Town Council Minutes 6th May 2008
Minutes of a Meeting of the TAVISTOCK TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 6th day of MAY 2008 at 7.00 p.m.
Present: Cllr Mrs A Johnson Town Mayor
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs M Govier
Cllr M Harper
Cllr I C Jennings
Cllr Mrs J C Metcalf
Cllr R Pike
Cllr Mrs J Ramsey
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr E D Sanders
Cllr Mrs D Sellis
Cllr W Sellis
Cllr H Smith
Cllr B Trew
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance: Town Clerk
One member of the press
Three members of the public
723. QUIET REFLECTION. The meeting commenced with Members preparing themselves for the meeting by a few moments of quiet reflection led by Lt Col Joan Williams of the Salvation Army.
724. APOLOGIES.
There were apologies for absence from Cllr E H Sherrell and Cllr C Jenkins.
725. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 1st APRIL 2008.
The Mayor presented the minutes of the meeting.
a. Cllr P Sanders complained that the minutes contained records of presentations and questions that were not part of the actual meeting, and that he had not been present for them. It was agreed that the minutes would be re-designed to separate those elements that were not part of the legal meeting.
b. Cllr P Sanders then asked that Members note that in minute 660 it was the Head of Development Control that was referred to, not a planning officer.
c. In Minute 665d, Cllr Mrs Sellis asked that Members note that she had not ‘meant’ to refer to damage on the practice hole, she had referred to it.
RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted. .
726. MATTERS ARISING.
a. Concerning Minute 666b, Cllr P Sanders asked what progress had been made in finding other Councils adversely affected by the LDF, and was told that DAPC Larger Council’s Committee had declined to assist in publicising our concerns. They believed that the normal planning procedures would suffice to ensure appropriate infrastructure was produced.. The Mayor reported that she had met with Okehampton and Hatherleigh councils and they supported the stance. Notes from the meeting would be distributed.
727. PLANS COMMITTEE 1st APRIL 2008.
Cllr Pike presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
728. PLANS COMMITTEE 15th APRIL 2008.
Cllr Whitecomb presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
729. PLANS COMMITTEE 29th APRIL 2008.
Cllr Best presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this of this meeting be adopted.
730. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE 29th APRIL 2008.
Cllr Mrs Govier presented the minutes.
a. Concerning Minute 704 Cllr Sellis was confused as to why the matter had gone on so long when the answer seemed clear. We could be accused of harassing the Golf Club. Cllr Trew explained that his concerns came from the Open Spaces Best Value review that looked at the practice areas, and that legal advice was that practice holes were probably allowable, but that any other work there would be in breach of the lease. He had heard from the Golf Club that the professional would use the ‘triangle’ and wondered why as he already had his own practice area. He had asked the Golf Club to specifically answer his question, which seemed reasonable to ask. Cllr Sellis responded that Minute 631a clearly showed that the professional could use the ‘triangle’ as a private individual. Cllr P Sanders had concerns that Cllr Trew had declared an interest in matters that were then discussed at the Whitchurch Down Sub-Committee in his presence. That could involve actions and damages due to the interest being, in his view, prejudicial. Cllr Trew reminded Members that it was for a Member to decide if any interest was personal or prejudicial. He voted against the Golf Club only when he felt there were matters affecting the population of the Town. He challenged Cllr P Sanders to take the matter to the Standards Board if he had concerns. Cllr P Sanders responded by saying that such matters would not normally be raised in open council but they had already been addressed in open forum so he felt able so to do.
b. Concerning Minute 705 Cllr Sellis clarified that the offending item was a harrow not a rake, and that it was in constant use and had to remain on the Moor. Cllr Trew repeated that the harrow had been placed so as to block a footpath. The Works Superintendent would discuss the siting with the Golf Club.
c. Concerning Minute 709 Cllr Best clarified that he understood that there would be no extra cost for the foundations of the service road at Pixon Lane to cope with the Robey Trust vehicles.
d. Concerning Minute 711, Cllr Pike explained the thinking behind the recommendation not to raise the charges for Goose Fair 2008. Members had all received the various calculations leading to this recommendation, and thanked Mr Southall for them. Members noted that fuel costs affected everyone, and the rise in the precept added to fixed income problems. A longer term agreement was needed to aid budget setting. The negotiations in 2009 should not be based on a zero price rise this year. A meeting would be held in January or February 2009 to discuss the way ahead, and the Showmen would be asked for a business plan to support any debate. Cllr Mrs Ramsey felt that the good 2007 result supported a price freeze this year. Cllr Mrs Govier said that the Showmen had agreed they would not be raising the ride costs. On a proposition by Cllr Pike, Members RESOLVED nem con not to raise the rental levels for Goose Fair 2008. Members asked that the results be monitored this year to see what trader ‘drop-outs’ might be attributable to fuel and other costs. Cllr Mrs Sellis thought that the Council ought to think about the long term future of the Fair, as long distance travel to such events might become untenable in the future.
RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
731. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 29th APRIL 2008 Cllr H Smith presented the Minutes.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
732. REPRESENTATIONAL REPORTS
Those Members who represent the Council on local charities and organisations were invited to forward a report on their activities to the Clerk for them to be circulated. Cllr P Sanders said that he gave regular verbal reports on the TaVi meetings as they happened.
733. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR REPORTS AS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS REQUIRED.
There were no such matters.
734. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR
There was no such business.
On behalf of the Council Cllr Pike thanked Cllr Mrs Johnson for all her work as Mayor over the last year.
735. 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 7.55 p.m
. Signed.........……………...…..................
Town Mayor
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