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Minutes of the Tourism Committee Meeting held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Tuesday 29th January 2019 at 6.00pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:

Councillor Mrs J Gubb
Councillor J McKenzie
Councillor Mrs R Craigie

North Ward:

Councillor D Bushby (Town Mayor)

South Ward (Outer):

Councillor D Howell (Chairman)

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Asst)
Councillor P Christie

 

068.      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies were received.

069.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

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

070.      PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

There were no members of the public present.

071.      MINUTES

Members agreed the minutes from the meeting held on 18th December 2018.

Proposed by: Councillor J McKenzie, and seconded

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

072.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ANY COMMENTS FROM THE YOUTUBE PILOT

Councillor McKenzie explained that he had uploaded the short film to YouTube and then had not been able to find it again. He had tried on many occasions but had not been successful. He suggested uploading again. The Clerk suggested that the Office Administrator, could perhaps put it on YouTube. The Chairman asked her to check this with the Town Clerk first. Then monitor it over a couple of months to see what the feedback is and the amount of hits it gets.

073.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON BIDEFORD FAIR 2019 AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL AY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Mrs Gubb was making headway with the bookings. She asked the Clerk to book the Mayor for a procession through the Town in full regalia, to open the event in Victoria Park.
She had booked the Youth Pipe Band to escort the Mayoral Procession. The Clerk would book the Town Crier and Beadle(s).

The Chairman had spoken to the Morris Dancers.

Councillor Mrs Gubb concluded that she would have a better picture of how the event was shaping up at the next meeting.

074.     TO RECEIVE AN UPDDATE ON BIDEFORD HERITAGE THEATRE AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman had been in touch with the Plough, Torrington, who had shown little interest. He got in touch with Up-Close Theatre, who had received a grant from this Council. They have shown a great deal of interest and have a rehearsal room until the end of March at Affinity Outlets. Looking at the Witches of Bideford, the Chairman explained that this company would be interested in writing the script and performing. They would need around 3 – 4 months on the script and would look at Half-Term in October for a showing. It would all tie in nicely with their plans to become a Community Interest Company and they would discuss the play further.

The Chairman has asked them for a budget and they also talked about Heritage Theatre generally, using the Town Hall as a base for Bideford Town Heritage Theatre.

The Chairman felt that this was a step forward and would have more to update at the next meeting.

075.    TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE CONTACT WITH NORTHAM TOWN COUNCIL REGARDING THE INVITATION TO JOIN OUR COMMITTEE

The Clerk explained that she had got in touch with the Town Clerk at Northam Town Council who would put the suggestion to Councillors at their next full Council meeting on 30th January. Unfortunately, not in time for this meeting, but hopefully a positive response will see someone attending our next meeting.

076.      TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING A FOOD AND DRINK EVENT AND POTENTIAL VENUES AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman opened up the floor for ideas. There was a short discussion regarding the Pannier Market as being the best venue for this type of event.

Councillor Mrs Craigie suggested that, in the event of an Events Manager being employed at the Pannier Market, this could be part of their remit.

The Chairman asked the Clerk to keep the subject on the agenda.

077.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE COMMEMORATIVE BENCHES AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Bushby informed members that both the bench and the Roll of Honour had been installed at Chudleigh Fort.

The Clerk added that we were still waiting for TDC to repair the plinth for the other bench to be installed in Victoria Park.
She explained to members that the Maintenance Team had made a first-class job of the bench at Chudleigh, positioning it so that the best views could be seen.

She wanted to set up a photo-shoot and press release before Purdah sets in.

The Chairman suggested a date be set and see who was available.

078.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON A FOUNDING FATHERS ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN 2020 AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

The Chairman wished to make it clear that this would not be a Founding Fathers event, but more a Colonies event.
He had met with the Rotary Club President, who was very keen to be part of a bigger event. The date for this anniversary would be dependent on the tides.
He added that Bideford 500 would join in and advised Councillor Mrs Gubb that it would be sensible to hold Bideford Fair on the same date.

Having established that there would be interest from other organisations in this type of event, the Chairman confirmed that the event would go ahead and that this Committee could carry on with making plans.

079.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE DECORATIVE ARTWORK IN COOPER STREET

The Clerk handed around a copy of the drawings and the buildings they would be affixed to.

Councillor Bushby reported that Devon County Council had asked for detailed information regarding the installation of the structures ie heights, protrusions etc. The Town Clerk was progressing this.
The artwork is underway with the first one being close to completion.

There was some discussion about timing of the first installation and Councillor Bushby confirmed that he would hope to be discussing the timescale with the other interested party this week.

080.      TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE HANGING BASKETS SCHEME AND, IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

Councillor Bushby reported to members that the scheme had been extended to Allhalland Street and the Pannier Market. He would be gathering the required permissions from the properties. With regard to Mill Street, he reported that he had received a good initial response but still had to remind some shopkeepers to respond. He was optimistic that the scheme would be popular and that most of the gaps in Mill Street would be filled.

081.     TO CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A HERITAGE BUS TO BE USED FOR FREE GUIDED TOURS OF THE TOWN, MAKING STOPS AT APPROPRIATE POINTS, AND IF APPROPRIATE, RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED.

082.     The Chairman explained that the Heritage Bus is expensive to hire, especially for long periods. He requested members consider hiring the bus for 2 days per week during peak holiday periods, suggesting that it run on different days of the week to the Pannier Market Shuttle Bus. The Shuttle Bus runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the Heritage Bus could run on Thursdays and Fridays, as a guided tour bus, incorporating a stop at the Pannier Market.

Members asked the daily cost of the Heritage Bus from Taw and Torridge Coaches, the Chairman advised them £200. He added that the Bus company are willing to take on a short-term contract and would look at a discount on the price. It would be a set route with suggested stopping points at Riverbank, bottom of the High Street, Pannier Market and Royal Hotel.

Councillor Bushby suggested a donations bucket be placed near the driver, to help off-set the cost.

The Chairman agreed that this would be put in place. He concluded that this could be a stop-gap for the proposed Land Train (should that be a successful project).

Proposed by: Councillor Howell, and seconded

RECOMMENDED: That this Council considers hiring the Heritage Bus for two days each week during the summer holiday period, to run a free guided tour around town on a set route to include the Pannier Market. The estimated cost would be £200 per day. A total of £2,500 is requested.

Vote: For: 5, Against: 0)

083.     TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF DATE FOR THE MARCH MEETING FROM TUESDAY 12TH TO TUESDAY 26TH MARCH AT 6.00PM.

The Chairman asked members if this change of date was acceptable. All agreed. The next meeting would be Tuesday 26th March 2019 at 6.00pm.

The Chairman and members wished to discuss some items that were not included on the agenda. The Chairman wished them to be noted in the minutes.

COUNCILLOR MRS RUTH CRAIGIE

• Councillor Mrs Craigie had attended the North Devon Marketing Bureau AGM on 24th January. She found it very useful and informative. She would definitely recommend it for members of the Tourism Committee to attend next year.

• Councillor Mrs Craigie requested that two Clean Up days were set for 2019. She wanted to hold one for East the Water on 9th March. Councillor Bushby suggested it be made a dedicated day for East the Water only. The Clerk would speak to the Town Clerk to request one or more of the Maintenance Team and the truck.
All members agreed it would be a good idea and would meet at the Pollyfield Centre, to clean up that area for an hour or so and then move onto Chudleigh Fort for an hour or so.

THE CHAIRMAN

The Chairman wished to add an addendum to these minutes regarding the Interactive Display Monitor. He explained that the Clerk had managed to design a couple of the pages but was struggling to bring the rest together.
He suggested getting a price from Promultis for them to do the bulk of the work and check back with us for approval. All members agreed.
Subsequently, all members have agreed the costs.

COST: £1,800

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance, passed on his best wishes for the Festive season and the meeting concluded at 6.30 pm.


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