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Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 30th January 2018 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor J McKenzie
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:
Councillor D Bushby
Councillor D McGeough

South Ward (Outer):

Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs Ruth Benney – Atlantic Village TIC
Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Asst)
1 x member of the public

064.   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr S Robinson (East Ward) - illness

065.   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations made at this point in the meeting.

066.   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

One member of the public was present. He wished to raise the point that with the Burton Art Gallery no longer selling National Express Coach tickets, the Post Office was the only outlet where one could book. This meant queueing up, sometimes for quite some time, and the booking takes time which increases the queue.

The Chairman was not aware that the Burton Art Gallery had ceased booking tickets for the Coach company. It was agreed that this Council would write to the Burton asking if there would be a possibility of reinstating the service.

067.   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 19th December 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

068.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THE BIDEFORD FAIR 2018

The Chairman was pleased to report that bookings were coming in for participants and that Public Liability Insurance and Risk Assessments were part of the criteria. The Clerk was keeping a record of those taking part.
He confirmed that Phil Vanstone would be involved with rides and a burger van. He further confirmed that the Dog Show would go ahead and that there would be a Hog Roast from Gourmet Porker. He had not, however, heard back from the Slack wire organisers.

Councillor Bushby informed members that Dr Wilson would be unable to attend with the Hot Air Balloon due to licences and insurances.

The Clerk confirmed that she had been in touch with Phoenix Morris, Tarka Pipe Band, Kingsley School Judo, ND Gymnasts, Lucy Lowe regarding the Aerial Silks, the Boxing Club, Rotary Club regarding a Human Table Football, the Gardening Club for a Mini Show, 2 Karate Clubs and 1 Aikido club. She was waiting their responses.

The Chairman confirmed the ND Archive and Councillor Bushby would be in touch with Skern Lodge.

The Chairman was happy with the amount of Participants and suggested that retailers be contacted for their stalls. He would speak with Sarah Howells about an editorial piece to include a request for retail stall holders to contact the Council. Members agreed that it would be prudent to use Social Media and our website.

The Chairman asked Councillor McKenzie about his idea of “Pie and a Pint”. Members discussed the local breweries and bakers. The Chairman asked Councillor McKenzie if he could pursue his idea using 2 Breweries and 3 Bakers.

The Clerk suggested contacting Bideford AFC Youth regarding a 5-a-side tournament. Members agreed.

The Chairman was pleased with the progress of the event and requested updates for the next meeting.

069.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON A PRESS WEEKEND.

The Chairman suggested that as little progress had been made and it was too late for this year, that the subject be removed from the agenda, to be re-visited later in the year.

070.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A ROAD TRAIN AND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE.

Councillor Bushby reported that he and the Town Clerk had drawn up potential routes, which he pointed out were very fluid documents, to submit to the Police and Devon County Council (DCC). The Police had shown no concerns, DCC would be looking at safety aspects on the roads.
Looking at the routes, Councillor Bushby informed members that the only hazard could be Heywood roundabout. He would look at trialling a tractor and trailer to see how much time it would take and the amount of traffic would accumulate because of it.
He informed members that he and the Town Clerk had met with Sean Kearney and Mike Ford of TDC regarding funding streams. Both these officers had been very helpful and enthusiastic. A further meeting had been arranged at Riverbank House (1st February) to look at Leader + funding streams and Sean Kearney was positive that with match funding monies would be forthcoming for the project.

Councillor Bushby had been in touch with North Devon Council in Ilfracombe and they had kindly sent through information about their bid when they bought their Land Train. They had also offered to let him borrow the train before their season starts, to have a trial run. He further mentioned that advertising on the carriages could be sold to help with the upkeep of the vehicle.

Councillor McGeough asked if the Leader+ money was suitable for this type of project. Councillor Bushby assured him that it was for Tools and Infrastructure towards Tourism for which the Land Train fitted the criteria.

Councillor Craigie wanted to know if there was a short deadline for the application. Councillor Bushby explained that there are no deadlines as such, but when the pot is empty that is it. Therefore it would be prudent to get the bid in relatively promptly and he would be getting help in completing the form.

Councillor McGeough mentioned that the Bridge Trust could be approached for match funding monies.

Councillor McKenzie wanted to know if the Landtrain would be in direct competition with the buses. If so, Devon County Council would need to be consulted.

Councillor Bushby concluded that there was a great deal more to be discussed and all aspects of the potential project would need to be looked at thoroughly. He would be able to update at the next meeting.

Councillor McGeough congratulated Councillor Bushby on his efforts and admitted that he hadn’t thought very much of the project when it had first been mentioned. Now he was beginning to see the benefits a Land Train could have for Bideford.

071.   TO CONSIDER AND CHOOSE THE FOOTAGE FOR A FILM/VIDEO OF BIDEFORD TO BE MADE AT KINGSLEY COLLEGE.

Members were pleased to have seen such a rich selection of images for the promotional film.

Councillor McKenzie agreed to take his memory stick into Kingsley College for them to make a start on the film.

072.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE WINDOW OF 1 QUEEN STREET

The Chairman advised members that a meeting had been held with Andrew Waite of TDC regarding the energy efficiency of 1 Queen Street, and the possibility of the main window being double-glazed. Andrew had agreed to make the building more energy efficient by other means ie sealing the lavatory window closed and fitting an internal extractor. Possibly double glazing the door window and the two upper windows at the front. Also to safeguard the kitchen window from being broken again, by adding shielding.

The Clerk explained that Andrew Waite was happy with the interactive screen being installed as it would cover most of the lower part of the main window.

The Chairman concluded by informing members that he and the Clerk would be looking at different companies to supply the screen and, as it had already been budgeted for and agreed at full Council, a purchase would be able to go ahead.

He was optimistic for a May installation.

073.   TO CONSIDER A SPRUCE UP DAY IN BIDEFORD .

The Clerk explained that the Maintenance Team were doing such a good job, it had been considered that Spruce up days may no longer be necessary, although she thought that to have one big one each year would be good for the profile and help to bring the town together. She wanted it to be an event where everyone gets involved in their own areas (and of course in the Town Centre), that Councillors work in their wards with the community.

Members agreed and discussed involving other organisation and groups ie Railway Heritage Group and Churches, businesses and the Supermarket Community Champions. It had been suggested at Partnership to have a Competition for the best tidied area, judged by the Mayor. Supermarket shopping vouchers could be obtained for prizes.

Councillor McGeough suggested changing the name to put pride back into Bideford.

The Chairman suggested using social media, local press and radio as well as posters and flyers, asking the public to get involved and get teams in their area. To help out the elderly and infirm with pulling a few weeds.

All members agreed that to get more involvement, a Saturday would be better than a Sunday, before the season started fully. Saturday afternoon was favoured. The Chairman said he would check his diary and put some dates forward.

074.   TO RECEIVE COSTINGS FOR A MOBILE BILLBOARD FOR ADVERTISING TOWN COUNCIL EVENTS.

Councillor Bushby had researched costs of mobile billboards and concluded that hiring one would be out of the question. The costs were extremely high.

He looked at the cost of purchasing a trailer and boards, these being 12ft x 8ft, attached to a galvanized trailer. The approximate costs would be £1,995 - £2,500

Members discussed the various uses for such an advertising asset and the need to look for sites for it to be parked. It would need to be secured somehow.

The Chairman said he would look at the budget – he thought this would be a good use of money not committed.

075.   TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE MARKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REGARDING A COLLABORATION FOR AN EASTER AND/OR CHRISTMAS FAIR IN THE PANNIER MARKET.

Councillor Mrs Craigie had not managed to get this subject onto the last Market Management Committee agenda and had consequently lost the slot at the last meeting. She had since spoken with Cllr Brenton who was, in principle, in favour of an event. She has managed to get the item onto the next Agenda for the Market Management meeting on 1st March.

The Chairman pointed out that he would like reassurance that the stallholders at the Pannier Market would be in support of the idea before he started making preparations. He looked forward to hearing the results of the next Market Management Meeting at the next Tourism meeting.

076.    DATE OF NEXT MEETING.

The Chairman asked for the agreement of all members to bring the next meeting forward to Tuesday 6th March 2018. All members agreed.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.58 pm.


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