Seaton Town Council
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
26th March 2007
PRESENT:
- Cllr R Morgan ( Chairman)
- Cllrs B Buskin
- R Farlow
- L Garner
- J Knight
- J Seward
- J Pigott
- P Burrows
- Mrs R Partridge-Hogbin
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr Mrs M Rogers,Sgt Gary Phillips
APOLOGIES
Cllrs J Meakin, S Jones, R Parry, Mrs H Sanham ( Clerk)
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mrs Cotterill enquired about progress on proposed beach mats. Cllr Mrs Rogers replied that she and Cllr Burrows had obtained some conveyor belts from a disused quarry at Ashburton which Lyme Bay Auctions had collected and placed in the Town Council garage. These now needed to be made slip-proof, the cost of which would be approximately £100 which Cllr Rogers would meet. She said she expected the mats to be in place by the summer.
Mrs Cotterill requested committee members to make it clear to members of the public how they were voting when making decisions. This would also assist the Clerk in ensuring that votes were accurately recorded.
Master Joe Unwins and friends enquired about the possibility of a BMX dirt track for the town, and suggested this could be installed behind the skateboard park. They were advised that this item was on the agenda of the next Finance & General Purposes Committee; however, the land to which they referred belonged to EDDC.
Mr Palcio referred to the Youth Club and Cllr Mrs Rogers’ remarks on this subject at the last meeting. Cllr Rogers replied that the facts were as she had stated. Mr Palacio was advised that a meeting was scheduled for a number of councillors to meet with the Devon Youth Service and members were progressing this matter in the proper way.
538/06BEAT MANAGER’S REPORT
Sgt Phillips advised that there had been six assaults and 5 burglaries since his previous report. He informed the meeting that a TASK team from Plymouth had recently visited the town at week-ends, concentrating on troublesome areas.
Sgt Philips was questioned on issues of litter, vandalism at Fishermans Gap toilets, abuse of disabled parking provision, and inconsiderate parking around the primary school. Sgt Phillips confirmed that these items were in hand and were receiving his attention. Cllr Burrows added that in April this year the school would be commencing a walking bus scheme.
539/06COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Mrs Rogers read a report concerning Exeter City Council becoming a Unitary Council. She explained that it was a costly exercise which Plymouth and Torbay were finding difficult to operate.
It was unanimously agreed that a letter should be sent objecting to Exeter City Council becoming a Unitary Authority.
540/06MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held on 26th February 2007 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
541/06COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It was Resolved to receive and adopt the following Committee Minutes:
- Planning – 12th and 26th February 2007
- Finance & General Purposes – 12th February 2007
- Cliff Field Gardens & Seaton in Bloom – 30th January 2007
542/06DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Knight declared that as a District Councillor he would not vote on any matters concerning the District Council. He suggested that this item should be placed at beginning of future agendas, but there was no formal proposal.
Cllr Farlow advised that as an allotment tenant he would leave the room during discussion of agenda item 15. He was advised by a fellow councillor, however, that his interest was only personal and he could remain and vote.
543/06CHAIRMAN’S OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS
Details of the Chairman’s official engagements during February 2007 were noted.
544/06TO RECEIVE Cllr BURROWS’S REPORT ON MATTERS FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCIL RELEVANT TO THE TOWN COUNCIL
Cllr Burrows referred to planning application 06/2709/FUL Pole Arms where work had been halted on the cottages part of the development as current building did not comply with approved plans. New plans were awaited.
Cllr Burrows advised that planning application 06/3225/FUL, land adjacent to Tregenna, had been refused.
Cllr Burrows then referred to the proposed beach mats for Seaton beach. He suggested that when Lyme Bay Auctions confirm that they will collect, lift and lay down the beach mats each season, a letter of thanks be sent to them. This was agreed. Cllr Knight advised that any health and safety requirements would need to be complied with when the mats were in situ.
545/06TO RECEIVE CLLR MRS PARTRIDGE-HOGBIN’S REPORT ON REVISED MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS
Cllr Mrs Partridge-Hogbin referred to her response submitted on Members’ behalf to the revised Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members and recommended that all Councillors read the revised Code.
546/06TO AGREE PLAQUE FOR THE SQUARE ENHANCEMENT AND ASSOCIATED ARRANGEMENTS
Members unanimously approved the wording with an amendment to read: “….then a fishing and trading port…”
547/06TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR LIGHTING WEST WALK SHELTER
Members approved the quotation from Beavis
548/06TO PROPOSE THAT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW COUNCIL IS HELD ON TUESDAY 8TH MAY 2007
Members approved this proposal by 8 votes in favour and 1 against.
549/06TO CONSIDER PROVIDING ADDITIONAL ALLOTMENT PLOTS AT COUNCIL’S ALLOTMENT SITE (Cllr Seward)
Cllr Seward referred to the problem of the waiting list for allotments which currently stood at 22. He suggested, however, that the proposal to open up additional land could be reviewed in October when renewal notices were sent to tenants.
It was unanimously agreed that the matter of providing additional allotments be progressed.
560/06TO AGREE CORRECTION TO DISCUSSIONS AT SEATON TOWN HALL ADVISORY GROUP MEETING ( Cllr Seward)
Cllr Seward said he wished to clarify that he had not stated at the meeting of the Town Hall Advisory Group that the Town Council would be taking over the running of the Town hall on the 1st April 2007
561/06TO APPROVE RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
It was unanimously so Resolved
562/06CORRESPONDENCE
a) Mrs Dearden-Potter – paper bank in Underfleet car park
The reply to the Clerk’s request for EDDC’s view on Mrs Dearden-Potter’s suggestions regarding action in the event of a fire in the paper bank, was noted. The Clerk was requested to advise Mrs Dearden-Potter accordingly.
The meeting closed at 9.17 pm
Archived Copies of Minutes
Copies of all Minutes of all the Council's meetings are held in the Council Office and copies are sent to Seaton Library once they have been signed by the chairman as a true record of proceedings at the subsequent meeting.