Properties Minutes 24th April 2007
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 24th day of APRIL 2007 at 6.30 p.m.
Present:
Cllr Andrews - Chair
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs M Gibson
Cllr Mrs M Govier
Cllr Mrs A Johnson
Cllr Mrs Keane
Cllr R Pike
Cllr E Sherrell
Cllr B Trew
Cllr Mrs Woodcock - Chair F&GP
In Attendance:
Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the Press
672. APOLOGIES
There were no apologies for absence.
673. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 27th March 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 3rd April 2007 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Vice Chairman.
674. MATTERS ARISING
There were no such matters.
675. MINUTES OF THE WHITCHURCH DOWN SUB COMMITTEE
Cllr Trew presented the minutes of the meeting held on 17th April 2007.
a. Concerning Minute 661 he explained the background to the debate, and the problems with the ‘corrals’. Members questioned the need for a new Working Group to deal with this and other issues on the Down, and felt that the existing Sub-Committee was better placed to undertake such work. The fact that any recommendation made had to be ratified by the Properties Committee and then full Council was felt by most to be an adequate safeguard. Attention was drawn to the content of Minute 663, and the restricting of votes to one per organisation, with councillors all having an individual vote. After some debate it was RECOMMENDED by 7 votes for, one against and one abstention that organisations attending the Sub-Committee were welcome to bring up to 3 representatives, but only one vote per organisation could be cast. Councillors would have one vote each, and it was hoped that at least 4 would be present at each meeting.
b. Concerning Minute 662c, Cllr Trew explained the disagreement between the commoners and the Cricket Club over practice nets and fences, and that a face to face meeting had been held after the Sub-Committee meeting. He hoped that a compromise had been reached whereby the Cricket Club allowed stock to graze on land (the ‘circle’) within their control, and that this would more than compensate the commoners for loss of land declared under the Single Farm Payments regulations and now to be used for the practice nets. A letter from the Cricket Club was tabled, but nothing had been heard from the commoners. It seemed they were a little concerned about the Golf Club ‘corrals’, but were far more against the Cricket Club ideas. Members noted the large amount of gorse and bracken clearance that had been done by the Cricket Club, all to the benefit of grazing. Cllr Trew had felt if right not to put the matter to the vote at the Sub-Committee meeting, but to gather more information and defer to the Properties Committee. Cllr Sherrell thought the Cricket Club had been an asset to the Town for many years, and did magnificent work in bringing on young cricketers. Members then RECOMMENDED nem con that the Cricket Club should be allowed to create the practice nets as they described. As they would be temporary structures planning consent would not be needed, and they would not infringe on any commoners rights.
676. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A.
a. They thought that a press release explaining the work to be undertaken on the lime trees was needed.
b. The amount of litter and glass being dropped around the Skate Park was commented upon, and Members hoped that a police presence might help to deter older ‘drinkers’.
c. Cllr Mrs Johnson had received positive comments from members of the public about the excellent state of the Cemetery, and thanked the staff concerned.
d. Cllr Mrs Gibson passed on the thanks of the Tavistock Tree Preservation Group for the tree survey.
e. The Chairman thanked Mr Southall and the works staff for their support and achievements while he had been the Chairman of Properties.
677. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B. So far as the increase in parking fees was concerned, they wished it to be clear that the increase had been in accordance with Members wishes expressed at the Sub Committee. They were concerned about the details of the idea of teas and refreshments being purveyed on Bedford Square. Where would the food preparation be, was food hygiene satisfactory, would public areas be roped off? They awaited further details. The Chairman thanked the Reeve and his staff for their support during his term as Chairman of Properties.
678. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex C. The Chairman thanked the Town Hall Manager and his staff for their support during his term as Chairman of Properties.
679. LAND SWAP WITH GOLF CLUB.
Members considered the Deed of Variation for the land swap with the Golf Club. Cllr Best wished to delete Clause 5, which capped the legal fees payable by the Golf Club at £500, as the Council had made it clear that all the legal costs were to be met by them. Members RECOMMENDED by 7 votes for and one against that the remainder of the document be accepted. The matter was deferred for further work on Clause 5.
680. SUSTAINABLE GARDEN
Members received the notes from the steering committee meeting on the 10th April 2007. Cllr Mrs Woodcock was concerned that Mrs Fisher had e-mailed a comment that there was “no support from the Council”. She emphasised that the Council was supportive within certain parameters. In general Members felt the public agreed with the decision not to use Pearse’s Meadow for any form of garden.
681. DOWN ROAD TRIANGLE
At the ATM a member of the public raised the subject of the triangular area used as a parking space at the end of Down Road. He thought it was dangerous and it was time to review the parking spaces and re-mark the yellow lines. He had forwarded a sketch of his ideas which was referred to the committee for consideration. Members RECOMMENDED that DCC Highways be asked to consider how the area should be marked in the light of experience since that was last undertaken.
682. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
a. Cllr Pike reported that a meeting had been held with the allotment holders representatives concerning the trees on the embankment facing Drake Road.
b. On behalf of the Committee Cllr Mrs Johnson thanked Cllr Andrews for his Chairing of the Committee over the past years.
Rising 7.20 p.m.