DARTMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Town Council Meeting
2nd September 2013
At the Guildhall, Dartmouth
Present
*The Town Mayor (Councillor P F Allen) - Chairman
*The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R M Lyon) - Vice-Chairman
*Cllr L M Barnes
*Cllr A C Carter
*Cllr D J Cawley
*Cllr R E Chilcott
*Cllr R W I Cooke
#Cllr I Dohoczki
*Cllr T de Galleani
*Cllr D M Gent
*Cllr F J Hawke
*Cllr C B Smith
*Cllr F J Smith
*Cllr S Smith
*Cllr R Springett
#County Cllr J Hawkins
*District Cllr H Bastone
#District Cllr B S Cooper
*District Cllr M Stone
*Denotes attendance
#Denotes apology for absence
Also in attendance 6 members of the public.
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88.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
Cllr de Galleani declared a personal interest in agenda item 17 External redecoration of the Market.
89.
REPORTS.
District and County Councillors’ Reports.
Cllr Bastone began by thanking the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for
their help and attendance at events during Dartmouth Regatta, he also
thanked Father Will Hazlewood and the members of the Town
Council for their input. The Mayor wished to meet with officials from
the Regatta Committee to discuss some issues that had been raised;
this would be arranged after the Regatta Committee meeting on 6 th
September 2013.
Cllr Bastone informed the meeting that the Local Government
Boundary Commission for England had published its draft
recommendations on revised warding arrangements for South Hams
District Council. Town and Parish Councils had until 11th November
2013 to provide their comments to the Commission on these
proposals.
Town and Parish Council representatives were invited to attend a
Super Cluster meeting at the Watermark, Ivybridge on Monday, 11th
November 2013 at 6.30 pm. Agenda items already scheduled for this
meeting included a Devon County Council budget update from Cllr
John Hart and an update on the ‘Dementia Friendly Parishes Around
the Yealm’ project.
With regard to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, Cllr Bastone
explained that an eight week consultation period had begun on
Monday 12th August 2013 and more information was available on the
District Council website.
Following the first round of Town and Parish Cluster meetings, local
Councils were being asked to ensure that applications for this year’s
TAP fund bidding round were submitted to Amanda Harvey
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(amanda.harvey@southhams.gov.uk) before 5.00 pm on Friday 10th
January 2014.
The government had published ‘Planning Practice Guidance for
Renewable and Low Carbon Energy’ and this document could be
found via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-practiceguidance-for-renewableenergy
Defra had written to the South Devon AONB Partnership inviting a
dialogue about reviewing the South Devon AONB boundary. The
context was that Defra had reissued its criteria for all nationally
designated sites and had dusted off historic requests over the last 30
years to amend National Park and AONB boundaries.
Given that there were anomalies in the South Devon AONB
boundary, including the line at Brixham, the designation along the
foreshore and the extent of the inland boundary, Defra had written to
the partnership to see if partnership members (which included South
Hams, Torbay, Plymouth and Devon Councils) wished to have the
boundary reviewed.
A boundary review should not be undertaken lightly and would have a
wide range of potentially significant implications. Nevertheless, if the
boundary was inconsistent with the national criteria there would be
justification for reviewing elements of the boundary. Although Defra
initially asked for a full response by the end of July 2013 (giving four
weeks’ notice) they had agreed that a more measured response was
needed and thus officers at South Hams District Council were
proposing that the following take place.
1. That any consultation on the potential for a boundary review be run
in tandem with, and on the same time scale, as the current review of
the AONB Management Plan.
2. That this would allow full participation by the public and an
overview from the AONB partnership.
3. That the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Panel had already
established an AONB task and finish group (to consider the
management plan) and it was proposed that this group also take on the
role of reviewing and making recommendations in relations to the
boundary review.
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The Mayor asked if all separate sources of finance would be joined up
with the help of South Hams Business Development officer. Cllr
Bastone replied that Carol Trant would manage and co-ordinate all
avenues of funding.
Cllr Gent asked the District Councillors if they had any news of the
management of St Barnabus Trust. Cllr Bastone replied that the
restaurant which had been leased by a trust had ceased trading and had
been sold on to one of the trustees; the homeless accommodation was
still being operated, he would investigate its current status.
90.
QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR.
Mrs Kidd asked the Mayor why double decker buses had used
Victoria Road during Dartmouth Regatta.
Through the Mayor Cllr Hawke replied that due to lack of buses the
90 service and 93 had used double decker buses for Regatta only.
More information would be sought from Cllr Hawkins.
Mr French asked the Mayor if he was aware that Devon County
Council had posted the notices for the Traffic Regulation Order during
Regatta.
Through the Mayor Cllr Chilcott replied that members of the public
had 3 weeks until 20th September to make observations or objections;
all Councillors had received details of the Traffic Regulation Order
and these would be passed to Mr French.
Dr Boughton asked the Mayor if he could now record Town Council
meetings following a recent statement by Eric Pickles MP, Secretary
of State for Communities and Local Government.
The Mayor replied that Mr Pickles ruling had only been aimed at
District, County and Borough Councils, and permission to record
Town Council meetings would not be granted.
Dr Boughton asked the Mayor if the Town Council had received any
contact from Cllr Cooper concerning the West Dart Development
since the Full Council meeting on 30th July 2013.
The Mayor replied that no information had been received from Cllr
Cooper.
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Dr Boughton asked the Mayor, if following the Full Council meeting
on 30th July 2013 where it had been agreed that Cllrs Stone and
Cooper would liaise with Cllr Barnes concerning seagull warning
signs on the South Embankment, if this had taken place.
The Mayor replied that Cllr Stone had taken action on this matter and
had informed Cllr Barnes.
Dr Boughton asked the Mayor if the valuations of the Guildhall had
been carried out and when they would be presented to Council.
The Mayor replied that details were awaited and would be dealt with
by the Council according to its financial procedures.
Mr Harris asked the Mayor if there was anything the Town Council
could do to enforce the informal prohibition on scaffolding in the
Town between April and September.
Through the Mayor Cllr Gent replied that as Chairman of Planning he
would write to Devon County Council concerning permissions for
scaffolding in the Town.
Dr Boughton asked the Mayor why the Town Council was
considering remodeling the counter in the offices if the disposal of the
Guildhall was being considered.
The Mayor replied that the future of the Guildhall was part of a long
term plan and the current counter arrangements needed modernising.
91.
URGENT BUSINESS.
There was none.
92.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES
Proposed: Cllr P F Allen
Seconded: Cllr D M Gent
Resolved: That the minutes of the Town Council
meeting held on 30th July 2013 be confirmed and signed as a true
record.
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93.
CORRESPONDENCE.
a) South Hams District Council public toilet service – financial
information. Town and Parish Councils were asked to consider the
realistic level of winter service required by the locality and if they
should wish to pay for/precept for the service or suggest a third
party to contribute. Councils were asked to suggest dates to meet
with District Council officers to discuss this. Members would
inform the Clerk of their availability.
b) South Hams District Council notification of a Super Cluster
Meeting at the Watermark Centre, Ivybridge on Monday 11th
November 2013 at 6.30 pm.
c) RNLI Newsletter Dart D’Tales.
d) Local Government Boundary Commission for England – Electoral
Review of the South Hams: Draft Recommendations (emailed to
all Councillors); comments by 11th November 2013.
e) South Hams District Council – Council Tax Reduction
Consultation. Options for changes from April 2014. Comments
were invited to 7th October 2013. Full details were available on
line www.southhams.gov.uk/ctreduction
f) South West Water: Water Future Proposals and Choices 2015 –
2020; the report was available in the offices, and feedback was
welcomed by South West Water.
Cllr Barnes asked that members could request hard copies of any
reports that were emailed from the offices.
94.
REPORTS.
a)
Corporate Property Committee.
The Report and Recommendations of a meeting of the Corporate
Property Committee held on 19th August 2013 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr R Springett
Seconded: Cllr R E Chilcott
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Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Corporate Property Committee held on 19th
August 2013, be received, approved and adopted.
b)
Planning Committee
The Report and Recommendations of a meeting of the Planning
Committee held on 21st August 2013 were reviewed.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr R Springett
Resolved: That the Report and Recommendations of the
meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21st August 2013, be
received, approved and adopted.
95.
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
The Clerk presented a report on payments made under Standing
Order No. 56 (b).
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr C B Smith
Resolved: That the Clerk’s actions in paying accounts totaling
£73,457.06 for the months of July and August 2013 under
Standing Order No. 56 (b) be endorsed.
96.
DEEDS OF EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OF BURIAL.
Proposed: Cllr D M Gent
Seconded: Cllr R Springett
Resolved: That Deeds of Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial be
issued in respect of Grave No. H331 at Longcross Cemetery,
Dartmouth and the Town Mayor (Councillor P F Allen) and
Deputy Mayor (Councillor R M Lyon) be authorized to sign the
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Documents in accordance with terms contained in Minute No. 225
(3) 1975/6.
97.
REPORTS.
Police Report.
A copy of the Police Report for the month of August 2013 had been
laid round the table.
Representatives on Public Bodies and Associations
Cllr S Smith reported that he and Cllr Gent would be attending a
meeting concerning the outdoor swimming pool on 18th September
2013. He noted that Mike Burden (Treasurer) and Sir Geoffrey
Newman (Chairman) were both standing down. Cllr Smith would
report back to the next meeting. Cllr Hawke told the meeting that the
Finance Committee would continue to budget appropriately for the
outdoor pool costs in 2014/2015.
Cllr Cawley asked if any information had been received concerning
the start date for the building of the indoor swimming pool, Cllr
Hawke replied that at present problems with a technical matter
concerning the specification were being resolved.
Cllr F Smith noted that the Police report did not make mention of an
incident 2-3 weeks previously in the Victoria Road area, she would
take this up with Inspector Tomlinson.
Cllr Chilcott reported that the BID had held business sector meetings
in July where Marketing and Promotion, Parking and Access and
Business Support had all been identified as important issues for
businesses in Dartmouth. The BID team had completed a draft
business plan which would be printed shortly. They were now
working on a more detailed Marketing and Promotion Plan and the
BID vote would take place in early November.
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98.
FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS.
The Chairman of the General Purposes Committee reported that a plan
for Festive Illuminations in the Town had been presented to the July
meeting of the General Purposes Committee for the installation
lighting in all Dartmouth streets and letters had been sent to organizers
of the main events in the Town requesting contributions to the cost.
Dartmouth Business Forum had replied that were unable to help due
to lack of funds and the Regatta Committee were to discuss the matter
at a future meeting. As there were planning issues and difficulties
with the supply of power for this scheme, Cllr F Smith proposed that
this year’s budget of £8,000 was used to put LED lights in the Market
Square car park tree adjacent to the Market Stores and in the 3 trees by
the Boatfloat. This would still leave sufficient funds to purchase
lights for the Christmas Trees in the Market and at Townstal
Community Hall, and to light a 30ft Christmas Tree in the Royal
Avenue Gardens. A local business had offered to pay for the lights in
the 3 Boatfloat trees.
The lights would be officially switched on at the Candlelit event
although they would be lit from 23rd November 2013.
Proposed: Cllr R Springett
Seconded: Cllr D M Gent
Resolved: That Cllr F Smith be authorized to arrange the new
LED lights for the tree in the Market car park, the 3 Boatfloat
trees, to purchase lights for the Christmas trees in the Market
and Townstal Community Hall and for the provision of lighting a
30ft Christmas tree in the Royal Avenue Gardens up to a cost of
£8,000.
99.
MEETING WITH FIRST GROUP RE BUS SERVICES IN
VICTORIA ROAD.
Cllr Chilcott informed members that the TIC, Dartmouth and
Kingswear Society, the Business Forum and the BID Team were all in
favour of continuing the test of keeping double decker buses out of
Victoria Road. He asked that the Town Council write to the Transport
Team giving support for this measure. Cllr Gent added that a meeting
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of the Transport Group with First Buses had been rescheduled for later
in September. This would be added as an item to the October Full
Council meeting.
100. QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR
Cllr Barnes asked the Mayor what stage the Council had reached with
the sale of the Guildhall.
The Mayor replied that valuations were currently being sought.
Cllr de Galleani asked the Mayor if the Town Council was now
secondary to the Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority following the
change in the date of the December Full Town Council meeting.
The Mayor replied that the change was to allow members to attend the
DHNA annual public meeting on Monday 2nd December 2013.
Cllr Hawke asked the Mayor if the Fire Officer had recommended a
Fire Risk Assessment of the whole Butterwalk.
Through the Mayor the Clerk replied that it had been recommended
that a Fire Risk Assessment of the whole building should be
undertaken in the future.
Cllr Gent asked the Mayor what would be put in place, following the
revoking of Masterplans and Development Briefs by the District
Council.
The Mayor replied that he would contact the Leader of South Hams
District Council on this matter.
Cllr Springett asked the Mayor if he would contact Cllr Dohoczki
concerning his attendance at future meetings.
The Mayor replied that he had already done this and Cllr Dohoczki
was rearranging his shifts to allow attendance at future Council
meetings.
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Proposed: Cllr L M Barnes
Seconded: Cllr R Springett
Resolved: That in view of the confidential nature of business
about to be transacted, it was in the public interest that press and
public be excluded and that they be instructed to withdraw.
101. BOATFLOAT WALLS.
Additional information from Paul Carpenter Associates concerning
the work to be carried out to the Boatfloat walls was laid round the
table.
Proposed: Cllr R Springett
Seconded: Cllr C B Smith
Resolved: That the quotation from Torbay Stone Walling of
£8,280.00 for the repairs to the Boatfloat walls be accepted.
102. REMODELLING OF THE COUNTER AREA IN THE
COUNCIL OFFICES.
Details of three quotations for the remodeling of the counter area in
the Council offices were laid round the table.
Proposed: Cllr R Springett
Seconded: Cllr F Smith
Resolved: That quotation 3 for £1,170 be accepted.
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103. TENDERS FOR THE EXTERNAL REDECORATION OF THE
MARKET.
Details of 2 tenders for work to the exterior elevations of the Market
were laid round the table. Members expressed concern over the costs
involved as the Town Council had only budgeted to spend £35,000 on
these works in 2013/2014.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr S Smith
Resolved: That the Deputy Mayor and Clerk to meet to look at
the possibility of splitting the work into smaller pieces in order
that up to £35,000 of work could be carried out in this financial
year.
104. QUOTATIONS FOR THE FIRE SAFETY WORK AT THE
BUTTERWALK.
The Clerk explained that although several contractors had been
contacted, she was still awaiting a second quote for the safety glass to
the railings at the rear of the Butterwalk.
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