ATTENDANCE

Present were:

Cllr N Potter (Chair), Cllr Ms C Cullen, Cllr Mrs M Biscoe, Cllr A Barkhuysen and the Clerk.

Members of the Public present were Diane Bell, Mr C Davidson, Mr & Mrs Twigger and Mr & Mrs Mead.

Kerrier District Councillor Mike Clayton attended to the point mentioned.

The Chairman had agreed prior to the meeting that Cllr Clayton could address the meeting and he did so prior to the Chairman declaring the meeting open.

Cllr Clayton was attending in his capacity as one of the two Kerrier District Council representatives on the Implementation Executive for One Cornwall.

Cllr Clayton explained that, following the acceptance by the Parish Council of his offer to give an update on the progress of the implementation of One Cornwall from time to time, he was attending to do just that. He circulated to each Member, copies of the Boundary Committee consultation document as included in Agenda Item 18. He also circulated copies of the letter sent by David Whalley, Chair of Cornwall County Council to the Boundary Committee, along with maps showing the proposed Community Network Areas and how they would be split with both 82 wards and 130. Copies of the documents circulated are appended to these minutes.

He went on to state that elections to the new Unitary Authority were likely to take place in June 2009 and, because of the inability of the Boundary Committee to decide upon the number of Councillors, it was likely that the elections would be based upon the existing 82 wards. He went on to say that the Implementation Committee would continue to set up and run the new authority until the elections took place.

Cllr Clayton advised that it was intended that each Community Network Area (CNA) would have a One Stop Shop (OSS) where committees would meet and which would be staffed by officers and support staff capable of dealing with all matters appertaining to the new authority. He drew the meeting’s attention to the fact that Stithians had been included in the same CNA as Camborne and Redruth. Members present advised him that this was the preferred option of Stithians PC.

Cllr Clayton then advised that the CNA Committees would comprise representatives from other groups such as police etc. but no decision had yet been taken on voting rights.

He pointed out that the Unitary Authority would be able to offer work to parishes on an agency basis with funding provided and would not be devolving functions to them on the basis of their acting as a local authority.

Matters were, he said, moving very quickly and he was shortly to become vice-chair of the Finance and Staffing Committee created to formulate the budget for 2009/10. He stated that there was no "masterplan" at present but One Cornwall would honour where possible the financial obligations of the Districts. Where possible, however, they would be "clawing back" reserves from the Districts to use as a common pool for the 2009/10 Budget.

He pointed out that there was still monies available in various "pots" within Kerrier and advised that, if the PC had a suitable project, application for up to £10,000 should be made as soon as possible as, by September, Kerrier would be severely restricted financially as One Cornwall begins to take over.

He also suggested that perhaps Stithians should promote itself as a OSS.

He apologised for taking up more of the meeting’s time that he intended, was thanked by the Chairman, and left the meeting at 19.30 whereupon the chairman welcomed those present and opened the meeting.

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs J Biscoe and Ms M Godwin who were working, Cllr C Austin who was ill and Cllrs P and J Tisdale who were attending a function.

2

2.1

URGENT ITEMS

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Chairman had agreed to take an urgent item submitted by the Clerk – a report on a licensing application in respect of Stithians Showground, the closing date for objections to which was 19^th June – to be discussed as item 11.6.

The Chairman indicated that he had received an urgent request for two Members to appear on a television programme, filming of which was due to take place on 19^th June. The Clerk suggested that the item be discussed under "Urgent items" as there was no other suitable place on the agenda.

3

3.1

3.2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs M Biscoe, as a close personal friend of both Mr William Prowse, whose property is alluded to in the report, and Cllr Barkhuysen whose e-mail to the Clerk precipitated the report in the first place and who is also referred to in the report, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13.2, a report concerning Tregolls Common.

Cllr Barkhuysen, as a member of the Open Spaces Society, declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in the same item. When asked by the Chairman, he categorically stated that he had no prejudicial interest in item 13.2.

Cllr Ms Cullen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 11.6, a report in connection with a licensing application which affected her property and to which she had submitted a letter of objection to Kerrier district Council.

Both the Chairman and Cllr Ms Cullen, because of their connections with the school and the fact that the applicant was a fellow Governor, declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in item 11.3(b), a planning application.

No declarations of receipts of gifts were made.

4.1

4.1.1

4.1.2

MINUTES OF MAY 2008 COUNCIL MEETING

The Clerk drew Members’ attention to six typographical errors and advised that he had suitably amended the minutes to be signed by the Chairman. Members questioned the spelling of "Pendrene" in Minute 05/05/08(3) and the Clerk agreed to check.

The Chairman duly signed the minutes as a true record.

5

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL COUNCIL MEETING

5.1.2

5.1.3

5.2

5.2.1

5.2.2

Minute 19/05/08(2): The Clerk advised that he had submitted only Longdowns Bus Shelter, the Playng Field Footpath and the Playing Field Car Park to the Aggregates Levy Sustainabilitry Fund as he had been unable to ascertain costs for the stiles in time for the submission and had been unable to consult with Jim Lyle over trees.

There were no other matters arising.

The Clerk referred to his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Cllr Ms Godwin was not present to accept her position as assistant to the Finance and Administration Portfolio Holder and this matter was deferred to the next meeting.

Cllr Barkhuysen accepted his position as Public Relations Officer.

POLICE & NHW LIAISON OFFICER

Cllr Mrs M Biscoe had nothing to report.

7

7.1

7.1.1

7.1.2

7.1.3

7.1.4

PC Derek Cormack reported that there had been six crimes in the previous month which, although an increase on the month before that, was nevertheless three fewer than in the same period last year.

They were thefts of or from vehicles, criminal damage and theft from properties, the most valuable of which was a quad bike and trailer from a farm.

He warned of a prolific criminal who had been seen in the area in a jeep and asked for any assistance that could be offered in finding his whereabouts.

He also warned of the fact that suspect vehicles had been observed "taking an interest" in properties where there were horses and urged vigilance.

The Chairman asked if PC Cormack was aware of the theft of armoured cable from SWW at the reservoir but he advised that it had not been reported to the police.

The Chairman thanked PC Cormack for his attendance at the meeting and he left at this point at 19.45.

Cllr Plummer was not present at the meeting.

7.3.1

7.3.2

7.3.3

7.3.4

7.3.5

Mr Davidson advised the meeting that he was there in connection with his planning application to retain the use of part of his land for the stationing of 15 caravans or motor caravans and one additional static caravan.

He was concerned that a complaint had been made about his site and the Chairman explained that the Parish Council had asked Kerrier what the conditions of his licence were as it had appeared that there were possibly more caravans than there should be.

Mr Davidson explained that planning permission had existed for the site since the sixties and that it had been a campsite since 1947. He also said that he had been visited recently by someone from Kerrier, who had advised him that his planning consent had lapsed, whereupon he immediately submitted the planning application now under consideration.

He pointed out that he needed the income from the caravans to make his farm viable in the face of considerable losses being experienced by the faming side of his business. He was getting the same price for lambs as he was in the seventies and the cost of shearing the sheep was more than the income from the wool.

The Twiggers and the Meads stated that they were concerned about the increased use of PA systems and amplifiers at the Showground and referred specifically to the present application by Stoke Climsland scouts for five days’ use of the Showground.

Whilst they were not against the extra use of the Showground per se they thought that events could be better managed and tents etc. could be better sited away from adjacent properties. They indicated that were trying to arrange a meeting with the Agricultural Association and asked if the Parish Council could be represented thereat. The chairman agreed to this subject to availability.

The Clerk referred to his report on the application by the scouts for the use of the showground that had been accepted as an urgent report under item 11.6. He explained that, because Cllr Ms Cullen had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the report, she would have to leave the room during consideration of the report, thus making the meeting inquorate and therefore unable to take any decision on the report.

The Clerk stated that he would write to Kerrier, forwarding them a copy of Mr and Mrs Twigger’s letter to the Parish Council.

Members recognised, however, that there was a broader issue to consider in the extended use of the Showground for an increasing number of events and asked the Clerk to prepare a report on this matter for the next meeting.

Dianne Bell referred to discussions at an earlier meeting about the use of the Showground for a VW Jamboree and confirmed that the noise from that definitely affected properties as far away as Polkanuggo.

She also spoke of a milestone that Cllr Plummer was trying to "rescue" and offered to cut the grass around it if asked.

Cllr Ms Cullen asked Diane if her husband could please check for play in the Swing Scales in the playground and she agreed to ask him.

There being no other matters raised for the Public Participation at this point, the Chairman re-opened the meeting at 20.05 whereupon the Twiggers and the Meads left.

8

8.1

TRANSPORT

Rod Davis, the Council’s representative on the Rural Transport Partnership, was not present at the meeting.

9

9.1

9.1.1

9.1.2

The Clerk presented his report on the Council’s current financial position, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Cllr Ms Cullen enquired whether there was sufficient budgeted to cover the Clerk’s salary and was advised that the budget was based upon anticipated overtime and assumed salary increase and was anticipated to be sufficient.

10.

10.1

10.1.1

10.1.2

10.1.3

AUTHORISING OF PAYMENTS

The Clerk presented a list of payments to be made, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

He also presented his report detailing two invoices received since the agenda was published, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

11

11.1

11.2

11.3

11.3.(a)

11.3(a).1

11.3(a).2

11.3(b)

11.3(b).1

11.3(b).2

11.4

11.4(a)

11.4(a).1

11.4(a).2

PLANNING

The Clerk referred Members to the Table of Planning Applications, a copy of which is appended to these minutes, and informed the meeting of the notifications of decisions received from Kerrier.

This information was duly noted.

The Clerk informed Members that he had received no notifications of planning decisions since the publication of the agenda.

This information was duly noted.

The Chairman spoke to the report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. He pointed out that this was exactly the same application that was considered and not supported at the January meeting.

The Chairman spoke to the report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

The Clerk reported that one application had been received after the publication of the Agenda.

Cllr Barkhuysen presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. There was discussion over the points raised by Mr Davidson in the Public Participation part of the meeting and also the access.

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

The Chairman stated that he had been informed that SWW had been instructed by Kerrier’s Enforcement Team to remove the obstruction (Fence) from the footpath near the Dam.

Mr Davidson left the meeting at this point at 20.35.

It was noted that the Clerk had prepared a report concerning a licensing application for the Showground, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. As mentioned under Public Participation, he pointed out that, as Cllr Ms Cullen had declared a prejudicial interest in the matter, it could not be discussed as, without her, the meeting would be inquorate. He indicated that he would write to Kerrier stating that the matter was to have been considered and explaining the reasons for it not having been so. He also stated that he would forward to Kerrier the letter sent to the PC by Mr and Mrs Twigger.

He went on to point out, as stated earlier in the meeting, that there was a broader issue to be considered and said that it was his intention to prepare a report for the next meeting.

12

CEMETERY WORKING GROUP

13

13.1.1

13.1.2

FOOTPATHS, HIGHWAYS & ENVIRONMENT

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

13.2.1

13.2.2

13.2.3

13.3

13.3.1

13.3.2

13.4

The Clerk advised that, as Cllr Mrs M Biscoe had declared a prejudicial interest in the matter, it could not be discussed as, without her, the meeting would be inquorate.

The Chairman asked Cllr Barkhuysen if he intended to declare a prejudicial interest in the matter and he replied that he did not.

The Clerk advised that he would present, in the light of some comments made by Cllr Barkhuysen about the existence of a previous resolution of the Council, a revised report to the next meeting.

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

Members discussed the suggested response prepared by the Chairman (copy appended to these minutes) and agreed its content with certain amendments.

PLAYING FIELD

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

He drew the meeting’s attention to the highlighted items within the notes of the Meeting with the Caretaker, particularly the items of expenditure that had been included in Agenda Item 10.

Cllr Ms Cullen advised that she was thinking again about the replacement of the slide as it is used quite a lot. She also advised that she was meeting Wicksteed in the near future to obtain quotations and informed the meeting that Gail Aspden’s application for Lottery Funding for the BMX Track had been unsuccessful.

The Clerk advised that, because of the urgency attached to the matter by RoSPA, he had agreed that Tyrone should carry out repairs to joints in the Skateboard Park in the estimated sum of £71.

Resolved that the content of the report and the appendix, along with the expenditure contained therein and the updates given be noted and approved.

15

CONSULTATION

16.1

16.1.1

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Cllr Barkhuysen, as the newly appointed Public Relations Officer, indicated that he would co-ordinate the various people involved in providing material and presence at the Council’s stand at the show.

Cllr Ms Cullen asked if part of Footpath 25 was to be closed for the Show and the Clerk advised that he had received notice that it was. Ms Cullen stated that she would like the matter raised at the appropriate time next year so that the PC could make comment.

17

17.1

REPORTS OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Nothing to report.

17.2

Nothing to report.

18

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

The Clerk presented his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. He also referred to the CALC response to the Boundary Committee’s Consultation received and circulated to Members on the day of the meeting. It was noted that CALC supported the proposal for 130 members of the new council. There was considerable debate.

19

19.1

19.1.1

CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk presented his report detailing correspondence received since the last meeting, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. There was considerable debate over the proposal to change the rules allowing GPs to dispense medicines.

The Clerk referred to his report on correspondence received after publication of the agenda circulated earlier in the day, a copy of which is appended to these minutes.

20

AUTHORISATION OF ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

The Clerk reminded Members of the decision made under Minute 14/06/08.

21

URGENT ITEMS

The Chairman in formed the meeting that the BBC were to interview Cllr Miss J Tisdale for a feature on the Politics Show. It would also feature Julia Goldsworthy MP but they had asked for a contribution from the oldest member of the Council, Cllr Miss Tisdale being featured as the youngest. Cllr Mrs M Biscoe agreed to do this.

22

ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

23

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next Council Meeting would take place on Tuesday 15^th July 2008 at 7pm in the Stithians Centre.