Minutes of a meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 29th May 2007.
PRESENT: Chairman - Town Mayor – Cllr A Eastman Members - Cllrs Mrs A J Boyle, Mrs S G Collins, Mrs M Cox, J Braund, B M Edwards, P Hames, R J Johnson, C K Langton, R W A Miller, R H Osborne, S R Robinson together with 3 parishioners 1. Public Contributions 2. Local Constabulary and PCSOs PC Mike Tricker, the Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Northam Parish, introduced John McGovern as the new PCSO for the whole parish plus Hartland. PC Tricker advised on the crime figures for the past month and compared them with this time last year. Councillors expressed a number of points to PC Tricker and in particular expressed concern about problems with the Youth Centre and young people causing problems in the Bone Hill area. Other problems identified were materials being thrown into the river at Boat Hyde, thought to be an environmental health problem, and cars racing around Churchfields car park Appledore late at night where it was necessary to obtain the registration numbers to assist the Police. With regard to the youth, John McGovern reported that he would be visiting the Youth Group on a regular basis. He was in contact with the Youth Leader and if necessary anti social behaviour letters would be issued. He advised on his powers which, in the main, allowed him to deal with anti social activities. He would be undertaking foot patrols in different areas and attempting to disperse groups that could be intimidating. He is in contact with the various shop owners in the area through the shop radio system. 3. Shoreline Management Plan Cllr Humphrey Temperley, in his role as the Chairman of the Shoreline Management Group, reported on the Taw/Torridge Estuary and River report which had been prepared by Professor John Pethick, a world-renowned expert in this field. He advised that the Shoreline Management Group cover the coast of the Bristol Channel from Hartland Point in the south to Anchor Point in the north. The Group membership consists of representatives from the Coastal District Councils, the County Councils, the Environment Agency and DEFRA. With regard to this part of the coast Professor Pethick was appointed in order that the Group had a proper understanding of the natural processes taking place. It was considered that until these natural processes were fully understood it was not possible to consider what, if any action, needed to be taken. In general terms Professor Pethick was indicating that the Taw/Torridge estuary was a closed system with virtually no new sediment being inputted. The dominant wave patterns from the west were, over time, re-aligning both Saunton sands and the pebbleridge. This gradual re-orientation would, for the pebbleridge, result in the ridge at the Westward Ho! end being pushed landward whilst at the northerly end there would be an accretion. This re-alignment would eventually stop when the ridge was parallel with the waves. Another consideration of the report was his advice in respect of the re-alignment of the ridge as it enters the estuary mouth and there are concerns that this could eventually impinge on the landfill site. The report now being considered by local interested parties was being brought to the attention of the public in order that there was as much involvement as possible and for this purpose a public meeting was to be held at Tantons Hotel on 13th June at 4. Bridge Hall site The Town Clerk advised that the owners of the site, the Bridge Trust, had agreed terms with Devon and Cornwall Housing Association, their intention being to develop the site with social housing. However, the site was identified in the Local Plan under Community Services Policy HSC22, which advised that planning permission would only be granted where adequate alternative arrangements for the community service has been made. At the present time the District Council's Planning Officers were to investigate the current uses of the Bridge Hall and the Northam Community Centre in order to ascertain whether planning permission for the development of social housing would be appropriate and if so under what terms. 5. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held 18th April 2007 The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held 18th April 2007 were approved as a correct record and the following items were considered as follows:- (a) With regard to minute 8(a) regarding the old refuse tip Cllr Robinson reported that the Environment Agency were pressing Devon County Council to be more specific as to the make-up of the landfill material. (b) With regard to minute 8(c) Blackies Plantation at Appledore, the Town Clerk advised that this was something the Town Council still had to consider. (c) With regard to minute 8(d) the state of the sea wall at West Quay, the Town Clerk advised that this was a County Council matter and he would write to them accordingly. 6. Minutes of the Town Council meeting held 24th April 2007 The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 24th April 2007 were approved and signed. (Vote: Unanimous) 7. Minutes of the Annual Town Council Meeting held 16th May 2007 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) 9. Northam Burrows (a) Letter from Torridge District Council The letter from Torridge District Council in connection with the SSSI and the Good Neighbourhood Act was noted. (b) Overgrazing Surveillance A letter from Natural England advising the Council of the repeat of their surveillance survey was noted. (c) Members' items Cllr Miller reported that it had been the intention of the previous Council to undertake works at Bassetts Bridge and to clean out the Burn at the Appledore Bridge end and that there had also been discussions about cutting the great plain. Cllr Miller undertook to contact the responsible officers at the District Council and report back on how this work could be implemented. 10. Streetworks and related matters Cllr Miller reported that it would be possible to set up a web cam which would give a view of the Square for a sum not exceeding £200. It was RESOLVED to agree to the expenditure of not more than £200 to provide a web cam in Northam Square. financial aid. It was RESOLVED to award a grant of £200 towards the cost of the course and accommodation. (Vote: Unanimous)
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