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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9th JANUARY 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9th JANUARY 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillors Miss J Fry (Chairman) Presiding
H. L. J. Cole (Vice-Chairman)
C. Davieson
Mrs A. Fry
D. Howe
K. Lewis
K. Purchase
K. Smith
A. Vizor
Co-opted Members:
Mr M E Ryan – Chairman Newton Abbot Carnival Committee
Julie Cleave – Newton Abbot & District Town Band
Stella Watson – Newton Abbot District Chamber of Trade
Stuart Gray – Newton Abbot Round Table
Reporter in attendance: John Balment – Mid Devon Advertiser
Members of the public: Mike Croydon (Barham Cup)
343. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs C Bunday, Mrs G Gaskell, M Hocking, Mrs G Leeper, Mrs S Maddicott, C Parker and Mrs D Watts and Flt Lt Rick Webb – (ATC).
344. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Activities Committee held on 14th November 2007 were received and signed as a correct record subject to the following:-
Minute 292 (a) (iii) - Events Update – Remembrance Sunday – the word ‘audience’ be deleted and replaced with the word ‘participants’.
Minute 292 (b) – Events Update – Christmas Lights Switch-on – the reference to Councillor Howe in the first sentence should refer to Councillor Hocking.
345. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
346. INTERESTS
Nil
347. BARHAM CUP – FRIDAY 4th JULY 2008
The Chairman introduced Mr Mike Croydon of Teignmouth Regatta to the meeting and invited him to address the Committee to attend and speak to the Committee on the arrangements for the Barham Cup 2008 and beyond.
Mr Croydon thanked the Committee for being given the opportunity to discuss arrangements for the event and also to address the Town Council’s concerns that it was being marginalised in relation to the arrangements and that the event was Teignmouth and rowing centric to the cost of Newton Abbot. Mr Croydon referred to the background to the event and to the fact that it had finished at the Town Quay since 1990 following a request from the Town Council in celebration of the refurbishment of the Quay. He appreciated that the event could be considered to be Teignmouth and rowing centric but it was considered a premier event on the rowing calendar with interest increasing each year. This year’s event was proposed to follow a similar format to other years and was arranged for 4th July to fit into the rowing calendar and was tide dependent. It was unfortunate that the Newton Abbot Carnival started on the 5th but perhaps there was an opportunity to combine the events in some way.
Mr Croydon concluded his address by expressing his thanks to the Town Council and its staff for their support which was both appreciated and important to the event. However, should the Council decide to withdraw its support it was hoped the Council would allow the event to continue to finish at the Town Quay?
Members were then invited to ask questions and make comments upon the matter, including the following:-
• Newton Abbot Town Council would wish to become more of a partner to the event and its arrangements rather than only be advised as to what was proposed;
• An additional event(s) to be held at the Newton Abbot ‘end’ such as a raft race or canoe race involving groups or clubs from Newton Abbot as a curtain raiser to the main event e.g. ATC versus the Sea Cadets and the youth clubs at Buckland and Dyrons;
• The possibility of a display by Decoy Canoe Club;
• The event needed to better publicised in Newton Abbot and the fact it was a premier event exploited;
• The publicity should explain the meaning of the Barham Cup as few were aware of its significance;
• Options for a raft race could be either from Broadway, the Racecourse or Coombe Cellars;
• The fun element of the event should be exploited especially for those who would like to take part but were not serious rowers.
Arising from consideration of the matter it was agreed that Mr Croydon would take the Council’s comments back to the event organisers and propose a meeting be held between the Town Council Mayors and the organisers. The Mayor agreed to report back to the Committee with the outcomes of the discussions.
The Chairman thanked Mr Croydon for his attendance, whereupon he left the meeting.
348. NEWTON ABBOT & DISTRICT TOWN BAND
The Committee received a progress report submitted by Julie Cleave, Secretary of the Newton Abbot & District Town Band on performances which have been given since the last meeting.
The Committee noted that the Band had raised £167.21 for the Devon Air Ambulance. That sum had been lower that the Band had hoped and was due to Sainsbury’s allowing Brixham Town Band to play at the store this year. Julie was planning to book Sainsbury’s for 2008.
The Chairman thanked Julie on behalf of the Council for the Band’s efforts and support.
349. EVENTS UPDATE
The Events Co-ordinator reported on the following events:-
(i) SINCE LAST MEETING
(a) Victorian Evening 5th December – The Mayor proposed on behalf of the Committee a thanks to the Events Co-ordinator for her efforts in arranging the event. The Mayor expressed the view that it had been the best Victorian Evening he had attended. The Events Co-ordinator thanked the Committee for its appreciation and wished to thank ASDA for its sponsorship. The Committee noted that of the 31 charities involved, 24 had responded to a request to divulge their takings. As a result the 24 charities had been able to give a total of £3,584 locally.
(b) Mayor’s Carol Service 19th December – All agreed it had been a successful event. The Clerk undertook to ensure the event would not clash with the Council meeting in the future. It was agreed that a letter be written to the Salvation Army Band thanking its members for their support.
(ii) FUTURE EVENTS 2008
The Committee confirmed the date contained in the provisional programme (previously circulated). With regard to the Cheese and Onion event it was agreed to call a meeting of the COGNAC Committee. It was also suggested that the event might be better held on 2nd/3rd September than 3rd/4th. The COGNAC Committee was to consider the most appropriate date.
With regard to the Town Criers’ Competition, it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the Council continues to support the Town Criers’ Competition financially but that the Council would not finance overnight accommodation for competitors;
(b) that the Events Co-ordinator attempts to obtain sponsorship for the Town Criers’ competition.
(iii) NEW EVENT FOR 2008
(a) The Events Co-ordinator reported further to minute 292(c)/11/07 on meetings held with Fermoy’s Garden Centre with regard to a possible event on Courtenay Park in March. Arising from the discussions held, the Events Co-ordinator proposed that it would be impractical to hold a marquee event in the park in March. The Committee concurred with the Events Co-ordinator’s view.
(b) Arising from (i) above the Events Co-ordinator had researched the possibility of holding a community dinner/dance which could become an annual Mayor’s Ball to be held in March. Arising from a discussion on the proposals set out by the Events Co-ordinator it was
RESOLVED that arrangements for a Mayor’s Ball to be held on 1st March 2008 be progressed and that the Council agree to underwrite the Ball up to a sum of £285 but that the Events Co-ordinator attempt to make the event cost neutral to the Council.
350. CARNIVAL 2008
The Chairman invited Mike Ryan, Chairman of the Carnival Committee, to report on the progress to date for the Carnival for 2008 and on the meeting of the Carnival Committee held on 26th November 2007 (previously circulated).
351. INCOME & EXPENDITURE
The Committee noted the report showing the Income & Expenditure 1st April 2007 – 17th December 2007. There was a net expenditure to date of £3,518.54p.
352. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from Devon County Council giving notice that Sherborne Road, Newton Abbot would be closed on seven consecutive Sundays from 10th February to 9th March to facilitate pedestrian improvements. Members requested the Clerk to enquire from Devon CC the nature of the proposed works.
353. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting of this Committee be held on Wednesday 2nd April 2008.
…………………………….
Chairman