Minutes Town Council - Monday 1 March 2010
Members Present:
Councillor D Weekes (Town Mayor)
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor Ms T Edwards
Councillor C Hodgson
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor A Leech
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse
Councillor A Raymond
Councillor Mrs D Smith
Councillor P Stunèll
In Attendance:
D Bent (Town Clerk)
G Lawrence (WDBC Conservation Officer)
Before proceeding with business, prayers were offered by Revd Mike Davies.
559. Apologies for Absence - An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor P Vachon.
560. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present, however the Mayor presented letters from the public concerning dog fouling across the town including Simmons Park. It was established this Council cancelled its contract with the Borough Council Dog Warden and had not pursued any alternative action. Following debate, and on the proposition of the Mayor, it was agreed this be deferred to the Parks Committee for further discussion, the complainants be advised their letters would be passed to the Dog Warden for his action.
561. Okehampton Conservation Area - Mr G Lawrence (WDBC Conservation Officer) attended the meeting to discuss the Okehampton conservation area. He explained that the Borough was required by law to review its conservation areas and prepare plans to preserve and enhance that area. He explained this operation had been carried out in the early 1990’s with little change since. He commented that a character appraisal would be carried out by himself identifying features of the area. He referenced appraisal documents for Tavistock, Sticklepath and Launceston and when the Okehampton document was complete, it would offer information relating to layout of the town, appraisal of buildings with important buildings identified on maps plus eyesores identified for attention or action. He invited Council to offer names of contacts in the compilation of this document and when complete to be submitted to public consultation.
Following the endorsement of the appraisal document, a management plan would emerge or a list of priorities to be addressed on a flexible timescale, which document he hoped to produce by September/October 2010.
Mr Lawrence was invited to Destination Okehampton and Okehampton Community Archives to extract information relevant to this exercise. Members were mindful of the restrictions on the preservation and enhancement of old buildings due to planning conditions and terms and accepted minimal or limited change. He was asked whether this document would impact upon the Borough planning operation, whilst acknowledging design was subjective, Mr Lawrence commented that he offered vigorous comments on any developments or improvements in the conservation area. Mr Lawrence was thanked for his attendance and agreed to submit a document in the near future.
562. West Devon Borough Council - Councillor J Young (WDBC) was asked to comment on developments about the railway. He had no knowledge, however Councillor Mrs Marsh commented that things were moving towards the provision of a service to Exeter with effect from May. Councillor Young was invited to comment on the Borough policy relating to publication of senior officers’ salaries. He commented this was part 2 discussion and, whilst acknowledging government directive to publish this information, he would discuss it with the Chief Executive. Councillor Young was asked to comment on Devon Choice scheme for housing with declining numbers with reference to vulnerable groups and difficulty accessing the housing market. He acknowledged the difficulties, problems experienced by the housing department in addressing these issues, shared equity schemes not working properly, the Borough Council’s efforts to assist with self-build although that was subject to the provision of suitable land at minimal cost. Councillor Young was asked to comment on employment with special reference to the Opportunity Okehampton site and its development. He acknowledged this was a superior site which may bring in innovative industry, but knew of no interest in the site. Councillor Mrs Marsh commented that the Borough Council was rigid in its letting policy for this site and should be more flexible in marketing it.
563. Devon County Council - Councillor Ireland questioned the opening of the railway, parkway station and the future. Councillor Mrs Marsh commented that the American owner was currently discussing with County, Borough Council and the RDA, the creation of this parkway station and the development would progress depending on demand.
564. Adoption of Minutes of Committees and to Receive Questions from Members Thereon -
564.1 Policy and Resources Committee - Councillor Hodgson invited Council to adopt the minutes of the meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 21 December 2009 and 18 January 2010. Councillor Mrs Bickley proposed, Councillor Mrs Marsh seconded and there being no questions or amendments the minutes were resolved unanimously.
564.2 Planning Committee - Councillor Mrs McDonald invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 4 January, 18 January, 1 February and 15 February 2010. Councillor Mrs McDonald proposed, Councillor Ireland seconded and there being no questions or amendments, was resolved unanimously.
564.3 Parks Committee - Councillor Raymond invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Parks Committee meetings held on 30 November 2009 and 25 January 2010. Councillor Raymond proposed, Councillor Letchford seconded and there being no amendments, was resolved unanimously.
564.4 Property Committee - Councillor Leech invited the Council to adopt the minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 14 December 2009. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Raymond and there being no amendments, was resolved unanimously.
565. Full Council Meeting Minutes - Members received the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 4 January 2010 which were approved, signed and adopted on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor M Morse.
566. Matters Arising - There were no matters arising.
567. Annual Town Assembly - The Clerk asked Members to reschedule the date of the Annual Town Assembly from 15 March as he had a hospital appointment. Members examined a series of dates and options and on the proposition of the Mayor it was resolved that the Annual Town Assembly be held on Monday 12 April with the Parks Committee meeting transferred to Monday 29 March.
568. NHS Devon - Improving and Integrating Maternity Services - A letter from NHS Devon advised of further integration of maternity services in the county; noted.
569. Members’ Reports -
Liaison meeting 1st March 2010 - Councillor Leech reported on the following topics discussed at liaison meeting -
CCTV and the proposal to progress this across Okehampton town centre.
Waste services contract - he reported that FOCSA had been re-engaged to undertake this contract for 7 years with effect from April 2010.
Local government review - he reported that a judicial review would be held in April. The House of Lords would address this issue on 2 March 2010 and a further option of a unitary for Devon had been suggested.
Speeding Upcott Hill - the meeting had been invited to support the town’s action to reduce speeding at this location.
North Road/Wonnacotts Road play area - the Borough acknowledged this Council’s request to include play provision within the development.
Jobcentre - the meeting acknowledged the delivery of this service to Okehampton.
Somerfield/taxi rank fence responsibility - the meeting was advised that the Borough Council would re-investigate and report at a subsequent meeting.
Clapps Wood - it was noted that formal transfer letter was awaited from the Borough Council, subject to the Council meeting legal costs.
Mill site - it was noted that a meeting would be held on 9 March with interested parties to examine the design concept and progress this project.
Hamlets development by Persimmon Homes of 106 houses on Crediton Road - the complaints received by Members were passed on to the Borough Council and Members noted the letter would be issued from the Planning Committee.
570. Civic Diary Report - The Mayor advised of his attendance at a number of events including Thinking Free for Girl Guides at which 500 guides had renewed their oath, rugby club annual dinner and fund raising for Shelterbox for Haiti earthquake disaster, picking up litter for Okehampton Primary School and a fund raising dinner in the Charter Hall.
571. Resignation from Councillor Stunèll - The Clerk reported the resignation of Councillor Stunèll with effect from 5 March 2010. He reported that he would pursue a bye-election through due process and inform Members of progress. Councillor Hodgson announced that he would be resigning with effect from 12 April 2010 and encouraged Council to advertise two vacancies.
572. Skittles Team - To mark his resignation, Councillor Stunèll invited the Council to a skittles match with the Conservative Club; Members to advise the Town Clerk of their availability from a series of dates offered.
PART TWO
ITEMS WHICH MAY BE TAKEN IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC ON THE GROUND THAT EXEMPT INFORMATION MAY BE DISCLOSED (if any).
The Committee is recommended to pass the following resolution:-
“On the proposition of Councillor Morse, seconded by Councillor Mrs McDonald, it was resolved that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the Meeting for the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed as defined in the paragraph given below from Part I of Schedule 12(A) to the Act”
Paragraph 1 - Information relating to employees of the authority.
Paragraph 9 - Any terms proposed to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or supply of goods or services.
573. Staff Issues Employment Policies
574. Accountancy System
575. Retirement Present R Richards
It was resolved to come out of part 2 on the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Ireland, move back into part 1 and ratify all decisions taken in part 2.
Meeting closed 9.00 pm.
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