Minutes (Full Council)

FULL COUNCIL LATEST MINUTES

MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
held on TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2013 at 7pm in the Guildhall

PRESENT Cllrs Mrs Roberts Alfar, Conway, Crapp, Davey, Miss Davey, Facks-Martin, Harris, Hogan, Keighley, O’Brien, Sandercock, Tremain (Town Mayor), Warne, Mrs Williams, Mrs Young.

In attendance: Town Clerk (Rita Skinner), Cornwall Cllr Folkes, Natalie Venning (C&D Post), Mr Logg, Mr Wadland.

1304/34 Apologies for absence
Cllr Gordon sent his apologies.

1304/35 Declarations of Interest
Councillors were reminded that if a councillor has a registered disclosable pecuniary interest, or a non-registerable interest, in any agenda item s/he must leave the room while that item is discussed, unless a written request for a dispensation has been received.

1304/36 To confirm and sign the Minutes of the last meeting, previously circulated
It was resolved to confirm and sign the minutes, previously circulated:
Meeting of the Full Council held on 19 March 2013

1304/37 To receive and adopt the minutes of committees and sub-committees, previously circulated
It was resolved to receive and adopt the minutes of the following committees and sub committees:
Planning and Economic Development Committee held on 14 March at 7pm
Properties Committee held on 19 March at 10am
Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 3 April 2013 at 7pm

1304/38 Public Representation Session
Mr Logg thanked the councillors for their achievements over the life of the Council. He raised the issue of the new ward boundaries, south, central and north, which had previously been north and south only. The Boundary Commission had decided on the ward boundaries based on population, the boundaries matched those for Cornwall Council, to avoid confusion. Mr Logg was assured that councillors worked for the whole town whichever ward they represented.
Mr Wadland raised four issues – loose paving slabs, incorrect TIC signage, potholes and directional signs in Cornish. The Mayor said that Cormac had been contacted about the paving slabs and potholes, the TIC signage was in hand and Cornwall Council automatically included the Cornish language in any new or replacement signs.

1304/39 Health and Safety Policy
The revised policy had been circulated with the agenda. Cllr Mrs Young pointed out that CRB checking should be included in the policy and it was agreed to bring the revised policy back to the May meeting for approval.

1304/40 Councillor Surgery for May
A rota was agreed for Saturday 4 May.

1304/41 Correspondence and matters to note
It was resolved to note the following:
a) Western Power Distribution – stakeholder workshop 24 April (Exeter) – Cllr Harris would attend
b) Correspondence with the Police and Crime Commissioner re CCTV – Mr Hogg would be visiting Launceston on 15 May
c) Town Hall bookings for March
d) Town Guide – new edition – due by end of April

1304/42 Reports from Cornwall Councillors
Cllr Folkes updated the meeting on the roadworks at Newport, where a pedestrian island was being installed. The work was causing disruption and would last another week. Road repairs to Western Road/Tredydan Road/Pennygillam/St John’s Road/St Thomas Road would be undertaken shortly, plus infilling of potholes in areas such as Bounsalls Lane.
Postal vote applications had to be in by 17 April, and voters in Central Ward could now vote at the Town Hall.
Cllr Folkes thanked the town councillors for their advice and guidance over the past 4 years.

1304/43 Reports and Questions from Town Councillors
Cllr Davey asked about the proposed cuts to TIC funding by Visit Cornwall. Launceston TIC was not in receipt of any funding from Visit Cornwall.
Cllr Conway asked why the Cattle Market car park had been closed on Good Friday, and why the Civil Parking Enforcement officers had been in Launceston on that day. Cllr Folkes would follow this up.
Cllr Tremain reported on the recent Health and Wellbeing Workshop, his report is attached to these minutes.
Cllr Keighley reported on the meeting held on 28 March about new waste collection systems for the Ridgegrove Estate. The communal bin stores would be dismantled and all waste and recycling would be collected from individual households. The transition would be led by a member of staff who had successfully overseen a similar exercise in Bodmin. All households would be contacted personally. There was some concern about the operation of the new scheme, but it should improve the local environment and would comply with the terms of the contract between Cornwall Council and Cory.

1304/44 Report from the Town Mayor
The Mayor’s monthly engagements report for is appended to these minutes.
The Mayor had received a book and pennant from visitors from Romania which he would present to the Archivist. A coffee morning would be held in the Mayor’s Parlour from 10am-12 noon on Saturday 20 April. A Council photograph would be taken before the Civic Service on 21 April. The Mayor thanked his fellow councillors for their support during his term of office. He also expressed the Council’s thanks to those councillors who would not be standing again (Cllrs Miss Davey, Cllr Mrs Williams and Cllr Warne).

1304/45 Urgent Items
No matters were raised.

1304/46 Exclusion of members of the press and public
It was resolved that under s1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items as they involved the likely disclosure of confidential information.

1304/47 To receive and adopt the minutes of the Staffing Committee previously circulated
It was resolved to receive and adopt the minutes of the Staffing Committee meeting held on Friday 15 March at 5pm. Cllr Facks Martin queried why part-time cover for the TIC had not been supported. It was agreed to re-consider this when the TIC/Town Hall Assistant returned from maternity leave.

1304/48 Town Hall – use of AV equipment
Cllr Hogan reported that a satisfactory conclusion had been reached in the discussions with LADS about use of AV equipment, projector and screen. The basic kit would be available to be hired direct from the Town Council, more sophisticated requirements would be discussed with LADS but the Town Council would issue invoices. Mr Purton was now the Council’s main contact. The caretakers and Property Manager had been trained in the use of the equipment. It was agreed that an informal agreement would be sufficient and that the Town Clerk should draw up an agreement for approval at the May meeting.

1304/49 Newport Toilet refurbishment
Quotes from Tony Worth (building works), Dowsons (plumbing) and Keith Hopper (electrical) were approved. The total cost was estimated to be around £16,000.

Date of the next meeting
The next Full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 May 2013 at 7pm in the Guildhall.

The meeting ended at 8.30pm.