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When and where

  • Date: 04.10.2021
  • Time: 7:00 pm
  • Location: Council Chamber, Penryn Town Hall, Higher Market Street, Penryn TR10 8LT

Documents

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Public participation

Members of the public wishing to speak regarding items on the agenda will need to make a request to the Town Clerk before noon (12:00 pm) on the day of the meeting. Please also make sure you have read the Protocol for Public Speaking at Council Meetings.

This is a public meeting. It could be filmed or recorded by broadcasters, the media, or members of the public. We aim to ensure that members of the public are not filmed without consent but cannot guarantee it. Especially if you are speaking or taking an active role. If you are speaking during a virtual meeting with your camera switched on, it will be broadcast and recorded as part of our live stream.


Agenda

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for non-attendance

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

To receive declarations of interest in respect of any item on this agenda and to consider requests from Members for dispensations.

3. Presentation – PODS, Commercial Road Car Park – Christopher Rose

To receive a presentation from Christopher Rose, Development Manager (TA & Initiatives), Cornwall Council – Housing Development Team regarding the possible installation of housing pods in Commercial Road Car Park.

Presentation Slides on the PODS

Please note the presentation will be held in the Town Hall

4. Public Participation

Members of public who wish to speak should contact the Town Council by 12.00p.m. on Monday 4 October 2021 to register.  An opportunity for members of the public to address the Town Council concerning matters on the agenda. Find out more about public participation at meetings and make a request to speak.

5. Minutes

  • To approve as a correct record minutes 58 to 77 of the meeting of the Council held on 6 September 2021

6. Committee Minutes

  • To note the minutes of the  meeting of the Events Committee held on 7 September 2021
  • To note the minutes of the  meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20 September 2021

7. Correspondence

To receive items of correspondence relevant to the Council.

8. Mayor’s Announcements and Engagements

To note the Mayor’s Engagements between 6 September 2021 and 3 October 2021 and to make any announcements.

9. Representations by Cornwall Council Members and Reports from Councillors Attending External Meetings

  • To receive the written report from the Cornwall Councillor representing Penryn ED
  • To receive any reports from Councillors attending external meetings

10. Town Clerk Report

To receive an update report from the Town Clerk

11. Accounts – 1 August to 31 August 2021

To approve a list of accounts paid and the monthly statement for the period 1 August to 31 August 2021

12. Council Projects

To receive an update on the current progress of the Council’s projects

13. Devolution

To discuss the current devolution package and to decide if the Town Council wants to proceed with the devolution of assets from Cornwall Council.

14. Permarin Car Park – Surrender of Lease

To consider a proposal to surrender the lease on Permarin Car Park and return responsibility to Cornwall Council.

15. Library Fines

To consider a proposal from Cornwall Council for removing library fines on overdue books

16. Replacement PC – Administration Officer

To approve the expenditure to replace the Administration Officer’s PC

17. Penryn Residents of Note – Pamphlet

To discuss a project to produce a pamphlet highlighting past residents of note within Penryn.

18. E Bikes and Electric Charging Points

To discuss next steps

19. Saracen Awards – 2021

To confirm the dates to receive nominations for the Saracen Awards

20. Pre-Budget Discussion

To make recommendations for items to be included in the draft annual budget for the 2022/2023 financial year


Minutes

The numbering of minutes is sequential and continues from the previous meeting’s minutes, the numbering restarts at the Annual Meeting of the Council.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PENRYN HELD ON MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 2021 AT 7:00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, HIGHER MARKET STREET, PENRYN

Councillors present:  Tucker (Town Mayor), May (Deputy Mayor), Bennett, Doyle, Grant, Hanks, Harrison, Hernandez, Jordan, Kirby, Langan, Milan, Ronchetti, Wenmoth and Williams

In Attendance:  Helen Perry (Town Clerk), Four members of the public (Mr Stonehill, Mr Hopkins, Mr Sterzing and Ms Davies), Christopher Rose – Cornwall Council (Housing and Development Team) and John Warner – Cornwall Council (Housing Options)

78. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Widdon (out of County)

79. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensations

80. Presentation – PODS, Commercial Road Car Park – Christopher Rose

The members of the Council moved into the Town Hall for the presentation.

Christopher Rose and John Warner of Cornwall Council gave a presentation about the proposed installation of modular accommodation pods in Commercial Road car park.  The main points raised were:

  • Pods – are cost effective and quick to manufacture
  • Lifespan – the predicted lifespan of the pods is more than 60 years.
  • Emergency Accommodation – 600 households are in emergency accommodation
  • Housing – pods will be for single occupancy and will be ‘moving-on’ accommodation.
  • Footpath – hoping to create a pathway from the car park on to New Street, subject to the correct permissions being in place and the removal of the Japanese knotweed.
  • Single Storey – the pods will be single storey to avoid any overlooking issues.

The Town Council expressed its concerns over the loss of parking, the car park demand has increased, and 29 spaces may be insufficient.

Other points raised included:

  • Local People – will people with a ‘Penryn’ connection be given priority
  • Parking – will the residents of the pods have vehicles that will take up the much-needed space in the car park.
  • Access rights – Cornwall Council has access to the land with the knotweed for maintenance, but there is no public right of way.
  • Social Housing – more social housing should be built rather than using temporary solutions.
  • Occupancy – the pods will need to be occupied by the end of June/July 2022
  • Housing crisis – partly due to Airbnb, a housing policy change is needed.

81. Public Participation

Following the completion of the presentation regarding the possible installation of modular housing pods on Commercial Road Car Park the four members of the public were invited to ask questions of the Cornwall Council Officers.

After the conclusion of the questions from the public regarding the accommodation pods, the Council members returned to the Council Chamber.  The presenters and the four members of the public left the meeting.

82. Minutes

RESOLVED that minute numbers 58 to 77 of the meeting of the Council held on 6 September 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor Wenmoth

83. Committee Minutes

  • The minutes of the meeting of the Events Committee held on 7 September 2021 were noted.
  • The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20 September 2021 were noted

84. Correspondence

The Town Clerk reported;

  • Healthy Investment – Letter confirming the lifting of the covenant has been received.
  • MS4N – Planting of the Tower at College Field will take place on Tuesday 12 October between 10am and 2pm, volunteers are welcome and are not required to commit to staying for the whole of the session.

85. Mayor’s Announcements and Engagements

The list of Mayor’s Engagements for the period 6 September to 3 October 2021 were noted.

The Deputy Mayor reported that she had given out the prizes for the Autumn Craft and Horticultural Fair on Saturday 25 September, as the Mayor was unable to attend.

86. Representations by Cornwall Council Members and Reports from Councillors Attending External Meetings

The written report of the Cornwall Council member for Penryn Electoral Division, Councillor Widdon was noted, the Town Mayor requested that if any members had any questions regarding the report, they should contact the Cornwall Council member direct.

Councillor Grant reported that she had attended the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee where three properties in Penryn were discussed.  One of the properties discussed was Brigantine, (located behind Stoke House) and the FPCAAC group felt that the building is not suitable in a conservation area.

87. Town Clerk Report

The Clerk reported that following an email to Mr Walker of Walker Developments asking for an update on the transfer of the land to the Town Council, Mr Walker telephoned to say that his Company had been requested to put the transfer on-hold.  I confirmed to Mr Walker that the Town Council had not made any request to put the transfer on-hold and are still looking to take ownership of the land.

I have subsequently confirmed with the Planning Officer, Mark Ball that the Town Council still wants to proceed with the transfer.

Following a question regarding who had put the transfer on hold?

Mr Walker had informed the Clerk that the request had come from the ‘new Cornwall Councillor’.

A further question regarding whether they have the power to put the transfer on hold?

The Clerk confirmed that ‘no one councillor, can make decisions on behalf of the Council’.

88. Accounts – 1 August to 31 August 2021

RESOLVED that the list of accounts paid and the monthly statement for the period 1 to 31 August 2021 be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor May

Councillor May enquired if the payment made to Spar included the amount of the unpresented cheque and also the frequency the account is settled, the Clerk confirmed that the account is settled on a quarterly basis but was unsure if the unpresented cheque amount was included in the payment and would request clarification from the Finance Officer.

It was RESOLVED that the Council’s account at the Spar Shop is in future settled monthly.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Grant

12. Council Projects

The Clerk reported that the contractor appointed to remove the ramp at the Town Hall, could no longer complete the job for the price quoted due to a significant increase in the price of materials, numerous attempts have been made to contact the contractor to enable them to submit an updated price, but no updated quote has been forthcoming.

RESOLVED that the two unsuccessful contractors who submitted quotations are requested to submit updated prices to carry out the removal of the ramp.  Additional quotations will be sought if the original unsuccessful contractors decline to requote.  The originally appointed contractor will be notified that as he is unable to complete the works for the original quote and has failed to supply an updated figure, despite numerous requests that the Council cancels the works.

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor Grant

Councillor Langan gave members an overview of the current situation with the Town Hall roof, the ridge of the roof needs work, but due to how narrow the roads are road closures would be required, the Council were investigating to see if the work could be completed without the need to close the road.

Councillor May reported that a Company had taken photographs of the roof using a drone.

The Clerk will request that the Finance Officer circulates the photographs to members.

90. Devolution

An overview was given of the history of Penryn’s devolution package request and following a discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Jordan and seconded by Councillor Kirby that the Council does not proceed with the devolution of any assets/services from Cornwall Council.

It was proposed as an amendment by Councillor Hernandez and seconded by Councillor Ronchetti that a decision on the devolution package be delayed until the December 2021 Council meeting.

On a vote, the amendment was LOST.

RESOLVED that the Council does NOT proceed with the devolution of any assets/services from Cornwall Council.

Proposed by Councillor Jordan and seconded by Councillor Kirby

91. Permarin Car Park – Surrender of Lease

RESOLVED that the Town Clerk writes to Cornwall Council giving the required three-month’s notice for surrendering the lease of Permarin Car Park.

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor Wenmoth.

92. Library Fines

Following a discussion on the pros and cons of charging fines on overdue library books it was RESOLVED that the Town Council SUPPORTS the proposal from Cornwall Council, to remove fines on overdue books.

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor Hanks

93. Replacement PC – Administration Officer

RESOLVED that the replacement PC for the Administration Officer be purchased from Piran Technologies at a cost of £525.47 plus VAT.

Proposed by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor Ronchetti

The Clerk confirmed that the PC that is being replaced, will be relocated to Penryn Museum as the machine’s specification is still suitable for their needs.

94. Penryn Residents of Note – Pamphlet

Councillor Wenmoth gave an overview of a pamphlet the museum would like to produce detailing past residents of note within the parish, which could tie in with the blue plaques scheme.

RESOLVED that the item is brought back to the next available Council meeting following the pamphlet project being costed.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Grant

95. E Bikes and Electric Charging Points

RESOLVED that the Town Council actively supports the installation of fast/smart charging points within the Parish.

Proposed by Councillor Ronchetti and seconded by Councillor Hernandez

96. Saracen Awards – 2021

The report on the Saracen Awards was noted.

The closing date to receive nominations is by end of business on Monday 25 October 2021.

97. Pre-Budget Discussion

RESOLVED that the item is deferred to the November Council meeting

Proposed by Councillor Langan and seconded by Councillor Grant

There being no further business to transact the meeting was closed at 9:14pm