BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held in the
Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 8 September 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 (Town Mayor)

South Ward:
Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor P J Pester
Councillor R I Wootton

South (Outer) Ward:
Councillor A T Powell

East Ward:
Councillor S E L Clarke
Councillor P Davies
Councillor D A Howell
Councillor M C Langmead
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:    Mr G B McLauchlan (Town Clerk)
Mrs H J Blackburn (Deputy Town Clerk)
Councillor S Robinson (Devon County Council)
PC J Wright (Devon & Cornwall Constabulary)
4 x Members of the Public

086 PRAYERS

On the invitation of the Mayor prayers were offered by Reverend David Morris from the High Street Methodist Church, Bideford.

087 ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Mayor proposed that item 6 be brought forward as the next agenda item in order to appoint Reverend David Morris as Chaplain before he had to leave the Meeting.

088 APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAIN

The Mayor explained that his appointed Chaplain, Reverend Paul Martin, had moved on and been replaced by Reverend David Morris.  He now wished to appoint the Reverend David Morris as his Chaplain and signed the appropriate certificate.

089 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All members were present at the meeting.

090 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors Christie, Johns and Pester declared a personal interest in agenda item 15. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).

091 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

Councillor Brenton advised that there was a discrepancy on recent Town Council agendas with regards to the Public Participation Session in that the May and June agendas stated “on items on the agenda” and the more recent agendas do not show this.  The Town Clerk advised that this was a clerical error as the Council had wanted members of the public to raise any issues at Council meetings.  This did not apply to Committee meetings.

A member of the public requested that Councillor Robinson give feedback on the bus trial during his agenda item.  He noted that there is still a problem with weeds in the town and that the road works at Westleigh Junction are causing chaos.

A second member of the public advised that there is still a blind spot near ASDA due to the overgrown hedge.  He also expressed concern about the safety of cyclists crossing the Long Bridge.  He suggested an advisory notice recommending that cyclists dismount and use the footpath.

A third member of the public spoke about the parking congestion in Elm Grove, Lime Grove and Pitt Lane.  He muted the possibility of parking permits.

092 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 August 2011 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 14,  Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)

093 MONTHLY UPDATE ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a. The Mayor welcomed PC Wright to the Meeting.

b PC Wright reported the following incidents and items of note for the period 11 August – 7 September 2011:

1.  Assaults  -  20
2. Criminal Damage -  6
3. Theft/Dishonesty - 9
4. Burglary - 1
5. Public Order - 18
6. Drugs – 5

PC Wright advised that there had been no hate crime recorded during this period and that the Water Festival had been without incident from a policing perspective.

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

7 Concern about the future of Bideford’s Police Force and that cuts will equate to the loss of local officers.  It was also felt that Barnstaple may be taking cases which would be better dealt with by Bideford Police Officers.
8 Whether there has been a change to the telephone number for non-emergency calls?  It was advised that this number is now 110.
9 Has there been an effect on emergency response times due to traffic backing up because of the work at Westleigh Junction?

d. The Mayor then thanked PC Wright for attending the Meeting and updating Members accordingly.

094 MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a. The Mayor welcomed Councillor Robinson to the Meeting.

b. Councillor Robinson advised Members on the following issues:

1. Bus to Market
2. Footpath to Abbotsham
3. Atlantic Array concerns
4. Torridge District Council house building plans
5. Salt Landings at Bideford Quay
6. Kynochs

Councillor Robinson then replied to the questions raised by members of the public as follows:

7 He will pursue the question raised about the cycling route across the Long Bridge, but worries about the narrow walkways.
8 He will relay the concern about the blind spot at ASDA to Highways.
9 He will reactivate the issue of the possibility of residents’ parking at Elm Grove and Lime Grove.

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

1. If there is a further test run for the bus around the market area could the rest of the councillors be informed in order to give them the chance to participate.
2. The work to Westleigh Junction has caused a significant increase to traffic on the Old Barnstaple Road.
3. A Member explained the magnitude of the Atlantic Array scheme, gave dates of the consultation and recommended that the Town Council pushes for financial compensation.
4. A Member explained how the proposed house numbers were set by Torridge District Council and their officers.  He is concerned that there will be more houses without the appropriate infrastructure. A further Member noted that Londonderry is a good example of where development occurs without infrastructure.

1. A Member commented that he understood that there are to be reductions pending for public transport and requested a copy of the proposals.  Councillor Robinson advised that he was unaware of such reductions.
2. A Member asked how Kynochs will be affected by the cabling from the Atlantic Array?
3. A Member requested that the resurfacing of Meddon Street be delayed until the works to the Long Bridge and Westleigh Junction have been completed as if such works were to take place currently, it would only exacerbate the traffic situation in Bideford.
4. The Mayor advised that Londonderry only receives one bus a day which he feels is totally absurd and asked Councillor Robinson to look into this.  A further Member advised that Devonshire Park do not receive a bus service at all.

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

Councillor Mrs Alison Boyle’s report was circulated and Members were requested to send any questions by email.

095 COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

1. The Mayor expressed his disappointment that only 2 Members attended the Planning training which had been run by Mr Peter Kemp, Torridge District Council.
2. The Mayor asked for contributions to the next Newsletter and reminded Members to send any articles, photographs, or quiz corner questions to the Deputy Town Clerk.  This can be done at any time; as if there is not a Newsletter pending, the information can be posted to the web site to keep it current.
3. There is to be a sponsored walk for the homeless on 24 September 2011.  If any Member would like to contribute/participate, more details are available from Councillor Mrs Davies.
4. The Mayor gave a précis of the events he had been involved with during the last month.
5. Councillor Powell provided Members with an update to the circumstances in North Carolina and particularly Manteo and advised that he is currently monitoring the situation.  The Mayor asked that condolences be expressed and these have already been passed on.

096 MARKET ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 September 2011 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 16,  Against: 0)

097 MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Prior to approval and adoption of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 September 2011 the following questions and comments were raised:

Minute No. 052. A question was raised regarding with whom the responsibility lies for putting up and taking down the banner on the Quay and to whom it belongs.  Councillor Powell explained the history of the banner and who held responsibility for putting it up and taking it down.

Minute No. 053. Councillor Christie advised that this was one of the original reasons the Council asked for the traffic survey.  He also explained the history of the problem of who owns the parking space in front of Victoria Terrace.

(Vote – For: 16,  Against: 0)

098 PLANNING COMMITTEE

Pollyfield – Councillor Christie informed Members that he had attended the Torridge District Council Asset Management Group where he was advised that the contract for the Pollyfield land had been signed which includes 23.84% affordable housing (16 houses).  This is less than the 25% previously agreed by the Council.  The Town Clerk advised that he had signed the contract as the Proper Officer of the Council and advised he could not recall house percentages of affordable housing of less than 25% in the contract.  The Town Clerk was asked to re-look at this together with the Chairman of the Staffing, Finance and General Purposes Committee.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 August 2011 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 16,  Against: 0)

099 STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

A question was raised concerning how the Town Clerk’s salary scale is calculated to which the Town Clerk gave a full explanation.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 August 2011 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 16 ,  Against: 0)

100 NOTICE OF MOTION

The Members received the response from the Devon and Cornwall Police Constabulary. Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the content of the response is noted and that a letter is sent to Devon and Cornwall Police Constabulary asking them to provide the figures to substantiate the issues considered during the community impact assessment which resulted in the closure of the front office at Bideford Police Station.

(Vote – For: 16,  Against: 0)

101 BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Christie briefed Members on the income, expenditure, charitable donations and grants figures.  He advised that the tenants who are renovating Warmington’s Garage have nearly finished and have done a very good job.  The Bridge Trust has bought two new boats for one of the rowing clubs and has named them after past Trustees.  £27,500 has been granted towards local swimming lessons and a bridging grant has been given to Torridge Training Services to keep the Keystone Centre and Prince’s Trust work running. 

The business of the Meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the Members for their attendance at the Meeting which concluded at 7.50 pm.

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