Agenda and minutes

Councillor Martin informed Members that the first item of business is to appoint a Chairman for the meeting and that she would like to put herself forward.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor Gillies and RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Martin as Chairman for the purpose of this meeting only.

Councillor Martin in the Chair.

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

The Town Clerk informed Members of Councillor Miller’s attendance at this evening’s meeting and at the discretion of the Committee Councillor Miller may sit at the table and speak at the invitation of the Chairman, but has no voting rights.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Miller and the public attending the meeting.

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.

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.

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 Peggs and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Devolution Sub Committee held on 29^th September 2021 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

No report.

The Chairman asked the Town Clerk to provide an overview of the agenda items, reports contained within the reports pack and Cornwall Council’s devolution status,  due to the Sub Committee not meeting for some time.

The Town Clerk confirmed that agenda items 7 a, b and c are existing devolution items approved by Full Council, the remaining items are new for Members consideration this evening, and that Cornwall Council’s approach has varied slightly in order to better prioritise devolution interests received by Town and Parish Councils.

The Town Clerk requested Members consider its prioritisation of any devolution of assets and land that are of interest to the Town Council. The Town Clerk explained that a prioritised list will enable a detailed submission to be made to Cornwall Council with the list being inclusive of information on the responsibilities the Town Council wishes to obtain through the devolution programme.

The Town Clerk asked Members to advise on any areas of interest that may not be included on this evening’s agenda as they should form part of the prioritisation list and included in the submission to the devolution programme – agenda item 12.

Members confirmed they had no further questions at this time and understood the purpose of a prioritised list.

a.  Saltash Waterside Partnership meeting notes and the future of the Waterside and Pontoon; 

Councillor Bickford provided a verbal update since the report received at Full Council dated September 2016. This included improved waterside management, repairs and refurbishment of the pontoon with allocated monies and predicted financial forecasts on track to being achieved.

Councillor Bickford spoke of the strong partnership with Cornwall Council, Cornwall Council Maritime Department, the Town Council’s Community Link Officer and the Coastal Communities Team.

The Town Clerk advised a future meeting with all relevant parties is scheduled to be held on site in March.  Although partnership meetings were proposed to be held monthly, Members were asked to consider reducing to quarterly.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bullock and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council;

1.    To note the reports received and continue with the Saltash Waterside Partnership Working Group;

2.    To reduce the meetings from monthly to quarterly;

3.    To continue to work up the Terms of Reference for the Working Group;

4.    To continue with Cornwall Council’s Tenancy at Will relating to the Pontoon at Jubilee Green.

b.  Cornwall Council Standard Heads of Terms for the Maurice Huggins Tea Room and Victoria Gardens; 

The Town Clerk expressed concerns regarding items contained within Cornwall Council’s Heads of Terms, such as, the use of the Maurice Huggins Room and the responsibility to repair Victoria Gardens in its current state (Grade II Listed monument, the walls, footpaths, railings, any gates and large trees).

The Town Clerk informed Members that the condition and health and safety aspect of the pine tree (photos provided) had been reported to Cornwall Council’s Environment Team as this property falls under their management.

The Town Clerk brought Members attention to the Building Survey report conducted in 2018, five years on.

The report included concerns around the condition of the surrounding walls, railings, pathways and large trees situated in Victoria Gardens.

Members discussed in length their reasons for requesting to devolve as a Freehold Victoria Gardens and the Maurice Huggins Room (MHR) to the Town Council.

The Town Clerk advised Members that the Town Council has a responsibility to ensure due diligence has been met and advised Members to get an up to date Building Surveyors report together with full costing prior to committing the Town Council to a Lease or Freehold with Cornwall Council.

The Town Clerk further confirmed she understood Members frustration and that should they wish to undertake low maintenance works (bedding plants, grass cutting, shrub work) ready for the Spring/Summer months to request from Cornwall Council a Licence to work in Victoria Gardens for that period.

It was RESOLVED to note that Cormac are currently addressing uneven footpaths and trip hazards caused by tree roots in Victoria Gardens and that works will raise the paths with a special method that doesn’t harm the trees and allow for future growth.

It was RESOLVED to note that Cornwall Council have given permission for Saltash Town Council to occupy the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7/22/23

The Town Clerk informed Members of recent correspondence received from Cornwall Council regarding a request to plant a tree in memory of the Late Brad Hine.

Cornwall Council advised the Town Clerk that no Agreement, Licence to work, or Lease is in place between Cornwall Council and Saltash Town Council for the Memorial Peace Garden.  The Town Clerk has been asked by Cornwall Council’s Open Space Officer to refrain from making any alterations to the site, until there is an agreement in place.

The Chairman together with Members approval invited Mrs Sue Hooper to speak in relation to this matter due to her large involvement in the Memorial Peace Garden Project.

The Town Clerk thanked Mrs Sue Hooper for providing paperwork relating to the Memorial Peace Garden Project.

It was RESOLVED to note the Town Clerk’s findings.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor B Samuels and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council;

1.  To approve for Cornwall Council to urgently work up a Generic Grounds Maintenance Licence for Saltash Town Council to carry out various maintenance works, bedding and tree planting, installations, and social gatherings on the site;

2.  To approve for Saltash Town Council to request a Freehold within Cornwall Council’s Devolution Programme for the Memorial Peace Garden site.

Councillor Yates left the meeting.

The Town Clerk informed Members that Saltash Town Council have a Tenancy at Will with Cornwall Council and asked Members to consider requesting a Lease for 99 years providing extra security to the Town Council.

The Town Clerk informed Members that Saltash Town Council has a 99 year Lease on Belle Vue and Longstone Park toilets.

It was proposed by Councillor Peggs, seconded by Councillor Gillies and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to approve for Saltash Town Council to request a Freehold within Cornwall Council’s Devolution Programme for Alexandra Square Toilets.

It was further requested that Cornwall Council consider the Memorial Peace Garden and Alexandra Square Toilets as a Freehold Package.

Councillor Yates returned to the meeting.

Cornwall Councillor Frank spoke of a complaint received from a resident in relation to the poor state of Alexandra Car Park. Councillor Frank supported the complaint and pursued with relevant departments within Cornwall Council and the Town Clerk resulting in a Cornwall Council Officer visiting the site to conduct an up to date survey.

The Cornwall Council Officer agreed the conditions of the car park required immediate address with confirmation received that resurfacing works were scheduled to be undertaken by Cormac in the following few months.

Members discussed various car parks in Saltash and consideration was given to include car parks on Saltash Town Council Devolution Programme.

It was proposed by Councillor Bickford, seconded by Councillor Yates and RESOLVED to defer to a future Devolution Sub Committee meeting to allow the Town Clerk to obtain from Cornwall Council the latest available data for Saltash car parks reporting back at a future Devolution Sub Committee meeting.

Members requested the Town Clerk at the next Saltash Leisure Centre Working Group to ascertain the nature of the leasing agreement between Cornwall Council and GLL for the Leisure Centre car park.

The Town Clerk informed Members that the work at Longstone Park mostly involves addressing uneven and restricted footpaths and trip hazards caused by tree roots, and works will raise the paths with a special method that doesn’t harm the trees and allows for future growth.  In addition, the fence to the play area on the side of the bowling club will be replaced and realigned to allow room for a new much improved path around the outside and step improvements at the lower end.

Cornwall Council have no plans to do anything to the tennis courts, bins, benches and play equipment.

It was proposed by Councillor Gillies, seconded by Councillor Martin and RESOLVED to note the Town Clerk’s update and defer the item to a future Services Committee meeting upon receipt of further information received from Cornwall Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Gillies and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council:

1.  Saltash Town Council’s Devolution Prioritisation Programme as a living document and work in progress which will evolve as the Devolution Plan for Saltash evolves – as attached;

2.  Submit Saltash Town Council’s Devolution Prioritisation Programme to Cornwall Council’s Devolution Department and Community Link Officer to further progress.

(Pursuant to Services Committee held on 9.2.22 minute nr. 88/21/22)

The Town Clerk updated Members on the recommendation from the Services Committee meeting received February 2022.

Members agreed the recommendation was made prior to the progress of the Friends of Summerfield and felt it was no longer suitable for the Sub Committees consideration.

It was RESOLVED to continue to support Friends of Summerfield and congratulate them on their continued hard work and progress to date.

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.

Councillor Bickford left the meeting.