Town Council Minutes 09  September 2010

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

Bideford on Thursday 9 September 2010 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:
Councillor M L Bushell
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor T J Johns
Councillor Ms E L Farrington

South Ward:
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
Councillor D M Ratcliff

South Outer:
Councillor A T Powell

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 J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
Inspector S Kenneally (Bideford Police Station)
Sergeant P Searle (Bideford Police Station)
Councillor Mrs A Boyle (Devon County Council)
9 x Members of the Public

084    PRAYERS

On the invitation of the Mayor, Reverend Tom Benson of St Mary’s Church, said prayers.

085    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors C Bone (South Ward – Illness) and D C Fulford (North Ward – Hospital).


086    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors P S Christie, S G Inch, T J Johns, B Lacey and P J Pester declared a personal interest in agenda item 20. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).

Councillor Mrs P Davies declared a personal interest in agenda item 9. (Trustee, Pollyfield Centre).

Councillor Vanstone declared a personal interest in agenda items 9. (Former Trustee, Pollyfield Centre), 13. Minute Nos. 32.b, c, l, m. (Customer of employer).

087    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Comments were received from a member of the public who spoke about the overflow of the sewerage system into Devonshire Park, the planning application for a new house on Soloman Drive, car parking, signage, Pollyfield Centre and prayers.

088    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 August 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 12,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)

089    MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a.    The Mayor welcomed Inspector Kenneally and Sergeant Searle to the meeting.

b.    Sergeant Searle reported the following incidents and items of note for the month of August 2010 and provided a comparison with August 2009.

  August 2009    August 2010
Assaults    (14) 15    (16) 25
Burglary Dwelling    2    3
Criminal Damage    5    10
Damage to Motor Vehicles    15    13
Theft from Motor Vehicle    6    4
Theft of Vehicle    0    2
Overall Crime    155    124

    (Figures in brackets relate to Town Centre).

    Sergeant Searle responded to questions raised at the last meeting:  He advised that there are currently no plans to move or de-commission any speed cameras.  Those in use operate in rotation.  With regard to the drug use reported behind St. Mary’s Church, the PCSOs have paid particular attention to this area.

    He then reported that Sergeant Kevin Connar will take up his new post with the Youth Offending Team shortly and his replacement is PC Mick Kearney. There will be a coffee morning at Marlborough Court for PCSOs to meet with residents and the graffiti wall has seen a decrease in graffiti in the town.  The Police are also in the process of getting some of the tags identified on public buildings which have been defaced.

    Inspector Kenneally then briefed councillors on the two serious crimes which had taken place in the town during the last month: the serious sexual assault in Belvoir Road and the armed robbery at Century Galleries.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions raised concerned a replacement CCTV camera for Pollyfield and the possibility of the Police encouraging the County Council not to turn off the street lights in certain, vulnerable areas of town.

e.    The Mayor then thanked Inspector Kenneally and Sergeant Searle for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

090    MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a.    The Mayor welcomed Councillor Mrs Boyle to the meeting. 

b.    Councillor Mrs Boyle thanked members for keeping her up to date with pertinent issues.  She reported that she had been to Bideford College for its opening day and that it is a very impressive building.  It is light and bright and is an environment which will inspire students.  It will also be used by the wider community. 

c.    Councillor Robinson had sent apologies but had circulated a full report to members before the meeting which covered the following issues:

•    Broken glass in the bus shelters on The Quay.  Councillor Robinson suggested several possible solutions to this issue and requested councillors’ views on the optimum solution.
•    Progress on bollards for the pedestrian zone
•    Torridge Mount policing issues
•    Long Bridge weight limit

d.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

e.    Questions and comments raised concerned the new traffic scheme for the Westleigh Junction and the fear that this will lead to traffic jams, the contribution Devon County Council makes towards PCSOs, and the report of a mistake in Councillor Robinson’s report concerning who paid for the end panels on the bus shelters.  It was requested that the Town Clerk writes a letter to Devon County Council advising that as they designed the bus shelters they need to ensure that they maintain them.  It was requested that Councillor Robinson puts this on the HATOC agenda.  The question of turning off street lights was raised and it was suggested that perhaps every other street light could be turned off, rather than whole streets.

091    TORRIDGE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

a.    The Mayor welcomed Mr Roy Bezzina, Chairman of the Torridge Community Transport Association, to the meeting.

b.    Mr Bezzina informed members that the organisation is in its 12th year.  There is a new initiative where they are liaising with people who have mini-buses which are not used during parts of the day with a view to hiring them.  They hope to have 4 buses available shortly. The Association covers around 34 parishes in the Torridge area and have more than 50 volunteer drivers who provide transport for hospital visits, shopping etc and have more than 2,000 passengers on their books.  The Association’s main constraint is money as they need a substantial amount of funds to operate.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions and comments raised concerned the annual budget requirements and shortfall, who is eligible for the Ring and Ride and how this works?

e.    The Mayor then thanked Mr Bezzina for attending the meeting.

092    SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Bushell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Standing Orders be suspended in order for the representative from Thomas Westcott Accountants to provide members with information concerning the Pollyfield Centre accounts.

(Vote – For:  14,  Against:  0)

093    POLLYFIELD CENTRE

a.    The Mayor welcomed a representative from Thomas Westcott Accountants to the meeting.

b.    It was reported that Thomas Westcott Accountants have almost completed the accounts for the Pollyfield Centre to the end of March 2010 and they will be filed at the appropriate places shortly.  The bar accounts are filed in the name of Shamwickshire House with the Community Centre accounts being separate.  Changes to the trustees did cause complications, but these are now resolved. 

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions and comments raised concerned clarification of a comment and whether members could view the accounts.

e.    The Mayor then thanked Thomas Westcott Accountants for attending the meeting.

094    TIDY TOWN INITIATIVE

Councillor Christie advised members that the Tidy Town Initiative is designed to look at problem areas and buildings in the Torridge area.  He detailed the buildings which are on the priority list in the Bideford area and members took the opportunity to suggest additional sites. Councillor Christie advised that the grease cleaner will be available for use 7 more times in Bideford and asked members to inform him if they had any sites that needed attention.


095    COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

a.    An invite was extended to the Reverend Benson’s Ordination on Sunday 26 September 2010.  Members were requested to inform the Town Clerk by noon on 16 September 2010 of their wish to attend.

b.    The Mayor gave a précis of the events he had attended during the last month.

096    MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2010 were received.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

097    PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 August 2010 were received.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

098    RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION COMMITTEE

    The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 2010 were received and the recommendations duly ratified.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

099    STAFFING, FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The     Minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 2010 were received and the recommendation duly ratified.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

100    NOTICES OF MOTION

Councillor Powell moved the following Notices of Motion and was seconded:

a.    “Bideford Town Centre car parking charges are unsustainably high; however, it has come to my attention that the Cattle Market Car Park is only £1.00 for all day parking yet there is no advertising to this effect and the car park remains largely empty.  I ask that the Council allocate a budget of £2,500.00 from its regeneration fund to provide prominent signage welcoming visitors to Bideford and directing them to use this car park.”

    RESOLVED:  That the motion is supported.

    (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)


b.     “There is still little or nothing in the way of public information for visitors to     Bideford.  I ask therefore that members allocate a sum not exceeding £5,000.00 from     its regeneration fund to provide two Artists Maps showing the location of various     features around the town.  These two maps to be located at the Cattle Market and at     Bank End long stay Car Park.”

    Following discussion Councillor Powell amended his motion as follows:

    “There is still little or nothing in the way of public information for visitors to     Bideford.  I ask therefore that members allocate a sum not exceeding £7,500.00 from     its regeneration fund to provide two Artists Maps showing the location of various     features around the town.  These two maps to be located at the Cattle Market and at     Bank End long stay Car Park.”

        RESOLVED:  That the motion is supported and referred to the Tourism     Committee.

    (Vote – For: 13,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

101    NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING THE FUTURE FUNDING OF PCSOs

The members noted the report which is attached and forms part of these Minutes.

102    DEVON ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS (DALC)

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED: That Councillors Bushell and Pester attend the AGM to be held on Saturday 25 September 2010.

(Vote – For: 14, Against: 0)

103    EAST-THE-WATER NEIGHBOURHOOD BOARD

Proposed by Councillor Lacey, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Davies be appointed as the Council Representative.

(Vote – For: 14, Against: 0)

104    BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Lacey briefed members on the income, expenditure and grants figures.

105    CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS TO BE TAKEN IN PART II

Proposed by Councillor Bushell, seconded and

RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be discussed, it is advisable, in the public interest, that the public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting; they were instructed to withdraw.
(Vote – For: 14, Against: 0)

106    CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE CORRESPONDENCE

Members considered the content of a letter from The Christian Institute.

Proposed by Councillor S Clarke, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Town Clerk writes to The Christian Institute and asks them to clarify the content of paragraph 7 of the letter and, if necessary, ask a representative to attend the next meeting and explain why these conditions are requested.

(Vote – For: 14, Against: 0)

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 9.15 pm.




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

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BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

 

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

Bideford on Thursday 10 June 2010 at 6.30 pm 

 

	PRESENT:			North Ward:	Councillor M L Bushell Councillor P S Christie Councillor T J Johns Councillor Ms E L Farrington Councillor D C Fulford
				South Ward:	Councillor C Bone Councillor A T Inch Councillor S G Inch Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
				South (Outer) Ward:	Councillor A T Powell
				East Ward:	Councillor Mrs C B Church Councillor Mrs P Davies  Councillor B Lacey Councillor R W Vanstone
	IN ATTENDANCE:				Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk) Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk) 2 x County Councillors
038			PRAYERS    On the invitation of the Mayor prayers were offered by Reverend Steve Hunt, Chaplain at Kingsley School.
039			APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE   Councillor D M Ratcliff (South Ward – Work Commitments).
040		DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA    Councillors P S Christie, T J Johns, B Lacey and S G Inch declared a personal interest in agenda item 16. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).
041		PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION   No members of the public were present at the meeting.
042		MINUTES    a.          The Minutes of the Extra-Ordinary Meeting held on 19 May 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.   (Vote – For: 13,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)   b.          The Minutes of the Meeting (Mayor Introduction Ceremony) held on 8 June 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.   (Vote – For: 10,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 4)
043		MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH    a.       The Mayor welcomed Sergeant Simon Bassett to the meeting.   b.       Sergeant Bassett reported the following incidents and items of note for the month of May 2010:   Criminal damage to dwellings 6 Criminal damage to vehicles 10 Theft from motor vehicles 3 Theft of motor vehicle 0 Burglary from dwelling 6 Burglary (other) 8 Common Assault 11 Assaults (with injury) 13 Section 18 Assault 4 Drunk and Disorderly 5 Hate crime 0   Sergeant Bassett reported that a lot of work has been done with regards Old Town Cemetery and hopefully the situation there has improved.  He also advised that the traffic department has been tasked with the vehicles which are speeding through Eastleigh.   c.       The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.   d.       Questions and comments raised concerned the “Policing in your Neighbourhood” leaflet, whether the recent incidents at Ayres Close were connected and whether the 28 assaults reported by Sergeant Bassett were related, and how many were following the consumption of alcohol? He was also asked if any Licensees have been issued with fixed penalty notices recently, how often are the police present in the office at Pollyfield and whether there are any other such offices currently being manned?  Further questions and comments concerned whether the demographic origins of the offenders in Bideford had been identified and if persistent offenders can be banned from the area, a report of some unruly residents at Moreton Park and comments regarding the opening hours of Bideford Police station.  Councillor A T Inch then explained how the yellow card scheme worked for North Devon public houses.   e.       The Mayor then thanked Sergeant Bassett for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.
044		MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR    a.       The Mayor welcomed Councillor Mrs Alison Boyle to the meeting.   b        Councillor Mrs Boyle congratulated the Mayor on his appointment to Office.  She advised the dates of several meetings connected with highway issues and reported that a travel plan has been put in place from Bideford College to Westcroft Junior School.  She has spoken to Highways about the parking concerns at Union Close and informed members about the forthcoming care provision at Clearwater House for a small number of children with emotional and social difficulties.  She then explained the adjustment to the catchment areas for Pynes Infants and Westcroft Junior Schools and the reasons behind these changes.  Councillor Mrs Boyle finished by saying that she has asked Morgan Ashcroft to keep her up to date regarding the impact of their work at the new college on traffic and the local area.   c.       The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.     d.       Questions raised concerned the location of Clearwater House, clarification of the changes to the admissions policy for local schools, and the request for a pedestrian crossing outside ASDA.   e.       Councillor Sam Robinson advised that Councillor Mrs Boyle had covered all areas in her report.   f.        Questions raised concerned the lack of a recycling collection service in Mill Street and other nearby streets, traffic issues at the corner of St. Peter’s Church and the suggestion of a 20 mph speed limit to make the area safer, traffic calming on Silver Street, and the possibility of extending the 20 mph system to the top of East-the-Water.
045		COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR    a.         The Mayor gave a précis of the events he had attended during the last month.   b.         The Town Clerk reported that Mr Mike Davy has retired as Mace Bearer after 16 years service.  A vote of thanks to Mr Davy was recorded for his loyal service to the Council.
046		ANNUAL RETURN    The Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2010 and associated documents were received and approved.   (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)
047		MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE    The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2010 were received.   (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)
048		PLANNING COMMITTEE   The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2010 were received.   (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)
049		STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE   The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2010 were received.   (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)
050		GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY    Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded   RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ms Farrington represent the Council at Torridge District Council Green Infrastructure Strategy Event on 28 June 2010.   (Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)
051		PARISH LENGTHSMAN    Members received the dates of the visit by the Parish Lengthsman in 2010.
052		BRIDGE TRUST   Councillor Lacey reported that the last Bridge Trust meeting had been quite short.  He advised that the Trustees are considering offering a field to the Council for allotments and the Town Clerk reported that the Council has registered its interest.  He then advised that the Bridge Trust has discussed demolishing the toilets at Old Town and has received some quotes for this work.  They are considering asking the District Council to share the demolition costs.  He then briefed members on the income, expenditure and grants figures.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 7.20 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

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

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