Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Wednesday 29th July 2009

PRESENT: Chairman - Town Mayor – Cllr R H Osborne

Members - Cllrs Mrs P D Biggs, Mrs A Boyle, Mrs S Collins, A Eastman, P Hames, R J Johnson, C K Langton, R W A Miller together with 3 parishioners

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs Mrs M Cox, B Edwards, S R Robinson and R Tisdale.

1. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Town Council meeting held 24 th June 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. Northam Town Twinning Association

The Town Mayor advised that he would be unable to take part in the annual visit to France. It was agreed that individuals would respond to Mrs Shute.

3. 15 minute period for public contributions

The Chairman and President of the Kingsley Hall, Westward Ho! advised Members that the Hall was experiencing financial difficulties due to various problems with the structure which included asbestos, dry rot and electrical work. Members were sympathetic and advised that grants were available from many sources. The Town Mayor advised that the Town Council's grants could be applied for later in the year as the Town Council considered grants once per year.

4. Correspondence

(a) 20 mph zones and limits

This was referred to the Town Projects Committee for consideration.

(b) Northam War Memorial

Members considered the e-mail from a resident with regard to the condition of the land at the Northam War Memorial site and they also considered the Notice of Motion from Cllr Langton - “That this Council establishes a Working Party to inspect the War Memorials at Northam and Appledore and recommend a programme of works to improve, enhance and raise the profile of these important monuments”. These were referred to the Town Projects Committee for consideration.

(c) No Smoking in Bus Shelters .

This was referred to the Town Projects Committee for consideration. It was also RESOLVED to nominate Cllr Langton as a member of the Town Projects Committee.

(Vote: Unanimous)

5. Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee held 15 th July 2009 . With regard to Minute 1 – Review of Staff Salaries – it was RESOLVED to accept the recommendation that a review be carried out in April/May 2010 by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

(Vote: Unanimous)

6. Notice of Motion from Cllr Miller – “That the Council agrees to the use of substitutes on Committees.”

Members considered the above Notice of Motion and it was RESOLVED to accept the proposal.

(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) Public Conveniences – Ennisfarne Road – Members considered an email from District Council and RESOLVED to refer the matter to the Town Projects Committee.

(Vote: Unanimous)

(c) Pitt Avenue Sign – Members considered a letter from Tarka Housing which was noted. The Town Mayor advised that the sign was still there.

(d) Special Council meeting to consider proposed Tennis Centre – Members considered a suitable date to receive the detailed proposals for the tennis centre. In view of holidays it was agreed that the matter would be dealt with on the same date as the Planning Meeting for September i.e. 16th September.

8. Streetworks and related matters:

(a) Proposed Dog Control Measures – It was agreed that this be referred to the Town Projects Committee and Burrows Committee for consideration.

(b) Members' items

Cllr Mrs Boyle reported that Alpha Place required street cleaning. She also advised that the dog bin in Staddon Road was still bent over.

Cllr Hames reported that the surface of the footway along Churchill Way from Bloody Corner towards Appledore was in a poor state and that re-surfacing was required.

9. Reports from County Members

Cllr Eastman reported that he had been elected Chairman of the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee for the Torridge Group. He also advised that he was

meeting the County Officer to seek a bollard being placed in Northam Town Square to prevent inconsiderate parking. He was also pursuing a pavement along Churchill Way on the approach to Appledore, just before Staddon Road. He also advised that double yellow lines were to be laid in Pitt.