Minutes of a meeting of the Town Projects Advisory Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Thursday 30th July 2009

 

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr R W A Miller

Members - Cllrs R J Johnson, C Langton, R H Osborne

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs Mrs A Boyle, Mrs M Cox, B Edwards, P Hames

1. Minutes of the Town Projects Advisory Committee held 3 rd June 2009

The minutes of the Town Projects Advisory Committee held on 3 rd June 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. Hanging Baskets

The Chairman reported that hanging baskets had been a success except for Westward Ho! where, for some reason, all the flowers had died. It was thought that they had not been watered but this was not the case and further enquiries were to be made. It was agreed that next year the flower baskets would be prepared earlier.

3. Waste bins and dog bins

Members discussed the purchase of further bins for litter and dog faeces. With regard to dog bins it was agreed to order 12 more. Sites identified are:-

1 in Heywood Road at the junction with Goodwood Park Road, 1 on the corner of Sandymere Road with Appledore Road on the seaward side, 2 in Morwenna Park, 1 at the War Memorial in Northam, the remainder to be placed at Westward Ho!, Orchard Hill and Appledore on sites yet to be identified. It was also agreed to move an existing bin in Golf Links Road back towards the junction with Sandymere Road. With regard to litter bins it was agreed to provide 1 at the bus stop outside the swimming pool and 1 in Northam Square.

4. Street cleaning update

It was agreed that the employment of a street cleaner for Northam had been a great success. It was RESOLVED to seek more information from the District Council with regard to work scheduling and it was also RESOLVED to purchase the most appropriate street orderly barrow, having taken advice from the District Council.

(Vote: Unanimous)

5. Shrub beds – Fore Street, Northam

Members discussed the best way of proceeding and it was agreed that Cllr Johnson would contact Braddicks and the Youth Group to see if a Memorial Garden could be established, together with a seat where the bus shelter used to stand. With regard to the shrub beds adjacent to the highway it was agreed to totally clear these and to prepare the site ready for new planting. Details of the new planting will be considered later.

6. Christmas Lighting

Members discussed the Christmas lighting and it was agreed that lights needed to be in place at the end of November, early December. Additional lights would be required for Northam and possibly Appledore but it was thought that at Westward Ho! there could be a slight reduction. With regard to Orchard Hill ward it was agreed that Cllr Osborne would investigate a number of sites to see what was achievable. It was also hoped to establish a permanent tree at Northam Hall.

Members then considered a possible Carol Service in the Square and it was agreed to plan this for the weekend immediately before Christmas, the preferred date being Saturday 19 th December 2009 in the evening. Cllr Osborne was to contact the Methodist Choir and also the Appledore Band. Cllr Johnson undertook to investigate the possibility of a Farmers' Market in Northam earlier that day.

7. Notice board for Appledore

It had been proposed that the Notice Board for Appledore be fixed to the wall of the Library. Members agreed with this suggestion and it was RESOLVED to proceed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

8. Matters referred to Committee from full Council

(a) 20 mph zones and limits – The letter from the County Council regarding the benefits and problems surrounding the 20 mph zones was deferred to the next meeting when it was hoped the Road Safety Officer would be in attendance.

(b) War Memorials – Members discussed the best way to proceed in order to bring the Memorials up to a good standard. It was agreed that Cllr Langton would prepare a list of the necessary works which would be costed and the matter considered again.

(c) No Smoking in Bus Shelters - Members considered a suggestion from Devon Transport Co-ordination Service that No Smoking signs be placed in bus shelters. It was RESOLVED that this should be done.

(Vote: Unanimous)

(d) Toilets in Ennisfarne Road – Members considered the best way of proceeding to have these toilets re-opened for 2010. It was considered that the District Council should be providing this service and it was agreed that Cllr Tisdale, as the Ward Member, would be asked to pursue the matter with the District Council.

(e) Dog Control Orders – Cllr Johnson reported on the current situation with regard to the Dog Control Orders and advised that the Town Council needed to draw up a list of areas where Orders needed to be strengthened, either to exclude dogs or to keep them on a lead. It was RESOLVED to send a holding reply to the District Council advising them that the Town Council was drawing up a list of areas where it was considered Dog Control measures were necessary and that the list would be forwarded to them as soon as possible. In the meantime Members were to draw up a list of the areas they thought needed to be included.

(Vote: Unanimous)

 

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