Town Council Minutes 12 May 2011

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

Bideford on Thursday 12 May 2011 at 6.30 pm

PRESENT:

North Ward:

Councillor Mrs E A Brenton
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor D C Fulford
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:

Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor P J Pester (Town Mayor)
Councillor R I Wootton

South (Outer) Ward:

Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:

Councillor S E L Clarke OBE
Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor M C Langmead
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    

Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
Councillor P Pennington (Torridge District Council)
Councillor S Robinson (Devon County Council)
PC J Wright (Devon & Cornwall Constabulary)
11 x Members of the Public
1 x Member of the Press

001    PRAYERS

On the invitation of the Mayor prayers were offered by Reverend Tom Benson from St Mary’s Parish Church, Bideford.

002    ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR

Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor T J Johns be appointed Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2011/2012.

(Vote – For: 10,  Against: 3,  Abstentions: 2)

003    DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Councillor Johns expressed his appreciation to the Council and occupied the Chair having made and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

004    EAST WARD VACANCY

The Town Clerk advised Members of the legislative requirement to fill the vacancy in the Bideford East Ward by co-option and advised them that this would take place at the next meeting of the Town Council on 9 June 2011.

005    ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR

Proposed by Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor S G Inch be appointed Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2011/2012.

(Vote – For: 11,  Against: 3,  Abstentions: 1)

006    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

007    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors Christie, S G Inch and Johns declared a personal interest in agenda item 23. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).

008    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

A member of the public spoke to congratulate councillors on their success in the elections and said he hoped they would take a proactive approach to their office.  He then outlined his concerns about the proliferation of weeds in the town.

009    MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 April 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against: 0,  Abstentions: 6)

Councillor Christie requested that the newly engaged handyman be asked to tackle the town’s weeds.  The Town Clerk advised that this was in hand and that a councillor from each ward would need to advise which areas were priorities.


010    MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a.    The Mayor welcomed PC John Wright (Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Bideford) to the meeting.

b.    PC Wright reported the following incidents and items of note for the period 7 April - 11 12 May 2011.

•    Public Order – 10

•    Assaults – 9

•    Criminal Damage – 7

•    Possession of drugs – 4 (All of which were Class B)

•    Dishonesty – 9

PC Wright then advised that there has been an increase in crime by 9% during the last twelve months with overall crimes rising from 783 the previous year to 855 this past year.  The detection rates have also increased by 4% over this period from 37.7% to 41.3%.  The main areas which have shown increases have been minor assaults and sexual assaults.  Areas which have decreased are robbery and dwelling burglaries.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.

d.    Questions and comments raised included what is the most efficient method of contacting Bideford Police now the enquiry desk is closed and access to police officers in order to disperse troublesome youngsters.

e.    The Mayor then thanked PC Wright for attending the meeting and updating members accordingly.

011    MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a.    The Mayor welcomed Councillor Sam Robinson to the meeting.

b.    Councillor Robinson thanked the Mayor and extended his congratulations to all councillors who have been returned to serve the town.  He briefed the Members on the process behind the decision making on Westleigh Junction, his concerns and his intentions. He said that he was disappointed to report that the plans for traffic lights were rubber stamped at a recent cabinet meeting.  He does not however intend to let the matter rest and has already raised the issue with Devon County Council to see if there is a solution.  He is also pursuing the problem of weeds and verge cutting.

c.    The Mayor then invited members to submit questions.  Questions and comments raised included:

•    Agreement that the quest for a roundabout at Westleigh Junction must continue and the observation that several responses were omitted from the consultation as key parties had not been asked to respond.  It was pointed out that this would be the only set of traffic lights along the Atlantic Highway and it was felt that given the danger this stretch of road presents, a roundabout would be an economic solution.

•    A Member requested that Devon County Council assist with organising the removal of the weeds.

d.    The Mayor then thanked Councillor Robinson for attending the meeting and updating Members accordingly.

012    COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

•    The Town Clerk advised that the Bideford Town Band will be celebrating the opening of their new Bandroom on Sunday 22 May 2011 from 2.30 pm and would be very pleased if Town Councillors and Council staff would like to join them.  Details were provided along with the order of events during the afternoon.

•    A letter has been received from Bideford 500 advising that they are considering the possibility of a commemorative rally at St Mary’s church in June or July.  Mr John Wilson, a long standing Ex Mayor of Manteo is hoping to attend.

•    An invite has been received from Bideford Bombers Club to their Open Day on Saturday 28 May 2011.

•    The scheme to demolish the toilets at Old Town has not been put on hold and works are scheduled within this year’s programme.

•    The Deputy Town Clerk has passed the CiLCA qualification.

•    The Mayor’s Church Service will take place on Sunday 5 June 2011 at the High St Methodist at 3.00 pm.

013    APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS

Proposed by Councillor S G Inch, seconded and:

RESOLVED:  That councillors be appointed as follows:

a.    Allotments Committee
    
    Town Mayor, Councillors Mrs Brenton, Brenton, A T Inch, Vanstone and Wootton.

b.    Market Management/Advisory Committees

    Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Mrs Brenton, Brenton, Mrs Fulford, Fulford and Wootton.


c.    Planning Committee

    Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, Mrs Davies, A T Inch, Langmead and Wootton.    

d.    Renewable Energy Generation Committee
    
    Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, Brenton, Powell and Wootton.    

e.    Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee
    
    Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Clarke,  Mrs Davies,  Mrs Fulford,  A T Inch, Pester, Powell and Vanstone.

f.    Tourism Committee

    Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, Mrs Davies, Langmead, Powell and Wootton.
    
g.    Documents Working Group

    Town Mayor, Councillors Clarke, A T Inch, and Pester.

h.    Newsletter Working Group

    Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, Pester, Powell and Wootton,

i.    Personnel Appeals Panel
    
    Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Mrs Brenton, Brenton and Wootton.

    (Vote – For: 15,  Against: 0)

(Councillor A T Inch left the meeting).

014    APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL INSPECTOR

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Pester be appointed as Internal Finance Inspector for the financial year 2011/12.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

015    REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That councillors be appointed as follows:


Bideford & District Community     Town Mayor
Archive Council:        Deputy Town Mayor
        Councillor Pester

Bideford Bridge Trust:        Town Mayor
        Councillor S G Inch (July 13)
        Councillor Johns (July 13)
        Mr Lacey (June 12)

Chamber of Commerce:        Councillor Powell

Bideford Twinning Association:    Town Mayor
        Deputy Town Mayor

Bideford Regatta Committee:        Town Mayor
        Councillor Fulford
        Councillor S G Inch

Bideford Working Group:        Councillor Pester
        Councillor Powell
        Councillor Wootton

Bideford Health & Fitness Forum:    Councillor Mrs Brenton

Bideford Town Band:        Councillor A T Inch

Citizens Advice Bureau:        Councillor  Mrs Brenton

DALC County Committee:        Councillor Mrs Brenton

DALC Larger Councils Sub-Committee:    Councillor Mrs Brenton

Pollyfield Community Association:    Councillor Fulford

East the Water Neighbourhood  Board:         Councillor Mrs Davies

Home-Start Torridge:        Councillor Wootton

New Year’s Eve Committee:        Councillor Clarke

Pollyfield Centre Partnership:        Councillor Clarke

Sure Start:        Councillor Mrs Brenton

Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum:    Councillor Johns

Torridge Group of the CPRE:        Councillor Johns

UNESCO Biosphere Champion:         Councillor Johns

ASDA 106 Committee:                                   Councillor Fulford
(Vote – For: 13,  Abstention: 1)

016        CIVIC YEAR 2011/2012 MEETINGS AND FUNCTION DATES

The Members noted the content of the document, which was circulated with the agenda. Proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the dates of meetings and functions for the Civic Year 2011/2012 be approved.

(Vote – For: 14 ,  Against: 0)

017    ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Members noted the verbal report of the Town Clerk regarding the payment of Annual Subscriptions.  Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  To agree the continuance and payment of the Council’s Annual Subscriptions.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0)

018    INSPECTION OF THE DEEDS AND TRUST INVESTMENTS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNCIL

The Town Clerk drew Members’ attention to the deeds and documents held by the Council and advised that Members were able to inspect any deeds and trust investments held by the Council.

019    ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 April 2011 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against:  0, Abstentions: 5)

020    MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Meeting scheduled for 5 May 2011 did not take place as it was inquorate.



021    (Councillor Mrs Fulford left the room)

PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 April 2011 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 4, Out of room: 1)

022    STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

a.    The Town Clerk advised that there was an omission relating to Minute 106 in that Councillor Clarke left the room and the Chair was taken by Councillor Ratcliff for the duration of the item.  The Minutes for signature had been amended to reflect this.

b.    The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2011 were then approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 9,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 4, Out of room: 1)  

023    BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Christie advised that several Bridge Trust Members had been to view Geneva School with regard to its sale; however the Bridge Trust would not be a lead buyer.  There is concern about Old Town Toilets as there does not seem to be much progress here.  He informed Members about the business start-up grants and noted that the £500,000.00 grant to Bideford College had been paid.  Councillor Christie has suggested to the Bridge Trust the possibility of dismantling the Grenville Theatre with a view to rebuilding it elsewhere. This is a possible regeneration project.  A Member suggested Pollyfield as a possible location for the rebuild and also asked if a deal had been agreed with Bideford College for the use of their community facilities following the release of the grant money.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 8.00 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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