Minutes Annual Town Assembly of the Okehampton Town Council Meeting - 28th March 2011

Minutes Annual Town Assembly of the Okehampton Town Council Meeting - 28th March 2011

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:12

Council Business - Full Town Council Minutes

Minutes of the Annual Town Assembly of the Okehampton Town Council held in the Charter Hall, Okehampton on Monday 28 March 2011 at 7.00 pm

Members Present : Councillor M Morse (Town Mayor)

Councillor K Ball

Councillor Mrs K Bickley

Councillor M Davies

Councillor Dr M Ireland

Councillor A Leech

Councillor Mrs C Marsh

Councillor Mrs M McDonald

Councillor P Vachon

Councillor D Weekes

In Attendance : West Devon Borough Councillor J Young

Mrs J Gillard (standing in for Mr D Bent, Town Clerk)

14 members of the public

1. Prayers – these were offered by Councillor M Davies.

2. Apologies – Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillor D Smith, Councillor A Raymond, Councillor C Letchford, Revd Wagstaff, and West Devon Borough Councillors K Williams and E Hicks.

3. Welcome – The Town Mayor, Councillor M Morse welcomed everyone to the meeting. Councillor P Vachon then outlined the format of the evening explaining that there would be 3 presentations, Okehampton Past, Present and Future. There would then be opportunity for members of the public to discuss issues with the Chairmen of Council’s Committees at allocated tables around the room. This would be followed by a Question and Answer session. He explained that this new format for the meeting would make the meeting more interactive for all present and encourage public attendance.

4. Past Okehampton – a presentation was made by Councillor P Vachon.

5. Present Okehampton – a presentation was made by Councillor K Ball.

6. Future Okehampton – a presentation was made by Councillor Dr M Ireland.

7. Chairmen of Council’s Committees Questions – members of the public were then able to ask questions to these committees at allocated tables around the room.

8. Questions by the Electorate – Mr Woolacott questioned if there are plans for a coach park in Okehampton. Councillor Leach responded that the Council had been looking for a suitable site for over 10 years, many ideas had been forthcoming. A possible site is the car park at the Museum where there is room for 2 coaches, planning permission has been obtained and the Museum are looking for funding to put it in place. Councillor McDonald advised the meeting that the Council had received a funding request from the Museum to help with this, however it was received after the Town Council budget had been used, however the Museum have been advised to submit a further request at the start of the next financial year, although it was not possible to say to what extent the Council may be able to help.

Mr A Vernon asked if this proposal would affect the Royal Mail parking spaces in the Museum already. Cllr Leach advised there would be no effect on the Royal Mail arrangements and that West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council backing had been obtained for the plans.

Mrs Potterton asked why charges for re-cycling had been introduced. Councillor McDonald explained the charges were only for certain types of waste and that they had been introduced by Devon County Council. Councillor Marsh advised that the County Council were paying increased rates for landfill, the recycling facilities are being abused by some trade operators. Devon County Council have to make savings and this is one area selected for increased charges, however the site is remaining open.

Concern was raised from the floor about the potential increase in fly tipping in the area as a result of the introduction of this charge.

Councillor Young stated that removing fly tipping was the responsibility of West Devon Borough Council and that they were concerned about the impact this would have.

Councillor Bickley advised that the full report of the meeting where this decision was taken can be viewed on the Devon County Council website and that flytipping on Highways can be removed by West Devon Borough Council however they cannot remove anything flytipped on private land.

Tom French, Okehampton Times asked how it was decided which vehicles would be restricted from using the recycling facility.

Councillor Marsh stated the decision was made by the Member in charge of Waste and recycling, they had to make a decision on how to differentiate between vehicles.

Mr D Webber, Chairman Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, commented that the issue of increased fly tipping was a serious issue, most was likely to occur out of the Town and in the countryside of the Hamlets.

Rail Transport Links – a question was asked why the rail link between Okehampton and Tavistock was not in the plans, both towns have many new houses planned. Councillor Ireland stated the plan referred to was for the next 15 years only, and this link could come after that. Councillor Marsh stated that the provision for a Parkway station in the East of Okehampton is in the Core Strategy which is now going forward.

Mrs Woolacott commented that the revised format and layout of the Annual Assembly was very good and hoped that publicity about the meeting would encourage more members of the public to attend next year.

9. Thanks – The Town Mayor, Councillor M Morse then thanked everyone who came to the meeting and he thanked those Councillors that gave presentations during the evening.

Meeting closed 8.35 pm.

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Councillor M Morse

Town Mayor