Town Council Minutes Jan 2010

Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall,

Bideford on Thursday 14 January 2010 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:    

North Ward:
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor Ms E L Farrington
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:  

 Councillor C Bone
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor P J Pester

South (Outer) Ward  

 Councillor A T Powell (Town Mayor)

East Ward:    

Councillor Mrs C B Church
Councillor S E L Clarke OBE
Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor B Lacey
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:  

 Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Mrs H Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
3 x Members of the Public
1 x Member of the Press  
150    PRAYERS

On the invitation of the Mayor prayers were offered by Pastor Jonathan Evans from the Town Mission.

151    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors M L Bushell (North Ward – Work commitments), A T Inch (South Ward – Personal) and D M Ratcliff (South Ward – Illness).

152    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors Christie, S G Inch, Johns and Lacey declared a personal interest in agenda item 14. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).

Councillor Mrs Davies declared a personal interest in agenda items 8. (Member, Bideford Regeneration Initiative) and 13. (Chair of Pollyfield Community Association).

Councillor Powell declared a personal interest in agenda items 8. (Vice-Chair, Bideford Regeneration Initiative) and 14. (Trustee, Bideford Bridge Trust).

153    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Comments were received from a member of the public who reported that he has raised £1,010.00 for the Mayor’s Charity.  He then told the Council that he has almost been knocked over twice by drivers coming out of Grenville Ridge.  He then commented on correspondence with Torridge District Council pertaining to the sewers at Devonshire Park and the £30,000 from the Section 106 money which he thought was intended for improvements to the playing field at Devonshire Park and was spent elsewhere.  He finished by talking about the effect the deodorisers used in The Quay toilets have on the lungs and pollution in the Torridge.

154    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 December 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 13,  Against: 0)

155    MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a.    The Mayor welcomed Sergeant Bassett to the meeting.

b.    Sergeant Bassett provided an overview of the figures for the month of December 2009.

Sergeant Bassett reported that New Year’s Eve was busy but quite good natured.  One arrest was made for a public disorder offence, but it was an enjoyable evening for all concerned.  The weather has been problematic during January and has affected traffic and road conditions.  He requested that motorists should use their headlights during foggy weather, even during the day.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions raised concerned New Year’s Eve and whether some form of awareness campaign may be appropriate, perhaps in conjunction with the college, in the light of the inappropriateness of the dress of a number of young girls.  Sergeant Bassett was asked if there are any legal implications for motorists who park on grass verges especially in the wet weather, leading to the grass being churned up.  He was also asked if there is a special unit dealing with drug offenders and if members could receive an update on the drugs incident in the High Street recently.  He was asked for his view on the use of snow chains and how widespread he thinks the use of drugs is with the under 25s in Bideford and what can be done about it.  Members then passed on their thanks for the excellent police work in Bideford during 2009.

e.    The Mayor then thanked Sergeant Bassett for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

156    MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a.    The Mayor welcomed Councillor Robinson to the meeting.

b    Councillor Robinson invited comments from members regarding the proposed road markings on Honestone Street.  He then reported that the light on the East-the-Water side of the bridge is not fixed to the pillars, but placed in the park.  This is due to the cable routing and stability of the column.  He also reported that the pedestrian signals on the bridge were a temporary measure to help pedestrians although making the signals permanent on the Eastern side is under consideration.  There are on-going problems in Northdown Road with congestion in the vicinity of Kingsley School.  The problem is exacerbated when they have a function, particularly in Thornton Road. Councillor Robinson then commented upon several roads which have not been adopted by Devon County Council, including Thornton Road.  He finished by providing an update on the Manor Court request for the provision of a footpath from Londonderry Farm.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    The Mayor commenced by clarifying the pedestrian Longbridge access and egress previously requested by this Council.  It was asked that if a traffic survey is carried out in the vicinity of Honestone Street, parking/unloading provision is made in front of the Pannier Market where there are currently benches.  It was reported that the paving stones in Mill Street are appalling and deteriorating.  Thanks were extended to Devon County Council for keeping the main roads open during the snow but the comment was made that the pavements in Bideford were treacherous.  Further comments suggested that on some roads insufficient salt was used to have any effect and the possibility of a by-law to require people to clear snow from the footpath in front of their houses was muted.  It was then requested that the traffic lights in Bideford be re-tuned to work like the ones along Abbotsham Road.  There are two bollards in need of repair on Clovelly Road and concern was expressed that they need to be looked at urgently as this could lead to an accident.  The final question concerned the timescale for the 7.5 tonnes weight limit to be implemented on Clovelly Road.

e.    The Mayor then thanked the Councillor Robinson for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

157    BIDEFORD REGENERATION INITIATIVE (BRI)

The Mayor advised that the last meeting was put back because of the snow, but the work on the exposition is on-going.

158    COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

The Mayor advised that:

•    The email system does work and explained how to set it up.  The out of office facility and forwarding system needs to be addressed and the Mayor is in communication with Twisted Tree Publishing who will provide a note on using the email.
•    Arrangements have been made for the Council to visit the Watermark Centre in Ivybridge on Saturday 23 January 2010.  Transport will leave Bideford at 9.00 am returning at 2.30 pm.  It should be a very informative day.
•    The Town Clerk requested that members put forward the names of any person who is on the Register of Electors for Bideford, who they feel could be a juror at Manor Court on Saturday 20 March 2010.
•    There will be no Mayor’s Charity Ball, traditionally scheduled for mid February as the Mayor is unable to get the venue he wanted.  There may be a charity concert a little later in the year.
•    Bideford Hospital along with four others is set to lose its matron to be replaced by an Administration Manager.

159    MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2010 were received.

(Vote – For: 13,  Against: 0)

160    PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2010 were received.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)

161  STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2010 were received.

(Vote – For: 13,  Against: 0)

162    POLLYFIELD CENTRE PARTNERSHIP

The Town Clerk invited members to appoint a representative to the Pollyfield Centre Partnership.  Proposed by Councillor Bone, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clarke is appointed as the Council’s representative on the Pollyfield Centre Partnership.

(Vote – For: 8,  Against: 0,  Abstention: 5)

163    BRIDGE TRUST ACTIVITIES

Councillor Johns reported that Mr Oliver Chope has been elected as the new Bridge Trust Chairman.  Bideford Blues have raised a lot of money for renewing their pitches and they needed an extra £15,000.00 for this project which was agreed.  Councillor Johns then briefed members on the income, expenditure and grants activities and figures.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 7.45pm.



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