14th October 2014
CORPORATE PROPERTY
COMMITTEE
Present
*Councillor R Springett – Chairman
#Cllr L M Barnes – Vice-Chairman
Cllr A C Carter
*Cllr D J Cawley
*Cllr R E Chilcott
*Cllr R W I Cooke – (Deputy Mayor)
*Cllr T de Galleani
*Cllr A J C Fyson
#Cllr F J Hawke
*Councillor R M Lyon – (Town Mayor)
Observers:
Cllr D M Gent
Also in attendance 3 members of the public.
*Denotes attendance
#Denotes apology for absence
1.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
There were none.
2.
IVY LANE YOUTH CENTRE.
Cllr Gent reported that the Clerk had received the keys to Ivy Lane
Youth Centre from Devon County Council on Monday 6th October and
meter readings had been taken. The Clerk had arranged insurance
cover through the Town Council’s insurers at a cost of £163 for the
remainder of the current insurance year. Devon County Council had
prepared an interim lease until the freehold transfer took place. A
condition survey of the building had been circulated to members and it
was estimated that refurbishment costs would be under £10,000
including redecoration.
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Cllr Gent had approached a local charity for funding for this work. He
informed the meeting that the cost of the Youth service would need to
be established and it was planned to bring young people from local
villages into Dartmouth to use the youth centre. A TAP bid would be
made for a contribution to these transport costs.
Concerns were raised regarding the missing drum kit and recording
equipment; the drum kit would be replaced by Devon County Council
and new recording equipment bought from the additional funds granted
by the County Council.
Cllr Gent would provide regular updates on Ivy Lane to the Committee.
The next meeting of the Corporate Property Committee would be held
in Ivy Lane Youth Centre.
3.
COMMERCIAL USES OF THE GUILDHALL.
Suggested commercial uses of the Guildhall from the Torbay
Development Agency had been circulated to members.
Peter Bailey from the Business Forum informed members that it was
important to understand the scope of flexibility of the use of the
Guildhall and to determine the unused space that could provide flexible
office space.
Cllr Cawley reported that previous suggestions of a micro-managed
business hub providing internet access, fax, printing etc. and the
possibility of using upstairs space in the Guildhall had been welcomed
by the Business Development Manager for South Hams District
Council, Carol Trant, as a perfect scheme for a grant from the South
Devon Coastal Local Action Group.
Members recognised the need for a “needs analysis” for Dartmouth to
judge the possible take-up of business hub services; Peter Bailey had
already set up a landing page for people to indicate possible required
uses.
Cllr Gent left the meeting at 6.15 pm
Cllr Cawley commented that this would be a wonderful asset for the
Town and would require a “leap of faith” from the Town Council; it
might be possible to use 1/3 of the Ballroom.
Peter Bailey would view the rooms in the Guildhall and would report
back with a list of suggested facilities.
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4.
CEMETERY – GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE RENOVATION .
The Chairman had visited the site that day, although the hard paving
and benches had been finished South Hams District Council still had
the planting to complete.
5.
ST SAVIOURS CHURCHYARD – REQUEST FOR
REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING TARMAC PATH.
The trustees of St Saviour’s Church had requested that the tarmac path
around the outside of St Saviour’s be replaced. The Clerk had
suggested that a gravel path could be put in place and the trustees were
due to discuss this at their next meeting. The Chairman and Cllrs Lyon
and Chilcott would visit the Churchyard to decide on any further action.
6.
COMMUNITY ORCHARD – UPDATE ON MAINTENANCE
AND ACCESS.
The Chairman reported that a useful meeting with concerned local
residents had been held earlier that day at the Orchard. The residents
were to form a user’s group –Friends of the Orchard. This group would
bring ideas back to the Council for consideration.
Hedging and native grasses would be planted in the spring on the area
recently cleared adjacent to Ridge Hill.
At the site visit members had viewed the stone pillar and wall adjacent
to the small gate which was in need of repair; the Clerk was in the
process of seeking quotes for this work. The Clerk would also check
with the Dartmouth History Research Group concerning the “Toll
window” in the Orchard wall.
The Chairman would draft a paper on possible projects for the Orchard
and its maintenance which would be circulated to the Committee.
Proposed: Cllr R W I Cooke
Seconded: Cllr D J Cawley
Recommended: That the Town Council continues to maintain the
Community Orchard as a sensitively managed amenity space.
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7.
BUS SHELTERS.
A list of the Town Council’s bus shelters had been circulated to
members. The Clerk would contact the Academy concerning the
ownership of the “derelict” shelter in Milton Lane.
The Chairman with Cllrs Lyon, Chilcott and de Galleani would visit all
the Town Council’s shelters to ascertain the condition and work
required (see appendix 1 with results of the visit).
8.
IDENTIFICATION OF ANY EXTRAORDINARY COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF TOWN
COUNCIL PROPERTIES IN 2015/2016.
Members identified the following additional works for inclusion in the
budget for 2015/2016: Boatfloat Sill – The Chairman would contact Cllr C Smith who
had previously researched this.
 Cemetery – additional grounds maintenance work.
9.
PROVISION OF OVERNIGHT PARKING SPACES IN THE
TOWN CENTRE FOR MOTOR CARAVANS.
Mr Harris and Mr Callas informed members about the facilities
provided for motor caravans in towns in Europe. They suggested that 6
parking spaces with facilities could be provided in the extended Mayors
Avenue car park.
This would be discussed at the Neighbourhood Plan meeting on 20 th
October 2014 and Mr Harris and Mr Callas were invited to attend.
The Clerk would write to South Hams District Council to suggest this
provision in Mayors Avenue car park and would also write to Wales
and West Utilities regarding the empty Gas site in Mayors Avenue to
enquire if the Town Council could lease the site for this use.
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10.
IDENTIFICATION OF ITEMS FOR A POSSIBLE TAP (TOWN
AND PARISH) FUND APPLICATION.
Members discussed possible items for a TAP fund bid which included:– Minibus transport for young people from the surrounding parishes to
Ivy lane Youth Centre.
- Remodelling of the junction by the Sportsman’s Arms at the request
of Dittisham Parish Council.
- New bus stops and pulling in areas at Norton Park.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr T de Galleani
Recommended: That the Council make a TAP fund bid for
Minibus transport for young people from the surrounding parishes
to Ivy lane Youth Centre.
11.
ADVERTISING OF TOWN COUNCIL PROPERTIES IN THE
DISCOVER DARTMOUTH GUIDE FOR 2015.
A copy of the advert placed in Discover Dartmouth in 2014 had been
circulated to members. The Clerk reported that this had been at a cost
of £600.
Proposed: Cllr R M Lyon
Seconded: Cllr R E Chilcott
Recommended: That the Town Council take out an advert in
Discover Dartmouth for 2015.
12.
TO FORMULATE A TOWN COUNCIL POLICY ON REFUNDS
OF RENTS TO TENANTS.
Following an item raised at Full Council members discussed a policy on
the refund of rents to tenants who had paid in advance.
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Proposed: Cllr R W I Cooke
Seconded: Cllr A J C Fyson
Recommended: That in order to receive a refund of rents paid in
advance Town Council tenants must give one month’s notice.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
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 the press
and public be excluded and that they be instructed to withdraw.
13. TO CONSIDER EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE 2
BOATFLOAT KIOSKS.
Members considered 5 expressions of interest for the 2 kiosks adjacent
to the Boatfloat.
Proposed: Cllr R W I Cooke
Seconded: Cllr D J Cawley
Recommended: That Mr Stephen Norvill be offered a three year
lease for the kiosk opposite Boots subject to the receipt of a
complete business reference and proof of the agreement for his sale
of tickets on behalf of Greenway Ferries and that Dartmouth Ice
Cream Company be offered a three year lease for the kiosk by the
Royal Avenue Gardens.
14.
QUOTATIONS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE 2
BOATFLOAT KIOSKS.
Members considered 3 quotations for the refurbishment of the 2
Boatfloat kiosks.
Proposed: Cllr D J Cawley
Seconded: Cllr R E Chilcott
Recommended: That the Town Council accept quotation 1 for
£6,312.28 plus vat with a £300 contingency for timber repairs.
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Appendix 1
Condition and work required to Town Council Bus Shelters
BUS SHELTERS – Maintenance report 15th October 2014
Victoria Road
1 – Clean and weed kill
Townstal Road
downhill one needs complete renovation
2 – up hill one clean and paint
Davis Road
painting)
2 – clean and weed (1needs
Carey Road
1 - cleaning
Townstal Crescent
(Mill Lane)
1 - clean
Raleigh Close
1- clean and touch up
Collingwood Road (Britannia Avenue junction with Nelson Road)
1 - clean and touch up only flaking paint)
Station Restaurant
1 - cleaning
Deadman’s Cross (Yorke Road)
1- clean and weed kill
Church Road
1- clean and weed kill
– who owns this?
Academy (Milton Lane) (£2,000 - £3,000? )
Total
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Shelters reviewed by Cllrs Lyon, Springett and Chilcott on Wednesday 15th
October 2014.
The “downhill” shelter on Townstal Road will need replacing in the next few
years and an allowance will need to be made in the budget.
Dartmouth Academy will be approached concerning the ownership of the
shelter in Milton Lane.
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