Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee 13 April 2010

Posted in document archives - Staffing, Finance & Gen. Purposes

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 13 April 2010 at 6.00 pm

BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on

Tuesday 13 April 2010 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:    

North Ward:

Councillor D C Fulford


South Ward:    

Councillor A T Inch
Councillor P J Pester (Deputy Town Mayor)

East Ward:    

Councillor S E L Clarke (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs P Davies

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

111    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors A T Powell (South (Outer) Ward – Personal), D M Ratcliff (North Ward - Work) and R W Vanstone (East Ward – Work)

112    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

113    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the meeting.

114    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

115    ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Davies, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

116    MANOR COURT 2010 - PRESENTMENTS

Members received a copy of the Manor Court Presentments which had been agreed by the Jury and distributed with the agenda.  On the motion of Councillor  Mrs Davies, seconded and

a.    New Road - Paving Slabs and Tubular Railings

New Road is a promenade area in a prestigious position on the Torridge waterfront.  Some of the paving slabs are dangerous to pedestrians and the     railings require attention.  The Council is requested to reseat uneven and dangerous paving slabs and straighten up the displaced granite paving edges and refurbish and paint tubular railings.

RESOLVED:  That Devon County Council be requested to implement the Presentment.

b.    Footpath linking Devonshire Park and Marland Terrace.

This footpath is a well used and important link for children attending     Westcroft School, as well as a recreational walking area for the general public.     It suffers from a lack of lighting in the winter months and needs dog waste bins at both ends of the path.  The Council is requested to arrange the urgent     installation of lighting and provide dog waste disposal bins at each end of the footpath.

RESOLVED:  That the installation of lighting be referred to Devon County Council and that this Council arranges the provision of a dog waste bin at the Soloman Drive end of the footpath.

c.    Public Liability Insurance for Bideford Pannier Market

At present only market traders who have their own public insurance liability are able to trade at the market. The Council is requested to consider covering the cost of public liability insurance for all traders thereby encouraging a more vibrant market.

RESOLVED:  That traders require having their own public liability insurance to cover the goods they sell.  The Council has its own public liability insurance to cover incidents within the Pannier Market.

d.    Dog Fouling of Children's Play Areas

Concern has been raised over the health hazard to children from dogs fouling     children's play areas.  It is requested that children's play areas in the town should be fenced off to prevent dog fouling.

RESOLVED:  That Torridge District Council be requested to implement the Presentment and that dog bins be placed at appropriate locations near all play areas.

e.    Pedestrian Footpath between Londonderry Estate and Abbotsham on the Abbotsham Road

This presentment is a vital safety issue for pedestrians walking to and from Bideford to Abbotsham.  Whilst it is recognised that this matter has been     raised before and rejected on the grounds of expense etc. it would be to     Bideford's and Devon County Council’s perpetual shame if a fatality were to add weight to the argument.  In fact the matter could be largely dealt with by     providing a footpath to the north of the hedge between Osborne Lane and Lower Winsford Farm on Abbotsham Road.  The Council when considering any application to develop Moreton campus grounds of Kingsley College     should request that a Planning Obligation (Section 106 Agreement) should be     included to provide a footpath behind the northern hedge of Abbotsham Road,     westwards towards Abbotsham for a distance suitable to render the     Abbotsham Road safe for pedestrians.

RESOLVED:  That Torridge District Council gives serious consideration to this Presentment when considering any planning applications regarding the development of Moreton Park playing fields.

f.    Provision of Benches Along Manteo Way

Manteo Way is a long road popular with walkers; benches would provide respite and somewhere to admire the views.  The Council is urged to put benches along Manteo Way.

RESOLVED:  The Council and Tesco are already in talks regarding bus shelters and public seating on Manteo Way.

g.    Assistance to the Youth of Bideford

Whilst it is accepted that the Council already provides financial assistance to     the youth of Bideford, a request has been made for the Council to target assistance, specifically to assist school leavers gain experience of the work environment and make the transition to their first employment.  The Council is     urged to financially support youth training in conjunction with emergent voluntary organisations.

RESOLVED:  The Council is already committed to some projects to help the youth.

(Vote  - For:  5,  Against:  0)

117    THOMAS ILLMAN CHARITY

The members noted the verbal report of the Town Clerk.  Proposed by Councillor  Pester, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That the Thomas Illman Charity for the Poor account be closed.

(Vote – For:  5,  Against:  0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.35 pm.




Signature of Town Mayor:  ………………………………….  Date:  ……………………........




Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....