Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall on Tuesday 18th July 2023 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)

South Ward:

Councillor P Lawrence
Councillor S Inch

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst


013. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies.

014. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

015. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public in attendance.

016. MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor S Inch and seconded by Councillor Lawrence, the minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

017. TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON BIDEFORD’S GOT TALENT

The Chairman and Clerk had been working with Lucy Lowe on the event and were satisfied that just about everything would be in place for the Final. The Chairman updated members on the Auditions the previous week (for those who could not attend).

The Clerk notified members that she had contracted two SIA Door Stewards for the event. She felt that as there was alcohol being served it would be prudent to have the extra security. Members were happy with this action.

Councillor Bushby joined the meeting 6.10pm.

One issue had raised its head and the Clerk explained that the gymnastic routines had just the one mat to work on with no surrounding matting as a precaution. She further explained that in order to satisfy the Risk Assessment surrounding mats would be necessary. She asked members for their advice.
All members agreed that if there were no surrounding mats there would be no performance.
The Clerk would convey this information to Lucy Lowe.

018. TO UPDATE ON THE OTHER PLANS IN PLACE FOR THE CORONATION

• Coronation Benches
The Clerk updated members that the Heathfield bench would be installed very soon. The one by Victoria Park railings was waiting for a licence from Torridge District Council.

• Coronation Rose Bed
The Clerk informed members that a utility check had been carried out (for underground cables) on the patch of ground. There is a cable but it is far enough below not to interfere (or be interfered with) by the roots of the roses.
The Clerk and Maintenance Supervisor would get on with ordering the plants.

• Trees for Schools
All three trees had been planted. Councillor Bushby was pleased with the enthusiasm from the schools. The Clerk elaborated a little more on each of the plantings and pointed out that each school had at least one of its Ward Councillors in attendance. The Mayor was in full regalia.

019. TO DISCUSS FURTHER PLANS FOR CELEBRATING THE 450TH CHARTER ANNIVERSARY

The Chairman pointed out that, at the last full Council meeting, this item was requested to be put on the agenda. She asked if the plans for an exhibition in the Burton were going ahead. The Clerk said she would check.

The Clerk asked members for some dates to work on for bringing Prof. Mark Horton to the Town Hall his to present Elizabethan Bideford. Dates suggested were Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, Friday 15th, Saturday 16th December. The format of the evening to be the guest presentation, the regalia to be on display with the Mayor and Civic Officers in full regalia. A budget would be available for nibbles and wines/drinks. The event would be ticketed and a price would need to be set.
The Clerk would contact Prof Horton with the suggested dates.

All members were very pleased with the Decorative Bed and backboard at the Port Memorial.

020. TO DISCUSS AND UPDATE ON CHUDLEIGH PICNIC, SUNDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

The Clerk gave a brief update on the arrangements and confirmed that the licence had been applied for. She confirmed that North Devon Hog Roast were still on board and would be meeting with them in August to do a site visit.

The Clerk was still working on the portable loos.

021. TO DISCUSS AND RECEIVE UPDATES FOR THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY LANDINGS ON 6TH JUNE 2024 AND CONTINUE FORMING A PLAN

Members discussed the plans so far. The Chairman asked the Clerk to contact the Liberty Sisters to get some idea of timings for their sets.
The Clerk reminded members that the budget would be set at the October meeting and this would be included.

The Clerk would contact the Town Band as well as Bideford Youth Pipes and Drums. She had yet to get in touch with the fish and chip seller. She did suggest that perhaps the Decorative Bed at the Port Memorial could depict the event – it would be a simple display with a back board. She also had started to put out calls for family or friends of those would have been involved in the D-Day Landings, with a view to creating a roll-call.

022. TO DISCUSS IDEAS FOR 2024 AND LOOK AT WAYS OF UTILISING THE PANNIER MARKET HALL

All members had ideas for the next year and ways for using the Pannier Market Hall as their preferred indoor space. They also discussed ways to promote the venue. Ideas coming forward were:

• Wedding receptions and possibly getting a licence for marriages
• Roller Skating
• Ice rink
• Daytime usage as well as evenings
• Live music
• Trade Show bookings

All members agreed to make enquiries and find out more about the ideas.

Councillor Hawkins would be happy to produce promotional pictures of the Market Hall and members discussed other ways to promote the space. Councillor Bushby pointed out that there were two very nice new display cabinets outside the Learn Devon building. He added that he had been discussing display cabinets at the Partnership meetings and that by joining with them, some good quality new display cabinets could be purchased.

023. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 5th September 2023 at 6.00pm.

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