Monday 4th December 2023

The meeting of Launcells Parish Council was held on the above date at 7:30pm, in Launcells Parish Hall.

Vice-Chair Cllr Allin, Cllr Cleave, Cllr Wingard, Cllr Stokes, Cllr Whittle, Cllr Elliott, Cllr Pollard and Cllr Constantinou.

Also in attendance: Clerk Julie Gray and Cllr Chopak.

0 members of the public were present for the meeting.

Cllr Allin opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

12.23/252

Cllr Hargreaves and Cllr Tape could not make the meeting and sent their apologies.

12.23/253:

It was resolved to approve the minutes and ratify all decisions made at the meeting held on Monday 6th November 2023. 6 in favour. 2 abstained, due to not being present at the previous meeting. The Vice-Chair, Cllr Allin, signed them as a correct record.

12.23/254:

1. There were no Declarations.

12.23/255:

1. There were no dispensation requests.

11.23/256:

1. The History Club have been informed that the heating will be turned off. The Chair will check in with their treasurer about the funds.
2. Concerning advertising revenue - advertisers are offered a link from our website to their business website. If they take up the offer they are charged an extra £10 which they pay with their magazine advert fee and when the invoices are paid, a cheque is passed to the Council.

12.23/257:

There were no members of the public present.

12.23/258:

The budget survey has been extended and ends in a week’s time. There is a projected overspend of 16 million therefore Cornwall Council are looking at where they can save and also where they can raise money.

The Community Area Partnership (CAP) Meeting is on Monday at the Parkhouse and there is a focus on housing.

The crematorium decision (“Passed”) was quashed on judicial review therefore there is no further information until the applicants decide what further action to take.

Radar strips will be being placed by Homeleigh and Red Post in the new year.

When potholes are reported the algorithm used by Cormac to track these issues takes note and if the same spot is reported many times in approximately 6 months it alerts Highways that this may be a resurfacing issue rather than a pot hole situation.

12.23/259: – all correspondence circulated via email.

1. Town and Parish Council Newsletter.
2. Chief Executive’s Bulletin.
3. Affordable Housing Newsletter.
4. The Rural Bulletin.
5. Community Café at Berries Avenue – Consultation Event.
6. Keeping Cornwall Updated. A government funding announcement was made that is to tackle potholes and carry out road resurfacing. Cornwall is set to benefit from £3.7 million this year and £3.7 million next year, with similar funding for each year up to 2033 - totalling £111 million.
7. Forthcoming Resurfacing B3254.

12.23/260:

1. Decision Notices/Updates:
   1. PA23/05971 | Extension and alterations to existing dwelling | Little Bidna Barn Launcells Bude Cornwall EX23 9LZ.
      APPROVED.
2. Planning Applications/Appeals:
   Any late planning applications received will be discussed but not decided under this section.
   1. PA23/09316 | Change of use of land at Shernick Farm to private dog exercise area | Land At Shernick Farm Bridgerule Holsworthy Cornwall EX22 7HE.
      Launcells Parish Council unanimously supports the change of use application on the proviso that Highways investigate and agree. With the increase of vehicles turning off the road onto the prop there are safety concerns. The property is off a main road with a national speed limit and there is a dip in the road that impedes visibility.

12.23/261:

1. Chairman / Councillor.
   There was no report this month.
2. The Clerk.
   • The Government is introducing new legislation during 2024 known as Martyn’s Law, which will have a significant impact on owners and users of public indoor and outdoor space. It will impact on the management of community buildings, schools, health and religious buildings. Parish events including Remembrance Sunday, Christmas lights, markets and fetes/carnivals will also be affected and the council will have shared responsibility if it is organising the event. The legislation is likely to cover gatherings of more than 100 and will apply to premises owners and event organisers, with significant financial penalties for failure to comply. There was an online briefing for parish councillors. The slides of the meeting were circulated if any Councillor wishes to view them.
   • It was previously mentioned that Cornwall Council was introducing a switch off for many streetlights. This started in November for the first 10 parishes and the roll out across the rest of Cornwall will continue over the following months.
   • Cornwall Council’s Public Health team would like the views about the draft Healthier Weight Strategy for Cornwall via the online survey by Wednesday 31 January
   • Cornwall Council is proposing to make a new Off-Street Parking Order, and in doing so make some alterations to car park operations and charges. You can read more about the proposals on the website www.cornwall.gov.uk/TrafficConsult. If anyone has any comments to make on the proposals, the deadline is 21/12
   • Cornwall Council Standards Committee are looking to establish take-up of the Code of Conduct training by parish councillors. There is a three question survey and it closes on 3 January 2024.
   • Cornwall Council would like parish councils’ views on the future of electric vehicle charging in Cornwall. Town and parish councils can get involved by joining the online event tomorrow or visiting Let’s Talk Cornwall to complete the survey, which is open until 14 January 2024.
   • National pay rise has been decided, applies immediately and is backdated to April.
   • There is free parking in the majority of Cornwall Council's car parks from 4pm-9am every day until March 31, 2024. You can find all the information on the car parks which are participating on the website.

12.23/262:

This is deferred until the next meeting.

12.23/263:

This questionnaire was sent to Parishes in order to compile up-to-date information that will help to inform a feasibility study that has been commissioned for the possible development of a control programme. The plants that they require information on is the locale of any Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, American Skunk Cabbage and Himalayan Balsam.

Cllr Whittle has information on Himalayan Balsam and will provide the grid reference.

12.23/264:

• The Clerk contacted Highways concerning relocating the Reduce Speed Now sign north of Launcells Cross further north in order to give more warning. This can be arranged at no cost to the remaining budget.
• Concerning the Openreach relocation of the telegraph pole, there might be future funding via the CAP, however this will be unlikely until the next financial year.
• With regards to the 40mph buffer, the construction package has been issued and they hope to have this completed within the next few months.
• Homeleigh: Visibility cutting was arranged and Highways have also asked that the road markings are prioritised for renewal next April; the Radarclass monitoring remains on the site programme list, however due to demand this is unlikely to be undertaken until early next year.

Funding.

12.23/265:

With regards to the Levelling-up grant application directed towards improving the Parish Common, forms were returned to the Clerk to undertake more explanations. These were completed and the proposal was sent to the Appraisal Team.

Cllr Whittle compiled a survey to put in the Parish Magazine and online but there were only six responses, which were split supportive and non-supportive. It was proposed by Cllr Whittle that the application be withdrawn on the grounds that the Parish is not sufficiently supportive to meet the level of support that is required from Cornwall Council. Seconded Cllr Wingard. Unanimous.

The Clerk will email the Project Team and Cllr Whittle will email the landscaping company withdrawing the application.

12.23/266:

Cllr Whittle will undertake January’s and Cllr Cleave will write February’s.

12.23/267:

The budget and precept proposals were circulated.

After discussion Cllr Whittle proposed that the precept is increased to £7,751. This will increase parishioners Band D Council Tax by £1.83 per household per annum – 5.6%. Seconded Cllr Pollard. Unanimous.

12.23/268:

1. Ratification of payments totalling £298.25 as per November schedule. It was resolved to authorise the payments. Proposed Cllr Whittle. Seconded Cllr Allin. Unanimous.
2. To note Bank reconciliations. It was unanimously agreed to swap the amount in the accounts in order to maximise the interest.
3. To note Income & Bank Balances as per the schedule and reconciliations.

12.23/269:

The Clerk received a letter from Cornwall Council re designation of the Launcells Neighbourhood Area under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. The Council had expressed an interest in compiling a Neighbourhood Plan a few years ago but there was no parishioner interest. Cllr Chopak suggested informing the office of this as they will continue to send letters concerning this.

The Clerk will contact the relevant office

12.23/270:

Monday 8th January 2024

Meeting closed at 8.25pm

During the meeting it may arise that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential or special nature of the business to be transacted and the press and public will be instructed to withdraw.

When this arises, the Chair will recommend to consider passing the following resolution: “to resolve that in view of the confidential or special nature of the business to be discussed, the public are excluded and instructed to withdraw.”