Agenda and minutes

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

None.

Please note:  Any member of the public requiring to put a question to the Council must do so 24 hours prior to the meeting by writing or email.

None.

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 Martin, seconded by Councillor P Samuels and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Devolution Sub Committee held on Wednesday 21^st July 2021 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

No report.

(Pursuant to Devolution Sub Committee held on 21.07.21 minute nr. 8/20/21)

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor P Samuels and RESOLVED to approve the Terms of Reference subject to the following amendments:

1.  The quorum be reduced to five.

2.  Under point one the wording be changed to investigate and potentially progress devolution of assets from Cornwall Council to Saltash Town Council working with the Community Link Officer.

The Chairman briefed Members on the recent announcement of a public consultation, currently running and open for responses, due to Saltash Leisure Centre operators – Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) requesting Cornwall Council to allow them to cease operations in Saltash.

Members discussed in great length various concerns with the information currently available from Cornwall Council and the operators GLL.

Members further considered how this may fit in with current devolution plans and the potential impact on the Town Council and Saltash community if the Leisure Centre were to be devolved by the Town Council.

Members discussed the current situation and considered how the Town Council could become involved in any further development business plans / proposals of the future of the leisure centre.

Members further expressed concern due to insufficient data being unavailable and therefore an informed decision on a possible solution for the future of the leisure centre is difficult to ascertain.

Cornwall Councillor Frank informed the Sub Committee that Cornwall Council have now established an Engagement Team to further engage with the Town Council and residents during the consultation.

Members further discussed many reasons for the potential closure of the leisure centre to be opposed to, some of which include the clear necessity for better Health and Well-Being during the recent pandemic, the continued use of the leisure centre facilities for local schools and neighbouring towns, the need for tackling obesity, improving health and regular exercise which have all been included in the advice for defeating symptoms and long-term effects of COVID.

The Chairman briefed Members on various funding streams being further explored with the Acting Town Clerk and Cornwall Council’s Community Link Officer, however, stressed that without confirmed data of the issues Saltash Leisure Centre and GLL operators are facing it is difficult to further progress at this time.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor P Samuels and resolvedto RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on Thursday 7^th October 2021:

1.    To hold an Extraordinary Full Town Council meeting to include attendees from GLL, Cornwall Councillors and Cornwall Council Officer Julie Zessimedes with any questions forwarded in advance to the Acting Town Clerk with sufficient data and figures to be requested from Cornwall Council for Members to further consider viable options.

2.    To issue a public statement on Saltash Town Councils current position and opposition of the closure of Saltash Leisure Centre including expressions of concern over the public consultation.

3.    The Acting Town Clerk to register all Members to attend the virtual information public event to be held on 13^th October 2021 at 7pm.

Waterside & Pontoon

The Chairman briefed Members of a recent meeting held with Cornwall Council’s Maritime Manager, Cornwall Councillors, Cornwall Council Community Link Officer, Town Council Members, Service Delivery Manager and Assistant Service Delivery Manager.

The Chairman informed Members of the Cornwall Council’s Maritime Managers aim to revitalise Cornwall’s maritime portfolio.

The Chairman further spoke of the conversations held which expressed some of the concerns such as the cost for sufficient lighting, waste management and issues relating to the sea wall should the Town Council wish to further pursue to devolve the waterside.

Cornwall Council Maritime Manager discussed the harbour area and informed the Chairman that all moorings currently belong to Plymouth City Council, with old by laws in place that are to be further investigated.

The Chairman advised Members that after careful consideration and reflection it is not believed to be sustainable for the Town Council to manage, maintain, be responsible for and operate the Waterside area.

Victoria Gardens

The Chairman discussed Victoria Gardens and the previous expression to prioritise the devolution of this asset.  After further investigation the Chairman spoke of an alternative proposal ascertained which would allow the Town Council more freedom to manage and maintain without having to devolve from Cornwall Council and occur extensive costs to repair the railings, walls, maintenance to the trees.

The Chairman spoke of the current Tenancy at Will in place and the restrictions on the agreement in relation to the use of the Maurice Huggins Room and maintenance works that can be carried out within Victoria Gardens.

The Chairman requested consideration of a Five-Year Lease agreement with Cornwall Council which would allow the Town Council to further progress with the community use of the MHR and the freedom to further develop the grounds within Victoria Gardens without a substantial increased cost.

The Chairman went on to advise Members that if consideration to further lease Victoria Gardens rather than devolve from Cornwall Council it would prevent the Town Council from accessing the Capital Devolution Fund.

Waterside and Pontoon

After considering the update Members discussed the Transfer of Ownership and the possibility of alternative options to form a Waterside Partnership with a detailed management agreement to be negotiated with Cornwall Council.

Members agreed this would allow time for expertise to be gained as well as a service level agreement to assist with revenue costs without having to adopt the Waterside asset with no financial forecast.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bickford and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on Thursday 7^th October 2021 to:

1.   Form a Saltash Waterside Partnership with Cornwall Council and other organisation’s such as Cornwall Council Maritime Team and Saltash Coastal Communities Team.

2.    Form monthly meetings to progress the Partnership.

3.    Further progress a management agreement with Cornwall Council for a period of five-years.

4.    Work up a set of Terms of Reference.

Victoria Gardens

Members agreed that a five-year Lease Agreement with Cornwall Council appeared to be a preferable option but expressed the necessity for Cornwall Council to agree to maintain ownership and address the high priority areas, such as, the railings/gates, walls, trees etc and continue maintenance during the lease period, the Town Council to be responsible for the maintenance of the low priority areas and management of the property and land.

Members stated that another option is a threshold limit be clearly set in the lease agreement should any maintenance works be above the amount stipulated then the responsibility would fall on the owners Cornwall Council.

Members stated that a break clause or review date be considered in the five-year lease should the Town Council wish to opt out as devolution progresses.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bickford and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Town Council on Thursday 7^th October 2021 to further progress a five-year lease agreement with Cornwall Council’s Community Link Officer for Maurice Huggins Room and Victoria Gardens.

Longstone Depot Garage and Store

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bullock and RESOLVED to give delegated authority to the Acting Town Clerk to liaise with Cornwall Council’s Community Link Officer:

1.    To ascertain if existing lease terms can be further renegotiated in relation to Longstone Depot Garage and Store.

2.    To obtain an update on Longstone Park works to the wall, railings, tennis courts, bins, benches and play equipment.

3.    To further explore the possibility of the Town Council improving certain areas within Longstone Park.

4.    The Acting Town to report back at the next Devolution meeting.

a.    To review, consider and recommend the Town Council Five Year Plan devolution assets and land costs to the Property Maintenance Sub Committee.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Gillies and RESOLVED that the current Services budget 6588 EMF Victoria Gardens available funds of £10,000 allocated for repair and maintenance works to Victoria Gardens remains sufficient for the year 2022-23.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Gillies and resolved to RECOMMEND to the Precept Services Committee meeting to be held on 14^th October 2021 to revisit budget 6571 EMF Saltash Recreation Areas for the year 2022-23 and to further invest in Town Council playparks / open space areas.

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.

None.