Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 25th day of SEPTEMBER 2007 at 6.30 p.m.

Present:

Cllr Mrs M Govier - Chair
Cllr D Best
Cllr C Jenkins
Cllr Mrs A Johnson - Town Mayor
Cllr R Pike - Dep Town Mayor
Cllr Mrs J Ramsey - Chair F&GP
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr Mrs Sellis
Cllr B Trew - V. Chair

In Attendance:

Deputy Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Cllr Connelly DCC
One member of the Press

250. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr E Sherrell.

251. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 4th September 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 11th September 2007 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

252. MATTERS ARISING

a. Pixon Lane. Minute 184 referred. Members were concerned that there was some outstanding matter with the Scouts. The Scout Hut trustees asked in August 2004 during rent review negotiations for a longer lease than the 15 years they currently have so that they could possibly apply for more grants. The Council declined, saying that if the lease was longer then there would have to be break points during the lease, so the end effect would be the same. Members did not wish to change this policy. The only other recent request from the Scouts had been in February 2002 for permission to put on a small extension to the hut. Council had approved this, and they were advised to contact the planning authority. The matter of the water main was never a problem, and is in fact being installed this month. There was further discussion on the overall future of the site as it was considered a main area for development within the town. Councillor Trew had concerns as to whether we had fully consulted with the Scout Group. The Works Superintendent is to present the full conceptual plan at the next meeting and it was agreed that all present leasees would then be fully consulted with.

b. Town Hall and Market Sub Committee Meeting .
Minute 236 referred. The Mayor drew attention to the recommendation from the adopted Best Value Review whereby charges for the Town Hall were to be compared with those of other suppliers and that this had been noted at the last meeting.

253. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A. Cllr. Pike spoke of the excellent job being done at Abbey Weir and by the Environment Agency's Mr. French in communicating with the public. The Works Superintendent said that works would be halted for Goose Fair and Abbey Walk re-opened from 9th to 14th October and closed for approximately a further three weeks as damage caused by the recent heavy rain had put the schedule back. The Works Superintendent said that he had negotiated that they would re-instate a further 25 linear metres of Abbey Walk footpath.

The stability of a wall at Butcher Park had been brought to the Council's attention and although ownership had as yet to be fully clarified it was considered that as a health and safety issue, steps should be taken to identify any problems. The Works Superintendent advised that a geo-physical survey is to be undertaken at the start of next week. The survey was estimated to cost £1,400, meanwhile £60,000 is to be budgeted for in the case of works being required.

254. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B.

255. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex C.

256. GOLF CLUB LEASE

a. Members received the amended Deed of Variation concerning the land swap with the Golf Club for consideration and direction as to signature. Clause 5 of the previous draft dealing with costs had been removed, and Members were reminded that the Golf Club would meet all costs. The Club has also agreed with the Land Registry that the original lease boundaries shown on the map are correct. It was agreed to defer the matter until after the Whitchurch Down Sub Committee meeting, where it will be considered as an agenda item. The Deputy Town Clerk will write to the Golf Club to advise them of this.

b. The Chairman of the Whitchurch Down Sub-Committee had provided a report concerning the Down that he felt Members should consider before making any decisions about the land swap. Cllr. Trew reported that he was still researching the archives for any reference to a lease for the football club and said that this might take some time. The possible dating of any such lease might be1956 and it was requested that the Tavistock Times Gazette consider running an article for any information or history pertaining to this. Cllr Trew requested that the Whitchurch Down Sub Committee meeting make comments and input rather than any recommendation at this time.

257. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
Pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 it was RESOLVED that, because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public and the press leave the meeting during consideration of the following item.

258. OLD FOLKS REST ROOM

a. Members were asked by the Chairman to consider if the Council should investigate the provision of an alternative location for the Old Folks Rest Room. After a full discussion it was RECOMMENDED that the Town Council should investigate the provision of an alternative location for the Old Folks Rest Room in case the need should arise.

b. The consideration of any Council property that might be suitable and available for such a use was discussed. It was agreed that ways in which the Town Council may best help the users of the Old Folks Rest Room would continue.

259. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
RESOLVED that the public and press be re-admitted to the Meeting.

260. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.

Rising 7.45 p.m.

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