Agenda item

It was RESOLVED to note the minutes. Members considered the following recommendations:

 

The Devolution Sub Committee Chairman Councillor Martin requested that the two recommendations under minute number 7/22/23a and 7/22/23b be received en bloc.

 

RECOMMENDATION 1:

 

7/22/23           TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL'S IDENTIFIED DEVOLUTION ASSETS AND LAND PROGRAMME AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE:

 

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 Maurice Huggins Room under an implied tenancy at will until such time as devolution is agreed.

 

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

 

1.  To request a Licence or Service Level Agreement (SLA) from Cornwall Council to allow the Town Council to tidy the lower lying areas such as, the shrubs, grass cutting and bedding plants, during the months of Spring/Summer 2023;

 

2.  The Climate Change and Environment Working Group to consider a short term vision to tidy Victoria Gardens working with the Town Council and relevant volunteer groups, reporting back at the next Devolution Sub Committee Meeting;

 

3.  To appoint the Town Council’s Building Surveyor to provide an updated Building Surveyors Report and associated cost for Victoria Gardens only to be received at a future Devolution Sub Committee meeting;

 

4.  To request the latest Cornwall Council’s tree condition survey and maintenance works for Victoria Gardens;

 

5.  The Town Clerk to continue to liaise with Cornwall Council to undertake relevant work to the pine and monkey puzzle trees;

 

6.  The Devolution Sub Committee to look at the long term vision of devolving Victoria Gardens and the Maurice Huggins Room to the Town Council;

 

7.  Subject to better negotiations with Cornwall Council, to approve to devolve Victoria Gardens and the Maurice Huggins Room to Saltash Town Council as a Freehold site.

 

 

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Peggs and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendations A and B.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 2:

 

Councillor Martin informed Members of a recent update received from Cornwall Council relating to recommendation 2 - minute number 8/22/23 as follows:

 

Further progress has been made regarding the Memorial Peace Garden Generic Grounds Maintenance Licence since the Devolution Sub Committee met two weeks ago.

 

Cornwall Council Officer Stuart Wallace appealed to the CC Property Department to get the matter fast tracked and it has jumped up a very large to do list.

 

The Town Clerk has agreed the boundary to be licensed to the Town Council and a licence to occupy is now with the Town Clerk to review and present to the Devolution Sub Committee.  The proposed start date is 1^st April 2023.

 

Cornwall Council also noted that in the past there has been confusion between Cornwall Council, Cormac and the Town Council regarding this site, but now they are aware of the situation, it is essential all involved resolve the matter.

 

Councillor Martin moved to the recommendation for consideration this evening:

 

 

 

8/22/23           TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE MEMORIAL PEACE GARDEN AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

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.

 

 

It was proposed by Councilor Martin seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 3:

 

9/22/23           TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON ALEXANDRA SQUARE TOILETS AND CONSIDER ANY ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENDITURE.

 

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.

 

 

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bullock and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 4:

 

12/22/23         TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDING TO FULL TOWN COUNCIL A DEVOLUTION PRIORITISATION PROGRAMME.

 

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.

 

 

It was proposed by Councillor Martin, seconded by Councillor Bullock and RESOLVED to approve the above recommendation.