Full Council Meeting 4 September 2023

Agenda

Dear Resident – You are hereby invited to attend a meeting of Penryn Town Council to be held on Monday 4 September 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:

PA23/06153

• Address: 37 Bronescombe Close, Penryn, TR10 8LE
• Description of work: T1-T5 – x5 Sycamores – Coppice/Low pollard neighbouring trees that are starting to encroach/touch the owners property/building.  These trees have been previously coppiced and are multi stemmed
• Applicant: Mr Marcus Hold
• Response deadline: 25 August 2023 extension granted to 5 September 2023

PA23/04857

• Address: Quayside, 20A North Parade, Falmouth
• Description of work: Addition of an external gantry to allow for window cleaning and maintenance.
• Applicant: Mr Nick Voller
• Response deadline: 24 August 2023 extension granted to 5 September 2023

PA23/05913

• Address: 11 Kernick Road, Penryn, TR10 8NS
• Description of work: Regularization of loft conversion, proposed roof terrace and installation of rear dormer
• Applicant: Mr Andrew Parker
• Response deadline:  7 September 2023

PA23/06704

• Address: 75 Trelowen Drive, Penryn, TR10 9WT
• Description of work: Works to trees under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) namely: G1 – Oak: Crown Lift. Crown thin.
• Applicant: Miss Nicola Sleeman
• Response deadline: 12 September 2023

PA23/06693

• Address: Land adjacent, 1 College Wood, Penryn
• Description of work: Outline planning permission with some matters reserved (access and layout) for the construction of a single detached self-build dwelling on previously developed land to round off existing settlement.
• Applicant: Mr and Mrs Whitford
• Response deadline: 14 September 2023

PA23/06375

• Address: 2 Bohelland Rise, Penryn, TR10 8DT
• Description of work: Conversion of garage to ancillary accommodation to the main house
• Applicant: Mr Matthew Divine
• Response deadline: 14 September 2023

PA23/06854 (for information only)

• Address: 46 West Street, Penryn, TR10 8ER
• Description of work: Works to trees in a conservation area for Kohuhu (T1) – fell.  Tree is growing into neighbour’s property and destroying boundary fence.  Replace with Wisteria or Rambling Rose as this would cause less damage to retaining wall.  New Zealan Broadleaf (T2) – pruning works
• Applicant: Gabriel Rawlings – White and Rawlings Ltd
• Response deadline: Decision under delegated authority.

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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. Presentation Permarin car Park

To receive an update on Permarin Car Park from Zoe Hall of Cornwall Council.  Followed by questions from members of the Town Council.

4. Public participation

Members of public who wish to speak should contact the Town Council by 12.00p.m. on Monday 4 September 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.

5. Minutes

• To approve as a correct record minutes 57 to 78 of the meeting of the Council held on 7 August 2023

6. Committee minutes

• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee held on 19 July 2023
• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Events Committee held on 8 August 2023

7. Minutes from outside bodies

• To note the minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 10 July 2023

8. To receive the petition from residents of Penryn requesting that the Council take steps to improve road safety.

To receive a petition of 112 signatures from residents of Penryn requesting that the Council takes steps to improve the road safety of children, parents and residents by siting two zebra crossings (Green Lane and Treverbyn Rise).  To decide on any next steps.

9. Rubbish – West Street

To consider the concerns raised by a resident of West Street regarding rubbish/refuse.

10. Correspondence

To receive items of correspondence relevant to the Council

11. Planning applications

To consider the planning applications submitted for observations

12. Planning  decision notices

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

13.  Mayor’s announcements and engagements

To note the Mayor’s Engagements between 7 August 2023 and 3 September 2023 and to make any announcements

14. 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

15. Town Clerk report

To receive an update report from the Town Clerk

16. Accounts – 1 July to 31 July 2023

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

17.  Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funds

To consider ways in which the CIL funds can be spent

18. Temperance Hall Pictures

To consider replacing the four pictures in the Temperance Hall

19. Exclusion of press and public

To resolve that in accordance with Section 1 of the Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items by reason of the confidential nature of the items.  Proceedings, apart from any resolutions passed, shall remain confidential.

20. Recommendations from the Staffing Committee

To consider the recommendations from the staffing committee meeting held on 19 July 2023

21. Repair Permarin Toilets

To appoint a contractor to repair Permarin Toilets

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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.

MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF PENRYN HELD ON MONDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 7:00PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, TOWN HALL, HIGHER MARKET STREET, PENRYN TR10 8LT

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

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

Members of the public in attendance:  Zoe Hall (Cornwall Council), Mrs Lambert, Jenny Major and Sylvia Bole

79. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bennett (ill), Milan (ill) and Ronchetti (away).  Councillor Hanks absent no apology given.

80. Declarations of interest and dispensations

There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensations.

81. Presentation Permarin car Park

Zoe Hall of Cornwall Council commenced her presentation with a brief overview of the history of Permarin Car Park, with the lease of the car park being surrendered by the Town Council and control of the car park reverting to Cornwall Council in January 2022.

The Cornwall Transport Plan was approved by Cornwall Council in April 2022, in the plan a parking ‘onion ring’ approach is used, this means that due to the location of Permarin Car Park being near the Town Centre, the car park should become ‘short stay’.

Currently for Cornwall Council charging purposes, Penryn’s car parks fall within Zone B, this means the charging for short stay parking during the charging period of Monday to Sunday 9am to 4pm is as follows:

• Up to 30 minutes – 60p
• Up to 1 hour – £1.00
• 1 to 2 hours – £2.00
• 2 to 3 hours – £3.00
• Parking from 4pm until 9am the following morning is free of charge.

Penryn has four car parks (excluding Permarin), two short-stay Exchequer Quay (19 spaces) and Saracen (12 spaces), one long-stay Commercial Road (37 spaces) and one reserved permit Quay Hill (8 spaces).

Permarin Car park has 70 spaces and it is proposed that the car park becomes dual use with a mixture of short stay parking (40 spaces) and reserved permits (30 spaces), they will also look to introduce the spaces for electric vehicle (EV) charging points that they were unable to install earlier this year due to the vehicles not moving.  The costs for the reserved spaces within Permarin are expected to be inline with the costs for the reserved spaces in Quay Hill car park, the current costs per annum are as follows:

• 1 vehicle registration – £658.40
• 2 vehicle registrations – £740.70
• 5 vehicle registrations – £823.00
• No vehicle registrations – £985.63

The aim is for Cornwall Council to include Permarin Car Park in the next parking order as a dual use car park, with a Zone B charging structure.  The consultation on the parking order is expected to take place around December 2023/January 2024, if the consultation is successful charges should be implemented from 1 April 2024.

Councillor questions included:

Q. Will the wardens enforce?

A. Yes, wardens regularly enforce in the area, I will send through the stats to the Town Clerk for circulation.

Q. Are there any plans for car clubs or transport hubs?

A. There are no plans yet, but in the future, we could look at a hub, beryl bike corner, car club spaces and EV charging points.

Q. There is a need for the 70 spaces, when they reduce to 40 will it be on a first come, first served basis?

A. Parking restrictions for the 40 spaces will be from 9am – 4pm daily, residents/users will be able to park for free after 4pm

Q. Have you spoken with the Uni about parking overnight and perhaps there is an opportunity to run a shuttle.

A. We are only looking at Permarin, Councillor Widdon’s survey has shown that the car park should not purely be short-stay, more short-stay spaces should help the local economy.

Q. Businesses have been operating from their vans parked in the car park, with one user constantly working with a saw, will this stop. Also, many vehicles within the car park do not move for months at a time.

A. As soon as the parking order/charging comes into force, Cornwall Council will be able to manage/enforce in the car park.

Q. Saracen car park used to be free on Sunday, all pavements are full, you get stuck behind a bus in West Street due to bad parking, St Thomas Street has single yellow lines, but vehicles are always parked there, I thought vehicles are not allowed to park on pavements.

A. The police are responsible for dealing with obstructions. The enforcement officers can issue tickets on ‘live’ yellow lines i.e., between the hours of the restrictions, outside of the restriction hours vehicles are able to park on the yellow lines.  If you are aware of any parking hotspots there is a dedicated email address: parkingenforcement@cornwall.gov.uk where you can report any issues. Enforcement can start as early as 5:30am

Q. There is a piece of land accessed through the car park owned by Cornwall Council, where a property is extending into that land, is there something that can be done.

A. I will go and have a look at the land in question, it might be a planning matter.

Q. There are a lot of complaints, but we are constantly told by Cornwall Council/police that it is not their problem and to report to the other authority.

A. Parking restrictions are the responsibility of Cornwall Council, if there are not restrictions at it is causing an obstruction it is the responsibility of the police. Please report any issues using the dedicated email address or the report something section on www.cornwall.gov.uk

Q. Is the wall of the car park going to be maintained?

A. Not sure if the wall forms part of the car park, but it will be looked in to.

Following the completion of the presentation and questions Zoe Hall left the meeting.

82. Public participation

The Mayor reported that we had one member of public (Mrs Lambert) registered to speak on agenda item 9 – Rubbish, West Street, Penryn.

Mrs Lambert introduced herself and then spoke about the issue of rubbish in West Street, Penryn.  The main points raised were:

• Feb 2023 – 10 to 15 bags are put out on the wrong day for the refuse collection from a property on the opposite side of the road.
• Rubbish contains bricks/cement and used sanitary/incontinence items.
• Written to various people including the Town Mayor and Cornwall Councillor Widdon, but has not received a reply, which is not good enough.
• Reported the issue Cornwall Council on numerous occasions, they have sent their workforce to collect the rubbish.
• The refuse is now being placed out on the correct day, but the resident is still putting out around 10 bags of rubbish per week.
• Concerns over whether the rubbish being placed out for collection is considered household waste.
• Advised that it is not a Penryn Town Council issue and that the Cornwall Councillor for Penryn should be contacted.
• Never received a call back from Cornwall Council within the 10 working days – no name, no person, no accountability.
• Ongoing issue for six months

The Town Mayor apologised to Mrs Lambert for not responding, as she had not seen her letter until this morning due to moving house.

Councillor Widdon confirmed that she had received Mrs Lambert’s letter and had been investigating the issue.

Following the completion of public participation Mrs Lambert left the meeting.

83. Minutes

RESOLVED that minute numbers 57 to 78 of the meeting of the Council held on 7 August 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Proposed by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor Widdon

84. Committee minutes

• The minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee held on 19 July 2023 were noted.
• The minutes of the meeting of the Events Committee held on 8 August 2023 were noted.

85. Minutes from outside bodies

• The minutes of the meeting of the Falmouth and Penryn Conservation Areas Advisory Committee held on 10 July 2023 were noted.

86. To receive the petition from residents of Penryn requesting that the Council take steps to improve road safety.

The Town Clerk confirmed the receipt of a petition containing 112 signatures, requesting that zebra crossings be sited at both Treverbyn Rise and Green Lane, to help improve the safety of children, parents and residents at school drop off and pick-up times.

The Town Clerk circulated an email from the Highways department giving their views on the installation of crossings in that area, an excerpt from the email is as follows:

“I would not support a formal crossing point in this location accordingly.  In such situations we would generally recommend pedestrian refuges or build-outs so that the pedestrian is in control of when they feel it is safe to step off the kerb. Statistically such infrastructure is much safer in locations such as this. The road widths in this location are not conducive to pedestrian refuge provision unfortunately but we could look at build-outs as an option here. Similar schemes elsewhere have come in around the £20k per build-out mark, subject to services and drainage considerations.”

Councillor Widdon thanked the members of the public for submitting the petition, and expressed her disappoint with the highways department, as they constantly justify what can’t be done.

A discussion then took place including lack of enforcement, other ways to slow down traffic such as painting the road e.g. slow down, rumble strips, the healthy streets initiative, funding and the length of time it can take for a scheme to be implemented.

RESOLVED that the Town Council proceeds with pushing for the installation of a build out(s) in the Green Lane/Treverbyn Rise area, to help improve the safety of children, parents and residents at school drop off and pick-up times.

Proposed by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor May

It was confirmed that any highway scheme would be required to go out to a formal consultation.

Councillor Doyle also made members aware of an issue where traffic is not slowing down when approaching the zebra crossing by the blue bridge, so they do not see the pedestrians.

Following the completion of the agenda item the two remaining members of the public left the meeting.

87. Rubbish – West Street

The rubbish in West Street, Penryn was discussed at length during public participation.

88. Correspondence

• Road Closure Intention Notice – Quay Hill, Broad Street, Lower Market Street, Higher Market Street, Helston Road, West End, West Street are scheduled to be closed overnight (7pm to 6am) from the 9 October to 14 October 2023 for resurfacing works.

89. Planning applications

The Administration Officer presented the planning applications:

PA23/06153 – 37 Bronescombe Close, Penryn

T1-T5 – x5 Sycamores – Coppice/Low pollard neighbouring trees that are starting to encroach/touch the owners property/building. These trees are been previously coppiced and are multi stemmed. T6 T7 – x2 Hazel – Re-coppice trees – Starting to encroach on building.

RESOLVED that the Council has ‘NO OBJECTIONS –  subject to satisfactory report from the Tree Officer. The Council would like it noted that they have concerns in regard to the pollarding being too harsh and would like assurance that the life of the tree will be preserved. Also, to take extra care of any nesting birds and wildlife and to retain as much growth as possible for them’.

Proposed Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Williams

Councillor Kirby wished to be recorded as abstaining from the vote.

PA23/04857 – Quayside, 20A North Parade, Falmouth

Addition of an external gantry to allow for window cleaning and maintenance.

RESOLVED that the Town Council has ‘NO OBJECTIONS’ to the application.

Proposed by Councillor Russell and seconded by Councillor Orchel

PA23/05913 – 11 Kernick Road, Penryn

Regularization of loft conversion, proposed roof terrace and installation of rear dormer.

RESOLVED that ‘REFUSAL on the grounds of being unneighbourly and will impact on the street scene’.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Widdon

PA23/06704 – 75 Trelowen Drive, Penryn

Works to trees under a tree preservation order (TPO) namely: G1 – Oak: Crown lift. Crown thin

RESOLVED that the Town Council has ‘NO OBJECTIONS, subject to satisfactory report from the Tree Officer’.

Proposed by Councillor Widdon and seconded by Councillor Russell

PA23/06693 – Land adjacent 1 College Wood, Penryn

Outline planning permission with some matters reserved (access and layout) for the construction of a single detached self-build dwelling on previously developed land to round off existing settlement

RESOLVED that the Town Council has ‘NO OBJECTIONS’ to the application.

Proposed by Councillor Russell and seconded by Councillor Williams

Councillor Davies wished to be recorded as abstaining from the vote.

PA23/006375 – 2 Bohelland Rise, Penryn

Conversion of garage to ancillary accommodation to the main house.

RESOLVED that the Town Council has ‘No objections’ to the planning application.

Proposed by Councillor Widdon and seconded by Councillor Grant

PA23/06854 – 46 West Street, Penryn (For information ONLY) – to be decided under delegated powers at Cornwall Council.

Works to trees in a Conservation Area for Kohuhu (T1) – fell. Tree is growing into neighbour’s property and destroying boundary fence.  Replace with Wisteria or Rambling Rose as this would cause less damage to retaining wall. New Zealand Broadleaf (T2) – pruning works.

Following the completion of the presentation of the planning applications the Administration Officer left the meeting.

90. Planning  decision notices

The planning decision notices received since the Council meeting on 7 August 2023 were noted.

91.  Mayor’s announcements and engagements

The Mayor’s announcements and engagements for the period 7 August 2023 to 3 September 2023 were noted.

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

Cornwall Councillor Widdon confirmed that August had been a quiet month and there was nothing to report, she would however, be happy to answer any questions on Cornwall Council business from members of the Town Council.

No questions were raised.

93. Town Clerk report

The Town Clerk’s report was noted.

94. Accounts – 1 July to 31 July 2023

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

Proposed by Councillor Doyle and seconded by Councillor May

95.  Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funds

The Town Clerk confirmed that the Town Council is currently holding £14,619.37 in CIL funds, a copy of the priorities list as 3 October 2022 was also available.

A previous suggestion had been made, that the CIL funds could possibly be used to improve the pathway in the Memorial Gardens, advice had been sought about the different surfaces that could be used, prices ranged from £8,500 to just under £37,000 +VAT dependant upon the surface used.

A discussion then took place about the items on the priorities list and which items were most important.

Councillor Widdon confirmed Cornwall Council have agreed to sell at auction the land at Parkengue, therefore that item can be removed from the list.

Councillor Wenmoth reported, the path in the Memorial Garden shows up on the RoSPA report each year and is in need of work.

RESOLVED that the works to the path in the Memorial Garden be investigated further and if CIL funds are not used, an allowance should be made in the draft budget to facilitate the repairs/replacement of the path.

Proposed by Councillor Wenmoth and seconded by Councillor Grant

It was further RESOLVED that the CIL/priorities list is added to the October Council agenda to be updated, and Councillors think of any ideas for items to be added to the list in the meantime.

Proposed by Councillor Orchel and seconded by Councillor Davies

96. Temperance Hall Pictures

A discussion took place regarding the existing pictures that are in the Temperance Hall and whether they should be replaced.

RESOLVED that the existing four large picture boards are replaced with pictures of flowers.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Williams

97. Exclusion of press and public

It was RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 1 of the Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items by reasons of the confidential nature of the item.  Proceedings, apart from any resolutions passed, shall remain confidential.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Grant

98. Recommendations from the Staffing Committee

RESOLVED that the recommendations from the staffing committee to uplift the salaries of the Finance Officer and Administration Officer to spinal point 16 are approved.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Grant

99. Repair Permarin Toilets

RESOLVED that;

• Cloverfield Construction Ltd are appointed as the contractor to repair the toilets at Permarin at a cost of £1,937.27 +VAT
• Delegated powers are given to the Town Clerk in conjunction with the Town Mayor to select whether a wooden or metal door is installed at the property.

Proposed by Councillor May and seconded by Councillor Grant

There being no further business to transact, the meeting was closed at 8:53pm