Properties Minutes 16th December 2008
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 16th day of DECEMBER 2008 at 6.30 p.m.
Present: Cllr B Trew Vice Chair in the Chair
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs M Govier D Mayor
Cllr R Pike Mayor
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr H Smith Chair F&GP
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
One member of the Press
480. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr C Jenkins, Cllr E Sherrell, Cllr Mrs D Sellis and Cllr J Sellis
481. 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
482. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 25th November 2008, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 2nd December 2008 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman
483. MATTERS ARISING
There were no such matters.
484. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A. They congratulated the Works Superintendent on the style of the new metal gates into the Meadows, and the professional result of the wall at the Cemetery. They also thanked the staff for their work in erecting the Lions Tree of Light.
485. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B. They were concerned at the costs of rubbish removal from the Market (£13,798 so far this year) and noted that the Reeve would provide a report and suggestions by the next meeting. They also asked that some income and expenditure reports be produced showing the net value of table tolls once all costs had been applied. They congratulated Mrs Ewings on her successes in the ‘Loo of the Year’ awards, being the National Categories Best Attendant 2008.
486. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex C.
487. EASTER FAIR
Members recalled that from the early 16th Century until the 19th Century a fair had been held each April in Tavistock celebrating St Mark, whose feast day is celebrated on 25th April the anniversary of his martyrdom. Noted that we had been in negotiations with a showman who wished to ressurect the April fair, to be held over the Easter break (perhaps 6th to 14th April). Initially the Officers thought that Pixon Lane open space might be the preferred location, but after more talks thought that the Meadows might be better, as assurances had been received that boarding could be used to cover the grassed areas and that a guarantee of no damage to the grass could be made. Members RECOMMENDED that this idea be pursued. A check on the dates of school holidays should be made.
488. OLD FOLKS REST ROOM
a. Noted that a petition of 225 names asking ‘Save our Rest Room’ had been handed into the Council, and forwarded to the Borough planning department.
b. Noted that Hunstrete Estates had served us the requisite notice to terminate the lease for the Room on 22nd February 2009. Our lawyers were investigating a possible technical deficiency, but it was probable that the notice will stand. Drew Pearce were working on our stance for deciding the ‘market rental’ should the notice be found defective.
c. Noted that Hunstrete had appealed against the WDBC refusal to allow demolition and the building of a 2-storey shop.
489. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
a. Via Cllr Jenkins the meeting was informed that the Drake’s Trail project had asked them to consider the use of Abbey Walk as part of the cycling trail. Members asked if they could provide more details (maps etc) of the exact route they would like to use as there might be problems with the existing by-laws about cycling, and we might need to amend them to cope. They were concerned about using the Abbey Walk as a part of the route. They felt that path to be too narrow, too used by pedestrians and too dangerous (drop into river) to be acceptable for cyclists. They thought a better route might be along St Johns walk and crossing the river by the new bridge.
b. Cllr Best raised the Pixon Lane project and was reminded of the Council resolution of the 2nd December (Minute 476).
c. The Chairman raised the matter of police cars taking up public parking spaces in the Guildhall Square car park. A complaint would be made to the Police Station about the practice, and the Civil Enforcement Officers would be reminded that a car not showing a valid ticket should be penalised, police car on not.
Signed………..…………………..
Rising 7. 10 p.m. Dated……………………………