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Minutes of the Environment Services Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 6th February 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillor M. Hocking (Chairman) Presiding
Councillor D. Howe (Vice-Chairman)
Councillors Mrs C. Bunday
H.L.J. Cole
D. Corney-Walker
C. Davieson
C. Parker
K. Purchase
A D Vizor
Mrs D. Watts
In attendance
Mr Tim Callard – Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association
Mr Basil Townsend – Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association
Representative of the Press – None.
385. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs G. Gaskell, R. Leeper, Mrs S. Maddicott, K. Smith, and Mrs Leanne Eden, Footpaths Secretary and Mr David Wright, Vicary’s Field Allotments.
386. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment Services Committee held on 17th October 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
387. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
388. ALLOTMENTS
The Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association - Tim Callard reported on the following matters in respect of fields under their management:-
Further series of vandalism to greenhouses at Bradley Lane allotments and a report of shots being fired from the woods;
Similar vandalism at Decoy allotments site;
In connection with water leak issue in the Decoy site, Mr Basil Townsend had met with a South West Water representative to discuss this issue on site at such short notice it had not been possible to invite Councillor Howe, Unfortunately there would be no rebate on the £800 charged due to the leak but SWW had agreed to provide a stop cock on the allotments side of the road. Councillor Howe proposed an option to take an alternative feed from Bladon Close;
The possibility of the creation of a second newt pond at Decoy under agreement with Devon County Council;
Further chippings required at the Coach Road site had not yet materialised;
There were currently 115 names of the waiting list;
Further thorn bushes were required to be planted at the Decoy site;
The bottom area of the Decoy allotment site was previously discussed regarding the possibility of local farmer, Mr Anthony Rew carrying out some extraction of 8ft tall brambles, which, upon removal would provide more potential allotment plots. Unfortunately there had to date been no contact with Mr Rew.
Arising from consideration of the reports it was
RESOLVED
(a) that a meeting of the Allotments Sub-Committee be held as soon as practicable;
(b) that at the meeting in (a) above consideration be given to an alternative water feed for the Decoy Allotments;
(c) that the Town Clerk write to Mr Bray of the Bradley Allotments to sympathise with the vandalism experienced and to the Police to draw their attention to the problems at Bradley;
(d) that the Town Clerk contact Devon County Council regarding any potential implications for the Council arising from the proposal to construct a further newt pond at Decoy and if the Clerk is satisfied the Council’s interests are protected to grant permission for the works to commence;
(e) that the Town Clerk chase progress on the bramble clearance at Decoy and the provision of chippings at Coach Road sites;
(f) that the Allotments Association be permitted to purchase further thorn bushes for the Decoy site from the Council’s budget.
389. TOWN QUAY
Consideration was given to correspondence from Teignbridge District Council (previously circulated) regarding plans by Network Rail to place rock armour around a rail bridge support requiring diversion of footpath and cycleway, creation of a compound at the eastern end of the Quay and the siting of a crane for a period of two weeks in April 2008. The Clerk explained that a contractor, Dyer and Butler, would be carrying out the works but that the company had yet to contact the Council directly.
Councillor Howe suggested that as such works were likely at the Quay it was an opportune time to request the local Fire Brigade to pump out the water and clear the silt.
The Committee also gave further consideration to proposals for improvements that were urgently needed at the Town Quay; in particular reference was made to the need for two new bins and two cigarette bins. Councillor Howe had previously obtained the following quotes:
£265.00 per bin plus a delivery charge;
£11.00 per cigarette receptacle.
Arising from consideration of the issues it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the correspondence from Teignbridge District Council be noted and a formal contact from the contractor be awaited;
(b) that authority be given for the bins and cigarette receptacles to be ordered & installed subject to the cost being within budget.
390. FOOTPATHS
The Town Clerk reported a report on the Council’s footpaths under P3 had been received resulting in all but two reaching the necessary standard. The two below standard required minor works which the Council’s Handyman, Mr John Wigley, would address.
The Committee was informed that arising from a complaint by a resident, Mr Wigley had attended to works required at ‘Donkey Steps’. The resident had been in touch with the Council with thanks for prompt and efficient action.
391. NEWTON IN BLOOM SUB-COMMITTEE
(a) The Committee noted the report of the meeting of the Newton in Bloom Sub-Committee held on 23rd January 2008 (previously circulated);
(b) Newton Abbot Leat – Arising from (a) above, Councillor Howe and the Clerk reported on a meeting held with a representative of Devon County Council and the Mayor at Bradley Lane that day. It was explained that the County Council had accepted responsibility for the two areas of Leat in Bradley Lane and parts of the adjacent grassed areas. As a result the County Council would be taking action to clear the leat, make it stable, safe and maintained for the future.
Additionally, the residents interested in commencing a Neighbourhood Awards scheme in the area would be working with the Town Council and the Probation Service on Sunday 10th February to make a start on clearing the areas of the Leat up to as far as the National Trust land.
The Clerk reported that he had evidence that the final part of the unsurfaced Bradley Lane was in the ownership of Teignbridge District Council.
Finally, the Committee discussed the merits of the Leat being listed at a future date.
392. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE TO DATE
The Committee noted the statement which had been circulated with the agenda.
393. PUBLIC CONVENIENCES- NEWFOUNDLAND WAY
The Chairman reported that Teignbridge District Council had recently decided not to close the public conveniences on 1st April 2008 but to monitor their usage for a period of six months and then reconsider. Members referred to the likely increased usage due to the expansion of the Newfoundland Way Car park, improvements and pedestrianisation of that area of the Town and the fact the ASDA development was further from the Town than planned. Members also discussed the possibilities and merits of being able to charge for using a public convenience.
Discussion was held regarding problems caused by the Union Inn using the area in front of the conveniences to store beer kegs and wheelie bins.
It was agreed that the situation with the future of the conveniences be monitored and reconsidered at a later date.
394. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) The Committee received a letter from The National Trust (previously circulated) regarding the Council’s request for dog bins in Bradley Woods. It was noted that the Bradley meadows were exempt from the Dog Fouling Act and therefore it was not possible to enforce the requirement for owners to pick-up after their animals. Members requested that the Clerk write to The National Trust inviting it to request Teignbridge District Council to adopt a bye-law to enforce responsible dog ownership in the area.
Accordingly it was
RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to the National Trust inviting it to request Teignbridge District Council to adopt a bye-law to enforce responsible dog ownership in the area of Bradley Woods/meadows.
(b) The Committee received an approach by a member of the public to support a call to the District Council to introduce local dog and cat licenses. Members considered that as it was an issue for National Government and not local, it would note the request. Councillor Howe however suggested it was a matter TALC could consider.
Councillor D Corney-Walker declared a personal interest in this item.
395. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To be agreed following the meeting to be held on 11th February 2008 to review the Committee Structure.