Properties Minutes 1st September 2009
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 1st day of SEPTEMBER 2009 at 6.30 p.m.
Present:
Cllr B Trew Chair
Cllr Mrs S Bailey
Cllr Mrs M Govier Mayor
Cllr R Pike
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr E Sherrell
Cllr Mrs D Sellis
Cllr J Sellis
Cllr H Smith Chair F&GP
Cllr D Whitcomb D Mayor
In Attendance:
Town Clerk
Assistant Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the Press
170. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr D Best.
171. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Councillors were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any item to be considered at the meeting.
172. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 14th July 2009, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 21st July 2009 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
173. MATTERS ARISING
Archway Unit. Cllrs Pike, Mrs Sellis and Mrs Govier all declared a personal interest.
a. Minute 034c(2) referred. Members had previously noted a letter from the Tamar Valley AONB manager and the WDBC Tourism manager expressing interest in their taking the Archway building as a Visitor Orientation Centre/Tourist Information Centre. We wrote noting their interest, but saying that the Archway building was earmarked for the Old Folks Rest Room, but if those negotiations fell apart then we would return to them. Now that the Archway is available we had been asked to confirm that the building will be available, and at what rental. WDBC have a 40% ‘rebate’ on their rental for the current TIO and asked that Members agree to allow a similar ‘rebate’ on any rental for the Archway.
b. Cllr Sherrell was in favour of the lease and continuing the rebate for community use. Cllr Sellis could not see why the Town Council should give such a benefit to the Borough Council. The Mayor explained that the rebate was our contribution to the TIO, and that many Town Councils had to run their own TIOs totally at their own expense. Cllr Sellis asked how the rebate would compare with the grant the Council had offered the Old Folks Rest Room. The difference was exactly £100. Others said the two should not be compared as they had different criteria and were judged on a different basis. It was felt that the discount should only apply while the building was used as a TIO. By 8 votes for to one against it was RECOMMENDED that the Council agree in principle to the use of the building and the rebate, and put the matter to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
174. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A. Cllr Pike queried the need to purchased new grave shorings, and was reminded that the existing equipment was 10 years old and had been superseded by modern techniques.
175. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B.
176. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex C. Members felt the report was well produced and asked that the writer be congratulated. They asked that the Works Superintendent investigate the replacement of the two large advertising signs as the current ones were old and looking tatty.
177. ADVERTISING BOARD BY PIXON LANE
Minute 020 referred. Members noted a further letter from Kings Church again requesting Town Council permission to place an advertising name board on our land at the Pixon Lane end of the open space. Members felt they needed more information, and asked that King’s present a detailed colour drawing of their proposal. They could then debate if it was acceptable. Cllr Sellis was concerned at the possible proliferation of such boards. They must not obstruct the view of drivers on Pixon Lane. They then RECOMMENDED that we ask King’s for full details, emphasising that the request was not a guarantee that the Council would permit such signs. Cllr Smith then suggested that the Council write to all businesses on Pixon Lane land and the associated industrial estate to see if they would want such advertising boards, and if so that the Council could produce them and charge for them.
178. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEADOWS
A suggestion that a model railway might improve the Meadows was tabled for Members consideration. The area concerned was used in the past as a ‘putting’ course of 9 small holes. It was not used at all last year for lack of anyone to run it, nor has it been used so far this year. The land was one of the options being considered as suitable for the BMX course. The Works Superintendent reported that he had managed no contact with the BMX club, possibly because of school holidays. They were interested in the area from the edge of the bowling green to Mrs Web’s ‘garden’. Cllr Whitcomb felt that the owners of the new flats on Plymouth Road might object to overlooking a BMX track. Cllr Pike wanted to bring the putting course back into use, but acknowledged that there was no way that the Council could hire a operator to control it or the clubs and equipment. He wanted to talk to the Bowling Club to see if they could operate the facility. Members felt the railway idea was interesting, though had concerns about security. Who would guard the equipment at night? If the proposer was to make a profit out of the railway, then the Council should charge for use of the Meadows. Members agreed there should be a site meeting and discussions with the Bowling Club, and that we needed to see what plans the BMX club had,. The Mayor compared Tavistock to Okehampton where the latter had plenty of facilities for young people, but Tavistock was seen as an old people’s town, with nothing for the young. We were duty bound to look into a BMX track as well as any other facilities. That should be considered before any ideas about railways. The matter was deferred to full Council for debate about the 3 options: (Putting Green, BMX track and Railway).
179. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business
Signed………..…………………..Rising 7. 15 p.m. Dated……………………………