All Councillors were present and were joined by five members of the public and Cornwall Councillor Mrs. Jenny Cruse.
One member of the public complained that the quality of resurfacing repairs to roads in the parish was very poor and inadequate in some cases. He said that chipping had been sprayed on badly and the repair was thus very temporary. The Chair, Councillor Martin Davies, said the Parish Council would send a letter of complaint to Cornwall Councillor Mrs. Jenny Cruse for her to make a formal statement to the Highways Department.
A member of the Ruthern Valley Players – the largest community group based in Withiel – described lighting equipment that it was hoped could be purchased with some of the cost being paid for by the Voltaise Fund held by the Parish Council. She explained that the lighting could be hired out to others at very reasonable rates and that owning lights instead of hiring them, would reduce the costs of putting on their performances such as the highly successful annual Withiel pantomime. Two Councillors queried the application stating that they understood that money from the fund should be solely for the benefit of residents in the parish and that these lights might be used outside of the parish at the players touring performances in surrounding parishes. Three Parish Councillors declared an interest in the Ruthern Valley Players and so voting was left to only four Councillors, one of which was a temporary Chair for this motion. As there was a split vote, the Chair decided he would seek advice from CALC (Cornwall Association of Local Councils) on how to best resolve the matter and so the decision on whether to allocate the money was deferred until CALC have responded.
All Councillors were appreciative of Cornwall Councillor Mrs. Jenny Cruse’s tour and inspection of the local road network, accompanied by Councillor Rob Wilson, and her subsequent efforts to highlight the defects and get the Highway Steward out to Withiel for an urgent local survey. Councillor Simon Coy mentioned a bridge which was damaged by a fallen tree near his home at Dipper Bridge and hoped that this was included in the inspection. As it has been missed, the Chair suggested that the list of sites needing attention be shared so that it can be added to, monitored and updated as repairs were undertaken. It was also decided that there would be a designated Highways officer appointed in the new Parish Council which will convene after the elections in May.
All Councillors supported extending the rolling contract for maintaining the footpath network to Max Simpson whose price has always been very competitive and his work of a high standard.
The monthly payments amounted to £403.46, including funding for Remembrance Day wreaths, bank charges and the Clerk’s salary and expenses.
There was some discussion about the Neighbourhood Development Plan which may need updating to keep in line with changes in the National Planning Policy
Framework (NPPF) and the Local Cornwall Plan, which is still in the making. The Withiel Plan has been in use since 2017, although it technically runs until 2030. Councillor Simon Coy remarked that very little needed changing in Withiel as our infrastructure will not support much house building.
It was agreed that the Parish Council’s monthly report, currently written by Councillor Ms. Janet Shearer, before approval by the Clerk and Chair, be included on the village website as well as the News and Views. Councillor Mrs. Amelia Lake was concerned that in future, after the report has been accepted by the Chair and Clerk, no member of the team who produce the News and Views should use their privilege to try and edit the Parish Council’s report before publication.
Jeremy Hancock has announced that he will be seeking election to the Parish Council in May to replace Councillor Simon Coy who is stepping down. Any members of the public who are interested in becoming a Parish Councillors can ask for an election pack from Cornwall Council now.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd April at 7.00pm and will be the AGM so annual reports can be made at this meeting. All are very welcome.
Councillor Ms. Janet Shearer,
Vice-Chair – Withiel Parish Council
