===== PAGE 1 ===== # St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council ### Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of St Stephen in Brannel Parish Council Property & Services Committee held in the Brannel Room, 22 Fore Street, St Stephen on Wednesday 29th May 2026 starting at 6.30pm ## Present: Cllr Mike Berryman, Cllr David Coles, Cllr Anne Hartshorne, Cllr Debby Hussey, Cllr Tina Patterson, Cllr Shelagh Tasker, and Cllr Keith Truscott. ## In attendance: Linda Ranger – Clerk & Responsible Finance Officer, Mel Best – Office Admin Assistant and Cllr Sharon Kelsey – St Dennis Parish Council representative. Cllr Keith Truscott welcomed everyone to the meeting. He ran through housekeeping procedures and advised everyone present that if they intended to participate in the meeting, they could be recorded, photographed, filmed, or otherwise reported about especially as the meeting was being live streamed on social media. ## P&S17/26 Election of Chairman for 2026/27: It was RESOLVED that Cllr Keith Truscott be elected as Committee Chairman for 2026/27. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Mike Berryman. All voted in favour. ## P&S18/26 Election of Vice Chairman for 2026/27: It was RESOLVED that Cllr Debby Hussey be elected as Committee Vice Chairman for 2026/27. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Tina Patterson. All voted in favour. ## P&S19/26 Apologies: None received. ## P&S20/26 Declarations of Interest: a) There were no declarations of registerable interests. b) There were no declarations of non-registerable interests. c) There were no dispensation requests. d) There were no declarations of gifts or hospitality. ## P&S21/26 Public Participation: There were no members of the public present, and no questions had been received. ===== PAGE 2 ===== ## P&S22/26 Previous Committee Meeting Minutes: ## It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25th February 2026 be adopted and signed as a true and accurate record. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Tina Patterson. All voted in favour. The Chairman duly signed the minutes. ## P&S23/26 Biodiversity Sub Committee: ## a) It was RESOLVED to appoint Cllr David Coles, Cllr Tina Patterson, and Cllr Keith Truscott to the sub committee with Cllr Julie Broad as substitute. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ### b) The next subcommittee meeting was scheduled for 12th August 2026. It was RESOLVED that another meeting before this date was not required. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Shelagh Tasker. All voted in favour. c) The recommendations from the Annual Meeting report were considered. The Clerk advised that a budget of £4,000 towards “Biodiversity including Audits” had been allocated so asked for clarification on the request. After discussion it was RESOLVED that no further action was required. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. ## P&S24/26 Operations Manager Report ## It was RESOLVED to receive and note the report from the Operations Manager. Proposed by Cllr Tina Patterson. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. All voted in favour. ## P&S25/26 Clerk's Report: The Clerk had nothing to report in addition to the agenda items. ## P&S26/26 Parish Councillor's Reports: Cllr Debby Hussey had received an invite to the Treviscoe AGM meeting which she had accepted. Cllr Tina Patters gave feedback on a meeting she had attended for Tregargus Trust. Cllr Mike Berryman gave feedback on a meeting he had attended for St Stephen Recreation Ground. Cllr Keith Truscott gave feedback on meetings he had attended for Lanjeth Playing Field and Foxhole Village Green. ## P&S27/26 Allotments: The Admin Assistant gave an update on the allotment inspection and plots available. It was RESOLVED to note the update and agreed that plots should be leased as soon as possible to prevent deterioration. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Mike Berryman. All voted in favour. Action: Admin Assistant ===== PAGE 3 ===== ## P&S28/26 Air Quality Monitoring (AQM): ## It was RESOLVED to note the latest report and that no further action was required at this time. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Mike Berryman. All voted in favour. ## P&S28/26 Brannel Room Building: ## a) It was RESOLVED to accept the quote of £1,800 plus VAT for floor structure works from APS construction. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## b) It was RESOLVED to disconnect the heater and review the situation for a replacement at future committee meeting when more would be known on the need due to the future replacement building. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## c) It was RESOLVED that the matter be revisited in 4–6 months to allow for a project plan to be drafted and any funding options sought. At this time, plans and more definite costs would be obtained. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S29/26 Bus Shelter – Foxhole: ## It was RESOLVED to respond to the consultation supporting the installation of a new bus shelter. Proposed by Cllr Mike Berryman. Seconded by Cllr Shelagh Tasker. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S30/26 Car Parks: The Clerk advised that the insurance company were disputing liability for the damage to the barriers as the parish council could not provide details of an independent witness and the (agency) driver denied any collision. It was RESOLVED to refer the matter to Weller Hedley solicitors for review on the incident and delivery drivers not adhering to the risk assessment, and to take the response to Full Council for decision. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Mike Berryman. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S31/26 Craft Workshops – St Austell Boxing: ## It was RESOLVED to refuse the request for an upgrade on lighting as the current fittings were fully functioning. However as and when the fittings needed replacing, they would be done so with the upgraded version. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Tina Patterson. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ===== PAGE 4 ===== ## P&S32/26 CCTV: No quotation had been received prior to the meeting. It was RESOLVED that, due to the latest incident at Nanpean short stay car park, the Clerk authorise the additional device under delegated authority when the quote was received. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S33/26 Defibrillators: No report had been received prior to the meeting. It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S34/26 Fire Risk Assessments: ## It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation for £980 from Fire Safety Solutions. Proposed by Cllr Mike Berryman. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S35/26 Flowers Planters: ## a) It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation of £160 plus VAT for the new planter on the “Welcome to the Parish” sign at Treviscoe Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## b) It was RESOLVED to defer the quotation of £689 plus VAT for three barrier basket planters for the railings at the Brannel Room building pending updates on a replacement building. Proposed by Cllr Mike Berryman. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S36/26 Speed Indication Devices (SIDS): a) The latest data reports were received along with a request from Cllr Nigel Spragg for action to be taken through a speed monitoring van at the Treviscoe site. During the conversation, the Clerk explained that only two councillors had signed up to the community speed watch group therefore that additional monitoring could not take place until this was done. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk contact PCSO Laura Putt regarding the speed monitoring van and a reminder be sent to all Councillors to sign up to the group. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk b) The current locations and suggestions from residents were reviewed. It was RESOLVED to take no further action. Proposed by Cllr Mike Berryman. Seconded by Cllr Tina Patterson. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ===== PAGE 5 ===== ## c) It was RESOLVED to purchase 2 x MVAS units at £3,400 each and to submit a request to the Finance & Policy committee that the cost be covered by Community Infrastructure Levy monies or Community Benefit funds. Cllr Debby Hussey was asked to complete any necessary paperwork to support the request. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk & Cllr Debby Hussey. ## P&S37/26 St Stephen Public Toilets: ## It was RESOLVED to approve the plan and authorise the Clerk to go out to tender based on that design. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Tina Patterson. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S38/26 Tree Survey Report: ## It was RESOLVED to note the tree survey report for Nanpean Long Stay Car Park and that recommended works have been carried out. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## P&S39/26 Weed Treatment: ## a) It was RESOLVED to note the correspondence from Cornwall Council; to re-circulate the correspondence from Redruth Town Council allowing members to respond as individuals and to respond to residents with the decision of the Council and the reasoning of why. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr Shelagh Tasker. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ## b) It was RESOLVED that despite regular review, as there were no other workable affordable alternative methods, to continue with existing working practices for weed treatment, namely spot spraying within the public realm. Proposed by Cllr Mike Berryman. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. The vote was carried with one objection. ## c) It was RESOLVED that despite regular review, as there were no other workable affordable alternative methods, to continue with existing working practices for weed treatment, namely spot spraying on Council owned land. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. The vote was carried with one objection. ## After further discussion, it was RESOLVED that methods be reviewed in 6 months when further information should be available from Cornwall Council and the expiry of the licence for glyphosate was approaching (December 2026). Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk ===== PAGE 6 ===== ## P&S40/26 Confidential Matter(s): It was RESOLVED that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public and representatives of the press and broadcast media be excluded from the meeting, and that the live streaming and any recording cease, during the consideration of the following item(s) of business as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. All voted in favour. Cllr Sharon Kelsy left the meeting. The live stream was stopped. Review Brannel Room Hire Agreement It was RESOLVED to amend the arrangement as discussed and review the decision in 6 months. Proposed by Cllr David Coles. Seconded by Cllr Debby Hussey. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk Cemetery Extension update It was RESOLVED to defer the item to the next meeting. Proposed by Cllr Keith Truscott. Seconded by Cllr David Coles. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk Transfer of ownership – Allotment boundary tree It was RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that the ownership of the tree be transferred as per the advice from the solicitor. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Proposed by Cllr Debby Hussey. Seconded by Cllr Keith Truscott. All voted in favour. Action: Clerk The meeting ended at 8.05pm Signed as a true and accurate record - Chairman Date ## RECOMMENDATIONS: P&S40/26 Transfer of ownership – Allotment boundary tree That the ownership of the tree be transferred as per the advice from the solicitor.