Callington

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Minutes

Friday 24^th April 2009

1.     Apologies; were received from Cllr Mrs Winfindale, Cllr Ellard, Cllr Mrs Gold County Cllr Nettle, Cllr Thomas and Sgt. Phillips.

        Present: Cllr Lumley, Cllr Gist, Cllr Long, Mrs Jacob, Mrs Gist, Mr Stephens, Mr Higgins, Mr Hambly, Mrs Hambly Mr Frost, Ms Hawken, Mr Pridham, Ms Kane, PS Phillips (Callington Police), PC Collison (Callington Police).

2.     Minutes

        The minutes of the meeting of 25^th April 2008 were approved as a correct record of proceedings with the exception of one amendment to add Cllr Long to the list of apologies, they were then signed.

3.     Reports.

        a) Brendon & Huggins Charity.  Mr Peter Hambly as a Trustee reported that the Trust look after two bungalows in Tavistock Row and two bungalows in Urban Terrace. Trustees meet twice a year mainly for inspection of property. The accounts were forwarded and showed a balance of £8869.32

        b) Trust for the Labouring Poor. Cllr Gist reported that there were still ongoing issues with the connection of the water trough at the allotments to the water main. The accounts were forwarded and showed a balance of £3769.71.

        c) Constabulary. Sergeant Phillips talked about the support he had received from the Town Council and hoped that it would continue. He then reported on crime figures and detection rates. There was a total of 604 crimes for the district (includes Gunnislake etc) which was an increase on last year but this can be attributed to better crime detection and reporting procedures. The detection rate was 29.6% of reported crimes which is an improvement on the previous year and it was acknowledged that this figure did not include known offences in which the culprit was known but had not been prosecuted or cautioned due to technicalities.

        In response to public concerns with regard to speeding Sergeant Phillips gave an outline of the ‘community speed watch’ scheme that can now be deployed with volunteers.

        d) County Council Report. Cllr Nettle was not present and no written report was presented.

        e) District Council Report. Cllr Long spoke about the merge of district and unitary council and how this has progressed and how it had impacted on the town council. Cllr Long also spoke about the reduced funding by Caradon District Council and how this had resulted in the reduction of service provision and had given rise to possible double taxation. Cllr Long then spoke about the increase in major housing developments in Callington and the surrounding district and how that is compromising the current infrastructure such as putting a strain on current health and educational provision in Callington.

        Mrs Jacob thanked Cllr Long for the detail of information he had given in verbal and written district reports, this was supported by Mr Stevens and the council

4.      Open Session

        Mrs Jacob thanked Cllr Long for his reports and this was supported by Mr Stevens and the council

        Mr Riley asked about the problem with flooding that has been ongoing for some time. Cllr Long responded explaining the situation and how this was likely to progress with the new unitary authority and how the town council would continue to pursue the matter. Cllr Gist asked that whenever a flooded drain or road occurred that the public report tha matter to the new one stop shop.

        Mr Pridham presented a signed petition (on behalf of Mrs Kane) to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph for Station Road, Kelly Bray. The council accepted the petition and agreed to place the matter on the next planning agenda and full council. Speeding throughout the town was also brought up by Cllr Long and asked that the Police be made aware of the increased activity. Cllr Gist responded that he would bring it to the police’s attention at the forthcoming PACT meeting.

        Mrs Stevens asked that it be noted that he thought it was disgraceful there were so few councillors at the Annual Parish Meeting.

        Mrs Jacob made comment with regard to how well the road sweeper was doing his job. Members present concurred with this and asked if the council would write to the street sweeper personally to thank him for his commitment, hard work and attention to detail.   

       Mrs Jacob then enquired why the Cemetery Chapel was being underused and asked if anything could be done to make more people aware that it is available for use during burial services. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the regular users (i.e. local undertakers) advising them that this facility is available should anyone wish to use it.

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