Town Council Minutes 10 February 2011

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

Bideford on Thursday 10 February 2011 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor M L Bushell
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:

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

South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

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)
Councillor Mrs  A Boyle (Devon County Council)
Councillor S Robinson (Devon County Council)
Sergeant P Searle (Bideford Police Station)
4 x Members of the Public
1 x Member of the Press

170    PRAYERS

On the invitation of the Mayor prayers were offered by Reverend Tom Bayliss from Lavington Church, Bideford.

171    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors C Bone (South Ward – Illness), Mrs C B Church and S E L Clarke (East Ward – Illness), Ms E L Farrington (North Ward – Work and D C Fulford (North Ward – Hospital).


172    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

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

173    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Comments were received from a member of the public who raised concerns about the junction from Soloman Drive into Devonshire Park, Westleigh Junction, and the demolition of the toilets in Old Town and also put forward his views on which authority should run the town as well as grants for the Town Band.

174    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 January 2011 were then approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 10, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

175    MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a.    The Mayor welcomed Sergeant Paul Searle to the meeting.

b.    Sergeant Searle reported the following incidents and items of note for the period 13 January 2011 -  10 February 2011.  There were 46 reported crimes of which he specified the following:

Assaults – 10
Public order offences – 9
Damage to buildings – 6

    Sergeant Searle informed members that the Torridge Sector has the third highest detection rates in Devon & Cornwall Constabulary.  He advised that PC John Wright is the new Beat Manager for the town centre.  He also informed members that a Football Festival was held at Sandymere last week.  Local schools and youths took part in the festival which was organised by the two PCSOs who work very closely with the schools in the area.  The weekend of the 12 February 2011 is the National Special Constabulary weekend and a number of events have been organised.  This follows on from a recruitment drive for Special Constables which was held at Atlantic Village a couple of weekends ago.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions raised included date of closure for front desk at Bideford Police station, whether the answer machine system is being terminated and if the Beat Manager at East-the-Water can be kept in position to preserve stability.

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


176    MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a.    The Mayor welcomed Councillors Mrs Alison Boyle and Sam Robinson to the meeting.

b.    Councillor Robinson thanked the Mayor, greeted the Chamber and briefly updated members on the following issues as he had circulated a full report prior to the meeting:

•    Highways Issues.  Councillor Robinson detailed the amount of road repairs which are outstanding and the areas which have been identified for remedial treatment. He also outlined the flooding issues at York House.
•    Westleigh Junction update.
•    North Devon Records Office update.
•    Areas identified as requiring grit bins.
•    Budget cuts.
•    Repairs to the Long Bridge cantilever walkway.
•    Forests.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

    Questions and comments raised included the notification of roads needing attending, the need to preserve information from the North Devon Records Office in an accessible manner, and whether there is any documentary proof regarding the implementation of a roundabout at Westleigh Junction as a condition of transfer of agricultural land?

d.    Councillor Mrs Boyle thanked the Mayor, greeted the Chamber and updated members on the following issues:

•    Highways are currently working on the potholes in Meddon Street.  The workmen are receiving abuse from members of the public and need to be treated with more respect.
•    There is a possibility that County Councillors could purchase towable gritters.  The machine that is under consideration will be put on demonstration at Westpoint on 15 February 2011.
•    She attended a meeting with the Bideford Bay Children’s Board to discuss the cuts and examine how staff can work within these constraints and still provide a degree of service.
•    Attended a meeting with Bideford Bridge Trust and Bideford College to consider how the College and Bridge Trust can work together with community.  
•    Detailed some further engagements within the community that she has or will attend.

e.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

f.    Questions and comments raised included the request for an update on the charging policy for use of the facilities at Bideford College, the fact that this year’s potholes seem to have occurred in the same location as last years’ and the request that during the summer the underlying causes be investigated.  Councillor Mrs Boyle requested that any observations concerning highways/potholes be sent to her by email for a meeting she will be attending on 14 February 2011.

g.    The Mayor then thanked Councillors Mrs Boyle and Robinson for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

177    COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

•    The South Coast Rowing Championships will be held in Bideford in 2012.
•    The end of term Town Council photograph will be taken at 6.00 pm prior to the next meeting.
•    The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 19 April – venue to be confirmed.
•    The Leader of Devon County Council, Councillor Hart has agreed to come and talk to Bideford Town Council and Northam Town Council.

178    MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2011 were received and adopted.

(Vote – For: 11,  Against:  0)

179    PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2011 were received and adopted.

(Vote – For: 11,  Against:  0)

180    STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011 were received and the recommendation duly ratified.

(Vote – For: 11,  Against:  0)

181    BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN PARTY 2011

The members noted the content of the report which is attached and forms part of these Minutes.  Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Pester be nominated for the ballot for the Royal Garden Party.

(Vote – For: 11,  Against: 0)

182    POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL

The Members considered the content of the report.  Proposed by Councillor Lacey, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Council would like to maintain the Status Quo.
(Vote – For: 11,  Against: 0)

183    BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Lacey advised that the model of the Long Bridge needs to be assessed for insurance.  The Bridge Trust will employ a model maker from Caddsdown to assess the replacement cost.  He further briefed members on the income, expenditure and grants figures as well as the correspondence exchanged with the Town Council pertaining to Handy Cross.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 7.35 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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