Annual Town Meeting
Minutes of the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of TAVISTOCK held in the Town Hall, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 10th day of APRIL 2007 at 6.30 p.m.
The following were present: Cllr Mrs C Keane – Mayor as Chairman
Cllr I Andrews
Cllr D V Best
Cllr D Farrant
Cllr Mrs M Gibson
Cllr Mrs A Johnson
Cllr R Pike
Cllr E H Sherrell
Cllr M W Taylor
Cllr Mrs N Woodcock
Cllr R Connelly DCC3 members of the public
1 member of the Press In Attendance: Town Clerk
Deputy Town Hall Manager1. MAYOR’S REPORT
The Mayor welcomed all present and gave a brief address, notes of which are attached at Annex A to these minutes.2. ACCOUNTS
The Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee gave a report on the financial state of the Council, notes of which are attached at Annex B to these minutes.3. JESSIE ANN ALFORD CHARITY
The Town Clerk made the following report:
The charity is to benefit spinsters and widows aged 60 and over living in the parish of Tavistock. It has assets of 822 income shares in the charities investment fund (current value £9,425, up from £8,561 last year) and receives some £240 of income each year. Distribution of money is made just before Christmas each year to a maximum of 8 deserving applicants selected by the trustees. Last year there were 6 applicants for a grant, and they were each awarded £55. After this distribution and advertising costs a bank balance of £122.31p was carried forward to 2007.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The Chairman then invited questions from the public. Members of the public put the following questions:
a. Mr Start - He thought that the triangular parking space at the end of Down Road was dangerous. It was time to review the parking spaces and re-mark the yellow lines. He would forward a sketch of his ideas.
Response – The matter would be referred to the Properties Committee for consideration.
b. Mr Start. - Complained that Market Road was overgrown with weeds and brambles. The drains in the wall needed attention.
Response – The matter would be referred to the Works Superintendent for action as necessary.
c. Mr Mettler. - Stated that not all members of the public were satisfied with the decision to build direct access toilets in the Guildhall Square. He asked Councillors to consider the ‘sense of place’ and that such a design was not right for that historic area of Tavistock.
Response – The matter would be referred to the next meeting of the Toilets Working Group for further consideration.
The meeting ended at 7. 00 pm.
Signed...........................................................
Town MayorDate...........................................................
ANNEX A
TOWN MAYORS REPORT
The Mayor welcomed all present. She mentioned the election in May and possible change in personalities. Encouraged all to vote!
She gave a brief review of the past year, including:
· The fact that we are one of only 400 Quality Councils
· The Councils quarterly newsletter (that was available in the Hall).
· Consultation with the electorate, and such things as questions before all Council meetings and councillor representatives on local bodies.
· The fact that the council met every month and that the three standing committees also met monthly (plans twice a month).
· The work undertaken by the various sub-committees and best value review group into the Town Hall and Market
· The Guildhall Toilets being replaced in partnership with WDBC.
· The successful replacement of the Iron Bridge over the Tavy.
· Three new honoured burgesses.
· Green audit and way ahead
She concluded by saying that Tavistock is a vital and thriving market town, and the Town Council will do all that it can to build on this year by year.
ANNEX BFINANCIAL REPORT
Cllr Mrs Woodcock explained that the Town Council had to undertake year by year:
· Maintenance of the historic buildings,
· Maximisation of commercial potential,
· Maintenance and improvement of the natural heritage,
· Support for the commercial, cultural and social life of the community, and
· Representing the Town at all types of meetings and organisations
She explained the responsibilities of the various staff employed by the Counci, and gave a brief review of the past year, including:
· The completion of the new bridge in the Meadows.
· Continuing improvement of the open spaces under our control, the hanging baskets in the town centre and repair of paths,
· Repair of the Town Hall ceiling.
· Continuing contributions to the local dog warden,
· Completion of the skate park by installing a youth shelter
· Giving grants to assist many community groups.
· Refurbishing areas of the Pannier Market and surrounding road.
· Conversion of the Cemetery gatehouse into a fine public waiting room for those attending funerals.
· Replacement of play park equipment in Ransum Way.
· A large advertising budget for the Market, Town Hall and the Town generally.
Much of the £1.4M budget comes form properties income, and for the third year running we have kept the precept in line with inflation, and by judicious use of £143,000 of our limited reserves have managed to budget for the following:· £35,000 as start of joint refurbishment of Guildhall Toilets,
· £40,000 to upgrade and replace play park equipment particularly in Courtlands Road
· £70,000 to resurface the cemetery roads
· We also plan to take out a loan to convert the Pixon Lane rough lorry park into a formal long-stay car park.
The Finance Committee carefully scrutinised all expenditure, and full details were always available from the Council.