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Tourism Committee Minutes 16 April 2013


 
Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Monday 16 April 2013 at 6.00 pm


PRESENT:
   
South Ward:
   
Councillor D Fulford (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
Councillor R Wootton

East Ward:
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
Councillor R Vanstone

South Ward (Outer):
Councillor A T Powell
Chamber of Commerce:    Mrs S Smith
Tourist Information    Mrs R Benney

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Councillor A T  Inch
2 x Members of the public
   
Councillor Howell opened the meeting and welcomed Mrs Ruth Benney and Mrs Sue Smith to their first meeting as co-opted committee members.

039 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None received.

040 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor A T Powell declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8.  (The Grenville Plaque was raised in discussion.  Recorded as position unclear pending SFGP meeting on 2 May 2013).

041 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No items were raised.

042 WEBCAM

The Town Clerk advised that she is currently preparing the Listed Building Consent application required for the installation of the webcam.  The form has been completed, but she has been advised by the Planning Department, TDC that in order to validate the application it must be accompanied by elevational drawings. Upon further enquiry she has been told that there are no scale drawings available of this part of the building, and she has been advised that the cost of obtaining such drawings would be considerable. 

Members discussed what is entailed to obtain an elevational drawing and the definition of such a drawing.  The Town Clerk was asked to clarify this further.  In the meantime it was agreed that the Town Clerk would issue a request in the forthcoming newsletter for a suitably qualified person to donate some time and provide such drawings.  The possibility of a student from Petroc was mentioned.  The issue of a second camera was not considered at this point.

Proposed by Councillor  Howell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the Town Clerk investigates the definition of “Elevational Drawing” further, a request for assistance with the elevational drawing  is put in the newsletter, and as there is not time to resolve upon this item prior to the issue of the newsletter, an advisory email is sent to all Councillors in compliance with Standing Order 10.
   
(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

043 TOWN MAPS

Councillor Howell provided Members with an update on the progress with the Town Maps.  Permission has been obtained from the landowner where appropriate and the signs fall within permitted development rights.  Councillor Howell has liaised with Simon Toon, TDC, regarding the location of the town maps in the car parks.  The following signs are soon to be put in situ:


1.Jubilee Square        Exact location to be confirmed
2.Bridge Street Car Park    To be fixed to railings in a position to the left of the parking meter.(Information board will need to    be mounted on foamex or similar material to
 provide rigidity/durability)
3.Pannier Market Car Park    To be fixed to the wall under the sign advertising the Joiners Arms (Clearly visible when exiting the car park towards the Market Square)
4.    The Quay (Car Park)    To be fixed to the rear of the Quay 1 P&D machine using the existing infrastructure.
5.    Riverbank Car Park     Existing post/signage (Coach Drop Off) to be removed. New (Coach drop off) taller posts that will accommodate both the existing sign and the new information board to be installed.
6.    Atlantic Village    Discover Bideford “shop”


The price per panel is approximately £360.  Further possible locations have been identified and it was agreed that as the cost of the current panels falls well within budget, some extra town maps could be recommended.

Proposed by Councillor  Howell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That number of town maps is increased from 6 to 10 as this is still within budget.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

044 ORDER OF BUSINESS

Proposed by Councillor Powell, second and

Resolved: That the order of business be changed to allow agenda item 9 to be taken next.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

045    BIDEFORD WINTER FAIRS

Councillor Howell suggested that two fairs take place based in the Pannier Market.  The first one would be around Christmas time followed by a Valentines Fair.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

Resolved: That Standing Orders be suspended in order for Mrs Fiona Balfour to participate in the discussion.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

Mrs Balfour advised that she thought this would be supported by the market traders.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the proposal for two Winter Fairs is explored and a small working party is formed to work together with the Market Management Committee.  The Committee will consist of Councillor Howell, Mrs Balfour, Mrs Benney and Mrs Smith.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

046 RETURN TO STANDING ORDERS

Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and

Resolved: That the meeting return to Standing Orders.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

047 EAST-THE-WATER INTERPRETATION BOARD

A suggestion has been received that an Interpretation Board be placed at East-the-Water Graveyard as part of the Town maps project.

There was discussion on possible other locations for interpretation boards, and whether perhaps TDC Councillors could be asked to fund this from their grant money.  It was considered however that there would be sufficient funds in the Town maps budget.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That an interpretation board for East-the-Water Graveyard be included as part of the Town Maps project.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

048 STREET THEATRE

Councillor Howell provided Members with an update on the progress with the Street Theatre. He envisages that performances could take place one day a week during school holidays.  Councillor Inch advised that he has spoken with a further Street Entertainer, Mr Rob Pudner, who could also provide some street entertainment.  Councillor Fulford then mentioned approaching the dance school in Rope Walk.  Members were unclear how Jubilee Square is booked out for performances and whether previous licensing issues had been resolved.  Councillor Vanstone made mention of being nominated to a Jubilee Square Committee, which did not seem to have materialised and had not therefore met.  He offered to investigate with the Leisure Department at Torridge District Council, how to book out Jubilee Square.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That the booking procedure for Jubilee Square is investigated.

(Vote For: 8, Against: 0)

049 VISITOR CENTRE

Councillor Howell provided Members with an update on the current position of the proposed visitor Centre and advised that the main concern was the size of the building and its future commercial viability.  The next step towards this project is to ensure that the finances are ok.  There are three possible links for funding. The building must be commercially viable and able to be self-supporting.  Council Howell said that he hopes to have more information shortly. 

050 FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Councillor Howell asked Members to suggest future activities and projects for the Committee. Members agree that the Committee is a valuable tool, and that there is plenty of scope to enhance activities around the town.  There was discussion about the Heritage Trail booklet, and ideas concerning how the number of outlets from which this is available could be increased.  Councillor Howell requested that The Bideford Fair is put on the next meeting agenda for consideration.  It was agreed that the next meeting would be arranged for a date during the first 2 weeks of July.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.00  pm.

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


Signature of Chairman:  ……………………………………..  Date:  ………………………....


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