FRP Minutes
Tom Rouncefield
Broadwater
Restronguet Point
Feock
Truro
Cornwall TR3 6RB
Tel: 01872 862751
email address
<tarouncefield@yahoo.co.uk>
Committee Meeting on 19 January 2012 at 6.45pm at Providence
Present: Derek Reed (DR), John Brock (JB), Wendy Gladwyn (WG), Jonathan
Dean (JD), Alan Brownscombe (AB), Tom Rouncefield (TR).
Apologies: There were no absentees.
1. Minutes of the Meeting on 17 November 2011
The minutes were read and then approved.
2. Matters Arising
It was decided to deal with these where the topics arose in the present agenda.
3. Speeding
On 1 January the Chairman wrote a letter to County Councillor Jim Currie to make our case for speed control on The Point. This was based on the Speeding Survey as presented in the appendix of the minutes of 6 October 2011. He has not yet received a reply.
4. Membership Secretary’s Report
AB reported that the number of subscriptions he had received for the present year
was now 33. A new member was Dr Preston of Trelyspen.
DR informed the Committee that he had been visiting residences along The Point and as a result had ten £5.00 subscriptions to hand over to AB. He felt, however, that a Standing Order arrangement for payment would be preferable. JD said that if AB made a draft of a suitable letter, he was willing to distribute it to the membership. The matter was discussed and it was decided to introduce this option next year.
5. Treasurer’s Report
AB reported that the balance at the bank was £739.38 and with the £50.00 of subscriptions recently collected by DR, the total would become £789.38.
6. Planning Applications
Since the last Committee meeting there have been four planning applications that
would affect Restronguet Point:
- Trenhayle PA11/09918 Application to fell one pine tree, crown-lift a turkey oak
and other tree work.
- Bodelvan PA12/10495 Construction of a timber conservatory on a new brick plinth.
- The Anchorage PA12/10974 Demolition of carport and construction of a new garage. A new timber gate to front boundary and a new external oil tank.
- Overstrand PA12/00177 A second application to remove a red cedar tree
subject to an existing TPO.
JB informed the Committee that Mr Chilcott of Overstrand had employed a firm of tree
consultants to inspect the red cedar and they had discovered the presence of disease.
It was on this basis that a second application for its removal was being made.
The new frontage with a new timber gate at The Anchorage was discussed and considered to be in keeping with the existing environment. The illustration of the frontage is included in the appendix to the minutes.
7. The Website
The Committee expressed the hope that John Crowther was making a good recovery
after his recent major surgery.
8. Social Events
- The Christmas Dinner at Trelissick Barn. This was attended by 36 residents. The
Chairman said he would write a letter to Patsy Mansfield, Fenella Dobson and Rosemary Bassett to thank them for the time and trouble they took in organising this successful occasion. .
- The Summer Barbecue. This was proposed to alternate with the Christmas Dinner which has been a biennial event. The date, probably a Sunday lunchtime in July or August, would have to be chosen with care so as not to clash with a half term holiday or with Falmouth Week. The last occasion at Providence was very enjoyable and DR offered to put a barbecue on at Predeaux House this summer if he had help with barbecue equipment.
- The AGM in October. The Chairman returned to the kind offer made by WG to use her house for the next AGM. The change in location was suggested because of the small numbers at this event and not because of any lack of provision at the Church Hall. Another change was also discussed. It was suggested that there would be no invited speaker because people liked to use the opportunity to chat with their neighbours. Nibbles and drinks, funded by The Friends, would be available. A decision about these suggestions would need to be made by September when notices for the next AGM will be sent out.
9. AOB
There was no other business.
10. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 6.45pm on Thursday 1 March at Broadwater. The meeting ended at 8.20pm. David and Wendy were thanked for their hospitality.
Tom Rouncefield
15 February 2012
Appendix
Extract from PA11/10974 The Anchorage, Restronguet Point
A new screening hedge of Griselina Littoralis (a type of New Zealand privet) is to be
planted on an earth and stone front wall to the left of the gate.
Committee Meeting on 19 January 2012 at 6.45pm at Providence
Present: Derek Reed (DR), John Brock (JB), Wendy Gladwyn (WG), Jonathan
Dean (JD), Alan Brownscombe (AB), Tom Rouncefield (TR).
Apologies: There were no absentees.
1. Minutes of the Meeting on 17 November 2011
The minutes were read and then approved.
2. Matters Arising
It was decided to deal with these where the topics arose in the present agenda.
3. Speeding
On 1 January the Chairman wrote a letter to County Councillor Jim Currie to make our case for speed control on The Point. This was based on the Speeding Survey as presented in the appendix of the minutes of 6 October 2011. He has not yet received a reply.
4. Membership Secretary’s Report
AB reported that the number of subscriptions he had received for the present year
was now 33. A new member was Dr Preston of Trelyspen.
DR informed the Committee that he had been visiting residences along The Point and as a result had ten £5.00 subscriptions to hand over to AB. He felt, however, that a Standing Order arrangement for payment would be preferable. JD said that if AB made a draft of a suitable letter, he was willing to distribute it to the membership. The matter was discussed and it was decided to introduce this option next year.
5. Treasurer’s Report
AB reported that the balance at the bank was £739.38 and with the £50.00 of subscriptions recently collected by DR, the total would become £789.38.
6. Planning Applications
Since the last Committee meeting there have been four planning applications that
would affect Restronguet Point:
- Trenhayle PA11/09918 Application to fell one pine tree, crown-lift a turkey oak
and other tree work.
- Bodelvan PA12/10495 Construction of a timber conservatory on a new brick plinth.
- The Anchorage PA12/10974 Demolition of carport and construction of a new garage. A new timber gate to front boundary and a new external oil tank.
- Overstrand PA12/00177 A second application to remove a red cedar tree
subject to an existing TPO.
JB informed the Committee that Mr Chilcott of Overstrand had employed a firm of tree
consultants to inspect the red cedar and they had discovered the presence of disease.
It was on this basis that a second application for its removal was being made.
The new frontage with a new timber gate at The Anchorage was discussed and considered to be in keeping with the existing environment. The illustration of the frontage is included in the appendix to the minutes.
7. The Website
The Committee expressed the hope that John Crowther was making a good recovery
after his recent major surgery.
8. Social Events
- The Christmas Dinner at Trelissick Barn. This was attended by 36 residents. The
Chairman said he would write a letter to Patsy Mansfield, Fenella Dobson and Rosemary Bassett to thank them for the time and trouble they took in organising this successful occasion. .
- The Summer Barbecue. This was proposed to alternate with the Christmas Dinner which has been a biennial event. The date, probably a Sunday lunchtime in July or August, would have to be chosen with care so as not to clash with a half term holiday or with Falmouth Week. The last occasion at Providence was very enjoyable and DR offered to put a barbecue on at Predeaux House this summer if he had help with barbecue equipment.
- The AGM in October. The Chairman returned to the kind offer made by WG to use her house for the next AGM. The change in location was suggested because of the small numbers at this event and not because of any lack of provision at the Church Hall. Another change was also discussed. It was suggested that there would be no invited speaker because people liked to use the opportunity to chat with their neighbours. Nibbles and drinks, funded by The Friends, would be available. A decision about these suggestions would need to be made by September when notices for the next AGM will be sent out.
9. AOB
There was no other business.
10. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 6.45pm on Thursday 1 March at Broadwater. The meeting ended at 8.20pm. David and Wendy were thanked for their hospitality.
Tom Rouncefield
15 February 2012
Appendix
Extract from PA11/10974 The Anchorage, Restronguet Point
A new screening hedge of Griselina Littoralis (a type of New Zealand privet) is to be
planted on an earth and stone front wall to the left of the gate.
Committee Meeting on 17 November 2011 at 6.45pm at Predeaux House
Present: Derek Reed (DR), John Brock (JB), Wendy Gladwyn (WG), Jonathan
Dean (JD), Alan Brownscombe (AB), Tom Rouncefield (TR).
Apologies: There were no absentees.
1. Minutes of the Meeting on 6 October 2011
The minutes were read and then approved.
2. Matters Arising
(1) Portscatho Meeting
Committee members did not attend the meeting but shared the concern about government proposals to oversimplify planning laws. JB commented that the Feock Neighbourhood Plan would be focusing on the planning process and would be receiving a grant from central government via Cornwall Council to fund staff time, printing and expert opinion. Feock parishioners will be invited to participate in the consultations.
(2) Speeding Survey Results
The Committee decided to consider the speeding survey results under Any Other Business (Item 10).
3. Comment on the AGM
Twenty people attended the AGM. The speaker was Captain Andy Brigden who gave an interesting talk on his new post as maritime manager for Cornwall Council. His role involved oversight of all the Council’s ports, beach safety, boat licensing and liaison with other harbour authorities.
With regard to the low number of residents attending, it was pointed out that the AGM date in the last week of October clashed with the schools’ half term holiday. A suggestion was made that an AGM held in a suitably large room in a resident’s house may be a more attractive venue.
WG commented that she held the AGM of the Flower Arranging Club in a large room in her house and was willing to do the same for the Friends. She suggested a week early in October and not a Friday but a Thursday and would be willing to organise the food with the cost to the FRP. The Chairman thanked her for her generous offer and said that the Committee would remember this when planning the next AGM.
4. Membership Secretary’s Report
AB provided the Committee with a list of all residents with the record of subscriptions paid during the last four years. The number paid up for the present year beginning 1 November 2011 was 21. AB also provided a further list of those who paid last year but have yet to pay (18) and those who paid in earlier years but not in 2010/2011 (13).
DR thanked the Membership Secretary for this preparation and hoped that the Committee would encourage residents to give their support to the Friends.
5. Treasurer’s Report
AB reported that with the income of subscriptions paid at the AGM and outgoings of payment for the printing for the AGM, the hire of the Church Hall and the £40 donation to the speaker’s chosen charity, the balance at the bank was £719.38.
6. Planning Applications
There have been no new planning applications in the last six weeks. The application for a new dwelling to be built on the site of Harbour Light has been approved. The demolition of this noteworthy house, having been at the centre of John Harding’s book “A Child’s War in Cornwall”, will commence in a few days time.
The application for tree removal and garden development at Overstrand has been rejected. Though the plans to renew the grass verge along the remainder of the western boundary with the inclusion of replacement tree planting along the inside of the boundary was viewed with favour by FRP, the Cornwall Council Planning Committee
did not like the proposals for the eastern waterside boundary which they described as
“too urban”.
7. Website and Design Statement
The Chairman recalled that a lot of work went into the production of the Design Statement several years ago and wondered if its findings would be made use of by present day authorities. JB, speaking on behalf of the Parish Council, said that he felt sure that its recommendations would be taken note of when future plans for the parish were being considered.
Considering the website, the Secretary reported that John Crowther had been experiencing problems in putting the FRP minutes on-line, having trouble with disruption
of layout and loss of text. He has decided to remove the minutes and has posted a notice saying that copies of the minutes may be obtained from the Hon Secretary and has given the name and address and telephone number and email address for TR.
The Chairman expressed the hope that this was only a temporary expedient.
8. Social Events
The Committee was pleased to learn that the three lady organisers of the previous dinner for residents have agreed to organise a Candlelit Supper at the Trelissick Barn on Friday 2 December, 7 for 7.30pm. Menus have already been made available.
9. Planning Procedures
Many residents, the Chairman said, had remarked how inappropriate the gates to Trenhayle were, as were the manicured walls either side which had replaced the original Cornish stone hedges. Permission was granted by the Planning Committee on the basis of a written description only, which sparsely mentioned a granite stone hedge and an electrically controlled metal gate. There was no visual indication of what was intended. What was needed was a policy guideline dealing with new frontages to redeveloped properties. JB said he would raise this at the Parish Office. DR thought that he and JD might also put some ideas together.
10. AOB
Speeding Survey Results
The Chairman said that he was writing a letter to County Councillor Jim Currie to make his case as presented in the previous appendix.
TR added the comment that whatever value was finally allotted to the speed limit sign,
the sign itself should be moved to a more visible position and not be left where it presently is, obscured to southbound traffic behind a telegraph pole.
11. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 6.45pm on 19 January at Providence. The meeting ended at 8.40pm. Derek and Rosemary were thanked for their hospitality.
Tom Rouncefield
21 December 2011
Committee Meeting on 6 October 2011 at 6.45pm at Kelvin
Present: Derek Reed (DR), John Brock (JB), Jonathan Dean (JD), Alan Brownscombe (AB), Tom Rouncefield (TR).
Apologies: Wendy Gladwyn (WG).
1. Minutes of the Meeting on 25 August 2011
The minutes were read and a correction made. The minutes were then approved.
2. Matters Arising
Items requiring comment were already listed on the present agenda.
3. Newsletter and Speeding Survey Results
The Chairman had prepared a comprehensive newsletter covering the areas with which the Committee had been concerned during the past year. A topic in the newsletter requiring further consideration was the interpretation of the speeding survey results which had been received since the last meeting. After an extended discussion, the Committee accepted a summary produced by DR and JD which deduced that the results gave support for the introduction of a 20mph speed limit. This summary is appended to the minutes.
4. AGM Arrangements
It was agreed that the guest speaker, Captain Andy Brigden, should arrive at 8pm so that he does not have to wait too long for the formal business to be concluded before he gives his talk. As AB will be absent from the meeting, JD has agreed to take the role of Deputy Treasurer for the collection of subscriptions.
5. Membership Secretary’s Report
There has been no change. The membership total remains at 37 households.
6. Treasurer’s Report
There has been no change. The bank balance remains at £708.38.
7. Planning Applications
There have been no further planning applications during the last six weeks.
8. Website
The website is receiving an average of about 40 visits per week. The interest is global rather than local though the site continues to publish articles from the press of particular interest to those living in the neighbourhood. The Chairman remarked that articles from residents or other interested contributors would be very welcome.
9. Social Events
The Chairman has had a discussion with one of the three lady organ isers of the previous dinner for residents held in December 2008. It is hoped that a Candlelit Supper can be organised for December 2011.
10. Meeting at Portscatho
An article which appeared in the West Briton of 29 September was brought to the
attention of the Committee by the Chairman. There is to be a debate at Portscatho
Memorial Hall on 11 October at 7pm which will focus on protecting Cornwall’s coast and
countryside and how the community can influence planning policy. The Friends of
Pendower Beach group has invited the following speakers:
Matthew Taylor, former MP now Lord Taylor of Goss Moor.
Philip Mason, Cornwall Council head of service for planning and regeneration.
David Edmondson, Cornwall Council area chief planning officer.
June Crosland and Colette Holden from Cornwall AONB Partnership.
Michael Calder and Paul Walton of the National Trust.
Cornwall Councillor Julian German.
Truro and Falmouth MP Sarah Newton was also invited but is unable to attend.
The residents on The Roseland are concerned by government proposals to simplify planning laws. Brian Perman, a member of The Friends of Pendower Beach said:
“One recommendation is that planning departments and planning officers should in future favour development. Local communities which do not voice their opinions will be presumed to be in favour of development. The intention is to speed up the planning process, build more houses and boost the economy. If these changes go through, what will happen in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such as The Roseland, where the pressure for more development is intense?”
JB commented that Feock PC will be addressing similar concerns in its forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan. DR said he will be attending the Portscatho meeting in the coming week and encouraged other Committee members who were able to attend.
11. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 6.45pm on 17 November at Predeaux House. The meeting ended at 8.2Opm. Jonathan and Sally-Anne were thanked for their hospitality.
Tom Rouncefield
22 October 2011
Appendix to Minutes of 06-10-2011 Speeding
As you know we have been trying to persuade the authorities that we need a 20mph speed limit on Restronguet Point and Harcourt. The current speed limit of 30mph is too fast for a narrow country lane with many gates right up to the edge of the carriageway and a number of obscured entrances. Our survey of residents shows that the majority of residents agree and want a speed limit of 20mph.
The dissenters’ argument is not one of need. Their contention is that drivers generally ignore speed limit signs, the police do not have the resources to enforce and thus change will be expensive and futile.
Our contention is that drivers generally observe speed limit signs and consequently a 20 mph limit will be respected by the vast majority. This is supported by the results of a radar speed check on Restronguet Point in July of this year. It recorded, over a week, approximately 1000 vehicles in each direction. In summary, the findings were:
• Northbound, 84.3 % of vehicles kept within the 30mph limit, 15.7 % did not and 0.4 % exceeded 40mph,
• Southbound, 82.9 % kept within the speed limit, 17.1 % did not and 0.8 % exceeded 40mph.
We will discuss the results with Councillor Jim Currie, whose recommendation it was to carry out the speed check, to plan the next steps. We will also make the point that the detector was not sited well to monitor the fast downhill stretch of the road and secondly that drivers soon became aware of the speed check