BOVEY TRACEY COMMUNITY HUB STEERING GROUP MEETING

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER ON TUESDAY 24th MAY 2016 at 3.00pm

Present:

Cllr R Ashby

Cllr E Kelly

Cllr A Klinkenberg

Mr P Hall

Ms D Eckhart – Devon Communities Together

Mrs J Paxman – Bovey Tracey Library

Mr M Wells – Town Clerk

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Kelly.

1. Apologies for absence:

Cllr M Tregoning

Mr T Butt – Devon Communities Together

Miss E Steer – Bovey Tracey Information Centre Trust

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The previous minutes of the meeting of 5th April 2016 were approved.

3. DCC Library Meeting Update

Dawn met recently with DCC and Libraries Unlimited Officers to update them on progress and to progress negotiations on capital contribution and input to design brief. Notes from the discussion can be seen attached.

4. Consultation Update

Dawn circulated a copy of the interim Community Survey report produced by DCT. It was noted that to date, responses have been received from 145 residents, 3 businesses and 12 local organisations. From those residents who have responded it was pleasing to note that over half were between the ages of 20 (and under) – 59 years of age.

The report contained some quite comprehensive information and data and therefore it was agreed that all members of the group would read through the report and feedback any questions or concerns to Mark prior to 3rd June. Agreed to keep the closing date as 31st of May, but DCT keen to receive any late submissions for inclusion if possible.

5. Capital Investment Plan

Mark explained that the early stages Capital Investment Plan had been tabled for discussion and noted by Town Councillors. Questions were raised and dealt with at the meeting, but collectively there were no perceived problems with the direction of travel that the content provided. It was noted that a more detailed Investment Plan would be presented later this year to members when more accurate costings become available.

6. Funding Update – TDC/DCC

Eoghan updated the group on discussions with DCC Officers (Roland Pyle, Sarah Ratnage & Jill Currie), Cllr Gribble, Cllr Kelly & Mark that took place on 23rd May in relation to future use of the existing library building and capacity issues at Bovey Tracey Primary School.

The school and DCC are fully aware of the substantial increase in housing proposed for the area and subsequent potential requirement for school places.

DCC are keen to explore the feasibility of creating additional facilities on the library site to increase the availability of school places. It is noted however that the school were not keen on a split site school.

Following discussions with DCC Officers, it was agreed that Sarah would speak further to the school/education section to check if this option is viable. Sarah is also due to speak further with Highways over the location of the library site and mitigating actions required (if the site is feasible) in order to ensure safe access between the two locations.

It is hoped that the Town Council will have a clearer timeframe and costings in September, in order to seek an appropriate level of financial contribution from DCC towards the relocation of the existing library service.

Dawn highlighted the need to consider arrangements and formalise a group of stakeholders to consider the operational side of things (e.g. service charges/site management etc). It was agreed that this would be arranged and formally considered at a later stage.

Mark explained that TDC have a scheme in place to fund a contribution for the integration of public toilets by disposing of an alternative asset and offering the proceeds of the sale to the Town Council.

DCC are applying to TDC for planning permission to demolish the existing toilet block at Station Road and this will attract £30k investment from the Environment Agency to help provide better flood alleviation of the site in addition to a further £10k contribution from DCC to re-route the Wray Valley Trail along Mill Marsh Path. Subject to planning, this work is likely to take place in the next 6 months.

7. Revisit Timeline

It was agreed that work on the Business Plan should follow on from the Design Brief work and therefore the timeline would be amended to show that work on the Business Plan will take place in July.

A discussion took place about the time allocated to the Architects Design Brief. Peter confirmed that it wouldn’t take long to add the brief for the library. Peter agreed to provide some content and will forward to Mark/Dawn.

Dawn suggested potential architects who had worked on similar schemes and it was agreed that these should also be considered.

8. Agenda Items for next meeting

Cllr Kelly invited items for discussion by the Steering Group at the next meeting. It was agreed to provide the following:

- Consultation Report (DE)

- Business Plan – Requirements (ALL)

- Design Brief (ALL)

8. AOB

No other items were raised.

9. Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 5th July at 3.00pm.