MINUTES OF THE ST NEOT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 13 TH SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 7:30PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, ST NEOT SOCIAL CLUB, ST NEOT

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1 MINUTES OF THE ST NEOT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 13 TH SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 7:30PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, ST NEOT SOCIAL CLUB, ST NEOT Present: Councillors R Berrett (Chair), H Bunt, D Lucas, C Smith, N Ball and G Rogers Cornwall Councillor M Eddy from 8:15pm Sue Blaxley (Parish Clerk) Stephanie Daniels The Chair opened the meeting at 7:30pm. Public Participation 1. Apologies Apologies were received from Councillors Dr L Jones, Mrs M Merrett-Jones, A L Bellringer and from Cornwall Councillor M Eddy for his late arrival at the meeting. 2. To confirm the minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 12th July 2017, having previously been circulated, were agreed as an accurate record. 3. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda 4. To receive a report on any matters arising from the previous meeting 5. To receive the Chairman s Communications.

2 6. To answer any questions from Councillors, previously notified to the Clerk 7. To receive a report from the Clerk 8. Councillor Surgery at Local Produce Market To receive feedback from the Councillor surgeries on Saturday 8 th August 2017 and Saturday 2 nd September 2017 and to appoint a volunteer for the next surgery on Saturday 7 th October 2017 Councillor H Bunt said that he had been asked when hedge trimming could commence and that he had advised the parishioner that hedges could be cut from 2 nd September onwards. He said that he obtained two signatures supporting the provision of fitness equipment in the playing field. Councillor D Lucas explained that he will need the list of supporters for the new equipment to accompany the application for grant funding which he will submit to Viridor. Councillor D Lucas volunteered to attend the surgery on Saturday 7 th October To receive reports from - a) Cornwall Councillor M Eddy Cornwall Councillor M Eddy explained that under the Local Government Boundary Commission Electoral Review, Cornwall Council has made a submission recommending 99 wards for Cornwall. He explained that Cornwall Council s Gypsy Officer thinks that the inhabitant of the site at Colliford Lake is a gypsy and that, if this is the case, he will have gypsy status on the site. He said that an enforcement notice has now being prepared in respect of the unauthorized development on the site and it is anticipated that this will be served in the next two weeks. He said that the Portfolio Holder is monitoring the case and that he will also keep the situation under review. He also said that Cornwall Council is currently undertaking a survey regarding refuse collection and that community networks are to receive a highways budget. In terms of highways, he said that he had reported to Cornwall Council that the surface of Pengelley Hill appears to be breaking down and that the margins of the road appear to be deteriorating badly in the Draynes valley. Councillor M Eddy explained that he continues to sit on the SE Planning

3 Committee and that on Monday 17 th July 2017, Mr Northey s planning application (PA17/02880) was discussed. He said that he presented his case to support the application as did Mr Northey and the parish council presented their case against the application. He said that he took no further part in the debate and that twelve councilors voted to support the proposal. He said that the parish council must be aware that each planning application is unique and that planning policies are guidance documents. Councillor C Smith said that there were no policies in the CLP to support this application and no policies were quoted at the meeting by Cornwall Councillors which means that the CLP is a waste of time and money. Councillor N J Ball commented that Cornwall Council had no right to support this application and in doing so, went against their own rules. Councillor C Smith said that what the parish council needs is clarity to ensure they are being fair in their decision making relating to planning applications. Councillor G Rogers asked Cornwall Councillor M Eddy if the SE Planning Committee are fit for purpose. He said that they are, having had planning training, and that planning is not a science but an art. Councillor C Smith said that the Chair had written to Cornwall Council regarding this matter and a response was awaited. Cornwall Councillor M Eddy said that he has strimmed the majority of the orchard. Councillor H Bunt asked him if he had reported the presence of Japanese knotweed on Goonzion Downs to Cornwall Council. He said that he had not as any Japanese knotweed more than 10 metres from the road is not the responsibility of Cornwall Council. Councillor C Smith said that he would spray it. Coucnillor C Smith said that the parish council will be seeking some funding from the Community Chest for the fitness equipment. Cornwall Councillor M Eddy said he would probably be in a position to give approximately 200 from this fund. c) Goonzion Commoners Councillor H Bunt said that he and Councillor C Smith and several other volunteers had pulled the ragwort on Goonzion Downs and that which was left was subsequently pulled by the Young Farmers. He said that Stephen Masters will trim the hedges on Goonzion Downs. He explained that the trees need thinning adjacent to the highway at Linkindale as they are overhanging the road. It was agreed that this would be done by members of the parish council on 14 th October c) Bodmin Moor Parishes Group It was noted that there will be a meeting of Bodmin Moor Statutory Council on Monday 18 th September Councillor H Bunt said that he had reported the issue regarding the aggressive ponies on Goonzion Downs and that Julie Dowton is going to erect posters asking people not to feed the ponies and/or leave food on the moors for them. He said that the ponies are effective in

4 keeping the grass short. Councillor C Smith said there are approximately 35 ponies on the moor at the moment and they often block the road and on occasions, stampede across the moor. d) Liskeard/Looe Community Network Panel Councillor D Lucas said that the intention is to give the community networks more power in order to strengthen the links between Cornwall Council and the parish councils. 10. To authorise the signing of orders for payment, including Paid in August: Julie Ball (Toilet cleaning August) Sarah Dance (Grass cutting) South West Water (Water for Cott Yard) Higos Insurance Services Ltd (Additional Public Liability Insurance) South West Water (Water for Pavillion) BT (Internet for Cott Yard) Mrs S Blaxley (Toilet Rolls/Postage) Sarah Dance (Grass Cutting) South West Water (Water for Toilets) To be paid: Julie Ball (Toilet cleaning September) St Neot Social Club (Bleach and handwash) Cray Kent (PROW maintenance 1 st installment) Sarah Dance (Grass cutting) Mrs S Blaxley (3 month s salary and expenses) - 2, EDF Energy (Parish Lighting) EDF Energy (Parish Lighting) HMRC (Employee tax/ni) Sarah Dance (Grass cutting) Christian Smith (materials for painting of Pavillion) It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor G Rogers that all of the above orders for payment be authorized. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 11. To receive correspondence from - a) Cornwall Council

5 b) Others 12. Finance Report and Report on Income and Expenditure Against Budget To receive a current financial statement of the accounts and Report on Income and Expenditure Against Budget The Clerk reported that, since the last meeting, we have received income of for the use of the pavilion as a post office, from Western Power for repairs to the gate and post in the playing field, rent/deposit for Cott Yard and RHI payment. The accounts balance at 48, It was noted that the Clerk had circulated a report on the income and expenditure against budget up to 13 th September It was noted that 50% of the parish council s anticipated expenditure had been received and 55% of the parish council s anticipated expenditure had taken place. 13. Doorstep Green and Playing Field To receive and consider a report from Councillor D Lucas on progress to date regarding grant funding for additional recreational equipment in Doorstep Green and the playing field Councillor D Lucas explained that he had explored eleven possible sources of funding of which two are worth pursuing: Viridor and Awards for All. He said that he had applied for funding from the latter in the sum of 7,000 and that the application will take approximately ten weeks to determine. He said that he is reasonably optimistic about the outcome. In terms of an application for grant funding from Viridor, he said that he had submitted a Stage 1 application for 7,000 which has been approved but that stage 2 of the application process is complex and requires the submission of detailed information for which he will need the assistance of the Clerk and other councillors. In terms of the firms who supply adult fitness equipment, Councillor D Lucas explained that he thinks that three firms are worth considering: Caloo, Great Outdoor Gym Company and Fresh Air Fitness. He explained that a representative from the Great Outdoor Gym Company had visited the site and that he was waiting for site visits from the others. He said that he has not done any research regarding the provision of an infant swing, monkey bars or table tennis table. Councillor C Smith said that the WI are in favour of the provision of adult fitness equipment. He said that only four or five items are needed plus a table tennis table and possibly a youth shelter. He said that he thinks a small, quality scheme would be preferable to numerous pieces of equipment. He said that the grass

6 will have to be cut around the items so provision will have to be made to enable this to be done with ease. He also said the equipment will have to be maintained. In terms of the siting of the equipment, he said that it could be sited adjacent to the path through the playing field and the table tennis table could be sited in front of the pavilion. It was noted that the dragon is broken and needs replacing. Councillor D Lucas said that the parish council needs to decide which pieces of equipment are required so that he can obtain three quotations. It was agreed that cardio vascular equipment, as opposed to strengthening equipment, is needed. It was agreed that Councillor C Smith will circulate a list of what equipment parishioners require for all councillors to agree and then Councillor D Lucas will obtain three quotations. The Clerk emphasised the need to decide on a budget for the new equipment and that a full and reasoned justification for the expenditure must be made. It was agreed that this matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the parish council. Councillor H Bunt said that the siting of the equipment also needs to be discussed at the next meeting. To receive and consider a report on any other matters arising relating to Doorstep Green and the Playing Field 14. Toilets and Car Park in St Neot To receive and consider a report on any matters arising relating to the toilets and car park in St Neot Councillor C Smith said that he had emptied the toilet donation box. He said that he had also trimmed the hedge adjacent to the car park which borders Janet Haley s garden. He said that it was difficult to do this safely and that the future maintenance of the hedge needs to be discussed at the next meeting of the parish council. 15. St Neot Orchard To receive and consider a report on any matters arising relating to St Neot Orchard It was noted that Cornwall Councillor M Eddy had strimmed most of the orchard. 16. Cott Yard To consider the heating charges for the tenants in Cott Yard Councillor C Smith explained that when the heating charge for the tenants was

7 agreed by the parish council, it was based on the parish council paying 12p/kwh for electricity. He said that the parish council is now paying p/kwh. He said that over the last year, 3532 kw have been used to run the heat pump and the parish council s calculations were based on 2500 kw being used. He said the cost of running the heat pump is 680pa in terms of the electricity and 360pa service charge. This total of 1,040 has to be split between the tenants. In terms of square metres, he said that it costs 7.30 per square metre pa to run the heating. The building is 142 square metres. He said that suites 2 and 3 and half of the stairwell comprise 67 square metres and that unit 4 and half the stairwell comprises 46 square metres and unit one comprises 30 square metres. He said the RHI payment is approximately 500pa. which is used for emergencies and renewals. He said that, last year, Restgarth paid a total of 184/quarter for suites 2, 3 and 4 for heating and with the RHI payments, this covered the cost of the electricity. He said that at the current rate for electricity, the cost of heating per year for suites 2 and 3 and half the stairwell would be 489, the cost of heating per year for suite 4 and half the stairwell would be 335 and the cost of heating suite 1 would be 219. It was noted that the parish council pays for suite 1. It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor H Bunt that these charges be effective from the next invoice. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. It was agreed that the Clerk would investigate a cheaper price for the electricity. To receive and consider a report on any other matters arising relating to Cott Yard Councillor C Smith said that the lights in the toilet are flickering and that Daryll O Neill has quoted approximately 100 to replace them. However, he said that the LED light is part of the emergency system of lighting and Daryll O Neill is investigating the matter further in an attempt to provide a solution. 17. Co-option To receive and consider applications for co-option onto the parish council Stephanie Daniel explained that she moved to St Neot four years ago with her husband and mother. She said that she edited St Neot News for 3 years and is involved with the pantomime and the new local choir. She explained that she worked full time for 49 years in various jobs ranging from factory work to managerial posts. She said that she will voice her opinion but that she will also listen and will not be afraid to change her mind from her initial opinion. She said that she would bring a new insight to the parish council. It was proposed by Councillor G Rogers and seconded by Councillor D Lucas that Stephanie Daniel be co-opted onto the parish council. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal.

8 18. Date of next meeting To agree the date of the next meeting on Wednesday 11th October 2017 The next meeting of the St Neot Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 11 th October 2017 commencing at 7:30pm in the St Neot Village Institute, St Neot. There was no further business and the meeting closed at 9:10pm.