Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Tuesday 26th April 2011

Minutes Town Council Policy and Resources Committee - Tuesday 26th April 2011

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 19:36

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Minutes of Okehampton Town Council Policy and Resources Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 26th April 2011 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall,

Fore Street, Okehampton at 7.40 pm

 

 

Committee Members Present :         Councillor Mrs M McDonald (Chair)

                                                            Councillor A Raymond (Vice Chair)

                                                            Councillor M Davies

                                                            Councillor P Vachon

                                                            Councillor M Morse (Town Mayor)

                                                            Councillor Mrs K Bickley (Chair Planning)

Councillor A Leech (Chair Property)

Councillor Mrs C Marsh (Chair Parks)

                                                                                                                                               

Other Members Present :                 Councillor Dr M Ireland                                                                                                                    

 

In Attendance :                                  Mrs J Gillard (Deputising for Town Clerk)

                                               

 

632.     Apologies for Absence – An apology for absence was presented on behalf of Councillor K Ball.

 

633.     Deferment of Business– (for comment by the public) – There were no members of the public present.

 

634.     Members Questions – Councillor Ball asked for clarification for when the new Mayor would be elected.  Members agreed this should be included on the agenda for the next full Council meeting.

 

635.     Minutes– The minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 21 March 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair on the proposition of Councillor Leech, seconded by Councillor Vachon.. 

 

636.     Matters Arising–

 

636.1   Tourist Information Centre funding  – Councillor Mrs Bickley advised that the rear storage area was now being used by the Museum.  There was no longer Dartmoor National Park funding.  Counters have been in place recording visitors to various places on the Moor.  Members agreed that the Access & Recreation Officer from DNP should be asked to attend a future meeting to give an update.

 

636.2   Website - CouncillorMrs McDonald reported on an email update received from Councillor Ball.  Councillor Ball has updated the software, he suggests the colour scheme be changed and to utilise social media for more promotion.  Councillor Mrs Marsh proposed to accept the recommendations and suggestions made by Councillor Ball, this was seconded by Councillor Leech, all members in favour.

 

 

637.     Finances – No information available due to absence of Clerk.  Councillor Mrs McDonald confirmed the Council’s Managing Sickness and Absence Policy would be used should the absence become long term.

 

638.     Grant Aid –

 

638.1   Get Changed Theatre Company – Members agreed this application together with the two from the Museum and one from Meldon Viaduct be considered at the next meeting of the new Council.

 

639.     Councillor Vacancies – Councillor Mrs McDonald confirmed there would be 2 vacancies in the East following the Election.  After discussions, members agreed that an article should be placed in the local press encouraging applications to fill these vacancies and outlining the different aspects of work the Council undertook.  It was confirmed these places could be filled by co-option.

 

640.     Grant Application Terms and Conditions – Councillor Mrs McDonald distributed a draft updated document.  Members were in agreement that a revised document was required.  The Chair suggested Members review the document and it be discussed again at the next Policy and Resources meeting, this was proposed by Councillor Raymond and seconded by Councillor Morse.

 

641.     Members Reports -

DevonHeartlands – Councillor Bickley reported there had been feedback on the Core Strategy. 

College Governors – Councillor Leech reported on a new system for College Governance. 

DartmoorRailway – Councillor Ireland advised the new season had started with the service between Okehampton and Meldon.  A new Station Group had been set up with the objective of making Meldon more ‘visitor friendly’.  Councillor Leech advised 2 excursions would be coming to Okehampton later in the year and it would be beneficial if the town were seen to be ‘open for business’.  There is a new Publicity Officer at the Railway, Peter Chapman, and agreed he should be contacted about this. 

Destination Okehampton – Councillor Ireland requested a date for another meeting, agreed to be arranged after this meeting closed.