23 January and will be submitted to government on 25 January. County want a unitary authority. B Ireland asked if Camelford Town council would exist after this as the CNA covered quite an area. Who would make the decisions or will it just be another district council, but an unelected one. J Finch suggested there should be more lighting and hanging baskets. B Lush said that light pollution meant that there should be less, not more lights. J Finch had attended a carol service. The junction of Dark Lane and Clease Road seems to be collapsing. Lack of sight line at this junction. B Lush agreed that it was lethal, particularly if you turn right there out of Dark Lane. J Finch assumed those present had seen the front page of the Cornish Guardian – at Sportsmans there is room for a pavement – it is not safe for young children or buggies. B Grills said that people in that area want to start a petition and could council help.
f. A Shaw (leaning forward) said that the grass area at Valley Truckle had been crushed by lorries.
15. NEWSLETTER AND CIRCULARS
a. The Signpost.
16. ITEMS FOR 4 JANUARY MEETING
a. M Williams gave his apologies for that meeting and the one after.
b. L Crockford gave apologies for 4 January.
c. B Ireland asked that the Development Action Plan be put on the next agenda, to be told that it already was.
17. EXEMPT INFORMATION
B Ireland asked why this had to be in secret. He was told it was about salaries/money. (Author’s note - surely this was discussed in public meeting to discuss the budget, 12 December)
A Shaw proposed, M Williams seconded that council go into secret session, 8 in favour, P Clark against, 2 abstentions (BL & BI).
End of notes.
Notes taken by Eddie McCormick and Clare Ireland