Minutes of Meetings

TRURO CIVIC SOCIETY

 

www.trurocivicsociety.btik.com

 

 

MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD AT

 

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS ON

 

WEDNESDAY 29th OCTOBER 2008 AT 7.00pm

 

 

PRESENT:      Bert Biscoe (In the Chair)                  Caroline Jones (Hon. Treas.)

 

                        John Crowther                                   Peter Blake

 

                        Reg Bowyer                                        Tony Herring

 

                        The Rt. Worshipful The Mayor of Truro Mrs Sue Callen

 

                        Olive Ball                                            Di Russell

 

                        Robert Robins                                     Neil Scott

 

                        Daphne Worraker                              Robin Holdaway

 

                        Bellanne Lethbridge (Hon. Sec)

 

 

APOLOGIES:                                    Michael & Jasmine Swift

 

                                                Peter & Susan Worne

 

                                                Richard Argall

 

Bert Biscoe opened the meeting by ratification of his appointment as short-term Chairman.  This was agreed unanimously, as was his appointment of John Crowther as his Deputy.

 

 

Minutes of the Meeting – 3^rd September 2008 – Approved  and signed.

 

 

Matters Arising:

 

Victoria Square

:  Peter Blake read a letter from Mr. Fish, following his complaint about the lack of tree planting/landscaping in the Square.  Mr. Fish maintained that at no point in the consultation process were trees proposed or indicated to be placed in

Victoria Square

, mainly because he thought there was a lack of depth because of the river underneath, and that the CCTV cameras would be obstructed, thus compromising safety.  He affirmed that seating was still being discussed, where some small scale planting might be included.  Peter Blake is convinced trees were on the original plan, and it was pointed out that the river only flows under a part of the Square – not the whole, and large planters, similar to those on Lemon Quay are also an option. 

 

 

Di Russell felt the whole Square was dangerous to pedestrians, with poor visibility of buses and cars using two different lanes, and that trees or foliage could compound the problem.

 

 

Bert Biscoe requested Peter Blake obtain a copy of the approved plan that was used from the County Surveyor and then a discussion be set up with the County Surveyor/Highways Department to talk about the Square, the general ‘greening up’ of the City and, the poor quality of the street furniture provided.  Peter Blake undertook to contact the County Surveyor for the Plan, and thereafter he and Bert Biscoe would endeavour to set up the meeting.  Reg Bowyer advised that Peter Moore was meeting the Conservation Committee. He will report back.

 

 

Public Seating:   Following on from the above, Neil Scott advised that there was to be a review of all street furniture, and agreed that the new pieces installed in

Victoria Square

were of poor quality considering it was within the Conservation Area.  The review would look at the general positioning/quality of all

City street

furniture.

 

 

The secretary read out a letter from Richard Budge, Parks Manager, Truro City Council, who expressed his wish to be associated with the Society regarding additional seating within the City.  The secretary was asked to acknowledge the letter, explain that Peter Blake was writing to the County Surveyor voicing our concerns over the Square and the City in general, and a copy would be sent to him.

 

 

Architects List:  John Crowther reported that he had written to five out of the six Chartered Practices within the City (the 6^th being mainly concerned with the disabled) and that just two had responded positively to his request for a representative to help and guide over planning matters, where appropriate.

 

 

Peter Blake queried whether his list, produced last year, of retired planners, architects etc. should be used to bring others into the fold, but it was agreed to leave matters in abeyance for the time being.

 

 

It was agreed that John Crowther would write to the two Practices concerned saying we would appreciate their advice and setting up a quick discussion meeting to detail the ‘rules of engagement’.

 

 

Moorfield Car Park:  The secretary outlined details of the letter she had written to Terry Grove-White, copy to Fred Greenslade and Karl Roberts concerning planting of the area.  Terry Grove-White had been on holiday and had promised to get back to her – she would remind him when he came for his talk on 4^th December.  It was understood there was to be a re-think of an Open Spaces Plan for the City and surroundings by the Council.  It appeared likely that the retail development of Pydar Street was in doubt, particularly in view of the current financial constraints, and that the proposed ‘dumbbell effect’ was to be abandoned in favour of a more organic approach, looking at encouraging good quality development around the City as sites became available.

 

 

Bert Biscoe undertook to contact Terry Grove-White prior to the 4^th December meeting, to have a discussion as to agenda/topics, the Moorfield Car Park being one point for discussion.

 

 

Sculptures on Lemon Quay:

 

Although Mark O’Brien has been booked to talk to the Society in January, it was felt that Carrick DC were in a hurry to make a decision before Unitary Authority and that January would be too late .  The Mayor advised that that the City Council would come to a decision next month.  The Chairman’s concern is that they would erect an artistic impression in a public place without  due care and that the sculptures should represent the feelings and emotions of the local populace, and that neither piece on offer did this.  The Council Panel only had 1 Truro representative, and although there was a public viewing on the Quay, the matter had not been aired sufficiently for such a major decision.  Robert Robins felt that more use could be made of the water under Lemon Quay, and which is such an important part of the City - he felt that statues would be vandalised or defaced if they meant nothing to the citizens of Truro, and that fountains and lighting might be more effective.   Bert Biscoe feared that with the Unitary Authority, there will be discussion as to who will manage the area.  Peter Blake suggested the money for something on the Quay should be ring-fenced and the discussion revisited and that more time was needed to deliberate on the subject, and a quick decision should not be forced.

 

 

Bert Biscoe asked Neil Scott if Totally Truro would communicate the Society’s concerns to the City Council.

 

 

It was agreed a letter be sent to the City Council (BB/CJones) stating the following:

 

 

1)         That the Society supports the principle that there should be some examples of excellent sculpture in Truro

 

2)         In the case of Lemon Quay, it is time to re-think the whole area, but in particular about installing sculptures or otherwise

 

3)         The Society considers that Lemon Quay would be more flexible and more easily used as an open space if something were done with water/lighting/fountains

 

4)         Carrick District Council should grant the money to Truro City Council for the enhancement of Lemon Quay or the whole of Truro, i.e. Victoria Square and High Cross.

 

 

It was also agreed that a Press Release should be sent to the West Briton/Packet Newspapers detailing the above four points being sent to the City Council (BB to liaise with Tony Herring).

 

 

REPORTS

 

Chairman – Nothing to report

 

Treasurer -  The Treasurer reported that the Society’s current finances are healthy

 

Planning Sub-Committee – It was noted that the Sub-Committee is still without a Chairman, although efforts were being made to recruit one.  All the current Sub-Committee members are happy to remain. 

 

Furthermore, Peter Blake noted that under the new Unitary Authority, Planning Applications would no longer be listed in the West Briton, but would appear in the Western  Morning News.  He felt this to be a retrograde step, and agreed to draft a letter saying that the Society considered this to be a wrong move, and that the appearance of the list every Thursday – West Briton publication day, is a much better way of keeping people informed.

 

 

 

Conservation Committee –

 

Blewett’s Warehouse – retrospective Planning  Application to change the sign – the Committee refused it, preferring it to stay as it was

 

Library – Planning Application for disabled access approved

 

Royal Hotel – Planning Application for the Crest to be removed was refused.  The Crest is the last vestige of the visit by the Duke of Cornwall to lay the foundation stone for the Cathedral.

 

Castle Lodge,

Edward Street

– PA to change the gates refused

 

Mallets Coffin Store,

Walsingham Place

– Plans to be re-negotiated

 

Tregear Gardens,

Union Place

– PA for 10 apartments refused.  To be re-negotiated

 

Starbucks – Signage/lettering refused by Carrick.  Inspector’s Report gone to appeal.

 

Illegal Demolition of Glasshouse Gallery – is now in the hands of the Court although there is also a Planning Application for a replacement building similar to the demolished one.

 

15/16 St. Clement Street

– PA in to include the land between the cottages and the wine shippers.  Plans for 4 cottages in traditional style but with the archway to the rear moved from the side to the centre.

 

 

ONE CORNWALL – Speaker TERRY GROVE-WHITE – THURSDAY 4^th December 2008 -  All members encouraged to attend please.

 

 

MAYOR’S CHARITY DAY – Friday 5^th December 2008

 

Caroline Jones reported that, at the Mayor’s invitation, the Society has taken a stall in the marquee – to be manned on the day principally by Caroline and Tony Herring.  Volunteers were invited to help throughout the day with handing out leaflets etc.  Some discussion on the form of a competition took place, and it was decided that

 

20 A5 sized photographs be mounted on boards to find the ‘Top 10 Buildings in Truro’.  John Crowther volunteered to supply the photos.  Alongside this, it was decided to mount photographs showing the unkempt buildings in Truro as a campaign to recruit more members to help care for the City. 

 

 

Peter Blake produced a draft leaflet which he agreed to send to Caroline and Bellanne for proof reading before printing off a number on gold 100gm paper.

 

 

Any further volunteers to help on the Stall on the day, please contact Caroline Jones -01872 241146, and those supplying photos, leaflets, boards etc. to get them to Caroline by 15^th November.

 

 

MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS

 

Neil Scott volunteered his crew of people who put up Christmas lights to cut out and/or weed areas of guttering etc. where they could reach whilst putting up the lights for a small financial consideration.  The Secretary agreed to get the information on the past campaign from Michael Swift.

 

 

VOLUNTEER HELPERS

 

An advert in the ‘Volunteer’ Section of the West Briton for a Membership Secretary and Assistant Secretary had produced no results at all.

 

 

FAIRMANTLE  STREET

 

Both Practising Architects brought in for guidance have an interest in this development, and therefore another solution must be found.  John Crowther and Peter Blake agreed to liaise on this.

 

 

CIVIC TRUST

 

Request for a donation – deferred until next meeting

 

 

REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY

 

Following a Truro Concern meeting, Caroline Jones made copies available of the letter she had written to the RDA, setting out objections to the proposed Strategy on behalf of the Society.

 

 

DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING

 

Thursday 4^th December 2008 at 7.00pm