MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, LYNTON ON THURSDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2005 @ 2.30pm
PRESENT:
Councillors:
T Parker (Town Mayor)
B Hobbs (Deputy Mayor)
Mrs C G Bowden
Mrs S Hibbert
B J Howells
C Lethaby
B Peacock
T Prosser
Mrs E Rodway
Mrs C F Sim
Officer: Town Clerk
Also in Attendance: County Councillor Mrs Andrea Davis
Apologies: Apologies were received from Councillors J Travis and B O Windsor
The meeting opened with Prayers led by Councillor Mrs S Hibbert
With members agreement, the Mayor adjourned the meeting to allow Mr Ray Walters of South West Water to hold a question and answer session regarding the Sewage Treatment Works and other related matters.
Mr Walters informed the meeting that anti vibration blocks had been installed recently within the sewage treatment works which seemed to have reduced the noise level. Councillors felt that the whole situation was very unsatisfactory and had been going on for too long. Mr Walters appreciated there had been problems and asked Councillors to inform South West Water of dates and times when the odour was at its worst. Councillors requested that the liaison meetings be reinstated to deal with problems particularly odour which at times is still bad. The question of Bottom Meadow was also discussed and Mr Walters reported that this had been taken off the system for some reason but had now been reinstated and would be in line for routine maintenance from now on. The Mayor thanked Mr Walters for attending the meeting and it was
RESOLVED
The Monthly meetings to be reinstated, Mr Walters to liaise with the Town Clerk on meeting dates and times.
A resident of Lynmouth be requested to diarise when the odour is bad.
Prior to the commencement of the formal Council meeting Councillor Parker adjourned the meeting to enable to general public to ask questions of the Council.
The question of windows in the Town Hall was brought up by a member of the public who requested that the Council should consider secondary double glazing or very long curtains to stop the draught and the cold.
RESOLVED
This item to be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Estates & Amenities Committee.
The condition of the wall alongside the road leading to the Valley of Rocks was once again discussed but as this did not belong to the Council there was very little that could be done about it at this stage.
The Mayor reconvened the meeting and with members agreement, brought forward agenda item 14, Devon County Council, enquiries of County Councillor and report of County Councillor.
156/05 ENQUIRIES AND REPORT OF THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR
There were no enquires and County Councillor Davis reported on:
RESOLVED
Councillor Sim had written a letter reference the tarmacadamed over road drains which was to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Traffic Management Group.
The Town Clerk to contact Ian Rice of Devon Social services to arrange another meeting on site for Wednesday 7 December at 3pm if possible.
157/05 MINUTES
Minute Number 138/05 Report of Town Clerk. The Town Clerk had received a request from Mr J McGowan of LACT to amend the wording on item 2 LACT.
Minute Number 138/05 to read &lsquoThe Town Clerk pointed out that the figure of £3000+ grant to Lyn in Bloom 2004, quoted in a previous letter to the Council, was taken from the Lyn in bloom accounts presented to LACT by Lyn in Bloom&rsquo.
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 27th October, 2005 copies of which had been previously circulated be confirmed as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.
158/05 MATTERS ARISING FROM COUNCIL MINUTES
There were none.
159/05 COMMUNICATIONS
There were none however the Mayor reminded members present that the Civic Service would be held on the 4th December at 3pm.
160/05 OUTSTANDING BUSINESS
There was no outstanding business
161/05 COMMITTEE REPORTS
RESOLVED:
That the open reports of the following committees, having been circulated, be received and noted and the recommendations contained therein adopted, subject to any matters annotated.
Minute Number 145/05 Matters for Recommendation (d) Beggars Roost Road closure. Councillor Lethaby requested a letter be sent to the occupier of the land in question, requesting that the gate be opened and no obstruction put in the way for the 84th Lands End Trial.
The Mayor pointed out that this item had already been covered under minute number 144/05 (c) the 84th Land&rsquos End Trial - 14th/15th April 2006.
Minute Number 145/05 Matters for Recommendation (h) suggested dates for JCC. Councillors felt the main JCC and mini JCC meetings were getting later into the year each time
RESOLVED
The dates for the JCC and mini JCC to be arranged at the beginning of the municipal year, in any event the main JCC to be no later than October.
Personnel Committee 9th November 2005
There were none
Policy & Finance Committee 16th November 2005
Minute number 153/05 Matters for Recommendation (b) Town Hall Refurbishment. Councillor Parker wished this minute to be amended to reflect the detail of the discussion at Policy Committee. The minute now to read &lsquoThe cost of replacing the coping stones in distressed concrete would be £1500 to £1600 plus the cost of fitting estimated at £1500. Following the Town Clerk&rsquos discussion with Exmoor National Park&rsquos listed building officer, Councillor Parker undertook to ascertain the cost of replacing the coping stones with custom made bath stone copings. Councillor Parker had now received an estimate of £2188 plus fitting for this work.&rsquo
RESOLVED
That minute 153/05 (b) Town Hall Refurbishment be amended as above and the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk to have delegated powers to place an order and apply for planning permission.
Minute number 153/05 Matters for Recommendation (c) Valley of Rocks (ii) Car park - Town Council&rsquos contribution to Scheme. It was
RESOLVED
The recommendation of the Council to allocate £8,500 be increased to £9,000 with the power to increase to a maximum of £15,000 once the final funding position was known, Exmoor national Park to contribute £15,000.
Minute number 153/05 Matters for Recommendation (e) Pavilion
Councillor Mrs S Hibbert declared a prejudicial interest in the Pavilion as she is a property owner in Lynmouth. She left the room and did not take part in the debate or vote.
Councillor Mr B Hobbs declared a prejudicial interest in the Pavilion as he is a property owner in Lynmouth. He left the room and did not take part in the debate or vote.
Councillor Prosser requested a position statement with regard to the Pavilion but the Mayor as unable to furnish him with this at the present time as the matter is being dealt with by North Devon District Council as a confidential item as it involves negotiating with developers.
Minute number 153/05 Matters for Recommendation (f) Finger Posts. Recommendation 3 was discussed by members.
RESOLVED
Recommendation 3 to read &lsquoall advertisers to be restricted to one sign on one post.
All names to be agreed by the Estates & Amenities committee prior to being included on a finger post.
The matter to be referred back to Policy & Finance.
162/05 REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES
Councillor Hibbert reported that a meeting of the Traffic Management Group had taken place which had been well supported. Following a request from the Council to have various items included on the agenda, these items together with items covered on the previous agenda were discussed. Councillor Hibbert informed the meeting that the maintenance of the footpaths was now being taken over by Devon County Council. The failure of the speed sign at Lynbridge had been noted as had the request for car park signs. Councillor Peacock enquired if a decision had been made with regard to parking on North Walk.
The matter of car parking signs be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Policy & Finance Committee.
Councillor Peacock to obtain a plan from the general office and mark out the suggested lining of the area around North Walk.
163/05 POLICE REPORT
There was no representative from the police and no report had been submitted.
164/05 MOTIONS
There were no notices of motions
165/05 QUESTIONS
There were no questions pursuant to standing Order Number No. 24
166/05 ENQUIRIES AND REPORT OF THE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Renewable Energy. The written report by Councillor Travis reported that he had attended a conference on renewable energy where he met the Commercial Director of Marine Current Turbines, Mr Joe Verdi who brought him up to date with progress. Mr Verdi informed Councillor Travis that the second prototype would almost certainly be installed in Ireland, partly so that it can be tested on a site with a smaller tidal range than Lynton, however if the second prototype proved successful, his Company were planning to construct the first two marine current turbine farms and one of these would be at Lynmouth. He stated that the consistent support of the Council had been a big factor in Company deciding this.
Councillor Travis felt that this would give Lynton & Lynmouth a real opportunity to become known as a centre for green energy, siting the water-powered cliff railway and the hydro electric power station on the East Lyn as fine examples. Given the current concerns about global warming and the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels, there is a huge interest in renewable energy which could be capitalised on to give a much needed boost to our tourist industry.
Councillor Travis envisaged a centre for alternative energy in our town which would do four things:
Funding for this centre would be sought through the Coastal & Market Town Initiative.
RESOLVED
This item should be placed on the agenda for the next Policy & Finance Committee to consider setting up a working group.
167/05 REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST REPRESENTATIVE
Councillor Bowden had not attended the recent meeting, so as acting Chairman of the Trust Councillor Hibbert reported that matters were no further forward with regard to the Market Hall although the LCDT were working with the MCTI and various groups to move this matter forward. Middleham Gardens were going well and the LCDT had a table top stall at the Minstrels Bazaar.
168/05 REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
The Town Clerk reported
Councillor Lethaby suggested a crest on a tie or scarf might be a good idea as a fundraiser for the Town Council, Councillor Peacock stated that he knew a company that would do this sort of thing.
Councillor Sim reported that the seat at the top of North Walk had been removed and requested this to be put back as a lot of people use this seat. The question of seats generally was discussed.
Councillor Hobbs enquired about damage that was being caused to the putting greens, the Town Clerk informed him that a badger was causing this damage and that methods of dealing with the problem were being investigated.
Councillor Peacock to look into the possibility of having the crest embroidered on a tie and/or scarf and report back to the next meeting with prices.
The matter of memorial seats to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Estates & Amenities Committee.
The question of the putting green and badger damage to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Estates & Amenities Committee.
169/05 REPORTS OF ANY OTHER COUNCILLORS
Councillor Hibbert reported that she had attended a meeting of the Exmoor National Park Parish Forum. Three of the agenda items had been proposed by Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council and these included signing to Exmoor, the Pavilion and the effects of the new licensing laws on Town and village halls. She reported that the latter had caused quite a stir as many people had not understood properly the implications.
170/05 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
There was no urgent business
171/05 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS
There were none
The Chairman moved
That pursuant to the provisions of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as subsequently amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of information which, in the opinion of the Council, would be prejudicial to the public interest and/or is of a confidential nature
PART 2
172/05 COMMITTEE REPORTS
Meeting of the Estates & Amenities Committee 9th November 2005 - confidential items
These minutes be accepted
Meeting of the Personnel Committee 9th November 2005 - confidential items
These minutes be accepted
The meeting closed at 4.36 pm Chairman