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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 7th March  2018 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor J McKenzie

Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

South Ward (Outer):

Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Asst)

077.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Mrs R Benney (Atlantic Village TIC) - personal

CHAIRMAN’S WORDS IN MEMORY OF COUNCILLOR SAM ROBINSON

The Chairman paid tribute to late Councillor Sam Robinson who had been a member of the Tourism Committee.  He mentioned the Councillor’s dedication and motivation.  He made special mention of his extensive work outside the Council Chamber and concluded that he would be very much missed. Finally he gave best wishes and thoughts to Councillor Robinson’s wife and family.  A short burst of applause was made in the Councillor’s memory.

078.  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There we no declarations of interest given at this point of the meeting.

079. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present.  
The Chairman reminded members that the gentleman at the previous Tourism meeting had expressed concerns that the Burton TIC was no longer an outlet for National Express tickets.  This committee agreed to write to them to clarify the point.  A reply from the Burton had been received explaining the reason for not being a National Express agent was that the commission had dropped considerably and the company were not willing to raise it for a charity based TIC such as the Burton.  They had to make the difficult decision to cease being an agent for National Express.

080. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 30th January 2018 were approved and signed as a correct record. 

(Vote For: 4, Against: 0)

081. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE BIDEFORD FAIR 2018

The Chairman informed members that there had been a delay with the paperwork from TDC and that after a telephone call, the matter had been resolved and was now on track.He advised that there has been a good response from retailers and food outlets and that he was charging £10 for a stall, payable at the end of the day, which he thought to be fair.  Those on the list so far:  SW Foods, Devon Foods, Lindseys Cakes, Country Life Brewery, Hog Roast, Indian street food as well as a Burger van and a local Gin Distiller.  The Maritime Museum would be on site as well as Bideford Archive.  Councillor Bushby suggested the Lions Club, Rotary and Round Table be contacted to be present.

The Chairman said he was disappointed that he had not managed to get the Youth Pipe Band, the Clerk said she would contact Tarka Pipe Band.   The Chairman would start talking to Warren to design the posters as soon as possible. 
The Clerk asked the Chairman about the Mayoral procession.  He explained that a short procession in full regalia from the Town Hall on a pre-designated route to Victoria Park would be sufficient and then the Mayor to open the event at 10.30am.

The Clerk refreshed the Chairman that he had, in a previous meeting, suggested a good turn-out of Councillors to meet and greet the public – an open surgery in the Town Council gazebo.  The Chairman asked members what they thought of the idea and requested the Committee vote.  

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That Town Councillors are encouraged to attend the event with a view to an Open Surgery, on a rota type basis

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0)

The Chairman concluded by saying that further updates would be forthcoming at the next meeting.

082. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A ROAD TRAIN AND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE

Councillor Bushby advised members that since the last meeting he had met with Mike Ford and Sean Kearney of TDC who had both been very helpful indeed.  They had organised a meeting with Leader+ who in turn were able to help with information.  Mike Ford is driving the funding forward with Leader as they have a good working relationship.  The Coastal Communities Fund is also available although with limited cash which would need serious match funding, especially if purchasing a new vehicle.Councillor Bushby advised that further meetings were to be arranged regarding funding.  He and Mike Ford had also been looking at used Land Trains for a percentage of the cost of a new one, especially if there were difficulties with the funding.  

The Chairman informed members that he would get in touch with previous contacts of BALPPA to see about availability of a used train.

Councillor Bushby concluded by explaining that in order to deal with the topography required of if, a Land Train would need to be tractor based.  He also informed members that Ilfracombe had offered to loan BTC theirs during the quiet part of the year.

083. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE  ON THE FILM/VIDEO OF BIDEFORD BEING MADE AT KINGSLEY SCHOOL

Councillor McKenzie informed members that he had handed in the data stick with the film content on it.  He had not had any word back from them as yet.  He would contact Steve Whaley to get an update on the progress and bring any information to the next meeting.

084. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE WINDOW OF 1 QUEEN STREET

The Chairman explained that the difficulty of the window had been resolved and that it would be re-glazed with the required thickness of glass.  The centre section of the window frame would be removed in order to house the screen.
The Clerk advised members that she had found a Company who would be able to supply the type of screen required and would also allow BTC to monitor and upload information onto it remotely from the Town Hall.  The previous company being looked at would only sell the screen if they could load content.

The cost, she explained was in the region of £8k which was just slightly more than the In Touch monitor but members discussed and considered that the slight increase was probably worth it to have instant access.  The Chairman thanked the Clerk for her hard work in finding an alternative company.Members  did, however, wish to have a bit more information on points and costs in the quote and asked the Clerk to enquire about that as well as asking if an initial meeting could be set up and then a presentation at the next meeting.

085. TO SET A DATE AND A NAME FOR THE NEXT SPRUCE UP

A date and name was agreed:  Saturday 14th July at 12.30pm start – Taking Pride in our Town.  The Clerk explained that the general idea would be for the whole of Bideford to get involved in their own location ie street leaders arranging a clear up in their street or on their estate.

Councillor Mrs Craigie asked if there could be a starting point over East the Water and possibly a central area for putting rubbish.  The Clerk would ask TDC about the best plan of action for this.  She further explained that all the Supermarket Champions would need to be on board as well as McDonalds with their litter picking programme.  She would speak with Tonia Quance of BoB and would put the details to One Bideford for their inclusion.It had been suggested that to encourage people to take part, to turn the event into a bit of a competition with some reasonable prizes in store for winners of (eg) most rubbish collected, tidiest street, most people involved etc.

The Clerk would update at the next meeting on her progress.

086.  TO RECEIVE COSTINGS FOR A MOBILE BILLBOARD FOR ADVERTISING TOWN COUNCIL EVENTS

The Chairman opened the item by reassuring members that there would not be a problem with funding a mobile billboard, it would be more about how to use it and getting permission for sitings.
Members wished to know how the signs would be displayed and if they would be difficult to change.Councillor Bushby explained that it would not be electronic it would be a static very big poster which would be waterproof and either pinned or stapled.  He said it would have legs and would need to be chained up wherever it is sited.

Members discussed the different aspects of securing  the unit and where to site it for the maximum high visual impact.

The Chairman said he would speak with Andrew Waite about where to site the unit.  Councillor Bushby said he would have prices for the next meeting.

087. TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REGARDING A COLLABORATION FOR AN EASTER AND/OR CHRISTMAS FAIR IN THE PANNIER MARKET.

Councillor Mrs Craigie had just come from the Market Management Meeting and reported that generally the feedback was favourable, especially from the traders.  Members of that Committee had suggested a joint meeting to discuss further. She suggested that perhaps the two Chairmen would be able to arrange a meeting.

Councillor McKenzie further reported that members were keen for a Victorian or Disney themed event and possible getting involved with the Late Night Shopping event.

The Chairman thanked the Councillors and agreed that a joint meeting would be the best way forward.

IN COMMEMORATION

The Chairman asked members how they would feel about placing “Commemorative Tommies” around the Town work in conjunction with the commemoration of the end of the First World War.  He explained that these “Tommies” are integral to the “There But Not There” campaign which can be found on www.therebutnotthere.org.uk. and come in the form of either a perspex “tommie” or a wire one.
Members agreed that it would be good to supplement the commemorative Flower Bed that was being created.  The Chairman further suggested that a copy of the Bideford Roll of Honour for the First World War could be made up and placed in one or two prominent positions around the Town. They could be made up and mounted in a similar way to the “Discovering Bideford” boards.  

All members were of a favourable opinion and so the Chairman asked the Clerk to put the subject onto the next meeting Agenda.

088.  DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

Tuesday 24th April 2018

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.10 pm.


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