Minutes of a meeting of the Town Projects Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 29 th September 2009

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr R W A Miller

Members - Cllrs B Edwards, P Hames, C Langton, R H Osborne, R J Johnson

Other Member in attendance – Cllr R Tisdale

Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllrs Mrs A Boyle and Mrs M Cox

1. Minutes

The minutes of the Town Projects Committee held on 30 th July 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. Road Safety

The Chairman reported that there had been a lack of response from the Devon County Council. It was agreed to contact the local Member and arrange a Special Meeting. Members expressed their concern at the lack of response.

3. Christmas Lighting and Celebrations

Members discussed the lighting for the Christmas period and it was agreed that in certain areas it would be necessary to extend it and fill in the odd gap. It was RESOLVED to purchase 10 additional trees and 10 sets of lights and also 4 large trees for the same locations as last year.

(Vote: Unanimous)

Discussions with regard to the proposed Carol Service in Northam Square were ongoing. The Police had been contacted and would make arrangements to close the street for a short period of time. The Town Mayor was waiting for news from Appledore Band as to whether they could attend and the intention was to commence at 6.00 pm.

4. Dog Bins and Litter Bins

Members discussed locations for dog bins and litter bins and it was agreed to the following locations:-

Dog Bins:- 1 in Sandymere Road near the junction with Golf Links Road, 1 in Morwenna Park on the footpath link, 1 in Windsor Road, 1 on Churchill Way at the junction with Wooda Road, 2 in Limers Lane, 1 on Heywood Road junction with Goodwood Park Road, 3 in Westward Ho! and 2 for Appledore (Ward Members to advise on precise locations).

Litter Bins:- It was agreed to provide 8 additional litter bins, initial sitings to be 1 in Northam Square by the planter, 1 on Churchill Way opposite Windmill Lane, 2 for Westward Ho! and 2 for Appledore (Ward Members to advise on locations).

5. Burrough Farm and Seagate

Due to the confidential nature of the business it was RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from the meeting for this item.

The Town Clerk advised on the current situation with regard to the purchase of land from Burrough Farm where the hold up in completing was due to the resolution of the access from Dane Court.

With regard to the purchase of the Seagate car park the Town Clerk circulated the advice from the Solicitor regarding the current tenancy and it was agreed to make some further enquiries so as to fully satisfy the Committee. Members were of the view that these issues were not in themselves of sufficient importance to preclude the transfer of the land from Torridge District to Northam Town and it was RESOLVED to advise the Council to proceed with the purchase of the land as soon as possible.

(Vote: Unanimous)

6. Hanging Baskets

It was generally agreed that the hanging baskets had not been a great success. There had been difficulties with the watering and it was thought that a different approach was required for next year. It was suggested that perhaps artificial baskets might be more effective and it was agreed to obtain 1 or 2 for consideration.

7. War Memorials

It was reported that works to tidy up the paving surrounds to the Memorials was under way and should be completed within a couple of weeks. With regard to the Memorials themselves Members considered a quotation from a local monumental mason and it was RESOLVED to accept his quote in the sum of £1300 for cleaning and repair work to both Northam and Appledore Memorials.

(Vote: Unanimous)

8. Street cleaning and related matters

Members discussed the current street cleaning arrangements in Northam and concern was expressed that the cleaning was not up to the standard that was initially provided. It was agreed to carry out more supervision and ascertain the details as to when the sweeper was operating. Members then discussed future arrangements and it was agreed to investigate the costs of direct employment of 1 or 2 part- time employees who would be asked to undertake a range of duties.

9. Notice Boards

It was reported that the notice board had been damaged with the glass being broken. This had been reported to the Police and an order placed for the replacement of the glass.

Cllr Edwards advised that he was waiting for a price for a new notice board to be fixed to the wall of the library on Appledore Quay. In view of the difficulty in obtaining a price from local carpenters it was agreed to ascertain the cost of buying a manufactured notice board.

With regard to Westward Ho!, Cllr Tisdale advise that the Residents' Association now required 1 on the putting green. It was agreed that Cllr Tisdale would advise them that the Town Council had 1 available at the office.

10. Dog Control Orders

Members considered areas of land that required Dog Control Orders in addition to those areas already covered by legislation. It was RESOLVED to advise Torridge District Council that the football pitch on Burrough Farm, Northam and Lords Meadow, Diddywell Road should be included in the Orders.

(Vote: Unanimous)

11. Any other matters

Cllr Osborne raised the question of Christmas celebrations, which it was agreed would be discussed by the full Council.