Town Council Minutes 6th November 2007
Minutes of a Meeting of the TAVISTOCK TOWN COUNCIL held in the Council Chamber, Drake Road, Tavistock on TUESDAY the 6th day of NOVEMBER 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 Mrs J Ramsey
Cllr E D Sanders
Cllr P. Sanders
Cllr Mrs D. Sellis
Cllr W. Sellis
Cllr E H Sherrell
Cllr H Smith
Cllr B Trew
Cllr D Whitcomb
In Attendance:
Town Clerk
One member of the press
Two members of the public
TAVISTOCK AREA SUPPORT SERVICES
Before the meeting commenced Mr Andy Lyle of TASS gave Members present a presentation on the work of TASS. A brief was circulated to all.
QUIET REFLECTION. Members prepared themselves for the meeting by a few moments of quiet reflection led by Ms Diana Brace of the Tavistock Quakers.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME.
Mr Woodhouse from Sampford Spiney had seen letters in the press about a land swap and wanted to know more about it. He was told the matter was to be debated that evening, and that Cllr I Walton from Plasterdown Parish Council was his parish representative on the Whitchurch Down Sub-Committee and would be able to inform him of the background.
347. APOLOGIES.
There were apologies for absence from Cllr M Harper.
348. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING 2nd OCTOBER 2007.
The Mayor presented the minutes of the meeting. Noted that the name ‘Cllr Jenkins’ in Minute 278b should read ‘Cllr Jennings’.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting as amended be adopted and they were signed by the Mayor.
349. MATTERS ARISING.
There were no such matters.
350. PLANS COMMITTEE 8th OCTOBER 2007.
Cllr Best presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted
351. PLANS COMMITTEE 23rd OCTOBER 2007.
The Mayor presented the Minutes. RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted
352. PROPERTIES COMMITTEE 30th OCTOBER 2007.
a. Cllr Mrs Govier presented the minutes. When Minute 322c was reached, 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 of business involving individual persons and leases.
b. Members received a letter from the Golf Club that concerned the land swap, and Cllr Trew commented upon it. He then left the Chamber. After some debate it was proposed by Cllr Sherrell and seconded by Cllr Mrs Ramsey that the Council should not sign the Deed of Variation. An amendment to add that the Council should recompense the Golf Club for any legal fees incurred during the drafting of the Deed of Variation was accepted. Before the vote was taken it was RESOLVED that the press and public be re-admitted to the Meeting. Cllr Trew also returned to the chamber. Members then RESOLVED by 12 votes for and 4 against that the Council should not sign the Deed of Variation, and that the Council should recompense the Golf Club for any legal fees incurred during the drafting of the Deed of Variation. Cllr P Sanders and the Mayor asked that it be recorded that they voted against the proposition. Detailed notes of this minute are contained in confidential file W1.
c. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting be adopted.
353. FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE 30th OCTOBER 2007
Cllr H Smith presented the Minutes. Noted that Minute 328b should read that any expenses incurred during the planning phase for the Pixon Lane project would be reported via the Works Superintendent’s Reports.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of this meeting as amended be adopted.
354. TO RECEIVE SUCH COMMUNICATIONS OR REPORTS AS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE TOWN MAYOR AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS REQUIRED.
The Mayor said that a full report on then Celle visit was contained in the latest newsletter.
355. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
a. Cllr Mrs Sellis had attended a ‘Drakes Trail’ meeting, and reported that the Team wished to give a short presentation to the Council. Members were asked to approve this and agree a suitable date. As this was a short presentation members felt that it could be accommodated on the 5th February, when the Tamar Valley team were also giving a presentation to the Council.
b. Members were reminded of the Remembrance Sunday parade and invitation from the Royal British legion.
356. 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 of business involving individual persons.
357. APPOINTMENT OF HONOURED BURGESSES
Cllr Sherrell proposed that Mrs Woodcock be considered for appointment as an Honoured Burgess. Members noted that we had 6 burgesses, the last appointed in 2006. It was then RESOLVED by 14 votes for and 2 abstentions that Mrs Woodcock be asked to accept that honour.
358. PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960
RESOLVED that the press and public be re-admitted to the Meeting
359. URGENT BUSINESS BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MAYOR
Cllr P Sanders drew Members attention to the fact that West Devon Borough Council were revising the Local Development Framework, and that Okehampton Town Council had produced a wide ranging vision for their town to be considered. He felt that Tavistock Town Council might wish to undertake a similar exercise. Members recalled that the original Framework had been extensively commented upon following a special Plans meeting open to all Members. Cllr Best was asked to develop this concept with his Plans Committee, to involve all Members and to respond to the Borough Council in good time.
360. 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 8.20 p.m.