At last night’s meeting of St Enoder Parish Council, I
presented my report as a Cornwall Councillor. It covered the period 23rd November 2013 – 24th January 2014, and was as
follows:
1. Council
meetings
I have attended a range of meetings over the last two months.
These included: Full Council (2); Central Area Committee; China Clay Area
Network; Environment, Heritage and Planning Portfolio Advisory Committee (PAC)
(and three associated pre-agenda briefings/meetings); Homes and Communities
PAC; Planning and Development Improvement Group (informal); Strategic Planning
Committee; and the Transport and Waste PAC (informal).
2. Other
meetings
I also attended six meetings about the future of LEADER and
related funding in Cornwall in the
period 2015-2020. This included a meeting with the Chairman of the Local
Enterprise Partnership and the Community-led Local Development working group
(CLLD) which I continue to chair.
Local meetings attended included Indian Queens Victory Hall
Committee, Indian Queens Pit Association, and the Governors of Summercourt
Academy.
3. Flooding
problems; December 2013 and January 2014
In recent weeks, flooding incidents across Cornwall
have hit the headlines once again. This has included significant coastal
flooding and associated damage – which has been estimated at over £2 million.
There were also a number of incidents with flood water
within St Enoder Parish during the recent Christmas and New Year period. This
included some internal flooding at properties in Blue Anchor, Fraddon; significant
water run-off from fields associated with Polmenna Farm, which flooded a garage
in Fraddon; significant water run-off from fields near Wartha Mews, Fraddon; significant
external flooding around two properties at St Dennis Junction, while rising
water would have flooded two properties in Chapel Town, Summercourt, if the
residents had not secured a number of pumps to remove the water from around
their homes.
I visited some of the properties during the actual incidents
on 23rd December 2013 and 1st January 2014 , and I have already
produced a report about what happened. This report has been sent to Cornwall
Council and I have archived a copy with the Parish Council.
It should be noted that the properties affected had been
previously hit by incidents in December 2012 and March 2013, and works were
already planned to investigate measures to protect them against further
flooding.
4. Flooding
problems; St Dennis Junction
In December 2012, two properties at Dennis Junction on the
old A30 – about one mile from the crossroads at Indian Queens – were flooded.
The water came from the road ditches and associated pipes, which simply could
not cope with the amount of rainfall.
This was included within the detailed report that I produced
last year and, as a consequence, improvements were made to the road ditches and
pipework in this area in Mid January in order to prevent the future flooding of
two properties.
5. Flooding
problems; Property Level Protection (PLP)
Following my production of the report on the flooding
incidents in St Enoder Parish in November/December 2012 and March 2013, I have
continued to make representations on behalf of local residents.
The unitary authority has secured funding for a new Property
Level Protection (PLP) scheme across Cornwall .
And I am pleased to be able to report that – because of the detail in my report
– about eight properties in Fraddon and Summercourt will be included. Surveyors
will soon be visiting these properties to explore what could be done to
safeguard them against flooding in the future.
6. Trevarren
Since November 2013, I have made further representations on
behalf of the residents of Trevarren, who remain concerned about the surcharge
of waste from the foul water onto the highway at Trevarren. I can confirm that
this is an ongoing problem and, over the Christmas period, there have been a
number of further episodes on seepage onto the highway.
I have recently received assurances from South West Water,
via Steve Rosser their Waste Water Strategic Planning Manager, that they are prioritising
Trevarren as they develop a programme for dealing with external flooding across
Cornwall . He wrote:
“I can confirm that SWW submitted our PR14 business plan for
the period 2015-20 to Ofwat for scrutiny in December 2013, this included
funding to resolve four times as many external only flooding problems as was
the case in our 2010-15 plan. Previously, our primary objective has been
to resolve internal flood risk, however, we recognise that external flooding
such as is being experienced at Trevarren can be very unpleasant for our
customers and we have therefore included an enhanced programme of works to
address serious external problems. Thanks to your recent communications
with local residents we now have a full record of flood history at Trevarren
which will assist in maximising available funding to find a resolution to this
longstanding problem.
“Unfortunately, a final decision on full acceptance of our
business plan is not due until next winter. However, as these works also
have strong support from our Operations team under Mike Galligan we will be
commencing re-evaluation of potential solutions early in financial year 2014-15
and aim to be provide an update on progress in the summer. Subject to
Ofwat approval and agreement of a suitable solution we have targeted
improvement works to commence early in the 2015-17 period to coincide with
other planned improvements in the St Columb area.”
7. Clay Country
mobile library / one-stop-shop
Cornwall Council continues to be in an extremely difficult financial
position, because of massive reductions in funding from central government and
rising costs. Members of the Parish Council will already be aware that it has agreed
to make cuts of £44 million from its budget for the next financial year.
I am extremely saddened that the unitary authority has
now announced, amongst other things, that – in order to keep to its reduced
budget – it is about to start a consultation on plans to reduce opening hours
at local libraries and one-stop-shops, and a further 12-week consultation on
plans to cease all mobile library and mobile one stop shop services.
I am extremely disappointed that the Clay Country mobile
library / one-stop-shop is under threat and I will report back when I have more
information about the consultation.
8. Kelliers
As members will recall, there is one outstanding issue that
must be dealt with in relation the Kelliers, before the lease agreement between
Cornwall Council and St Enoder Parish Council can be finalised. This relates to
obligations associated with the closed landfill sites in the area.
I recently met with Jonny Alford from Cornwall Council’s
property team. He has informed me that Cornwall Council are continue to monitor
the landfill areas with a view to reporting their findings to the Environment
Agency in the late spring. Cornwall Council believes that if the monitoring
shows low level of activity, it is anticipated that the landfill licence will
be surrendered and there will be no lasting liability to manage the site as a
closed landfill.
Mr Alford has suggested that, at this point, it might be
sensible to complete the agreed lease and for St Enoder Parish Council to
become responsible for the management and improvement of the site.
Mr Alford has also noted that the Environment Agency could
remain concerned about the landfill areas after the monitoring period and decline
to surrender the licence. If this happened, it has been suggested that Cornwall
Council and the Parish Council could draft additional clauses to the lease (reflecting
the fact that the unitary authority would retain the liability for the landfill
licence, monitoring and management) before it is signed.
9. Improvements
at Indian Queens
Primary School
As noted in my last report, discussions are ongoing between
Cornwall Council and Indian Queens
Primary School
It is hoped that detailed plans will be developed in the
coming weeks and then publicised to the local community.
10. Stopping up
of Highway at New Road ,
Penhale
On 28th November
2013 , I attended the Inquiry into the proposed stopping up of the
highway at New Road , sought
by Kingsley Village Kingsley
Village
In previous months, I had attempted to assist the two main
parties (Kingsley Developers and Julian and Son) to come to a compromise based
around a new access road to Mr Julian’s premises. I did my best to be a
go-between, though I was ultimately unsuccessful. For that reason, I did not
make any formal representations to the Inquiry.
Cllr Michael Bunyan attended the Inquiry on behalf of St
Enoder Parish Council. At the beginning of the day’s proceedings, he explained
that the views of Parish Council had already been lodged in writing. This was
acknowledged and Cllr Bunyan offered to answer any questions if there was a
need for further clarity or extra information. No questions were forthcoming.
The stopping up order has been granted and is covered
elsewhere on the agenda of this meeting.
11. Planning;
proposed turbine at Beacon Road ,
Summercourt PA12/02362
Members of the Parish Council will be aware that the appeal
into the above planning application has been dismissed. I think it is important
to note that Cornwall Council only refused the original application because of
concerns about noise.
However, in the detailed representation that I produced on
behalf of the Parish Council, we also raised concerns including the adverse
impact on the nearest residents, as well as impact on landscape and the setting
of the Grade 1 Listed church at St Enoder. All these extra concerns were
acknowledged by the Inspector as adverse impacts, which were added to his
reasons not to allow the appeal. It certainly shows that it is worthwhile to
make detailed representations on contentious planning applications.
12. Planning;
proposed turbine at Nancolleth PA13/07654
I attended the Central Planning Committee on 18th December to
speak on the above application, which the Parish Council has commented on as an
adjoining Parish after we had been contacted by parishioners.
Because no other members of the Parish Council were
available to attend, I read out a statement – which had been prepared by Cllr Jenny
Pickles – and, as divisional member, added some further thoughts about how the
landscapes of Mid Cornwall were receiving less protection than other parts of Cornwall .
The application was turned unanimously by Cornwall Council,
though I understand that the applicants have already lodged an appeal against
the decision.
13. Planning;
proposed traveller site at Toldish PA13/02083
As requested previously by the Parish Council, I have
produced a detailed representation for the planning appeal objecting to the
above proposal. It has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. I understand
that there will be a hearing into the proposal on 1st April.
14. Planning; 2.67
hectare solar farm at Glebe Farm, Summercourt PA12/05890
Members of the Parish Council will be aware that the above
application was approved on the 31st October and that, when it went through
Strategic Planning Committee, it was agreed that a unilateral undertaking be
signed to pay £5,500 to St Enoder Parish Council as a one-off community
payment.
Late last year, I was disappointed to find out that the
unilateral undertaking had not been produced. I also found out that the
developers had changed, following the granting of the planning consent. I have
repeatedly followed up the issue of the community payment with legal staff at
the Council, as well as the development firm. In November, I received
assurances that the community payment would still be honoured and I am pleased
to be able to report that St Enoder Parish Council received a payment of £5,500
earlier this month.
15. Youth Club
The initial five sessions of the Youth Club took place in
November and December and liaised with the two youth workers, Daniel James and Laura
Kinsley-Potter, on a weekly basis. I have also been in contact with Carol
Fitzpatrick of the Cornwall Youth Service and she is willing for the provision
to continue, but she would like to see more children attending the Club.
The Club reconvened on Wednesday 22nd January and I have
booked all Wednesday evenings at the Methodist Church Hall in Indian Queens for
the next four months.
I am pleased to be able to report that the committee of the
Indian Queens Half Marathon has donated £100 to the Youth Club project, which I
have passed on to the Clerk.
16. Adoption of
road at St James View, Fraddon
I am also very pleased to be able to report that the process
whereby Cornwall Council formally adopts the road and associated pavements in St
James View is nearing completion.
17. Environmental
improvements
In the last few months, I have continued to lobby Cornwall
Council to “tidy up” certain areas within the Parish. I am pleased to be able
to report that, in early December 2013, CORMAC cleared weeds from around the
entrance into Heather Meadow, Fraddon, and also cleared soil slippage from a
pavement in Summercourt.
18. Site visit to
incinerator
On the 12th January, I attended a site visit to the site of
the waste incinerator between St Dennis and Treviscoe. As someone who opposed the
incinerator for a decade, it was not a nice experience to see the full extent
of the new haul road and the wide-ranging works being carried out on site.
19. Indian Queens
Victory Hall
The Indian Queens Victory Hall Committee has completed its
latest improvements (largely funded by the Clay Country Local Action Group)
which included the purchase of 119 new chairs and nine tables – thanks to the
short-term cashflow loan from the Parish Council. The Committee has received
all the grant from the LAG and has been able to repay the loan to the Parish
Council. I have given the cheque to the Clerk.
20. Full Council
At the last meeting of Cornwall Council, I was one of the
signatories to a motion which sought fair funding for Cornwall
and agreed to make further representations to central government. The motion won
near-unanimous support.
Along with many members from mid Cornwall ,
I supported a motion to review Cornwall ’s
approach to waste. It was however heavily defeated by members who had no wish
to revisit any aspects of the Integrated Waste Management Contract.
Councillors also voted to consult on a new draft of the
Cornwall Local Plan with a housing target of 47,500 for the period 2010-2030.
Sadly, the debate was less about what is right for Cornwall ,
and more about what target we could get past central government. For more
information on this debate members could visit my blog at http://mebyonkernow.blogspot.co.uk/
21. Newsletter
I have just printed my six-monthly newsletter and this is
presently being delivered around the Parish. It promotes the new Youth Club,
and also seeks information about local people who served and died in the First
World War for the book I am presently writing.
22. Inquiries
Throughout the last two months, I have also helped numerous
people with advice and guidance. Issues included housing problems, planning
matters, various enforcement matters, parking issues, flytipping, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment