Minutes Okehampton Town Council Meeting - Monday 4th July 2011
Minutes Okehampton Town Council Meeting - Monday 4th July 2011
Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00) Tuesday, 27 September 2011 21:37
Council Business - Full Town Council Minutes
Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Meeting held on Monday 4 July 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 7.00 pm
Members Present: Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)
Councillor K Ball
Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor T Cummings
Councillor M Davies
Councillor Dr M Ireland
Councillor A Leech
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse
Councillor J Stockwell
Councillor P Vachon
Councillor D Weekes
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
PC M Evans ) Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
J Ward )
Before proceeding with business, prayers were offered by Reverend P Wagstaff.
97. Apologies for Absence- An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor Mrs D Smith.
98. Deferment of Business- (for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
99. Devonand Cornwall Constabulary Section 30 Powers- Constable Evans and J Ward attended the meeting to discuss the introduction of Section 30 Powers (Dispersal of Unruly Behaviour) and to seek a reaction from Members prior to formal consultation. PC Evans explained Section 27 existed in Okehampton which gave the police power to disperse offenders up to a period of 48 hours which addressed alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour. He said Section 30 would be operated without a link to alcohol following complaints by concerned members of the public, particularly in the town centre. He explained a problem would be identified, the party advised to move on for 24 hours and if returned within 24 hours, with due paper work, would be arrested. Mr Ward explained this system operated in other Devon towns and would be implemented following due consultation and support with specific areas covered including areas adjacent to public houses, the park etc. Section 30 was seen as an alternative to immediate arrest and as a warning.
Members readily endorsed this proposal, accepted it as a tool to help the police control antisocial behaviour in the town centre, which operation would save police time and costs. Discussion ensued on procedure following arrest and fines, procedures and powers to implement excluding PCO’s. The police acknowledged support for the implementation of Section 30 Powers in Okehampton.
100. West Devon Borough Council- Councillor Leech reported his appointment to the Forward Planning, Housing and Standards Committee at the Borough. He referred to a meeting on 4 July at which a survey specific to planning had been discussed, aimed at consultation through questionnaires with minimal feedback, but with a desire by the Borough to better consult with the public. He explained from a Future Planning meeting, a housing strategy policy had been agreed which may be flexible due to changing economic conditions and the urgent affordable housing needs for Okehampton. Councillor Ball commented this policy would be reviewed annually, changed and confirmed the Borough wished for open dialogue with the community.
Councillor Weekes questioned the Borough’s action following the recent job losses or the creation of new employment opportunities in Okehampton. He was informed the Borough and the County were involved in regeneration of the town, were attempting to bring new industry and skills to Devon and Okehampton and developments were awaited.
101. DevonCountyCouncil- Councillor Mrs Marsh reported developments were awaited on the town’s response to the County proposal to install pay and display parking machines across Okehampton. Councillor Mrs Bickley responded an approach was awaited from Councillor Hughes; Councillor Mrs Marsh to pursue. In response to questions relating to business development for Okehampton, Councillor Marsh advised of developments, but regrettably superfast broadband had been delayed due to external factors. Members opined as Okehampton was now in the high unemployment bracket, more effort should be undertaken by County and service support industries to promote new businesses to the town with IT being high priority on that Council’s workload. It was concluded to raise this at the liaison meeting.
102. Adoption of Minutes of Committees and to Receive Questions from Members Thereon-
102.1 Policy and Resources Committee- Councillor M Davies invited Members to adopt the minutes of the meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 26 April and 31 May 2011. Councillor D Weekes proposed, Councillor A Leech seconded and there being no questions or amendments the minutes were resolved unanimously.
102.2 Planning Committee- Councillor P Vachon invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 26 April and 16 May 2011. Councillor Mrs M McDonald proposed, Councillor M Ireland seconded and there being no questions or amendments, was resolved unanimously.
102.3 Parks Committee- Councillor D Weekes invited Council to adopt the minutes of the Parks Committee meeting held on 18 April 2011. Councillor A Leech proposed, Councillor M Ireland seconded and there being no amendments or questions, was resolved unanimously.
102.4 Property Committee- Councillor A Leech invited the Council to adopt the minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 11 April 2011. Councillor D Weekes proposed, Councillor P Vachon seconded and there being no amendments or questions, was resolved unanimously.
103. Full Council Meeting Minutes- Members received the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 3 May 2011, the Annual General Meeting held on 9 May 2011 and the special meeting held on 20 June 2011 which were approved, signed and adopted on the proposition of Councillor M Davies, seconded by Councillor D Weekes.
104. Matters Arising-
105. WDBC West Devon Town and Parish Council Voice- A letter from the Leader of the Borough referred to the challenges of Localism and the Council’s relationships with town and parish councils plus a keenness to engage in effective communication with due respect to the democratic role of town and parish councillors. He referred to the link committees and proposals to amend their structure and operation including the provision of a named link officer for each town or parish; a request for a volunteer from link committees to help shape a devolution model; meetings for Clerks and Chairs and a possible overview and scrutiny role. He made reference to the consultative liaison groups and the success of the same also subject to review.
Members accepted the more approachable Borough initiative, were mindful of a meeting called for 26 July at which these proposals would be examined in depth (noted that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Clerk would attend). It was concluded the proposal be discussed at a subsequent meeting following information collected from above.
106. WDBC Re DCC Grass Cutting Reduction in Service- A letter from the Borough Environmental Services Officer explained these reductions were due to cost saving and would also affect weed spraying in the town centre. Members expressed concern over health and safety aspects of both, contract content and the impact over the town. Members questioned a practical solution and an option under the Localism Bill to address this problem by the Town Council. It was concluded to submit this to the liaison committee.
107. South Hams and West Devon Voluntary and Community Sector Representation- The Council was asked to appoint a representative to this body. There were no volunteers and it was agreed to submit this to a future meeting of the Council.
108. Okehampton District Community Transport Group- The Council was asked to appoint a representative of the Council to this organisation. There were no volunteers and it was agreed to submit this to a subsequent meeting of the Council.
109. Okehampton Mill Site- Clarification was sought on the current position regarding the redevelopment of this site and the possible appointment of a director from the Council to the project. It was noted a meeting would be held on 11 July to clarity this, to be reported to Council in due course. Councillor Davies advised a community interest company was being formed and there was a need to appoint directors, no official request had been received to date. It was concluded more information on the scheme was required prior to any decision relating to the appointment of directors; noted.
110. OkehamptonMuseum- On the proposition of Councillor Ireland, seconded by Councillor Ball, it was agreed this item be submitted to part 2 of the Council’s agenda.
111. All Saints Church- Members noted the 750th anniversary of the church and events being promoted to celebrate this anniversary.
112. Town Council Vacancy- The Clerk advised he had re-advertised for co-option for the vacant seat on the Town Council, a special meeting to be held on 30 August to co-opt.
113. Town Councillors’ Surgery/Coffee Mornings- The Mayor reported she wished to hold a low-key ‘surgery’ in the Council Chamber attached to a community coffee morning in Charter Hall to allow members of the public to tour the Town Hall and to ask questions of the Council. Members acknowledged previous attempts to hold surgeries with limited success and on the proposal of Councillor Morse, seconded by Councillor Leech, it was resolved one or two surgeries, as a trial, be undertaken with due advertising and attendance by Councillors; the event to be promoted as ‘meet the Councillors’.
114. Annual Report- Members discussed the distribution of this document by personal delivery or through an agency at a cost of £120. Councillor Mrs Bickley offered the services of the Okehampton Under 15 Rugby Club for a contribution towards their funds; agreed accordingly, the contribution paid as the same level of fee as above.
115. Civic Diary Report- The Mayor advised of a full diary attending the following events: Ten Tors Challenge, Lions Charter Anniversary Dinner, Mayor Making at Barnstaple, Opening of Refresh Café at New Life Church, wine tasting, open day Room 13, Rotary Club President’s Dinner, her own Civic Service and further reported the Deputy Mayor attended the Mayor Making ceremony in Launceston.
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