Monday 12th May 2025

The meeting of Launcells Parish Council was held on the above date at 7:00pm, in Launcells Parish Hall.

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

Also in attendance: Clerk Julie Gray and Cllr Chopak.

0 members of the public were present for the meeting.

Cllr Allin was running late. Cllr Whittle proposed that an extension be given to Cllr Allin to sign the Councillor’s Declaration when he arrived. Seconded Cllr Cleave. Unanimous. Cllr Hargreaves opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

5.25/22:

The Chairman welcomed all the returning Councillors and sent his congratulations to everyone.

Each Councillor signed an Acceptance Declaration, witnessed and signed by the Clerk.

5.25/23:

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

*Cllr Allin arrived and signed the Councillors Declaration*

5.25/24:

Cllr Cleave nominated Cllr Allin for Vice-chairman, seconded by Cllr Constantinou with unanimous approval.

5.25/25:

All councillors were in attendance.

5.25/26:

It was resolved to approve the minutes and ratify all decisions made at the meeting held on Monday 7th April 2025. 9 in favour. 1 abstained, due to not being present at the previous meeting. The Chair, Cllr Hargreaves, signed them as a correct record.

5.25/27:

Every member is required to complete a Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. This register must be completed as soon as possible after election and no later than 28 days after taking office. This is a public register and the information will be posted on the website of Cornwall Council. It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that the register is updated when necessary. A failure to meet this deadline is a criminal offence.

5.25/28:

1. There were no declarations.

5.25/29:

1. There were no dispensation requests.

5.25/30:

1. The speed light-up sign is a Cornwall Council Highways electrical asset and will be inspected, serviced and given any relevant software upgrade on an annual basis.

5.25/31:

There were no members of the public present.

5.25/32:

Cllr Chopak was re-elected. There is no decision as to who will lead the Council as there is no clear majority. There is a full council meeting next Tuesday and this will be decided then.

5.25/33: – all correspondence circulated via email.

1. Register of Interest Form.
2. Councillor Induction Pack.
3. Code of Conduct.

5.25/34:

1. Decision Notices/Updates:
   1. PA25/02043 | Prior notification of agricultural or forestry development for re-surfacing of yard areas with cracked concrete and surfacing of permeable hardstanding will reduce the risk of sediment and phosphate pollution from the movement of vehicles and livestock. | Scorsham Farm Stratton Bude Cornwall EX23 9NP.
      Prior Approval Not Required. Prior approval is not required. The development must be carried out within 5 years.
   2. PA25/01080 | Proposed dung storage building | Land East Of Marsh Cottage Howard Lane Stratton Bude Cornwall.
      APPROVED. The proposed copse planting to the shall be carried out within 12 months.
   3. PA24/06257 | Proposed Conversion of Redundant Barn to Self/Custom Build Residential Dwelling | Launcells Barton Launcells Bude Cornwall EX23 9NQ.
      APPROVED.
2. Planning Applications/Appeals:
   Any late planning applications received will be discussed but not decided under this section.
   1. PA25/02556 | Single storey side extension with raised terrace, loft conversion with increase in ridge height, replacement of garage and associated works | Hill Crest Launcells Bude Cornwall EX23 9LJ.
      Launcells Parish Council unanimously approve the application but there are some concerns as to the height of the build.

5.25/35:

1. Chairman / Councillor.
   The Chairman had nothing to report.
2. The Clerk.
• Following the recent elections, Cornwall Council are offering planning essentials training for local councils. This training is being offered online on:
  • Thursday 12 June: National, Local and Neighbourhood Planning Policy.
  • Thursday 19 June: Development Management and Getting Involved.
  • Thursday 10 July: Enforcement and Compliance
• The election expenses return and Declaration must be returned within 28 days of polling day. If anyone fails to deliver them, they may be fined if they sit or vote on the Council.
• All Councillors must complete Code of Conduct training within 6 months of taking office. The deadline is 5th November.

5.25/36:

The August contribution will be made by Cllr Hargreaves and the September contribution by Cllr Whittle.

5.25/37:

The renewal cost is £452.80. The Clerk read out the items covered. The Red Post sign does not appear to be on there. Cllr Whittle will send the Clerk the cost of replacement and the Clerk will liaise with the insurance company.

5.25/38:

Marhamchurch Parish Council (MPC) is working to secure funds to purchase The Hele Valley Trail. MPC wants to secure funds to buy the Hele Valley Trail and bring it into public ownership to guarantee unrestricted public access in perpetuity. The MPC have received an offer for grants of £152,000 which is 80% of the sale price. Part of the terms of the grant is that MPC must match fund the remaining 20% which is £38,000. MPC have submitted an application to The Heritage Lottery Fund to help get to the target.

MPC have also launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure funds to purchase The Hele Valley Trail. Any donation (however big or small) is greatly appreciated.

It was unanimously resolved to donate £224 that was the remainder of the budget for the last financial year’s grant.

5.25/39:

The accounts were reviewed and noted.

5.25/40:

This authority certifies that the Parish Council is exempt from a limited assurance review under section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015.

1. Section 2 – Approve 2023/2024 Accounting Statements.
   Councillors considered and approved the accounts. The Chair signed the accounts.
2. Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.
   The Clerk announced the exercise of public rights commences on 3rd June until 14th July.
3. Certificate of Exemption.
   Launcells Parish Council certifies that they satisfy the conditions of an exemption. The Clerk and the Chair, Cllr Hargreaves, signed the exemption.

The Clerk will submit the exemption to the external auditor and publish the documents on the website.

5.25/41:

1. The Councillor’s unanimously ratified payments totalling £766.22. Included in this was the insurance payment. The Councillors agreed any increase in the event the premium is increased due to the addition of the Red Post sign.
2. To note Bank reconciliations.
3. To note Income & Bank Balances as per the schedule and reconciliations.

5.25/42:

It has come to the attention of Councillors that the advertisement board at the Red Post is obstructing views when leaving the crossroad. Cllr Chopak will report this to be viewed.

A minibus is obstructing the lay-by. This has already been reported for abandonment but it is taxed and insured. Cllr Chopak will see if it can be ask to be moved further along so other vehicles can use the lay-by.

It was also reported that the grass at the crossroads is long and causing the view to be restricted. Cllr Chopak will forward this to Highways to review.

5.25/43:

Monday 2nd June 2025 @7.30pm

Meeting closed at 7.30 pm

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.”