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A P P R O V E D 3RD M A R C H 2 0 1 6
ST KEVERNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 4th February 2016 in the St Keverne Methodist Hall at 7.00pm.
The following Councillors were present:-
Cllr D Lambrick (Chairman) / Cllr R Richards(Vice-chairman)Cllr A R Peters / Cllr A Carey
Cllr A Richards / Cllr M Anselmi
Cllr R Combe / Cllr W Frisken
Cllr D Kevern / Cllr Mrs S Lyne
Cllr D Brandreth / Cllr R Beadle
Cllr A Tylor
Also present: - C Cllr W Sanger, Andrew George (Director Cornwall Community Land Trust), PCSO Julia Berry, Graeme Wilkinson (West Briton), Emma Ferguson (Helston Packet) and 7 members of the public.
1. To accept apologies for absence
There were no apologies.
2. Members to declare disclosable pecuniary and prejudicial interests (including details thereof) in respect of any item on this agenda and any dispensations thereon previously granted or requested now
The Chairman reminded members of their duty to declare any interests and asked them to think carefully about whether they had an interest in any item on the agenda. There were no declarations.
3. To receive report on Cornwall Community Land Trust (CCLT) and how it could help St Keverne achieve more local needs housing from CCLT Director Andrew George
Andrew George had been involved with housing at Cornwall Rural Community Council before he became an MP and had now gone back to it since the last election, becoming a director and working part-time at Cornwall Community Land Trust (CCLT). This was a non-profit making voluntary board. Since 2008 180 local needs homes had been provided, which would stay as local needs in perpetuity because the CCLT would oversee their onward sale/rent and they were exempt from Right to Buy. They would be genuinely affordable; one scheme was 20% ‘sweat’ (DIY) and 30% purchase so the occupant owned 50% while renting the other 50%. Parishes could set up their own land trust with the help of CCLT like Grade Ruan had or they could have CCLT negotiate a site with landowners and provide the houses. To start the ball rolling would require a housing survey to be conducted to ascertain the need. Schemes had been completed at Delabole, Pendeen and Menheniot amongst others. Andrew George then took questions.
Cllr Peters was very interested as to where the finance was coming from because if they were being offered for two thirds of the price then builders and landlords could not compete. Andrew George replied that they were not building for Cllr Peters but for people who could not afford normal priced houses. People needed to be registered on Cornwall Homechoice housing register, the plots would be rural planning ‘exception’ sites with lots of conditions on them; it would be very cheap land value. The way to start it off was to stop all development within a village thereby killing any ‘hope’ values. If the size of a site was less than 10 dwellings then they would sell for 56% of market value. The Housing & Communities Agency provided some of the money. Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger asked how they would ensure occupiers were ‘local’ – the Cornwall Council policy was living in parish 3 years, working in or have lived in past in parish 5 years but moved away, or strong family link of 5 years. Andrew George replied that there would be a control; they would be managed ‘in perpetuity’ and it would be written into the deeds that CCLT must be informed when a change of ownership was likely. Up to 3 valuations would be sought, the percentage required would be checked and applicants would have to go through Help to Buy SW to prove their compliance. Ground rent or sometimes a management fee went towards CCLT costs. It was all noted with interest.
4. To receive PCSO Julia Berry’s report
During December there were 6 crimes reported to the police; of these crimes four crimes have been filed pending further information, one has been dealt with by way of restorative justice and a person has been arrested and charged to court for the remaining offence.
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour within the village. This has been reflected in the number of calls made to the police. During January there were 28 calls. The police are working closely with housing associations and also Cornwall County Council in order to try to curb and eliminate this behaviour.
On Saturday 30 January 2016 I attended the first farmers market in the Parish Hall at St Keverne. The market was very well organised and also very well supported. There was a good selection of stalls and a very lovely atmosphere. It was extremely useful for me as it was possible to meet with lots of members of the community and it gave some a chance to ask me questions and also to share information.
If you have any crimes you would like to report please telephone 101, or should you have any concerns which you would like to discuss please call me on 01326 555158, this is an answer machine service, please leave a message and I will get back to you. Alternatively email
PCSO Julia Berry stated it was also announced that the way the Police engaged with Parish Councils would change in the future, with very little officer attendance and a letter had been sent to Council's to that effect. However, she did not wish to discuss it at this time because they were due to be briefed on it the following week. It would be put on the next agenda.
5. To receive Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger’s report.
Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger firstly gave an outline of the Cornwall Council budget, as would be discussed the following week. There would be further reductions of £130m over the next 4 years, with government settlements reducing. The ‘rural’ support grant had been switched to ‘urban’ so that money had been lost. There would be a government approved increase in council tax of 2% specifically for Adult & Social Care, together with the 1.97% increase for general funds, making an increase of 3.97%, equivalent of £50/year for a D band property. Money had been taken out of reserves to make up some of the shortfall but they were now getting very low. There had been an under spend in Cornwall Council on devolution of £608k. This would be distributed to Community Networks by so much per Cornwall Cllr in the Community Network, for assisting devolution projects – i.e. taking on assets from Cornwall Council. Helston Community Network would get £34,610.00. The Boundary Commission demanded a review of Cornwall Cllr ward boundaries in time for the May 2017 elections. However, Cornwall Council had successfully requested that this be extended until 2022 due to lack of time. Cllr Walter Sanger had received a message about dog fouling around the area and he would get signs put up.
Cllr Frisken asked whether Cllr Walter Sanger could check that all Cornwall Council land was properly registered with the Land Registry. Cllr Walter Sanger felt there might be a few pockets that they did not know they owned, but he would check.
Members complained that the road into Coverack was now in a shocking state and becoming dangerous with cars swerving around potholes to try and avoid them. Cllr Walter Sanger stated that there was a long term plan to do it after the summer as there was now work required down in the village as well. Cllr R Peters felt the rural areas were always being ignored. The Chairman mentioned a blocked drain near Trenance that required Cormac to visit 3 or 4 times before they got it cleared, finally jetting it and felt it was a false economy the way they went about jobs only doing the minimal amount. Cllr Walter Sanger stated that the lengthsman scheme was now being introduced; Grade Ruan was participating and asked whether St Keverne might be interested. It was agreed it might be, when and if the quarterly meetings with Cormac under item 18 were initiated.
The Chairman enquired what had happened about the planning enforcement on the caravans, etc at Tregaminion. Cllr Walter Sanger replied that it was waiting for the appeal to be heard, which could be 39 weeks from the date of the appeal.
Proposal to bring forward agenda item 17 for discussion while Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger was still present
It was RESOLVED to bring forward agenda item 17 for discussion while Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger was still present
In the judicial review of the planning permission given to the owners of Dean Quarry for accommodation buildings, explosives store, etc Cornwall Council’s decision was quashed by the judge. A member had requested this item be on the agenda because he wanted to know why the judge considered ‘implications’ that could happen in the future rather than the site that was before him, in the same way that the Parish Council and Cornwall Council had had to do. Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger stated that the judge could look at wider issues. However, the secretary of state had been petitioned by objectors but Cornwall Council took the decision before he had a chance to respond. Cornwall Council was not appealing the judicial review. One member stated he had read the judicial review report, which slammed of Cornwall Council incompetence up to and including the planning committee meeting. The AONB, Natural England, Parish Council, Marine Maritime Organisation and others had all requested an environmental impact assessment. Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger stated that only 2 grounds were looked at during the judicial review and it was only refused on 1 ground – not waiting for the secretary of state’s response to the petition.
Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger had to leave at this point and stated that he would respond at the next meeting. Cllr R Richards also left the meeting at this point.
6. Public Question Time
A member of the public questioned the minutes from January concerning alleged dumping of earth ‘at Content’, which he believed was a separate property to his but it inferred that it was on his property. The minutes would be amended to clarify this situation and an apology was extended to the person concerned for any misrepresentation therein. The person was also disappointed that Cornwall Cllr Walter Sanger had said the judge could do what he likes.
Another member of the public stated that the owner of the Dilligaf site next to St Peter’s church, Coverack, was willing to sell the site to the community for an extension to the graveyard, which was next door. He added that at least 6 prominent people in Coverack were supportive of forming a fund raising committee and several people wishing to be buried there were willing to give a substantial amount.
7. To receive report from the local organising committee on the forthcoming Cornish Gorsedh in St Keverne
This event would be held over the weekend of 1st – 4th September, with a ‘proclamation’, sort of dry run, being held on 16th April. It was a non-profit making event and would be nice if the Parish Council could donate some money. The event was held in a different town in Cornwall each year and in St Austell last year the town council handled all the organisation. It would also be nice if the Chairman would process with the bards and dignitaries on 16th April. All the halls and school in the village would be utilized. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) was considering purchasing 120 mugs to give out to the children of the parish. The Chairman noted that the Parish Council had not been formally invited to the initial meeting although the Clerk had been asked to attend to take notes.
8. To receive letter offering Dilligaf land (next to Coverack churchyard) for sale for graveyard
One member questioned the price and assumed it would not be building plot price but graveyard value. On behalf of Coverack, Cllr Frisken asked Council to support it in principle and help organise with it being overseen by Coverack PCC. It was agreed that the Parish Council should reply to the letter as it was sent to it and ascertain what the owner was requiring. It was RESOLVED to support the idea in principle and alongside that to seek planning permission as well.
9. To discuss the planning meaning of ‘agree to disagree’
There was apparently a lot of confusion about what this meant when a planning officer gave Council this option where there was a difference of opinion over an application. It meant ‘accept’ the planning officer’s decision but not go along with them. It was noted.
10. To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be amended to read that soil was dumped in a ‘general area’ around Content as members did not wish the public to assume that it was at Content Farm. Cornwall Cllr Walter would be asked for an answer about the moving of the soil. Apart from that, it was RESOLVED that the Chairman sign the minutes as a true and correct record of the previous meeting.
11. To receive the following pre-planning applications
a) Replacement of Orange mast previously at Old Slaughterhouse to new site at Trevallack, St Keverne – Harlequin
Members were happy with this proposed site.
12. To receive the following planning applications
a) PA15/12021 Conversion of barn to form two dwellings and installation of septic tanks, barn at Lestowder Farm Penare, Manaccan, Mr D Martin
It was RESOLVED to support the application.
13. To receive planning decisions
6.01.2016 PA15/07938 APPROVED
Applicant: Dr P Barton
Location: Tredinnick Farm and The Barn Road from Tregarne to Treleague St Keverne Cornwall TR12 6PH
Proposal: Works to two dwellings including: Demolition of conservatory and erection of 2 storey extension to Tredinnick Farm House.
Demolition of garage roof and erection of first floor extension to dwelling known as The Barn.