Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 15th August 2011
Minutes Town Council Parks Committee - Tuesday 15th August 2011
Tuesday, 27 September 2011 21:51
Minutes of a Meeting of the Okehampton Town Council Parks Committee held on Monday 15 August 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Okehampton at 8.10 pm
Committee Members Present: Councillor D Weekes (Chair)
Councillor Mrs C Marsh
Councillor M Morse
Councillor J Stockwell
Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Town Mayor)
Councillor P Vachon (Chair, Planning)
Councillor A Leech (Chair, Property)
Other Members Present: Councillor Mrs K Bickley
Councillor T Cummings
In Attendance: D Bent (Town Clerk)
170. Apologies for Absence- Apologies for absence were presented on behalf of Councillors M Davies and M Ireland.
171. Deferment of Business(for comment by the public) - There were no members of the public present.
172. Members’ Questions- Councillor Mrs Marsh, by written question, asked for the bus shelters across the town to be cleaned; D Whitfield to be instructed to undertake this work.
173. Minutes- The minutes of the Parks Committee meeting held on 11 July 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman on the proposition of Councillor A Leech, seconded by Councillor M Morse.
174. Matters Arising-
174.1 Simmons’ Grave- The Clerk advised the headstone for Sophia Simmons’ grave was in a poor condition and he had consulted the Exeter Diocesan Registry for permission to replace this with a new headstone. A response from the Registry advised the application to repair the headstone could be amended to provide for a replacement, subject to detailed plans for the headstone being submitted to that office, with the final determination undertaken by the Chancellor.
To complete this exercise it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Marsh, seconded by Councillor Morse, the Clerk pursue suitable designs together with all costs and submit a report to a subsequent meeting of this Committee; the Exeter Diocesan Registry to be advised accordingly.
A letter from the Borough Council advised maintenance responsibility for headstones rested with the family of the deceased, Councillor Marsh agreed to advise of names of relatives of the Simmons family.
174.2 Clapps Wood- The Clerk advised of an ongoing legal process from Mrs Barkwell to grant a right of access over part of this land to complete a thoroughfare over Clapps Wood. Documentation was awaited from solicitors which would allow the Council to purchase the land from West Devon Borough and further, on completion of that, Council could claim the grant from Okehampton United Charity. Members noted the position.
(Councillor Marsh declared an interest.)
Councillor Mrs Marsh advised the Rivers Group had completed the fencing with some material remaining and suggested D Whitfield be asked to complete the access fencing at Westbridge. On the proposition of the Chairman it was resolved accordingly; the Rivers Group to be thanked for their efforts during this project.
174.3 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012- The notes of a working party meeting held on 20 July 2011 were presented. Arising therefrom - the Clerk reported due budget provision would be made during the financial year 2012/13 to meet the cost of this event, however he sought authority to book the stage, lights, sound, marquee with costs met from that financial year. On the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Vachon, it was resolved accordingly with costs reported to the working party meeting.
174.4 Signage- The Clerk reported following resolution to erect signs across Simmons Park, a number had been ordered from Stock Signs which were awaited. The proposed sign for the Bowling Club had been rejected by that club as it was too expensive and planning permission was being pursued for the erection of the sign fronting Okehampton College advising of activities in the park; noted.
174.5 Street Lighting- The meeting was informed of ongoing discussion with Western Power relating to a quotation for the removal of these units.
174.6 Dog Fouling- The Chairman referred to a number of options identified at previous Parks meetings to address dog fouling in Simmons Park. He explained some Members had offered to wear high vis jackets, suitably identified, and patrol the park on an education exercise. The Clerk explained he had discussed the dog warden operation with J Manley who, with an assistant, would act as community enforcement officers in a marked van collecting evidence for prosecution (such prosecution to be pursued by the police) the cost of this exercise was noted. The Clerk further reported on the system previously operated by the Borough Council where the dog warden visited Simmons Park on 64 occasions during 2006/7 at cost of £2,791 (£43 per visit); he further offered evidence of action taken during those visits.
Councillor Mrs Bickley referred to fixed penalties, civil enforcement officers operated by West Devon Borough Council and Exeter City Council and suggested these officers might pursue prosecution on behalf of the Town Council in a major effort to remove this nuisance. She explained the success at Exeter with prosecution on litter, discussion with the court officer and a process of training with options for the Town Council.
Members saw the importance of marked vehicles and high vis presence as a deterrent, coupled with the addition of signs and education with the option to include Okehampton College playing fields within the equation. On the proposition of the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mrs Marsh, it was resolved Councillor Mrs Bickley be asked to pursue:
a) costs for systems including prosecution through both West Devon Borough Council and Exeter City Council;
b) the Clerk be instructed to identify available funds to meet this cost;
c) the College be invited to become involved in this exercise;
d) the police be consulted over relative inaction following the introduction of the Alcohol Dispersal Order.
174.7 Tennis Courts Management Committee - Public Use of Courts- The Clerk advised income for Jan/Feb/March was £132 and he had sought details of income from May to July; noted.
174.8 All Saints Churchyard Burial Grounds - Repairs, Excavated Soil- A letter from the Borough advised the broken tree limb over A Savile grave would be removed, further that Council’s role was one of safety monitoring all gravestones with an acknowledgement the Town Council was addressing Simmons’ grave.
In response to this Council’s question relating to the movement of soil from the graveyard, the Borough Officer advised Environment Agency licence was required and from that licence, soil could be removed free of stones to place on sunken graves in the closed churchyards in Okehampton.
Members questioned dispersal of the soil removed from the previous churchyard following excavation of graves and agreed to ask the vicar for clarification; the Chair advised he would address the removal of soil privately.
175. All Saints Closed Graveyard- A paper submitted by Councillor Ireland referenced research by Destination Okehampton working group into the life of Sydney Simmons and further referenced the town’s history for 200 years showing its residents’ links to Britain’s Imperial and Colonial past. The paper ‘proposed’ the Council seeks funding to secure the future of All Saints closed churchyard for the benefit of future generations and tourists to Okehampton. The meeting acknowledged the work undertaken by the working group, further accepted the projected work content on restoration of headstones, memorials and licences from the Diocesan Registry with acknowledgement that a closed churchyard was the responsibility of the Borough Council. On the proposition of the Chairman it was resolved Councillors Ireland and Morse address the proposal in depth and submit a report and recommendations to a subsequent meeting.
176. Members’ Reports-
Dartmoor Search and Rescue - a written report from Councillor Ireland advised the group was discussing a new rescue centre with a wish that it be based in Okehampton.
Parklands Swimming Pool - Councillor Leech reported of ongoing discussions with the management relating to water and ambient air temperature in the building which that company was attempting to address.