MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING
held on TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2011 at 7pm in the Guildhall
PRESENT
Cllrs Chapman, Conway, Miss Davey, Facks Martin, Mrs Geach (until 1112/44),
Gordon (Deputy Mayor), J Harris, Hogan, Keighley, Sandercock, Tremain (Town
Mayor), Warne, Mrs Williams, Mrs Young.
In attendance: Town Clerk (Rita Skinner), Cornwall Cllr Alex Folkes, members of
the press, members of the public.
1112/37
Apologies for absence
Cllr O’Brien sent his apologies. The Mayor’s Chaplain and Sgt Ward had sent
apologies, also the chairman of the Youth Council.
1112/38
Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Facks Martin and Tremain declared an interest in the Charles Causley
Festival (budget discussion).
1112/39
To confirm the Minutes of the last meeting, previously circulated
It was resolved to confirm and sign the minutes of the Full Council meeting held
on 15 November 2011.
1112/40
To receive and adopt the minutes of committees and sub-committees,
previously circulated
It was resolved to receive and adopt the minutes of the following committees
and sub committees:
Planning Committee held on Thursday 10 November at 7pm
Environment and Open Spaces Committee held on Monday 5 December at 11am
1112/41
Public Representation Session
The Chairman of the Youth Council was unable to be present.
A written police report was circulated at the meeting. A copy is appended to
these minutes. Cllr Harris said he hoped to progress his police liaison role in the
New Year.
1112/42
Budget 2012/2013
The second draft budget for 2012/2013 had been circulated to all councillors with
the agenda for the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 7 December.
Further copies were made available at the meeting. F&GP had recommended
approval of the budget and precept for 2012/2013. The Council considered the
budget proposals and unanimously resolved, having regard to the level of
reserves, and increased responsibilities with devolution of services from Cornwall
Council, to accept the budget and the recommended precept of £345,204. Cllr
Conway commended the Town Clerk for her work.
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1112/43
Reports from Cornwall Councillors
It was agreed to bring forward agenda item 14 at Cllr Folkes’ request. Cllr Folkes
said that it was likely that Cornwall Council would accept the government grant
and freeze Council Tax for 2012/2013. Six grit bins had been provided at Kensey
Valley Meadow. Cllr Folkes expressed concern about the future of bus services in
Launceston and north Cornwall. A points system was being used to assess need
which he felt did not accurately reflect the realities of life in this rural area eg
isolation, need to travel to Devon hospitals. He feared that services would be cut
and that the Little Red Bus could not replace those services. Cllr Folkes said that
consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders affecting Launceston would take place
in the New Year. The ward councillors had a budget of £20,000 to assist in the
implementation of any approved schemes following the Town Strategy
consultation. Cllr Folkes encouraged the Town Council to use the new Localism
Act to its advantage. He advised registering community assets, identifying
services which could be better delivered locally and the importance of
neighbourhood plans. The plan would have to conform to the National Planning
Framework and Cornwall Core Strategy. The Town Framework document was a
good basis for a neighbourhood plan. The plan could be used to support
development but not to oppose it. Any plan would have to be supported by the
community through a referendum, paid for by Cornwall Council.
1112/44
Council Vacancy
The vacancy for a councillor following the death of Cllr Olver Harris had been
advertised. Any call for an election had to be made by 5pm on 21 December. If
there was no call for an election then the council would co-opt a member at the
meeting to be held on 17 January 2012.
1112/42
Cornwall Council (Off Street Parking Places) Order 2012 - consultation
The proposed charges in Cornwall Council run car parks had been circulated with
the agenda. The Walk would revert to an all-day car park, and the increase in
charges were considered reasonable and justified. It was resolved to support the
proposed changes.
1112/43
Service Devolution
The Town Mayor reported on the meeting held with members of the Cornwall
Council devolution team on 21 November. Discussion took place regarding public
conveniences, off street parking, winter maintenance, weed control, grass cutting
and grounds maintenance. Progress was being made with all these. Since the
meeting, and the Town Council’s agreement to take on the public conveniences,
Cornwall Council had offered a further £4,000 for 2012/2013. Councillors were
pleased that progress was being made. Cllr Harris said that taking on the public
conveniences would offer an opportunity to show how well the council could run
local services.
1112/44
Training for Councillors
Information on Working With Your Council had been circulated with the agenda.
Cllr Harris expressed an interest in taking the course, and other councillors were
asked to contact the Town Clerk for further information if required.
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It was agreed that an in-house training session on the Localism Act would be
useful and that the Town Clerk should identify a suitable training provider.
1112/45
Correspondence and Matters to Note
It was resolved to note the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Launceston in Bloom award to Town Council
Twinning Association Newsletter
Minutes of the meeting of the Youth Focus Group on 8 November
Music Nation Sunday 4 March 2012
Letter and Christmas Card from Mr K Wadland – it was Council policy not to name roads
after individuals
f) Town Hall bookings summary – suggested that the Properties Committee consider the
matter of the kitchen (inadequate size for number of potential users)
g) Library discussion on 2 November
h) Transfer of Cornwall Council Leisure Services to Carrick Leisure Charitable Trust suggested name should be Cornwall Leisure Charitable Trust
i) Letter from National Express re Launceston service – meeting 3pm on 15 December
j) Letter of thanks from Launceston Lions re Old Time Music Hall show
k) Local Council Review magazine (NALC) – available from office
l) Friends of Launceston Priory – minutes of 5 October
1112/46
Reports and Questions from Town Councillors
The minutes of the Jubilee Committee meeting held on 29 November had been
circulated with the agenda. Cllr Conway said that good progress was being made.
The minutes of the TIC meeting held on 24 November had been circulated with
the agenda. Cllr Gordon said that a position had been identified at Tesco’s for a
TIC information point. Negotiations were on-going.
Cllr Mrs Young said that the Youth Council had sponsored the new notice board
in the town square. A new session for 11-13 year-olds had been arranged at the
Orchard. The Youth Council would encourage young people to use the Orchard
more. Cllr Mrs Young said the youth councillors were gaining confidence.
Cllrs Conway and O’Brien had attended the Local Network Meeting at Callington.
Cllr Conway said it had been a valuable meeting, concentrating on
Neighbourhood Plans and the new Standards regime.
1112/47
Report from the Town Mayor
The Mayor’s monthly engagements report is appended to these minutes.
1112/48
Urgent Items
Cllr Tremain had been in touch with Cornwall Council Highways re Garcia Terrace;
the footpath was public highway but the road was unadopted. Cllr Warne asked
for a meeting with Highways as he was not satisfied with this response.
Cllr Facks Martin commended Storm Nightclub for its improved premises and
facilities offered to users.
The Town Clerk circulated information about the Local Enterprise Partnership
meeting being held on 10 January.
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A request had been received for a councillor to take part in an Any Questions
session on North Cornwall Broadcasting radio station. Cllr Tremain agreed to
represent the Council.
1112/49
Exclusion of members of the press and public
It was resolved that under s1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act
1960 that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following
item as it involved the likely disclosure of confidential information.
1112/50
Minutes of the Staffing Committee , previously circulated
It was resolved to receive and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Staffing
Committee held on 25 November 2011.
1112/51
Caretaker/cleaner positions
It was resolved to delegate responsibility for these appointments to the Staffing
Committee, which had in turn delegated responsibility to the Town Clerk and
Properties Manager. The Town Clerk said that interviews were being held on 21
December.
1112/52
Date of the next meeting
The next Full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 January 2012 at 7pm in
the Guildhall.
The meeting ended at 8.55pm.
Signed ..................................................................................... Date .....................................
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