Honiton Town Council

Minutes of the  meeting of Honiton Town Council held at the Town Council offices, New Street, Honiton on Monday the Twelfth of April 2010

Members Present
St Michael’s Ward				St Paul’s Ward
Cllr J J Ayres*					Cllr Miss V Ash*   ** (Mayor)
Cllr A B Boom*					Cllr R Coombs*
Cllr P J Fleming*				Cllr J P Corke*
Cllr M McGuire*					Cllr R A Farnham
Cllr M J Teare*					Cllr D Foster
Cllr V Whitlock*					Cllr Mrs S Groves
						Cllr P Halse*  **
						Cllr Mrs V A Howard*
						Cllr Mrs M D Morgan*
*	Trained in Power of Wellbeing
** 	Also District Councillor
In Attendance
Cllr P Diviani			Devon County Council
Cllr Mrs M Olive			East Devon District Council

10/53.	To receive apologies for absence
Cllr Casson (A/L)

10/54.	To receive declarations of interest in items on the agenda
Cllr Ash – Community Complex (P)
Cllr Farnham – Community Complex (P)
Cllr Fleming – Armed Forces Day (P)
Cllr Howard – Community Complex (P)
Cllr Teare - Community Complex (P)
Cllr Whitlock - Honiton Maternity Unit (P)

10/55.	To receive and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 March 2010
The minutes having been circulated were approved and signed.

10/56.	To receive the police report
PC Atyeo reported that 77 crimes had been committed in the month to 12 April, compared with 75 for the same period in 2009.  PC Atyeo advised that all three burglaries of dwellings had taken place while the owners were on holiday, with the same method of entry.  The arson attack on the portacabin behind the magistrates' court has resulted in the charge of an offender.

In response to a question, PC Atyeo advised that the drug offences were new matters involving possession of Class B drugs.

PC Atyeo confirmed that the speed restriction in Kings Road had been lowered to 30mph.  In response to a question, PC Atyeo advised that local people, unused to changes in restrictions, are more likely to speed than motorists on holiday.  PC Atyeo confirmed that flashing signage is to be installed on Battishorne Way which is a 30mph zone.

10/57.	To receive reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Diviani reported that there is now budget provision for road improvements in Hale Lane.  Cllr Diviani is reviewing the issues at 1 Cherry Close and a report is expected by the beginning of June.

In response to a question, Cllr Diviani confirmed that potholes continue to be a problem.  The County Highways Winter Maintenance Programme will report on the issue which may highlight the need for trained staff to use up to date machinery to mend potholes.

In response to a question, Cllr Diviani advised that Vine Passage is to be included in work undertaken in the vicinity by Norfolk Property Services. 

Cllr Farnham highlighted the poor condition of the road surface at the entrance to Lace Walk car park from Dowell Street.  The Clerk was instructed to include this when reporting to Highways eastern area team.

Cllr Olive reported that the sports land proposals would be included in the discussions of the District Councillors’ Asset Management Forum.  

Cllr Olive advised that East Devon District Council had set up a rationalisation panel to consider Service Delivery Structures and that Town Clerks would be included in this process.

Cllr Olive also advised that following changes to the Licensing Act, elected members now have interested party status with regard to licensed premises.

A meeting of East Devon District Council would be held on 14th April at 6.30pm and Cllr Olive advised members of the public that they were welcome to attend.

Cllr Halse expressed appreciation and thanks to Cllr Diviani for the amount of time he gives to work for Devon County Council.

In response to a request for more information on progress with the sports fields, the Mayor advised that a report would be given following the meeting of the Asset Management Panel.  Councillors would be informed when the meeting would take place.

The Mayor reported on the work of the Joint Integration Committee which consists of five Councillors from both East Devon District Council and South Somerset District Council and is to consider the sharing of services between the two authorities.  

10/58.	To receive input from Mr Nick Struthers-Frost and Mrs Sulina Tallack (EDDC) regarding replacement play equipment and the spending of Section 106 monies
The Mayor reported that Mr Struthers-Frost was unable to attend the meeting for personal reasons and suggested holding a site meeting at All Hallows playing field following which a report would be presented to the Town Council.  Councillors interested in attending a site meeting were requested to advise the Clerk.

10/59.	Public Question Time
The Deputy Clerk reported that no questions had been received.

10/60.	Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor reported visits to two new businesses on Heathpark Industrial Estate.  Specflue has opened a distribution centre and has agreed to sponsor a flower bed in the town.  Dudley Broom is supplementing its local business with additional premises.

The Mayor had attended a reception for the Honiton Festival Committee followed by a concert which had been well received.

The Mayor reported that she had taken part in the Sport Relief Mile and had also attended a lunch given by the Senior Citizens, both of which had been very positive events. 

Cllr Diviani and Cllr Foster left the meeting

10/61.	Correspondence
Correspondence received from 8 to 31 March 2010
Government
      1.          Government Opportunities March 2010
      2.           ModernGov March 2010    				
Devon County Council
3.	Devon In Touch March 2010
4.	Devon Talk Spring 2010
5.	Notification from Senior Transport Co-ordinating Officer regarding forthcoming changes to bus services
East Devon District Council
6.	Notification from Housing and Social Inclusion regarding surveys being carried out in council properties, together with copy of letter sent to tenants
7.	The Knowledge Issues 41, 42, 43

Meetings
8.	Forward Plan to 31 July 2010
9.	Agenda and papers for Overview/Scrutiny  - Economy Committee 25 March
10.	Agenda and papers for Executive Board 31 March
11.	Agenda and papers for Joint Integration Committee 8 April
Others
12.	LCR (NALC journal) Spring 2010 including articles on Benefits of Clustering; Setting up Allotments; Devolution of Services
13.	Blackdown Hills AONB Bulletin March/April 2010
14.	Local Councils Update March 2010
15.	RD&Express March 2010 including article on Community Midwifery
16.	Minutes of meeting of East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership 4 March
17.	NALC e-bulletin 12 March
18.	TRIP Community Transport News Spring 2010
19.	Correspondence from The Honiton Churches group regarding the introduction of Street Pastors and inviting Members to attend a meeting to learn more
20.	Correspondence from a resident asking the Council to emphasise the need for everyone to use their vote at the General Election
21.	Commission for Rural Communities guidance and case studies re Power of Wellbeing
22.	Urban Forum report "Citizens and Local Decision Making: What drives feelings of influence?"
23.	Dept Communities and Local Government publication "Practical Use of the Well-Being Power"

Cllr Teare highlighted the correspondence at item 20 and the Town Council agreed to encourage residents of Honiton to vote at the General Election.

The Deputy Clerk read the letter (item 19) regarding the introduction of Street Pastors.  Cllr Fleming reported that he had attended a meeting on the issue which had included input from the Police.  Although there was support for the work of the Street Pastors it was thought that there was not a great need in Honiton at present.

Changes to bus services (item 5) were discussed, including re-routing service 380 and the need for a bus from Honiton stopping at RD&E Hospital.  The Clerk was instructed to include these items on the agenda for the meeting of the Transport Group.

Late Correspondence 1 to 12 April 2010
Devon County Council
      a)          Devon InTouch April 2010
East Devon District Council
b)	The Knowledge Issue 45 including article on Thelma Hulbert Gallery and Issue 46
Meetings
c)	Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes Wednesday 14 April 2010 at 6.30pm
Others
d)	Senior Council for Devon April 2010 Newsletter
e)	Blackdown Hills AONB calendar of Countryside Events Spring/Summer 2010
f)	Local Councils Update April 2010
g)	East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership - Honiton Local Action Group - Agenda and papers for Thursday 15th April at 10.00am
h)	Government Opportunities April 2010 edition
i)	Correspondence from Children's Workforce Development Council
j)	JunkMail Issue 4 (Devon Community Recycling & Community Composting Network) 
k)	Blackdown Hills Business Association Newsletter 8 April 
l)	      Correspondence from a resident regarding the formal adoption of Tracey Road
m)         NALC e-bulletin
n)          Notification from TRIP re Community Transport awards

The Mayor read the letter from the resident of Tracey Road (item l).  IT WAS RESOLVED to support the adoption and the Clerk was instructed to write to East Devon District Council.

The Mayor declared a personal interest in item (n) as a Trustee of TRIP.  Following discussion on the excellent work undertaken by TRIP it was resolved to support the nomination of TRIP for a Community Transport Award from Devon County Council.

Cllr Whitlock reported that he and Cllr Fleming had met with a representative of the Swimming Club who would be putting in an application for funding.

10/62.	To receive, consider and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Policy Committee meeting held on 22 March 2010
The minutes having been circulated were approved and signed.

10/63.   To review progress with Honiton Street Market and to approve the revised Rules of the Market
The minutes of the Market Advisory Group and the revised Rules of the Market had been circulated.  The revised Rules of the Market were approved and adopted.

10/64.	To confirm list of cheques
THE COUNCIL RESOLVED to approve the lists of cheques at page 228 raised in March totalling £12933.73.

10/65.	To receive and note the list of income and expenditure for 12 months to 31 March 2010
The list of income and expenditure for 12 months to 31 March 2010 had been circulated and was approved.

10/66.	To consider the granting of funding to support the Armed Forces Day
A briefing paper had been circulated which included a request for funding from the committee planning the Armed Forces Day. In response to a question Cllr Fleming confirmed that the relevant roads would be closed on a rolling basis.  THE COUNCIL RESOLVED to grant £500 from reserves for 2010/11 for this event.

10/67.	To review progress on discussions regarding the Honiton Maternity Unit
Cllr Whitlock reported on the widespread concern over the downgrading of maternity services in Honiton which has resulted in a protest group and petition.  Cllr Whitlock confirmed that the Primary Care Trust would not now be sending a representative to the public meeting to be held on 16th April due to the General Election.  However, it had been agreed that the meeting should go ahead as planned.  

Cllr Halse, as an East Devon District Council appointed Governor of the RD&E Hospital advised that he had been in contact with the Assistant Head of Nursing regarding the changes to the service.

The Mayor encouraged as many Councillors as possible to attend the public meeting on Friday 16th April.

10/68.	To review progress on the re-opening of The Bungalow 
Cllr Whitlock advised that the Devon County Council Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee had produced a report for the DCC Executive meeting on 14th April.  It was agreed to circulate this report to Councillors and discuss further action to be taken at the next Town Council meeting.

Cllr Howard left the meeting

10/69.	To review progress on the Community Complex
A briefing paper on progress had been circulated.  Cllr Teare encouraged members to support the meetings of the Users Group and Fundraising sub-committees and reported that the Clerk had received email confirmation from East Devon District Council that funds are ready to be drawn down.

10/70.	To receive a report on the LDF workshop held on 24 March
The Deputy Mayor reported that an invited audience had attended which included four Councillors in order to consider the key aspects of future development for the town.  Cllr Coombs proposed that the workshop be re-run during an evening to allow for greater involvement and that input from the workshop should come to the Town Council for comment.  Cllr Teare agreed that, since East Devon District Council had not endorsed other documents for planning and development purposes,  the Town Council should be informed of views expressed at the workshop in order to take them into account and to properly take part in the LDF process.
The Clerk was instructed to request that East Devon District Council re-run the workshop during an evening.

10/71.	To receive reports from Members with special responsibilities
Cllr Fleming – Footpaths
Cllr Fleming reported that he and Cllr Coombs had met with Mr Michael Martyn from Devon County Council and Mr Akers from the Donkey Sanctuary regarding the footpath at Wadmore Lane and that the issue had been satisfactorily resolved.

Cllr Olive left the meeting

Cllr Coombs – Roundball Wood
Cllr Coombs reported that Combe Estate was resolving drainage issues on the footpath from Battishorne Way and efforts were continuing to establish ownership of the footpath at Woodhill View.  Cllr Coombs reported the production of various items funded by the East Devon AONB, including a leaflet, factsheets and panorama board and thanked everyone involved in the project.

Cllr Corke - Honiton Festival
Cllr Corke had attended the Honiton Festival Committee reception and passed on the Committee's thanks to the Town Council for providing the buffet.

Cllr Farnham - Recycling
Cllr Farnham reported that the introduction of recycling services was going well and that he would report further following a planned meeting with the Otter Rotters.

Cllr Boom - The Glen
Cllr Boom reported on the involvement of the St Loyes Enterprise which has provided manpower for The Glen.  Cllr Boom also advised the planting of rhododendrons and camellias funded by the grant from the Smith Horticultural Trust.  Following a request for more information on the types of plants, it was agreed that a plan be obtained from East Devon District Council.

The Chairman advised that the meeting will go into Part 2 session and, having thanked the press and public for their attendance, requested that they withdraw due to the nature of the business to be transacted.

10/72.	Code of Conduct
Councillors reviewed aspects of the Code of Conduct and how it affects their work as Councillors.

10/73.	Close of Meeting
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm

Copies of this document are available in large print on request