Notes from Camelford Town Council meeting held on 21st November 2006
Present: Mayor Jenny Finch (JF), Deputy Mayor Bonnie Grills (BG), Councillors Jo Bass (JB), Bob Ireland (BI), Philip Clark (PC), David Pierce (DP), Andy Shaw (AS), Michael Williams (MW), Sue Elford (SE)
Ron Hart (RH) stood in for Town Clerk
Public Participation
On behalf of DairyCrest Mr Geoff Roth addressed the meeting with regard to the ‘DairyCrest Challenge which he suggested should, this year, be the clearing of the pond and leat at Enfield Park. This would be done on 11th December by volunteers from the factory’s staff. BI requested that, before any work commences, contact should be made with the Environment Agency to ensure compliance with regulations. Mr Roth replied that full liaison would be undertaken.
RH confirmed that the pond is ‘lined’. Mr Roth asked whether a risk assessment had been undertaken and offered to arrange this if necessary.
Mr Roth requested that the Council allow concessionary parking to the volunteers. AS asked how many volunteers would be engaged in the project – Mr Roth replied that approximately 20 are anticipated, also a mini-digger (possibly). Refreshments will be provided by Ginsters and the volunteers themselves.
CTC provisionally approved 11th December for the work.
1 - Apologies
Lynne Crockford (illness), Brian Lush (family matters).
Acceptance of apologies was proposed by AS and seconded by BG, all in favour.
2 – Declarations of Interest
SE (prejudicial on 12a), BG (prejudicial on 12a + c)
3 – Approval of Minutes from 2nd November
It was suggested that an amendment be made re Exempt Information but this was deemed unnecessary. The minutes were proposed for acceptance by DP, seconded by MW. 8 in favour, with 1 abstention (Jo Bass).
4 – Items carried forward from the last meeting
(a) Traffic monitoring – nothing heard yet.
(b) Information signs – a letter from Mr Robert Constance stated that further enhancement will be ongoing – new signs were proposed. County Council will contribute if Town Council also provide some funding. A further meeting is proposed to fully discuss the implications.
(c) Salt bins – a letter, again from Mr Constance, stating that it is not policy to install salt bins on minor routes.
(d) Policing levels – In reply to the Council’s letter of 24/10/06 – Letter from Inspector Innes stated that the restructuring, obligations and criteria to determine future policing levels are only at the consultation stage, the arrival of the new Chief Constable could influence staffing decisions. It is likely that Camelford will lose one regular officer but gain 3 PCSO’s (Police community Support Officer). Insp. Innes requests a meeting with CTC as soon as possible. After a brief discussion it was decided that early 2007 would be advisable. BI asked that the issue of public seating be addressed because it is not on tonight’s agenda.
5 – Answers to Public Participation of 2nd Nov meeting – None.
6 – To answer questions from Councillors of which notice has been given
Letter from BL and resident re Roughtor Road – RH proposed passing this on to Planning Dept. for investigation.
7 – Items requiring a decision
(a) Council’s own website (.gov.uk) – this item was deferred to the next finance (precept) meeting.
(b) Insurance premium increase – re Fidelity Bonds to cover all Councillors. Premium will increase by £94.62 per annum.
(c) Roadside verge at A39/B3266 – from BL – deep ruts caused by HGV’s. It was decided to ask Cormac to re-instate the verges as soon as practical.
(d) Car Park attendant & Town maintenance – this item is to be deferred to the Car Park sub-committee. Proposed AS, seconded BG, 8 in favour, PC against.
8 – Items for information
(a) Road Closure – Trefrew Rd. to Victoria Rd. closed for 3 days from 05/12/06.
(b) NCDC casual vacancy – elections cannot be held between 3 November 06 and 3 May 07. There is no obligation to fill a vacancy at this time.
(c) CALC mailing:-
1- Local Government White Paper
2 – Local Government in Cornwall
3 – Fire Safety Order
4 – The Commons Act 2006
5 – The Employment Equality (age) regulations 2006 (PC asked for a copy to study).
6 – NALC Media briefing, White Paper
7 – Town & Parish Standards: Issue 8
8 – Strong & Prosperous Communities
(copies of all the above are available from the Town Clerk).
Meeting 13 December at Penryn – as many councillors as possible to attend.
9 – Finance
It was noted that another discrepancy appeared in the report. BI queried the existence of the Town Council’s Lighting sub-committee (re Item e in accounts). JF replied that CTC no longer has a separate Lighting sub-committee (Eddie’s note – see CTC minutes of 18th May 2006, Item 15 (2) shows the members of the Council’s Lighting Committee) (from Clare – there is no mention that this is an ‘external committee’, but remains part of the council?)
10 – Resolutions or recommendations from Councillors – None.
11 – Correspondence
(a) Letter from Western Power re the erection of Christmas Lights – Western Power are happy to supply the tower and volunteer staff.
(b) Letter from Camelford Association of Residents re Council’s ‘Camelford Crier’ Newsletter – CAR have offered CTC the opportunity to have the ‘Crier’ posted on the CAR website until a decision is reached on the Council’s own website (see Item 7 (a) above). In reply JF stated that the Council would decline the offer and wait until their own website has been established, which will be soon. RH recommended that a polite reply be sent to CAR.
(c) Letter from the Town Forum’s Fireworks Committee re compliance with regulations and confirmation of arrangements – CTC confirmed that all appropriate regulations and requirements are complied with. AS reported with regard to the Forum’s request for an adequate Public Address system in time for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. JF said that this was being sorted out.
(d) Letter fro Mr Paul Allen (Highways Dept., County Council) – A speed advisory sign will be erected at Valley Truckle for approximately 4 weeks, visible to vehicles entering Camelford.
A summary of results will be issued to CTC. Both JF and BG commented on the effectiveness of the previous sign at Victoria Road. AS asked if anyone had seen the results from the speed advisory sign that was outside the police station recently. As no one had, he asked that someone contact the police for further information.
12 – Planning
(a) AS reported that Outground Mill, College Road is sorely in need of improvement. No objection , proposed by AS, seconded by BG, all in favour.
(b) Re 27 dwellings at Victoria Gardens – AS has concerns with regard to limited parking facilities and he also has a slight problem with the term ‘social housing’. He continued by stating that the previous ‘motel’ development had now changed to 27 dwellings, also that houses should have 11/2 parking spaces per dwelling. Finally he objected to the planning application on the grounds of ‘over-development’. MW stated that he believes the current development has already become an ‘instant ghetto’ and objected to the application as it would exacerbate the problem. AS then proposed that future developments be for purchase only and on a smaller scale (i.e. shared equity and low-cost sale and therefore no provision for social housing. DP reminded the meeting that NCDC are forced to comply with Central Government guidelines whether or not this Council desires social housing. Objection proposed by AS, seconded by MW, all in favour.
(c) Re ‘Treetops’, Mill Lane – AS reported that this is a small site and the application should be looked at sympathetically – no objection proposed by AS, seconded by MW, all in favour.
(d) Re 7 dwellings at Victoria Gardens (units 94a – 94c, 95a – 95c and 96) – BG stated that the original plan had been amended from 2 dwellings and this amendment would result in over-development. BG/AS 8 in favour. MW against.
12.1 – NCDC Planning approval notices – None
NCDC Planning refusal notices – Re 1 Sportsmans – looks cramped therefore refused.
13 – Committee Reports – None
14 – Reports
(a) Lighting Committee – BG reported with regard to the meeting held on 15/11/06 – Geoff Kay has decided that this will be his last year and his duties will be taken over by Mr Mark Sim. Tim Ley will make announcements on Atlantic FM for the ten day period leading to the switch on (Mr Ley will be switching on the lights with Hazel Kay. 100 blue and white bulbs have been ordered. Christmas trees from Mike Calloway (St. Breward). All licences successfully obtained. For storage a container and/or location will need to be sourced (a proposal is to go before the Finance (precept) meeting).
RH kindly reminded those present of the amount of financial subsidy that CTC already provides and which is much appreciated by the people of Camelford.
(b) Town Forum - JF did not attend the Town Forum meeting so could not report.
(c) CDCDT – AS stated that a meeting would be taking place tomorrow (22/11/06).
(d) Youth Club – MW reported on the new plasma screen, a new computer, tables and chairs etc. Plans are being drawn up re the new building with an envisaged cost in the region of between £3000 and £5000.
(e) HERS – Comments had been made regarding the amount of scaffolding but it was stated that this was due to the large number of applications that had been received of late.
(f) Mayor’s report – JF had attended the licencing of the new vicar (Mr Martin Benton-Evans).
(g) Other reports – BI reported on Broadwood Path (Trefrew Bridge). It is hoped to get the grant increased. He asked that CTC consider ear-marking £593 (which is required to comply with the current conditions) on to next year’s precept. A proposal to this effect was made by AS and seconded by MW, with 8 in favour, BI abstained.
15 – Newsletters and Circulars – None
16 – Items for the meeting on 7th December
(a) Concerns over children having to use the B3266 at Delavue Terrace.
(b) Seat for bus-stop.
(c) Development Action Plan – for beginning of January.
17 – Exempt Information – None - The meeting closed.
Notes by Eddie McCormick and Clare Ireland