Camelford News – November/December
Camelford News – November/December
6 December 2021
Clease Road and Car Park
EV chargers have been installed and are now ready to use. The EV bays at Clease Car Park can only be used by electric vehicles for recharging purposes. These are slow chargers, designed to enable overnight charging by Camelford residents who don’t have space to charge next to their homes. However, anyone with an EV can use them at any time.
Resurfacing and relining is being undertaken by Cormac and should be finished in the first week of December. The legal work has been started by Cornwall Council in order to devolve this asset to CTC in the new year. CTC has undertaken two surveys of immediately adjacent residents’ needs and wishes – in December 2020 and November 2021 in order to inform CTC decisions going forward. CTC will need to amend its car parking order to integrate Clease Car Park; the town will be consulted on this order in due course.
Update OCM
Phase 2 of the regeneration of the Old Cattle Market started on the 29th November and will take approximately 5-6 weeks. CTC will keep you informed of progress. The contractors will try to minimise disruption; but for health and safety reasons they may need to close off the area to the public on some days. There will be access to the existing skate surface on most days.
The way forward for the disputed grant/loan for OCM phase 1 project from Camelford Town Trust (TT) £4,200 was discussed. It was noted that the monies were never received by CTC (paid direct to SITA). Final terms and conditions were not proposed by TT for discussion by CTC. The monies were presented as a grant. Therefore, CTC feel that the monies should not be repaid as a loan. However, having noted the request and the intense feelings on the subject from the TT it was resolved that CTC acknowledge there is a misunderstanding and to provide services to the value of 100% of the disputed amount £4,200 as a gesture of goodwill. It was noted that the Clerk and Deputy-Clerk have full support of CTC – no question of their integrity; it having been called into question by the TT.
Councillor Vacancy
Following Cllr Rob Chandler’s resignation and posting of the vacancy by Cornwall Council; CTC are not required to hold an election. The vacancy will be filled by co-option after Christmas. Details of how to apply will be posted early January.
County Councillor Report
Cllr Jordan spoke regarding a planning application at Cardinham being overturned due to dark skies. CC Investment panel was dissolved and its work allocated to a scrutiny committee. Standards committee – lots of councillors complaining about councillors. COVID has brought out the worst in people. Had report from the police that burglary numbers are down, but violence against person is up. Issues raised at Consultation with Mount Camel and Highfield residents have been reported to Cornwall Housing.
The planning application that CTC asked to go to committee – spoke to Helen Blacklock – plans fall under householder development. Different to the original application that CTC objected to – changed it to a flat roof – now extension becomes permitted development. Talking to planners about why bother with the 5-day protocol?!! CTC still needs to make a comment. Objection was about floor space – extension taking up amenity space. Putting on a flat roof doesn’t change anything. Economic development meeting – talking about the housing crisis – making head way. Queues of ambulances at Trelisk and Plymouth. A lot of people should be going home but can’t because staffing crisis in community care. Juliots well – they have put in PA21/02716 pre-app. Impressed how it’s gone in the last 15 years.
Enfield Park
The river bank project is complete. The banks have been repaired using Cornish stone walls and soft engineering with pegs and seeded coir mating to re-establish plants along the banks that with hold the soil in situ when the river floods.
The Pond has had its annual clear out of intrusive weeds to give space for aquatic life next season. The waterfall pond has also been cleared and the volunteer gardeners will be giving that area some extra care and attention ready for the Enfield Park centenary celebrations next year.
The zip wire is still out of order; waiting for replacement part. Specimen Trees were planted in the Park on 3rd December during National Tree planting week – ‘Landmark’ Lime tree to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Duke of Edinburgh memorial Copper Beech tree, and Enfield Park Centenary Copper Beech tree
Allotments
Lease renewal was discussed. Historically, the lease of the land is for 3 years. On approaching the landlord’s Solicitors this year regarding renewal from March 2022 for a further 3 years to 2025, CTC was informed that it would only be renewed for 1 year. Clerk reported that the solicitor noted that this was the final extension for one year only, no further extensions. Clerk will ask the landlord’s solicitor to have full year April to March and then have a few weeks for site clearance. Clerk was instructed to speak further with the landlord’s solicitor. Clerk has asked CTC lawyers to check the allotment agreement in order to ensure it is legally correct for quitting in 2023. Conversations have been had by the Mayor with the landlord. No alternative land is readily available.
Christmas Lights
Committee members attended the meeting on the 16th November to give an update on the Christmas lights. They reassured CTC that they are on target; have put up the signs across the road. Have been updating the lights, adding some flashing lights to the units. It will happen on time; everything will work. Got a lot of maintenance done, frames refurbished., reanimated shapes. Shifting the placement of lights around the buildings. Getting closer to smart displays. 12 days of Christmas back across the bridge. Small but effective new bits; with ‘wow’ factor. Good weekend last weekend – getting the festoons done next. Train has been rewired; hopefully it will work! Setting up a maintenance rota to ensure lights remain working throughout the season. Take down will be a bit more organised. Had a few bad years and COVID – lights haven’t been stored away in the way we like. Have two donated storage facilities at Camelford self-storge and Camelford motors. Hoping to improve the structure of the lights committee into a charitable organisation next year. Would like a member of the CTC to be on the committee. Understand that lights funding is on the agenda; have been working in the background to find other avenues for support to get bigger displays in the future. Have now got one a point of contact – a dedicated lights email address.
Place-shaping
The Big Conversation about Camelford’s future is now live!
Please contribute to a ‘people’s plan’ to shape Camelford’s future. It shouldn’t take no more than 5 minutes to complete the survey. Click on the link below:
https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/…
EVENTS
Armistice – CTC held a short, well-attended service by the bandstand on the 11th November.
Winter festival
Nothing stopped Camelford residents from coming out in force, despite Storm Arwen, to enjoy the Annual Winter Festival organised by Camelford Town Council and the Christmas Lights Team. Thanks to the European Regional Development Fund, managed by the Economic Development Team at Cornwall Council, this year’s event was enhanced with street entertainment. CTC also invested extra into the Fireworks by Celebration Pyrotechnics, which was spectacular. Amanda Lash, Deputy Town Clerk said “This event would not be made possible without our volunteers. CTC would like to thank everyone involved, in particular to the Christmas Lights Team, Peggy Ellison who cooked another amazing Christmas lunch for our senior citizens, Cassie Moseley from Pencarrow Livery who brought Santa safely into Town, Eddie McCormick for being Santa, Phil Williams for the Christmas Tree and Bronwen Hockerday for running the Christmas Fayre and all the stallholders who attended.”
Mayor Rob Rotchell said “It was heart-warming to see so many smiling faces as we celebrated the Winter Festival here in Camelford on Saturday evening. The day started with the Mayor’s Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch. At 6pm the lantern parade led by Camelford Town Band went down into the town followed by the switching on of the lights and the firework display, both of which were the best for many years. We were superbly entertained by the Boscastle Buoys and the Jumping out Jazz Duo and Acrobatic Elves delighted the children. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who helped organise and participated in the event. Merry Christmas!”
There are lots of events planned next year, starting with St Piran’s Day celebrations including the Grand Opening of Phase 2 of the Old Cattle Market. Lots of music, entertainment, food stalls and workshops both at the Bandstand and the Old Cattle Market Skatepark. Music in the Park will be Friday 3 June, with lots of Jubilee celebrations over the weekend including Picnic in the Park on Sunday 5 June. Go to www.visitcamelford.co.uk to find out more about all of these events.
Christmas Services
Christmas eve service at Lanteglos 8pm. Joint Churches Carol Service at Camelford Hall on the 19th.
North Cornwall Hunt will hold its meet in Camelford this year. CTC neither support nor oppose this event. Potential issue with safety; CTC will put barriers across the spaces between library and Darlington as usual.
The Library and Town Hall will be shut between Christmas and New Year.
Reusable Plastic cups
1200 branded cups for use at town events and festival in 2022 have arrived. They are available from various establishments in town for £1.
Please see http://www.visitcamelford.co.uk/whats-on-in-camelford/ for further information. You can advertise your events for free on this page and you can also have paid advertising for your business – please contact the town hall. admin@camelford-tc.gov.uk or 01840 212880
