Full Council Meeting 3 July 2023

Agenda

Dear Resident – You are hereby invited to attend a meeting of Penryn Town Council to be held on Monday 3 July 2023 at 7pm in Council Chamber,  Town Hall, Higher Market Street, Penryn TR10 8LT  for the transaction of the undermentioned business.

PLEASE NOTE: This meeting has been advertised as a public meeting and as such could be filmed or recorded by broadcasters, the media or members of the public.  Please be aware that whilst every effort is taken to ensure that members of the public are not filmed, we cannot guarantee this, especially if you are speaking or taking an active role

Applications

Planning applications that will be discussed at this meeting are as follows:

PA17/12164

• Address: Land West of Vosper’s Garage, Ponsharden, Penryn TR11 2SD
• Description of work: Outline planning application with matters reserved apart from access for the provision of up to 315 dwellings, 280sqm of mixed used development (D2/A1/C3) uses, a new vehicular bridge, public open space and associated landscaping and engineering works
• Applicant: Church Commissioners for England
• Response deadline: 22 June 2023, extension granted to 4 July 2023

PA23/04754

• Address: 46 West Street, Penryn TR10 8ER
• Description of work: Removal of render to all elevations, replace with lime based render to front (South) elevation and repoint original stonework with lime mortar on the remaining two elevations.  Replacement windows and doors.
• Applicant: Mr Rawlings
• Response deadline: 5 July 2023

PA23/04937

• Address: 22 West Street, Penryn TR10 8EW
• Description of work: Works to a tree in a conservation area for Sorbus – reduce crown as show in accompanying photo to leave approximately 6m height and a thin crown to remove crossing and rubbing branches
• Applicant: Mr Henderson
• Response deadline:  N/A

PA23/04801

• Address: 23 Broad Street, Penryn TR10 8JL
• Description of work: Works to a tree in a conservation area (CA): Sycamore (more than one growing together) cut overhanging branches, mostly small branches and no limb reduction of more than 1.5m
• Applicant: Mrs Catriona Venner De Cortez
• Response deadline: N/A

PA23/04741

• Address: 3 Parc an Challow, Penryn TR10 8QS
• Description of work: Proposed construction of a replacement garage and formation of dormers to provide additional bedrooms
• Applicant: Mr and Miss Woods and Earl-Davies
• Response deadline: 10 July 2023

PA23/04148

• Address: Woodland situated off Bodinar Road, Packsaddle Close, Penryn TR10 8JD
• Description of work: Formation of new vehicular access, haul road and parking/turning area for forestry work (resubmission of application PA22/07798)
• Applicant: Mrs Caroline Raspison, Enys Estate Company Ltd – C/O Carter Jonas
• Response deadline: 10 July 2023

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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. Public participation

Members of public who wish to speak should contact the Town Council by 12.00p.m. on Monday 3 July 2023 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.

4. Minutes

• To approve as a correct record minutes 11 to 35 of the meeting of the Council held on 5 June 2023

5. Committee minutes

• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Events Committee held on 13 June 2022

6. Minutes from outside bodies

• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 3 April 2023
• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 2 May 2023
• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Maritime Line Forum held on 10 May 2023

7. Correspondence

To receive items of correspondence relevant to the Council including:

• Environment Agency – Flood Defence Scheme
• Feel Safe Scheme – Thank-you for grant funding
• GWR – dates for upcoming rail strikes

8. Planning applications

To consider the planning applications submitted for observations

9. Planning  decision notices

To receive the Town and Country planning act decisions from the local planning authority

10.  Mayor’s announcements and engagements

To note the Mayor’s Engagements between 5 June 2023 and 2 July 2023 and to make any announcements

11. Representations by Cornwall Council members and reports from Councillors attending external meetings

• To receive a report from the Cornwall Councillor(s) representing Penryn
• To receive any reports from Councillors attending external meetings

12. Town Clerk report

To receive an update report from the Town Clerk

13. Accounts – 1 May to 31 May 2023

To approve the list of accounts paid and the monthly statement for the period 1 May to 31 May 2023

14. CCTV – replacement camera

To approve the expenditure for the replacement CCTV camera

15. Lone worker alarm

To approve the purchase of two lone worker alarms for the caretakers and the ongoing costs.

16. Events Committee – councillor replacement

To appoint a Councillor to the events committee following a resignation from the Committee.

17. Grave digging policy and procedures

To adopt the grave digging policy and procedures.

18. Mural

To discuss installing a mural

19. Civility and respect pledge

To consider if the Council wishes to work towards signing up to the civility and respect pledge.

20. Agenda packs

 

21. Press release

 

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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 3 JULY 2023 AT 7:00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, HIGHER MARKET STREET, PENRYN TR10 8LT

Councillors present:  Tucker (Town Mayor), May (Deputy Mayor), Bennett, Davies, Doyle, Harrison, Kirby, Milan, Orchel, Ronchetti, Russell, Wenmoth, Widdon and Williams

In attendance:  Helen Perry (Town Clerk), Linda Body (Administration Officer)

Members of the public in attendance:  None

Prior to the meeting commencing, Madam Mayor presented Councillor Bennett with a certificate of appreciation for acting as Queen Camilla for the coronation celebrations.

36. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hanks (family commitments) and Grant (ill).

37. Declarations of interest and dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensations.

38. Public participation

No requests had been received from members of the public wishing to speak at the meeting.

39. Minutes

RESOLVED that minute numbers 11 to 35 of the meeting of the Council held on 5 June 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Proposed by Councillor Doyle and seconded by Councillor Williams

Councillor May requested that all four signatories are used for the signing of payments, as she has not been asked to sign for a while.

40. Committee minutes

• The minutes of the meeting of the Events Committee held on 13 June 2023 were noted

41. Minutes from outside groups

• The minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 3 April 2023 were noted.
• The minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 2 May 2023 were noted.
• The minutes of the meeting of the Maritime Line Forum held on 10 May 2023 were noted.

42. Correspondence

• Environment Agency – will be carrying out a repair to the failed revetment in Trelawney Park, the works are scheduled to commence after the 31 July 2023, and will take approximately four weeks to complete.
• Feel Safe Scheme – sent a thank-you email for the community grant awarded towards their scheme.
• Great Western Railway – further industrial action is due to take place in July, the dates are 20^th, 22^nd and 29^th and it is expected that in most areas there will be no service. Further details are available at gwr.com/strike
• Penryn Community Craft Group – sent a thank-you card for the recent award of a community grant.
• Resident – A resident has complained about the recent flying of the LGBTQI+ flag in the Memorial Gardens, the resident felt it was inappropriate and disrespectful to the men and women who fought and died, the resident suggested flying the flag at an alternative site would be more appropriate.
• Road Closure – a section of Helston Road (by the blue bridge) will be closed overnight from 7pm on Saturday 22 July until 6am on Sunday 23 July 2023.

43. Planning applications

The Administration Officer presented the planning applications:

PA17/12164 – Land West of Vosper’s Garage, Ponsharden, Penryn TR11 2SD

Outline planning application with all matters reserved apart from access for the provision of up to 315 dwellings, 280 sqm of mixed-use development (D2/A1/C3) uses, a new vehicular bridge, public open space and associated landscaping and engineering works.

RESOLVED that the Town Council has ‘No Objections, provided the site meets the expectations of the Climate Emergency DPD.  Also, the Town Council would like the following noted:

• A high percentage of affordable housing is needed
• Concerns regarding the potential for flooding still at the bottom of the site
• Negotiations to take place with regard to S106 monies
• Concerns regarding the two hedges on the Budock side of the plot
• Any proposed naming of the site is important and will need to be consulted on

Proposed Councillor Wenmoth and seconded by Councillor May

PA23/004754 – 46 West Street, Penryn TR10 8ER

Removal of render to all elevations, replace with lime-based render to front (South) elevation and repoint original stonework with lime mortar on the remaining two elevations.  Replacement  window and doors.

RESOLVED that the Council ‘FULLY SUPPORTS’ the application.

Proposed by Councillor Orchel and seconded by Councillor Widdon

PA23/04741 – 3 Parc an Challow, Penryn TR10 8QS

Proposed construction of a replacement garage and formation of dormers to provide additional bedrooms.

RESOLVED that the Council has ‘NO OBJECTIONS’ and the material consideration of the neighbouring properties are noted.

Proposed by Councillor Widdon and seconded by Councillor Russell

PA23/04148 – Woodland situated off Bodinar Road, Packsaddle Close, Penryn TR10 8JD

Formation of a new vehicular access, haul road and parking/turning area for forestry work (resubmission of application ref PA22/07798)

RESOLVED that the Council ‘OBJECT, there is already an access to the site’.

Proposed by Councillor Widdon and seconded by Councillor Davies

Applications for information ONLY

The Administration Officer confirmed that the following two applications for works to trees in the conservation do not require a response from the Town Council, they will be decided under delegated powers at Cornwall Council:

• PA23/04937 – 22 West Street, Penryn TR10 8EW
• PA23/04801 – 23 Broad Street, Penryn TR10 8JL

Following the completion of the planning presentations the Administration Officer left the meeting.

44. Planning decision notices

The planning decision notices received since the Council meeting on 5 June 2023 were noted.

45. Mayor’s announcements and engagements

The Mayor’s announcements and engagements for the period 5 June 2023 to 2 July 2023 were noted.

46. Representations by Cornwall Council members and reports by Councillors attending external meetings

Cornwall Councillor Widdon reported;

• Permarin Car Park – Cornwall Council are looking to charge for the use of Permarin Car Park, a request has been made for more spaces for season tickets, but Cornwall Council (Zoe Hall) is adamant that there will be a maximum of 20 spaces, a further meeting is scheduled for the end of July.
• Community Speed watch – there are currently insufficient volunteers to have a speed watch in Penryn, as only four people have put their names forward. Vision Zero are now enforcing 20mph.  Following a question from Councillor Kirby, Councillor Widdon confirmed that 12 volunteers are required to run a group.
• Community Area Partnerships (CAP) – previously known as the Community Network Panel, the partnership will have a funding panel which will be responsible for allocating funding e.g., Community Levelling Up Programme (CLUP).
• Levelling-up – another round of funding has become available, to apply for the funding you must be a constituted body, various strands are available online, as an example – you cannot use the funds to repair a hall, but funds could be used to improve the access.
• Trelawney Park – met with the Environment Agency, some of the granite block have fallen out in the water course and these will be repaired, they are maintaining access to the water for dogs. The works will commence following the completion of Party in Park, a solar powered tent will be set-up by the flood alleviation area and works will take place Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
• Kernick Farm/Walker Development – there are various delays to the works due to material planning matters.
• Church Road – an enforcement case has been started regarding the Texaco Garage on Church Road, building works have commenced and debris has been blown around.
• Studytel Building – Cornwall Council have received assurances that the building will be completed August 2024. It has been requested that the football pitch is restored and  suggested that the unused Cormac site could be used for storage.

Councillor Orchel reported;

• Cornwall Association of Local Councils (CALC) – attended the meeting on the 15 June at Bodmin, there was a presentation by the Asset Release Team at Cornwall Council, where they explained the process of disposing of assets that are deemed to be no longer needed. Antisocial behaviour was discussed, the Government have released a paper on the subject, the main points raised were – new money, digital tool, restorative justice, higher fines.  The members also raised the issues within their parishes regarding the public conveniences.  Planning, it was reiterated that the Climate Emergency DPD now trumps heritage concerns, solar panels are now allowed on listed buildings.

Councillor Wenmoth reported;

• Penryn Museum – the Facebook group is approaching 5k members, it is proving to be a good connection, recently residents of the USA have been in touch. Ancestry is working well.  There was a surprise visit from Radio Cornwall, as the museum is one of the most active for its size.  He will let members know when the segment will be on the radio.  Thanks to Councillor Russell who managed to sort out the video screen.

47. Town Clerk report

The Town Clerk’s report was noted.

Councillor May requested an update on the switch and fan in the Temperance Hall.

48. Accounts – 1 May to 31 May 2023

RESOLVED that the list of accounts paid and the monthly statement for the period 1 May to 31 May 2023 be approved.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Davies

49. CCTV – Replacement camera

RESOLVED that the faulty CCTV camera OST025 is NOT replaced

Proposed by Councillor Davies and seconded by Councillor Widdon

50. Lone worker alarms

RESOLVED that two, wrist worn lone worker alarms are purchased for the caretaking staff from Quicksafe and the ongoing annual costs for the SIM cards be approved.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Widdon

51. Events Committee – councillor replacement

It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the August Council meeting.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Tucker

52. Grave digging policy and procedures

RESOLVED that the grave digging policy and procedures are adopted.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Widdon

53. Mural

The Town Clerk explained about the remaining funding at Permarin Pocket Park and confirmed that as the accountable body we were required to spend the money inline with the terms of the agreement.  Therefore, the Council would be unable to fund a mural from the funds.

Councillor Wenmoth suggested that as the terms of the agreement allowed for the purchase of plants, that a living wall could be created subject to the relevant permissions being granted.

RESOLVED that installing a living wall in Permarin Pocket Park is investigated.

Proposed by Councillor Wenmoth and seconded by Councillor Williams

54. Civility and respect pledge

A lengthy discussion took place about whether the Town Council should work towards signing-up to the Civility and Respect pledge.  The main points raised were:

• Does it apply to election leaflets
• How endemic poor behaviour is in the local government sector
• How would the pledge be enforced
• Is it another form of gagging
• Will it prevent robust debate from taking place
• Will improve debate by allowing members to object in a way that is more respectful and reduce personal comments
• It is the job of the Chairman to control the meeting
• The pledge could help the Council be seen as more professional; it is not pleasant to leave a meeting feeling as though you have been under attack
• Better induction pack
• Standards board and code of conduct are meant to deal with members behaviour
• People do not want to get involved in meetings due to bad behaviour
• By signing up to the pledge it will show that the Council works openly/transparently

The Town Clerk confirmed that the Council does not have a dignity at work policy that is a requirement of the pledge, although dignity at work is mentioned in the staff handbook.

RESOLVED that the Council works towards signing-up to the Civility and respect pledge and brings back to Council during the autumn.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Wenmoth

Councillors Orchel and Davies wished to be recorded as voting against the proposal.

55. Agenda packs

A discussion took place regarding the date the agenda packs are issued, members asked if the  packs could be distributed earlier to enable them to have a greater amount of time to read and absorb the information in the pack, especially when a large planning application is on the agenda.

The Town Clerk gave an overview of the agenda process and confirmed that we currently work to the statutory minimum, where the agenda is issued three clear days in advance of the meeting.

Suggestions on programs that could assist the Clerk in the preparation of the agenda pack were also discussed.

RESOLVED that the Town Clerk aims to issue the full agenda pack a week before the meeting i.e., if a meeting is scheduled for Monday 8^th, the full agenda pack is issued on Monday 1^st

Proposed by Councillor Ronchetti and seconded by Councillor Davies

56. Press release – Permarin toilets

RESOLVED that the press release as circulated by the Town Clerk is approved subject to the following amendment:

Delete “If you have any ideas how to raise funds, or how the toilet block could be made better” and insert in its place “Would you like to see these toilets kept open, would you like to help us keep them in the community?”

Proposed by Councillor Widdon and seconded by Councillor Orchel

 

There being no further business to transact, the meeting was closed at 9:20pm