Agenda and minutes

The Chairman announced the first item of business would be agenda item 2 – Prayers.

The Chairman led Members in a period of reflection with a moment of silence taken to contemplate.

The Chairman informed those present of the actions required in the event of a fire or emergency.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

a.  To receive any declarations from Members of any registerable (5A of the Code of Conduct) and/or non-registerable (5B) interests in matters to be considered at this meeting.

None.

b.  The Town Clerk to receive written requests for dispensations prior to the start of the meeting for consideration.

None.

The Chairman informed Members of a recently attended Integrated Transport Forum held at Isambard House hosted by Great Western Railway.

The Chairman informed Members of a gift presented to the Town Council at the event by Luke Farley Transport Integration Manager.

The name plate of a high speed Castle Class train is to be displayed at Isambard House.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Due to the new policing software being laborious to provide figures, there was no report to be received at this evening’s meeting.

The Chairman spoke of a recently held meeting with newly appointed PC’s Katie Hall and Martin Cummings Neighbourhood Team and Sergeant Dan Lewis who is in charge of the response team for South East Cornwall.

The Chairman provided a brief verbal overview of the meeting and reiterated the Town Council’s aim to continue to strengthen direct lines of communications with the Saltash Police Station.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Due to the Community Enterprises PL12 meeting being held on 31^st January 2024 there was insufficient time for a written report to be provided.

Members received the notes of the Economic Development in South East Cornwall meeting hosted by Menheniot Parish Council contained and circulated in the reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Members discussed the proposed Saltash response to the South East Cornwall CAP with suggestions to lift the progress from the Town Council’s Strategic Priorities from April 2024 onwards.

Members discussed the Peninsula Draft Transport Strategy and the lack of consideration or mention relating to the crossings of the Tamar in the strategic document. The Chairman encouraged Members to respond directly to the consultation, with Saltash Town Council representatives to respond to the strategy via the CAP.

Members agreed to submit the South East Cornwall CAP – Town and Parish Council update report on behalf of Saltash Town Council.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Due to the next Safer Saltash meeting being held on 8^th February 2024, there was nothing to report at this evening’s meeting.

Due to the Saltash Chamber of Commerce meeting being postponed to 4th March 2024, there was nothing to report at this evening’s meeting.

Nothing to report.

Cornwall Councillors were invited to speak on their reports contained and circulated within the reports pack.

Cornwall Councillor Worth confirmed a meeting is to be held tomorrow 2^nd February 2024 at 1pm to brief Cornwall Council Members on the proposed budget with further updates to be provided to the Town Council at a future meeting.

Cornwall Councillor Worth mentioned his planned attendance at a Police and Crime Panel for the South West in which he will put forward support for a Saltash Tri Service Officer and the opening of the front office at Saltash Police Station.

Cornwall Councillor Worth informed Members of a recently formed sub group, consisting of various stakeholders inclusive of members from the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, to progress strategic transport plans. Cornwall Councillor Worth will report back at a future Full Council meeting.

Cornwall Councillor Lennox-Boyd spoke of her attendance at the recently held Waste Engagement Roadshow event at the Library. The event was well attended and beneficial to many. Discussions were held on various issues relating to waste disposal, as well as valuable information being provided in regards to the changes to residential waste collections.

Cornwall Councillor Lennox-Boyd updated Members on the Tamara Estate that is proposed for redevelopment.

Cornwall Councillor Frank informed Members of a recent update on Alexandra Square car park resurfacing that is scheduled to commence on Wednesday 7^th February. The works will take approximately three weeks to complete with barriers being installed.

The Town Council asked for additional information to be provided on where the barriers will be situated and the potential impact to overnight parking for surrounding residents.

Cornwall Councillor Frank informed Members of the various parking problems experienced by residents that live close to Fore Street since Cornwall Council increased the parking charges. Cornwall Councillor Frank asked if the Town Council had a view on the way forward.

Members discussed in length and agreed stronger communication is needed to promote Cornwall Council parking charges and the amendments to come into force in May.

Members supported Cornwall Councillor Frank to further research the requirements for a case to be presented for resident parking schemes, such as, cost implications and potential impacts to the wider area, reporting back at a future Full Council meeting.

It was RESOLVED to note.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Nothing to report.

Please note: Any member of the public requiring to put a question to the Town Council must do so by 12 noon the day before the meeting.

The Chairman reiterated that the Town Council are not the body responsible to enforce parking related issues in Saltash.

The Town Council did previously bring together an internal meeting with Cornwall Council Parking Enforcement, the Police and Key Stakeholders to discuss a strategy and way forward to tackle parking incidents in Saltash.

Members discussed continued liaisons with Cornwall Council Parking Enforcement, the Police and Safer Saltash, with the lack of resources being a contributing factor as to why issues continue to be experienced in many areas.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Lennox-Boyd and RESOLVED to write a letter to Cornwall Council Parking Enforcement, the Police and Safer Saltash to understand the data of incidents reported and any improvements regarding parking in Saltash this past year, sharing the letter with the resident.

Please see a copy of the minutes on the STC website or request to see a copy at the Guildhall.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor Stoyel and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Full Town Council Meeting held on 11^th January 2024 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

a.  To advise the receipts for December 2023;

It was RESOLVED to note.

b.  To advise the payments for December 2023;

It was RESOLVED to note.

c.   Urgent and essential works actioned by the Town Clerk under Financial Regulations.

Nothing to report.

d.  To note that bank reconciliations up to 31^st December 2023 were reviewed as correct by the Chairman of Policy & Finance Committee and the Town Clerk.

It was RESOLVED to note.

e.  To note that an audit on recent supplier payments was conducted by the Chairman of Policy & Finance in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations. It was noted that there are no discrepancies to report.

It was RESOLVED to note.

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes. There were no recommendations.

Members received an update on the Community Levelling Up Project contained and circulated within the reports pack.

Members are encouraged to promote and attend the Transport Trial on 30^th March 2024, 10am to 4pm.  Please inform the Town Clerk of your availability.

Members wished to thank the Shared Prosperity Working Group and the Town Clerk for their continued hard work on this project.

It was RESOLVED to note.

The Town Clerk updated Members on the report for the Trustees of Saltash Heritage request contained and circulated within the reports pack.

It was RESOLVED to note.

The Chairman informed Members of the recently held Christmas Festival Forum meeting and the increased financial struggles experienced by all festivals held in Saltash, and across the nation due to inflation and legislation.

It was RESOLVED to note.

Members discussed the available funding limit for festival funds under the existing Grants Policy with the possibility of raising the amount given to festivals on daily basis.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Stoyel and RESOLVED:

1.  To increase the festival fund limit to £2,500 per day up to a maximum of two days per event;

2.  To improve the publicity requirements to ensure Saltash Town Council receives full recognition leading up to and on the day of the event reporting back to the Extraordinary Policy and Finance Committee to be held on 27^th February 2024;

3.  To RECOMMEND to the Policy and Finance Committee to consider a Match Funding Festival Policy at the Extraordinary Policy and Finance Committee to be held on 27^th February 2024.

The Town Clerk informed Members of the reason for the Communications Strategy being received at Full Council and not Policy and Finance, due to the desire to include the Communications Strategy into the Business Plan for April 2024.

The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Town Vision Sub Committee reviewed the Communications Strategy and confirmed its suitability in line with the Town Council’s proposed draft Business Plan.

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Martin and RESOLVED to approve the Communications Strategy as attached.

Members discussed the initiative and proposed Town Council locations for the installation of Beryl Bikes in Saltash.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Peggs and RESOLVED:

1.  To approve a 4 bike bay at Pillmere Drive and a 6 bike bay at Isambard House car park;

2.  The Town Council’s Service Delivery Manager be on-site for installation to ensure the hard standing/docking stations are situated in suitable areas within the proposed locations;

3.  Any associated costs are at the cost of Beryl Bikes and not the Town Council.

a.   The next scheduled meeting date Saturday 10^th February 2024 outside Bloom Hearing, Fore Street.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Martin and RESOLVED for Councillors Griffiths, Peggs, Martin, Lennox-Boyd, Bickford and Bullock to attend.

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

To resolve that pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the public and press leave the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

None.

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting. 

To resolve that the public and press be re-admitted to the meeting.

None.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Martin and RESOLVED to issue the following Press and Social Media releases:

1.  Grants Policy – Changes to the Festival Fund limit and promotion for volunteer involvement for Saltash Festivals;

2.  Cornwall Council Parking Charges coming into effect in May 2024;

3.  Meet Your Councillors;

4.  Connectivity Project in partnership with the Shared Prosperity Working Group.

The Annual Meeting with Parishioners of Saltash to be held on Thursday 7th March 2024 at 6:30p.m. followed by the meeting of Saltash Town Council at 7:00 p.m.

To Order that the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to all Deeds and    

Documents necessary to give effect to the foregoing Acts and Proceedings.

It was RESOLVED that the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to all Deeds and Documents necessary to give effect to the foregoing Acts and Proceedings.