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Minutes of the Town Council Meeting held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Thursday 12 May 2022 at 6.30 pm
 
PRESENT:
 
North Ward:
 
Councillor P S Christie 
Councillor T J Johns 
Councillor D McGeough
 
South Ward:
 
Councillor S Inch
Councillor Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence
 
West Ward:
 
Councillor Mrs K Corfe
Councillor C Hawkins
Councillor D Ratcliff
 
East Ward:
 
Councillor J Craigie
Councillor Mrs R Craigie 
Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor Mrs L Hellyer
Councillor J A McKenzie
 
IN ATTENDANCE:
 
Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mr R D Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Assistant)
Mrs V Morrish (Prime Warden)
6 x Member of the Press
 
1.     ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR
 
Proposed by Councillor Inch, seconded by Councillor J Craigie that Councillor Mrs Gubb   be elected to fill the role of Town Mayor.  (Vote: - For: 10, Against: 2, Abstention: 2)
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Hellyer, seconded by Councillor C Hawkins that Councillor Ratcliff be elected to fill the role of Town Mayor.  (Vote: - For: 3, Against: 2, Abstention: 9)
RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Gubb is appointed Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2022/2023.
 
2.    DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
 
Councillor Mrs Gubb expressed her appreciation to her fellow members, gave thanks to Councillor and Mrs Ratcliff for their tenure and resolved to promote the Office of Mayor and Town; she assumed the Chair having made (and signed) her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
 
3.    ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR
 
Proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded by Councillor J Craigie that Councillor Mrs Corfe be elected to fill the role of Deputy Town Mayor.  (Vote: - For: 5, Abstention: 9)
 
Proposed by Councillor Johns, seconded by Councillor Christie that Councillor McKenzie be elected to fill the role of Deputy Town Mayor.  (Vote: - For: 7, Against: 2, Abstention: 5)
 
RESOLVED:  That Councillor McKenzie is appointed Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2022/2023.
 
4.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
 
Councillors D Bushby (North Ward – personal) and J Herron (North Ward – personal).
 
5.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
 
Councillor Christie declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 21.  (Member, Bideford Bridge Trust.).  
 
6.    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
 
A member of the public congratulated the Mayor on her election believing that she would fulfil the role effectively.
 
They congratulated the Council on their efforts for a successful Queen’s Jubilee pageant which would be wonderful for the Town.
 
The Public Member wondered if the Council had any plans for the provision of a commemorative mug.
 
In noting the impressive bunting dressing the Town he wondered, also if any spare bunting could be wrapped around the railing along Bridge Street.
 
The Mayor thanked the Public Member and advised that Central Government were providing a souvenir book for school children and that the Council had sourced and would be distributing an embossed leather bookmark.
 
Councillor Mrs Corfe confirmed with the Public Member that they recommended the purchase of mugs to be freely distributed.  She expressed her incredulity and disgust in the face of the property housing crisis and rising prices.  She left the Meeting.
 
7.     MINUTES
 
Councillor Mrs Langford drew the Clerk’s attention to Minute Number 167, noting the omission of the word, “not” and requested that it be inserted, “…carried out by 1610 would not be repeated,” somewhat changing the understanding.
 
Councillor Mrs Hellyer noted that the statement attributed to her at Minute Number 159.b.  (“This would culminate in the whole of Bideford going over to zone parking.”) was incorrect and should be redacted.
 
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 April 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
8.     ACCOUNTS
 
To approve the payments listed.
 
It was proposed by Councillor Ratcliff, seconded and
 
RESOLVED:  That the List of Payments be approved.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
9.     COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR
 
The Town Clerk advised:
 
• The clean up day is scheduled for Sunday 22 May.  This is a general clean up, but please let Lesley know if there are any particular areas which need attention.  The meeting place is Jubilee Square, as usual, but if the East the Water Councillors would like to put a team together, please let Lesley know where you would like to meet up.  The Asda team will be there with their clean up crew, and it would be great to see any Councillors there who can make it.
 
• The Jubilee arrangements are well underway, and hopefully you will have seen the great job that the team have done on the Port memorial decorative bed.
 
• Information about the Jubilee day and evening has been circulated and hopefully you will be able to join the procession from the Town Hall to Victoria Park as well as the evening event.
 
• Mayor Introduction Ceremony – Thursday 9 June 2022.
 
Members to be robed by 6.45 pm.
 
• Mayoral Parade and Church Service – 12 June 2022.
 
Members to be robed by 10.20 am.
 
• The President of the Bideford Rotary, Moirag Clarke, has asked to briefly loan the German Friendship Charter for a dinner in Tawstock on 22 May.  They have a contingency of visitors from Ueltzen coming and would love to show them the charter.  
 
Members indicated agreement. 
 
10.     APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS
 
The Mayor directed the Members to vote en bloc following the population of the listed Committees and Working Groups.
 
a.     Allotments Committee
 
Town Mayor, Councillors J Craigie, Mrs Hellyer, Herron, Inch and McKenzie.
 
b.     Market Management Committee
 
Town Mayor, Councillors Bushby, Hawkins, Mrs Hellyer, Herron and McKenzie.
 
c.      Planning Committee
 
Town Mayor, Councillors Bushby, Christie, Mrs Corfe, Mrs Hellyer, and Mrs Langford.
 
d.      Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee
 
Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, Bushby, Christie, Mrs Corfe, Mrs Hellyer, Inch, Lawrence, and McGeough.
 
e.      Tourism Committee
 
Town Mayor, Councillors Bushby, Mrs Corfe, Hawkins, Mrs Langford and Lawrence.
 
(Councillor Inch indicated a desire to serve on the Committee; a decision to finalise the membership was deferred.)
 
f.       Decarbonisation and Environment Committee
 
Councillors J Craigie, Mrs R Craigie, Mrs Hellyer, Mrs Langford, Herron and McKenzie.
 
g.      Grievance / Disciplinary / Complaints Panel
 
Town Mayor, Councillors Bushby, Christie and McGeough.
 
h.       Personnel Appeals Panel
 
Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors J Craigie, Johns and McKenzie.
 
i.        Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
 
Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Mrs Corfe, J Craigie, Mrs R Craigie, Herron, and Mrs Langford.
 
j.        Emergency Planning Working Group
 
Town Mayor, Councillors: Christie, J Craigie, Hawkins and Mrs Langford.
 
Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and
 
RESOLVED:  That Councillors are appointed as stated.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
11.     APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Langford, seconded and
 
RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mrs Langford is appointed Internal Auditor of Accounts for the financial year 2022/23.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
12.    APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
 
The Mayor directed the Members to vote en bloc following the appointing of representatives to Outside Bodies.
 
Bideford & District Community Archive Council:
 
Town Mayor
Councillor Christie 
 
Bideford Bridge Trust:
 
Town Mayor
(Councillor Mrs Gubb (Jun 24))
Councillor McKenzie (Nov 24)
Councillor Mrs Langford (Jul 22)
 
Bideford Twinning Association:
 
Town Mayor
Councillor Johns 
 
Bideford Regatta Committee:
 
Town Mayor
(Councillor Mrs Gubb)
 
Bideford Town Band Management Committee:
 
Councillor Johns
 
Burton at Bideford:
 
Deferred to confirm liaison through Tourism Committee (following presentation to Council). 
 
Citizens Advice Bureau:
 
Councillor J Craigie 
 
DALC County Committee:
 
Councillor Inch 
 
DALC Larger Councils Sub-Cttee:
 
Councillor Inch 
 
Pollyfield Community Association:
 
Councillor Mrs R Craigie 
 
Home-Start Torridge:
 
Councillor Mrs R Craigie
 
Bideford Bay Children’s Centre:
 
Councillor J Craigie
 
Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum:
 
Councillor McKenzie
 
UNESCO Biosphere Champion:
 
Councillor J Craigie
 
Snow Warden:                    
 
Councillors Johns and McKenzie 
 
Bideford Town Centre Partnership
Town Mayor 
Mrs Corfe
Councillor Bushby
 
Fire Liaison:
 
Councillor McGeough
 
Police Liaison
 
Councillor Mrs Hellyer
 
One Atlantic
 
Councillors Hawkins 
 
West Croft School Governors Board
 
Councillors Herron
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb, seconded and
 
RESOLVED:  That Councillors are appointed as stated.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
13.     CIVIC YEAR 2022/2023 MEETINGS AND FUNCTION DATES
 
The Members noted the content of the document, which was circulated with the agenda.  
 
Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gubb, seconded and 
 
RESOLVED:  The dates of meetings and functions for the Civic Year 2022/2023 are approved.  
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
14.     INSPECTION OF THE DEEDS AND TRUST INVESTMENTS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNCIL
 
The Town Clerk drew the Members’ attention to the deeds and documents held by the Council and invited Members to make arrangements with the Town Clerk to inspect them and the trust investments at an appropriate time.
 
15.     MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
 
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 April 2022 were approved and adopted.
 
(Vote – For: 12, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
 
16.     STAFFING, FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 
 
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 April 2022 were approved and adopted.
 
(Vote – For: 12, Against: 0, Abstention: 1)
 
17.     TOURISM COMMITTEE 
 
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 April 2022 were approved and adopted.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
18.     PLANNING COMMITTEE 
 
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Christie during the process of approving and adopting the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 April 2022 in addressing Minute Number 107. (Draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and the new Validation Checklist) sought to combine and include the next Agenda item (directly addressing the SPD).  
 
He explained that he had read the seventy page document and reiterated the identified four points which had been discussed during the Planning Meeting:
 
3 The Development Process
 
Point 3.1 The Pre-Application
 
Could developers be told that unless they can provide 30% affordable housing, their applications will not be accepted?
 
5 Delivery of Affordable Housing on development sites
 
Point 5.5 Viability Study
 
Councillors need to see the price paid for the land and when this was paid, as the increasing house prices will directly affect the viability of the site.
 
9 Accessing Financial Viability
 
Point 9.3  
 
Bideford Town Council are enquiring who are “The Council” in this paragraph, as no Councillors have ever been consulted.
 
Point 9.11
 
There are no details as to the level of premium paid to the landowner(s), which could
affect the viability.
 
Discussion followed where Councillor J Craigie wished to add that the Developers not only had to commit to providing 30% affordable housing at the application stage but also at the point of validation.
 
Further points were raised on section 106 monies and the lack of consultation with councillors at both District and County levels.
 
In addition to making the above observations for submission on the Draft document Members wished the District Council to be advised Bideford Town Council has serious concerns regarding the appropriation of section 106 monies.  The Council strongly desires Town, District and County Councillors to be consulted during the process.
 
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 April and 11 May 2022 were approved and adopted.
 
(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0)
 
19.     DRAFT AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT AND NEW PLANNING VALIDATION CHECKLIST
 
The item was considered at Minute Number 18.
 
20.     TORRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL – UPDATE
 
Councillor Christies advised:
 
• Motion passed to clean up coastal waters.
 
• Central Government to provide (TDC) one million pounds towards “levelling up,” over three years.
 
• Alverdiscott is going to be linked by a 2,360-mile undersea cable to a huge solar and wind farm in Morocco.
 
• Offset Biodiversity.  Local Plan directing Developers to increase the biodiversity of a development by ten per cent can fund / purchase initiatives in other areas as an offset e.g. following Bradworthy development £120,000 spent in Abbotsham.
 
Councillor Mrs Langford advised:
 
• Housing.  Looking to fund three modular units for six people but searching for appropriate site from within the Asset Plan.
 
• Looking also to provide (Housing) stock.
 
• Having taken on the Ground Maintenance there have been delays in starting the grass cutting; emphasis will be on quality.
 
• In correcting a misunderstanding under the auspices of Active TDC, the changing rooms at the Northam swimming facility are, and have always been, open.
 
Councillor Mrs Hellyer expressed frustration at the lack of money spent on play materials.  East-the-Water has more families with young children than any other area in the District, yet Victoria Park is regarded as the primary focus.  But it has not had any money spent on play provision.  She was disappointed in the officer decision not to set in motion improvements.  The Council, she believed, should hasten TDC.
 
Councillor Inch felt aggrieved following a visit to a family grave where grass twelve inches high blighted the site.
 
Councillor Craigie reiterated Members’ desire for action from the District Council to address the neglected Park and reiterated the importance that a letter be sent.  He expressed concerns at the manner in which the Bideford Regeneration Board was being choreographed. 
 
Councillor McKenzie advised that following a two week promotion Taxi fares would be increasing to a set maximum level; individual firms did not need to charge the highest price.
 
There was further discussion on the TDC play strategy including the poor take up on the Council’s / Bridge Trust committed funding offer and suggestion that the Council take on the Park (previous approach rejected by TDC).
 
21.     BRIDGE TRUST
 
Councillor Christie briefed Members on the income, expenditure, charitable donations and grants figures.  
 
The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 7.48 pm.
 
 
Table of accounts presented for approval at the Town Council Meeting 12 May 2022
 
 
 
 

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