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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 22 October 2019 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins

South Ward:

Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst


034.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr B Edwards – Northam Town Council
Cllr Mrs K Corfe (West Ward) – illness

035.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

036.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present.

Councillor Hawkins joined the meeting.

037.      MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Gubb and seconded by Councillor Mrs S Langford, the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd September 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Bushby joined the meeting

038.      CHAIRMAN’S CORRESPONDENCE

VE Day 2020 – Friday 8th May 2020
The Clerk explained that the Bank Holiday had changed from Monday 4th May 2020 to Friday 8th May 2020 nationally, for everyone to celebrate 75 years since VE day. HM’s Pageant Master, Bruno Peek, had put together a programme of events to happen across the nation at particular times.

The Chairman explained that this item had come from SFGP who had asked Tourism and Market Management to work together on an idea for the day. She asked Councillor Bushby to give details.

Councillor Bushby explained that the proceedings could follow thus:

1500hrs Chudleigh Fort – Mayoral Party - Lone Piper
Bideford Pipes and Drums to lead the Mayoral Party from Chudleigh across Longbridge and up to the Pannier Market for a Street Party style afternoon with music, food, dancing etc.
1855hrs National Cry for Peace with the Town Cryer
1900hrs National Peal of bells from all Churches

He asked that the Market Development Officer be invited to the next Tourism Meeting to start the ball rolling. He also mentioned a 3-piece girl group who sing 1940’s songs, that he had seen at a Mayor’s event. The Clerk said she would make enquiries about them with the previous Mayor of Barnstaple.

The Clerk added that she would be working with BTCP to get Union Flag bunting and flags everywhere around the Town to recreate the images from a photo the Mayor had brought in of Bideford on VE Day in 1945.

The Chairman requested that this event be made an Agenda item for the next meeting.

Email from the Burton @ Bideford

The Chairman had received an email from the Director, Mr Ian Danby, of the Burton explaining that they had transformed their TIC section and that the investment had paid off as they had seen increased numbers using it more frequently.
Their problem now is that they have many members of the public complaining that there is not enough prominent signage outside the building and indeed on the building itself.
The Burton were asking for a funding contribution to better signage.

A brief discussion regarding funding took place and the Chairman concluded that the Tourism Committee was not the right forum for the Burton. Councillor Bushby added that the BTCP would be better and asked the Clerk to agenda it for that particular Committee meeting. In the meantime, the Chairman asked the Clerk to contact Mr Danby regarding the outcome from this meeting.

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

The Chairman was pleased that arrangements were progressing. She would measure the space for the arena and also check her contact for a Town Guide on the Vintage Coach.

Councillor Mrs Langford was pleased to report that she had secured both the Atlantic Racquet Club and the Boxing Club to participate. The Racquet Club would have a stall and a children’s small racquet play area. The Boxing Club would set up a sparring area for drills.

The Clerk had received the booking form from Jonathan Marshall and from Hildsvin the Historical encampment. The latter’s costs would be £550 for the day. Councillor Bushby asked the Clerk to book them.

The Chairman would also book the Ferret racing.

The Clerk confirmed that the First Aid had been booked and that she was awaiting the licence.

There was a brief discussion about space and it was hoped that there would be plenty of attractions and stalls to fill up a large amount of the Park. It was suggested that ALL commercial stalls and attractions that charge would make a donation to the event.

The Chairman concluded that promoting and advertising would need to start in the New Year.

040.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON EVENTS IN NORTHAM BOROUGH

There were no events reported.

041.      TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE CLEAN UP DAY ON 13TH OCTOBER, SET DATES FOR 2020, AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman thanked the Councillors who did attend the Clean Up. The Clerk reported that she had thanked Asda, Costa and McDonalds.

Councillors Mrs Langford and Lawrence were pleased with the work they did. They managed to collect a massive amount of rubbish; Councillor Lawrence had noticed that most of it had been thrown from cars. Councillor Mrs Langford was very pleased with the graffiti kit and found the solutions very easy to use, with the bonus that they clean road signs too! She added that they had received great comments from the public.

Councillor Bushby was pleased with the work in the Town Centre and remarked that members of the public were quite astounded to see a Councillor washing down lamp posts.

The Chairman had not had any help and worked solo for an hour and a half before joining the Town team.

The Clerk reported that the Old Town team had done well with Councillors, public and Asda representatives.

Members discussed future dates for 2020 and agreed the following:

Sunday 26th April
Sunday 11th October

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

Councillor Bushby reported that two of the sculptures had been installed, with two under construction. All members had seen them and agreed how much the artwork had enhanced the area.

Councillor Bushby added that Bideford 500 had received funding for another, a ropemaker and that they would be seeing further funding to carry on the project around the Town.

043.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE UP-CLOSE THEATRE PRODUCTION OF “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” IN THE TOWN HALL AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Councillor Mrs Langford reported that Up Close Theatre had expressed an interest in bringing a performance to the Town Hall. She had gained the necessary permission from Torridge District Council and was applying for a licence.

The performance would be “A Christmas Carol” but with a twist. This would be the same performance as given on the Voice radio station, with the sound effects being shown too. Up Close would give 2 performances; one at 6pm and one at 8pm on Saturday 21st December, each show being approximately 1 hour long. They would require access the evening before to set up.
The director of the troupe would visit the Clerk beforehand to work out how to set the room up. The Maintenance Team would carry out these instructions. Councillor Bushby volunteered his time to assist that evening. Both he and the Clerk volunteered to help out on Show Night.

Tickets would go on sale from the Burton and the price would be £6 each in aid of three local charities including the Mayor’s Charity. Each person who buys a ticket will be asked to bring an item for the Foodbank – not a seasonal item of food because it could not be distributed in time, but everyday items. A raffle will be held on the night. Councillor Mrs Langford asked the best way to find prizes. Councillor Bushby promised a donation of a prize/prizes and suggested she call into businesses in Town and ask face to face. He had found in the past that local people were very generous.

The Chairman asked if Up Close were willing to work with this Committee in order to put on future productions in the Town Hall. Councillor Mrs S Langford had spoken with them and they were very keen to be involved and she would keep a dialogue open with them.

Members congratulated Councillor Mrs Langford on her efforts.

044.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE CREAM TEA EVENT AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Councillor Lawrence had produced a report which had been circulated amongst members. He explained that he had chosen the third Sunday in May as it didn’t interfere with Half Term holidays or Bank Holidays when businesses are busy anyway. He wanted to spread the word out to four counties; Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset but expected the largest contribution to come from the main two rivals; Devon and Cornwall.

His intention was to make the event a foodie type celebration, with different teas, jams, chutneys, cheese etc – the categories are for sweet and savoury.

In order not to become over-subscribed, bookings would be on a first-come/first-served basis and a limited number of tables would facilitate this. The Clerk agreed to produce a booking form.
Councillor Lawrence continued that the venue would be the Pannier Market and that the Market Development Officer had pencilled the date in and would work with Councillor Lawrence on the organisation of the event.

Members discussed the different permutations of the event including:
• a celebrity judge – perhaps someone from The Great British Bake Off or a chef
• the prize cup and perhaps a saucer too
• a January launch
• a dedicated website

Members congratulated Councillor Lawrence on his achievements so far.

The Chairman requested the Cream Tea event be an agenda item for the next meeting.

045.      TO RECEIVE AND AGREE THE DESIGN AND COSTINGS FOR THE PORT MEMORIAL DECORATIVE BED, CONSIDER GIVING DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO THE CHAIRMAN AND THE CLERK TO SELECT THE PLANT SUPPLIER AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman explained the Port Memorial Decorative Bed and the Clerk handed out the design and costings, which would be included in the Tourism budget.

Proposed by Councillor Bushby and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Gubb and

RECOMMENDED: That the design is pursued for 2020 with an approximate costing of £1,400 and that the Chairman and Clerk are delegated to select a plant supplier.

(Vote – For: 5, Against: 0 , Abstentions: 0)

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

Members considered that they had good events to be getting on with and would review at the next meeting.
Members did request that an agenda item be made for a Report on Pannier Market events. Councillor Lawrence was happy to present the report.

047.      TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE BUDGET REQUIRED FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOURISM COMMITTEE DURING 2020/21 AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL.

Members considered the budget and it was mentioned that there had been a saving on this current budget of £2,097 and that this needed to be shown.

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby, and seconded by Councillor Lawrence

RECOMMENDED: That a budget of £5,650 be set and apportioned for 2020/21 as follows:

To run Bideford Fair                                  £2,500
To promote Cream Tea Event                       £750
To create Bideford Heritage Theatre          £1,000
Port Memorial Decorative Bed                   £1,400

                                                    TOTAL  £5,650

(Vote: For: 5, Against: 0)

048.      DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 17th December 2019 at 6pm in the Council Chamber.


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