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Minutes of the Environment Services Committee held on Wednesday 17th October 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 17TH OCTOBER 2007 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
R. Leeper
C. Parker
Mrs D. Watts
In attendance
Mr Tim Callard – Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association
Mr Basil Townsend – Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association
By Invitation: Rebecca Gordon – Teignbridge District Council
Representative of the Press – John Balment – Mid Devon Advertiser
240. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs G. Gaskell, Mrs S. Maddicott, K. Purchase, K. Smith, A D Vizor and Leanne Eden, Footpaths Secretary.
241. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment Services Committee held on 13th June 2007 were received and signed as a correct record.
242. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Nil.
243. COURTENAY PARK, NEWTON ABBOT – YOUTH SHELTER
The Committee received an address by Rebecca Gordon, Senior Community Safety Officer, Teignbridge District Council on a proposal to erect a youth shelter at Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot.
Ms Gordon began by stating that although incidents of crime are experienced in the Teignbridge area, it is, nevertheless a very safe area in which to live.
She covered a number of points, including:
Last year the Police and Community Safety focus was the reduction of incidents of criminal damage in the area, and confirmed that this was an ongoing, historic issue, particularly graffiti, vehicle damage and general vandalism.
Reference was made to those incidents of criminal damage within Courtenay Park, i.e. break-ins to the bandstand on 5 consecutive occasions, the seats vandalised in the sensory garden and the general threatening presence of large groups of youths gathering in the park area, particularly at night.
The feedback that the Community Safety Team regarding groups of young people in Courtenay Park was more a perception of crime, i.e. that groups of young persons could be perceived as fearful and intimidating, even when they are not displaying any signs of criminal behaviour.
Ms Gordon referred to a map of Courtenay Park and explained the proposed location of the youth shelter in relation to the other very distinct areas of the park; i.e. the bowling green, the sensory garden, the bandstand and the toddler’s play area. The shelter was to be situated near where the existing rose garden, The reasons for this were:
Lighting – The periphery of the park was well lit in comparison to the centre of the park and costings were currently being planned for 2 additional Victorian style lamps, (in keeping with the one already situated in the park)
The location would facilitate ease of Police patrolling of the area with Police vehicles circling the park.
It was hoped that the proposed location would reduce conflict away from the other areas of the park; a conscious effort was made in selecting the location to move the shelter away from the sensory garden and bandstand.
Fewer residents lived in area of the proposed location.
Design of the shelter had already been selected by Teignbridge Youth Council (Ms Gordon showed a series of pictures demonstrating the selected designs to the members).
The design was called a ‘5 cell meeting point’ and was made of metal, (as wood was considered a huge fire risk) and had no sides, which means that it would be difficult to graffiti, together with a safer ‘feel’; i.e individuals would not feel threatened sitting alone in the shelter, and it was considered ideal from a crime prevention perspective (i.e. it would be more difficult for criminal activity to take place without being seen by others).
Funding of £7,500.00 for the shelter had been secured by the Community Safety Partnership and the Teignbridge Youth Council was so impressed by the proposal that they have agreed to donate the remainder of their budget for the financial year to the youth shelter project. The Youth Council felt that that would enable the young people to take ownership of the shelter and hopefully protect it from any potential vandalism
Ms Gordon also referred to the bye-laws currently in place, and the view that they were not appropriate for 2007. Teignbridge District Council were considering a review of the existing bye-laws and for them to be revoked, as the nature of them were such, that they were very difficult to be enforce and the penalty was around £2.00.
Members were then invited ask Ms Gordon questions, which included the following subjects: -
The litter problems in Courtenay Park and the possibility of installing more bins
The alleged alcohol ‘ban’ in the park
The possibility of CCTV monitoring in the park, specifically over the shelter
Colour scheme of shelter
Members were generally very supportive of the proposed shelter and would support TDC in its plan.
The Chairman thanked Ms Gordon for her excellent address, whereupon she left the meeting.
244. ALLOTMENTS
(a) Allotments Sub-Committee - The Committee received the report of the meeting held on 18th July (previously circulated).
(b) The Newton Abbot & District Allotments Association - Tim Callard reported on the following matters in respect of fields under their management: -
Series of vandalism to greenhouses at Bradley Lane allotments
Similar vandalism at Decoy allotments site
In connection with water metre readings in the Decoy site, the cost in 2005 being £255.00 and the cost last year being £1352.00 – Basil Townsend and David Howe are to meet with a South West Water representative to discuss this issue.
Further chippings at the Coach Road site.
There were currently 96 names of the waiting list
A request received previously from Decoy School to use the strip of land between Decoy allotment and Bladon Close
Mr Caunter had laid two tracks to the left of Bradley Field allotment
More incidents of crime at Decoy allotments
Newton Abbot Town Council had been commended in the Allotment & Leisure Gardens magazine for the new allotment development at Coach Road
The thorn bushes were waiting to be planted at the Decoy site; a Working Party was required to be set up to complete the work as soon as possible
The bottom area of the Decoy allotment site was 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
Following discussion the Committee agreed: -
The Town Clerk should contact Decoy School regarding the proposed strip of land to confirm whether they still wished to utilise it.
The Town Clerk to contact Mr Rew regarding the removal of the bramble bushes at Decoy allotment site
The Chairman thanked Tim Callard and Basil Townsend for their report, whereupon they both left the meeting.
(c) Vicary’s Field - Further to minute 54/6/07 to consider:-
i. Consideration was given to a proposal by Mr Clive D. Burton for site surveys to be carried out of an area of land at Vicary’s Field with a view to creation of further allotments (previously circulated).
The general opinion of members was that the proposal put forward by Mr Clive D. Burton would not fulfil the potential required of further land for allotment use
Two ideas were put forward regarding the future use of Vicary’s Field –
(1) To submit an informal planning application to TDC recommending the area to be turned into a car park that perhaps TDC could lease from the Newton Abbot Town Council
(2) To dispose of the section of unused land by sale
Arising from consideration of the options it was
RESOLVED
(a) That the Town Clerk approach the local planning authority “informally” to discuss the viability of an application at Vicary’s Field;
(b) That the small area at the top of the site be cleared for use as allotments;
(c) That should (a) above be unsuccessful the remaining section of land at Vicary’s Field that was unsuitable for allotments be sold.
ii. The Committee gave consideration to the installation of security measures at Vicary’s Field in view of numerous incidents of serious damage. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Allotments Sub-Committee for further consideration.
245. TOWN QUAY
The Committee gave consideration to proposals for improvements that were urgently needed at the Town Quay. Particular reference was made to the need for two new bins and two cigarette bins for which Councillor Howe had obtained quotes:
A cost of £265.00 per bin plus a delivery charge
A cost of £11.00 per cigarette receptacle
It was agreed to purchase these items.
It was recommended that a site visit should take place on Sunday 28th October 2007 at 11am to assess what further improvements were necessary and then report back to the Council with a plan of recommendations.
All Members of the Council to be invited.
246. FOOTPATHS
The Town Clerk reported on the footpaths attended to by the Council’s Handyman, John Wigley, since the last meeting including the ones regularly maintained each year, as follows: -
June – Footpath 35 – Foxwell Lane
July – Footpath 15 – All Saints Church Path
Footpath 16 – Powderham Link
Footpath 17 – Bowden Steps
Footpath 36 – Water Lane
August – Footpath 48 - Steppes Bridge
Footpath 8 – Lemonside
Footpath 35 – Foxwell Lane
Footpath 23 – Blake’s Path
September – Footpath 7 – Cooke’s Path
Before and after photos (where available) were displayed at the meeting.
The members wished for the Town Clerk to formally thank Mr John Wigley for his efforts in keeping the footpaths of Newton Abbot Town Council so well maintained.
Members requested the Town Clerk to contact the Newton Abbot Ramblers to carry out their annual inspection of the footpaths, as it would appear that this hadn’t been carried out to date.
The subject of footpath 39 (Ben Stedham’s Woods) arose and questions were raised regarding the recent activities of Costain Homes (the developer who currently own a part of the footpath land) The Clerk reported that Steve Malec of Devon County Council was currently preparing a consultation document relating to these activities.
It was agreed that the Town Clerk to write a letter to Costain Homes to voice the concerns of the Newton Abbot Town Council regarding their recent actions regarding the sale of land adjacent to the footpath which had led to the recent issues.
247. NEWTON IN BLOOM SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee noted the report of the meeting of the Newton in Bloom Sub-
Committee held on 12th September 2007 (previously circulated).
Councillor Howe announced that one of the winners of the Newton Abbot Town Council Newton in Bloom schools painting competition Akina Bridden of Bradley Barton Primary School had won 3rd place in the regional South West in Bloom painting competition. Members were delighted at this announcement.
The Town Clerk suggested the possibility of using Akina’s painting as part of a promotional campaign for next year’s competition
248. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE TO DATE
The Committee noted the statement which had been circulated with the agenda. The Chairman referred to the fact the Council had paid the sum of £3,500 in the current year for works to Footpath number 9, Lemon Valley. The Council had received in the previous financial year a P3 grant in that sum, however, the timing had effectively resulted in the Committee’s budget for the whole year be exhausted in the first six months.
Arising from the above it was agreed that the Council be requested to reinstate the Committee’s budget in the sum of £3,500 from reserves.
249. BUDGET
Town Clerk requested the Committee to consider its budget requirements for 2008/09 and also any suggestions under the Council’s Core Strategy Policy (minute 249 below refers).
After discussion the Committee agreed that the budget for the Committee should remain unchanged at £4,500 for 2008/09 but that consideration be given to increasing this sum depending on future plans for the Town Quay in subsequent years.
250. STRATEGIC WORKING PARTY
(a) The Committee received reports of Strategic Working Party meetings held on 18th July and 5th September 2007 (previously circulated);
(b) Consideration was given to the Committee’s priorities for the next three years as requested by the Strategic Working Party for inclusion in the Core Strategy. It was noted that the next meeting of the Strategic Working Party is scheduled for 18th October 2007.
251. NEWTON ABBOT LEAT
The Chairman requested the Committee to give consideration to the need for action to be taken regarding the Newton Abbot Leat.
252. LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Templar Way – 20th Anniversary The Town Clerk reported receipt of a request from Devon County Council for the Council to nominate a representative to attend its celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Templar Way on 22nd October at Stover School from 10.00 a.m.
253. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 6th February 2008.
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Chairman