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Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 30th November 2004
PRESENT: Chairman - Deputy Town Mayor – Cllr E J Davies Members - Cllrs Mrs M M Cox, Mrs S A Mounce, A Barnes, J Bell, R D Bradford MBE, A Eastman, A Eastwood OBE, K A Lane, Dr P Tamplin, P B Waters together with Inspector Pepper and PC M Tricker, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and 11 Parishioners
Apologies were recorded on behalf of the Town Mayor, Cllr L Ford and Cllr P J Sturges
1. Minutes
The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 26th October 2004 were approved and signed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2. Matters of report to/from Police Beat Manager
PC Tricker reported on crime in the parish in the preceding month. Inspector Pepper advised that in the whole sector, which includes Bideford and Hartland, there had been an 8% increase in crime. The detection rates were 33%, domestic burglaries were down 8%, there had been a 15% rise in violent crime, which included domestic violence, and for this there had been 66% detection rate. He advised that the Police meeting to be held at the Pollyfield Centre on 11 January 2005 would give a fuller report of the year’s activities.
In response to a question from Cllr Eastman, Inspector Pepper advised that there was now a simplified procedure leading up to the issue of ASBOs. There was a four-step procedure: - (i) a letter to parent or anyone involved, (ii) if the problem continues there is a joint letter from the Police and Safety Partnership which raises the level of concern and brings in the services of the ASBO Officer, (iii) at the third stage an Anti Social Behaviour Contract is entered into voluntarily which sets out acceptable behaviour and last, (iv) if all this fails an ASBO is issued with a dedicated Officer in control.
In response to a question from Cllr Barnes, Inspector Pepper advised that he thought that there was space in the CCTV Control Room monitoring system for additional cameras to be controlled. These were thought to cost in the order of £13,000 each.
Inspector Pepper advised that he was leaving at Christmas to work from Middlemoor and Councillors wished him well and thanked him for his work in Northam.
3. Planning applications.
2142/04 Proposed conservatory/porch on the front of the building. Buckleigh Pines, Cornborough Road – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2194/04 Proposed conservatory Woodstock, Sandymere Road – RESOLVED - Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2199/04 Proposed Residential development – re-submission of application. Tors View, Cornborough Road – RESOLVED - Recommend Refusal for the reasons given by the District Council in their determination of application 1710/04, decided on 11th October.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2205/04 Proposed demolition of existing bungalow and replacement with new - Fairways, Torridge Road, Appledore – RESOLVED - Recommend approval for a bungalow only.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2224/04 Proposed Extensions to dwelling and balcony -14 Century Drive – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2234/04 Proposed loft conversion to form 2 no bedrooms and 1 en-suite bathroom - Westview, Torridge Road, Appledore – RESOLVED - Recommend approval subject to there being no overlooking or invasion of privacy problems.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2235/04 Proposed dwelling off existing access - Part 101 Chanters Road – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: 10 For, 1 Against)
2290/04 Proposed demolition of existing bungalow White Lodge, Richmond Road, Appledore –and proposed 8 no 2 and 3 bedroomed apartments with associated parking - RESOLVED - Strongly recommend refusal.
(1) Demolition should not be considered until the redevelopment of the site in a suitable manner is established. This should not be a problem as the developer has undertaken not to do so – see his letter dated 8th November 2004.
(2) The present proposal should be refused. It is an over intensified use of the site, the mass of the building will be intrusive and not in keeping with the area.
(3) The history and maritime connections of the Lodge should be considered sufficient to refuse demolition. An infill approach with a house or a pair of houses, keeping with the Lodge is the way to proceed.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Eastwood proposed that a public meeting be held on site with the District Council’s Planning Officer and Conservation Officer. It was so RESOLVED.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2295/04 Demolition notice for White Lodge. White Lodge, Richmond Road, Appledore – RESOLVED – As above for 2290/04.
(Vote: Unanimous)
2322/04 Proposed 2 storey extension to the rear plus minor internal and external alterations. 18 Ensign Court, Westward Ho! – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Devon County Council applications
(a) Fairlea Residential Home, Chope Road – Proposed conservatory/sun-lounge – RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(b) St Mary’s C of E Primary School – Variation of planning condition to allow temporary classrooms to remain on site for a further five years - RESOLVED – Recommend approval.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Certificate of Lawfulness
2266/04 Land at 28 Atlantic Way, Westward Ho! – Cllr Eastwood OBE advised that he had been a neighbour of this property for many years and can confirm the land has been used as a garden. It was RESOLVED to so advise the District Council.
(Vote: Unanimous)
4. Appledore Skateboard Park
It was reported that the skateboard park had been taped off to prevent use, as a piece of equipment needed repairs. The arrangements between Torridge, Northam and the Action Committee had still not been resolved and this together with the lack of a proper fence around the site meant that the site was not being properly managed.
Councillor Bradford MBE left the meeting at this juncture.
Cllr Eastman tabled a Notice of Motion - that this Council should sign the lease with the District Council at the earliest opportunity. The Town Clerk advised this Notice of Motion had not been received in sufficient time for it to be considered at this meeting and that it would need to be on the Agenda for the next Council Meeting.
It was RESOLVED to consider this matter at the next Council Meeting by which time it was hoped to have a draft copy of the lease and the Skateboard Committee’s constitution.
(Vote: Unanimous)
5. Community Questionnaire
Members considered the draft Community Questionnaire and it was RESOLVED to proceed with the questionnaires being sent out in the second/third week of January, to be returned by the end of February.
(Vote: Unanimous)
6. Appledore Arts Grant
Members considered the grant application from Appledore Arts who were looking for £5,000 towards next year’s festivities. It was RESOLVED to invite Appledore Arts to attend a future meeting of the Council in order that the Council would better understand how the money would be spent.
(Vote: Unanimous)
7. Town Clerk’s Report
(a) 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)
(b) Budget and Precept
Members considered the budget for 2005 and the precept. It was RESOLVED to approve the budget and to precept £24,000.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Bell and Cllr Eastman left the meeting at this juncture.
8 Notice of Motion
Members considered a Notice of Motion from Cllr Mrs Cox – That a speaker from Fairtrade be invited to a future meeting of the Council. It was RESOLVED to approve this Notice of Motion.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Eastman rejoined the meeting at this juncture.
9. Northam Burrows
Cllr Mrs Mounce reported on badger damage and the contamination of Goosey Pool from sewage discharges. The District Council’s Scrutiny Committee were to receive a report.
Cllr Waters noted that the Chairman of the Golf Club reported the grass on the burrows was in the best condition ever and that the problems at Goosey Pool would be eased if the burn were dredged.
10. Streetworks and related matters
(a) Slipway – Newquay Street
The Town Clerk reported that from his enquiries the slipway was not considered by the County Council to be a public highway and it did not appear on the Definitive Map. In order to have this slipway established as a Public Right of Way it would be necessary to make a claim to the Devon County Council and forms were provided for this purpose.
(b) Fountain – Northam Square
Members considered a letter from the District Council and in view of the condition of the fountain it was RESOLVED to recommend the District Council demolish the structure and make good the pavement with the plaque being retained and displayed in the Council Chamber.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(c) Road Safety at Northam Schools and Appledore School
Members considered a letter from Devon County Council and the designs for the new crossing points at these schools. It was RESOLVED to support the proposals.
(Vote: Unanimous)
(d) Members items
Cllr Waters reported that bus service No 16 serving the Mount and Western Avenue was to be withdrawn for commercial reasons. It was RESOLVED to write to Devon County Council and ask them to subsidise this service.
(Vote: Unanimous)
11. Bridge Hall - Northam
Members considered letters from the Bridge Trust and it was RESOLVED to advise them that the Council considers that this is very important building in Northam which should be available to the public and they would wish the building donated to the people of Northam. The Bridge Trust are to be asked to say what their intentions are with regard to the future of the building.
(Vote: Unanimous)
12. Middle Quay, Appledore
Members considered a letter from Consensus regarding the future development of the site. The Town Clerk advised that having spoken to the District Council’s Planning Officer it would appear that there is a test of redundancy which would need to be undertaken before any re-development could take place. It was RESOLVED to advise Consensus that a meeting at this stage to consider the re-development proposals would be premature.
(Vote: Unanimous)
13. Recycling Centre for Bideford
Members considered a letter from the County Council. It was RESOLVED to support proposals for the site at Caddsdown subject to the access being through the industrial estate.
(Vote: Unanimous)
14. DAWN – The Local Market and Coastal Town Initiative
Members considered a request to become the lead agency for this initiative. Cllr Barnes reported on the importance of the project and advised that financial help and other assistance should be available. It was RESOLVED to accede to the request.
(Vote: Unanimous)
Cllr Barnes left the meeting at this juncture.
15. Local Community Self Help Emergency Planning
Members considered a letter from the County Emergency Officer and it was RESOLVED to send for a copy of the Model Plan.
(Vote: Unanimous)
16. Westward Ho! Transmitter Station
Members considered a letter from NTL regarding the radiation from this transmitter station. Cllr Tamplin undertook to study the report
17. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982Public Entertainment Licences
Theatres Act 1968, Theatre Licence Kingsley Hall [Ground Floor Main Hall], Westward Ho!- RESOLVED – No objection.
(Vote: Unanimous)
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