Full Council Meeting
Meeting Summary
Meeting Minutes
ST COLUMB MAJOR TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of a Full Council Meeting of St Columb Major Town Council, held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, St Columb Major, on Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs Scot Taylor (Mayor), Mrs T McLeod (Deputy Mayor), S Allen, C Bonner, A Dickens, Mrs F Fuery & R Jury.
In attendance: Mr J A Stuart (Town Clerk), Cllr Rowland O’Connor (Cornwall Councillor) and four members of the public.
158/25 Mayor’s Welcome
The Mayor, Cllr Taylor, welcomed everyone to the Meeting.
- Housekeeping
The Mayor addressed Councillors, gave advice on emergency procedures, and asked that all mobile telephones be switched off or silenced.
- ii) Diary Report from the Mayor
Cllr Taylor presented his report:
“Since our last meeting, it’s been quite a busy time for me.
I had the joy of judging some brilliant pumpkin carvings, organised by St
Columb Financial Services. The standard was incredibly high, and it was
wonderful to see so much hidden talent in our community.
A particularly moving moment was the planting of two Millennium Yews in the churchyard, blessed by the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson. Knowing these trees are descended from yews from the time of Christ made the occasion feel truly special.
On 9 November, I had the honour of representing St Columb Major at our
Remembrance commemorations. Marching alongside local councillors, the Royal British Legion, the RAF, and many residents was a powerful reminder of the unity and gratitude that bind our community.
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Deputy Lieutenant Jackie Stanley — a truly lovely lady, who was a pleasure to have with us on the day.
Yesterday, I attended the planning committee for the coffee drive thru at County Hall, which we voted against a few months back. Cllr O’Conner and I raised all the points with them about the safety concerns this Council had with the planning application. However, they dismissed our concerns and voted to pass it.
Today, I attended County Hall again, to witness the planting of a Ginkgo Tree, which stems from a tree which was scorched and presumed dead due to the blast on Hiroshima. The tree was 1370 metres from the hypocentre, but in 1946 new buds emerged, and this is where this tree has come from.”
159/25 County Councillor’s Report
Councillor O’Connor had submitted his report to the Clerk. Cllr O’Connor drew attention to the following:
- His streetlighting casework. A member of the public had reported that an ambulance crew had been unable to find his property, and properly attend to the patient, given the insufficient lighting. Cllr O’Connor had raised the issue with Cornwall Council’s Leader, CEO and director of strategic services.
- He had spoken against the Trekenning drive-thru development application in Committee, but the application had nonetheless been passed.
- He would be on leave from 21st November to 8th
160/25 Public Forum
- Colan Parish Councillor John Fitter addressed the meeting, in his capacity as a resident of Bridge, St Columb Major.
- He noted the 40mph zone painted on the road, which Cornwall Council had promised to remove, was still in place.
- He asked that the 30 mph speed monitor at the bottom of the hill be turned around to face traffic coming down the hill.
- Charles Shazell, the Vice Chair of St Columb Major Association Football Club, was aggrieved that the Council, as the Club’s landlord, had not replied to recent emails.
161/25 Police Report
There was no police presence, but PC Dan Carthew had reported the following crime figures, for the period of 30 days to 13th November, via email:
Assault x7
Theft x3
Criminal Damage x6
Sexual Offence x1
Drugs x2
Drink Drive x1
Fraud x1
162/25 Apologies for Absence
Cllrs A Anthony & S Whetter (ill health).
163/25 Members’ Declaration of Interests
- Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Agenda:
- Cllr Allen declared an interest in Item 9 (ii): a close acquaintance had submitted PA25/08038. He would withdraw from the Chamber during discussion of, and voting on, the item.
- Cllr Dickens declared an interest in Item 8: one of the payments to be approved had been paid to his son. He would withdraw from the Chamber during discussion of, and voting on, the item.
- Declarations of gifts:
None.
164/25 To confirm the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 21st October 2025
The Minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting, which was held on 21st October 2025, were presented by the Mayor.
Cllr Allen proposed, Cllr Jury seconded, and it was RESOLVED by a majority that the Minutes be accepted (Cllr Whetter had been absent from the meeting).
165/25 Payment of Accounts – Members to Approve the Payment of Accounts to 20th October 2025
Cllr Dickens withdrew from the Chamber.
Cllr Taylor presented the Accounts, paid up to 20th October 2025.
Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, Cllr Bonner seconded, and it was RESOLVED unanimously that the payment of accounts, to 20th October 2025, as well as the list of spending powers, be approved.
Cllr Dickens returned to the Chamber.
166/25 Planning Matters
- PA25/07598: ‘Demolition of dwelling, storage building and removal of mobile home and the erection of two separate replacement dwellings with a detached garage together with associated works’ with variation of condition 2 of Decision Notice PA22/09300 dated 30/11/2022. Pentrieve, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6JA. Mr and Mrs J Grigg.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Bonner, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
- PA25/07575: Listed Building Consent for the removal of pebble dash ( before it was listed ) and reinstate the natural stonework repointed with lime mortar. 15 Bank Street, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6AT. Mr Scott Parsons. Mr Peter Dickens.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Mrs Fuery proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
- PA25/07211: Hybrid application for two dwellings Full consent for the proposed construction of one self-build/custom dwelling – Plot 1 and Outline consent for one self-build/custom build dwelling, with access, scale and layout to be considered – Plot 2 (other matters to be reserved for future consideration). Land To the west of Bluebell Cottage, Tregaswith Road, Tregaswith, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4HZ. Mr And Mrs Brenton.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Mrs Fuery proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
- PA25/08038: Proposed change of use of land from agricultural use to domestic curtilage. Trugo Farm Cottage, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4LX. Mr & Mrs A Phillips.
Cllr Allen withdrew from the Chamber.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Bonner proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
Cllr Allen returned to the Chamber.
- PA25/07946: Advertisement Consent to re-brand entrance monument sign and for the letters to be internally illuminated. Pall (Newquay) Ltd, St Columb Major Industrial Estate, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6TT. Mr Jon Payne.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Allen, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
- PA25/07363: Remove a garage building to provide additional parking area. 25 Fore Street, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6RH. Mr Graham Jones.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
- PA25/08475: Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for Existing Use for use of the property as sole residence without agricultural connection. Tredonne, Ruthvoes, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6HS. Mrs Lynne Lenton.
No objections were raised.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to support the application.
167/25 Draft Budget Discussion
The Clerk explained that he would be placing a draft Budget, which would be based, in part, upon the Second Quarter budget monitoring document, before Council at the next meeting. He planned to suggest a below-inflation rise in the precept, given the increased tax base.
168/25 Health & Safety Update
The Clerk reported the following:
- He and the handyperson had passed their certificated working at heights training.
- The handyperson had passed his certificated strimmer & brush cutter
- Council’s Health and Safety contractor had undertaken more inspections and produced the appropriate risk assessments.
169/25 Quotations for Asbestos Surveys
The Clerk regretted to report that he had only received one quotation. He would thus seek additional quotations.
170/25 Water Testing Risk Assessment Quotations
The Clerk reported that only one quotation for the urgently required Legionella control risk assessment inspections had been forthcoming.
Council was content, given its Financial Regulations and the urgency of the matter, to vote on one quotation.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Bonner, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the quotation of £1,775 ex VAT from Reef Water Solutions Ltd, for testing and assessment of all Council buildings.
171/25 Football Club Heaters & Cable Snorkel
The Mayor explained that only one of three proposed heaters in the Football Club would be installed using the Cornwall Council Community Fund Grant, at a cost of £1,110 ex VAT.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to allow the heater to be fitted.
The Club no longer required a cabling snorkel.
172/25 Cemetery Bench
The Clerk reported that the family of the late David Crewes, a former Town Mayor, wished to install a bench in memory of Mr Crewes at the back of the new section of the cemetery, adjacent to his grave.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to allow the installation of such a bench, in principle. The Clerk would investigate the relevant burial ground regulations.
173/25 Allotments Paths
The Mayor and the Clerk explained that they had received a request from several allotment plot holders that a number of plots be expanded to include unused paths.
It was agreed that the opinions of all plot holders be canvassed on the matter.
174/25 Training & Development Policy
The Clerk noted that the Council lacked a Training & Development Policy, which, as his CiLCA training had emphasised, it ought to have. He presented a draft Policy.
Cllr Talor proposed, seconded by Cllr Bonner, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to adopt the Training & Development Policy.
175/25 Website Rebuild
The Clerk explained that SeaDog IT, the Council’s website provider, had developed a site upgrade, which would enable staff to update the website easily, and would ensure compliance with Assertion 10 of the Practioners’ guide. SeaDog IT had quoted £2,450 ex VAT for the rebuild.
Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the quotation.
176/25 Bridge Hill Speed Limit
The Clerk reported that he had sought a meeting with the relevant Cornwall Council official. Cllr O’Connor would attend the meeting.
177/25 Any Other Business
- Cllr Mrs Fuery complained that the pavement adjacent to the pharmacy was dangerously uneven. The Clerk would investigate the matter.
178/25 Closed Session
Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was RESOLVED unanimously that the Press and Public be excluded from the Meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (as Extended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972).
179/25 Car Parking Contractual Arrangements
The Clerk made members aware of recent PCN problems.
The Meeting closed at 8.10pm. Next Full Council Meeting: 2/12/25 at 7pm.
Dated: 2nd December 2025 Signed: