Newton Abbot Town Council

PRESENT Councillor Mrs C Bunday (Mayor) Presiding

Councillor Mrs J Avery (Deputy Mayor)

Councillors Mrs L M Cooke

D Corney-Walker

C Davieson

M Hocking

D Howe

Mrs G Leeper

K Lewis

Mrs L Lowes

C Parker

K Purchase

M E Ryan

K Smith

A D Vizor

Mrs D Watts

Representative of the press: None

 

Invitee: Mr Matthew Shanks – Headteacher, Coombeshead Collage

In attendance: Mrs Sally Henley – Town Development Manager

Mr P A Rowe – Town Clerk

The Meeting opened with Prayers by the Town Clerk

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors H L J Cole and Mrs A Fry. 

The Mayor circulated a ‘thank-you’ card from Mr Tom Corney-Walker in response to the flowers and good wishes from the Council for a speedy recovery upon his recent operation.

The Council was also updated by the Mayor on the wellbeing of Councillor Henry Cole following her visit to him at Newton Abbot Hospital the previous evening. Members discussed arrangements for visiting Councillor Cole.

Councillors Mrs C Bunday and M Hocking gave notice of their intentions to declare personal interests in minute 64.

The Mayor welcomed Mr Matthew Shanks to the Meeting, recently appointed Headteacher to Coombeshead College. Mr Shanks had been invited to attend the meeting to address the Council on his thoughts and plans for the College.

Mr Shanks thanked the Council for inviting him to meet and address the Councillors. He explained that arising from the recent General Election he had been surprised at how little many students knew about elections and the democratic process. Consequently, the School had arranged mock elections that had been well received and reported upon. The exercise had very successfully increased the students’ understanding and interest.

Members were informed that Mr Shanks wished Coombeshead College to take a greater interest in its students and its students to have a greater and more interactive role in the community. He explained that he felt there was a difficulty in society’s perception of young people and also the young persons’ views on the wider community beyond their peers. He was interested in breaking down those negative perceptions and intended to work towards improved respect on both party’s behalf. Additionally, he was interested in ensuring parents receive the necessary guidance and education to enable them to assist provide support for their children’s’ education. Mr Shanks then gave a brief explanation of his educational background and his current social position.

The Council then received details of Mr Shanks’ aspirations for the students of the College and those issues which he considered affected students’ perceptions/futures, which included the following:-

 Literate;

 Numerate;

 ‘Active global citizens’ (having the necessary social skills to integrate into further education and/or employment;

 The influence of the media;

 The role of colleges in shaping students lives outside of education;

 Reputation of the College and the recent OfSTED Report;

 Caring community, staff and students;

 Boundary setting – home and at college;

 Employment opportunities;

 Changes to the College uniform;

 Learning from mistakes & support from the community.

Members were then invited to make comments on the subject of the address and ask questions of Mr Shanks. Those included the following:-

 Feedback from the Coalition Government on proposed changes to the running of schools;

 ‘Hopelessness’ and intervention;

 How to encourage the media to report on positive rather than negative matters;

 Actions to improve discipline and reputation;

 Expansion of university places and courses where there was little commensurate employment opportunity;

 Academies, over-education, trades and apprenticeships;

 Effect of Headteachers on schools and students;

 Possibility of the Town Council holding a meeting at the College to be filmed by and reported upon by the students;

 Greater opportunities for and availability of artisans and their improved standing in society.

 

At the conclusion of the question and comment session, the Mayor thanked the Mr Shanks for his attendance and excellent address whereupon he left the meeting.

The Council received the Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31st March 2010 (previously circulated).

Arising from a question by a Member, the Town Clerk explained that Part 3 of the Statement was currently blank as it was required to be completed by the Auditor upon receipt of the Statement following approval by the Council.

RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31st March 2010 be hereby approved and signed by the Mayor and Responsible Financial Officer.

Further to minute 284/01/2010, consideration was given to the adoption of the Council’s Asset Register as at 31st March 2010 (previously circulated).

Reference was made to the possibility of realising the value a painting owned by the Council. Members requested that the matter be raised at a future meeting of the finance & Resources Committee.

The Clerk explained that he understood that the entry for Vicary’s Field related to both the area let to for the Community Garden and for allotments, which areas were the responsibility of the tenants to insure.

 

(a) that subject to the Town Clerk being satisfied with regard to the status of the two areas of land forming Vicary’s Field, the Newton Abbot Asset register as at 31st March 2010 be hereby approved and adopted;

(b) that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Finance & Resources Committee regarding the possible disposal of ‘The Hours’ oil painting.

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Chairman