Minutes of a meeting of the Town Projects Committee held in the Council Chamber, Windmill Lane, Northam on Tuesday 10 th November 2009

PRESENT: Chairman - Cllr R W A Miller

Members - Cllrs Mrs A Boyle, B Edwards, P Hames, C Langton, R Johnson together with Mr Richard Haste, Torridge District Council

Apologies were recorded on behalf of the Town Mayor, Cllr R H Osborne and Cllr Mrs M Cox

1. Minutes

The Minutes of the Town Projects Advisory Committee held on 29 th September 2009 were approved and signed.

(Vote: Unanimous)

2. Mr Richard Haste– TDC

Mr Haste advised on the latest recycling initiative, which involves the collection of all food waste as part of the green waste collection, where possible, throughout the district of Torridge. The start date was to be the 23 rd November and the waste would be taken to Deep Moor Waste Disposal site where an In Vessel composter had been constructed and would break down the waste in order that it can be finally used as a soil enrichment material on farmland. It was not known at this stage whether the material would be of a high enough standard to be allowed to be used for home composting. Even with this initiative Mr Haste made a point that home composting was always the best solution that can be achieved. There would be a waste review in 2010 with the normal consultation period.

Members then discussed with Mr Haste the street cleaning in Northam and it was agreed that additional areas that needed attention include Bone Hill, the shrub beds outside Lakenham Convent which are full of litter and other rubbish, the Bloody Corner area on Churchill Way and Honey Street.

Mr Haste advised that he was looking for sites in Northam and Appledore where small sets of recycling bins could be installed. It was suggested that for Northam the triangular area of land on the corner of the Square and Tower Street be considered and that the Quay, opposite the Post Office/Library needed to be considered for Appledore.

Members thanked Mr Haste for attending.

3. Christmas Lighting and Celebrations

The Chairman reported that DS Electrical were ready for the first week in December and it would be necessary for the trees to be put up the week before. Contact to be made with Mr Butler. There were extra trees and lights and the delivery date for the four trees was required.

4. Terms of Reference

Members considered the draft Terms of Reference and RESOLVED to amend paras 3(a) and 3(d) so that the Terms of Reference are as follows:-

1. The Committee will comprise 7 elected Members.

2. The quorum of the Committee shall be 3 elected Members.

3. The Committee shall undertake the following roles and functions: -

(a) To be responsible for the repair and maintenance of Council property;

(b) To undertake approved projects;

(c) To prepare an annual budget for the repair and maintenance of Council property for submission to the Finance Committee;

(d) To have delegated authority to incur expenditure within approved budgets;

(e) To identify future projects and seek Council approval;

(f) To consult with others in relation to their functions as they impinge on the Northam Town Council area e.g. Torridge District Council, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, South West Water, Environment Agency etc;

(Vote: Unanimous)

5. Replacement camera Northam Square

The Chairman reported that the camera in Northam Square had been damaged and required replacement and it would be ideal if a new camera had the facility for zooming and tilt. It was RESOLVED to spend up to £250 on a replacement camera.

(Vote: Unanimous)

6. Budget for 2010

The Town Clerk advised that it would be necessary in the next few weeks to firm up on likely costs of projects for 2010. The budget and precept would be set at the December meeting of the Council and it would be necessary for any proposals to be scrutinised by the Finance Committee prior to that meeting. It was agreed to hold a meeting in early December.