Properties Minutes 27th November 2007
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 27th day of NOVEMBER 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 H Smith Chair F&GP
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr E Sherrell
Cllr Mrs Sellis
Cllr B Trew
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the Press
376. APOLOGIES
There were no apologies for absence.
377. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 30th October 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 6th November 2007, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
378. MATTERS ARISING
a. The Works Superintendent briefly explained the costings report for the Pixon lane development. It was noted that we may only borrow £500,000 a financial year, and the total cost of the project being some £1M would require us to make two loan applications (one at the end of a financial year, and one at the beginning of the next). The Clerk had been told that NALC might use this project as a test case to get the Department to do away with the £500K borrowing cap now that we had Quality Councils and the power of ‘wellbeing’. Members RECOMMENDED that the project be taken forward to the next stage.
b. The Public Works Loans Board figures showed that a £1M loan for 25 years would cost 4.84% now, meaning annual repayments of £69,392. Members noted that the current business case showed possible income from a 100% utilisation of the car park at £1.50 a day would bring in £74,615 a year so anything in excess of 90% would cover the costs. They RECOMMENDED that the applications for loan sanctions be taken forward.
379. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A. Members asked that a letter of thanks be sent to the Environment Agency for all the work undertaken along the river during the Abbey Weir project. In particular Mr David French, the liaison officer with the public at the bridge was commended. The Chairman felt that the Council had achieved a better deal with the £8,000 of work undertaken on our behalf than if we had ‘rented out’ Abbey Walk for the project. Cllr Trew disagreed, and felt that the Council could have asked for £20,000 to £30,000 for land rental.
380. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B. A problem with one of the shop owners concerning the plans to pedestrianise the perimeter road daily from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm had been raised, and the Clerk reported that discussions with that trader that day had seemed to show there was no problem. The matter would be monitored.
381. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex C.
382. CROWNDALE RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Members noted the newsletter and update from the Chairman of the CRA.
383. SIGN ON COUNCIL OFFICES
Members noted that DCC wished to affix a ‘Registration Office’ sign to the exterior wall by the main steps. They approved the design of the sign, but asked that the colour be ‘metallic’ to match the existing Town Council sign.
384. MARKET OPENING
Members noted that after consultation with the most regular traders, the following additional pre-Christmas days had been agreed for the Christmas period.· Monday 17th December
· Sunday 23rd December
· Monday 24th December
Between Christmas and the New Year the Market would be open on Friday 28th December and Saturday 29th December, then remain closed until re-opening on the 4th January after which normal hours would apply
385. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
a. The Works Superintendent outlined an estimate we had received to upgrade the Meadows Play area into a ‘flagship’ facility, at £300,000. More ideas from manufactures were in the pipeline.
b. Cllr Jenkins updated Members on the Trim Trail concept, and that West Devon Borough Council had responded to the request for £15,819 of s106 grant money with a number of questions:
· Was there a public need for the facility?
· What use would sports clubs make of it?
· What impact on the views in the Meadows would there be?
· Would it attract vandalism?
· What matched funding would the Town Council contribute?
Members were asked to consult with their constituents to pass views on these matters to Cllr Jenkins as soon as they could.
Rising 7. 05 p.m.
Signed………..…………………..Dated……………………………