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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillor K. Smith (Mayor) Presiding
Councillor D. Corney-Walker (Deputy Mayor)
Councillors Mrs C. Bunday
H.L.J. Cole
C. Davieson
Mrs A. Fry
Mrs G. Gaskell
M. Hocking
D. Howe
Mrs G. Leeper
K. Lewis
C. Parker
K. Purchase
A. Vizor
Mrs D. Watts
In attendance: Members of the public
By invitation: Rebecca Harriott, Director of Provider Development, Devon Primary Care Trust
Mrs Susan Wells – Fairtrade Town Steering Group
Representatives of the press: John Balment – Mid Devon Advertiser
Laura Dale – Herald Express
The Meeting opened with Prayers by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev. Edgar Daniel
195. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miss J. Fry, R. Leeper and Mrs S. Maddicott.
196. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
197. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 25th July 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
198. MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
(a) Engagement Highlights
The Mayor referred to the list of engagements which he had carried out since 25th July and highlighted the following:-
• Burma Star wreath laying at the War Memorial – 15th August;
• The Mayor’s charity BBQ which raised in the region of £700.
He thanked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Corney-Walker for the engagements which he had carried out on his behalf and also for the support from other members of the Council particularly Councillor Mrs G Leeper for provisions provided for the BBQ.
(b) Other Items
The Mayor drew attention to the following:-
• Twinning visit to Besigheim;
• Opening of refurbished.
199. DEVON PRIMARY CARE TRUST – PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENTS
The Mayor welcomed Rebecca Harriott, Director of Provider Development, of Devon Primary Care Trust (DPCT).who was invited to attend and speak following Dr. K. Snee’s original presentation in January 2007 on the activities of DPCT.
Ms Harriott introduced herself by explaining her role within DPCT which was to buy in the best services for the provision of healthcare in Devon. Also as an introduction to the Trust’s current Strategic Review a document entitled ‘Improving health and wellbeing in Devon – involving YOU’ was circulated to Members. Ms Harriott explained that the Strategic Review was proposed to identify the range of health services to be acquired which were most appropriate based on national and local statistics, demography, age, location etc. This evidence would be based on technical analysis together with the evidence collected through the current consultation process with the people of Devon and in partnership with Devon County Council. The Strategic Review involved the collection of views based on the following six main aims:-
i. Health as good as it can be – prevention and early intervention;
ii. Care as local as possible – and as specialised as necessary;
iii. The most effective treatment & care – that’s continuously improving;
iv. The right support for people – with complex needs;
v. Making the best use of our resources – for best possible impact;
vi. A say and an influence – promoting partnerships in care.
In conclusion, Ms Harriott explained that a consultation paper would be produced in November this year created from the views collected during the current consultation process. She undertook to ensure the town Council received a copy of the paper and offered to return to discuss the document with Members.
During Ms Harriott’s presentation the Mayor invited Members to put forward questions. The matters raised by Members included the following:-
• A number of Members referred to recent press reports regarding a local NHS dentist practice running out of its funds for the current year after only nine months with the potential for many patients losing their service. Ms Harriott undertook to look into this particular case and come back to the Council with the facts of the situation;
• Retention of the Kidney Unit in Newton Abbot by transference to the new hospital as opposed to its relocation elsewhere in the region i.e. further south of Newton Abbot;
• Previous promises that there would be no diminution of services provided in Newton Abbot following the Strategic Review;
• Provision of front-line services
• Privatisation;
• Stroke, maternity and GP ward facilities to be provided at the new hospital;
• Opening hours at GP surgeries, in particular evenings and Saturday mornings;
• Continuity of health services and in particular if Exeter becomes Unitary.
Upon responding to the questions put, the Mayor thanked Ms Harriott for her attendance whereupon she left the meeting.
200. FAIRTRADE - RENEWAL OF FAIRTRADE STATUS: NEWTON ABBOT
The Mayor reported a request from the Fairtrade Town Steering Group made at its Annual General Meeting held on 7th September 2007 for the Council to decide whether to continue with the Newton Abbot Fairtrade Town Status (report previously circulated). It was noted that the Fairtrade Town Steering Group would be meeting again on 8th October to receive the Council’s views.
Mrs Sue Wells attendee the meeting to represent the Steering Group’s position on the matter. Mrs Wells explained that the Steering Group was concerned that when the Fairtrade Foundation considered the application to renew the Fairtrade Town status the required criteria would not be met and the status would be lost. The Steering Group requested the Council to review its commitment to Fairtrade Town status. Arising from comments made by Members Mrs Wells explained that the suggestion that Goal 1 had not been met by the council was erroneous and that had been clarified with the foundation. With regard to future initiatives it was explained that the Foundation would be looking for increased involvement of local schools.
Members made it clear that the Council had not moved from its commitment for Newton Abbot to be a Fairtrade Town and consequently it was important to identify initiatives to ensure the criteria for renewal is met. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
(a) that Councillor D Corney-Walker attend the Fairtrade Town Steering Group meeting to be held on 8th October 2007;
(b) that Newton Abbot Town Council hereby renews its commitment to Newton Abbot retaining its Fairtrade Town status;
(c) that a Working Party of the following Members be appointed to discuss and propose to the Steering Group at its meeting to be held on 8th October appropriate initiatives to ensure Fairtrade Town status is retained:-
Councillors H L J Cole, Mrs G Gaskell, K Purchase and K Smith.
201. PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES
(a) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 31st July 2007 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Howe were received and approved.
(b) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Activities Committee held on 15th August 2007 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor Miss J. Fry were received and approved.
(c) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21st August 2007 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Howe were received and approved.
(d) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 22nd August 2007 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Corney-Walker were received and approved.
(e) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11th September 2007 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Howe were received and approved.
In connection with minute 184. Planning Appeals the Chairman of the Committee reported that the Clerk’s Report would be circulated to all Members of the Council with the next Planning Committee agenda.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee explained that with regard to minute 190 (13) – 17 Bank Street – the Local Member had agreed that should the case officer recommend approval a Category B would be requested.
202. ‘THE UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH’S SEALE-HAYNE CAMPUS - FOR SALE FOR RE-DEVELOPMENT (Subject to Planning)’
The Mayor reported his attendance with the Clerk at a marketing event held on 11th September 2007. The event had commenced with a press launch to which the Mayor had been excluded although he had made a strong has to be present. Following the press launch the representatives repeated the launch for other interested parties (NATC, Seale-Hayne Futures Group, Seale-Hayneians, & other interested parties).
The Mayor explained that the marketing campaign involved the offer for sale for redevelopment all the Seale-Hayne Campus to the north of the Ashburton Road (365 acres of land; 300,000 sq ft of property; 25 houses & cottages; halls of residence; farm; sports hall, library etc.).
The launch was carried out by Mr Richard Clarke of GVA Grimley who had been appointed by the University to market the site; and Mr Martin Berkien, Property & Estates Manager for the University of Plymouth. It was explained that the sale of the site commenced that day and would be in two stages:-
1. Expressions of interest – by 2nd November 2007;
2. Shortlist created by spring 2008.
He explained that the future use would be determined by the planning process. There had already been detailed discussions with staff at Teignbridge DC who had visited the site.
The Town Clerk reported that the representatives had explained that there had already been a great deal of interest from prospective purchasers, the majority of which had suggested a mix of uses as single uses were not considered sustainable. Suggested uses included the following:-
• Village developments e.g. retirement village for the elderly;
• Hospital – recuperational;
• Health care uses;
• Residential health care;
• Sports & leisure uses such as a golf course, outbound centre;
• National centre of excellence for sport;
• Housing;
• Institutional uses, such as education.
He went on to explain that the University representative had not been at all forthcoming with its view on the moral issues surrounding the disposal and upon being pressed the Mr Berkien explained that the University had no choice but to close the Campus for economic reasons. The use was neither viable or sustainable. Additionally the nature of the site did not meet modern standards and requirements e.g. disabled access etc. he stressed that the site would not be sold to the highest bidder but will depend upon a balance of price against the intended use etc.
Members expressed their grave concern that the University of Plymouth was taking such steps with a result that the people of Newton Abbot and the wider community would lose such a valuable educational resource. Added to that loss was the potential for all the value accrued being lost to Newton Abbot in favour of Plymouth. However, Members did appreciate that if a single use was not sustainable they needed to be practical and support alternative mixes of uses which were acceptable to the people of Newton Abbot. Members did however stress that the land being sold for a land bank or for housing would be totally unacceptable. Reference was made to an accep0table use being such as a centre for sports excellence if it could not be solely educational. Reference was also made to the possibility of any funds from the sale of the site being placed in an educational trust to provide much needed 6th form facilities in the Town.
Arising from discussion on the issue it was agreed that the Mayor take the Council’s comments to the next meeting of the Seale-Hayne Futures Group and then report back to the Council.
203. UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
In connection with the previous minute (202.) the Mayor referred to a letter from Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor Designate, of the University of Plymouth. It was noted that Professor Purcell would take-up her post on 1st December 2007.
It was noted that Professor Purcell had undertaken to meet stakeholders as her diary would allow as she saw the University having a key role in civic leadership and facilitating and developing the intellectual and cultural wealth of the community. Her key priority for the University was to be out-ward facing, working closely with partners to serve the stakeholders in the city and region and an increased focus on employability, internationalisation and innovation.
Arising from minute 202. the Clerk was instructed to respond to Professor Purcell with a question as to how the contents of her letter sits with the University’s plan to dispose of such a valuable educational asset as the Seale-Hayne campus?
204. CORRESPONDENCE
A. Teignbridge Strategic Partnership
The Council was invited to appoint two representatives to attend a presentation on the operation of the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership. It was noted that the presentation was to be held at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday 30th October 2007 at the Town Hall, Newton Abbot. Councillors D Howe and Mrs D Watts were duly appointed.
B. Devon Association of Parish Councils
The Devon Association of Parish Councils requested the Council to appoint two representatives to attend its Annual General Meeting to be held at County Hall, Exeter on Saturday 29th September 2007. It was noted that Councillor H L J Cole was the Council’s representative on the DAPC. Councillors H L J Cole and K C Lewis were duly appointed.
205. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Devon County Council - Stakeholder Event – The Future of Public Services in Devon
The Town clerk reported the receipt an invitation from Devon County Council to appoint a representative to attend a stakeholder event entitled ‘The Future of Public Services in Devon’ to be held at County Hall, Exeter on Monday 8th October 2007. Councillor K Smith was duly appointed.
206. COMMON SEAL
It was proposed by the Mayor, Councillor K. Smith, seconded by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor D. Corney-Walker that the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to any document or documents necessary to give affect to the resolutions passed by the Council at this Meeting.
At conclusion of the Meeting the Mayor invited all present to join him for light refreshments.
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Chairman