Skip to main content

bideford logo

Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting Held via Zoom on Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb

West Ward:

Councillor C Hawkins
Councillor Mrs K Corfe

South Ward:

Councillors Mrs S Langford
Councillor P Lawrence

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield, Town Clerk’s Asst



085.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor B Edwards – Northam Town Council
Councillor J McKenzie – East Ward (work)

086.    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

Councillor Lawrence declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 7 – a member of the Up Close Theatre Radio project.

087.    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present.

088.    MINUTES

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Langford seconded by Councillor Bushby, the minutes of the meeting held on 10th March 2020 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote – For: 6, Against: 0)

089.    TO CONFIRM THE MARCH 2021 REVIEW OF BIDEFORD FAIR AND, IF APPROPRIATE. RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

All members were happy to review the organisation of Bideford Fair in March, when the current Covid 19 restrictions are due to be lifted. The Chairman and the Clerk would monitor the current situation until then, and should anything transpire that would jeopardise the event going ahead, they would report in the interim.

090.    TO AGREE THE DESIGN AND COSTS OF THE DECORATIVE BED AT THE PORT MEMORIAL AND, IF APPROPRIATE, CRECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Members had received the designs from Maintenance Team member, David Warr, together with the costings. They noted that the slight increase in costs was due to the amount of plants that had been destroyed during lockdown, causing plant growers to raise their prices.

All members agreed with Design No 1 depicting the Chudleigh Memorial, trees, clouds and part of the Fort with 1921 – 2021 either side of the Memorial, and Chudleigh Fort at the bottom – cost £1,642.00.

091.    TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON UP CLOSE THEATRE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Mrs Langford had received an email from Mark Clark, the Up Close Theatre Director, outlining their current situation and plans:

Up Close will need to vacate the building they are using soon unless they can negotiate an extension to stay, and are continuing their search for premises with a rent referral. This is now quite urgent.

The Radio station is picking up pace with broadcasting local arts, well-being programmes and vintage drama, involving around 25 people.

Theatre productions are on hold due to Covid 19 but there are plans for radio drama and outdoor theatre next year – mainly to secure the performers and keep them within the Up Close group.

Up Close thanked the Council for their continued support and wished to assure them that the Theatre Company and Radio were preparing for better times ahead.

092.    TO RE-OPEN AND DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF PURCHASING A MOBILE BILLBOARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVERTISING TOWN COUNCIL EVENTS IN PROMINENT AREAS AND, IF APPROPRIATE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Bushby suggested deferring this item due to the current situation – he considered that it could be an expensive purchase and not appropriate at this time.

All members agreed to defer to later on in 2021.

093.    TO DISCUSS ORGANISING A CHRISTMAS “BAVARIAN” STYLE MARKET IN 2021, USING THE PANNIER MARKET HALL AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman advised that as Councillor McKenzie was not present, there was nothing to update members with.

Councillor Bushby considered a Bavarian Christmas style Market to be a great idea and he had spoken to people around the Town who thought it would be a successful event.

Members discussed the amount of space that would be needed but agreed to agenda the item for the next meeting. In the meantime the Clerk would contact Councillor McKenzie to see how far he had progressed with his enquiries.

094.    TO CONSIDER ORGANISING A SMALL FETE TO CELEBRATE CHUDLEIGH FORT (1921-2021) LATER IN 2021 AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Lawrence put forward the idea and had considered a “distanced picnic” at Chudleigh later in 2021, with local performers. He added that spaces for “bubble” groups could be mapped out.

Members agreed that it would be a good way to celebrate the event and to have something to look forward to at East the Water.

He asked the Clerk to confirm the actual date of the handover of Chudleigh Fort to the people in 1921.

Following on from this Councillor Mrs Corfe suggested that a competition for children in the Town be organised for this Christmas – involving the Town shops, with prizes for winners.
Members agreed that this would be something for children to look forward to.
There was some discussion that BOBB (Businesses of Bideford Bay) used to organise themed Town events but were now providing an information service for businesses.

Members discussed the possibility of sponsorship and prizes from local supermarkets.

The Chairman asked Councillor Mrs Corfe if she would be happy to devise a plan. Councillor Mrs Corfe agreed. The Chairman added that she would be happy to assist with implementing the plan.

095.    TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE BUDGET REQUIRED FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOURISM COMMITTEE DURING 2022/22 AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL.

Members discussed the budget as shown in the Agenda.

Councillor Bushby felt that the amount needed to be increased to take on the Chudleigh Fort celebration picnic and to provide a contingency for any celebrations that could be organised should the current situation change. He further explained that the contingency might not necessary be used.

Proposed by: Councillor Bushby , and seconded by Councillor Mrs Gubb

RECOMMENDED: That a budget of £8,850 be set and apportioned for 2021/22 as follows:

Up Close Heritage Theatre Events Dec 2021                                                       £1,000
To run Bideford Fair                                                                                           £2,000
To pre-promote Cream Tea Event                                                                      £   750 (pre-event in May 2022)
Port Memorial Decorative Bed                                                                             £1,600
Bavarian Christmas Market 2021                                                                        £1,500
Chudleigh Celebration Picnic (entertainment)                                                      £   500
Contingency for ad-hoc events                                                                           £1,500

                                                                                                               TOTAL £8,850

(Vote: For: 6, Against: 0)

096.    DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was agreed by all members that the next meeting scheduled for December would not be necessary, unless unforeseen developments occurred.

They agreed that 26th January 2021 at 6.00pm would be the next meeting date.

 

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.30 pm.


♦Delivering the information you need about our decision making processes and supporting community participation in local democracy♦

♦ Helping to make the beautiful Town of Bideford a better place to live and work in! ♦


Bideford - A Fairtrade Town


fairtrade & Living Wage employers

Fairtrade is about equitable pricing, good work conditions, sustainability and fair trading for farmers and workers in the developing world. Bideford is a registered Fairtrade Town - Support local and world farmers - look for the fairtrade logo on your shopping items.

Visit the site...

facebook twitter instagram

Coach friendly

 

© Bideford Town Council 2015 Gingerweb Ltd site design and SEO In North Devon