DARTMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
6th October 2014
At the Guildhall, Dartmouth
Present
*The Town Mayor (Councillor R M Lyon) - Chairman
*The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R W I Cooke) - Vice-Chairman
*Cllr P F Allen
#Cllr L M Barnes
#Cllr A C Carter
*Cllr D J Cawley
*Cllr R E Chilcott
*Cllr A J C Fyson
*Cllr T de Galleani
*Cllr D M Gent
*Cllr F J Hawke
#Cllr M P W Kiruhi
*Cllr C B Smith
*Cllr S Smith
*Cllr R Springett
*Cllr O B Suarez
*County Cllr J Hawkins
*District Cllr H Bastone
#District Cllr B S Cooper
*District Cllr M Stone
*Denotes attendance
#Denotes apology for absence
Also in attendance 5 members of the public.
97. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
There were none.
98. REPORTS.
Police Report.
Inspector Tomlinson gave a report on the crime figures for the month of September 2014; there had been a marked decrease in the total number of offences for the month against the same period in 2013 for the second year running.
District and County Councillors’ Reports.
Cllr Hawkins thanked the Town Council for their support for the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, in particular he thanked the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and their consorts for their attendance at Regatta events. He also thanked the South Hams staff for their hard work in clearing the Town at the end of the event.
South Hams District Council was planning a major floral display in the Royal Avenue Gardens for 2015 of the Dartmouth Coat of Arms. Cllr Hawkins also hoped to attend the Tatton Garden Festival again in 2015 with members of Dartmouth Green Partnership.
He congratulated all the members of Dartmouth Green Partnership and their volunteers for doing so well in the South West in Bloom awards for 2014. Cllr Hawkins would be making a grant of £1,500 of capital funds for a Japanese Garden in the Royal Avenue Gardens for 2015.
Cllr Hawkins had attended the handover of the keys of Ivy Lane Youth Centre by Devon County Council to Dartmouth Town Council; this was the first youth facility to be handed over to a Town Council in Devon. The Friends of Ivy Lane had been formed (F.O.I.L.) and would meet on a regular basis to ensure that youth provision in the Town prospered.
Cllr Hawkins reported that further tests would be taking place the next day at the site of the proposed indoor swimming pool. The Trustees were holding meetings with officers from South Hams District Council and it was hoped that work would begin in December 2014 or January 2015.
Cllr Hawkins had attended a Townstal Community Partnership meeting with Cllr S Smith where a number of residents had raised issues with Devon and Cornwall Housing maintenance; Cllr Hawkins would be meeting with representatives from Devon and Cornwall Housing in Townstal to take these issues forward.
Cllr Hawkins had carried out a pavement inspection with Highways officers; future issues should be raised with Cllr Hawkins.
Cllr Hawkins informed the meeting that Kingswear Parish Council was holding a meeting on 14th October 2014 to discuss Beacon Road and the Coastal Footpath; anyone interested could attend.
Following a question from Cllr Cawley concerning items removed from the Ivy Lane Youth Centre by Devon County Council, Cllr Hawkins assured members that extra funds would be made available that could be used to replace the recording equipment.
Cllr Fyson asked Cllr Hawkins if he could comment on the future of the Flavel Library, Cllr Hawkins reported that the decision was imminent and discussions had taken place on putting libraries into a charitable trust.
Members raised issues on the Traffic Regulation Order for Dartmouth and potholes in the Town; Cllr Hawkins would investigate.
Cllr Stone reported on the 3 committees he attended at South Hams District Council – Environment, Economy and Scrutiny. He voiced his support for the Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan and for affordable housing provision in Dartmouth.
Cllr Bastone informed the meeting that phase 1A of the District Council’s T18 programme had begun on 29th September 2014.
The District Council’s Executive had passed a motion to write to the minister concerning South West resilience and transport links for the region.
Town and Parish Fund principles remained the same for 2014-2015 with a deadline for applications of 31st December 2014; grants would be considered at the first cluster meetings in 2015.
Cllr Bastone informed members that he had received notification that the Post Office in Victoria Road was to be modernized.
The District Council had appointed a new Executive Director for delivery and commercial development but had deferred the appointment of the Executive Director for Strategy. Working arrangements with Torridge District Council would be discussed at South Hams District Council December meeting.
Cllr Bastone also reported that the planning application for an additional 28 spaces in Mayors Avenue car park had recently been approved and the shelter on the South Embankment had been dismantled prior to the arrival of the new shelter.
99. QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR.
Mr Harris asked the Mayor if overnight parking with facilities could be provided in the centre of Dartmouth for motor caravan parking.
The Mayor replied that he felt this would be more appropriately provided at local caravan sites but he acknowledged the problem of these vehicles parking for long periods of time on the embankment. Cllr Fyson commented that it would be appropriate to bring this item to the Neighbourhood Plan group meeting; Cllr Springett would add this as an item on the agenda for the next Corporate Property Committee meeting. Mr Harris would send details of websites of the motor home parking facilities to the Clerk.
Peter Bailey the Chairman of the Dartmouth Business Forum asked the Mayor if he could provide further details of the uses of the Guildhall and its sources of income.
The Mayor replied that the next Corporate Property Committee meeting would discuss the provision of flexible office space at the Guildhall and Mr Bailey was welcome to attend. Use of the rooms would also be discussed by the next meeting of the Guildhall working group.
100. URGENT BUSINESS.
There were no items of urgent business.
101. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr R Springett
Resolved: That the minutes of the Town Council
meeting held on 1st September 2014 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
The Mayor welcomed Cllr Suarez to his first Full Council meeting.
102. CORRESPONDENCE.
a) In response to a question raised at Full Council on 1st September 2014, an email had been received from Nick Hindmarsh confirming that a range of post-16 courses would be provided at Dartmouth Academy and Kingsbridge Community College for students from Dartmouth.
b) A letter had been received from the Chairman of the Food bank stating the group’s intent to make good use of the Ivy Lane building and to extend their services after a move to the building.
c) An email had been received from the Chairman of the RNLI Dart Lifeboat branch requesting use of the Boatfloat in February 2015 for a fundraising event.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr C B Smith
Resolved: That the RNLI Dart Lifeboat branch be permitted to use the Boatfloat for their fundraising event in 2015.
d) An email had been received from the South Devon AONB Estuaries Officer inviting volunteers to become part of the South Devon Catchment Partnership; a meeting for the River Dart area would be held on Tuesday 14th October 2014 at Totnes Rowing Club.
e) Dartmouth Business Improvement District letters had been received for all the Town Council properties giving details of the BID levy and of the BIDs’ achievements so far.
f) Details of a Devon County Council scheme to install county wide cycle parking had been received for Dartmouth and had been previously circulated to members for comments. Members raised concerns over the cycle rack being proposed for Bayards Cove and did not find this a suitable site.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr T de Galleani
Resolved: That the Town Council rejects the cycle rack proposed for Bayards Cove and passes the proposals for additional cycle racks to the Neighbourhood Plan group for consideration.
g) A letter had been received from the Leader of South Hams District Council concerning the reduction in the Council Tax Support grant to Town and parish Councils. Members noted that this would reduce from £11,467 in 2014/2015 to £10,320 in 2015/2016.
h) Notification of the next South Hams Business Forum meeting on Wednesday 15th October 2014 at 6pm at Follaton House had been received. Those who could attend were asked to reply to Carol Trant the Economic Development Officer.
i) A letter had been received from the Chair of Dartmouth Caring concerning their future use of the Community Corner and their intention to extend the number of lunch clubs provided in future years.
103. REPORTS
a) Corporate Property Committee
The Report and Recommendations of a meeting of the Corporate Property Committee held on 2nd September 2014 were reviewed.
Cllr Allen suggested that the next Corporate Property Committee consider a Town Council policy for rent refunds.
Proposed: Cllr R Springett
Seconded: Cllr D J Cawley
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Corporate Property Committee held on 2nd September 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
b) Personnel Committee
The Report and Recommendations of the meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 10th September 2014 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr F J Hawke
Seconded: Cllr T de Galleani
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 10th September 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
c) General Purposes Committee
The Report and Recommendations of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 16th September 2014 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr R M Lyon
Seconded: Cllr D M Gent
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 16th September 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
d) West Dart Planning Committee
The Report and Recommendations of a meeting of the Planning Committee to consider the West Dart development held on 17th September 2014 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr D J Cawley
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Planning Committee to consider the West Dart development held on 17th September 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
e) Planning Committee
The Report and Recommendations of a meeting of the Planning Committee held on 24th September 2014 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr D J Cawley
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Planning Committee held on 24th September 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
f) Finance Committee
The Report and Recommendations of the meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 1st October 2014 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr R E Chilcott
Seconded: Cllr D M Gent
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Finance Committee held on 1st October 2014, be received, approved and adopted.
104. FINANCIAL MATTERS.
The Clerk presented a report on payments made under Standing Order No. 56 (b).
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr F J Hawke
Resolved: That the Clerk’s actions in paying accounts totaling
£20,994.11 for the month of September 2014 under Standing Order No. 56 (b) be endorsed.
105. DEEDS OF EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OF BURIAL.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr T de Galleani
Resolved: That a Deed of Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial be issued in respect of Grave No. J15 at Longcross Cemetery, Dartmouth and the Town Mayor (Councillor R M Lyon) and Deputy Mayor (Councillor R W I Cooke) be authorized to sign the Documents in accordance with terms contained in Minute No. 225 (3) 1975/6.
106. REPORTS.
Representatives on Public Bodies and Associations .
Cllr S Smith reported that he and Cllr Hawkins had attended a Townstal Community Partnership meeting as reported under the County Councillor’s Report.
Cllr Chilcott reported that the BID team had arranged for footfall cameras to be placed in locations around the Town; these figures could then be accessed and compared with other towns. Following a question from Cllr Allen, Cllr Chilcott explained that the BID were receiving part-time administrative support from someone working from home and no longer needed office space, additional support was also being provided by the TIC staff. He assured members that the accounts for the BID would be properly audited and presented.
Cllr Cawley asked for a detailed breakdown of the BID’s budget figures to be provided at the next meeting, he felt that Dartmouth needed destination marketing not people. Peter Bailey the Chairman of the Business Forum added that a question and answer session was planned to answer questions on the BID.
Cllr Fyson reported that the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society were still fundraising for their initiative to investigate the feasibility of extending the mainline train services into Kingswear. Their brief to the consultants would include the use of the steam railway.
107. REQUEST FROM DARTMOUTH GREEN PARTNERSHIPS FOR DARTMOUTH TO HOST THE RHS SOUTH WEST IN BLOOM AWARDS CEREMONY IN 2016 OR 2017.
Cllr de Galleani explained that Dartmouth Green Partnerships were requesting a vote of confidence in the hosting of this event in Dartmouth in 2016 or 2017. The awards presentation, due to its size, would need to be held at the Britannia Royal Naval College but it was hoped that a civic event for the Mayors of the visiting towns could be arranged by the Town Council. Cllr Allen suggested that this would be an opportunity to involve the BID and the District Councillors and a formal proposal should be made by Dartmouth Green Partnerships to Full Council.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr C B Smith
Resolved: That the Town Council support Dartmouth Green Partnership’s proposal regarding the South West in Bloom Awards in principle, with a budget to be set at a later date.
108. QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR.
Cllr Allen asked the Mayor if any plans had been made concerning encouraging members of the public to stand for election to the Town Council in May 2015.
The Mayor replied that this would be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the General Purposes Committee.
Cllr Chilcott asked the Mayor if Councillors who represented the Town Council on other organisations could be asked to report to Full Council.
The Mayor replied that the Clerk would ask all members to report on the organisations they represented.
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