Minutes Town Council - Monday 8 November 2010

Minutes Town Council - Monday 8 November 2010

Last Updated (Friday, 01 April 2011 14:18) Friday, 01 April 2011 13:36

Council Business - Full Town Council Minutes

Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Meeting held on Monday 8 November 2010 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 7.00 pm

Members Present:   

Councillor M Morse (Mayor)
Councillor K Ball
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor M Davies
Councillor A Leech
Councillor C Letchford
Councillor Mrs M McDonald
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor A Raymond
Councillor Mrs D Smith

In Attendance:   D Bent (Town Clerk)

S Blood, P Delahoy representing Okehampton Heartlands
Reverend P Wagstaff
         
Before proceeding with business, prayers were offered by Reverend P Wagstaff.

317. Apologies for Absence - Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors D Weekes and P Vachon.

318. Deferment of Business - (for comment by the public) - There were no questions from members of the public.

319. Devon Heartlands Community Forum - Mr S Blood and Mr P Delahoy attended the meeting to inform of the position relating to this forum in Okehampton.  P Delahoy advised the concept originated from the Okehampton MCTI programme which worked with the communities of Okehampton, North Tawton and Chagford to identify projects funded from the MCTI over a five year process.  He explained, following the conclusion of this, Devon Heartlands (through the Development Trust) had continued to maintain contacts with the community eg officers from agencies, councillors plus the general public to deliver approved action plans.  He explained Heartlands was a monthly independent forum comprising 25/30 people including police, elected representatives, young and old together with strategic partners, which body addressed the issues affecting facilities for the old and young, but specifically for Okehampton.  Mr Delahoy gave examples of the work of the forum including representation against the Core Strategy, new primary school, work on the Mill Site and Dartmoor Railway.

 With regard to funding, Council was advised the Development Trust had been funded principally by the Carnegie UK Trust plus other projects managed over the years, but Heartlands was looking for funding to continue.  He referenced discussion of the Community Boards, the Big Society and an interpreted connection with people at grass roots level as directed by government.  Mr Delahoy concluded to continue the work of the forum, sought the support of the Town Council and invited all Councillors to the monthly meeting.

320. West Devon Borough Council - Councillor Mrs Marsh advised that the seating area at the rear of Lidl’s had been recognised by the police as a hot-spot area and would be monitored.

321. Devon County Council - Councillor Mrs Marsh had no further report to offer.

322. Adoption of Minutes of Committees and to Receive Questions from Members Thereon -

322.1 Policy and Resources Committee - Councillor Mrs M McDonald invited Members to adopt the minutes of the meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 31 August and 27 September 2010.  Councillor A Raymond proposed, Councillor A Leech seconded and there being no questions or amendments the minutes were resolved unanimously.

322.2 Planning Committee - Councillor Mrs K Bickley invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 31 August, 20 September and 11 October 2010.  Councillor Mrs M McDonald proposed, Councillor Mrs D Smith seconded and there being no questions or amendments, was resolved unanimously.

322.3 Parks Committee - Councillor Mrs C Marsh (Vice Chairman) invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Parks Committee meetings held on 16 August and 20 September 2010.  Councillor C Letchford proposed, Councillor Mrs K Bickley seconded and there being no amendments or questions, was resolved unanimously.
 
322.4 Property Committee - Councillor A Leech invited the Council to adopt the minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 23 August 2010.  Councillor Mrs K Bickley proposed, Councillor Mrs M McDonald seconded and there being no amendments or questions, was resolved unanimously.      

323. Full Council Meeting Minutes - Members received the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 6 September 2010 which were approved, signed and adopted on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor Mrs M McDonald subject to the following amendment. 
Minute number 215.3 Council Procedure Rules -
(iii) Voting on nomination.  The recommendation related to a situation with two nominees whereby the one who achieved the majority of votes would be elected with a voting system based on first past the post, in the event of a tied vote, the Chair to have a casting vote.  With more than two nominees, voting would be in accordance with CPR 19 (7).  It was acknowledged that CPR 19 (7) did not cater for a situation where it was necessary to determine who should be eliminated if two or more nominees received equal number of votes in the lowest position.  Further research on elimination in these circumstances to be undertaken, with a further amendment if necessary.
 
324. Matters Arising -

324.1 Provision and Enforcement of On-Street Parking - A letter from the Deputy Executive Director of Environment DCC, informed the County Cabinet had resolved to reaffirm its view on the introduction of pay and display in market and coastal towns; the operation to be progressed as soon as practicable.  The Clerk referenced Councillor Mrs Marsh’s report on this proposal and a letter forwarded to Councillor S Hughes, County Portfolio Holder for Highways, which expressed this Council’s disappointment in procedure, seeking an opportunity to comment.

 Members acknowledged the content of the County Cabinet minute, comments relating to consultation, a very short process, but dismissed the reasons presented by the County for the introduction of this system.  Members further discounted the comment relating to parking wardens visiting parking sites as illogical.  The meeting was informed of a deficit relative to the car parking operation and this was deemed one of several options to address this shortfall with examples relating to outstanding arrears on parking fines, non-performance targets with a request for all options to be considered.  Members concluded to oppose this proposal and on the proposition of Councillor Letchford, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved a) to invite a Member or representative of the County Council to a meeting of the town to discuss this proposal and b) forward a letter to the Deputy Executive Director advising of the inconsistency of the argument and other options to be addressed during this consultation exercise prior to any formal decision to introduce on-street parking.

325. OCRA Cricket Field Pavilion - Arising from the Parks Committee meeting on 25 October 2010, Members were asked to consider a proposal from OCRA for the construction of a pavilion on Town Council leased land.  The Clerk referenced lease agreements with the County Council and conditions contained in those documents relating to permissions, but sought authority to clarify legal interpretation of the documents.  On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Marsh, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was agreed the Clerk obtain professional advice for submission to the next Parks Committee.

326. Councillor Ms T D Edwards - Members noted the resignation of this Councillor with effect from 18 October 2010 due to family reasons.

327. Remembrance Services - The Mayor presented an invitation from the Rotary Club to attend their Remembrance Service at St James’ Church on Thursday 11 November at 10.45 am.  He also invited Members to join him at the Royal British Legion Service on Sunday 14 November at All Saints Church; a programme of events was issued to Members.  The Mayor sought a representative to attend the Roman Catholic Church Service at the same time (NB post-meeting memo, Councillor C Letchford agreed to attend this service on behalf of the Council.)

328. SLCC Town Clerks’ Conference - The Clerk submitted a report following his attendance at the above event in Durham on 15-17 October.  Arising therefrom -
 Community empowerment - Members questioned specific ideas from Mr Rowsell relating to community empowerment whilst acknowledging a proposed big society, an interpretation given was increased liaison with the community eg youngsters through social media as a youth council, but further accepted legislation trickling down from government to enact community engagement in a variety of forms with a directive for local councils to lead.
 Referendum - Council was anxious over the calling of referendums for various topics due to the high cost and budget provision for the same and noted with caution. 
 Members concluded from the Clerk’s report, and subsequent comprehensive spending review, that town councils would probably take a lead in the shaping of the town in future with greater input at a cost to the tax payer in the form of precept.  A question was tabled relating to Clerks’ stress symptoms and what policies were in place to protect; Clerk to research.

329. WDBC Okehampton Consultative Liaison Group - The following items were submitted for the agenda of the meeting to be held on 6 December 2010 -
 extended enforcement of parking;
 toilets - litter, cleanliness, contractor’s standards;
 pay and display parking provision;
 new waste contract (weekly collections).
  
330. Civic Diary Report - The Town Mayor reported on his attendance at 26 Mayoral duties, 39 coffee mornings plus Chamber of Trade meetings with the Deputy Mayor attending 4 official functions on his behalf.

331. Devon and Cornwall Police - The Clerk advised Inspector Perry was unable to attend the Council meeting due to working rota, however confirmed that his interaction with the community was by example attending the Link Committee on 11 November, further the police were supportive of the ADO and had made arrests on Carnival Day and were also involved with antisocial behaviour on that day, litter as a minor problem not addressed by the constabulary.  It was agreed to invite the Inspector to the next Council meeting for discussion over policing in Okehampton.
 
Meeting closed 8.35 pm.

__________________
Councillor M Morse
Town Mayor