CALLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL

22^nd December 2009 at 7.00.pm

Council Chamber

Public Session

Mr. Riley thanked the Council for a sterling job it had done over the past twelve months.

Mr. Riley asked if the Cornwall Council highways could use its initiative to improve the gritting regime and asked if it would be possible for more grit bins to be provided in key areas? Cllr Long responded explaining the difficulties Cornwall Council is having dealing with the unprecedented weather conditions and gave assurances that he would follow the matter through with the highways authorities.

Mr. Stephens raised his objection to Cornwall Council’s proposal to increase car park charges and abolish the residents discount parking scheme. Cllr Long explained how the matter was being dealt with by Cornwall Council and that the original consultation period was going to be extended.

The Council meeting opened at 7.29

1.             Apologies:  Cllr A Coakley, Cllr Dowdall,  Cllr Mrs Jones.

                Present:  Cllr R Lumley [Portreeve & Mayor], Cllr Mrs K Gold [Deputy Portreeve and Deputy Mayor], Cllr M. Green, Cllr Gist, Cllr Mrs Jones, Cllr Mrs Winfindale, Cllr Harriman, Cllr Mrs Coakley, Cllr Long, Cllr C Thomas.

               Officer: Vernon Anderson - Town Clerk

               Members of the Public:   3 parishioners, Rev. Sharpe and 2 PCSO’s.

2.            Minutes

               The Minutes of the meeting of 24^th November 2009 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings and duly signed.

3.            Police Matters

               PCSO Stribbley gave an overview of current police activities with regard to a spate of burglaries and that three persons had been arrested, two vehicles seized and over two hundred items had been recently recovered as a result of the arrests.

4.            Reports

a) Planning Committee. It was proposed by Cllr Long, seconded by Cllr Gist and unanimously agreed that the minutes of the Planning Committee of 1^st and 15^th November be received.

b) Direct Services Committee. It was proposed by Cllr Lumley, seconded by Cllr Long and unanimously agreed that the minutes of the Direct Services Committee of 1^st November be received.

c) Finance & General Purposes. It was proposed by Cllr Green, seconded by Cllr Mrs Coakley and unanimously agreed that the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee of 15^th November be received.

d) Any other reports [not for decision]. Cllr Long explained that the Kit Hill Advisory Panel had recently met and had discussed recent vandalism they had experienced and welcomed the support they had received from other local groups. They also discussed the new interpretation boards that are due to go up in the New Year, debated the possibility of a local nature reserve and the issue over Tamar ANOB funding.

e) Reports from Cornwall Councillors. Cllr Long gave a verbal report on the following Cornwall Council issues:

Civil Enforcement Officers – Recruitment of additional staff (approximately 50 personnel).

Adult Social Care – Poor moral, budget pressures, management pressures and care resource issues.

Outside Consultancies – Investigation into numbers and costs

Carbon Footprint – Review of power consumption to reduce carbon footprint and costs. 

5.            Finance

a) Summary of accounts to date.  It was resolved to accept the summary of the accounts to 30^th November 2009.

b) Approval for expenditure as listed.  It was proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Long and unanimously agreed to make the following payments.

6.           For Information – Electoral Arrangements for Cornwall

              The Boundary Committee for England have now written to advise that the Committees report to the Electoral Commission has now been published setting out its final recommendations for the electoral arrangements in Cornwall. The report can be viewed on their website, at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk. A hard copy is now available for viewing at the Town Hall office.

Report received and noted.

7.         For Decision – Caradon Community Network (Formerly Callington Community Network); Callington Town Plan - Top Five Priorities and Attendance Rights at Future Meetings.

At a recent informal meeting of the Community Network Panel it was agreed that each parish should submit their top five priorities for inclusion in a Community Network Plan. If possible this is to be done prior to the inaugural AGM which is set for 25^th January 2010. As this Council was unable to agree on its top five community priorities at the November meeting it was recommended that this item be brought back for decision in Decembers meeting after being considered by the Direct Services Committee and the Finance & General Purposes Committee.

Resolved

Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Mrs Coakley and unanimously agreed to adopt the following items as the Town Councils five top priorities:

Further provision of community hubs

Improvement of Youth Services

Improvement of cross parish community transport links

Re-introduction of outdoor market to sell local products and produce

Cross parish community newsletter.

8.         For Decision - Consultation; The Cornwall Council (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2010

Cornwall Council is inviting comments on the off street parking order that brings together the orders from the former District Councils.  The new Order proposes an average 5% increase in parking charges in Cornwall. It will introduce regulations to effectively enforce all the public car parks operated by the Council.  Some car parks have been added to this order whilst others have been removed. There is no intention to change the class of vehicle or the operating times in the car parks.  A consistent policy is proposed in respect to charging Blue Badge holders.  It is proposed to discontinue the residents’ discount cards (formally available in Restormel and Caradon).

Resolved

Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Long and unanimously agreed that the Council ask Parking Services for a reasonable extension of the consultation period as there is insufficient time allowed for the Town Council to consult properly with electorate of Callington and Kelly Bray, especially as it spans over the Christmas holiday period.

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 8.10 pm

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