Tourism Committee Minutes 23 September 2015
Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Council Chamber, Bideford on Wednesday 23 September 2015 at 6.00 pm
Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on
Wednesday 23 September 2015 at 6.00 pm
PRESENT:
East Ward:
Councillor Mrs R Craigie
Councillor J McKenzie
Councillor S Robinson
North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby
South Ward (Outer):
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
Atlantic Village TIC:
Mrs R Benney
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Assistant)
001 ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN
Councillor Howell was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Howell is appointed as Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.
(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)
002 ELECTION OF A VICE CHAIRMAN
Councillor Mrs Craigie was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Craigie is appointed as Vice Chairman of the Committee for the coming year.
(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0)
003 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor A Inch (South Ward – personal).
004 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
No declarations of interest were made.
005 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
No Members of the public were present at the meeting.
006 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 September 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0)
(Councillor McKenzie arrived at the meeting).
007 BIDEFORD PRIDE
Members discussed supporting the Bideford Pride event proposed for next summer. Councillor McKenzie advised that a number of local people would like to organise a parade and music in the park – but this is still in the early stages and they are just testing the waters. Committee Members felt that The Town Council could support this event, perhaps with a small grant, but would recommend supporting planned activities rather than becoming involved in the overall organisation of the event.
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the Town Council supports a Bideford Pride event in principle but that more information is ascertained about the planned activities, and what support would be required from the Council.
(Vote For: 5, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
008 BIDEFORD WINTER FAIRS
Councillor Howell advised that Tourism Committee Members, with financial support from the Town Council, had organised several Winter Fair events over the last few years. In the past they have been held on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas (one of which also combines with the Signing of the Lease Ceremony). Various forms of entertainment and activities have taken place in the Pannier Market with a Charabanc providing transport from the Quay to the Pannier Market. It was suggested that the Pannier Market Committee and Traders consider taking over the organisation of the Fairs and funding them from their special events budget. Councillor Bushby offered to organise a classic motorcycle display as part of one of the fair.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Craigie, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That The Pannier Market Committee is asked to consider taking over the organisation and funding of the Bideford Winter Fairs.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
009 BIDEFORD FOOD FEST
Members discussed the re-introduction of the Bideford Food Fest. The last event was held in March 2014 which featured a family cooking event, with the involvement of local chefs and a “Great Bideford Bake-off”
Members were keen to explore a Bideford branded food and drink event.
Councillor Howell agreed to raise the idea with Darryl Littlejohns (who has assisted in the past, albeit as a TDC employee at that time), and Councillor Bushby will contact the organisers of the North Devon Show with a view to obtaining a list of potential traders and exhibitors. Letters of invitation to prospective exhibitors will be sent via the Town Clerk’s Office.
Councillor McKenzie will make some enquiries into Winter Fair Markets (German style).
Proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That the Council supports a food and drink event in the Pannier Market and that the committee members conduct some research into potential traders and exhibitors and bring information back to the next meeting.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
010 BIDEFORD GIG BOAT RACES
Members discussed the re-introduction of the Bideford Gig Boat races as part of Heritage Week. Councillor Howell advised that Bideford 500 would organise this, If Bideford Town Council will pay for the prizes.
Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That Bideford Town Council supports the re-introduction of the Bideford Gig Boat races as part of Heritage Week.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
011 ONE OFF ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.
Members discussed the viability and opportunity for “One off” Entertainment events. Suggestions included:
• A judge and jury type event. Councillor Howell advised that a local organisation, Encore produce this type of production. The publicity and tickets would need to be organised by the Tourism Committee.
• The re-enactment of the trial of the witches – using local actors to re-construct the events. This would be followed by refreshments and a discussion with the audience, followed by the audience’s verdict. The person leading the proceedings would take the audience back to the 17 century and apply the laws and morality of the day. It was agreed that the date for the event should be linked to the date of the witches’ trial.
• Craft Fair – Mrs Ruth Benney agreed to make some enquiries about this.
• Classic Bike Show – possibly on 1 July as part of Heritage Day.
Proposed by Mrs Benney, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That funds are reallocated from the remaining street entertainment budget (£2,625) to support one off entertainment events.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
012 “TAKE A PRIDE IN YOUR TOWN” CLEAN UP DAY
Members gave consideration to the possibility of working with other groups in the town to have a “Take Pride in your town” clean-up day. The following issues were discussed:
• Insurance / chapter 8 implications if working on Highways.
• A suggestion that cleaning the Heritage trail is a priority.
• Councillor Howell/Bushby agreed to talk with the Town Centre Partnership about a joint initiative.
• Could the schools be included?
• There was a discussion about possibly recruiting a further Town Council cleansing operative in the long-term, as well as further equipment and a small vehicle. Parking and storage issues were discussed. Councillor Howell offered to speak with Northam Town Council about how they run their cleansing team/vehicle.
• It was suggested that a date before Easter be identified, and then a regular clean over the summer months be held.
• Councillor Mrs Craigie agreed to look into how the flowers along Landivisiau Walk could be better maintained. (The Assistant Town Clerk advised that the flower beds at Prospect Place had been taken over by BOB).
• Bideford Town Council branded Tabards will be required for those taking part in the clean up.
Proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That Bideford Town Council supports a Town Centre clean with a small budget and physical participation.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
013 STREET THEATRE
Members gave consideration to the possibility of a programme of Street Theatre for 2016. It was agreed that Members would think of possible options and discuss these at the next meeting. The following possibilities were suggested: Jugglers/unicycle riders/Punch and Judy/Street Dance show and workshop.
014 INFORMATION BOARD – LITTLE AMERICA
Members gave consideration to the possibility of improving the DCC owned information board at Little America. Julian Roskilly has advised that Devon County Council will no longer maintain it. Councillor Howell suggested that Bideford Town Council takes on joint ownership with Bideford 500. The Town Council could provide some permanent information about the town with Bideford 500 taking responsibility for a “What’s on” section.
The possibility of Northam and Torrington contributing to the board was also discussed. The Town Clerk was asked to find out if Northam have a Tourism Committee.
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That Bideford Town Council take over the upkeep of the Information Board at Little America together with Bideford 500.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
015 ACTIVITIES OF THE TOURISM COMMITTEE
Members reviewed the Tourism Committee activities over the last three years as follows:
• Bideford Winter fairs in the Pannier Market.
• Street Entertainment during the summer.
• Food fest in the Pannier Market.
• Discovering Bideford maps.
• Webcam.
• Lamppost banners.
016 BUDGET REQUIREMENTS
Members gave consideration to the budget requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Tourism Committee during 2016/17 and agreed the following budgetary requirements:
• Gig boat racing - £750
• Street Theatre - £2,500
• Clean up day - £100
• One off events – £2,500
• Little America Information board - £1,000
• Food fest - £1,000
Proposed by Councillor Robinson, seconded and
RECOMMENDED: That a budget of £7,850 is allocated to the Tourism Committee for the activities detailed in Minute Number 016.
(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)
It was agreed that the Town Clerk would circulate a date for the next meeting in early November.
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 8.00 pm.
