Properties Minutes 29th January 2008
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 29th day of JANUARY 2008 at 6.30 p.m.
Present: Cllr Mrs M Govier Chair
Cllr Mrs A Johnson Town Mayor
Cllr R Pike Dep Town Mayor
Cllr H Smith Chair F&GP
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr Mrs Sellis.
Cllr B Trew
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the Press
Cllr Connelly DCC
491. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr D Best, Cllr E Sherrell and Cllr C Jenkins.
492. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 18th December 2007, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 8th January 2008, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
493. MATTERS ARISING
494. MINUTES OF A COURT GATE COTTAGE SITE MEETING
Members noted the minutes of a meeting held on 13th December. The Works Superintendent explained that a further meeting concerning the maintenance of the building would be held next week with the Trustees and contractors. The Mayor had attended an ‘Interpreting Tavistock’ meeting on the 24th January at which the Cottage was again discussed and future modifications suggested. Minutes of that meeting would be on the next council cycle.
495. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A. Members were informed of the agreed ‘split’ between the Borough Council and the Town Council for the new lights in the Meadows. The partnership would produce lights paid for by the Town Council in Pearce’s Meadow and two in Benson Meadow by the Skate Park. The Borough Council would provide two more in Benson Meadow and all the new lights in St Johns Walk.
496. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B.
497. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex C.
498. PANNIER MARKET SMOKING POLICY
a. It had been brought to the Council’s attention by an Environmental Health officer that the colonnades around the Market might fall into the definition of a building under the no-smoking legislation as smoking was no longer permitted in any enclosed or ‘substantially enclosed premises’ that were open to the public including pubs, restaurants and all places of work. The colonnades were roofed, and closed on three sides and could meet this definition. The advice offered was that this was a grey area, and if we were prosecuted a court might rule either way. Members were told that banning smoking in the colonnades would have a detrimental effect on Dukes Café. It would also mean smokers in the Market had nowhere under cover to go to smoke.
b. Members generally felt that common sense ought to prevail. They did not believe the colonnades could reasonably be defined as enclosed. Any Environmental Health action would first involve an enforcement notice, and if the Borough Council took that path the Council could consider the matter again. Members RECOMMENDED nem con that we take no action and allow the status quo.
499. BOWLS CLUB.
a. The Bowls Club had confirmed that they wished to extend their club-house to allow ‘short mat’ bowling. Members noted a letter explaining the concept, and asking for a considerable extension to the lease. A plan was available for perusal. The current lease (expiring 31st March 2023) was for a peppercorn rental of £1 a year, and required the Town Council to make an annual contribution to the Club’s insurance of a sum (currently £420 and increasing annually with inflation). At the expiry of the lease the property reverted to the Town Council who might then rent or sell the property. The consent of the Town Council was required before any alterations could be made to the Clubhouse, and such consent is now requested. Planning permission would also be required.
b. The Deputy Mayor explained the background to the Bowls Club agreement, and that they were still subsidized by the Town Council by the peppercorn rent and insurance payments. Cllr Trew though that the lease could be changed to allow rent reviews to compensate the Council if the Club became more successful. It was noted that a proportion of the first two putting green holes would be lost, and that new signs to the green would be required. Cllr Pike thought that one lane in the new facility should be made available to non club members of the public on non-match days. Members felt that a 99 year lease was too long for such a facility, and noted that the Tennis Club found a 25 year lease sufficient to allow grants to be paid. They then RECOMMENDED nem con that the Council agree in principle to the new build, and would consider a 25 year lease with other changes such as rent reviews and the ending of the insurance contribution.
500. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.
Rising 7. 03p.m.
Signed………..…………………..Dated……………………………