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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on 25 April 2017 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:    
Councillor J McKenzie
Councillor S Robinson    
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:    
Councillor D Bushby

South Ward (Outer):    
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

Atlantic Village TC    
Mrs Ruth Benney

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

085   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

086  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations of interest were made at this point of the meeting.

087   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present.

088   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 28 March 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

089   LITTLE AMERICA SITE AND INFORMATION BOARD - TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING.

The Chairman advised members that the noticeboard had been refurbished and painted and was looking as good as new.  He further remarked that the whole site was looking good.  The Clerk added that the Maintenance Team carry out a weekly check on the site.

The Chairman explained that the designs had gone to Jag for printing and that we were anticipating the proofs back from them.

They had also quoted for a new header for the noticeboards but at a cost of £600 it was not feasible, especially as the signs themselves were less than £400.  It was suggested that a vinyl header would be more cost effective.  The Chairman said he would look into it.

The Clerk asked if the Chairman would be able to get Mr Columm’s invoice for the designs.  

090   TO RECEIVE AN UP DATE ON THE SCHOOL CHOIRS CONCERTS IN THE PANNIER MARKET AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman apologised but due to personal circumstances he had not had the opportunity to speak with Adrian Scarrett of St Mary’s School.

He would get in touch with him as a matter of importance and report back at the next meeting.

091   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ENQUIRIES WITH BIDEFORD COLLEGE ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MAKING OF A VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS, TO BE USED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES ETC. AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor McKenzie had not received a response from Bideford College after many attempts and was now trying Kingsley College.  The Chairman suggested that a phone call may be in order and would let the Councillor have the contact details for the Headmaster, Mr Peter Last.

092   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS FOR MARKING THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE BIDEFORD APPLEDORE RAILWAY CLOSURE IN 2017 AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Councillor McKenzie explained that he had experienced difficulty in finding an appropriate venue for a display.  He was intending to visit the Bideford Archive and would report on what they were planning for the first weekend in June.  He had spoken with the Blues and they had informed him that they no longer rented out their room.

Councillor Bushby suggested the Conservative Club would be happy to help, although it was considered that it could be a little further away than the Port Memorial area which was the preferred approximate site.  
More discussion followed regarding venues and the Chairman asked Councillor McKenzie to speak with the Archive about the possibility of combining forces and holding a display in Victoria Park.  Alternatively a display in Jubilee Square – he asked the Councillor to contact him as soon as he had been in touch with the Archive.

There was further discussion about using gazebos in the Victoria Park area and at the site of the Port Memorial.

Councillor McKenzie wished to discuss the content of the display and would be speaking with Councillor Christie and Lewis Andrews about photographs and historical knowledge.  It was suggested to him that he contact Maurice Pearce from Osbornes Models and Trevor from Shady Lane in the Pannier Market to look at possibly producing a (not necessarily to scale) representation on boards to have in the display, showing the relevant points of the journey made on the trains.

Councillor McKenzie would report back at the next meeting, and would contact the Chairman in the meantime.

093   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS BEING MADE FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE ST MARGARET’S FAIR IN JULY 2017 AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman was pleased with the progress so far.  He could now confirm Bideford Pipes and Drums as well as the Radio Hams.  He was still trying to find out about Pony Rides and the Clerk suggested Follyfoot in Northam.  He said he would try.

Councillor Bushby informed members that the Austin 7 Club had provisionally agreed to appear and that he was hoping for a response from the North Devon Sports and Classic Cars.  He had been in touch with Dr Wilson regarding the Hot Air Balloon but was waiting for confirmation.  He added that should the balloon be available it may be able to be elevated a small distance (remaining tethered).  Councillor Bushby was still waiting to hear about Ferret Racing and the Chairman was still looking at Tug’o’War and would approach the Rugby Club.  

It was suggested that the Judo Club could be invited and the Clerk said she would contact them.  

The Clerk gave the Chairman an email from Mrs Popham of the ND Gymnasts who wanted contact with regard to a gymnastic display.  The Chairman said he would get in touch with her.

The Chairman discussed the subject of stewarding the event and suggested to the Clerk that she contact the Councillors to see if any of them would be willing to come along and support the event.  She agreed and added that she would circulate to the Partnership as well as the Chamber of Commerce.  The Chairman further asked her if she would ask the Councillors if they had any further ideas of what could be included in the day.

A better picture of the day would be forming at the next meeting.

094   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON PROPGRESS BEING MADE FOR THE FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL IN THE PANNIER MARKET AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Clerk explained that she was still awaiting the stall holders to come back although take up had not been good.  She further explained that some of the emails had bounced back with those particular businesses no longer existing.

She had been in touch with Sarah Logan to discuss stallholders from the Torridge area and was working with her.

The Clerk would be speaking with the Market Administrator and TDC Licencing regarding the licence for the day.

She would report further at the next meeting.

IN CONCLUSION

The Chairman wished to ask a couple of questions of members.  He asked Mrs Benney if she would be going ahead with a Winter Craft Market in the Pannier Market.  She explained that she would be out of the country and would not be able to organise a market.

The Chairman further wished to discuss with all members, the future of the Tourism Committee and its value and members.  He asked if they felt the Tourism Committee was working and if they considered it should continue.  All members agreed that it should continue.  The Chairman asked if all members present were happy to continue on the Tourism Committee, all members agreed they were happy to continue.  

He asked if the Committee could ask other committed Councillors to join and/or whether to co-op from outside – his reason for asking this question was that he felt members needed to be committed and be able to make positive contributions.  All members present agreed.

Finally, the Chairman asked the Clerk to add to the next agenda:

•     Councillors and Co-opting onto the Committee
•     A Press weekend

094   DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday 30th May 2017 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.45 pm.


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