Minutes of a Meeting of the TAVISTOCK TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 6th day of MARCH 2007 at 7.00 p.m.

Present:
Cllr Mrs C Keane Town Mayor
Cllr I Andrews
Cllr D Best
Cllr Mrs A Clish-Green
Cllr D Farrant
Cllr Mrs Gibson
Cllr Mrs Govier
Cllr Mrs A Johnson
Cllr P Jones
Cllr Mrs J C Metcalf
Cllr R Pike
Cllr P Sanders
Cllr M W Taylor
Cllr Mrs Woodcock

In Attendance:
Town Clerk
Cllr R Connelly DCC
One member of the press
One member of the public

QUIET REFLECTION. Members prepared themselves for the meeting by a few moments of quiet reflection led by Lt Col Joan Williams of the Salvation Army.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
There were no questions.

WASTE RECYCLING IN TAVISTOCK
Jane Savage of WDBC was present to brief Members on recycling matters. She explained how West Devon Borough Council currently recycled 35% of all household waste, with the national average at 27%. They hoped that by 2010 46% would be recycled, and were commencing a food waste composting trial with 5,000 homes in Tavistock taking part. A weekly collection of cooked waste food would be turned into soil conditioner in 3 months. The collection of plastics was still restricted by the capacity of the recycling boxes and lorries, and the poor market for old plastic. She hoped that this would improve with the 2010 new waste contract.

TAVISTOCK GREEN GARDEN PROJECT
Garden Designer Sue Fisher was present to brief Members on the Green Garden Project. The aim was to demonstrate a wide variety of sustainable garden techniques, using grants to fund the project. There would be:Composting and waste reduction,

• The growing of produce,
• Planting for different areas and soils,
• Wild life encouragement,
• A wild flower meadow, and
• Raised and scented gardens for the disabled.

Members were concerned about long term funding, and Mrs Fisher thought that grants could be obtained for both set-up and maintenance. Members also disliked the concept of a metal fence to discourage vandalism. A management committee to control the funds and work was a necessity.

587. APOLOGIES.
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs J Ramsey, Cllr E Sherrell and Cllr B Trew.

588. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 6th FEBRUARY 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.

589. MATTERS ARISING.
Concerning Minute 524a, Members clarified that they wished a further letter to be sent to the Assistant Chief Constable concerning charges for policing Goose Fair.

590. PLANS COMMITTEE 13th FEBRUARY 2007.
Cllr Best presented the Minutes. Concerning Minute 547b it was confirmed that a site meeting would be held.

RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted

591. PLANS COMMITTEE 27th FEBRUARY 2007.
Cllr Taylor presented the Minutes. Concerning Minute 561b(i) a meeting with the Mary Tavy power station manager had been arranged for the 13th March.

RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted

592. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE 27th FEBRUARY 2007.
Cllr Andrews presented the minutes.

a. Pixon Lane. Minute 568 referred.

(i). Some Members thought that better use of the Riverside car park could be made by improved signage and lighting, though Cllr Best understood that the park was usually 2/3rds full and that better lighting was being installed. It was felt that people would always try for free on-street parking rather than paying at a formal off-street park. They were concerned that the two new developments in Tavistock might produce a need for 600 new parking spaces, and Cllrs Farrant and Sanders felt it wrong to ‘shelve’ the concept of developing Pixon Lane as the Properties Committee had done. It was felt to be vital to develop it with the Town Council at the helm, as that would meet the requirement for a long term low cost park for workers in the Town, ideally signed from the Plymouth Road/Pixon Lane junction.

(ii). Cllr Best thought that the matter should be passed to the new Council and the Parking Focus Group. As the project would be funded by a loan only to be taken if the project went ahead, it did not affect the balance of the budget. Cllr Sanders said that the headlines following the Properties recommendation seemed to show that parking was still a top issue, and a delay was not what the electors wanted. As the Council had already decided that it did not want to produce the car park in partnership with WDBC, then it was now time to agree to take it forward. If the new spaces helped to solve the traffic circulation problem, then even an overall loss would be acceptable as a subsidy to a vital public service. Members noted that only 4 members had voted for the delay, and suggested that the Focus Group could look again at the free on-street parking that seemed to encourage cars to go round and round waiting for spaces to appear.

(iii). Cllr Pike felt that with restricted funds the budget committee should scrutinise the concept and allocate the resources in the next years budget. Cllr Mrs Woodcock wished that some method could be found to make sure that on-street parking was turned over regularly like the Guildhall Square facility. She also thought half-hourly shoppers’ buses were a good idea, and that the Town Council should retain control over Pixon Lane but progress the project via a loan. Members thought that provision for the infirm to load vehicles by Bedford Square was also needed. Members then unanimously RESOLVED to accept a proposition from the Mayor that the project to convert Pixon Lane into a formal car park be progressed.

b. Sustainable Garden. Minute 569 referred. The Mayor reminded Members of the ‘garden’ concept, and the results of the Steering Group meetings that had recommended the use of part of Pearse’s Meadow. The Council was now being asked to endorse the use of this land, and to agree to 50% of Mr Garland’s working hours being spent on the project. Members felt that all costs should be budgeted for by grants. They also had concerns about the use of metal fencing as this would not look natural in that area. It was suggested that the garden might better be sited at the Plymouth Road end of the Meadow, and that would minimise the need for fencing. Perhaps a ditch and hedge would deter vandals. Members debated whether to accept the idea in principle, but agreed first to make individual visits to the areas and return in a months time to discuss the siting again. Members wanted more information about costs, available grants and the management plan for the future before making any decisions. It was suggested that the Bannawell Street open space might be an acceptable alternative site. The Mayor agreed to take the Council’s views to the Steering Group, and to report back.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.

593. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 27th FEBRUARY 2007
Cllr Mrs Woodcock presented the Minutes.

a. Elections. Concerning Minute 574a, Cllr Mrs Johnson was participating in the ‘open day’ for prospective councillors at Kilworthy on the 19th March, and asked for any volunteers to assist.

b. Climate Change. Concerning Minute 574b, the Mayor reminded Members of the Energy Awareness exhibition day on the 10th March.

c. Manor Development. Concerning Minute 574c, letters from DCC and WDBC planning officers were tabled. Cllr Andrews was pleased to see what appeared to be solutions to Members concerns but was suspicious that matters might fall between the two authorities spheres of influence.

d. ATM. Concerning Minute 581, Members accepted 10th April as the revised date for the Annual Town Meeting.

e. Green Audit. Concerning Minute 583, the Working Group had met and composed a letter to WestDen. This would be circulated at the next Finance and General Purposes Committee for consideration.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.

594. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR REPORTS AS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS REQUIRED.
There were no such reports.

595. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Members were told that the annual council photograph would be taken at 6. 30 pm before the next Council meeting.

Cllr Andrews left the meeting.

596. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR
There was no such business

597. 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 8. 45 p.m.

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Town Council Offices Drake Road Tavistock Devon PL19 0AU