Full Council Meeting

Agenda:

1. Mayor’s Welcome:
   i) Housekeeping – The Mayor to give advice on emergency procedures, exits, local hazards and locations of WCs, etc.
   ii) Diary Report from the Town Mayor
2. To Receive the Cornwall Councillor’s Divisional Report (for information only)
3. Public Forum
4. Report from Police, if available
5. To Record Apologies for Absence
6. To Note Members’ Declarations of Interests:
   i) Declarations of interests, in accordance with the Agenda
   ii) Declarations of gifts
7. To confirm the Minutes of the last Full Council Meeting, which was held on 20th January 2026 (copy enclosed)
8. Payment of Accounts: Members to approve payment of accounts to 20th January 2026
9. To Note PAYE Shortfall & Payment: Town Clerk
10. To Receive Internal Auditor’s Mini-Audit Report: Town Clerk
11. To Review Systems of Internal Financial Control: Town Clerk
12. To Consider the Following Policies & Procedures for Adoption:
    i) Equality & Diversity Policy
    ii) Risk Management Scheme & General Risk Assessment
    iii) Health & Safety Policy
    iv) Publication Scheme
    v) Risk Management Policy
    vi) Standing Orders
13. Planning Matters

• i) PA26/00208: Construction of a porch, proposed roof alterations & internal adjustments with associated works. Blackacre Bungalow, St
  Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6JA. Mr Peter Emery.
• ii) PA26/00266: Retrospective application for the replacement of windows and doors. 2A Fore Street, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6RH. Ms Maria
  Smyth.
• iii) PA26/00435: Variation of Condition 2 in respect of Decision Notice PA13/03113 dated 24th June 2013. Lacey Green, Rosevanion, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6DJ. Linda Kitto.
• iv) PA25/09446: Outline planning application for up to 29 dwellings, a day nursery for up to 80 children, public open space and internal estate roads. All matters reserved except access and Reserved Matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for Construction of 26 dwellings, a day nursery, public open spaces and internal estate roads following outline approval PA16/05308 dated 8
  March 2017 with variation of Condition 1 of decision notice PA16/05308 dated 08.03.2017 and Condition 1 of decision notice PA20/01716 dated 05.06.2024. Land North Of Dinas Road, Higher Bospolvans, St Columb Major, Cornwall. Mr Ellsmore.
• v) PA26/00008: Non material amendment in relation to decision notice PA11/00560 dated 28.04.2011: Amendments to Inverter Colour, Invertor Sizing, Transformer colouring, Transformer sizing. Trekenning Farm, Trekenning, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4JA. St Columb Solar Park, Ltd.

14. To Discuss Measures to Combat Dog Fouling: Town Mayor & Town Clerk
15. To Note Churchyard Wall Damage & Repair: Town Clerk
16. To Discuss St Columb-in-Bloom 2026 & Consider Grant Applications: Town Mayor & Town Clerk
17. To Consider Flag Flying Request: Town Clerk
18. Members’ Queries
19. Date of Next Full Council Meeting of the Council: 3rd March 2026 at 7pm
20. To consider the following resolution: that the Press and Public be excluded from the Meeting for the following items of business on the
    grounds that they involve 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)
21. To Discuss St Columb Major Association Football Club Lease Arrangements
22. To Discuss Car Parking Contractual Matters
23. To Discuss Accountancy Contractual Matters
24. To Discuss Administrative Staffing Recruitment & Salary
25. To Consider Town Clerk’s Contractual Arrangements

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 10th February 2026 at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllrs Scot Taylor (Mayor), Mrs T McLeod (Deputy Mayor), S Allen, S Anthony & R Jury.

In attendance: Mr J A Stuart (Town Clerk)

225/25 Mayor’s Welcome

The Mayor, Cllr Taylor, welcomed everyone to the Meeting.

i) 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:

“Good evening, everyone.

Since our last meeting, things have continued to move along
steadily.

I’ve been involved in a number of meetings and ongoing work
with the Clerk on day-to-day council matters and priorities,
and it’s been helpful to keep those conversations going and
ensure we remain focused on what needs to be done.

One of the issues that does seem to keep coming up is the dog
fouling within the town: this is why this issue has been put on
tonight’s agenda.

I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge formally that
the Clerk has now completed his CiLCA qualification. That is
a significant achievement in itself, but even more impressive,
given that it’s effectively a year’s worth of work completed in
just 80 days. I think that deserves real recognition, and I’d like
to ask Councillors to join me in giving him a well-deserved
round of applause.

Finally, I’d like to thank the Clerk, councillors, and staff for
their continued hard work and support. It really is appreciated.”

226/25 County Councillor’s Report

Councillor O’Connor had submitted his report to the Clerk. He highlighted:

• The 0% rise per household in the Town Council’s precept. He congratulated the Council for providing value for taxpayers’ money.
• Cllr O’Connor had become a member of Cornwall Council’s Standards Committee, and been involved in discussion concerning the Supreme Court judgement in the Tudor case.
• Cornwall Council had supported the right to trial by jury, and would be writing to the Prime Minister on the subject.
• Cllr O’Connor had spoken against the rise in business rates.
• His advance notice to Cornwall Council’s Leader had asked why London flights to and from Newquay Airport had such low occupancy. The comprehensive reply had culminated in the cancellation of Cornwall Council’s PSO contract with the Airport.
• Cllr O’Connor would be attending the next Airport Consultative Committee in March.
• The damaged traffic barrier in Fore Street had been replaced.
• Drains had been cleared in Trewan Hill.

227/25 Community Area Partnership Report

Cllr Anthony highlighted:

• CAP had sought assistance with policing problems and streetlighting complaints
• Cllr Anthony had sought a meeting about damage on the A3059
• Boardmasters had proposed an increase in the maximum noise permitted at the festival. Cllr O’Connor would make an oral representation on the matter, given that the proposed increase would represent a 70%-80% rise in volume.

228/25 Public Forum

There were no members of the public present.

229/25 Police Report

There was no police presence, but PC Dan Carthew had reported the following crime figures, for the period of 30 days to 8th February, via email:

Fraud x3
Dog dangerously out of control x2
Criminal Damage x4
Stalking/Harassment x7
Theft x6
Public Order x3
Sexual Offences x5
Assault x12

PC Carthew also reported that policing area boundaries had been adjusted, which Cllr Allen noted had increased the size of PCSO Parry’s area.

Members were concerned that the number and seriousness of alleged offences had increased.

230/25 Apologies for Absence

a) Cllr C Bonner, who had a work commitment.

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Bonner’s apology, and to approve the reason for it.

b) Cllr A Dickens, who had a work commitment.

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Dickens’ apology, and to approve the reason for it.
c) Cllr Mrs F Fuery, who had a family commitment.

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Mrs Fuery’s apology, and to approve the reason for it.

231/25 Members’ Declaration of Interests

i) Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Agenda:

None.

ii) Declarations of gifts:

None.

232/25 To confirm the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 20th January 2026

The Minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting, which was held on 20th January 2026, were presented by the Mayor.

Cllr Anthony proposed, Cllr Jury seconded, and it was resolved by a majority that the Minutes be accepted (Cllr Whetter had been absent from the meeting).

233/25 Payment of Accounts – Members to Approve the Payment of Accounts to 20th January 2026

Cllr Taylor presented the Accounts, paid up to 20th January 2026.

Cllr Whetter proposed, Cllr Anthony seconded, and it was resolved unanimously that the payment of accounts, to 20th January 2026, as well as the list of spending powers, be approved.

234/25 PAYE Shortfall & Payment

The Clerk reported that, following receipt of a letter from HMRC, he had instructed the Council’s accountants to pay an outstanding PAYE amount of £2,364.48, which had been paid from the surplus in the Thompson Jenner LLP salary account.

235/25 Interim Audit Report & Review of Internal Controls

The Mayor presented the report of the Interim Audit, which had been conducted by Mrs Linda Coles.

Mrs Coles had found no problems with the Council’s financial procedures. and congratulated the Council and the Town Clerk for their sound management.

Mrs Coles and the Clerk had reviewed the systems of internal control, which included:
• Dual signatory banking arrangements
• Timely and accurate bank reconciliations
• Submission of monthly Financial Statements to Council
• Adherence to Council’s Financial Regulations and Standing Orders
• Dual collection, counting and banking of car parking monies
• Correct legislative justification of spending

236/25 Policies & Procedures for Adoption

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, and it was resolved unanimously that the following policies, which had been drafted by the Clerk, be adopted:

• Risk Management Scheme & General Risk Assessment
• Health & Safety Policy
• Publication Scheme
• Risk Management Policy
• Standing Orders

237/25 Planning Applications

(i) PA26/00208: Construction of a porch, proposed roof alterations & internal adjustments with associated works. Blackacre Bungalow, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6JA. Mr Peter Emery.
There were no objections.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.
(ii) PA26/00266: Retrospective application for the replacement of windows and doors. 2A Fore Street, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6RH. Ms Maria Smyth.
Members were dismayed that the application sought permission for uPVC windows and associated installations in a conservation area.
Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, seconded by Cllr Whetter, and it was unanimously resolved to object to the application on the ground that replacement windows and frames should be like-for-like in a conservation area.
(iii) PA26/00435: Variation of Condition 2 in respect of Decision Notice PA13/03113 dated 24th June 2013. Lacey Green, Rosevanion, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6DJ. Linda Kitto.
There were no objections.
Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.
(iv) PA25/09446: Outline planning application for up to 29 dwellings, a day nursery for up to 80 children, public open space and internal estate roads. All matters reserved except access and Reserved Matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for Construction of 26 dwellings, a day nursery, public open spaces and internal estate roads following outline approval PA16/05308 dated 8 March 2017 with variation of Condition 1 of decision notice PA16/05308 dated 08.03.2017 and Condition 1 of decision notice PA20/01716 dated 05.06.2024. Land North Of Dinas Road, Higher Bospolvans, St Columb Major, Cornwall. Mr Ellsmore.
Cllrs Anthony, Jury and Taylor were concerned that the proposed development would greatly exacerbate the traffic and parking problems in Newquay Road, particularly at the end of the school day. In addition, Cllrs Jury and Mrs McLeod feared that the town’s infrastructure, especially the sewerage system and the GPs’ surgery, would not adequately support the development.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs McLeod, and it was resolved by a majority to object to the application.
(v) PA26/00008: Non material amendment in relation to decision notice PA11/00560 dated 28.04.2011: Amendments to Inverter Colour, Invertor Sizing, Transformer colouring, Transformer sizing. Trekenning Farm, Trekenning, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 4JA. St Columb Solar Park, Ltd.
There were no objections. Cllr Jury proposed, seconded by Cllr Allen, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.

238/25 Dog Fouling

Cllr Taylor reported that he and the Clerk had received complaints about the increasing amount of dog fouling throughout the parish. The Clerk noted that he had sought a meeting with the relevant Cornwall Council officers, and was seeking further information about warning signage, street cleansing and the training of Town Council staff for enforcement.

Cllr Taylor was concerned that Council staff members might face reprisals, if they were to be involved in enforcement.

Cllr Allen confirmed that a teacher at St Columb Major Academy was keen to involve some schoolchildren in the production of anti-dog fouling posters.

239/25 Churchyard Wall Damage & Repair

The Clerk reported that the recent inclement weather had caused an exposed part of the churchyard cob wall to collapse. He was investigating possible repairs, as well as the Diocesan and Cornwall Council permissions for them.

240/25 Flag Request

The Clerk reported that he had received a request from the Sunflowers and Choughs Club that the Council fly the Ukrainian flag on 24th February, the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Whilst members expressed great sympathy for Ukraine’s plight, Cllrs Jury, McLeod and Taylor considered that agreement to fly the flag would set a precedent for other requests, which might threaten the Council’s traditional non-political stance.

Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, seconded by Cllr Anthony, and it was resolved by a majority, with one abstention, that the request be denied.

241/25 Members’ Queries

a) Cllr Whetter asked that the electronic road speed signs be reprogrammed to the display the new 20mph limit. The Clerk would address the matter as soon as possible.

242/25 Closed Session

Cllr Jury proposed, seconded by Cllr Whetter, 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).

243/25 St Columb Major Association Football Club Lease Arrangements

Members agreed to invite representatives of the Football Club to an informal meeting in the Chamber on 25th February.

244/25 Car Parking Contractual Matters

The Clerk reported recent problems.

245/25 Accountancy Matters

The Clerk explained how the PAYE shortfall reported in Item 230/25 had occurred. He would be placing a report on file.

246/25 Administrative Staffing Recruitment & Salary

The initial remuneration offered to the successful applicant for the position of Administration Officer was unanimously agreed.

247/25 Town Clerk’s Contractual Arrangements

It was unanimously agreed to confirm the Clerk’s salary rise of one spinal column point, following his CiLCA success.

The Meeting closed at 8.45pm. Next Full Council Meeting: 3/03/26 at 7pm.

Dated: 3rd March 2026 Signed: S Taylor