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Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 25th February 2004
PRESENT: Chairman - Town Mayor Cllr A Barnes Members - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, Mrs S A Mounce, J A Bell, R D Bradford MBE, E J Davies, L Ford, K A Lane, P Waters together with PC K Wilson, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and 4 Parishioners
Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs A Eastman, A Eastwood OBE.and Dr P Tamplin.
1. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 27th January 2004 were approved and signed.
2. Matters arising
Item 2 Public Forum
Cllr Bradford MBE referred to the work undertaken by Mr Richard Miller with regard to the Northam website and it was RESOLVED to send a letter of thanks to Mr Miller for his work on behalf of the village and the Council.
(Vote: Unanimous)
3. Matters of report to/from Community Constable
PC Kerry Wilson reported on the crimes for the past thirty days and advised that there was a drop in recorded crimes for the same period last year from 36 to 28. With regard to the Heywood Road roundabout right turning lane being abused she advised that the Police would be monitoring the situation. Following complaints from parishioners regarding speeding traffic, the Police were to undertake some camera surveillance and education during March. Also, towards the end of March the Police would be holding a truancy week with the object of identifying and bearing down on truancy.
Cllr Ford thanked the Police for their efforts with respect to the drug problem in Appledore which now seemed to be resolved.
Cllr Barnes referred to the continuing problem of dirty roads from the Burrough Farm development and PC Wilson undertook to visit the developers again.
Cllr Mrs Mounce and others remain concerned about the speed and congestion of traffic in Chanters Road. PC Wilson undertook to monitor the situation at the appropriate time of day i.e. the lead up to the school going home in the evening. It was also thought that the lines needed to be extended outside the school.
4. Town Clerks Report
(a) War Memorials
Cllr Mrs Cox declared a personal and pecuniary interest and left the meeting for this item.
The Town Clerk reported that he had received 5 quotations for the cutting of grass and the application of weed killer. It was RESOLVED to accept the lowest quotation from Labour Saving Landscapes in the sum of £310.20. It was also RESOLVED to obtain quotations for the cleaning of both Northam and Appledore War Memorials.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) Northam Burrows Grazing The Town Clerk reported that he had received applications for 98 horses and 1172 sheep and therefore there would be no necessity to call a Burrows Grazing Advisory Committee. It was RESOLVED to accept the applications.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Monthly Financial Report The Town Clerk presented the monthly financial report that included payments for this month and it was RESOLVED to accept.
(Vote: Unanimous)
He advised on the income received from the administration charge for Burrows passes and also that the precept for 2004/2005 will be received in April which would lead to an excessive sum in the current account. It was RESOLVED to deposit the first payment from the precept of £12,000 into the Councils share account.
(Vote: Unanimous)
5. Northam Burrows
(a) Northam Burrows Advisory Committee
Members considered the report of the District Council and it was RESOLVED to nominate Cllr Bradford MBE and Cllr Waters.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) Golf Club Summer Work Programme
Members considered the Golf Clubs summer work programme and RESOLVED to accept it.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Members items
Cllr Ford reported that the grass was not growing very well at the former recycling centre site. Cllr Waters advised that it was being blamed on the poor weather and that Paul Green, the responsible Officer at the District Council, was aware of the situation. It was RESOLVED to consider the matter again in a months time.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Bradford MBE, on the subject of the recycling centre, reminded Members that it was fourteen months since the Burrows facility had closed and that with about 30,000 people living in the area, it was poor that the nearest facility was at either Torrington or Barnstaple. There was concern that not enough effort was being made to identify and acquire a suitable site. It was thought that there was plenty of space in Bideford and it was suggested that Brunswick Wharf should be investigated. It was RESOLVED to write to Torridge District Council recommending that the Brunswick Wharf site be investigated for use as a civic amenity recycling centre and that copies be sent to Bideford Town Council and the immediately surrounding Parish Councils to seek their support in providing a facility as soon as possible.
(Vote: Unanimous)
6. Streetworks and related matters
Cllr Bradford MBE reported that the hedge in Churchill Way had been cut back as asked.
Cllr Ford advised that he had persuaded the owner to move the gantry crane in Appledore thereby stopping the rust from falling onto the pavement. He also advised that he was meeting other District Councillors and would be touring the parish to look at problems in parks and streets.
Cllr Lane was concerned about cliff erosion alongside the coastal footpath from the Elizabethan Club to Seafield. It was RESOLVED to write to the County Council and ask them to investigate.
Cllr Davies advised that none of the caravans in Windmill Lane car park were paying rent and he was pressing the officers of the District Council to sort out the problem.
7. Planning applications
0072/043 Proposed change of use of flatlets on first and second floors to storage rooms - Elizabethan Club, Merley Road, Westward Ho! RESOLVED Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0075/04 Proposed change of use from offices back to 2 residential units - 4 & 5 Hubbastone Road, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend Refusal. One of these properties was changed from residential to offices following problems of noise from the adjacent shipyard. A considerable sum of public money was spent in helping to purchase the property. These properties are essentially situated in an industrial area and whilst the shipyard may be temporarily out of action, unless and until the uses of the land around these properties are sorted out, it would be inappropriate revert to residential use.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0115/04 Proposed new front porch - 2 The Maltings, Green Lane, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval subject to the proposal not obstructing the pedestrian footway/access.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0131/04 Proposed 2-storey extension - 1 Western Avenue, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0133/04 Proposed conservatory - Dockside, Newquay Street, Appledore Application for Listed Building consent RESOLVED Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0136/04 Proposed change of use from public house/guest house to single private domestic residence - The Nelson Inn, 5 Nelson Road, Westward Ho! RESOLVED Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0139/04 Proposed extension to form new bedroom and replacement of existing detached garage with an integral garage and small domestic workshop -Marshwood, Pitt Lane, Appledore RESOLVED - Recommend approval. It is important that the workshop is used for domestic purposes only.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0140/04 Proposed entrance porch - 7 Daneshay, Northam RESOLVED Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0164/04 Proposed conservatory - 1 Clifton Court, Westward Ho! RESOLVED Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0176/04 Proposed improvements to existing vehicular accesses. 25 Bay View Road and 1 Fairlea Crescent RESOLVED Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0181/04 Planning application and Listed Building application for provision 0182/04 of timber patio door at rear and minor interior alterations to ground floor only. 4 Westcroft Terrace, Irsha Street, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval
(Vote: Unanimous)
0209/04 Proposed extension to raise part of garden and re-position panel boundary fences - 74 JH Taylor Drive, Northam RESOLVED Recommend approval subject to privacy not being affected.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0210/04 Proposed rear extension - 41 New Street, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval subject to privacy not being affected.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0216/04 Proposed variation of condition 1 of planning permission to allow compressor operations to take place between 9 am and 8 pm during 1st May to 30th September and 9 am to 6 pm at other times. Compressor House/Equipment Store (former public conveniences) Churchfields, Irsha Street, Appledore RESOLVED Recommend approval for a trial period of twelve months.
(Vote: Unanimous)
0267/04 Proposed 12 months holiday occupancy 53 Lenwood Country Club RESOLVED Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
8. Sewerage at Westward Ho!
Members considered letters from South West Water and the Environment Agency regarding storm overflows. From the information supplied by the Environment Agency it appeared that more overflows were taking place than allowed for under the design criteria. It was RESOLVED to write again to the Environment Agency advising them that the Town Council were of the view that whilst the South West Water appear to consider that Rocks Nose outfall is complying with its discharge consent the details provided by the Agency appeared to contradict this. It was further RESOLVED to write to the District Council asking them also to take the matter up as this could have implications for Blue Flag status on Westward Ho! beach.
(Vote: Unanimous)
9. Height barrier at West Appledore car park
Council considered correspondence from the District Council setting out the legal difficulties in achieving a height barrier. It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council suggesting they negotiate with the owner of the easement in order to achieve a height barrier.
(Vote: Unanimous)
10. Mobile refreshment concessions from car parks
Members considered a letter from the District Council seeking views on the proposal to allow traders to operate mobile food refreshment vans in car parks. It was RESOLVED to advise the District Council that subject to the traders being controlled as to the precise siting of the van, paying an appropriate rent and making suitable arrangements to minimise litter, then the Council would be in favour. It would be important that the traders offer an after hours service.
(Vote: 7 For, 1 Against, 1 Abst)
11. Devon Structure Plan Proposed modifications
The Town Clerk reported that he had received details of the proposed modifications to the Devon Structure Plan following the Public Inquiry. Cllr Waters and Cllr Mrs Cox undertook to study the documents and report back to the Planning Meeting on 17th March.
12. Northam Twinning Association Dinner
The Town Mayor reported on the invitation from the Northam Twinning Association to their annual dinner. Tickets were priced at £16.25 per head. It was RESOLVED to financially support this event by funding the cost of the ticket for the Mayoress and Deputy Mayoress should they attend.
(Vote: 5 For, 2 Against, 1 Abst)
13. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Public Entertainment Licences
Renewal of Licence The Beaver Inn, Irsha Street, Appledore RESOLVED No objection
(Vote: Unanimous)
14. Matters brought forward at Chairmans discretion
(a) The Town Mayor referred to the notes of the Working Group he had called to consider broad planning policies in Westward Ho! and he asked Members to let him have any comments as soon as possible. Concern was raised at the meeting with regard to the use of the identified site for a cemetery and this needed to be resolved with the District Council.
(b) Cllr Bell was concerned about the skateboard park in Appledore and advised that Mrs Ewington would be prepared to come and speak to the Council. It was RESOLVED to write and invite Mrs Ewington to a future meeting of the Council.
(c) Cllr Davies reported that the Potwalloping Committee wished to have a mural on the wall adjacent to Bath House site. Planning permission was needed and he was asking the Council to make the application in order to minimise the planning fee which would be £30. It was RESOLVED to make a planning application for the mural on the wall at Westward Ho! at a cost of £30.
(Vote: Unanimous)
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