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MINUTES OF THE AMENIITIES COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY 25TH JUNE 2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE AMENIITIES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY 25TH JUNE 2008 AT 7.00P.M. AT THE TOWN HALL, 9 DEVON SQUARE, NEWTON ABBOT
PRESENT Councillors M Hocking (Chairman) Presiding
Councillors Mrs C Bunday
D Corney-Walker
C Davieson
D Howe
C Parker
K Purchase
K Smith
A D Vizor
Mrs D Watts
Councillor H L J Cole attended
In attendance:Natalie Burridge – Events Co-ordinator
Felicity Cole – Newton Abbot Museum Curator
Phil Rowe – Town Clerk
Representative of the press: Mr N Canham – Mid Devon Advertiser
52. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE AMENITIES COMMITTEE 2008/09
Nominations were received for the election of the Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year 2008/2009.
Accordingly it was
RESOLVED that Councillor M Hocking be elected Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year 2008/2009.
53. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Miss J Fry, R Leeper and Mrs S Maddicott.
54. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE AMENITIES COMMITTEE 2008/09
Nominations were received for the appointment of the Vice-Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year 2008/2009.
Accordingly it was
RESOLVED that Councillor Miss Joanne Fry be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Amenities Committee for the year 2008/2009.
55. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Activities Committee held on 2nd April 2008 were received and signed as a correct record.
56. INTERESTS
None at this stage.
57. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None.
58. MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee received the minutes of the Museum Sub-Committee meeting held on 11th June 2008.
Arising from paragraph M8 the Museum Curator, Mrs Felicity Cole, made a short presentation with the aid of slides on progress made with recovery and conservation of the Sandford Orleigh Screen. The Curator gave details of likely costs and funding opportunities and reiterated the importance of the Screen to the heritage of Newton Abbot.
The Curator also presented to the Committee details of plans for the 2009 Museum Exhibition subject John Lethbridge. Mrs Cole detailed the connections of John Lethbridge with Newton Abbot and explained that although much of the history is related to the town, much of the artefacts were held elsewhere and in particular in Brussels by Mr Robert Stenuit. The Committee was also informed that a working model of John Lethbridge’s diving engine could be constructed for the exhibition at an estimated cost of between £3,000 and £6,000.
Arising from consideration of the above it was
RESOLVED
(a) that the Museum Curator be authorised to incur costs of approximately £1,300 for the removal and storage of the Sandford Orleigh Screen and report back to a future meeting on likely conservation costs and funding opportunities;
(b) that a working model of John Lethbridge’s diving engine be commissioned at a cost not to exceed £6,000; should that figure be likely to be exceeded the Museum Curator report back to the Committee;
(c) that the minutes of the Museum Sub-Committee meeting held on 11th June 2008 be approved and adopted.
59. EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Events Sub-Committee held on 4th June 2008.
Arising from the minute regarding the membership of the Sub-Committee, the Clerk explained that he was concerned with the two levels of membership proposed for non-elected members. He explained that co-option had a status in local government law. If members of the public were co-opted to the sub-committee they would enjoy the same status as the elected members with the exception of a locus in relation to decisions affecting the finances of the Council. Consequently, the Clerk requested that the Committee had an awareness of the different status of membership whereby a representative of the community was invited to attend a meeting related to individual events only.
Arising from consideration of the minutes it was
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 4th June 2008 be approved and adopted subject to the following:-
Paragraph 44 – Sub-Committee Membership – be not adopted and replaced as follows:
“RESOLVED that the Amenities Committee at its meeting to be held on 25th June be recommended:-
i. to permit Co-opted members of the Events Sub-Committee to be included in all decision making processes within the Sub-Committee, excluding any financial issues, which would be dealt with by Council members only;
ii. a list to be prepared of those individuals to receive invitations for Co-option;
iii. Associate Members from outside organisations for individual events to be at the discretion of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Sub-Committee.”
60. NEWTON IN BLOOM SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Newton In Bloom Sub-Committee meeting held on 4th June 2008.
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Councillor D Howe, gave the Committee a brief update on the 2008 Regional Competition and an incident of vandalism to three flower planters in Bank Street on 14th June. With regard to the latter it was noted that both the Police and CCTV had been contacted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Newton In Bloom Sub-Committee meeting held on 4th June 2008 be approved and adopted.
61. LOCAL TRANSPORT FORUM
The Committee received the report of the meeting of the Local Transport Forum held on 30th April 2008.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Local Transport Forum meeting held on 30th April be approved and adopted.
62. DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL – TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS – QUEEN STREET, NEWTON ABBOT
The Clerk reported on public consultation being carried out by Devon County Council regarding the possibility of introducing traffic management proposals for part of Queen Street and Union Street, Newton Abbot. The County Council had submitted a questionnaire to the Council (previously circulated) requesting its views.
The Committee also received letters from two residents regarding the proposals, together with a letter from the Teignbridge Taxi & Private Hire Association on the subject and raising the issues of taxi ranks in the town (both of which were previously circulated).
The Clerk explained that the County Council’s proposals were for the closure of that section of Queen Street from its junctions with Albany Street and King Street together with Union Street from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. each day. There were also proposals for bus access and lay-up, pavement widening and provision of loading bays.
The Committee expressed both support and objections to aspects of the proposals. Generally, the Committee expressed a broad agreement with the principle of some form of management for Queen Street but felt it needed to be as part of an integrated plan for the town.
Arising from consideration of the matter it was
RESOLVED
(a) that Devon County Council be informed that Newton Abbot Town Council:-
• was not in a position to complete its questionnaire;
• was broadly in favour of the principle of traffic management measures in Queen Street and Union Street;
• accepted access restrictions between 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.;
• accepted access and drop-off by buses, but not laying-up;
• considered measures would be required to ensure access for the disabled to the town centre;
• measures for taxis;
• encouragement of a ‘pavement culture’ in Queen Street but on the north side;
however, proposals should be part of an integrated plan for the town centre as a whole;
(b) that the letters from the residents and the Teignbridge Taxi & Private Hire Association be noted.
Councillor Mrs D Watts declared a personal interest in the above minute but took part in the discussion & voting thereon.
63. THE TOWN QUAY, NEWTON ABBOT
The Clerk reminded the Committee that a budget provision had been made in the current year in the sum of £2,500 for a study for an improvement and enhancement project for the Town Quay and its approaches. The Committee was requested to give consideration as to how it would like to progress the project.
The Committee was informed that on Sunday 22nd June a small group of Councillors had met at the Quay to clear weeds and rubbish etc. Although such an exercise had been carried out twice a year the condition of the Quay was deteriorating to the extent where more extensive works were required.
Members discussed various options and approaches bearing in mind the Quay’s historic significance to the town. Reference was also made to other agencies which should be included in the discussions such as the Estuary Officer (Graeme Smith), Teignbridge District Council Rangers and English Heritage.
Arising from consideration of the matter it was
RESOLVED
(a) that an urgent meeting be held on site with the Estuary Officer to ascertain what immediate remedial works were required;
(b) that a Working Party of Members meet with appropriate other agency representatives to ascertain the best way forward to improve and enhance the Town Quay and its approaches;
(c) that (b) above to include long term measures to ensure the improved and enhanced facility is maintained in the future;
(d) that the membership of the Working Party referred to in (b) above be as follows:-
Councillors Mrs C Bunday, C Davieson, M Hocking, D Howe and Mrs D Watts
64. DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL – PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP – SPRING NEWSLETTER 2008
The Committee noted Parish Paths Spring Newsletter 2008 (previously circulated)
65. NEWTON ABBOT AND TEIGNBRIDGE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT (NATCT)
A letter regarding merger of NATCT and Newton Abbot ShopMobility (previously circulated) was noted along with the appointment of Councillor A D Vizor as the Council’s representative.
66. LATE CORRESPONDENCE - BRADLEY LANE LEAT
The Clerk gave an update on the lack of progress with the principal councils regarding improvements to the Bradley Lane Leat. He explained that the residents were somewhat frustrated with the lack of progress since the major clean-up in February.
Members were reminded that the residents had combined to create a project to enhance the area which the Town Council had supported. Members were also reminded that a small provision had been made in the current budget to assist in the improvements by providing litter and dog bins in the area. The Clerk confirmed he would continue to progress matters with the principal authorities and liaise with the residents.
67. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Amenities Committee would be held on Wednesday 17th September 2008.
Chairman