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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 30TH JANUARY 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 30TH JANUARY 2008 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
Miss J. Fry
Mrs G. Gaskell
M. Hocking
D. Howe
Mrs G. Leeper
C. Parker
A. Vizor
Mrs D. Watts
K. Lewis
Representatives of the press: John Balment – Mid Devon Advertiser
Emma Pearcy – Herald Express
The Meeting opened with Prayers by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev. Edgar Daniel
374. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors R. Leeper, Mrs S. Maddicott and K. Purchase and Sam Scott, Office Administrator.
375. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
376. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 19th December 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
377. MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor referred to the list of engagements which he had carried out since 19th December.
He thanked the Ex-Mayor, Councillor Mrs Daphne Watts for the engagement carried out on his behalf.
378. PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES
(a) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 8th January 2008 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Howe were received and approved.
(b) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Activities Committee held on 9th January 2008 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor Miss J Fry were received and approved.
(c) The Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 16th January 2008 as presented by the Chairman, Councillor D. Corney-Walker were received and approved with the exception of minutes 358(b) and 360 (b) (i), (ii) and (iii) (see minute 379 below) and subject to the Following:-
Minute 359. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Following an explanation by the Clerk it was
RESOLVED that the amended Financial Regulations together with the proposed Investment Policy as presented to the Finance and General Purposes Committee be hereby approved and adopted.
379. PRECEPT 2008/09
The Town Clerk reminded the Council that it was the statutory duty of the Full Council to approve the precept for 2008/09.
It was proposed by Councillor D. Corney-Walker and seconded by Councillor
K Smith that the recommendation set out in Minute 358 (b) that a precept in the sum of £307,382 for the year 2008/09 be adopted.
Arising from consideration of the recommendation from the Finance and General Purposes Committee regarding funds for the clearance of the Bradley Lane Leat, the Clerk reported that Devon County Council had accepted responsibility for the two areas adjacent to Bradley Lane. The Chairmen of the Environment Committee, Councillor M Hocking and the Newton in Bloom Sub-Committee, Councillor D Howe, explained that a work group would be carrying out improvements to the other areas of the Leat towards Vicary’s Mill and the grassed areas on 10th February.
Arising from consideration of the matter it was
RESOLVED
(a) that a Precept in the sum of £307,382 for the year 2008/09 be requested from Teignbridge District Council;
(b) that a donation of £10,000 to the Decoy BMX Skate Bowl project be approved;
(c) that a sum of £2,000 be donated to the Community Plan to facilitate the completion of the Plan;
(d) that £3,500 be repaid to the Environment Services Committee from Reserves as soon as is practicable.
Voting on the above Resolutions was unanimously in favour.
380. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The Council gave consideration to a report by the Town Clerk on a proposal to revise the structure of the Council’s Committees/Sub-Committees (previously circulated).
Members expressed support for the principles put forward by the Clerk for a restructuring of the Council’s Committee Structure. However, Members considered that more thought needed to be given to the numbers of councillors on each proposed committee/sub-committee, whether they could be members of sub-committees if not on the parent committee, required changes to Standing Orders, a revised calendar of meetings and periods between meetings, reasoned thought about which committees Members wished a seat and those they did not and learning for new Members.
Arising from a detailed debate on the Town Clerks report it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the Council agrees in principle to the restructuring of its Committee Structure;
(b) that an early ad hoc meeting be held at which all Members be invited to input into a proposed future structure for consideration at the next meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
381. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
Consideration was given to appointing a representative to attend the National Association of Local Council’s Conference to be held in Eastbourne on 20th to 22nd May 2008.
It was
RESOLVED that Councillor K Smith be appointed to attend the NALC Conference to be held in Eastbourne on 20th to 22nd May 2008.
382. STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING
The Council gave consideration to the following requests:-
(a) New development at Jetty Marsh, Newton Abbot previously proposed name - ‘The Grove’ was opposed by the Planning Committee – minute 307(a)/12/07. Proposed was to be ‘Orleigh Cross’;
(b) Development of 14 apartments above Carpetright store, Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot – Proposed ‘The Courtyard’.
Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the name ‘Orleigh Cross’ for the new development at Jetty Marsh be supported;
(b) that the name ‘The Courtyard’ for the development above the Carpetright Store in Wolborough Street be not supported and the name ‘Wolborough Court’ be proposed to the developer and Teignbridge District Council.
383. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Nil.
384. 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