Tourism Committee Minutes November 2012
Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 14 November 2012 at 6.30 pm
PRESENT:
North Ward:
Councillor D Fulford (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs M P Fulford
South Ward:
Councillor R Wootton
East Ward:
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
Councillor R Vanstone
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
1x Member of the public
015 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor A T Powell (South Ward (Outer), illness).
016 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no declarations of interest.
017 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
A member of the public spoke on agenda item 7. (webcam). He suggested that the installation of a webcam overlooking strategic points in the town and harbour would encourage more tourism. He felt that the cost of the webcam could be funded by advertisers who could be featured on the same page as the webcam images.
Two further non-agenda items were mentioned, and it was requested that these be passed to the Chairman by email.
018 MINUTES
The minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 19 July were approved and adopted as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstentions: 2)
019 BIDEFORD FAIR 2013
Councillor Howell advised that if the Bideford Fair was organised by the Town Council, the insurance cover could be arranged under the umbrella of the current Town Council Insurance. Any entertainers/other organisations engaged should have their own insurance. Risk assessments would be undertaken by the Town Council as part of the event organisation. The following ideas were suggested for the Fair:
Fun fair (there is one here during the last weekend in July which could be billed as part of fair)
Craft market
Family entertainment – day time activities.
Town Council parade (perhaps through the park to avoid road closure).
Fun family dog show.
Tug of war
Hog’s head relay
A street theatre performance – perhaps to start the summer season of such performances.
It was noted that a Party in the Park has been agreed to follow on from the Mayor’s Parade in either June or July and it was suggested that The Bideford Fair could be combined with the Party in the Park and Mayor’s Parade.
Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the Bideford Fair forms part of the Mayor’s Parade and Party in the Park, and that the ideas outlined in Minute No. 019 will be explored. Councillor Howell will instigate some informal meetings with local organisations to discuss any activities they could arrange to contribute to the event.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
020 JUBILEE SQUARE
Members considered the content of the agenda report.
Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That The Town Clerk advises Devon County Council that the booking process for our Town Square should be administered by Torridge District Council, however, Bideford Town Council would like to be involved in promoting Jubilee Square and in any discussions taking place about its usage.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
021 WEBCAM
Members discussed the possibility and benefits of a webcam overlooking the harbour/town.
The issue of gaining permission to site a webcam was raised (The Town Council will not be the property owner). The cost of installation was also discussed.
Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That The Town Clerk will investigate the cost and logistics of a webcam and report back to next meeting.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
022 CO-OPTION ONTO THE COMMITTEE
Members discussed the possibility of co-opting external members onto the Committee.
Proposed by Councillor Fulford, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That a representative from both the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Information Centre be invited to join this Committee.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
023 BRITIAIN BLOOM
Councillor Howell explained the benefits of Bideford taking part in a “Britain in Bloom” competition. He advised that for the coming season Devon County Council will charge £150 per hanging basket as opposed to £150 for all hanging baskets in the town if Bideford enters “Britain in Bloom”.
Proposed by Councillor Wootton, seconded and
RECCOMMENDED: That £150 is put in the budget to pay for entry into the Britain in Bloom competition and that Councillor Howell progresses this further.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
024 FREE PARKING FOR COACHES
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Fulford, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That if Free Parking for Coaches is agreed by Torridge District Council, it will be promoted by Bideford Town Council.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
025 INTERPRETATION BOARDS
Councillor Howell showed members copies of the Interpretation Boards made for Chudleigh Fort and Old Town Cemetery. He advised that further boards could be positioned at strategic points within the Town. Councillor Vanstone advised that there is currently some money ring-fenced for Artists Maps of Bideford, and this money could perhaps be used for the Interpretation Boards.
Proposed by Councillor Vanstone, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the funds ring-fenced for the Artists maps of Bideford are used for the purchase of Interpretation Boards to be positioned in strategic areas of Bideford. Councillor Howell agreed to cost the project and report back to the next meeting.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
026 LAMPPOST BANNERS
Councillor Howell explained that there are some lamppost banners surplus to requirements in the centre of town. They could be erected around the Pannier Market location at minimal cost to the Council.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Fulford, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the proposition to place the surplus lamppost banners is supported and if the Pannier Market location is unsuitable alternative venues will be suggested.
(Vote For: 5 , Against: 0)
027 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held at a date to be agreed in mid January 2013.
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: ………………………....
