Minutes of a meeting of the Northam Burrows Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 2nd February 2010

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr R W A Miller

Members - Cllrs B Edwards, A Eastman, P Hames, C K Langton, R Tisdale

Other Members in attendance - Cllrs B Edwards and S Robinson together with Mr Robin Makeig-Jones and Dr John Vernon of North Devon Plus.

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllr Mrs S Collins.

1. Minutes of the meeting of the Northam Burrows Committee held 20 th January 2010

The minutes of the meeting of the Northam Burrows Advisory Committee held 20 th January 2010 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. To meet with Mr Robin Makeig-Jones and Dr John Vernon to discuss the preparation of a Business Plan for the management /ownership of Northam Burrows

Cllr Miller introduced Mr Makeig-Jones and Dr John Vernon of North Devon Plus.

Mr Makeig-Jones briefly explained that he is the Commercial Director for North Devon Plus and is charged with looking after the tourism aspect of the area. Dr John Vernon is responsible for the strategy policy and bid writing.

Members discussed with them the various reasons for wanting to take on the management/ownership of Northam Burrows and the need to prepare a Business Plan. Mr Makeig-Jones outlined the essential matters that Members would need to consider to achieve this.

It was agreed that Mr Makeig-Jones and Dr Vernon would report back with timescales and details using the information that they had gathered at this meeting. Dr Vernon's time would be charged at cost. It was hoped to have this initial report in time for the next full Council meeting. It was agreed that the Committee would meet with Mr Makeig-Jones and Dr Vernon at various stages in order to prepare the Business Plan if the decision was made to purchase the Burrows. Mr Makeig-Jones suggested that one person be appointed as a point of contact and Cllr Miller agreed to do this.

Cllr Miller thanked Mr Makeig-Jones and Dr Vernon for attending the meeting.