Present: Cnllrs. J Fuge, B Fletcher, G White, L Luck, A Forsyth, S Funnell (Chair), B Campbell-Taylor (Clerk), County Councillor S Bain, & two members of the public.

Apologies: none.

Minutes. As the minutes of the previous meeting had been previously circulated they were taken as read. All resolved to accept the minutes.Matters Arising. Cnllr. Fletcher reported that no progress had been made with regard to the acquisition of a fireproof box for the Village firework display. The Clerk reported that the playground gate-closing device had been installed and seemed to be working satisfactorily. The appeal against the refusal of Planning Permission for an extension to Golant Farmhouse had been withdrawn.

Election of Chair and Deputy. It was proposed by Cnllr. Forsyth and Seconded by Cnllr. Luck, that the Current Chairman (Cnllr. Funnell) and his Deputy (Cnllr Fletcher) be asked to continue for a further year. All agreed.

Change to Standing Orders. It was proposed by Cnllr. Luck and Seconded by Cnllr Fuge that the following changes should be made to the standing orders of the Council,

(1)   The day on which the Council meets should be changed from the third Thursday of each month, to the fourth Wednesday of each month.

(2)   That the maximum amount that the Council is allowed to spend without resort to a formal tender process should be increased from £2000 to £2500.

All agreed to these changes.

Planning. The Clerk reported that he had made no comment on the detailed plans, submitted with regard to the proposed development at Leyonne Farm, which already had outline consent.

It was reported to the Council that the paddock at Torfrey, which had been part of the Leyonne Farm sale package, was still on the market.

Village Green and Playground. The Clerk reported that the registration of the Village Green was proceeding and that all that remained was for notice to be served on certain property owners. He also reported that the installation of the new playground equipment was expected to be soon.

Highways and Footpaths. The damage caused to Church Hill by building contractors was discussed. It was decided to await completion of the building work, and then ask the Highways department to look into the possibility of repair. Councillor Bain offered (should she be re-elected) to urge the repairs & she asked the Chairman to notify her at the appropriate time.

Cnllr. White reported that the Upper Downs footpath required attention, perhaps spraying and/or strimming. Members thought that Mrs Reardon had already done some of the work & it was thought that no work should take place until after the Campion & Primrose flowering season was over.  The Chairman reminded everyone that last autumn, a small volunteer work party completed the work quickly and efficiently.

The Clerk was asked to write to Cornwall Council to clarify the situation with regard to additional funding for maintenance of the new Upper Downs footpath.Accounts. The Clerk presented the Annual Accounts for the year 2008-2009. These had been subject to scrutiny and approval by an internal auditor and, subject to the Council’s approval, would be submitted to the National Audit Office for scrutiny.

Cnllr. Forsyth proposed, Cnllr. Fletcher seconded, and all agreed to accept these accounts.

Payments. Cnllr. Fletcher proposed, Cnllr Forsyth seconded and all agreed, that the following payments should be made,

Car Park Attendant.             Period 1.04.09 to 19.05.09. £193.72

Clerks Expenses.         Period 20.04.09 to 20.05.09. £209.78   

J Snell.                        Repairs to Village Green equipment. £39.50

Allianze Insurance.     £418.61.

Playline Design.         New playground equipment. £2161.43.

Financial Situation. The Clerk gave the up to date situation.

Number One Account.             £  2450.03

Car Park Account.              £12697.53

Total funds held.                    £15147.56

 

 



Any Other Business.

Co-option of new member. The Chairman agreed that it was not normally acceptable to deal with such a substantive matter as the Co-option of a new member within A.O.B. However, he felt that this was a matter of some urgency and, rather than reconvene the meeting, we should proceed. There were no objections to this.

Two candidates were put forward. Having the majority of votes, Mr D Johns was elected. The Chairman therefore declared that Mr D Johns would be co-opted as a member.

Next Meeting.  It was decided that the next meeting should be held on Wednesday 24th June 2009 
  
  
 

 

St Sampson Parish Council. Parish Meeting Wednesday 15th April 2009

 Public Participation commenced at 7-15. Three members of the public were present.

Matters raised; Repairs to Village Green following damage caused by construction work, Repair & subsequent further damage to post at entrance to Green.

Council meeting commenced at 7-25.

Present; Cnllrs. L Luck, J Fuge, B Fletcher, R Funnell (Chairman). B Campbell-Taylor (Clerk) & County Cnllr S Bain.

Apologies were received from Cnllr. J White & Cnllr. A Forsyth.

The Minutes of the previous meeting, having been previously circulated, were taken as read.

It was proposed by B Fletcher and seconded by L Luck that the minutes be accepted. All agreed.

Matters Arising. Fireworks. All agreed that Cnllr B Fletcher be appointed as Firework Display Co-ordinator. The Chairman reported that all the requirements of our insurers were being complied with, with the exception of the requirement to store the fireworks in a fireproof box. The firework display team had felt that the storage of fireworks in a concrete garage was an adequate solution. However, Cnllr Fletcher was asked to look into the cost and size of an appropriate container so that the council may consider acquiring or making a fireproof box for the use of the display team. Playground Gate. Cnllr Luck and the Clerk had investigated options for a closing device for the playground gate. The Clerk and Mr Graham Estlick were experimenting with a cheap, safe and simple DIY gate closer.Reports. County Councillor S Bain reported that the unitary authority transition process was going smoothly and that the One Stop contact centre, located in Fowey Library, was already proving to be a success. She warned that the whole process would be prolonged, citing, by example, the ten-year period taken by the East Riding of Yorkshire. Cnllr Bain confirmed that elections would take place on the 4th June for Cornwall Councillors, Town Councils and some new Parish Councils.

Website. The Clerk reported that the Boat watch Website was now incorporated within the Golant Website though it needed some updating. He also reported that he had asked the publishers of the Pill Magazine for permission to copy news, events and forthcoming events.Planning. Fisherman’s Arms Smoking Room. All agreed that the Council should give support to the structure being allowed to remain. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to the Licensee, who was awaiting written confirmation of enforcement. The Licensee was grateful for the support offered and suggested that any action should take place after a written notice had been received and the details studied.  The Clerk repeated the information he had received about the rules surrounding the construction of smoking rooms. He also described the information that he had received about the Planners’ attitude to any construction at, what they regarded as, the front elevation of the Pub.

Golant Farmhouse extension application had been approved. No firm information as to whether the previously rejected application was still subject to appeal.

The Council had not objected to the proposed extension at Orchard View.

Village Green and Playground.  Mr Richard Strode had contacted the Council and asked that

‘As he was expecting many visitors this summer, may he be allowed to park a car on the Village Green’. Councillors all felt that the rules about parking on the Green were clear and firm, they also felt that allowing one exception would create a difficult precedent. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Strode and explain and, at the same time point out that £30 car park passes are still available.

New Equipment. Additional quotations had been obtained for the supply of swings and protective matting. One of these quotes was substantially cheaper than the one that had previously been considered.  It was proposed by L Luck and seconded by B Fletcher, that the cheaper quote be accepted subject to confirmation that it would fit in the available space. All resolved this.  It was also suggested that accepting the cheaper quotation might enable the council to afford other equipment.

 Car Park. It was reported that; the Car Park became operational on 1st April and that, by the morning of 14th April, £300.00 had been taken.  The Clerk had, on 4th April banked £1050.00, this sum being the proceeds from Parking Permits. The new Car Park Inspector was settling in.

Complaints had been made about the lack of an indicator for m/cycles & the Clerk was asked to paint an indicator in the appropriate places.

Private Parking bays 1-3 had been allocated & all Green Passes issued.Highways. All agreed that, following the exceptionally hard frosts the road surface on many of the roads within the Parish were rough and badly potholed.

Footpaths. After it was pointed out that some of the upper downs footpaths were deteriorating, the Clerk was asked to write and enquire about the possibility of obtaining free labour from Cornwall Probation service.

Finance. The Clerk reported that, after tonight’s payments, the current financial situation would be:

Council Main Account.            £2179.00

Car Park Account                       £14478.00

Total Funds.                             £16657.00

It was proposed by L Luck and seconded by B Fletcher that payments of £206.00 are made to Clerks expenses and £288.60 for Car Park Business Rate. All resolved this.

Any Other Business.

The Clerk had been asked to remind the Council that it had become a village tradition to commission a group Village Photo at ten year intervals and that, next year, a photo would be due. All agreed to support and sponsor a photo at the appropriate time.

At 8.10pm the meeting ended.

 

Next Meeting.

Annual Parish Meeting followed by Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Wednesday 20th May commencing at 7pm

 Two annual meetings!

The Annual Parish Meeting is not a council meeting. It is a meeting of the parish or town electors and could involve local organizations such as the Women’s Institute and the drama group. Strictly speaking electors can set the agenda, and in practice these meetings often celebrate local activities and debate current issues in the community. The chairman of the council calls the Annual Parish Meeting and, if present, will chair it. It is best practice to hold The Annual Parish Council Meeting and the Annual Parish Meeting on different occasions to avoid confusion.

The Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Annual Meeting of the Parish Council Is where the Council elect a chairman and probably a vice-chairman, and appoint committee members and representatives to other bodies. It helps to remember that it is a meeting of the Council.

Extract from the Parish/Town Council code of practice.

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