Agenda item

a.  Library held on 16 January 2025;

 

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

 

b.  Town Vision held on 23 January 2025;

 

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes and consider the following recommendations:

 

RECOMMENDATION 1:

 

50/24/25    TO RECEIVE THE TOWN COUNCIL BUSINESS PLAN DELIVERABLES FOR QUARTER THREE AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Gillies and RESOLVED:

 

3.    The Town Vision Sub Committee recognised the importance of the Civility and Respect Pledge, for Officers and Town Councillors, and because of the importance of this pledge it is RECOMMENDED under Strategic Priority 1 of the Personnel Committee deliverables, to revisit the Civility and Respect Pledge at the Full Town Council meeting to be held on 6 February 2025 and quarterly going forward.

 

Councillor Griffiths Chairman of the Town Vision Sub Committee advised this recommendation was to be received and considered under Agenda Item 8 at this evening’s meeting.

 

RECOMMENDATION 2:

 

52/24/25 TO RECEIVE A DRAFT FUNDRAISING STRATEGY AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Stoyel and resolved to RECOMMEND to approve and adopt the Fundraising Strategy, as attached, to Full Town Council to be held on 6 February 2025, subject to changes made at this evening’s meeting.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Peggs and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.   Devolution held on 30 January 2025;

 

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes and consider the following recommendations:

 

RECOMMENDATION 1:

 

9/24/25 TO RECEIVE THE DRAFT LEASE FOR VICTORIA GARDENS AND MAURICE HUGGINS ROOM AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Bullock, seconded by Councillor Bickford and resolved to RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 6 February 2025 to refuse the Lease based on and detailed above:

 

1.    Omission of agreed funding;

 

2.    Lack of break clause;

 

3.    No reference to Freehold transfer;

 

4.    Risk to Town Council;

 

5.    Restrictions on permitted use;

 

6.    Maintenance and decoration obligations;

 

7.    Restrictions on alterations;

 

8.    No compensation for improvements.

 

 

The Town Clerk reported on discussions held after the Devolution Sub-Committee with the responsible Cornwall Council officers to advise of the recommendation to refuse the draft Lease.

 

The Town Clerk shared an email with Members from the responsible Cornwall Council officer acknowledging the Town Council's concerns regarding the draft Lease.

 

Further to this, Cornwall Council recognise there are various Saltash properties ‘under discussion’ with Cornwall Council with regard to devolution and instead of considering these as ‘silos’ it may be an opportune to consider a single transaction where a number of properties are dealt with together where the proposed terms are similar.

 

 

 

This approach would improve efficiency and allow the properties to be considered as a package, potentially increasing the devolution capital grant previously offered, subject to the final set of assets included.

 

Properties under consideration include Alexandra Square Toilets, the Memorial Peace Garden, Maurice Huggins Room, Victoria Gardens, Brunel Green Two (Jubilee Green), and the public space at Tamar Street where the existing Waterside play area is due for replacement.

 

Although outside the direct remit of the responsible Cornwall Council officer, it was noted that a Community Infrastructure Funding (CIL) application for Brunel Green Two (Jubilee Green) has been approved. This funding could serve as a catalyst to drive the inclusion of all these properties into a single devolution project.

 

Cornwall Council very much see Saltash Town Council as an important partner and welcome discussion to achieve both our goals.

 

It was raised at the meeting that Saltash Town Council would be interested in discussing a devolution package with Cornwall Council that provides Saltash Town Council with a healthier devolution capital grant and assets that create income to assist in offsetting expenditure.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Mortimore, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED:

 

1.    To note the Town Clerks update;

 

2.    To refuse the Devolution Sub Committees recommendation received at this evenings meeting;

 

3.    To delegate to the Town Clerk to work with the responsible Cornwall Council officers, Cornwall Councillor Frank, Chairman of Saltash Town Council and the Chairman of the Devolution Sub Committee to negotiate on the draft Lease and discuss the potential option for a Saltash devolution package;

 

4.    To report back at a future Devolution Sub Committee meeting the outcome of the Cornwall Council meeting for the Sub Committee’s consideration.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 2:

 

11/24/25 TO RECEIVE HEAD OF TERMS FOR ALEXANDRA SQUARE TOILET AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Bullock, seconded by Councillor Mortimore and RESOLVED:

 

1.  To RECOMMEND to Full Council to be held on 6 February 2025 to approve Cornwall Council’s Heads of Terms for a 99-year Lease for Alexandra Square Toilets,

 

The Town Clerk spoke of further communications with Cornwall Councils Officers relating to the 99-year lease for Alexandra Square Toilets.

 

The Cornwall Council Officer confirmed that the lease would remain unchanged. They intended to send a revised plan but were unable to do so as the mapping technician was on leave until Monday. Upon further review of the mapping layer, the officer acknowledged that it would be reasonable to include the retaining wall and the paved area immediately surrounding the property. They also noted that a lamp column is within this specified area, which would require access.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Bullock, seconded by Councillor P Samuels and RESOLVED:

 

1.    To note the Town Clerk’s update;

 

2.    To

3.approve Cornwall Council’s Heads of Terms for a 99-year Lease for Alexandra Square Toilets including the retaining wall and paved area immediately surrounding the property providing Cornwall Council access to the lighting column as required;

 

3.    To approve the appointment of Coodes Solicitors to act on behalf of the Town Council to review the draft Lease and obtain searches as required;

 

4.    The Town Clerk to report back at a future Devolution Sub Committee upon receipt of the draft Lease.