Increase Text Size | Decrease Text Size

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

26th June 2006

PRESENT:

• CllrJ Meakin (Chairman)
• Cllrs P. Burrows
• R Farlow
• J Garner
• Mrs S Jones
• J Knight
• R Parry
• Mrs R Partridge-Hogbin
• J Pigott
• R Morgan
• J Seward

IN ATTENDANCE:

Cllr Mrs M Rogers

APOLOGIES

Cllr W Buskin (unwell)

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Mrs Cotterill raised a number of matters:

1. Following comments at a previous meeting, she contacted EDDC to add weight to the request to refurbish the benches on the West Walk, which had now been done;
2. She asked if Council agendas could be highlighted to draw attention to the public's opportunity to speak, which was agreed;
3. She supported agenda item 13 proposing Council weekly surgeries;
4. She queried attitude towards development of the regeneration area and the Chairman assured her that the Council were committed to doing all they could to ensure a good development;
5. She queried progress on the look-out at West Walk. She was advised that EDDC were having it inspected by a structural engineer before a decision could be taken on its future.

96/06TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE APOLOGIES

Apologies were accepted and approved.

97/06BEAT MANAGER'S REPORT

The Clerk read a report received from PC Luke Owen who had sent his apologies to the meeting. Crime figures were distributed.

Concern was expressed at the problem of unchecked speeding cars and motorbikes in and around the town centre, and the use of mobile phones whilst driving.

Members also expressed concern at the length of time taken by the police to respond to incidents reported.

It was unanimously Resolved that the Clerk write to the Chief of Devon & Cornwall Constabulary on both these matters, specifically asking to be advised when these matters would be addressed.

98/06COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS' WRITTEN REPORTS

Cllr Mrs Rogers's report was noted.

Members expressed their support for motion ( c) "Railways". Mrs Rogers said she would keep them informed of progress.

99/06MINUTES

There was some discussion on minute 55/06 and Cllr Seward raised issues about his position on the, Cliff Field Gardens & Seaton in Bloom committee.

However, the Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd May were confirmed as a true record of what took place at that meeting, and were duly signed by the Chairman.

100/06COMMITTEE MINUTES

The following minutes were received and adopted:

Cliff Field Gardens & Seaton in Bloom, 15th May 2006 - deferred

Planning - 8th and 22nd May 2006

Finance & General Purposes - 10th April 2006

101/06DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Knight declared an interest in agenda item 15 (Scalwell Lane, the area in question belonging to EDDC), item 16a (being a member of Victim Support), item 17 (EDDC land)

Cllr Mrs. Partridge-Hogbin declared a personal interest in agenda item 22c (I-Spy competition, member of Carnival Committee)

102/06TO NOTE BUDGET TO DATE

Noted. The Clerk was thanked for making this available.

103/06TO PROPOSE THAT STANDING ORDERS BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CLIFF FIELD GARDENS & SEATON IN BLOOM CHAIRMAN. VICE CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE TO TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR

it was so resolved

104/06TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005 (Cllr Burrows)

It was proposed that the Clerk circulate copies of this document to members and that this item be discussed further at the next meeting at which Cllr Burrows would produce some recommendations on how the might Council respond.

105/06TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON "LOCAL AUTHORITY BYELAWS IN ENGLAND” (Cllr Parry)

It was agreed that this document should be circulated and discussed further at the next meeting.

106/06TO APPROVE COSTS FOR REPLACEMENT SWINGS AND WET POUR AT UNDERFLEET PLAY AREA

It was unanimously resolved to accept the quotation from GB Sports of £3289.00p to be met from EMR.

107/06TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO ALLOTMENT SITE NON-STATUTORY RULES (Cllr Seward)

Cllr Farlow declared a personal interest as an allotment tenant.

It was Resolved that the Allotment Non-Statutory Rules should be amended as follows:

1. Rule 3 — to require that "any costs incurred in bringing the plot to a clean, decent and good condition to enable re-letting must be met by the tenant"
2. Rule 5 - Amend to "No dogs shall be permitted on any part of the Allotments site at any time"
3. Amend to: "The lighting of bonfires is only permitted during the months October -February, excluding October half-term. Only waste from tenants' plots may be burned at the allotment site"
4. Cllr Morgan congratulated Cllr Seward on an excellent turn-out of tenants at the Allotments AGM which was encouraging for allotment holders.

Cllr Mrs Rogers left the meeting.

108/06TO PROPOSE THAT THIS COUNCIL HOLDS A WEEKLY SURGERY. MANNED BY COUNCILLORS ON A ROTA BASIS (Cllr Seward)

Members supported this proposal in principle, and it was agreed to refer the proposal to the next Finance & General Purposes committee to discuss the detail.

109/06TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM WEBSITE WORKING PARTY (Cllr Burrows)

Cllr Burrows advised that the Working Party had not met but he had spoken with lan Barradale about both the Council's and the TTC's sites when discussing the new Town Guide.

Mr Barradale was also working with the Gateway Town Group.

It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk contact Mr Barradale to request a costing for redesigning the website.

110/06TO PROPOSE THAT THE SCALWELL LANE END OF THE PLAYING FIELDS IS FENCED OFF AND DOGS PERMITTED TO THAT AREA ONLY (Cllr Farlow)

Cllr Farlow explained that the upper part of this land is used as a playing field but the lower part is not Dogs were permitted on the area on a leash but this rule was often disregarded. If the lower area were fenced off for dog use only and the dog bin moved to inside the fenced area, it would stop the danger of children playing in an area where dogs fouled. This suggestion was supported by the dog warden and by mothers of young children using the play facility.

It was agreed that in the first instance the Clerk contact EDDC with the request.

111/06TO CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR GRANT AID

a) Victim Support

It was Resolved to award a grant of £100 on receipt of accounts and on receipt of confirmation that the grant would be ring-fenced for use within East Devon.

b) Yeti

It was agreed that the Clerk request accounts and on receipt, this be discussed again at the next Council meeting.

112/06TO NOTE EDDC'S PROPOSED ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN DESIGNATED PLACES ORDER

Noted.

113/06TO NOMINATE A COUNCILLOR TO REVIEW THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE DRAFT REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY FOR THE SOUTH WEST

The Chairman agreed to review this document.

114/06TO AGREE COUNCIL'S RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S WHITE PAPER ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING

It was agreed to refer this to the next Finance & General Purposes Committee.

115/06TO CONSIDER PLAY GRANT SCHEMES FROM THE BIG LOTTERY

The Clerk was requested to obtain more information for discussion at the September meeting.

116/06TO RECEIVE Cllr BURROWS'S REPORT ON MATTERS FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCIL RELEVANT TO THE TOWN COUNCIL

Cllr Burrows reported on the following:

1. EDDC Overview Committee had set up a think tank to consider the Seaton and Exmouth WHC Visitor Centres;
2. Planning applications — Wessiters passed, 4 Major Terrace refused;
3. He had been in communication with some residents of Norcombe Court regarding the new fishing boat on the beach;
4. The pavement cleaning machine was expected back in Seaton after breaking down;
5. He was organising a walk around the town with an Officer from Streetscene and asked Members to advise him of any issues they would like him to raise.

Cllr Burrows left the meeting.

117/06CORRESPONDENCE

1. EDDC - Street Collections Noted.
2. DAPC - Additional planning course
3. It was agreed that Cllrs Farlow and Garner should attend the course to be held on 14th September
4. Cllr Mrs. Partridge-Hogbin - I-Spy competition
5. It was agreed that the Council notice board could be used as a site for the Carnival Committee I-Spy competition.
6. EDDC - Town & Parish Meetings
7. It was agreed that the Chairman, Cllr Mrs. Partridge-Hogbin and Clerk attend the next meeting to be held on 12th September.

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm, having commenced at 7.30 pm.

Top of page

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.