Monday 13th May 2024

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

Chairman Cllr Hargreaves, Vice-Chair Cllr Allin, Cllr Cleave, Cllr Wingard, Cllr Whittle, Cllr Pollard, Cllr Tape, Cllr Elliott, Cllr Constantinou, Cllr Stokes.

Also in attendance: Clerk Julie Gray and Cllr Chopak.

1 member of the public was present for the meeting.

Cllr Hargreaves opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

5.24/21:

Cllr Whittle nominated Cllr Hargreaves for Chairman, seconded by Cllr Cleave with unanimous approval. Cllr Hargreaves accepted and the Chairman’s Declaration was signed and witnessed.

5.24/22:

Cllr Stokes nominated Cllr Allin for Vice Chairman, seconded by Cllr Constantinou. 7 in favour and 2 against. Cllr Allin accepted the position.

5.24/23:

All Councillors were in attendance.

5.24/24:

An amendment was made: at ref 4.24/13. An addition was made; ‘A request was made to ask Oliver at CC concerning sale of the house at Red Post and its land which was subsumed into the fencing. The clerk will undertake this’. It was unanimously resolved to approve the minutes and ratify all decisions made at the meeting held on Thursday 4th April 2024. The Chair, Cllr Hargreaves, signed them as a correct record.

5.24/25:

1. There were no declarations.

5.24/26:

1. There were no dispensation requests.

5.24/27:

1. The Clerk emailed Highways at Cornwall Council re the land subsumed into fencing at the Red Post.

5.24/28:

A member of the public spoke in support of Agenda Item 11b)(iii) – Planning. PA24/02761.

5.24/29:

There is a Community Area Partnership (CAP) meeting on 10th June @ 6.30pm. Prior to the meeting there is a Suicide Awareness Workshop that starts at 5.15pm and can be attended online. Cllr Constantinou agreed to attend the CAP meeting.

One of the ‘Listening to You’ events is on at Bude tonight. As it was the same time as the Parish Council meeting the leader of Cornwall Council invited the Councillors to contact her with any questions they had.

There may be overnight closures of the road by Whitstone.

A 5-day protocol was sent to the Parish Council re PA24/01972 but the deadline was missed. Cllr Chopak will discuss with the planning officer and may call it into Committee. The Councillors unanimously agreed.

The Government has changed the planning enforcement immunity period for unauthorised development. From April 2024, the period for which a breach of planning for operational development and the change of use of a building to a dwelling become immune from enforcement action has increased from 4 to 10 years.

Cllr Chopak attended the Royal Garden Party last week.

5.24/30: – all correspondence circulated via email.

1. Town and Parish Council Bulletin.
2. Chief Executive’s Bulletins.
3. Planning News for Local Councils.
4. Keeping Cornwall Updated.
5. CALC Biodiversity Net Gain Presentation Invite. Cornwall Council have a free online briefing on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on 4th June. The presentation will briefly look at what is BNG and what it means for local councils. It represents an important change in the planning system. It aims to ensure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before development took place
6. CALC: Out & About Open Surgery Invite.
7. The Rural Bulletin.
8. Town & Parish Council Newsletter.
9. Affordable Housing Newsletter.

5.24/31:

1. Decision Notices/Updates:
   1. PA24/00691 | Use of land as domestic garden, single storey extension and garage, along with poly-tunnel and ground mounted solar array with variation of condition 2 of decision PA23/05145 dated 20/09/2023 | Summerleaze Bridgerule Holsworthy Cornwall EX22 7HB.
      APPROVED. Within six months of the cessation of electricity generation by the solar PV array, all associated equipment shall be removed and the land reinstated to its original condition.
   2. PA24/01856 | To add a 3rd overhead conductor on existing network for a total span length of 2070 metres on the GC wood pole line from Burmsdon to Moreton Lane. | Redenen House Moreton Lane Launcells Bude Cornwall EX23 9LX.
      NO OBJECTION.
2. Planning Applications/Appeals:
   Any late planning applications received will be discussed but not decided under this section.
   1. PA24/01293 | Retrospective planning application for the siting of a mobile home for student and holiday use | Land SW Of Lower Pigsdon Farm Launcells Bude Cornwall EX23 9LQ.
      Launcells Parish Council unanimously object to the application as it is a retrospective application and the Parish Council is disappointed that the proper permissions were not applied for at the time. No special case has been brought forward to explain why permission was not sought and why it should now be given. If permission is granted the Parish Council would request a condition made that it is to remain as temporary accommodation.
   2. PA24/02892 | Conversion and extension of existing garage to form annexed accommodation for an elderly dependent relative. | Springleaze Bridgerule Holsworthy Cornwall EX22 7HB.
      Launcells Parish Council object to this application as it is an attempt to create a further residence. The site lies in a rural context outside of a definable settlement therefore a residential unit would not comply with Policy 3 of the Cornwall Local Plan. It also does not comply with Policy 7 as there are no special circumstances. The Parish Council also object due to safety issues - the existing access has severely limited visibility exiting onto the road.
      9 in favour, 1 abstention.
   3. PA24/02761 | Proposed extension to the extraction area of Pigsdon Quarry into two fields to the west of the existing operational area; use of three fields to the west of Lopthorne Lane for the placement of overburden; and construction of a landscaping / noise screening bund in a field to the north of the proposed extension area. Proposals also include the translocation of two hedgerows and final restoration of the Quarry to an area of varied habitat provision. | Pigsdon Quarry Road from The County Boundary to The A39 Between Old Kilkhampton Road and Stone Hill Bude EX23 9LQ.
      Launcells Parish Council unanimously support the application.

5.24/32:

1. Chairman / Councillor.
   Cllr Whittle attended another Community Levelling Up Panel at which there was 6 more applications.
2. The Clerk.
   • The Clerk was contacted by Cornwall Council stating there was an outstanding invoice for the Local Maintenance Partnership from 2021-22. The Clerk sent an invoice and this has now been received.
   • The playpark inspection invoice has been received and sent on to the Playpark Committee.
   • The Local Planning Authority will no longer send out neighbour notification letters for planning applications unless they are householder applications. The Council will still publish:
     • application details online
     • site notices for applications
     • press notices, where required by law
   • There is a free, one-hour, online information session on climate change for residents, community groups and Parish Councils. The session helps find out what’s happening in Cornwall, and work out how you might reduce your own carbon impact. Sessions are running during May and June
   • The Clerk attended a free half hour session on Internal Auditor Training, which covers all compliance regulations for Parish Councils. The fee is £40. It was unanimously agreed for the Clerk to attend.
   • There is new information on the website:
     • Free radiator reflector and fitting;
     • Introduction to climate change;
     • No mow May;
     • Free Move More classes for over 65s;
     • Rare seahorse spotted;
     • Primary school offers;
     • Ovarian cancer;
     • ‘Listening to You’ Events;
     • Scheme to help fund green home improvements;
     • West Cornwall Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre;
     • Bronze age remains found on Cornish coast;
     • Pharmacy First scheme;
     • Adoption Information Events;
     • The expansion of childcare support;
     • Home Upgrade Grants;
     • Exam stress;
     • Davidstow Harvesting.

5.24/33:

The Clerk has submitted an application for funding for the solar bus stop light. It is expected to hear back within 10 weeks.

5.24/34:

The insurance has renewed and the Price is £535.86, up from £505.76 last year.

The Councillors unanimously agreed to renew the insurance at this price.

5.24/35:

A number of people have approached the Chairman concerning the replacement of the mirror at Launcells Cross that assists in visibility. When works were undertaken on the hedges of Launcells Cross the backing on the mirrors disintegrated. A parishioner has replaced one of the mirrors.

Cllr Hargreaves proposed that the Parish Council purchase a mirror to replace the mirror at Launcells Cross.. The cost is approximately £150. Cllr Whittle seconded. Unanimous.

It has been noted that the Launcells road sign is missing. The 40mph works have been undertaken and it is requested that the Clerk ask Highways if replacing the sign has been forgotten.

Cllr Wingard noted that there was fly tipping down the lane and notified Cornwall Council. They attended that afternoon but refused to remove the rubbish as it was not Council land and it was private. Cllr Wingard removed the rubbish after numerous calls to Cornwall Council. Cllr Wingard found some documentation in the rubbish and has passed this to Cornwall Council. The Crime and Prevention officer state they will take action. Cllr Whittle has reviewed the maps and it is unclear. Cllr Chopak is looking into this. Cllr Wingard thanked Cllr Chopak and Cllr Whittle for their assistance.

5.24/36:

Cllr Elliott is contributing to June and Cllr Whittle will contribute to July.

5.24/37:

Membership is now £346.75, up from £336.65

The Councillors unanimously agreed to renew membership.

5.24/38:

The website payment was due by the 1st May therefore the Clerk paid this fee of £78 by authority of rule 5.5 of the Financial Policy - the Clerk has delegated authority to authorise the payment of items if the due date for payment is before the next scheduled Meeting of Council, where the Clerk certifies that there is no dispute or other reason to delay payment, provided that a list of such payments is bought to the next meeting. The Clerk certified this and has made the payment.

The cost was the same as last year.

5.24/39:

This was deferred until the next meeting..

5.24/40:

The risk assessment was circulated to the Councillors.

5.24/41:

The Clerk advised that having looked into the criteria, it appears that Launcells Parish Council are exempt from intermediate audit, as they are under the review limit.

The Internal Auditor (IA) will review the Parish Council by next month’s meeting. The Clerk needs to receive the quarterly check paperwork so the IA has all of the paperwork.

1. Section 1 – Approve 2023/20242 Annual Governance Statement.
   It was resolved that responses to number 1-8 are affirmative and number 9 not applicable.Proposed Cllr Whittle. Seconded Cllr Tape. Unanimous. Cllr Hargreaves signed the statement.
2. Section 2 – Approve 2023/2024 Accounting Statements.
   Copies of the completed Section 2 have been circulated. The Clerk certified the accounts. It was resolved to approve the Accounting Statements. Proposed Cllr Whittle. Seconded Cllr Wingard. Unanimous. Cllr Hargreaves signed the statement.
3. Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.
   Confirmation of the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights & Announcement – 4th June to 15th July - was made by Cllr Hargreaves.

5.24/42:

1. Ratification of payments totalling £810.55 as per the April schedule, which includes the website payment as per agenda item 18. It was resolved to authorise the payments. Proposed Cllr Whittle. Seconded Cllr Cleave. Unanimous.
2. To note Bank reconciliations.
3. To note Income & Bank Balances as per the schedule and reconciliations.

5.24/43:

The Councillors would like to thank Cllr Hargreaves and Cllr Allin for accepting the nominations of office.

The planters are overgrown. Cllr Tape will enquire of parishioners if they will take on responsibility for the upkeep.

The flower box tops need to be replaced. Estimated costs are £4 each. The Councillors unanimously agreed to the purchase.

5.24/44:

Monday 3rd June 2024

Meeting closed at 9.09pm

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.”