Seaton Town Council
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
29th January 2007
PRESENT:
- Cllr J Meakin (Chairman)
- Cllrs. P. Burrows
- R Farlow
- L Garner
- Mrs S Jones
- J Knight
- R Morgan
- R Parry
- Mrs R Partridge-Hogbin
- J Pigott
- J Seward
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr Mrs M Rogers, PC Luke Owen
APOLOGIES
Cllr W Buskin
422/06BEAT MANAGER’S REPORT
PC Owen circulated crime figures which showed an increase in burglaries. However, he said it has been a successful operation with two males arrested, one charged and a considerable amount of stolen property recovered.
PC Owen advised that the new PCSOs have now started official duties and have already started to make significant in-roads on work. Their presence and the return of the front office staff should enable the police station to be open more regularly.
Councillors raised the following issues:
- clarification on whether a driver of a hired vehicle stopped for speeding was required to disclose his/her name as was the driver of a private vehicle. PC Owen said he would clarify;
- what could be done about the amount of petty crime. PC Owen said that this indicated a need for Officers to get out an about more, but they were currently heavily involved in the Napoli incident.
There being no further questions, PC Owen left the meeting.
423/06COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr Mrs Rogers advised that work on replacing the new seafront lights had begun. She said a contribution from EDDC was still awaited; she hoped for up to £20,000 which equated to approximately 3 years’ maintenance savings since the decorative lights had been removed.
424/06MINUTES
Minutes of the meetings held on 27th November 2006, 4th December 2006 and 8th January 2007 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
425/06COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It was Resolved to receive and adopt the following Committee Minutes:
- Planning – 13th and 27 November 2006, 11 and 18 December 2006, 8 January 2007;
- Finance & General Purposes – 13th November 2006, 11 December 2006;
- Allotments – 18 October 2006
426/06DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Knight declared that as a District Councillor he would not vote on any matters concerning the District Council.
427/06CHAIRMAN’S OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS
Details of the Chairman’s official engagements during December were noted.
428/06TO RECEIVE Cllr BURROWS’S REPORT ON MATTERS FROM THE DISTRICT COUNCIL RELEVANT TO THE TOWN COUNCIL
Cllr Burrows referred to a budget meeting at which the following matters relating to Seaton were discussed:
- security lighting at Cliff Field Gardens was not included although asked for by the Officers because of the cost of repairs which runs at over £1,000 per year due to constant vandalism;
- additional Enforcement Officer due to heavy workload;
- proposal to include £500,000 for affordable housing projects was supported by Officers and Members but not yet in budget;
- appointment of a 106 Officer because of amount of 106 money being lost through the money not being monitored;
- a bid has been submitted for £5,000 for demolition of Look Out at West Walk
Other matters discussed related to withdrawing funds for water safety provision at Exmouth and suggestion that the public as well as parish and town councillors should be asked about matters they would like scrutinised. Cllr Morgan enquired whether there was any provision for tourism in the budget and Cllr Burrows replied that, as last year, there was not.
429/06 TO CONSIDER INVITATION TO JOIN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF AXE VALLEY RING & RIDE SERVICE
It was noted that meetings of the management committee took place on Monday evenings which would make it difficult for councillors to attend. It was agreed to defer a decision until the next meeting.
430/06 TO PROPOSE AN ADDITIONAL STANDING ORDER: “EXCEPT IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, NO COUNCILLOR BE APPOINTED COUNCIL CHAIRMAN UNLESS HE OR SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman said that on advice, this proposal had been withdrawn.
431/06TO PROPOSE THAT WHERE ANY ITEMS ON AGENDAS OF COUNCIL MEETINGS ALLUDE TO A COUNCILLOR, THAT COUNCILLOR SHOULD BE NAMED TO ENABLE HIM/HER THE RIGHT OF REPLY (Cllr Knight)
This proposal was supported and it was agreed to place it again on the agenda of the next meeting.
432/06CORRESPONDENCE
a) Strictly Business – general
It was agreed that a letter should be placed on the noticeboard thanking all residents who had responded to the outline planning application for the regeneration site and to those who had given significant time to this.
b) Mr G Lloyd – problem of speeding on the Underfleet
Mr Lloyd’s concerns about speeding and parking problems were supported. The Clerk was requested to pass to the relevant authorities and the Traffic Group
c) EDDC – closure of Esplanade 27 August 2007 for Seaton street fair
It was noted that for 35 years the Seaton Carnival Club had held a street market on the August Bank Holiday. Members were disappointed to learn that Cllr Buskin had submitted an application to hold a street fair on the same day for Seaton Commerce. In view of the tradition that this was the Carnival Club’s annual event, that the event was the Club’s major fund-raising event and that local charities and groups benefited from the funds raised, Members were unanimous in their condemnation that one of their own members could consider booking this day for an alternative event. They therefore unanimously recommended that the request by Cllr Buskin on behalf of Seaton Commerce for Seaton street fair be refused.
d) Inspector Jim Gale – new appointment
It was noted that the Clerk had acknowledged Inspector Gale’s letter and Members hoped he would be able to attend a meeting when convenient.
e) EDDC – street collections for 2007
Noted.
Prior to the close of the meeting Members put on record their appreciation to all those who had responded to the Napoli incident.
Members also gave a vote of thanks to the Clerk for undertaking the considerable work required in responding to the outline planning application for the regeneration site.
The meeting closed at 7.45 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.