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BUDLEIGH SALTERTON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES of the Meeting of the Town Council held in the Council Chamber on Monday 29 September 2014, on the rising of the Meeting of the Planning Committee.

Meeting commence at 7.32pm

PRESENT Cllr Mrs C A Sismore-Hunt (Town Mayor) Cllr C Richards (Deputy Town Mayor) Cllr A J Dent Cllr Mrs L D Evans Cllr A N Gooding Cllr D J Harrison Cllr M C Hilliar Cllr A L Jones Cllr C A Kitson Cllr R S Mitchell

Clerk: Mrs J E Vanstone

Others Present: County Cllr Mrs C Channon, nine members of the public and one representative of the press

14.198 Public Speaking Time Dr A Jennings spoke about her request for a blue plaque. She said that there would be a delay as the gate posts on which the plaque would be positioned, had been listed in 1983. This meant she would have to put in a Listed Building Application.

Mrs S Griffin spoke about the Budleigh in Bloom request. She said that all members would agree the town had looked lovely this year – she had received a lot of compliments from residents and visitors alike. The group looked after a total of 76 troughs, tubs, beds and boats and watering them all was a huge task. She explained that she had spoken to other groups in the area and they had financial support from their Town Councils, ranging from £2000 to £6000. She asked that Members consider giving Budleigh in Bloom some extra financial help.

14.199 Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllr T D Wright (appointment).

14.200 Declarations of Interests in Items on the Agenda Cllr Mrs L D Evans declared a personal interest in Min 14.213 – she helped Budleigh in Bloom with the watering. She said she would speak but not vote.

14.201 Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 18 August 2014 had been circulated prior to the Meeting. It was unanimously agreed they be signed as a true record.

14.202 Report of Neighbourhood Beat Manager During the month of September the following crimes were reported:  CR/105705 – on 11 September a male was assaulted at a pub in the town; under investigation.  CR/108198/14 – over a three month period, July to September, fraudulent transactions as a result of scam calls from both India and America. Under investigation.  CR/110293/14 – Dog complaint, child bitten whilst playing on The Green, under investigation.

58  CR/105757/14 – Theft from motor vehicle parked on private driveway Moorlands Road, when rear spare wheel stolen sometime between 4 and 11 September.  CR/106835/14 – Theft of motor vehicle by fraudulent use of cards; under investigation.  CR/109417/14 – Dog not under proper control, which occurred on the railway line, Leas Road, under investigation.  CR/109672/14 – Assault occurred at a property on Knowle Road. Offender dealt with.

14.203 Chairman’s Comments The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs C A Sismore-Hunt said she had attended an initial meeting concerning the Library and a Steering Committee had been set up (Budleigh Salterton Library Vision). Its aim was to maintain a community library service that was fit for the future. The library could not continue as it was otherwise it would have to close. She said there would be a public meeting on 14 November and a website would be up and running in the next week to pass on important information. Cllr C A Kitson asked if there was any news on the Cycle Path. Cllr Sismore-Hunt said that she had contacted Mr M Williams, Chief Executive of East Devon District Council (EDDC) who had confirmed that the project was on the list of works but as the costings had exceeded the original estimate it had to go back to Committee level. Cllr Kitson said he was concerned that if the work was not carried out soon, the S106 money would be lost to the town. He thought the District Council had been very slow in dealing with this project.

14.204 Clerk’s Report Mrs J E Vanstone had no report this month.

14.205 Reports of Council Representatives on Other Bodies There were no reports from Council Representatives.

14.206 Reports of County and District Councillors County Councillor County Cllr Mrs C Channon started by congratulating Budleigh in Bloom on gaining a Silver Gilt. She thought they had done a splendid job in making the town look lovely. She hoped Members would be able to support their request, although she reminded the Budleigh in Bloom representatives who were present that the Town Council had funded some of the grass cutting and clearing which had been carried out just before judging. She thanked the Town Council for its stance on the Barn Lane planning application – she said that the staff and visitors to a care home would create a huge amount of additional traffic which would impact both the B3178 and the junction at Pretty Corner. She then reported: 1. The hospital project was moving on well. Rob Jones had done some sterling work and she encouraged members to go to the health centre to check on progress. 2. She had found the library meeting useful but a bit frustrating! She said they were lucky that Tom Dixon lived in the town – he had helped design the library in Exeter. She thanked the Journal for the publicity and help in getting volunteers. She said the group would have to think outside the box if it was to secure the library’s future. She added that the staff were feeling comforted by the progress which was being made. 3. An additional section of East Budleigh Road was due to be surface dressed but because of the amount of work, the contractors were a little over-whelmed so this might not be done just yet. She would keep an eye on the road to make sure it was not missed! 59 The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs C A Sismore-Hunt asked that if there was additional funding, could Knowle Hill be resurfaced as well. Cllr Mrs Channon said she would raise that idea at the next Traffic Group meeting. Cllr Mrs Sismore-Hunt also asked when the bus shelter opposite Stanley Mews would be repaired. Cllr Mrs Channon said this was not a Devon County Council shelter it was EDDC. The Clerk added that it was the subject of an EDDC insurance claim. District Councillor Cllr A J Dent reported: 1. The planning application for a new dwelling at Garathatch, Bear Lane had been refused. He said there had been a lot of debate at Development Management Committee resulting in a 7-7 vote. The chairman had then voted to refuse. 2. The planning application at Vales Road had been approved after discussion with planning officers. 3. He had attended a briefing which had discussed the WEB Consortium as well as the Waverley Consortium in the east of the District. He said that smaller hospitals would be closed but the actual number of beds would not decrease. There had also been some discussion on the older population and dementia care, and the need for more dementia beds in the future.

14.207 Cheques for Signature Payment of cheques for the months of August and September 2014, in accordance with Appendix A, was approved.

14.208 Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations The new regulations were noted. It was Resolved: The Clerk will make the necessary alterations to the Council’s Standing Orders to accommodate the new regulations and prepare a notice to go on the Chamber wall.

14.209 Councillor Vacancy (i) It was noted that no petition for an election had been received by East Devon District Council regarding the vacancy. (ii) It was agreed that the Town Council will not co-opt a new member and will continue with just eleven Members until the end of the term. The Clerk advised that as long as the Town Council was quorate, this will be acceptable to EDDC.

14.210 Town Council Representatives on Committees and Other Bodies The vacancies on the following committees/bodies were noted and it was agreed that if a Member wished to become the representative, they should contact the Clerk: (i) Community Gardens Committee (ii) Town Improvement Fund (iii) Traffic Group (iv) Budleigh in Bloom. Cllr Mrs L D Evans said she would be the Budleigh in Bloom representative.

14.211 Christmas Lights Consideration was given to a request from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the funding of additional Christmas Lights on the Public Hall. The Clerk explained that two Christmas Trees would be placed on the end of the building (under the round windows) – these would belong to the Chamber of Commerce. The suggestion was to purchase “icicle” lights which could be hung from the guttering on the Station Road side of the Hall. These would belong to the Town Council. It was Resolved: Additional “icicle” lights, up to a maximum cost of £500, should be purchased. 60 14.212 Parishes Together Funding (i) The Clerk updated Members following recent meetings with the East Devon Towns. She said that numerous projects had been discussed, including an additional Dog Warden, Parking Cones/Barriers for use at community events, Chapter 8 Training for volunteers carrying out lengthsman duties, use of the Seagull hawk, all terrain wheelchairs for use on the beach. (ii) The potential projects outlined by the Clerk were discussed plus the possibility of changing rooms at the swimming pool at St Peter’s School and the Senior Moments Gardening Café and it was Resolved: The idea for an additional Dog Warden to be employed alongside the District Council Warden would be the main idea to be put to other parishes in the area for progression.

14.213 Budleigh in Bloom: Watering of the Flower Beds on The Green The Town Mayor, Cllr Mrs C A Sismore-Hunt congratulated the Budleigh in Bloom team on gaining a Silver Gilt award for the town. A letter from Mr R Wiltshire regarding the use of water was then received and considered. Mrs S Griffin added that she had spoken to EDDC about the possibility of EDDC staff carrying out the watering and she was waiting for costs. It was Resolved: An additional payment of £100 will be made to cover the cost of water from the two standpipes. It was also agreed that once the costs are received from EDDC, Mrs Griffin should contact the Town Council again and Members will consider that separately.

14.214 Cycle Racks Suggestions from Mr P Knight at Jacobs for the new locations of cycle racks around the town were received and considered. It was Resolved: All the suggested sites were acceptable except for Site 1 Option B.

14.215 Request for Grant Aid: Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival (i) Consideration was given as to whether or not to make a donation to the Festival. Resolved: A donation will be made. (ii) Consideration was given to the amount of the donation to the Festival. Resolved: A donation of £250 will be made.

14.216 Town Council Website Details of the cost of upgrading the Council’s website were received and considered. The Clerk said that she felt the current website was looking a little old fashioned and thought it needed to be brought up to date. It was Resolved: The website should be updated using the 5.5 version of the Vision ICT website system.

14.217 Charity Shops Correspondence from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the viability of the High Street, in particular the number of charity shops, was received and considered. It was Resolved: Unfortunately, there is nothing the Town Council can do about this situation. It was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce contacts EDDC and Hugo Swire MP.

14.218 Blue Plaque Application: Joyce Evans (nee Dennys) A request from Dr A Jennings for a Blue Plaque to be installed at Lion House, Fore Street Hill in memory of Joyce Evans (nee Dennys) was discussed. It was agreed this was a great idea and it was Resolved: Dr Jennings should make the application but the Town Council will assist if necessary. 61 14.219 Correspondence Received Lions Club of Budleigh Salterton: Letter of thanks for sponsoring Gala Week 2015 Cycle Competition Otter Valley Association: Information re: Local Heritage Asset Listing Project Budleigh Film Society: PAT certificate for BFS equipment stored in the Public Hall East Devon District Council: (1) Details of Local Enquiry Office contribution (2) Water Quality Information Leaflet (3) Forward Plan 1 September to 31 December 2014 DEFRA: Bathing Water Newsletter: June 2014 Stagecoach SW: Annual Report DALC: Annual Report and details of AGM Clerk: September 2014 Vitalise: Request for Grant Aid

14.220 Any Other Business at the Chairman’s Discretion 1. Cllr C A Kitson said he had contacted BT about the two remaining red telephone kiosks in the town and these had both been renovated. He was still waiting for them to be repainted! 2. Cllr Kitson said he had been in contact with Cavanna Homes regarding the water usage at the Community Gardens and he would be meeting with the Clerk on Wednesday to get copies of water bills in order to validate the claim. Cllr Mrs L D Evans asked if Cllr Kitson could ask BT to paint the railings outside the exchange as well the telephone kiosks! 3. Cllr A J Dent said he had received an email from EDDC regarding new BT cabinets which would be installed in the town ready for fibre optic cabling. 4. The Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr C Richards said he was now a member of the WEB board and would keep Members up to date of events/progress.

14.221 Dates of Next Meetings Planning Committee: 13 October 2014 at 7.00pm Public Hall Committee: 13 October 2014 on the rising of the Planning Committee Community Gardens Committee: 13 October 2014 on the rising of the Public Hall Committee Planning Committee: 27 October 2014 at 7.00pm Town Council: 27 October 2014 on the rising of the Planning Committee

There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 8.52pm.

……………………………………………… Chairman

……………………………………………… Date