Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam

on Tuesday 26th October 2004.

 

PRESENT:     Chairman         - Town Mayor – Cllr L Ford

 Members        - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, Mrs S A Mounce, J Bell,

                          R D Bradford MBE, E J Davies, A Eastwood OBE,

                        P Sturges, Dr P Tamplin, P B Waters.

together with PC M Tricker, Devon &

Cornwall Constabulary and 4 Parishioners

 

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs A Barnes and A Eastman

 

On a point of Order, Cllr Eastwood OBE complained about the lack of heating in the room.  The Town Clerk reported that the boiler had broken down and that the District Council’s engineer had been unable to fix it in time for the meeting. 

 

It was RESOLVED to continue with the meeting but to reduce the agenda.  Item 6 was deferred to the Council meeting on the 10th November 2004. 

 

(Vote: 7 For, 2 Against)

 

1.         Minutes

             

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 28th September 2004 were approved and signed. 

           

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

2.         Matters of report to/from Community Constable

 

P C Tricker reported on crime in the parish in the preceding month.  He advised that there were worrying trends in Appledore with the youngsters.  He reported on the action being taken and advised that the Anti-social Officer, Mel Smith, from Barnstaple was being brought into assist. 

 

3.         Town Clerk’s Report

 

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)

 

4.         Northam Youth Group and Budget for 2005/2006

 

Members had to hand the Town Clerk’s report and a note from Cllr Barnes.  It was RESOLVED to defer consideration of the item to the Council meeting on 10th November.  It was also RESOLVED that Councillors would prepare a format of a consultation document on a single side of A4 and let the Town Clerk have this so that these may be sent out with the agenda for the meeting.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

 

5.         Northam Burrows

 

Letter from Senior Ranger

 

Members considered a letter from the Senior Ranger which was in response to the Council’s complaint that action was not being taken against those carrying out illegal operations on the Burrows.  It was RESOLVED to write to the Senior Ranger advising him that details of transgressors had been reported to the authorities, with details of registration numbers of vehicles etc, but that the authorities had failed to take any action.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

6.         Streetworks and related matters

 

(a) Slipway – Newquay Street

 

Cllr Waters reported that twelve large blocks of concrete had been placed alongside the edge of Newquay Street at the top of a public access/slipway to the beach.  The blocks now prevent access to the beach which has been in use by the public for at least sixty years.  It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council and County Council to try to ascertain ownership or liability to maintain the public right of way with the object of ensuring that it is not permanently blocked off.  It was also RESOLVED to write to Evans Transport who it was thought had assisted in putting the blocks in place. 

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

(b) Signing to Lifeboat Station

 

Members considered a letter from the County Council regarding signing to the lifeboat station and it was RESOLVED to forward a copy of the letter to the lifeboat station.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

(c) Members items

 

Cllr Mrs Mounce reported that discussions with the County Council with regard to the Heywood roundabout were still continuing.

 

Cllr Eastwood OBE raised again the problem of the water fountain in Northam Square which had been temporarily shored up over twelve months ago.  It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council asking if they would respond and advise the Council on what action they were going to take.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

7.         Northam Leisure Centre – heating problems

 

Cllr Bradford MBE reported that the heating system at the Leisure Centre consisting of two gas heaters was beyond repair and needed replacement.  The estimated cost was £2,000 and the Leisure Centre Committee are able to provide £1500.  It was RESOLVED to award a one off grant of £500 to the Northam Leisure Centre in order that the heating may be replaced.

 

(Vote: 9 For)   Cllr Bradford declared an interest in this item and did not vote.

 

8.         Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum – Fast Leisure Craft

 

Cllr Bell reported that the Taw/Torridge Estuary Forum had made some progress with regard to the control of fast leisure craft and had put a proposal before the Torridge and North Devon Councils. 

 

9.         Bridge Hall – Northam

 

Members considered letters from the Bridge Trust and Mrs Buckland.  They were concerned that no one would take on the responsibility of the Bridge Hall with a full repairing lease.  It was RESOLVED to suggest to the Bridge Trust that a meeting be held and for this purpose Councillors Sturges, Davies, Eastwood and Bradford were nominated to attend.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

10.       TDC Licensing Policy

 

The Town Clerk reported that the draft licensing policy was being circulated for comments.  He advised that it appeared that Parish Councils were not to be consulted.  District Councillors advised that this would be done as a courtesy. It was RESOLVED to write to the District Council requesting that the Town Council continue to be consulted.

 

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

11.       Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

 

Members considered a letter from the North Devon AONB Administration Officer who was offering to put on a short presentation on the Management Plan to the Council.  It was RESOLVED to accept this offer and invite the AONB Team to a future meeting of the Council.

 

            (Vote: Unanimous)

 

Councillor Sturges left the meeting at this juncture.

 

12.       Planning applications.           

 

1836/04           Proposed 2 No 2 bedroomed flats - 3 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED - Recommend refusal for reasons given on 1912/2000

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1941/04           Resubmission of planning application for proposed house –Briarlea, Hilltop Road – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.

 

                        (Vote: 6 For, 1 Against, 2 abst)

 

1948/04           Proposed conservatory - 53 Sandymere Road – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1950/04           Proposed conservatory -  20 Bassetts Close, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1967/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail - Hanson Park – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1969/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail - Corner of Galleon Way and Kingsley Park – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1970/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail Skern Way, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

            1972/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail - Corner of Beach

Road and Swanswood Gardens – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1973/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail - Golf Links Road – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1974/04           Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail -  Corner of Yeo Drive/Staddon Road – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1975/04           Corner of Jackets Lane/Sandymere Road – Proposed Installation of pouch box for Royal Mail – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

1997/04           Proposed construction of first floor residential accommodation above the annexe, en-suite bathroom to master bedroom in tower extension and conservatory over garage. Millstone, Limers Lane – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.

 

                        (Vote: Unanimous)

2005/04           Proposed Adaptation of first floor flat into additional office accommodation - 12 Fore Street, Northam – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                                    (Vote: Unanimous)

 

2049/04           Proposed Conversion of loft into bedroom with en-suite - 13 Churchill Way – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

                        (Vote: Unanimous)

 

2056/04           Proposed extension to clubhouse - Royal North Devon Golf Club – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.

 

(Vote: 8 For)  Cllr Tamplin declared an interest in this application and did not vote.

 

13.       Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982Public Entertainment

Licences

 

Licence – The Seagate Hotel, Appledore - RESOLVED – No objection.

 

 

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