Minutes of the Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 19 May 2011 at 5.30 pm

North Ward:

Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor T J Johns (Town Mayor)

South Ward:

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

South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke OBE (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)

001    ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clarke be appointed Chairman for the year 2011/2012.

(Vote – For:  6,  Against:  0,  Abstentions:  3)

002    ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor S Inch be appointed Vice-Chairman for the year 2010/2011.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

003    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All Members of the Committee were present at the Meeting.

004    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this time.

005    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

No members of the public were present at the Meeting.

006    MINUTES – STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 April 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

007    ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Davies, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

008    NOTICE OF MOTION

Councillor Powell moved the following Notice of Motion:

“That this Council agrees to recognise the town’s founding father and principle benefactor, Sir Richard Grenville (1542 – 1591), by sponsoring a monument to him.  The monies to be drawn from the Council’s existing Regeneration Budget.”

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Powell further investigates costs, materials and planning issues and brings the information back to a future meeting of the Committee.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

009    FORD WOODLAND

Members noted the verbal report of the Town Clerk regarding an agreement by a developer to make a contribution to the works in the Woodland.  Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk investigates previous correspondence and brings the information back to the next meeting of the Committee.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

(Councillor Powell declared a personal interest as a member of the Bideford 500 group.)

010    BIDEFORD 500 HERITAGE DAY

Members advised that the he had been approached by Bideford 500 to consider opening the Town Hall on Saturday 2 July 2011 to coincide with their Heritage Day. The Town Clerk advised Members regarding the staffing implications.  It was agreed that Councillor Powell and the Town Clerk liaise to discuss the matter further.

011    MANOR COURT PRESENTMENTS 2011

Members received a copy of the Manor Court Presentments which had been agreed by the Jury.  Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

a.    Ford Rock   
Could the bushes be cut down and the area to be tidied and regularly maintained? We also request the reinstatement of a bench.
RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to Torridge Training Services requesting them to consider taking on this project.
b.    Grenville Ridge
We request the Council to make a call to the relevant bodies to cut back the trees around the streetlight at the entrance to Grenville Ridge.
RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to Devon County Council requesting them to carry out the work.
c.    New Road
Can the land and property owners in New Road, from Ford House to Torridge Hill, and the lower part of Torridge Hill, be requested to generally tidy the overgrown areas and remove rubbish/waste in an effort to improve the visual     appeal of the area?  In addition we request a rubbish bin adjacent to the zig-    zag path which enters Devonshire Park.
RESOLVED:  The Chairman advised that this area had been tidied up recently and Councillor A Inch advised that he was already liaising with the District Council’s Dog Warden over dog bins.
d.    Pride in Bideford
We request the resurrection of the Town Council’s initiative ‘Pride in     Bideford’ to facilitate the cleaning and general sprucing up of the town.  With particular focus on the more frequent collection and emptying of street litter     bins and dog bins including outlying areas. We also request the tree lights on     Bideford Quay are maintained.
RESOLVED:  Councillor Powell advised that this initiative is on-going and will be enhanced by the employment of the Parish Handyman.
e.    Grit Boxes
We request the Council to ensure that pavements in the town centre and the Quay are gritted as required.  We also request that grit boxes are installed throughout the town.
RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk liaises with the Highways Superintendent to find suitable areas for the provision and siting of grit boxes.
f.    Alverdiscott Road Play Area
Provision of a tarmac pathway to the play area on Alverdiscott Road from Brecon Close.
RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to Torridge District Council requesting that the work is carried out.
g.    Ford House - Replanting
It is requested that consideration be given to replanting the area behind Ford     House.  Please consider replanting the bank with small stock trees, bushes or appropriate native species.
RESOLVED:  The Council has been advised by the Devon Coast & Countryside Service that the area should be left to stabilise for the next 5 years.
h.    Handrail between Cedar Way and Willow Grove
We recommend the supply and installation of a metal handrail on the footpath between Cedar Way and Willow Grove, Bideford.
RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk contacts Torridge District Council in a bid to establish ownership of the area.
i.    Tourism – Marketing Bideford
We endorse the recommendation that Bideford Town Council could take the lead in creating an identifiable and marketable tourist destination to further develop the economic growth of this part of North Devon. The destination     would be given a name and tag line and marketed under that name; for     example “Grenville’s Country – the start of New World discovery” or     “Grenville’s Coast – where maritime heritage lives”, etc.  With appropriate     signage.
RESOLVED:  Councillor Powell advised that this was already in     progress.
j.    Play Areas
We recommend the repair and general maintenance and upkeep to all the children play areas within the parish of Bideford.

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to Torridge District Council seeking assurances that all play areas within the parish are being maintained in a good condition.

(Vote – For:  9,  Against:  0)

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.30 pm.

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

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