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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Monday 20th February 2017 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:    
Councillor S Robinson    
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:    
Councillor D Bushby

South Ward (Outer):    
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
    
IN ATTENDANCE:    
Mrs H Blackburn (Town Clerk)

085   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs R Benney (Atlantic Village – Personal), Councillor J McKenzie, (East Ward, Personal).

086   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this point.

087   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present.  

088   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9th January 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 4 , Against: 0)

089   MAYOR’S FUNDRAISING CONCERT 1 APRIL 2017.

The Chairman confirmed that the event had been organised for Saturday 1st April 2017 at the Kingsley School Theatre, starting at 7pm.  Tickets are £5 each  and “Encore”, will be performing.   An advert will be going in the Bideford Buzz, with further publicity to follow.

090   LITTLE AMERICA SITE AND INFORMATION BOARD

The Town Clerk reported that it has been necessary to source a higher resolution image of the town map.  The publishers of the Town Guide have agreed to supply this free of charge.  There has been a hiccough with the printing of the information sheets and installing them as SWH are no longer contracted to DCC.  Our contact at SWH has recommended a small local company to approach to carry out the work for us.  They have a wealth of experience with this type of work and have sub-contracted for SWH on information boards.  Councillor Howell said that he would get an additional quote from JAG.  It was agreed that the Town Clerk would check whether the quote included refurbishment work to the boards themselves, as if this was not included, the Maintenance Operatives could be asked to undertake this task.

The Maintenance Team litter pick the area every Monday and when the weather is more improved they will clear the embankment of rubbish too.  At present it is too slippery.  

091   SCHOOL CONCERTS.

Councillor Howell reported that he has a meeting tomorrow with Adrian Scarett of St Mary’s in order to progress this.  They are aiming to arrange the concert for a Friday at the Pannier Market, so it will not clash with anything else.

092   REFURBISHMENT WORK TO THE ART BRICKS.

The Maintenance Operatives have inspected the art bricks.  The bricks are all lit up at night but the perspex that covers them is scratched and has seen better days.   The Town Clerk showed the Committee a sample of the perspex which is proposed.  It has been costed out at £100 (cut to size) plus £20 for the sealant.  Members felt that a price for the toughened glass should also be obtained as his may be a better option aesthetically.

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RECOMMENDED That a price for toughened glass be obtained.  This option should be implemented if the cost is no more than £200.

(Vote – For:  4, Against: 0)

093   UPDATE ON ENQUIRIES WITH BIDEFORD COLLEGE ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MAKING OF A VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS, TO BE USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES ETC.

The Town Clerk reported that Councillor McKenzie had been in touch with Kay French from Bideford College, and was waiting to hear back from her regarding the project.  He hoped to have more information at the next meeting.

094   UPDATE ON PROGRESS FOR MARKING THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE BIDEFORD APPLEDORE WESTWARD HO! RAILWAY CLOSURE IN 2017.

Further to the agreement at the last Tourism meeting to undertake a decorative flower bed at the Port Memorial area, it has been ascertained that the cost of the plants will greatly exceed the budget allowed.  It has therefore been agreed that the design will be replicated with coloured gravel and planting around the outside. It was suggested that railway sleepers or thick timber form a frame.  The Town Clerk was asked to find out how the Maintenance Operatives plan to build up the slope.  

Councillor McKenzie has been trying to contact Bideford Blues to book their facility for the second week of June for the exhibition.  As he has not yet been able to make the arrangement he has provisionally booked the Burton Art Gallery as a fall-back position.

Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RECOMMENDED That the occasion of the Centenary of the Bideford Appledore and Westward Ho! Railway will be marked with a decorative coloured gravel bed at the Port Memorial.

(Vote – For:  4, Against: 0)

095   AVAILABILITY OF THE HARBOUR MASTER’S / COASTGUARDS OFFICE ON JUBILEE SQUARE TO BE UTILISED FOR THE POSSIBLE
INSTALLATION OF A DIGITAL INFORMATION BOARD OF WHAT’S ON IN BIDEFORD.

The Chairman advised members that he has spoken with Andrew Waite about the possibility of renting the Coastguard’s Office in Jubilee Square and has been offered first refusal.  The rent is likely to be around £2,000 per annum so we may need to negotiate this. The current agreement finishes at the end of March.

096   ST MARGARET’S FAIR IN JULY 2017

Councillor Howell advised that the plans for the St Margaret’s Day Fair are coming along well. He has put the application in to Torridge District Council for the use of the park on Saturday 15th July 2017, and after a delay in processing, this has now been confirmed.
Members discussed different activities that could be used during the course of the event which included:
•    Falconry
•    Napoleonic Wars
•    Farmers’ Market
•    Austin 7 Club (Councillor Bushby to make enquiries with Mr G Blight)
•    Parachute Landing Display
•    Hot air balloon (Councillor Bushby to make enquiries)
•    Helicopter rides
•    Aerial act from crane
•    John Puddy’s train (Confirmed)
•    SS Freshwater to be opened to the public
•    Sheep herding across the Old Bridge
•    Traditional fair stalls – toffee apple, burgers etc. (to be offered to local traders in the first instance).
•    Tug of war
•    Hog Roast
•    Pony rides
•    Dog Show.
•    Archery (booked)
•    Vintage bus (booked)
•    Ferret racing.

Councillor Howell advised that some of the funding will be provided by Bideford 500 and some by Bideford Town Council.

097   DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday 28 March 2017 at 6.00 pm in the Council Chamber.

The Chairman requested that an update on the Food and Drink event in the Pannier Market is included on the next agenda.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.40 pm.


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