Newton Abbot Town Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT

PRESENT Councillors Mrs C Bunday (Mayor) Presiding

Mrs J Avery (Deputy Mayor)

Councillors Mrs L Cooke

D J Corney-Walker

C Davieson

Mrs A Fry

D Howe

M Hocking

K C Lewis

Mrs L J Lowes

C Parker

K Purchase

M E Ryan

K Smith

A D Vizor

Mrs D Watts

Representative of the Press: Lindsey Sill – Mid Devon Advertiser

By invitation: Anne Marie Morris M. P.

In attendance: Samantha Scott – Administrator

The meeting opened with Prayers by Councillor Mrs Daphne Watts

122. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors H L J Cole, Mrs G Leeper and Devon County Councillor Gordon Hook.

123. MINUTES

The minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26th May 2010 were received and signed as a correct record. 

124. ANNE MARIE MORRIS MP – MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NEWTON ABBOT

The Mayor introduced the newly elected Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot, Anne Marie Morris, who had been invited to address the meeting.

Anne Marie Morris thanked the Council for the invitation to address Members and for the warm welcome received. Mrs Morris referred to the Coalition Government providing an opportunity for all South-West MP’s to be able to work together on a number of issues. In particular, Mrs Morris referred to the following topics:-

 The Kingskerswell By-pass;

 Water Rates – charges, subsidies, sewerage system infrastructure, sharing costs throughout the country, ‘Clean-up’ project, OFWAT;

 Priority issues for Newton Abbot:

 Healthcare – including possible under-use of Newton Abbot Hospital;

 Education;

 Regeneration – employment.

At the conclusion of her address, Mrs Morris invited Members to ask questions or make comments on the issues raised:-

 Funding for local councils – Proposed Council Tax Freeze and effects on parish and town councils;

 Employment, education and the proposed Newton Abbot Skills Centre;

 Health care and in particular dementia care together with issues of perceived ‘post-code’ lottery regarding receipt of necessary medication;

 Transport and communications;

 Carbon footprint;

 Water conservation;

 Concessionary fares;

 Winter fuel allowances for the elderly;

 The National Health Service and G.P.’s workload;

 Training in the care industry;

 Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and policing;

 Local healthcare and in particular the Devon PCT in relation to the previous effectiveness of the Teignbridge PCT;

 Services at the new Newton Abbot Hospital.

At the conclusion of the questions session, the Mayor thanked Mrs Morris for her attendance and address whereupon she left the meeting.

125. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

126. REPORTS OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES 

Councillor, District and County Councillor Mrs Anne Fry reported on the following:-

 Presentation of the Green Flag Award for Decoy Country and Courtenay Parks;

 Proposed consultation on the planned refurbishment of the Newton Abbot Library.

127. MAYORAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Council received the list of engagements (previously circulated) which the Mayor and Deputy Mayor had carried out since 26th May. 

Particular reference was made to the following:

 24th June 2010 - Queen’s Award for Enterprise presentation at Centrax; 

 3rd – 11th July 2010 - Carnival Week;

 Thursday 26th July – 3rd Newton Abbot Scouts presentation evening.

128. INTERESTS

None declared.

129. PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES

A. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 8th June 2010 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor K Smith, were received and approved;

B. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Amenities Committee held on 23rd June 2010 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor M Hocking, were received and approved, subject to it being noted that Councillor M J Ryan had been in attendance;

C. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 29th June 2010 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor K Smith, were received and approved;

D. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 14th July 2010 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D Corney-Walker, were received and approved. Arising from minute 107 – Newton Abbot War Memorial – the Chairman of the Finance & Resources Committee reported receipt of a formal request from the family of Corporal Stephen Thompson who died while serving in Afghanistan in March 2010 for a memorial to be included on the Newton Abbot War Memorial. Arising from consideration of the request and reference to the Council’s adopted policy it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the request to include a memorial to Corporal Stephen Thompson on the Newton Abbot War Memorial be hereby approved.

E. The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20th July 2010 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor K Smith, were received and approved. Arising from minute 112 – Teignbridge District Council – Core Strategy – it was requested that Newton Abbot Town Council obtain a copy of the Strategy for discussion in order for suitable responses to be prepared.

130. MAGISTRATES’ COURTS IN DEVON AND CORNWALL 

Consideration was given to consultation documents (previously circulated) on the proposed closure of Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court. 

In noting that should the Court close matters would be transferred to Torquay Magistrates’ Court, Members expressed the view that the Council should respond to the consultation by strongly objecting to the proposed closure on the following grounds:-

i. The loss of a specialist domestic violence court;

ii. The requirement for users to travel to Torquay was contrary to the County Council’s Green Travel Plan;

iii. There was sufficient workload at Newton Abbot as it was used on a daily basis;

iv. The proposal was contrary to the Coalition Government’s localism policy.

Arising from consideration of the matter it was

RESOLVED that the Town Clerk respond to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on the proposal to close the Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court in accordance with the comments made in the preamble to this minute.

131. REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES – CPRE DEVON

The Council gave consideration to appointing a substitute Member for Councillor H L J Cole to the Advisory and Executive Committee meetings of CPRE Devon to be held on Monday 2nd August 2010 at Stover School.

RESOLVED that Councillor K Smith be appointed to represent the Council on the CPRE Devon on a temporary basis due to Councillor Cole’s unavailability.

132. NEWTON ABBOT POLICE STATION FRONT OFFICE REVIEW

Arising from a request by a Member at the recent meeting of the Finance & Resources Committee, it was noted that the consultation on the proposed review of opening hours of Newton Abbot Police Station closed on 14th May 2010.

133. LATE CORRESPONDENCE

Further to minute 18/05/10, the Chairman of the Finance & Resources Committee, Councillor D Corney-Walker, reported receipt of a letter from Gerry & Co of Newton Abbot regarding details of a design and costs for a replacement Mayoral Chain. The Council noted receipt of the letter and awaited a response from the Working Party appointed under minute 18/05/10. 

134. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.00 p.m. Wednesday 24th November 2010

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Chairman