Properties Minutes 27th January 2009
Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 27th day of JANUARY 2009 at 6.36 p.m.
Present: Cllr Mrs D Sellis Chair
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs M Govier D Mayor
Cllr R Pike Mayor
Cllr E Sanders
Cllr J Sellis
Cllr H Smith Chair F&GP
In Attendance: Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Deputy Market Reeve
One member of the Press
536. APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr C Jenkins, Cllr E Sherrell and Cllr B Trew.
537. 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.
538. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 16th December 2008, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 6th January 2009 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
539. MATTERS ARISING
a. Minute 489 referred. The Drakes Trail project wished to use part of the Abbey Walk as a cycle trail. Mr Graham Cornish, the DCC project officer for the national cycle network was present to brief Members of the exact request and answer any questions. The cycle routes both North and South of Tavistock were nearly open, and Mr Cornish wished to agree the best route through the town preferably using the underpass to cross the A386. Any high level route over the viaduct had drawbacks, and he felt that a route through the Meadows was the best idea. Members emphasised that it would be dangerous both to cyclists and to the present users of Abbey Walk to incorporate that into the network. An alternative using the footbridge and St Johns Walk was discussed, as were several other routes. Members agreed that the matter was too important to make a hurried decision, and that the public should be consulted. They asked Mr Cornish to come to speak at the Annual Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday 10th March 2009.
b. Minute 485 referred. Members wished to have details of income and expenditure for the Market to show the ‘profit’ per table, and to debate the cost of rubbish removal. In the absence of Cllr Trew and Cllr Jenkins they noted the costings provided and the acceptable level of ‘profit’ shown, and reserved any comment on rubbish removal until Cllr Jenkins could brief them further. Proposed Market charges for 2009/2010 would be before the next meeting of the Town Hall and markets Sub-Committee.
540. WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
a. Members noted the report at Annex A. The Works Superintendent briefed Members that the repair work on Drake’s Statue had now been agreed with DCC and work was underway. A quote for 4 light standards in Market Road had been received at £19,300, within the agreed budget. The Duke Street fire and safety inspections were also underway, and should be within the budget set.
b. The Deputy Mayor asked that the Finance and General Purposes Committee discuss the charges for the Guildhall Square car park, that had remained unchanged for some 6 years.
c. Members noted the officer’s wish for direction as to how Pixon Lane open space was to be maintained in the future. The current filling-in of potholes took 2 to 3 man-days a month, and all the damage was caused by heavy lorries from the Livestock market and coaches. Members noted that all this use was done without any payment to the Council. Cllr Sellis felt we ought to continue to maintain the area as best we could, as it was vital to the operation of the Market. Some felt we could fence off the area and open it just for Markets, but were warned that we had to keep open access to the units further in. The idea of disclaimer and warning notices was mentioned but such things did not remove any liability as the owner. It was agreed that a small working group of Cllrs Best and Sellis would work with the Works Superintendent to come up with some ideas for a way ahead.
541. MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex B.
542. TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted without comment the report at Annex C.
543. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.
Signed………..…………………..Rising 7. 14 p.m. Dated……………………………