Chairman's report
December 2009
Precept increase
For the first time in five years, Gwennap Parish Council have increased their precept for 2010/11. Following much debate on areas where costs will be reduced, a 2.9% increase on the 2005 level was agreed.
Waste transfer station
Concern was expressed that Julia Goldsworthy MP did not invite the Council to a meeting she had called to discuss the proposed Waste Transfer Station at United Downs. Gwennap is the parish most affected by the large vehicle movements and although a firm planning application has yet to be received, any debate on the subject should include the Parish Council.
Pulla Cross junction improvements
Proposed highway improvements to the crossroads at Pulla Cross were welcomed as the accident record at this site was poor.
Bus shelter
Cornwall Council have approved a grant towards a Bus Shelter at Trelawney Estate, Frogpool.
November 2009
Natural England
The Parish Council are considering an Agreement with Natural England to manage the habitat at Wheal Maid. There is also the possibility of N.E. carrying out the structural repairs to Taylor's Engine House – a scheme that looked dead following funding problems with the Mineral Tramways programme.
Crofthandy public telephone
BT is proposing to remove the kiosk at Crofthandy because it is not well used. The Parish Council is opposing this, as they consider the usage to be reasonable for a rural location, and the facility is a vital emergency provision.
Bus shelter
Cornwall Council is to be approached regarding the availability of grants for Bus Shelters. Two requests have been received for separate sites in the parish.
Corlink service
Proposed changes to the Corlink service were not supported. The service is an important link for those living in the Carnon Valley area where there is no regular bus service. Failures in the way the service has been provided and used in the past need to be addressed with the management of the scheme, not those that use it.
Parish fete
A grant of £100 was approved towards the Band booked for next years Parish Fete.
Grass cutting tender
The Parish Council are to go to tender for the provision of grass maintenance at burial grounds and amenity areas from 2010 onwards.
Parish Room tenders
Tenders were examined for the provision of new Parish Rooms at the Richard Jory Playing Field. Subject to certain conditions being met, it was anticipated that work would commence early in the New Year.
October 2009
PACT meeting
Following representations at a PACT meeting, the Police have agreed to make the illegal use of motorised vehicles on public rights of way a priority for three months. In particular, efforts will be concentrated on those offenders using the public paths in the Wheal Maid Valley at Crofthandy.
Natural England
The Parish Council and Natural England were exploring ways in which the structural works to Taylors Engine House could take place. This followed the withdrawal of funding by SWRDA to the Mineral Tramways programme.
Phone kiosks
An invitation from BT for the Parish Council to “adopt” red phone kiosks for £1 was rejected. These proposed kiosks would have had the telephony removed, rendering them misleading to the general public if they were to remain in place.
Grand Parish Fete
It was noted that the Grand Parish Fete would be held on Saturday 26th June in 2010.
Grant for Parish Rooms
Confirmation had been received of a major grant towards the proposed new Parish Rooms at the Playing Field, Pulla Cross. This has enabled the Council to seek tenders for the work which was anticipated to start early in the new year.
Successful year of car boot sales
The summer Car Boot Sales had now finished, and a net profit towards Playing Field funds of £951 had been realised.
September 2009
Police report
The Police reported that they had acquired a portable speed indicator device and would be using it regularly throughout the Parish. Recorded crime continued to fall against a similar period last year.
Residents who wanted to contact their local Community Police via the internet are encouraged to do so at falmouth@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk.
Cars parking on pavements in the Frogpool area will continue to be investigated.
Waste transfer station proposal
The Council were alarmed to hear that Cornwall Council had asked SITA to look at the possibility of creating a Waste Transfer Station at the United Downs site. The closure of the Landfill operation in October 2010 is eagerly awaited by many in the Parish whose life has been blighted by the large vehicles using local roads. Now it seems the traffic is possibly going to continue, but Gwennap Parish Council will be opposing any attempt to create the new facility.
August 2009
New councillor
The Parish Council are now back to full strength, following the recent appointment of Mr Lee Barton.
Speed checks
Further speed checks at Frogpool by the police had resulted in several warning letters being sent to offending motorists.
Mineral Tramways Partnership loose funding
Despite being within the World Heritage Site, proposed conservation works to Taylors Shaft in the Wheal Maid Valley would not now be taking place. The Mineral Tramways Partnership was experiencing funding problems following SWRDA’s withdrawal of monies to prop up a regional shortfall.
Hedge trimming
A change in the method of reimbursement for footpath trimming from Cornwall Council highlighted that the onus for trimming Byways lay with the adjoining landowner, not the Council. The Parish Council would draw resident’s attention to this in its parish newsletter.
July 2009
Police report
In the past month, only two crimes were reported in the Parish, a decrease for the similar period last year. The respective web-sites of the Police and the Parish Council are now linked.
Delay
The start of new Parish Rooms at the Playing Field, Pulla Cross will now be delayed as the prospective major grant source would not meet to consider the application until October. The delay from an anticipated July decision was explained as a cost cutting measure.
Tithe map
Cornwall Council Records Office had digitised the 1843 Tithe Map & Apportionments for the Parish. The Parish Council had contributed towards this, and details of how the public can purchase a copy of the CDROM will be included in the next Parish Newsletter.
Landfill site
At the recent Liaison Meeting with SITA, it was confirmed that the United Mines Landfill Site would definitely close as planned in October 2010. Unfortunately for local residents, the public amenity bay area would also close at the same time. The alternative arrangements are not yet known.
SITA will be holding an Open Day at the site on Friday 7th August from 10.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
June 2009
The meeting of Gwennap Parish Council was held at Gwennap Church Hall on Thursday 18th June 2009.
Police speedchecks
A recent police speedcheck through Frogpool indicated 25% of motorists
travelling in excess of the speed limit. The police will be repeating
the exercise regularly.
Replacement Parish Rooms
Planning permission had been granted for the new Parish Rooms at the
Playing Field, Pulla Cross. Tender documentation was now being drawn
up.
Cornwall Council
Newly elected Cornwall Councillor Neil Plummer attended the meeting.
He represents the Stithians Ward of which Gwennap parish is a part,
and is available to all parishioners.
May 2009
The meeting of Gwennap Parish Council was held at Frogpool Chapel Rooms on Thursday 28th May 2009.
Change at the top
Councillor Irvin Herbert, the current Chairman, retired at the Annual
Parish Council meeting. He was thanked for his hard work in sometimes
trying circumstances. Kevin Furnish was elected as the new Chairman,
with Ray Humble taking over as Vice Chairman.
FIRST bus service
FIRST bus services would be informed that they are taking the wrong
route at Frogpool with their 47 service. They are now bypassing the
actual village in error.
United Landfill Site
At a recent Liaison meeting with SITA, it was confirmed that it was
still the intention to close the site in October 2010. This would
leave a void on original tipping capacity , therefore re-profiling
plans are being drafted for approval.
Road markings
The Council continued to press Highways for improvement to road
markings at key junctions. A recent accident at Pulla Cross reinforced
the need for clear warnings to motorists.
Replacement Parish Rooms
Plans had been submitted to Cornwall Council for new Parish Rooms at
the Playing Field, Pulla Cross. This project will replace the existing
portakabin that has reached the end of its life.
Burial fees
Burial Fees at Frogpool Cemetery would remain unchanged for the
forthcoming year.
April 2009
The meeting of Gwennap Parish Council was held at Gwennap Church Hall on Thursday 23rd April 2009.
Public clinic
The secretary of Crofthandy Village Hall Committee expressed
disappointment with the reply from the Parish Council which had been
perceived as dismissive when financial help had been requested. The
Chairman explained that the Parish financial situation was uncertain
at the moment due to the proposed new building at Richard Jory Playing
Field but due consideration would be given to the request from
Crofthandy when a more detailed plan was forthcoming from the
Committee. A Crofthandy resident intimated that a great deal of money
was being spent in the Pulla Cross area but it was pointed out that
several thousands of pounds had recently been spent in Crofthandy on
lane resurfacing and other works in that area. No Section 137 funding
had been committed to the Playing Field project. It was confirmed that
neither project was more important than the other and the Chairman
assured the Crofthandy Village Hall Committee that “the door was not
closed” to their request for financial help. The Clerk explained that
funds specifically passed to the Council by the mining company for
Wheal Maid could not be spent elsewhere. As it was for environmental
planting it would still be have to be used for that purpose although
the Environment Agency would be paying for the decontamination work on
Wheal Maid.
A request was made for the earlier publication of the Parish Council Minutes but it was pointed out by the Chairman that only ratified minutes could be made public and this did not occur until the next meeting. However, a summary of the minutes was published in the first issue of the West Briton after the meeting.
A Crofthandy resident was asked to put in writing her concerns about a digger seen by her on Council property at Wheal Maid. Her request for information would then be addressed.
The question was raised of what would happen at United Refuse Disposal Site now that the planned incinerator at St Dennis had been refused. The Parish Council representatives on the SITA liaison group will raise the question along with other points of concern.
Wheal Maid Valley
The Clerk had replaced seven of the “contaminated land” signs in the
Valley which had been removed by vandals during the last month. The
stolen gate at the stile on the north entrance to the valley would be
replaced by Cornwall Council. The structure had been erected to
restrict vehicular access from that side of the valley, and to assist
the police in trying to apprehend offenders. It was not erected to
denote a definitive footpath.
Road closure
County Highways had advised of a temporary road closure at Badger Hill,
Gwennap from 27th April to 15th May.
Community Fete
It was agreed that a Parish Councillor would attend the Community Fete
committee meeting to represent the Council and financial assistance
would be given to the committee’s treasurer by a Parish Councillor.
Countryside Access
Dismay had been expressed at the low offer for footpath trimming for
the forthcoming year. It had been proposed that twenty footpaths be
re-classified and this would be considered by County. Acknowledgement
had been given some months ago to the Council’s request for the byway
through the Hale Mills tunnel to be downgraded to a footpath but
nothing more had been heard. The entrance to Path 39 off Race Hill was
obstructed by an electric fence and other obstacles and this will be
drawn to the attention of Countryside Access.
Future of bus service in Frogpool area
It was confirmed that, although there were minor changes to timings,
no reduction in service was to occur. The number of the bus probably
would be changed from the T7 to the 34.
The next meeting of Gwennap Parish Council is on Thursday 28th May 2009 at Frogpool Chapel. The Public Clinic will be held between 7pm and 7.30pm. Parishioners are very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
Irvin Herbert (Chairman)
01872-863987
March 2009
The Annual Parish Meeting of Gwennap Parish Council was held prior to the March meeting. This included approval of the Minutes of the meeting held 2008 and reports from the Clerk on the previous year’s activities.
Public clinic
The police indicated that there had been four reported crimes during the
previous month. One member of the public had attended that evening's
Police clinic. The Rural Neighbourhood Team can be contacted on 01326 213455
or Falmouth@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Sheltered accommodation at St Day
The Chairman reported that he had attended the opening of the Mills Trust
bungalows at St Day and had been very impressed with the quality of the
development.
Playing Field
The water overflow leak has been repaired and further maintenance and repairs
in the Playing Field to meet health and safety requirements will be carried out.
Wheal Maid
Part of a stile has been removed at Wheal Maid and this will be reported to
the County Council. Seven signs have been replaced in the Valley since the
last meeting.
Highways
Cornwall Council Highways have agreed to look at the unacceptable road
surfaces and white lining deficiencies in several locations in the Parish.
Cornwall County Council Design Services have informed the Council of works in the summer at Twelveheads Bridge which will cause disruption.
Portakabin replacement
The Clerk tabled plans that included slight amendments from the earlier version
for the extension to the toilet block and it was agreed that the designer
applies for full planning permission on behalf of the Council.
The next meeting of Gwennap Parish Council is on Thursday 23rd April 2009 at Gwennap Church Hall. Hopefully, the police surgery will begin at 6.30 pm and the Public Clinic will be held between 7 pm and 7.30 pm. Parishioners are very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
Irvin Herbert (Chairman)
01872-863987
February 2009
Public clinic
A meeting of Gwennap Parish Council was held on Thursday 26th February 2009
at Gwennap Church Hall. Unfortunately the police were unable to attend but
reported that the level of crime in the Parish continued to decrease. They
hope to hold their 6.30 pm clinic before the next meeting at Frogpool Chapel.
A resident of Chapel Lane, Crofthandy has contacted the County Council concerning the poor state of the lane but there is no funding available to make repairs.
The Clerk will contact Highways concerning the unacceptable road surfaces in several locations in the Parish. Attention is also needed urgently to prevent accidents occurring as the renewal of white lining at important junctions is required.
Wheal Maid
The Clerk has replaced three danger signs in the Valley since the last meeting
and a resident of Goongumpus will send a copy of the Food Standards Agency
Report to the Clerk. Apparently it warns against eating produce from the
gardens in the area of Wheal Maid. This will be taken to the next meeting
with the Environment Agency.
Special note was made of the high standard of restoration work of the shaft capping/fencing in the Cusvey area which was carried out by the Mineral Tramways Partnership.
Road Closure
Cornwall County Council sent details of a temporary road closure at Cox Hill,
Chacewater which is the main route from Crofthandy.
Crofthandy Village Hall
The Village Hall Committee is asking for support and advice in their efforts
to replace the existing Village Hall. It was agreed to pass on any information
received regarding potential grants, but the Parish Council is not in a
position to offer financial assistance.
Resignation of Chairman
It was with regret that the resignation of the Chairman, Irvin Herbert,
was accepted by the Parish Council with effect from 31st May 2009. A vote
of thanks was given for the way the Chairman had conducted meetings during
difficult times and his contributions would be sorely missed.
Repairs and Maintenance
Two new high efficiency floodlights have been installed in the Playing
Fields to replace faulty units.
A new First Aid box in the Portacabin will be purchased and all electrical appliances will be tested before the Car Boot season commences.
Replacement of Portakabin on Richard Jory Playing Fields
Draft plans were tabled for the extension of the toilet block. This will
be a block construction to replace the existing Portakabin. The plans will
now go to Carrick Planning and approximate costings will be sought to ensure
that the work remains within budget.
The next meeting of Gwennap Parish Council is on Thursday 26th March 2009 at Frogpool Chapel Rooms. Hopefully, the police surgery will begin at 6.30 pm and the Public Clinic will be held between 7 pm and 7.30 pm. Parishioners are very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
Irvin Herbert (Chairman)
01872-863987
January 2009
Public clinic
The first meeting in 2009 of Gwennap Parish Council was held on
Thursday 22nd January 2009 at Crofthandy Village Hall.
Unfortunately the police were unable to attend the advertised
Police Clinic. This was a disappointment to parishioners who
had come to the hall in inclement weather and waited in vain.
Despite the Council displaying notices regarding the cancellation
of the clinic, it was obviously impossible to advise every
resident.
The opportunity was taken by local parishioners to discuss the potholes which have appeared in the byway from Crofthandy into Goongumpus. The Council did not feel that any further action could be taken on this, but Cllr Hitchens agreed to look into a letter to a parishioner, where County had promised to look at the surface of the byway during 2008.
The parking situation on the same byway was not felt to be a problem for the Parish Council and suggested that residents should ask the police to intervene if emergency vehicles could not get past the parked vehicles.
It appears that the Parish Council's minutes are appearing on a biking website where they have been amended to highlight matters raised by members of the Wheal Maid Action Group. The legality of this will be checked.
Matters arising from minutes
The police have carried out a speed-gun exercise at Frogpool
Chapel crossroads, the results of which are not yet known.
Cllr Hichens mentioned that if Perranarworthal does not take up their £1k of his budget, then Mylor and Gwennap schemes will benefit by £l.5k and not the current £1k.
Wheal Maid Valley
The Clerk reported that he replaced seven "keep out,
contaminated land" notices during his monthly inspection
of the site.
URS have been in the valley carrying out their sampling consultancy work for the E.A., and the Mineral Tramways Steering Group has agreed to improve the fencing around Davey’s Shaft.
Repairs and Maintenance
The Playing Field gatepost has been replaced following vandalism
and is now functioning normally.
Three floodlights which require replacing at the Playing Field, have been dismantled by the Clerk and Chairman. They will fit replacements along with new wiring as needed.
Playing Field
Carrick requires a conceptual sketch of the proposals for the
replacement of the portakabin.
Tree Wardens
A fruitful discussion has taken place between the Clerk and the
three new Tree Wardens concerning how their roles will be taken
forward. Details of neighbouring tree wardens, parish maps and
a list confirming the Tree Preservations orders which are
currently in place will be obtained by the Clerk, and the wardens
will provide an article for the next Newsletter to introduce
themselves and outline how they may be able to help.
The Parish Council agreed to consider payment of travel expenses for training events.
Allotments
Following our Newsletter article, only four parishioners have
shown an interest in an allotment. At least six are required
before a Council is obliged to look into the matter further and
possibly acquire land by compulsory purchase. However, a local
resident has recently signed up to the Landshare Scheme on
Channel 4 and is prepared to accommodate the four applicants.
This seems to be a satisfactory solution.
Footpath matters
The stone bridge across the leat at Hicks Mill has a hole in it
large enough to take a child's foot, and this will be pointed out
to the Countryside Access team.
The next meeting of Gwennap Parish Council is on Thursday 26th February 2009 at Gwennap Church Hall. The police surgery will begin at 6.30pm and the Public Clinic will be held between 7pm and 7.30pm. Parishioners are very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
Irvin Herbert (Chairman)
01872-863987
December 2008
Before the meeting of the Council at Frogpool Chapel Rooms on Thursday 18th December 2008 the Police held their first "surgery" half an hour, giving parishioners the opportunity to raise items on an individual basis. Three parishioners took advantage of the service and raised concerns about the speed of traffic on the top road through the village and around the School. The Police will be working with County Highways to see if improvements to signage could be made and will also be addressing speeding on the main route through the village.
Wheal Maid
During the routine monthly visual check on the valley and
tailings dams, the Clerk had replaced three warning signs.
A response had been received from Cornwall County Council regarding the possible downgrading of the byway through Hale Mills tunnel. This was felt to be encouraging and it was agreed to wait for the outcome and then place a lockable post at the entrance to the tunnel, preventing vehicular access to the valley, but possibly giving key access to any resident who had a right of passage.
Cornwall County Council has reported that they have cancelled their temporary road closure proposal for the Badger Hill area.
Carrick District Council
Carrick Housing has sent posters to be placed on our notice
boards offering advice to those who might be going through the
County Court Repossession stages. They also reported that
their attempts to secure land for Affordable Housing in the
Parish had failed, despite recent negotiations.
Playing Field
Confirmation had been received that the detailed paperwork had
been passed to a Planning Officer concerning the replacement
of the Portakabin.
Tree Wardens
Three people had put forward their names as being interested
in becoming a Parish Tree Warden. Cornwall County Council had
confirmed that three would be acceptable but that the Parish
would need to ensure there was no duplication in their efforts.
Information Packs and training are available free of charge
from the County Council and a meeting will be held to ensure
that the Tree Wardens understand their duties.
Footpath matters
Regarding the Hicks Mill – Chycoose path where the leat
had burst its banks recently, the Countryside Access had
not yet addressed this problem. Despite the prohibitive
sign, horses continue to churn up the surface of the path.
It is hoped that, once the Hicks Mill bridge work is completed,
the problem will be alleviated.
Finance
Concerning the Precept requirements, in view of the likely
large capital spend on the Portakabin replacement, it was
not considered possible to cut the precept significantly,
but some reduction was felt necessary in view of the current
financial climate. The Parish Council resolved to accept a
3% reduction in the Precept. It was noted that the Precept
had not been changed for four years. (The Precept is the
portion of the Council Tax paid to the Parish Council on an
annual basis towards the cost of work carried out on the
maintenance of footpaths/bridlepaths and the Playing Field,
clearing litter from the Parish roads and emptying the rubbish
bins, and other Council business).
The Chairman and Councillors would like to take this opportunity to wish all Gwennap parishioners a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
The next meeting of Gwennap Parish Council is on Thursday 22nd January 2009 at Crofthandy Village Hall. The police surgery will begin at 6.30 pm and the Public Clinic will be held between 7 pm and 7.30 pm. Parishioners are very welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting.