Committees
To assist in the work of the Council there are a number of standing committees, Councillors opt to serve on one or more of these according to their interests and expertise. Both the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Cornwall Councillor have membership status on all committees.
Cornwall Council receive planning applications and remain the decision makers in whether to support a proposal. They refer to Parish Councils for advice. The Planning Committee is constituted to consider and respond on behalf of the Council to all applications for planning permission and planning appeals referred to it. All members of the Parish Council are members of the Planning Committee but do not have a statutory duty to attend these committees. Discussions on applications should consider the environmental aspects and whether any development is commensurate with the local character. Councillors are expected to study related plans, visit relevant sites and consider any comments from the public. Current planning legislation (National Planning Policy Framework, the Cornwall Local Plan and the Calstock Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan) must be adhered to. We also have a Planning Strategy Advisory Committee to monitor and review new policies or policy changes.
Amenities Committee
The committee will be responsible on behalf of the Council for the provision of services and facilities that the Council has delegated to it. It will evaluate, monitor and be responsible for the maintenance of these amenities. Each year it will recommend a budget to the Council and be responsible for its monitoring and management. It will exercise delegated powers to spend this budget as it recommends, subject to the Council’s normal spending limits.
Burial Committee
The Burial Board Committee is responsible for overseeing the running and maintenance of the cemeteries at Albaston and Calstock. Each year it produces a maintenance budget which has to be approved by the full council. It is also responsible for preparing regulations to ensure that current legislation, relating to burial grounds, is applied and to ensure their proper management and maintenance.
Calstock Waterfront Sub Committee
The Calstock Waterfront Sub Committee (CWSC) reports to the Amenities Committee who have tasked the CWSC with monitor the condition of the waterfront in Calstock (this includes the pontoon, car park, road parking, river bank, moorings and the Parish Quay). The CWSC will make regular reports to the Amenities Committee and seek approval for all substantive actions or those with financial implications.
Environment & Climate Emergency Committee
The Parish Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. The committee will review reports and strategies to improve the health of the environment and wellbeing of the population and mitigate the climate emergency at a local and national level. It will work with local community groups and individuals to put in place strategies and initiatives to help improve the environment and reduce carbon footprint and monitor and review these.
Footpaths
The Parish Council is not directly responsible for footpaths (public rights of way) in the Parish but acts as an agent for Cornwall Council who allocates funds to be spent on surface and minor maintenance. Some repairs are carried out by the Council’s maintenance team. Working closely with Calstock Footpath Society, any major maintenance requirements on the footpaths are identified and are passed to Cornwall Council for action.
Planning Strategy Sub Committee
The Planning Strategy Sub Committee will provide strategic advice to the Planning Committee on Planning policies at a Parish, Local and National level.
Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee oversees the staffing of the council. This includes reviewing and monitoring the working conditions and wellbeing of staff and their contracts of employment and to monitor the Council’s employment policies and procedures in respect of changes to legislation. The Committee is also responsible for carrying out staff appraisals and make recommendations on personnel related expenditure to the Finance Committee. Training requirements are also identified and addressed through this Committee. The Personnel Committee will also receive and consider any complaints made under the Council’s Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure.
Recreation
The Recreation Committee is responsible for the management and maintenance of playing fields and children’s play areas in Calstock, Gunnislake, Harrowbarrow and St Ann’s Chapel. It is also responsible for the allotments at St Ann’s Chapel, Latchley Green, Pleasure Piece, Gunnislake Peace Garden and land at St Andrew’s Close, Calstock. Each year it produces a maintenance budget which has to be approved by the full Council. It is also responsible for ensuring that regular checks of the areas and play equipment are carried out in accordance with current legislation.
Finance & General Purposes Committee
The Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GP) is responsible for preparing a budget for the following financial year to include all those functions which the council carries out under the ‘general’ and ‘administration’ budget headings. The Committee also plans for expenditure the council may wish to incur under s.137 monies. The F&GP Committee will consider the budge requirements of all committees of the council and make a recommendation to the full council for its precept requirement for the following year. The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the council’s insurance requirements.