Full Council Meeting

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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 3^rd March 2026 at 7.00pm.

 

Present:                    Cllrs Scot Taylor (Mayor), S Allen, S Anthony, A Dickens, Mrs F Fuery & R Jury.

 

In attendance:         Mr J A Stuart (Town Clerk)

 

 

248/25            Mayor’s Welcome

 

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

 

1. Housekeeping

 

The Mayor addressed Councillors, gave advice on emergency procedures, and asked that all mobile telephones be switched off or silenced.

 

1. ii)         Diary Report from the Mayor

                       

Cllr Taylor presented his report:

 

“Good evening, everyone.

 

Since our last meeting, I was pleased to attend the recent Hurling event. It was fantastic to see such strong community spirit on display and to witness the skill and sportsmanship shown on the day.

 

In particular, I would like to congratulate Marco Ciarleglio and Kaylup Johns on fantastic hurling. The commitment and talent shown were a credit to them and to our town.

I have also been meeting with a number of residents and local business owners to discuss their future plans and aspirations. These conversations are incredibly important. They give us insight into how we, as a council, can support sustainable growth, encourage investment, and ensure St Columb Major continues to thrive as a place to live and work.

 

As always, I remain committed to being accessible to and engaged with our community, and I look forward to continuing these discussions in the weeks ahead.”

 

 

249/25            County Councillor’s Report

 

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

 

• Cornwall Council’s Budget had been agreed by Full Council.
• He had received a briefing from the Cabinet Member for Transport on progress to fill potholes. January had been the wettest on record, which had created more potholes and hampered repairs.
• Cllr O’Connor continued to work on problems created by the nighttime switching-off of streetlighting. Discontent about the policy, which had been expressed in other Divisions, would feature on the agenda of the forthcoming Community Area Partnership meeting.
• He was pleased to learn that the Town Council’s recent meeting with St Columb Major Association Football Club had ended positively.
• Cllr O’Connor noted that he was serving on the following:

 

• Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Substitutes)
• Chief Officers Employment Committee
• Constitution and Governance Committee
• Cornwall Council
• Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Miscellaneous Licensing Committee (Substitutes)
• Standards Committee
• Urgent Driver/Operator/Vehicle Sub Committee (Substitutes)

 

 

250/25            Public Forum

 

Mr Ben Rundle spoke in favour of his planning application, PA26/00707 (Agenda item 8 (iii)).  He explained that babysitting and other family commitments required additional space.  In Mr Rundle’s view, the proposed ground floor, single-storey development would be in keeping with the rest of the property and the estate on which it was located.  In addition, the development would not result in a loss of light, would not overlook or otherwise affect neighbours, and would have no deleterious impact upon impact upon its environment or the landscape.

 

 

251/25            Police Report

 

There was no police presence, but PCSO Parry had reported the following crime figures, for the period of 30 days to 25^th February, via email:

 

Sexual offence

Section 47 violence

Criminal damage

Threatening behaviour

Theft of bicycle

Section 47 violence x 3

Fraud

Section 47 violence

Section 47 violence

Fraud

Illegal work scam

Sexual offence

Criminal damage

Theft: other

Section 47 violence

Harassment

Blackmail

Section 47 violence

Theft: other

Criminal damage: arson

 

 

252/25            Apologies for Absence

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Cllr Mrs McLeod, who had a family commitment.

 

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

 

1. Cllr Whetter, who had a family commitment.

 

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

 

 

253/25            Members’ Declaration of Interests

 

1. Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Agenda:

 

Mr Jeremy Stuart, the Town Clerk, declared an interest in Item 8 (iii): his friendship with Mr Ben Rundle, the applicant in PA26/0070, and their fellow membership of the Rotary Club of St Columb.

 

Mr Stuart would withdraw from the Chamber during discussion of that Item.

 

1. Declarations of gifts:

 

None.

 

254/25            To confirm the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 10^th February 2026

 

The Minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting, which was held on 10^th February 2026, were presented by the Mayor.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

255/25            Planning Applications

 

1. PA26/00620: Listed Building Consent for Internal Refurbishment, Replacement Windows & Associated Works. 1 Trevithick Cottages, Tregaswith Road, Trevithick, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4HX. Mr Simon Grant.

There were no objections.

Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.

• PA26/00619: Internal refurbishment, replacement windows and associated works. 1 Trevithick Cottages, Tregaswith Road, Trevithick, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4HX. Mr Simon Grant.

There were no objections.

Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.

• PA26/00707: Small rear extension to existing dwelling. 3 Applewood, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6GR. Mr Ben Rundle.

Mr Stuart withdrew from the Chamber.

There were no objections to the application.

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Anthony, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.

Mr Stuart returned to the Chamber.

• PA26/00983: Works to trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order, T10 – Copper Beech, reduce height and diameter of crown and G2 – Silver Birch, reduce overall height. Springfield House, Trekenning Road, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6RS.  Dr Richard Keedwell.

Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was resolved unanimously to support the determination of the Tree Officer.

 

 

 

256/25            Policies & Procedures for Adoption

 

Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to adopt the following policies, which had been drafted by the Clerk:

 

1. Equality & Diversity Policy
2. Statement of Internal Control

• Reserves Policy

1. Complaints Procedure
2. Vexatious Complaints & Demands Policy
3. Social Media Policy

• Grant Awarding Policy

 

 

257/25            Dog Fouling Update

 

The Clerk reported that the Dog Warden had attended and inspected the town.  She had provided notices for lamp posts, and would be increasing the frequency of patrols.

 

258/25            Streetlighting

 

Members and Cllr O’Connor spoke in disapproval of the switching off of streetlighting overnight: the policy made little cost saving; it was inconsistent, given the overnight lighting of other towns; it produced difficulties for emergency services; publicans had seen a reduction in the number of late-evening patrons; women had reported feeling unsafe; tripping and other accidents had occurred.

 

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was resolved unanimously that the Clerk prepare a community Facebook poll on the matter, in preparation for a public meeting, and that he liaise with Cllr O’Connor, who was mounting a campaign against Cornwall Council’s streetlighting policy.

 

259/25            Painting of Double Yellow Lines in Jenner Parc Junction

 

Members supported the Expression of Interest, which the Clerk had submitted to Cornwall Council, in the painting of yellow lines in the junction of Jenner Parc.  Cllr O’Connor had also supported the Expression of Interest.  Members, however, stressed that the Town Council should not pay for the proposed installation, and that Cornwall Council should enforce the proposed restriction.

 

Cllr Taylor proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs Fuery, and it was resolved unanimously that the proposal to paint double yellow lines in the junction of Jenner Parc be supported.

 

260/25            Quotations for St Columb-in-Bloom 2026

 

                        The Clerk presented three unnamed quotations for the project.

 

Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to accept the cheapest quotation of £3,656.20 plus VAT, which the Clerk then revealed had been submitted by Hay Nurseries (Cornwall), Limited.

 

261/25            Electricity Supplier Contract

 

Cllr Tayor proposed, seconded by Cllr Allen, and it was resolved unanimously to accept the British Gas Lite electricity supply renewal offers, which had been negotiated by the Clerk.

 

 

262/25            Members’ Queries

 

1. Cllr Allen asked that his anticipated absences from several forthcoming meetings be discussed at the next Full Council Meeting.
2. Cllr Allen was concerned that emergency services had experienced difficulties in reaching Halveor Close, given inadequate signage. The Clerk would investigate the matter, and seek the advice of Helen Fincham, the Community Link Officer.
3. Cllr Mrs Fuery was alarmed by the potholes to the rear of the Co-op. The Clerk would investigate the matter.

 

263/25            Closed Session

                       

Cllr Allen proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, 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).

 

264/25            St Columb Major Association Football Club Lease Arrangements

 

The Mayor noted that the recent meeting with officers of the Football Club had ended very positively.  The Club would be able to serve refreshments at training sessions, matches and events.

Cllr Jury reported that she and Cllr Mrs McLeod had attended a Football Club meeting, at which Club members had been very welcoming.  Club members had suggested that the Pavillion might belong to the Club.  The Clerk would confirm the Town Council’s ownership of it.

 

 

265/25            Car Parking Contractual Matters

 

The Mayor reported continued problems.

 

It was resolved unanimously that the contract would be put out to tender at the appropriate time.

 

266/25            Oasis Centre Parking

 

It was resolved unanimously to allow the Oasis Centre to have permits for Wesley Place Car Park.

 

267/25            Staffing Salaries

 

Staff salaries and pensions were discussed, and it was agreed that expert Human Resources advice be sought.

 

 

 

The Meeting closed at 9pm.  Next Full Council Meeting: 17/03/26 at 7pm.

 

Dated:      17^th March 2026