Minutes of a meeting of the PROPERTIES COMMITTEE held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 31st day of MARCH 2009 at 6.30 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 E Sherrell
Cllr J Sellis
Cllr H Smith  Chair F&GP
Cllr B Trew

In Attendance:  Town Clerk
Works Superintendent
Cllr Connelly   DCC
One member of the Press

673.   APOLOGIES
There were apologies for absence from Cllr C Jenkins.

674.   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.

675.  MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 24th  February 2009, previously circulated and adopted by Council on 3rd March 2009 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

676. MATTERS ARISING
Minute 599 referred.  Members noted the WDBC response to our letter asking them to use their powers to ensure the maintenance of the Guildhall, and were gratified to see that in their view the building was not in disrepair.

677.   NOTES OF GOOSE FAIR MEETING
Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2009.  They RECOMMENDED acceptance of the charges proposed for 2009. 

678.   MINUTES OF CEMETERIES SUB-COMMITTEE

Members noted the minutes of the meeting held on 17th March 2009.  They RECOMMENDED acceptance of the charges proposed for 2009.   Cllr Sherrell informed Members that Mr Fyfield-Shayler had missed the meeting through illness, and they agreed a letter should be sent wishing him well.

679.  WORKS SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex A.   Members who wished to avail themselves of a properties ‘walk-about’ were invited to contact the Works Superintendent. 

680.  MARKET REEVE’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex B. 

681.   TOWN HALL MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted the report at Annex C.  

682.  ENHANCEMENT OF BEDFORD SQUARE
Members endorsed in principle the report concerning measures to make the Square more pleasing and vibrant, and the idea of procuring marquees for trading on the Square.  More information about smaller marquees would be obtained and forwarded to them.

683.   PLANTING OF TREES

Members considered the note from Mr Eberlie asking for Town Council staff to undertake the planting of 21 trees in the Crowndale sports area.  They noted that the task would take some 60 man hours, and effectively be a grant to the Crowndale Community Football Club of £900.  As the Council policy was now to support the Crowndale project through grants in kind, they RECOMMENDED that the works staff take on the task. 

684.   WASTE COLLECTIONS
Cllr Trew spoke on his report about the waste collection and disposal duties of the Borough council, copied at Annex D.  His view was that the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended by the Waste Recycling Act 2003 showed that West Devon Borough Council had a duty when requested to collect and take for disposal waste from, inter alia, other local authorities and markets.  Any charges raised by them for this duty could only cover the cost of collection and there was no profit margin.  He warned that if the Town Council merely asked for this service the Borough Council had the right to say no.  The service had to be demanded in writing.  By 6 votes for and 2 abstentions Members RECOMMENDED that such a demand be sent to West Devon Borough Council.

685.   DISPLAYS ON BEDFORD SQUARE
At Minute 644 Council resolved to allow a request from Celle that a local car club could display their cars on Bedford Square.  Members noted various communications from DCC objecting to this suggestion.  It seemed they were telling the Town Council that such a display of cars could not be allowed.  There was some doubt as to the legality of the resolution as the matter had not been listed on the agenda, and was raised at ‘Urgent Business’ for quick informal guidance.  Standing Order 1.16.1 allowed that Council resolutions may be overturned after debate of a special resolution bearing the names of at least 5 members or if in response to a recommendation or report of a committee.  The matter had therefore been put to the committee to allow Members to consider the DCC view and if necessary make a recommendation to Council to allow the resolution to be reconsidered and if necessary rescinded.  Members agreed there was some confusion about the matter, and that Members had varying views on it.  It was RECOMMENDED that the matter be referred back to full Council for debate and further consideration.

686.  PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
Pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and having regard to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed it was RESOLVED that the press/public be excluded from the Meeting for the following item concerning leases.

687.  CATTLE MARKET AND AUCTION ROOM LEASES
The Clerk gave Members an update on both leases.

688.   PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
RESOLVED that the public and press be re-admitted to the Meeting.

689.  URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
There was no such business.

 

 

Signed………..…………………..

Rising 7.  00 p.m.              Dated……………………………

 

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