Town Council Minutes 5th May 2009
Minutes of a Meeting of the TAVISTOCK TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 5th day of MAY at 7.00 p.m.
Present: Cllr R Pike Mayor
Cllr Mrs M Govier
Cllr M Harper
Cllr I Jennings
Cllr Mrs A Johnson
Cllr Mrs J C Metcalf
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr Mrs D Sellis
Cllr J Sellis
Cllr E H Sherrell
Cllr H Smith
Cllr B Trew
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance: Town Clerk
One member of the press
Two members of the public
QUIET REFLECTION
Members prepared themselves for the meeting by a few moments of quiet reflection led by Father Dennis O’Gorman of the Tavistock Roman Catholic Church.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
Mrs Meneer of the Old Folks Rest Room thanked the Council for their help in re-siting the Rest Room, but questioned what the terms of the lease might be and if the Council would pay for the disabled toilet and new kitchen (£5,000 to £7,000). She had received a grant application form and asked that the matter not wait until the next financial year, but be progressed very soon. She wondered if the Council would consider a joint group to expedite matters.
Response. The Mayor replied that the matter was on a following agenda and could be debated then. He was aware that they had a short-term home in the Anchorage centre, but that consideration of the re-siting should be speeded up. Cllr Trew advised that the grant application was a standard form that was normally taken during the budget setting in November, but could be used for grant applications debated during the year. The Council needed the information on the form, particularly the up to date accounts. There was no draft lease yet as the Council had yet to decide on what terms the Rest Room would occupy the new building.
787. APOLOGIES.
There were apologies for absence from Cllr D Best, Cllr E Sanders and Cllr Mrs Ramsey.
788. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Councillors were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any item to be considered at the meeting.
789. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 7th APRIL 2009.
The Mayor presented the minutes of the meeting. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
790. MATTERS ARISING.
There were no such matters.
791. PLANS COMMITTEE 1st APRIL 2009.
Cllr J Sellis presented the Minutes. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
792. PLANS COMMITTEE 14th APRIL 2009.
Cllr Whitcomb presented the Minutes. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
793. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE 28th APRIL 2009.
Cllr Mrs Sellis presented the Minutes.
a. Concerning minute 758c, Cllr Mrs Govier had spoken to the local Inspector and she would taker the matter further at meetings later in the month.
b. Concerning Minute 762, Members were clear they wished to examine the Old Folks Rest Room accounts to see what resources were available. The completed grant application form was required before the matter could be progressed. It was RESOLVED that the matter should be on the next cycle of meetings.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
794. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 28th APRIL 2009
Cllr Smith presented the Minutes.
a. Minute 766 referred. Cllr P Sanders reminded Members of the Strategic Objectives Working Group meeting set for 7.00 pm on the 20th May. The Group had received little response from members about their priorities, and encouraged all to respond.
b. Minute 770 referred. It was noted that it was Cllr Mrs Johnson and not Cllr P Sanders who queried where the resources came from.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
795 REPORTS ON REPRESENTATION ON CHARITIES AND OTHER BODIES
Reports on the following bodies are attached to these minutes.· Tavistock Museum
· Ford Street and Maynard Almshouses
· Kingdon House Community Association
· Tavistock Credit Union
· Town Council Environmental Working Party
Members gave the following verbal reports.
Cllr Pike River Tavy Water Resources Group – no meetings.
TaVi – monthly minutes circulated.
Cllr Sherrell Jesse Anne Alford Charity, that is to benefit spinsters and widows aged 60 and over living in the parish of Tavistock. Distribution of money is made just before Christmas each year to a maximum of 8 deserving applicants selected by the trustees. Last year there was but one applicant for a grant, and she was awarded £100.
Cllr Mrs Sellis Drakes Trail, and she reminded Members that the route through Tavistock had still to be confirmed.
Tavistock, Whitchurch and District Nursing Association Trust Fund. Met and provided help as required during the year.
Cllr P Sanders. National Parks Forum. Useful to be represented at this.
Cllr Mrs Govier. Chamber of Commerce. – monthly minutes circulated
Crowndale Recreational Association. Members to receive a briefing on this facility later in the year. The pitches will soon be laid and be ready for the 2010/2011 season. A fund raising event will take place on the 28th June.
West Devon Youth Network. Now merged with Okehampton, and a new manager for the Youth Café appointed.
Cllr Mrs Johnson. Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership. – monthly minutes circulated. Stage 1 Lottery funding bid failed, but there is more work to be done by the Group.
Guildhall Square Toilet Replacement. The Borough Council had put in a bid for lottery funding for the landscaping.
The Mayor thanked all members for the work they put into representing the Council at all these bodies during the year.
796. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR REPORTS AS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS REQUIRED.
a. The Mayor reported that he had met with the officers of the two cadet forces to discuss the Mayor’s Cadet award, and that the first recipient would be chosen by the ACF and be appointed at the AGM.
797. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR
a. Members were informed that the Best Value scrutiny group would be visiting Ivybridge Town Council on the 22nd May.
b. Cllr Mrs Govier informed members of a meeting of the Crime and Disaster Reduction Partnership forum at Ivybridge on the 15th May at 1.00 pm. A flyer would be circulated.
798. SEAL.
RESOLVED that the seal be affixed to the various Deeds and Documents to be made or entered into for the carrying into effect the several decisions and matters approved.
Rising 7. 50 p.m. Signed.........……………...…..................
Town Mayor
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