6:00 pm

Site Visit - Haye Road Allotments

OUTSIDE SERVICES COMMITTEE

 7^th April 2009 6:50pm

1. Apologies were received from Cllr Lumley [Portreeve & Mayor], Cllr Long, Cllr A Coakley

           Present:   Cllr Mrs Winfindale [in the Chair], Cllr, Cllr Mrs Gold, Cllr Gist, Mrs M Coakley, Cllr Thomas, Cllr Mrs Jones

           In Attendance:  

           Officer:  Vernon Anderson, Town Clerk

           Members of the Public:   None

2.         Minutes 

                The minutes of the meeting of 3^rd March 2009 were approved as a correct record of proceedings and duly signed.

3.         Clerk’s Report

                (a) Update

                Paths at Launceston Road sprayed with weed killer

                Brambles removed from azalea bed

                Brambles cut back at lower gate entrance to Saltash Rd

                Water supply at cemetery connected but ongoing issues with metered supply

                Picnic bench at Saltash Road bench repaired on one side and made safe

                Perspex ordered for bus shelters

                New football posts installed at Launceston Road

                Grass cutting well under way

                b) Fountain – Cllr Gold to provide a verbal update report at the next meeting.

4.         Matters for Decision

                a) Access Hay Road Allotments & site visit

                Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Green and unanimously agreed that the displaced earthen surface at the entrance to Haye Road allotment site be re-graded, the surplus spoil used to backfill the hole(s), finishing off any remaining depression with a concrete surface and that the gate be repaired to working order.

                b) Purchase of fitness equipment

                Proposed by Cllr Gist and seconded by Cllr Thomas and unanimously agreed that the Town Clerk be given authority to pursue the full funding for the fitness equipment subject to Viridor’s approval

                c) Playbuilder Funding

                Due to the number of bids received by Cornwall County Council the Callington bid has been unsuccessful at this point in time. The council is allowed to resubmit its bid for the October round of funding. The issues that need addressing are:

                Active and ongoing consultation with Children and Young People

                Consideration of how the natural environment benefits play and enhances our application

                Inclusion

                The report was received and noted

                d) Grass Cutting in St Mary’s Church Yard

                There was discussion relating to responsibility for maintaining the closed church yard and it was thought that in the past funding had been received  from Caradon District Council therefore if this can be substantiated it is likely that Cornwall Council would be responsible.

                After considerable debate about St Mary’s proposition it was proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Mrs Gold and unanimously agreed that in first instance the Town Council pays 50% (£600) of the cost of grass cutting to St Mary’s church and in the interim period (prior to next year’s budget) that the town clerk further investigates the matter of responsibility and if possible negotiates a re-instatement of the old grant scheme.

                e) Master Composting Scheme

                This committee had a presentation of the Master Composting Scheme by Mr Brian Simpson prior to the previous Outside Services Committee meeting. Since then the office has received a number of communications regarding this matter including one from the organisers of the scheme.

                Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Green and unanimously agreed that the Town Clerk write to Mr Simpson to thank him for his enthusiasm but explain that although the council principally supports any composting scheme it is not in a legal or financial position to help further in this particular matter.

                f) Launceston Road Recreation Ground – Re-use of old shelter

                The committee considered the purpose of the ‘open’ block work shelter by the play equipment at Launceston Road Recreation Ground. As it is little used and is an eyesore against all of the new equipment the Clerk suggests that the block work be completed at the front face, repainted and backfilled to create a raised sensory garden area with bench seating along one wall (the wall facing the road as it can be sat on with feet touching the floor).

                Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Gold and unanimously agreed that the scheme be proceeded with.

                g) Adoption of Play Area at Lady Bream Court

                The Clerk and Chair of Outside Services Committee met with Mr Malcolm Cundy, the technical manager for Barratt Homes, to evaluate the proposed play and leisure facilities at Lady Bream Court. The Clerk and the Chair soon came to the conclusion that the site is enormous and would need careful consideration before any reasonable proposal could be put to Barratt Homes for commuted sums should the town council wish to adopt the site on offer.

                Proposed by Cllr Gist, seconded by Cllr Gold and unanimously agreed that the Clerk with the Portreeve, the Chair of Outside Services Committee and the Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee get together to discuss the implications and if possible identify how resources could be best managed to facilitate the adoption of this site.

                h) Offer of Grant; Local Maintenance Partnership – PROW

                Cornwall Council have offered a grant of £422.53 to maintain some of the Public Rights Of Way within the Callington boundaries and have provided a schedule of work and the relevant maps to identify the relevant Silver and Gold paths. There are 1150 metres of gold paths that require attention once a year and 425 metres of gold paths that require two cuts per year. In addition to this there are four stiles or gates requiring two cuts p.a. and 5063 metres of Silver Paths for which the frequency of cuts is left to the discretion of the parish.

                Proposed by Cllr Winfindale, seconded by Cllr Thomas and unanimously agreed that there are now insufficient resources to cope with this piece of work following the withdrawal of Caradon District Council funding stream last year.

                i) Cornwall Countryside Access Strategy

The council is now in receipt of the publication ‘Cornwall Countryside Access Strategy’ which incorporates the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and it has been announced that the strategy will undergo a review to accommodate the changes in local authority structure during 2009/2010.

The report was received and noted.

5.         FINANCE

                a) Receipt of accounts to date. The summary of the accounts to the end of March was received.

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                b) Payments. It was resolved to make the following payments.

There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 7.30pm

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