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Town Council Meeting Minutes 7 August 2014


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 S G Inch
Councillor P J Pester  (Chairman)
Councillor R I Wootton

South (Outer) Ward:
Councillor A Powell
   
East Ward:   

Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor D Ratcliff
Councillor R W Vanstone

IN ATTENDANCE:   

Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mr R D Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Councillor G Dezart (Devon County Council)
PC Nina Domachowska (Neighbourhood Beat Mgr)
Mrs M Bailey (Bideford Chamber of Commerce)
Mr M Harris (TDC)
1 x Press
3 x Members of the Public

070  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors D Howell and M C Langmead (East Ward – personal), A T Inch (South Ward – work).

071  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillors Christie and Pester declared a personal interest in agenda item 17. (Trustees, Bideford Bridge Trust).  Councillor Pester declared a personal interest in agenda item 8. (Representative, Bideford Town Centre Partnership).  Councillor Powell declared a personal interest in agenda item 10.30. (Employer mentioned as potential provider of Services to the Council). 

072  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

In addressing the Meeting a member of the public suggested a change to standing orders to allow members of the public to raise points, regarding Bideford, without being restricted to items on the agenda.  He then followed with three items:

•    He sought the Council’s support in lobbying Devon County Council (DCC), who had not responded to a request, for a drop kerb at the top of Bridgeland Street that would benefit a severely disabled lady.

•    Concern was expressed at the apparent lack of police action regarding (uninsured) boy racers with large exhaust systems.

•    Disquiet was directed at the Burton Art Gallery charging (tourists) ten pence for a black and white paper map of Bideford.  While he conceded that he did not fully understand the Barnstaple colour leaflet, nonetheless he felt the      impression given was somewhat more favourable than the Burton’s effort.

•    He also noted that a holiday coach firm with an association with a hotel in a neighbouring parish did not include Bideford in their itinerary.

Another Member voiced the support of the Chamber of Commerce to the Council’s Christmas Parking initiative.

Councillor Fulford indicated that his approach to DCC regarding the drop kerb had also gone unrewarded.

Councillor Powell felt that the Tourism Committee would be the ideal vehicle to explore the Burton’s Bideford map / leaflet although subsequently the Bideford Town Centre Partnership indicated that they would investigate.

073  MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 June 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 12 Against: 0 Abstentions: 1)

074  ACCOUNTS

a.   To approve the payments listed.

It was proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  that the list of payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 13 Against: 0)

b.   The Members received the External Auditor’s Certificate of Opinion on the Accounts for the Financial Year 2013/2014. 

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs A Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED:  that the External Auditor’s Certificate of Opinion be noted.

(Vote – For: 13 Against: 0)

075  REPORT ON POLICING ISSUES WITHIN THE PARISH

a.   The Chairman welcomed PC Nina Domachowska to the Meeting.

b.   The Neighbourhood Beat Manager read a report produced by Sgt Paul McWhinnie stating that the 12 month figures continue to show a reduction in crime by 3.4% to 2,320 and victim based crimes (Violence with & without Injury, Robbery, Burglary Dwelling & Non Dwelling, Vehicle Offences, Shoplifting, Other Theft & Criminal Damage) down 5.9% to 1,566 offences showing the overall picture would certainly appear to be a continuing decline in recorded crime.

The following crime figures cover the period from 25/06/14 to 03/08/14.

•    Burglary Dwelling    4.
•    Burglary Other    8.
•    Theft/Shoplifting     15.
•    Robbery    0 (1 attempted).
•    Theft from motor vehicle    1.
•    GBH    0.
•    ABH    17 (includes domestic).
•    Public Order    4.
•    Race / Hate crime    0.
•    Criminal Damage    29.
•    Class A Drugs    0.
•    Class B Drugs    1.

The Police have one current identified crime trend involving shoplifting.  An individual has been identified who is committing a high volume of the shoplifting offences.  This individual has been arrested for a total of 11 shoplifting offences over recent weeks and as a result has been made a “Target Criminal” for North Devon.  This means that this individual will receive full attention until either the offending stops or they are sent to prison.  To date two of those offences have had no further action taken due to insufficient evidence.  Six offences have been charged and the individual has appeared in court in relation to them and they remain on bail for two offences.

The address referred to in the last Police report in Hyfield Place, Bideford is no longer linked to the supply of Class A drugs.  This has alleviated the anti-social behaviour in this street and hopefully will have made an impact in reducing any issues around the Pannier Market. We will continue to be visible in this area.

The issues with Street Drinkers appear to have significantly reduced, although the designated drinking area in the town centre will continue to targeted and positive action will be taken where required.

PC Nina Domachowska continued with a note from Inspector Brock:

On the 21st of this month the Bideford Forum will hold a special meeting where Inspector Roger Bartlett and members of the “One Ilfracombe” team will give their feelings and experience of getting this up and running, who is involved and how it is progressing.

The idea is to generate conversation about how we can continue to improve the standards in Bideford, support the Bideford Forum and consider if this is something that can adopted here.  The Mayor of Bideford will be attending as part of the forum; joint venture work may arise and involve both Bideford Town and Torridge District Councils.

Inspector Brock recently released with the local MP Mr Geoffrey Cox a press release concerning a petition requesting amongst other things zero tolerance in Bideford. 

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

•    Local understanding at odds with the recorded figures.
o    Significant drop in Class A but increase in supply of legal highs.
    The law enforcers’ hands are tied by current legislation.
    Monitoring / raids / analysis (£15,000 worth of products analysed and confirmed legal).
o    Shop lifting is a direct result of funding drug use / habit.
•    Criminal Damage (Lime Grove) CCTV evidence.
o    Cavaets dictating CCTV as admissible evidence.
•    Request for Crime distinctions e.g. domestic abuse and whether local offenders.

PC Domachowska referred to the point raised in the public session regarding “Boy racers”.  The Police do target speeding motorists, however, the public can help by providing them with registration numbers, times and places of incidents.

•    Contact 101 or
•    E Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
•    Telephone: 01237 428009

She also indicated a Safer Town Bideford initiative, which is at the early stages:

•    Five areas (in the Town) have been identified where people have quick and easy access to the police authority including:
o    The Burton Art Gallery, Lundy Office, The Rose Salterne and the Pannier Market. 
•    Store Net also gives retailers a direct feed to the Police. 
•    St Mary’s School have been engaged to create an information poster. 
•    Safer North Devon has provided support to the Project.

d.   The Chairman thanked PC Domachowska for attending the Meeting, updating Members accordingly and wished her well in her relatively new employment position.

076  REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCILLOR

a.   The Chairman welcomed Councillor Dezart to the meeting.  Members had previously received Councillor Dezart’s report that included:

•    East the Water Primary School.  Western Power Distribution has visited the site to ascertain the access requirement across their land, this will enable the school to expand their parking area and relieve congestion on Mines Rd.  A formal agreement will then be drawn up setting out terms and conditions.

•    Tarka Trail:  Lighting Landcross Tunnel.  Councillor Dezart has, with a contribution from his capital budget, initiated work to be carried out to overcome the lighting failure.  Warning notices have been placed; a start date has yet      to be ascertained.

•    Tarka Trail Access.  The pavement from Old Barnstaple Rd running past the Trail entry down the hill to the houses has now been resurfaced. This does contrast sharply with the weeds growing on the opposite pavement, though.

•    Tarka Point Play Area.  Graffiti / waste / petty vandalism.  Request has been made to the Manger, Operational Services, Torridge District Council to relocate bins.

•    Manteo Way.  Complaints regarding potholes and verges have been addressed.   Councillor Dezart had walked the length establishing that the verges had been cut. As a regular cyclist on the Trail to Barnstaple and return (up Manteo      Way) he was familiar with the vulnerable surface at both Watkins Way and Fillablack Way.   The former has had the whole access area resurfaced and the latter has been patched three times.

•    Alverdiscott Road – speeding.  Highways have no record of Councillor Vanstone’s claim that funding had been set aside for a traffic calming scheme. They indicated that some parking bays were provided, but inadvertently perhaps the      removal of a few cars from the highway has given a clearer run for the boy racers. Councillor Dezart will raise the matter with the Police.  A recent schedule of road works (to be approved) includes Alverdiscott Rd, Broadlands and      Gammaton Rd.  Highways state that they do not want to dig up tarmac for traffic calming schemes in the future and may reconsider their schedule.

•    Bus Shelters on the Quay.  Negotiations are in hand with a private contractor to take over the maintenance, including benches; some panels will be replaced with advertising. This process will take time.

•    Springfield Centre.  No decision has been taken; Councillor Dezart has written to the North Devon Journal.

•    Engagements.  Councillor Dezart attended:
o    The IBEX Presentation at Kingsley School to mark the end of the three week English course for Spanish students.
o    The Bideford Water Festival. 
o    The Fun Day in Victoria Park.

b.   Councillor Dezart invited Member to submit questions.  Questions and comments raised included:

•    Tarka Tunnel still not lit. 
o    An accident has seen a lady break her collarbone.
•    Suggestion of closure.
o    Will continue to pursue.
•    No decision on the future of Springfield Centre yet Bideford Pill Youth Centre reprieved.
•    Bideford Long Bridge.
o    Feedback from County Hall indicates that the Bridge is structurally safe although the coping stones need pointing.
•    Market Place tarmac work finished yet adjacent surface areas remain in poor state of repair.
o    Additional work to be completed.
•    Alverdiscott Road - prevalence of irresponsible high speed driving.
•    One fatality and other near misses with.
o    Have raised concerns with the Police.
o    (Notwithstanding speed) Residents must record information:
    Time / date / registration number.
•    Further suggestions were made to the Councillor to resolve the issue.
•    Lower Meddon Street – erosion of No Entry indication.

c.   The Chairman thanked Councillor Dezart for attending the Meeting and updating Members accordingly.

077  REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP

a.   The Chairman welcomed the President of the Bideford Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Maria Bailey and Malcolm Harris, Community Development Officer, Torridge District Council, to the meeting.

b.   Both Mr Harris and Mrs Bailey thanked the Mayor for the opportunity to address the Council.  Members had previously received their notes that included:

Why the need for a Bideford Town Centre Partnership?

There was a perceived need to bring together interested individuals, groups, and public bodies, to encourage a collaborative approach to developing, and  promoting the unique mix of waterfront  location, heritage, and specialist retail offer.  To build bridges between organisations, and help to stop the current practice of challenging each other, rather than working in a productive way. To respect each organisations objectives, and environment.
Initiated by the Portas Town Team grant of £10,000.

Who sits around the table?
•    Local Retailers – Market Traders – Festival Committee.
•    Bideford Chamber of Commerce.
•    Tourism Association.
•    Devon & Cornwall Police.
•    Public Bodies
o    Bideford Town Council
o    Torridge District Council
o    Devon County Council

What is the Partnership trying to achieve?

Key Objectives

To encourage collaboration amongst individuals and groups with an interest in Bideford Town Centre, and its surrounds.
Highlight and improve the Town’s assets; its high quality landscape, its quay, its historic townscape, and its tourism heritage.
To promote, deliver, and initiate new projects.

Examples of some early project work:

•    Collaboration with Bideford College – Art project to improve the Talbot Inn window inserts.
•    Collaboration with Bideford AFC to wash and repaint football ground wall.
•    Developing a number of new events via B.O.B for the Town Centre.
•    Initiating the “One Ilfracombe” presentation in August.

What resources does the Partnership currently have?

•    Portas Town Team – remaining balance - £4,500
•    Asda 106 - £2,700.
•    Enthusiastic volunteers!  B.O.B/M.O.R.E.
•    Chamber of Commerce budget?
•    Statutory bodies with potential funds!
•    Potential bid for funds from new Leader programme.

How can the Partnership develop and grow?

•    Bideford Bay – Vision/marketing strategy.
•    Brunswick Wharf.
•    Events.
•    Retail offer.
•    Public realm improvements/Tidy Towns Action Group.
•    Atlantic Village expansion – potential funding for the Partnership?
•    Improved public realm.
•    Leader 5 potential application for resource – match funding will be required.
•    Not the Little Town anymore!

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

•    Coordination of effort and finance. 
•    Combining forces to promote events.
o    Petroc run Event Management Course.
•    Much to promote in Bideford.
•    106 financed Bideford DVDs / leaflets.
•    Atlantic Village expansion.
o    Second Phase public consultation – 11 September 2014.
o    Concern at the number of shut shops.
o    Hope that involvement of MacDonalds and Whitbread will encourage new tenants.
•    Bideford 500 Heritage:
o    Projects.
o    Guided walks.
o    Heritage Tourism.
    Favourable response for a week-long festival.
•    Breakdown of Town Centre Partnership includes Councillor R Johnson, Deputy Leader TDC / Northam Town Councillor, DCC’s Highwayman, Mr J Roskilly and Councillor G Dezart.

d.   The Chairman then thanked Mrs Bailey and Mr Harris for addressing the Meeting.

078  COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

a.   The Road Sweeper is up and running.  Richard Haste, Operational Services, TDC, has been very helpful in facilitating the initiative. 

b.   The Chairman led a vote of thanks to Mrs Claire Scott, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, whose last working day for the Council will be 13 August 2014.

Proposed by Councillor Powell, seconded and

RESOLVED: that a vote of thanks be recorded for the outgoing Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs Claire Scott.

(Vote – For: 13  Against: 0)

079  STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 July 2014 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)

080  PLANNING COMMITTEE

a.   The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 July 2014 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)

b.   The Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 July 2014 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)

081  GRIEVANCE REPRESENTATIVE

Councillor Mrs Davies left the Meeting.

Following the resignation of Councillor Pester from the Grievance Panel, the Chairman called upon the Councillors for a volunteer to replace him.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  that Councillor Ratcliff is elected to stand on the Grievance Panel.

(Vote – For: 12, Against: 0)

082  SPRINGFIELD CENTRE

Members considered the response from Councillor Barker, Devon County Council, regarding the Springfield Centre.  Discussion followed leading to suggestions of a pragmatic approach to registering a community asset claim (especially given that it is in the vicinity of another community asset) so that any viable proposition would not be restricted.   Astonishment was expressed that the running costs, of a public run facility, were not known, especially when Councillor Barker stated that (costs) have escalated.

It was agreed that the Staffing, Finance and General Purposes Committee would investigate the community asset process.
 
083  CHRISTMAS FREE PARKING COSTS

Members had received a report on the cost (£2,647.70 (inc Vat)) and detail for providing `free` parking after 10 am on Saturday 29 November, Sunday 30 November (Christmas lights switch-on), Saturday 13 December and Saturday 20 December in:

•    Bridge Street
•    The Pill
•    Pannier Market
•    The Manor
•    The Quay

The only caveat to the use of the Quay relates to commercial shipping which will always take priority. The Parking Services Manager will ask the Harbour Master to establish the probability of shipping on the dates we have requested.
It was noted that Torridge will provide free parking in ALL Bideford car parks on 6 December 2014 from 10.00 am (“Small Business Day”).
Proposed by Councillor D Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk requests the package at a cost of £2,647.70 from TDC for Christmas Parking as specified in the report.

(Vote – For: 12, Against: 0)

084  NOTICE OF MOTION

Submission by Councillor Christie:

“Initial Assessment of painting of Coat of Arms.”

Discussion led by Councillor Christie included:

•    Assessment by Bonhams, at the Burton Art Gallery, of worth and value / benefit of any restoration work.
•    Tax payer support for any work.

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded

RESOLVED:  That, with a budget of £120.00 the Motion is carried.

(Vote – For: 11 , Against: 0, Abstention: 1)

085  TORRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

Councillor Brenton led discussion that included:

•    Tarka Board merger with Westward.
•    Rugby Club training areas falling foul of dog waste.
•    Visit by Eastbourne Borough Council.
o    Cutting through red tape / regulation / innovative ideas.

086  BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Christie advised Members on the income, expenditure, charitable donations and grant figures including £30,000 to local school swimming lessons.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 8.15 pm.


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