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Each month the Parish Council prepares a press report for the local newspaper, giving details of the meetings and work of the Council. Report of June is as follows:
The June meeting of St.Dennis Parish Council took place at the ClayTAWC Centre on 5th of the month and was well attended by members of the public.
Residents of Hendra Prazey were very concerned at the proposals to build 5 properties on two separate areas of land mainly because of the problems with flooding which was already occurring. The area was part of the "flood plain" for the village, and successive residential development in other parts of the village had meant an increasing water supply to the culverts and springs in the area. These concerns had been acknowledged by the Parish Council Planning Committee and representations made to both the Restormel Borough Council and the Environment Agency.
With the County Council's proposals to establish an incinerator plant in the mid-Cornwall area, the Parish Council had undertaken a survey of local residents and the result of the survey showed that over 97% of those responding were against the siting of the incinerator at Little Gaverigan. Almost all those who commented on the proposals expressed their concern at atmospheric and land pollution, the industrial complex already sited around the parish. Members agreed to meet on the 11th June to formulate an Agenda for the public meeting which had been called for Wednesday 20th June. This meeting would be attended by Officers from Cornwall County Council, representatives from County Environmental Services, local Councillors, John Wood (Vice-Chairman of CAIR), Friends of the Earth and local M.P.s and would take place in the Workingmen's Club in Fore Street, St. Dennis starting at 7.30 p.m.
Although some of the problems related to the Goonvean Trelavour Works had been overcome following a meeting with the company, County Council officers and local residents last November, it was agreed that a further meeting be arranged to continue discussions with the company and the Clerk was asked to arrange date.
The meeting also discussed the disposal of the Millennium Medallions which had been bought for the children of the parish last year. Clerk advised that there were still some 150 to be collected. Efforts had been made to contact the parents, but had not been successful. It was agreed that the medallion supply be advertised on the local village website.
Members were also concerned at the vehicles parking in the Trelavour area, on the part of the road which had been allocated for pedestrian use. This area was shown by a white line along the roadway from ClayTAWC to Wellington Road and was identified by a Keep Clear signed painted on the road. It was agreed that County Highways be contacted with a request that metal bollards be erected in order to prevent vehicles parking on this space and to provide for the safety of pedestrians.
The Council had been considering for some time the possible purchase of a "teenage village" for the young people of the parish. Members of the Council had spoken to the youngsters using the Playing Fields and obtained their thoughts on the idea. They had all been very enthusiastic about the project. Funds had been earmarked for the project and it was also hoped to obtain additional funding through the C.R.C.C. Community Funding Project. The "village" took the form of an open circular shelter made from stainless steel and brightly painted.
Report ends.
The July meeting of St.Dennis Parish Council took place on Tuesday 4th at the ClayTAWC Centre and was a quiet meeting, following the public meeting held on 20th June, with few members of the public present.
A local resident was very concerned at the amount of speeding traffic and parked cars on one of the main roads through the village. These points were explored with the local community policeman, Constable Lenton. With no parking restrictions on any of the local roads ,it was difficult to enforce any action, but he agreed that the would contact all householders and ask them to consider parking off road. The problems with speeding would be investigated by the Traffic Department.
At their previous meeting, Councillors had suggested that a Jubilee Committee be formed to organise a celebration event next year and letters had been sent to all local organisations to gauge the interest in such a venture. Representatives from two organisations were present at the meeting and several letters of support had also been received. It was agreed to revive the Millennium Committee and with the help of the voluntary organisations in the parish,start planning. Decision on exactly what form the celebration will take to be agreed during meetings with all the voluntary organisations.
Mr. Higman reported on County matters and advised that the Divisional Highway Surveyor had been asked to investigate the possibility of constructing a roundabout at Hendra Cross Roads and install traffic calming measures at Whitegate Meadows. The Parish Council had also requested that the Divisional Surveyor investigate the possible erection of bollards along the road between ClayTAWC and Wellington Road, where parked cars were resulting in pedestrians having to walk in the road.
Following the public meeting on 20th June, when local residents expressed their concerns at the proposals to construct an Incinerator in the area, the Parish Council had now received notification that an Environmental Impact Assessment was to be carried out by consultants. The Council had been asked for their input into this study and a special meeting would be convened to formulate a response. A local business man had also offered to make a presentation to the Council on alternative methods of waste disposal and the Clerk would be contacting other Parish Councils in the area with a view to a joint meeting and presentation.
Progress on the purchase and erection of a teenage meeting point was continuing; the total cost was now known and applications would be made to various organisations to obtain additional funding to support that already in the Council budget.
The August meeting of St.Dennis Parish Council was held in the ClayTAWC Centre on Tuesday 7th and was well attended by members of the public. The Chairman, Mr. Greenslade, welcomed the return of Councillor George Fisher after his period of ill health.
Members of the public had attended the meeting to voice their concerns at the Council's proposals to erect a "shelter" for the young people using the Playing Fields. Residents of Robartes Road felt they already suffered with noise and disturbance during the late evening/early morning and that such a shelter would exacerbate the situation. Councillors agreed that before any final decision was made on the site for the "shelter" there would be further consultation with all interested parties including the young people. During the time allowed at meetings for public discussion there was also a long dialogue on the continuing problems with parking of vehicles in all the main roads throughout the village and noise caused by early morning delivery vans. Constable Lenton agreed to investigate all the complaints. Councillors were also pleased to learn that the footway scheme for Hendra Road was almost completed and it was hoped that a meeting with County Council officers to view the proposals would be made shortly.
Mrs. Salmon reported on work during the month at Restormel Borough Council. With fellow Councillors and Borough Council officers a waste disposal plant had been visited at Avonmouth. This plant provided an alternative solution to mass-burn incineration and appropriate letters had been sent to County Planning Officers requesting this method be considered as part of the County Waste Management Plan.
Councillors, local residents, County Council officers and representatives from Goonvean Ltd., had met on the 20th July to discuss the continuing problems with noise from the plant and a further meeting was to be arranged in the New Year. If local residents continued to experience problems with noise, and these could not be remedied by the County Enforcement Officer, they were advised to contact the Environmental Officer at Restormel Borough Council as quickly as possible.
Council had also received a request from the newly formed Jubilee Committee for assistance with funding a Celebration event on 3rd June 2002, and provisionally agreed to set aside a donation - this depended upon the results of the next meeting in August and response from local voluntary organisations.
The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for Tuesday 4th September commencing at 7 p.m. in the ClayTAWC Centre and an invitation is extended to all residents to attend.
The September meeting of St.Dennis Parish Council took place on the Tuesday 4th, at the ClayTAWC Centre with a rather depleted number of Councillors and members of the public.
During the time set aside for members of the public to bring problems to Councillors there was a long discussion on the continuing problems of traffic, both parking and speeding. Almost every road in the village centre was now congested with parked vehicles. The problem increased every time there was a diversion from the A.30. Over the course of several years, many attempts had been made by the Parish Council to ease the congestion, suggestions for yellow lines, one way systems and use of the Workingmen's Club Car Park had not been successful. Councillors agreed to discuss the problems further when meeting with County Highway officers in October. A report was also received that the Paper Bank in Robartes Road Car Park had been the source of a fire early one morning for the second time in two weeks. Restormel had removed the Bank for cleaning and it was not certain that it would be returned.
Mr.Higman and Mrs. Salmon reported on work undertaken at Restormel Borough Council and advised that following a meeting with Restormel Planning Department, County Highway officers and Mr. Nance it was possible that part of the boundary wall at Mr. Nance's premises would be removed to assist with the construct on the footway on the opposite side of the road. Mr. Higman also confirmed that County Council Transportation Department would consider a scheme of traffic calming measures for Whitegate Meadows, but would require consultation with the Parish Council before any definite proposals were made.
An approach had been made to the Chief Fire Officer about the future of the old Fire Station once the new building on Hendra Downs was in operation. It was possible that the building might be available for some form of community use. Further information was awaited.
Clerk read a letter from the Clay Parishes Committee requesting a donation from the Parish Council towards the cost of transport for a tour of the Avonmouth plant which has an alternative solution to mass-burn incineration All the Clay Parishes had received a similar letter together with an invitation to all Councillors to take part in the tour. Council agreed a donation of £60. A letter had also been received from the Jubilee Committee with a request for help to provide a Celebration Afternoon on 3rd June 2002, and the Council was also able to agree a donation of £600 to assist with the costs involved. Further information on the form of the celebrations will be available over the next few months when finalised.
Some months ago the Parish Council had put forward suggestions that a Teenage Shelter should be provided for the young people who use the Playing Fields. There had been some opposition from local residents to the site chosen by the youngsters and an alternative site had been sought by the Playing Field Committee. A further meeting was now being arranged with the young people involved to obtain their views on the new site.
The Clerk was asked to contact County Highways about the possible signing at Enniscaven to divert h.g.v. from using Beacon Terrace, diversion signs at Dommellick Corner were required to prevent motorists driving into the "dead end" at Hall Road, and possible use of bollards at Trelavour to prevent vehicles parking when A.30 diversion caused h.g.v. and holiday traffic to use the area.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m. The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 2nd October at 7 p.m. when there will be the possibility of members of the public viewing the provisional scheme to provide a footway in Hendra Road.
The October meeting of the Parish Council was preceded by an informal presentation to the Council of the latest draft consultation plan to establish a footway in Hendra Road.
Parish Chairman, Fred Greenslade, welcomed two officers from the County Council and invited them to introduce the revised plan for Hendra Road. The Chairman commented that the Parish Council welcomed this initiative and was sure that the residents in the area concerned would welcome a footway which has long been awaited. The proposed footway would run from Jubilee Terrace to Park Mount and included two "build-outs" which would effectively reduce the carriage way to single lane for a short distance to decrease traffic speed. The footway was first agreed in 1932, when the first piece of land was acquired and originally it was intended to provide a footway on both sides of the road. Over the last 10 years the Parish Council have been campaigning vigorously but have been informed continually by the County Council that cost of construction was prohibitive. The general feeling of Councillors was that other areas seem to have schemes approved yet St.Dennis was still waiting for their promised footway.
Councillors were generally supportive of the scheme but were concerned about the traffic calming measures. Because of the importance of the scheme to local residents, County Council officers agreed to an "open day" to enable residents to view the proposed scheme and when organised, this would be well advertised. It must be emphasised that the scheme is at the consultation stage and has yet to be approved by the appropriate departments/committees at the County Council.
The formal meeting of the Council then opened at 7.15 p.m. when Constable Lenton distributed crime figures for the month. Mrs. Salmon, as District Councillor, presented a report on work undertaken during the preceding month and Councillors reported on their attendance at meetings of bodies such as Clay Parishes Committee, Jubilee Committee and the Hendra Pit project.
No members of the public were present, but the Chairman put forward a query from a parishioner who was concerned by the lack of separate waste collection at the doorstep by Restormel. It was agreed to write a letter of concern as to why more emphasis was not placed on doorstep recycling in our Parish.
The Parish Council had made some preliminary enquiries about the use of the Old Fire Station in Robartes Road when it became obsolete and had been advised that if it was surplus to County Council requirements, it would be placed on the open market. Councillors felt that it might be possible to use the premises for a community project and would pursue the matter with the County Council.
Mr.Greenslade reported that additional boundary fencing had been erected in the Playing Field statisfactorily and had contacted the adjoining land owner who also approved of the work carried out. It was hoped to landscape and plant up the surrounding area.
Councillors were also advised that the application for a Modification Order to include the footpath at Hendra Cross Roads on the Definitive Footpath Map would go before the Modifications Panel on the 18th October, and that the Council would receive a copy of the report prior to the meeting.
Having received a letter from the Clay Parishes Committee asking for support for the letter sent to the Restormel Cabinet member for the Environment on recycling issues, Councillors were pleased to agree to this request. Members were also advise that the Clay Parishes Committee had organised a coach tour to Compact Power at Avonmouth on the 18th October to view the alternative method to mass-burn incineration. The Clerk was also pleased to advise that at the Area Committee 2 meeting on 1st October, the Parish Council request for additional lighting in the Robartes Road Car Park had been acknowledged and a cost effective e scheme was being devised by Restormel officers.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.
The November meeting of St.Dennis Parish Council took place on Tuesday 6th and following confirmation of the Minutes of the last meeting, Constable Lenton's report on policing was relayed to the members, in his absence. There was a long and serious discussion on the continuing problem with anti-social behaviour by young people throughout the village. Of particular concern was the harassment of residents of the O.A.P. bungalows and flats on the local housing estate, and problems experienced by many residents during Halloween evening with a resulting mess of eggs and flour deposited on many of the streets.
At the October meeting of the Council, officers from Cornwall County Council had made a presentation to members on the proposals for the provision of a footway in Hendra Road. This project had been started in 1932, when the first piece of land had been purchased. It was now expected to cost approximately £290,000 and following Council's approval of the draft plan, this document would now go through the usual internal processes before being approved by the full County Council. Because of the importance to local residents of this footway, Councillors had requested that the officers make the plans available to members of the public and it had been arranged for officers to be present at ClayTAWC on Tuesday 4th December, between 4 and 7 p.m. when residents could view the plan and make comments and observations.
Mr. Higman in his capacity as County Councillor was able to confirm that the Modification Panel at County Hall had agreed to include the footpath across Hendra Downs on the definitive map and that there was now a period of 42 days for objections before the Order became official. With reference to the County Community Charge next year, Mr. Higman advised that preliminary estimates indicated that this was likely to increase by 5/6%. Mrs. Salmon reported on work at the District Council and confirmed that the Planning Department now had a full complement of officers and administrative staff, and that with a new computer coming "on line" in April, targets should be reached.
Council were pleased to hear that following the China Clay Area Committee meeting in October, members request for additional lighting in Robartes Road Car Park had been acknowledged and estimates were awaited by Restormel for the provision of a floodlight on the existing pole.
With the completion of a new Fire Station in St.Dennis scheduled for November 2002, the Parish Council had been making enquiries about the possibility of using the redundant building in Robartes Road for some form of community use aimed mainly at the young people of the parish. Enquiries were currently being made about possible cost of purchase, methods of obtaining funding etc. Councillors would be very pleased to hear from any residents who have any ideas or suggestions for projects and who would be willing to help with setting up such a project. Please contact any Councillor or the Clerk.
For many months the watercourse which runs through the main street and down through Hendra Prazey had been the cause of concern, particularly in periods of heavy rain. Clerk was pleased to advise that contact had been made with Railtrack, South West Water, Environment Agency and Restormel and work to improve the area was expected to start within the next two/three months.
Following representations from many local residents about the use of Hendra Pit for community water sports, the Parish Council felt that this project was so important to the community that they would arrange meeting of all the parties currently involved with the running of the project to discuss the future for the communities of St.Dennis, St.Stephens and Roche.
Council had been successful in obtaining funding towards the purchase of a "teenage shelter" which would be erected in the Playing Fields. Following talks with many of the young people, they had selected the type of shelter they wanted and the site for the shelter. The Community Fund had provided £1,000 towards the cost of the building and it was hoped that it would be erected and useable within the next three months. This would be the first of its kind in Cornwall, and a great amount of interest in the project had been shown by other Councils and voluntary organisations .
Councillors would also attend the Pre-Inquiry meeting on the Draft Local Waste Management Plan which would take place at County Hall on 14th November. Mr. King had attended a visit to the Avonmouth plant of a local company who were presenting an alternative method of waste disposal to mass-burn incineration. The visit had been organised by the Clay Parishes Committee and some 33 representatives from local Parish Councils, District and County Councils had attended.
Other items discussed at the meeting included renovation to seats in the Cemetery and Playing Field, together with maintenance work in the Cemetery, response to County Councils request for comments on the new mobile library provision in the parish and a report on the Parish Liaison Meeting held at Restormel on 25th October. Councillors continued to be concerned at the lack of recycling facilities in the parish and requested that a further letter be written to the Cabinet Member for the Environment.
The meeting closed at 10.15 p.m,
J.E.S. November 20, 2001
The December meeting of the Parish Council opened slightly later than usual because officers from Cornwall County Council had been available since 4 p.m. to discuss with local residents the proposals for the footway in Hendra Road. Open afternoon had been arranged so that local people would have the opportunity of viewing the draft scheme and make comments before it was taken to the various Committees at the County Council.
Mr. Greenslade (Chairman) opened the meeting with seasons greetings and wishes for a healthy and active New Year for all the Parish Councillors. Following a report from Mr. Higman and Mrs. Salmon on their involvement at District Council level, Mr. Higman, as County Councillor for the area, provided details of the financial arrangements for the County Area Committees and the priority given to the Hendra Road scheme. It was currently fourth on the list of improvements and was scheduled to be carried out before the end of the current Local Transport Plan in 2005. It might be possible to bring the project forward if some of the schemes ahead, but which needed funding other than from the County Council, could not be undertaken.
The Parish Council had set its precept at a meeting on the 27th November, and the Clerk was able to advise that with the "double rating" grant provided by Restormel the Band D Council Tax was expected to be £23.49 next year, a rise of £2.30 on the parish rate.
Following a grant from the Rural Development Programme, it had been possible to obtain the Arena Teenage Shelter for installation in the Playing Fields, and it was anticipated that this would be carried out in the middle of December. Continuing with community projects, the Parish Council had organised a meeting to take place at the end of January of all the different groups who were involved in the Hendra Pit project, and inquiries were continuing into the possible use of the Old Fire Station in Robartes Road for a community initiative.
Several government documents had been received recently for consultation and discussion by Councillors and these included the changes to the electoral boundaries where St.Dennis would now be linked with Roche, St.Wenn and Whitemoor; possible application to become a "quality " Parish Council, a Code of Conduct for Councillors and a review of the County Structure Plan.
Following discussions on the Hendra Road scheme, the Parish Council had also been considering other traffic calming schemes for the village. The Urgent Business Committee had been charged with investigating several alternatives and bringing recommendations to the full Council. In view of the importance of these recommendations, Councillors requested that any decision be postponed until the next meeting to allow them sufficient time to review the suggestions.
A meeting of Devon & Cornwall Housing Association, Restormel Housing Trust, the local Restormel Community Safety Officer, local police and residents from the two Association properties had been organised by the Parish Council in an effort to overcome some of the behavioural problems which had been occurring. The result of the meeting was a proposal to form a new Tenants Association and a further meeting would be organised shortly.
As there would be no further meetings of the full Council until after the New Year, the Chairman wished everybody the compliments of the season and closed the meeting at 9.40 p.m.
J.E.S. December 12, 2001
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