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Town Council Meeting Minutes - 11 May 2017


PRESENT:   

North Ward:   

Councillor D Bushby (Deputy Town Mayor)
Councillor P S Christie
Councillor D A D McGeough (Town Mayor)
Councillor P J Pester
Councillor T J Johns

South Ward:   

Councillor D G Brenton
Councillor J Day
Councillor A T Inch
Councillor S G Inch
Councillor R I Wootton

South (Outer) Ward:   

Councillor D Howell

East Ward:   

Councillor Mrs P Davies
Councillor M C Langmead
Councillor J A McKenzie
Councillor  S Robinson

IN ATTENDANCE:   

Mrs H J Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mr R D Coombes (Deputy Town Clerk)
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Assistant to the Town Clerk)
18 x Members of the Public
1 x Member of the Press

Prior to the start of the Meeting the Town Clerk confirmed that everyone had appended their details on the Fire Register and instructed, to the assembled, the Building Evacuation procedure.

001  ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR

Proposed by Councillor D Howell, seconded by Councillor M Langmead that Councillor McGeough be elected to fill the role of Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2017 / 2018.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Dermot McGeough is appointed Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2017/2018.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

002  DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

Councillor McGeough expressed his appreciation, pride and determination to serve the Council, and Town, and occupied the Chair having made and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

003  ELECTION OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR

Proposed by Councillor M Langmead, seconded by Councillor D Brenton that Councillor D Bushby be elected to fill the role of Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2017 / 2018. 

RESOLVED:  That Councillor D Bushby is appointed Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2017/2018.

004  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs R Craigie (East the Water – illness).

005  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor Christie declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 28.  (Member, Bideford Bridge Trust). 

006  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no registered public participants.

007  MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 April 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 0, Abstentions: 2 )

008  ACCOUNTS

a.   To approve the payments listed.

It was proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the List of Payments be approved.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

b.   To receive and approve the Independent Auditor’s Report – Records as at 31 March 2017.

It was proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the Internal Auditor’s Report – Records as at 31 March 2017 is approved.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

009  ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

The Town Clerk presented the Annual Governance Statement.

Proposed by Councillor D Brenton, seconded and

RESOLVED: The Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31 March 2017 was approved.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

010  ACCOUNTING STATEMENT AND ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

The Town Clerk presented the Accounting Statement and Annual Return.

Proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded and

RESOLVED: The Accounting Statement and Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2017 was approved.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)
 
011  GENERAL POWER OF COMPETENCE

Councillors considered section 8 of the Localism Act 2011

Proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded and

RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, Section 8, as set out in the Statutory Instrument Parish Councils (General Power of Competence) (Prescribed Conditions) Order 2012, Bideford Town Council hereby considers itself an ‘eligible council’ having met the following criteria:

•    At the time of this resolution two thirds of the members of the Council have stood for election.
•    The Clerk holds the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA), which includes Section 7 of CiLCA 2012.

(Vote for : 15, Against: 0)

012  DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL (COUNCILLOR) REPORT

Members noted the final report received from Councillors Julian that alluded to “pointing” of the Bideford Long Bridge.

The two newly elected DCC Members for Bideford East, Mrs Linda Hellyer, and Councillor Tony Inch, Hartland and Bideford West presented themselves to the Chamber.

013  COMMUNICATION BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR

The Town Clerk advised Members:

•    Mayor Introduction Ceremony to be held on Thursday, 8 June 2017.
o    Those that haven’t to advise on attendance.
o    Councillors to be robed by 6.45 pm.
•    Mayoral Parade/Church Service to be held on Sunday, 11 June 2017.
o    Those that haven’t to advise on attendance.
o    Councillors to be robed by 10.20 pm.

014  APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That on consideration the stated Committee Members would be voted en block.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

a.   Allotments Committee

     Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Brenton, S G Inch, Pester, Robinson and Wootton.

b.   Market Management Committee

     Town Mayor, Councillors Brenton, Mrs Craigie, Johns, McKenzie, and Wootton.

c.   Planning Committee

     Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, A T Inch, Langmead, Pester and Wootton.

d.   Staffing, Finance & General Purposes Committee

     Town Mayor, Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors Brenton, Christie, D Howell, S G Inch, Langmead, Pester and Wootton.

e.   Tourism Committee

     Town Mayor, Councillors Bushby, Mrs Craigie, D Howell, McKenzie and Robinson.

f.   Renewable Energy Generation Committee
   
     Councillors Brenton, Christie, Day, McKenzie, Robinson and Wootton.

g.   Grievance Panel
   
     Town Mayor, Councillors Christie, Mrs Davies and Langmead.

h.   Personnel Appeals Panel
   
     Deputy Town Mayor, Councillors S I Inch, Johns and Wootton.

i.   Public Transport Working Group
   
     Councillors Mrs Craigie, Mrs Davies, A T Inch, McKenzie and Robinson.

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillors are appointed as stated.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

015  APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Pester is appointed Internal Auditor of Accounts for the financial year 2017/18.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

016  NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS AND APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

a.   Members considered a request from Unique Events for additional support to the New Years’ Eve Celebrations.

Councillor Howell lamented the dwindling numbers of people over the years that entered the Town to celebrate New Years’ Eve.  The Fire Work Display would see people filling the Town from 11.15 pm, though.  

He proposed that the Council provide a Grant of £7,000.00 for the Firework display and spoke of limited entertainment before and after (the fireworks).

Councillor Brenton seconded Councillor Howell’s proposal.

The Town Clerk advised that the purpose of the communication was to establish Council support with a view to active councillor placement on their Committee.  Further, that funding for safety measures would still be required by the organising committee even if the event was centred around fireworks at midnight.

Councillor Bushby, whilst agreeing with the downward trend of the occasion also warned that a smaller event would still require the safety / security provision including Herras fencing and toilets.

The Town Clerk reiterated that following correspondence with Mr Phil Morgan the group were seeking clarity from the Council: “did they value the opportunity to bring increased footfall / cohesion / commerce to the Town or did they not wish to have anything to commemorate the New Year?” 

Councillor Mrs Davies underlined that the Group were looking for dynamic support / help from councillors.

The Mayor confirmed that Members were in support of a £7,000.00 grant and added that the Event organisers would remain responsible for the necessary security / safety arrangements.

Councillor Brenton indicated that the safety concerns came under TDC jurisdiction.  He felt that the S, F & Gp Committee Meeting would be the appropriate forum to discuss further the detail.

Councillor Mrs Davies advised that she had been responsible for raising monies in the past (for the New Years’ Eve Event) having obtained public safety Lottery grant funding.

Councillor Christie questioned the lack of safety provision at the Regatta / Fair Fireworks display.

Councillor S G Inch stated that TDC would have (the Event) risk assessments; TDC would put safety in place.  Councillor Howell confirmed the convening of a Safety Advisory Group (with representation from local organisations including the Emergency Services) as part of the process to hold an Event.

It was proposed by Councillor Howell, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a Grant allocation of £7,000.00 is made available for the provision of fireworks.

(Vote – For: 13, Against: 1, Abstention: 1)

It was proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the item is further considered at the next S, F & Gp Committee Meeting.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

b.   To appoint representatives to Outside Bodies.

Proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That councillors be appointed as follows:

Bideford & District Community     Town Mayor
Archive Council:        Deputy Town Mayor
                        Councillor Langmead

Bideford Bridge Trust:        Town Mayor
                        Councillor Howell (Jun 17)
                        Councillor D Brenton (Aug 19)
                        Councillor J McKenzie (Aug 20)

Chamber of Commerce:        Councillor Howell

Bideford Twinning Association:    Town Mayor
                        Deputy Town Mayor

Bideford Regatta Committee:    Town Mayor
                        Councillor S Robinson
                        Councillor R Wootton
                        Councillor S G Inch

Bideford Town Band        Councillor T Johns
Management Committee

Citizens Advice Bureau:        Councillor Mrs Davies

DALC County Committee:            Councillor Brenton

DALC Larger Councils Sub-Cttee:    Councillor Brenton

Pollyfield Cty Association:    Councillors Mrs Craigie and Robinson

Ford House Woodland Cty Group:    Councillor S G Inch

Home-Start Torridge:        Councillor Johns

Bideford Bay Children’s Centre:    Councillor Brenton

Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum:    Councillor Johns

UNESCO Biosphere Champion:      Councillor Johns

Snow Warden:                    Councillors Johns and McKenzie

Fire Liaison:                Councillor A T Inch

Police Liaison                Councillor Langmead

One Bideford                Councillors Langmead and A T Inch

Bideford Twn Ctre Partnership    Councillors Bushby and Howell

RESOLVED:  That Councillors are appointed as stated.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)


017  CIVIC YEAR 2017/2018 MEETINGS AND FUNCTION DATES

The Members noted the content of the document, which was circulated with the agenda. 

Proposed by Councillor Pester, seconded and

RESOLVED:  The dates of meetings and functions for the Civic Year 2017/2018 are approved. 

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

018  INSPECTION OF THE DEEDS AND TRUST INVESTMENTS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNCIL

The Town Clerk drew Members’ attention to the deeds and documents held by the Council and invited Members to inspect them and the trust investments.

019  MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 April 2017 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 14, Against: 0, Abstentions: 1)

020  PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 April 2017 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

021  STAFFING, FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 April 2017 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

022  TOURISM COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 April 2017 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

023  ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

Councillor Pester requested that the Minutes be amended to reflect his position as Chairman of the Committee.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 May 2017 were approved and adopted.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

024  LETTER FROM DR ALISON DIAMOND

Members had received a letter from Dr Alison Diamond, Chief Executive of Northern Devon Healthcare Trust.

Councillor Howell welcomed the opportunity for an open Meeting with Dr Alison Diamond after 9 June 2017.

He did express concern over the Northern, Eastern and West Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW D CCG) that could be subject to an NHS England take over. The Meeting with Dr Diamond would provide an opportunity to raise questions on the implications to the local services.

Councillor Brenton alluded to difficulty in identifying the non-executive directors of the NEW D CCG; a group, who, he felt, were accountable and should be known / contactable. 

Proposed by Councillor McGeough, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That a meeting with Dr Alison Diamond should be arranged after 9 June 2017.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

Councillor Christie indicated that the Meeting with Dr Diamond should also include the MP for Torridge and West Devon; arrangements should be made to allow both to attend with the spectre of an EGM.

Proposed by Councillor Christie, seconded and

RESOLVED:  That the MP returned for Torridge and West Devon be invited to attend the Meeting with Dr Alison Diamond.

(Vote – For: 15, Against: 0)

025  DALC MEETING

No update available.

026  BIDEFORD TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP

Members Noted the Minutes from the Meeting held on 3 May 2017.

027  TORRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL – UPDATE

Councillor  Langmead advised:

•    Tantons Hotel.  Work has started – asbestos to be removed.
•    Brunswick Wharf.  Bids are being assessed with a report by the end of May 2017.
•    New Council Offices.  Steel work has been erected – contractors ahead of schedule.

028  BRIDGE TRUST

Councillor Christie briefed Members on the income, expenditure, charitable donations and grants figures. 

Discussion followed on the Trust’s position as a landlord and its relationship with their tenants through its lease arrangements.

The business of the meeting having been concluded the Mayor thanked the members for their attendance at the meeting which concluded at 7.56 pm.































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