Town Council Minutes 11th September 2007
Minutes of a Meeting of the TAVISTOCK TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 11th day of SEPTEMBER 2007 at 7.00 p.m.
Present:
Cllr Mrs A Johnson - Town Mayor
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs M Govier
Cllr I C Jennings
Cllr C Jenkins
Cllr Mrs J C Metcalf
Cllr R Pike
Cllr E D Sanders
Cllr P R Sanders
Cllr Mrs D Sellis
Cllr W Sellis
Cllr E Sherrell
Cllr H Smith
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance:
Town Clerk
Cllr Connelly - DCC
One member of the press
One member of the public
The Mayor welcomed Cllr John Sellis to the Council following his election to the North ward.
QUIET REFLECTION. Members prepared themselves for the meeting by a few moments of quiet reflection led by Pastor Colin Bond of Kings Church.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
There were no questions.
219. APOLOGIES.
There were apologies for absence from Cllr M Harper, Cllr Mrs J Ramsey and Cllr Trew.
220. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 31st JULY 2007.
The Mayor presented the minutes of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted and they were signed by the Mayor.
221. MATTERS ARISING.
There were no such matters.
222. PLANS COMMITTEE 31st JULY 2007.
Cllr Best presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted
223. PLANS COMMITTEE 14th AUGUST 2007.
Cllr Best presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted
224. PLANS COMMITTEE 28th AUGUST 2007.
Cllr Mrs Johnson presented the Minutes. Concerning Minute 176a (Annex B) Cllr Mrs Govier felt it very radical to comment that the proposed Sainsbury’s supermarket would cause the Pannier Market to close. She was told that this was indeed the view of one councillor. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted
225. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE 4th SEPTEMBER 2007.
Cllr Mrs Govier presented the minutes.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
226. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 4th SEPTEMBER 2007
Cllr P Sanders presented the Minutes.
a. Concerning Minute 196, Cllr P Sanders confirmed that the period of time after leaving post as a councillor was actually 4 years, not the one year that he had advised.
b. Concerning Minute 197, Cllr P Sanders had been advised that one toilet in Bedford Car Park was open 24 hours a day.
c. Concerning Minute 198, Cllr Sherrell complimented the Council on the decision not to proceed with a CCTV system at this time. He felt that such systems were an infringement of civil liberties.
d. Concerning Minute 200, Cllr Mrs Sellis was deputed as the council representative on the Drakes Trail steering group.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
227. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR REPORTS AS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS REQUIRED.
a. The Mayor reported on a meeting with the Museum trustees concerning plans for enhancements to the Museum as part of the Mining heritage ‘gateway’ information centre. Mr Selman would be invited to come to talk to the Council about these plans when the Lottery funding was approved.
b. Cllr Whitcomb could not now attend the Parking Focus Group meeting on the 26th September, and as Cllr Best was anyway attending he agreed to represent the Town Council.
c. The Mayor encouraged Members to consider volunteering to fill the vacant representational posts, which were:
- Tavistock Community Transport Association
- Kingdon House Community Association
- Tavistock and District Local transport Partnership
d. Members agreed to invite a representative of TASS to address them before the November meeting.
e. Cllr Mrs Govier and Cllr Best reported that they were part of the West Devon Borough Council task and finish group investigating the proposed closure of the Job Centre. It was agreed that they could speak for the Town in this group. Government decisions were expected in October or November, and they would keep the Council informed.
228. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Mayor reminded Members to pass apologies for missing meetings well in advance to the Clerk.
229. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR
Members had been informed of the withdrawal of the Monday to Saturday 0930 hrs Okehampton to Tavistock route 86 bus service. There was general concern at this ‘thin edge of the wedge’ action, and the affect it might have on rural services and car usage. Noting that the service was funded by DCC, Members RESOLVED to write to the highest level protesting about this action.
230. SEAL.
RESOLVED that the seal be affixed to the various Deeds and Documents to be made or entered into for the carrying into effect the several decisions and matters approved.
Rising 7 26 p.m.