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 21st July 2026 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs Mrs T McLeod (Deputy Mayor), S Anthony, A Dickens, R Jury & S Riley
In attendance: Mr J A Stuart (Town Clerk) & two members of the public.
92/26 Deputy Mayor’s Welcome
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mrs McLeod, noted that the Mayor was unable to attend the Meeting, welcomed everyone.
- Housekeeping
The Deputy 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 Mrs McLeod presented the Mayor’s report:
“Good evening, everyone.
I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my absence from
this evening’s meeting.
Unfortunately, owing to unforeseen family circumstances, I have
been unable to carry out my Mayoral duties over the past
couple of weeks.
As many of you will appreciate, there are times when family must take priority, and this has been one of those occasions.
I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor, fellow councillors, the
Town Clerk and council staff for their support, and for ensuring
that the work of the Council has continued during my absence.
I fully intend to return to my Mayoral duties following the
Summer Recess and look forward once again to representing
the Town Council and the residents of St Columb Major.
In the meantime, I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable
summer, and I look forward to seeing you all when the Council
reconvenes. ”
93/26 Public Forum
There were no comments made by members of the public.
94/26 Apologies for Absence
- Cllr Taylor, who had a family commitment.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Cllr Taylor’s apology, and to approve the reason for it.
- Cllr Mrs Fuery, who remained unwell.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Fuery’s apology, and to approve the reason for it.
- Cllr Allen, who was recovering from surgery.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously to accept Cllr Allen’s apology, and to approve the reason for it.
- Cornwall Councillor Rowland O’Connor, who was attending a meeting in Truro.
95/26 Members’ Declaration of Interests
- Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Agenda:
- Cllr Dickens declared an interest in Item 12: his son would be submitting a quotation to repair the Town Hall roof.
- Cllr Dickens declared an interest in Item 13: his son would be submitting a quotation for the restoration of the Town Hall clock tower.
Cllr Dickens would withdraw from the Chamber before the discussion of Items 12 and 13.
- Cllr Riley declared an interest in Item 8 (i): the applicant in PA26/04424 was a family friend.
Cllr Riley would withdraw from the Chamber before the discussion of Item 8 (i).
- Declarations of gifts:
None.
96/26 To confirm the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting Council held on 7th July 2026
The Minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting, which was held on 7th July 2026, were presented by the Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Dickens proposed, Cllr Riley seconded, and it was resolved unanimously that the Minutes be accepted as an accurate record of the
meeting.
97/26 Payment of a Biffa Waste Removal Invoice
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Riley, and it was resolved unanimously to pay a Biffa Waste Services Ltd invoice of £1,060.38 for general waste removal.
98/26 Planning Matters
- Planning Applications
- PA26/04423: The proposal comprises a two-storey extension to the northern end of the dwelling, with the first floor accommodated within the roof space. Ground floor: Enlargement of the existing lounge to create a more spacious family living area. Provision of an open car port providing vehicle manoeuvrability and sheltered parking. First floor: new internal staircase (within the rear of the extension) serving a new guest bedroom with wardrobe and recessed balcony. 5 Hill Crest Close, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6BP. Mr Pete Beaumont.
Cllr Riley withdrew from the Chamber.
There were no objections.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.
Cllr Riley returned to the Chamber.
- PA26/04551: Creation of new vehicle access and hardstanding to serve dwelling approved under PA25/09186. Land west of Park Aloe Farm, Talskiddy, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6EB. Ms Anne and Heather Bunn and Matthews.
There were no objections.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.
- PA26/04356: Change of use of paddock to a low-impact mixed use comprising a therapeutic wellbeing and cancer support space (The Phoenix Centre Cornwall) with associated occasional restorative short-stay accommodation within a moveable, no fixed foundation, canvas yurt. Land south and east of Shippon, Ruthvoes, St Columb Major, Cornwall, TR9 6HT. Miss Tanya Atkins.
There were no objections.
Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, seconded by Cllr Dickens, and it was resolved unanimously to support the application.
- Failure of Cornwall Council Planning Officers to Include St Columb Major Town Council in the 5-Day Protocol Consultation for PA23/10324, and to Consider a Letter of Complaint
The Clerk explained that, following the withdrawal of objections from Cornwall Airport and the RAF, the case officer responsible for the application was minded to pass it. The application was thus subject to a 5-Day Protocol consultation.
The Clerk reported, however, that St Columb Major Town Council, which had been a consultee for the application, and had objected to it, had been excluded from the 5-Day Protocol consultation. The reason given for the exclusion was that the proposed development was not within the parish boundary.
The Clerk thought the decision to exclude Council from the protocol consultation unacceptable, and noted that Cllrs Taylor and O’Connor thought similarly.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs McLeod, and it was resolved unanimously that the Clerk draft a letter of complaint to the responsible Cornwall Council officers. The letter would be circulated among councillors before its submission.
99/26 Car Parking Permit Availability and Charges for 2026-2027
Cllr Riley proposed, seconded by Cllr Anthony, and it was resolved unanimously that the number of Recreation Ground permits be increased to 50, and that the permit price for both car parks remain at £105 per annum.
100/26 Request for the Installation of a Cemetery Memorial Bench
Cllr Dickens proposed, seconded by Cllr Jury, and it was resolved unanimously that Mr Chris Masters be granted permission to install a bench in the Cemetery, in memory of his wife, Jean. Members agreed the make and size of the proposed bench, an image of which the Clerk had projected on to the Chamber screen.
Council also agreed the make and size of the bench proposed by Mrs Pat Crewes.
101/26 Update on the Town Hall Front Windows
The Clerk reported that, following an additional inspection, it seemed prudent not to undertake interim repairs and painting of the windows, given the cost of scaffolding. Rather, it would be more cost-effective to have the windows replaced the following year or the year after that. Members agreed.
102/26 Update on the Town Hall Roof Repair
Cllr Dickens withdrew from Chamber.
The Clerk reported that he had received an oral estimate of less than £4,000 for the required works, and explained that, given Council’s Financial regulations, quotations for the work could be sought, rather than tenders invited. SLCC advisers had confirmed that this was, indeed, the case.
The works could thus be undertaken during the good weather of August.
Cornwall Council Planning had confirmed that the proposed works did not require planning or listed planning applications.
Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, seconded by Cllr Anthony, and it was resolved unanimously that, during the August recess, the power to accept a quotation for the roof works be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor and/or as many other councillors (except Cllr Dickens) as possible.
103/26 Renovation of the Town Hall Clock Tower
The Clerk reported that a former Mayor had noted that the clock tower was in need of refurbishment.
The Clerk had investigated, and Cornwall Council Planning had confirmed that the proposed renovation did not require planning or listed planning applications.
Cllr Anthony proposed, seconded by Cllr Mrs McLeod, and it was resolved unanimously that, during the August recess, the power to accept a quotation for clock tower works be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor and/or as many other councillors (except Cllr Dickens) as possible.
Cllr Dickens returned to the Chamber.
104/26 Rise in Electricity Costs
The Clerk explained that he had received a letter from British Gas: from 3rd August, a levy and an additional network cost would be added to the Library electricity bill. British Gas estimated that the additional costs would amount to £17.52 per month.
105/26 Members’ Queries
- Cllr Riley wondered if solar panels could be installed on the roofs of Council assets. The Clerk would investigate the matter.
- The Clerk reported that the work experience week with two students from Treviglas Academy had gone well.
- The Clerk noted that the Administrative Officer would shortly begin her ILCA training.
- The Clerk gave an update on requested Cornwall Council Highways works:
- 20mph repeater signage had been erected at the bottom of Bridge Hill/Trewan Hill.
- The 20mph zone along Newquay Road would not be extended.
- Highways was “looking at” the installation of a singular “Unsuitable for HGVs” sign at one end of West Street, “subject to available funding and resource”, before the end of financial year.
106/26 Closed Session
Cllr Mrs McLeod proposed, seconded by Cllr Anthony, and it was resolved unanimously that the press and public be excluded from the Meeting for the following items 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).
107/26 Grass Cutting Contractual Matters
The Clerk reported that he had met Mr Kieran Bignell to discuss areas of public concern, which had subsequently been addressed.
108/26 St Columb Major AFC’s Lease Arrangements
Members discussed the implications of when the Club’s utility bills had been paid. The Clerk had sought legal advice, which he had yet to receive.
The Meeting closed at 8.25pm. Next Full Council Meeting: 01/09/26 at 7pm.
Dated: 1st September 2026 Signed: