MINUTES OF THE ST NEOT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 14 TH NOVEMBER 2018 AT 7:30PM IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, ST NEOT SOCIAL CLUB, ST NEOT Present: Councillors Dr L Jones (Chair), H Bunt, C Smith, N Ball, G Rogers, O Burrows, A Bellringer and P Crichton. Sue Blaxley (Parish Clerk) The Chair opened the meeting at 7:30pm. Public Participation 1. Apologies Apologies were received from Cornwall Councillor M Eddy and from Councillors D Lucas and R Berrett. The Chair said that Councillor S Daniel had resigned from the parish council for personal reasons. 2. To confirm the minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 10th October 2018, having previously been circulated, were agreed as an accurate record. 3. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda Councillor G Rogers declared a prejudicial interest in item 23 on the agenda. 4. To receive a report on any matters arising from the previous meeting The Chair said that she had received a letter from the 1 st St Neot Scout Group thanking the parish council for replacing the store room door. 5. To receive the Chairman s Communications
6. To answer any questions from Councillors, previously notified to the Clerk Councillor N J Ball said that he understands that a mobile caravan will be stationed on land at Park Farm in due course. It was agreed that this will be monitored. 7. To receive a report from the Clerk. 8. Councillor Surgery at Local Produce Market To receive feedback from the Councillor surgery on Saturday 3 rd November 2018 and to appoint a volunteer for the next surgery on Saturday 1 st December 2018 It was noted that Councillor D Lucas had attended the market on Saturday 3 rd November 2018 and that a parishioner had commented that they were very pleased with the work of the parish council. Councillor P Critchon said that the WI have asked if they can plant daffodil bulbs on the grass verges at the top of Tripp Hill and in Loveny Road. Councillors agreed that they had no objection to the planting of daffodil bulbs but the WI would need to seek the permission of the landowners prior to undertaking any planting. Councillor G Rogers volunteered to attend the market in December. 9. To receive reports from - a) Cornwall Councillor M Eddy The Chair read out a report from Cornwall Councillor M Eddy which read as follows: Once again, my apologies for not being with you this month, my daughter is graduating today. On 31st October Poppy and I met with Lynn Brason from Cornwall Housing to discuss the allocation of houses in St Neot. We were satisfied that people expressing a local connection through Homechoice had not bid on the houses that were allocated. The process of bidding was explained to us and the criteria for the local connection. There are currently 15 on the St Neot list with a local connection. Last week I met with the Headteacher to discuss parking issues outside the school. There are problems with cars parking between the end of the zig-zag
lines and the corner, cars parking in the hashed area to the left of the entrance forcing pupils off the pavement and traffic speeding through at drop-off/pick-up times. I am making enquiries as to whether a bollard can be put in the hashed area to deter parking, raising a traffic regulation order to extend the zig-zags and a 20 mph zone outside the school. I have invited Speedwatch to come to the village to check speeds. Some of the schemes will require a bid to be placed for the delegated highways budget. Cornwall Council is now considering the budget for the next financial year. Over the last 10 years, Cornwall Council has made savings of around 350 million at a time when grants from Government reduced significantly. Over the next four years, we need to reduce our spending by a further 70 million. The budget is currently out for consultation on the www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-anddemocracy/have-your-say/budget-engagement/ St Neot United Charities meet on Monday 3rd December. Since you last met we have filled the co-opted trustee vacancy with Dee Towers from St Neot School and we look forward to receiving your two nominative trustees at the meeting. Councillor P Crichton commented that she was satisfied that the Homechoice process is working correctly. b) Goonzion Commoners Councillor H Bunt questioned whether the hedges on Penkestle Moor and those on the road past Tregeagle require cutting as they are not in the ownership of the parish council. It was agreed that these hedges do not require cutting but those on Goonzion will require cutting in due course. It was proposed by Councillor C Smith and seconded by Councillor Dr L Jones that Councillor H Bunt drafts a schedule of works for the hedge cutting and that the Clerk obtains quotations from Ben Simmonds, Stephen Masters and Andrew Bunt in accordance with the specification. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. Councillor H Bunt explained that the Conservation Officer from the All the Moor Butterflies wants permission to officially survey Goonzion to ascertain if a rare butterfly exists on the moor. It was proposed by Councillor H Bunt and seconded by Councillor G Rogers that Councillor H Bunt informs the Conservation Officer that as it is public open ground, he is welcome to have an informal look and that consideration will be given to his request for an official survey at the meeting of the parish council in December. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. c) Bodmin Moor Parishes Group
d) Liskeard Looe Community Network Panel 10. To authorise the signing of orders for payment, including Mrs L Ledbury (Grass cutting October) - 180.00 Julie Ball (Toilet and Pavillion cleaning November) - 188.50 Cornwall Turf Company (Turf in Playing Field) - 535.00 Mrs S Blaxley (Printer Ink, Postage, Stationery) - 36.47 South West Water (Water for Toilets) - 123.22 South West Water (Water for Pavilion) - 17.38 South West Water (Water for Cott Yard) - 33.06 EDF Energy (Parish Lighting) - 106.16 Christian Smith (Door and furniture for Pavilion store) - 164.45 Richards Builders Merchants (Wood for bin surround) - 36.60 Julie Rowe (Cleaning Cott Yard) - 62.50 HPSL (Works to heat pump meter) - 207.60 It was proposed by Councillor A Bellringer and seconded by Councillor C Smith 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 b) Others 12. Finance Report To receive a current financial statement of the accounts The Clerk reported that this month we have received income of 100 from the film night on Doorstep Green. The accounts balance at 72,494.77. The Chair signed the cash book.
13. Doorstep Green and Playing Field To receive and consider alternative designs to replace the coping stones in the amphitheatre in Doorstep Green It was noted that Councillor O Burrows had circulated details of a proposed alternative design for the coping stones in the amphitheatre prior to the meeting. Councillor C Smith said that he did not consider that a fillet of concrete was appropriate as in order to provide support, the fillet of concrete would have to be considerably more than the 25mm proposed and this would result in a visually intrusive appearance which would spoil the original design. Some discussion took place regarding alternative methods for repairing the coping stones in the amphitheatre. It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor C Smith that the damaged slabs be renewed using brown sand. All Councillors voted in favour of the proposal. Councillor O Burrows said that the slabs on the wall surrounding the chess set also need replacing or removing and that it may be a good idea to omit the overhang of the slabs. It was proposed by Councillor O Burrows and seconded by Councillor Dr L Jones that the damaged slabs be removed and replaced with a smooth curved coloured mortar coping. All Councillors voted in favour of the proposal apart from Councillor N J Ball who voted against the proposal. It was agreed that Councillor O Burrows would obtain quotations for the replacement slabs on the amphitheatre and for the works to the wall surrounding the chess set from Colin Alford, Adam Saunders and Jamie Blatchford for consideration at the December meeting of the parish council. To receive and consider a report on any other matters arising relating to Doorstep Green and the Playing Field Councillor O Burrows explained that he had repaired the broken chess pieces. He said that the next Doorstep Green Working Party will be on 24 th November 2018. Councillor P Crichton said that the compost heap is getting bigger and that an alternative may be the provision of compost bins. It was agreed that this is a matter for the Doorstep Green Working Party to discuss. Councillor C Smith said that he had inspected the boardwalk and it is very slippery. He said that it needs removing. He said its removal will also enable the decision to be made as to what will replace the boardwalk It was proposed by Councillor C Smith and seconded by Councillor O Burrows that the boardwalk be removed as soon as possible and that the Chair, in her report to St Neot News, would explain why the boardwalk has been removed and informing parishioners that it will be replaced in due course. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal.
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 15. Cott Yard To receive and consider a report on any matters arising relating to Cott Yard The Clerk said that Daryll O Neill had undertaken periodic electrical testing on 11 th November 2018. 16. Holy Well To receive and consider the provision of matting to facilitate access to the Holy Well Councillor H Bunt said that he had measured the amount of matting that will be required to gain access to the Holy Well and that it consists of a 36m stretch. However, Councillor C Smith said that 16m of it is flooded. Therefore, he said that to lay matting is not a suitable course of action as 16m of it would be totally underwater. Furthermore, he said that the ground would require levelling and hardcore being laid prior to laying the matting for which the parish council does not have the permission of the landowner. 17. Dog Faeces Bins and Signs Regarding Dog Fouling To consider the installation of dog faeces bins and the erection of signs regarding dog fouling It was noted that Councillor P Critchon had circulated comprehensive information prior to the meeting. She explained that the cost of emptying a bin by CORMAC is 4.50/bin plus VAT. The Chair said that councillors should decide whether more bins are required. Councillor P Crichton said that if bins are not provided, the parish council cannot complain about dog fouling. She said that people often put dog faeces in bags but do not put the bags in bins. Councillor H Bunt said that he did not consider the provision of additional bins would stop dog fouling but it may prevent bags of dog faeces being left in undesirable places. Councillor N J Ball said that the provision of additional bins will not discourage dog fouling. Councillor O Burrows said that additional bins are not required as the bins in the village can be used. Councillor A Bellringer said that a conscientious dog owner will take the faeces home and dispose of them in their own bin. Councillor C
Smith said that the provision of two additional bins may be beneficial with one located at the corner of the car park and the other near the school. Councillor H Bunt said that he considered that locating bins in Lampen Lane and at the top of Bush Hill would be preferable. Councillor Dr L Jones said that these additional bins would need to be multi-purpose as if they were solely for dog faeces, they would take a long time to fill and may become smelly. It was agreed that the Chair, in her report to St Neot News, would explain that the parish council considers that the provision of two additional bins in the village would be a good idea and asks for suggestions as to the best possible locations for these bins. The Chair explained that if the parish council is to be authorised to fine those that allow their dogs to foul, it needs to have a trained Dog Warden. There were no volunteers to undertake such training. 18. Salt Bins and Road Gritting To receive and consider the refilling of salt bins and the road gritting schedule Councillor C Smith explained that Cornwall Council will fill all the salt bins in November and that the parish council is responsible for subsequent refills. He said there is no route into St Neot or in the local area that will be salted or gritted. He said the alternatives are for the parish council to have its own emergency procedure or for extreme pressure to be applied to Cornwall Council asking them to grit or salt one road into or out of St Neot given that there is a considerable elderly population in the village who could be stranded for considerable periods of time. It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor A Bellringer that the Clerk contacts Cornwall Councillor M Eddy expressing the parish council s concerns in this respect. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. Councillor C Smith said that an alternative would be for the parish council to purchase its own salt machine. 19. St Neot United Charities To appoint trustees to St Neot United Charities The Chair explained that, following concerns raised about the transparency of St Neot United Charities, they will be convening a meeting to discuss the future working arrangements. The Chair explained that the charity has two ex officio members who are the vicar and the Chair of the parish council, four nominative trustees appointed by the parish council and four co-opted trustees. It was noted that Dee Towers, from St Neot primary school will be a new co-opted trustee. The Chair said that the parish council has to appoint four nominative trustees. She explained that two of the four existing nominative trustees, Roger Grigg and Graham Kent, are willing to stand again and that Councillors P Critchon and N J Ball are willing to stand as is Derek Fairhall. After considerable discussion and a
secret vote by Councillors, it was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor A Bellringer that Councillors P Critchon and N J Ball and Graham Kent and Roger Grigg be appointed as nominative trustees. All Councillors voted in favour of the proposal. 20. Kerdroya Project at Colliford To appoint a representative on the Kerdroya Project stakeholder group Councillor C Smith explained that the proposal is to build a labyrinth made of natural stone in the disused car park at Colliford Lake in order to celebrate 100 years of the AONB designation. He said that Cornwall Councillor M Eddy is seeking stakeholders from the parish council to become involved in the project. It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor A Bellringer that Councillors C Smith and Dr L Jones are appointed as the parish council s stakeholders for the project. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 21. Footpaths To receive and consider a report on the replacement of stiles and way markers on footpaths It was noted that Councillor P Critchon had circulated information regarding this matter prior to the meeting. It was noted that Cornwall Council require details of the broken stiles and waymarkers to be located on a map prior to pursuing the matter further. It was proposed by Councillor N J Ball and seconded by Councillor A Bellringer that the Clerk forwards details of the photographs of the broken stiles and way markers to Councillors O Burrows and P Critchon for them to locate on a map and forward to Cornwall Council for further action. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 22. St Neot News To receive and consider a request for a variation of the St Neot News advertisement policy and to consider the printing costs of St Neot News The Chair explained that by precedent, Carnglaze Caverns has had a free advertisement in St Neot News which emanated from a time when the newsletter was short of advertisers. She said that, last month, the editor requested payment for the advertisement and the sum of 16 was paid. Carnglaze Caverns have now asked if they can put a colour advertisement on the back cover of the newsletter every month for which they will pay 30. The Chair explained that she has sought the views of the editor, Heather Taylor, and Andy Daniel who have said that it costs more than 30 for such an advertisement and that, for printing reasons, four colour pages back to back would have to be printed which would comprise the back and front covers and the reverse sides of those pages. They
have said that they do not have other advertisers who require such coloured advertisements and if this is agreed to, it will dictate where other items can be placed in the newsletter. In addition, they have said that if there are four large pages of coloured advertisements, it might mean that the emphasis of the newsletter shifts from news to advertising. Councillor C Smith said that it costs 31 more to have the additional four colour pages so if Carnglaze Caverns will pay 30, for just 1 there will be three spare coloured pages for the editor of the newsletter to use as she sees fit. Councillor O Burrows said that, in the interests of fairness, if other advertisers want a full coloured page advertising their business, they will have to pay 30. Councillor H Bunt said that other parish magazines are printed predominantly in colour and that it maybe possible for the printing, folding, collating and stapling to be undertaken at St Neot School. The Chair said that it is very important to retain the invaluable services of the editor and Andy Daniel who put in a considerable amount of work on a voluntary basis and therefore their views and experience should be taken into account as they are the ones ultimately responsible for any extra work. Councillor O Burrows said that although the finances may be in favour of accommodating the request made by Carnglaze Caverns, it is important to consider and value the opinions of the volunteers who make the newsletter a reality. It was proposed by Councillor A Bellringer and seconded by Councillor N J Ball that the parish council listens to and respects the views of the volunteers and bows to their experience and does not accommodate the request made by Carnglaze Caverns. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. It was noted that Councillor C Smith had obtained other quotations for printing St Neot News which is currently undertaken by Cornwall Council. Currently, the parish council pays 103.20 for 28 black and white and 4 colour pages and 134.98 for 24 black and white and 8 colour pages. He said that the quotation from Community Parish Magazines was 151.60 and 164.80 respectively. At this point in the meeting, Councillor G Rogers, having previously declared an interest, left the meeting and did not return. 23. PROW and Grass Cutting Contracts 2019/20 To consider the PROW and grass cutting contracts for 2019/20 The Clerk explained that the parish council does not have to invite tenders from different contractors for these contracts every year provided they are satisfied with the standard of work being carried out. Councillors agreed that all the work undertaken under the PROW contract had been inspected and the work was considered to be satisfactory. It was proposed by Councillor Dr L Jones and seconded by Councillor N J Ball that Gary Rogers be asked to provide a quotation for the PROW contract for 2019/20. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. In terms of the grass cutting contract, Councillor C Smith said that the grass has been cut 13 times this year. He said that the contract specifies
that the grass can be cut up to a maximum of 20 times in a year. He explained that when the grass was last cut, the cuttings were not collected but upon request, they were removed. In addition, it appears that some grass was being put onto the compost heap in Doorstep Green which is not in accordance with the contract. The Chair said that she thought that relationships could be improved with the contractor by having met him before the contract started and explaining precisely what was required. Councillor O Burrows said that he considers the grass cutting has been undertaken to an acceptable standard. It was proposed by Councillor C Smith and seconded by Councillor A Bellringer that Dean Ledbury be asked to provide a quotation for the grass cutting contract for 2019/20. All Councillors voted in favour of this proposal. 24. Date of next meeting To agree the date of the next meeting on Wednesday 12 th December 2018 The next meeting of the St Neot Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 12 th December 2018 commencing at 7:30pm in the St Neot Village Institute, St Neot. There was no further business and the meeting closed at 9:45pm.