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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 3rd September 2019 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (Chairman)

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins
Councillors Mrs K Corfe

South Ward:

Councillors Mrs S Langford

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby


IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst


023.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Barry Edwards (Northam) - personal

024.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor Mrs J Gubb (East Ward) Item 5, non-pecuniary.

025.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

One member of the public was present who wished to know what was happening with the hanging baskets in Mill Street and Allhalland Street. Councillor Bushby explained that the high winds last month had brought some of the baskets down into the street and that in the interest of public safety it was necessary to remove the rest of that section. The ones still hanging at the far end of Mill Street were later being installed and still have some time to go before they are removed and also did not pose a hazard to the public as that section of the street is more sheltered.

026.      MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, and seconded by Councillor Hawkins, the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd July 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 4, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

027.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON BIDEFORD FAIR 2020 AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman reported that the licence had been applied for and the date set for Saturday 8th August 2020. The Clerk added that she had drawn up the Event Management Plan, Emergency Plan, Site Plan and Risk Assessment. She was waiting for confirmation of notification from the Police and Fire services as well as a quote from a First Aid company.

The Chairman further reported that the Clerk had sent out booking forms to nearly everyone from last year, outlining the ones not included. Forms had also been sent to the Sea Cadets requesting their assistance as ambassadors, Morris Men and the Burton. An enquiry had also been sent to Jonathan Marshall regarding his Show.
Cllr Bushby said it could be costly but would be worth it to bring in the crowds. He gave the Chairman contact details of a person who does ferret racing. Councillor Hawkins further added that he kept ferrets.
All members agreed that it was important to have a main “showstopper” and discussed the urgency to get attractions booked in plenty of time as there would be a great deal of celebrations for the Mayflower 400 event in Plymouth and towns across the County.

Councillor Mrs Langford had made enquiries with the Boxing Club who showed some interest and she would be contacting the Atlantic Racquet Club to see if they would like to participate.

The Clerk would be contacting G4 to see if they would like to bring representation to use the Park gym equipment for demonstration on how to use it and generally give fitness advice. She would also contact Diana Lewis (Animal Ambulance) regarding her bat display. Also find out from Northam Town Council about the Medieval Encampment group who are very popular at Northam Fair.

It was agreed by all that there needed to be plenty of stalls at next year’s event.

028.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON EVENTS IN NORTHAM BOROUGH

Councillor Edwards had given his report to the Clerk:

• Appledore Regatta was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
• The Appledore Book Festival will be held 20th – 28th September
• The Summer Festival had been successful and was followed by an excellent Carnival
• Appledore Town Band held their “Last Night at the Proms” concert and was very well attended

He had added that everything was now slowing down and the next scheduled event in the Borough of Northam would be Appledore Late Night Shopping in December, with Father Christmas arriving in a gig boat.

029.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE CLEAN UP DAY ON 13TH OCTOBER AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

(Councillor Mrs Corfe arrived at the meeting – 6.25pm)

Councillor Bushby felt that it was important to get the message to the public to tidy up outside their own houses and he knew that this was not necessarily popular with some residents who considered it to be “double taxation” but he was sure it could gather momentum. He would be looking at cleaning off the sticky glue residue on public realm, left by flyposting.

Councillor Mrs Langford reported that she had been contacted by the Manager of McDonalds who was enthusiastic and willing to help wherever possible in South Ward. She particularly was looking at graffiti. She would take a walk around the ward prior to the Clean Up day to log what needed cleaning up. Councillor Lawrence would join her.

The Clerk reported that Costa Coffee in the Town would be joining in with litter picking and were also enthusiastic to be involved. She added that there would be the cost of two graffiti kits on the SFGP payment list. Although it had been mentioned that perhaps the Authority should be supplying them, that would be a matter for that committee to discuss.

The Chairman concluded, stating that publicity for the event would start next week.

030.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE DECORATIVE ARTWORK IN COOPER STREET AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Bushby was delighted to inform members that two of the sculptures would be installed on Wednesday 25th September at 11am. A press/photo shoot had been organised. The deposit had been paid for the third sculpture

031.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON COMMUNICATION WITH UP-CLOSE THEATRE GROUP AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Clerk had contacted Up-Close Theatre who had explained that the previous Chairman had stood them down with regard to a production of the Three Witches Trial. They had started on the script, and whilst unable to re-start this year, they indicated their interest in the project.

Councillor Mrs Langford suggested the Clerk give Up Close her email address to contact her.

032.      TO OPENLY DISCUSS IDEAS AND PROJECTS FOR THE TOURISM COMMITTEE TO PROGRESS AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Clerk explained that the balance of this year’s budget was looking quite healthy as there had been an underspend on Bideford Fair and that, so far, there had been no expenditure on the Heritage Theatre.

Currently the balance is £715.17 plus £2,500 Heritage Theatre. This balance cannot be carried over to the next year unless it is ring-fenced for designated projects. The Clerk suggested that members look at projects for the remainder of this year to see if any expenditure is needed or whether to ring-fence the money to go towards Bideford Fair and the Heritage Theatre for next year.

The Chairman pointed out that a new budget would need to be set at the October meeting, so ideas need to start coming in.

Discussion points were:
• QR Trail on the Heritage Trail
• Bideford Town Centre Partnership’s relationship with Tourism
• Town Events Co-ordinator
• Pannier Market Events
• The condition of some of the play equipment in Victoria Park from a Tourists perspective.
• Plymouth 2020 – 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower sailing

It was agreed by all members that Bideford needs a big event to catch the attention of the rest of the country, not just the locale. An idea was put forward by Councillor Lawrence that everyone liked. It was agreed that all members would research the idea ready for the next meeting.

033.      The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 22nd October 2019.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 7.05 pm.


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