There were apologies from Cornwall Councillor Mrs Jenny Cruse. Her report is shown in full in the minutes of the meeting – https://withielparishcouncil.org.uk/category/minutes/ She said that Storm Darragh had caused a great deal of damage locally, with many homes left without power. She said there had been a problem with landlines and mobile phones not working when they were most needed as masts and power supplies were damaged. The loss of phone signal during power cuts in her vicinity has shown her the need for an emergency plan – something which Withiel Parish Council has kept on the agenda for many years but which has never materialised due to a lack of interest in volunteers for duties. She emphasised that it is really important to report clogged drains and culverts to Cornwall Council as soon as possible to help prevent flooding in your area which can happen very quickly.
A local resident reported that the new HGV restricting sign has been blown down. The Chair said he would report this to the Cornwall Council Highways Department. The Clerk said that one or two highway issues which have been reported, including the damaged Withiel sign near the village. However, this has been declared safe and legible so no action will be taken at the moment.
The precept will remain at £8,000 for next year to cover all the Parish Council’s commitments.
The Chairman, Councillor Martin Davies, is concerned about the state of various potholes, edges of roads and cones being removed or blown away. The Clerk will bring this up with Cornwall Councillor Mrs Jenny Cruse at the earliest opportunity.
Several material amendments to the original planning application at Higher Bosneives, prompted comments from Councillors about the authenticity of the original application.
As there was no meeting in January due to adverse weather conditions, the Clerk gave announced figures for both months accounts: January expenditure totalling £365.46 to include the Clerk’s salary, expenses and income tax and February – £542.00 to include the hire of the hall for meetings, Clerk’s salary, expenses and income tax. During these months, interest of £47.16 for January and £46.85 for February was received on funds held in the bank. Councillor Simon Coy explained the accounts to all present with a view to his imminent departure from the Parish Council.
Councillor Ms Janet Shearer has written a lengthy update on issues discussed at the recent Camel Valley Area Partnership meeting (CAP), which can be read in the minutes on the Parish Council website as above. In particular she brought up the Community Transport Scheme, based in Lanivet which helps residents needing to attend primarily medical appointments and who have no access to private or public transport. Our wider CAP area, covering 26 parishes, may be asked to contribute to the running of this widely used service in the future.
Councillor Mrs Wendy Symons updated those present on the recent publishing of the News and Views which she has undertaken to do with Councillor Rob Wilson and two members of the public. She has been advised to form a community group as holding a bank account in her own name for this service is not a good idea, especially when applying for funding. She agreed to try and revisit the problem.
In the future, there will be a register of agreed applications for Voltaise Funding on our website to maintain transparency.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th March at 7pm in the Withiel Village Hall. All are welcome particularly if you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor. Please contact the Clerk for details as there may be vacancies this year following the departure of Councillor Simon Coy.
Councillor Ms Janet Shearer, Withiel Parish Council
