Agenda and minutes

All apologies must be notified to the Town Council offices by 5pm on the day of the meeting.

Apologies and reasons for absence were received and approved. (NC)

Cllrs I Roome, J Hunt, M Lovering, L York, R Mack & J Orange as members of North Devon District Council, have a dispensation under SO66 to discuss and vote on any item on the agenda unless the item refers to a financial or legal agreement or dispute between the two authorities.

Cllr I Roome as a member of Devon County Council, have a dispensation under SO66 to discuss and vote on any item on the agenda unless the item refers to a financial or legal agreement or dispute between the two authorities.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 11th July 2022, are approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

Over the last couple of months, the Mayor has attended:

-       Barnstaple Recruitment Fair in the Pannier Market.

-       Broughton Civic Service

-       The Barnstaple in Bloom Judging

-       VJ Day Commemoration

-       Bideford Regatta

-       Fremington WI

-       Petroc College Graduation

-       Devon Association of Local Councils AGM

(Presentation to be circulated to councillors by email and to be available at the meeting)

The Town Council approved bringing the presentation by Mr Tim Steer to this point on the agenda.

Mr Steer provided councillors with information about the current status of the railway line and explained that there is a proposal to reconnect Bideford to the railway network.

Support is already in place for the proposal and Great Western Railway has contributed £6,500 to the project to help develop the case.

The funding will help the Tarka Rail Association to engage a specialist advisor to produce an initial business case.

As well as reinstating the connection to Bideford an intended outcome of the project would be a considerable improvement of the service between Barnstaple and Exeter.

RESOLVED: That the Town Council register its support for the project (NC)

The Town Council approved bringing the presentation by Mr Danny Greeno of The Veterans Charity to this point on the agenda.

Mr Greeno explained that the national celebration for Armed Forces Day in 2023 will be held in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Their objective is to create an event utilising the space and facilities of Rock Park and are, at this point looking for in principle support from the Town Council.

The initial proposal has been considered by the Rock Park Trust and the park is available that weekend.

RESOLVED: to offer support to the Veterans Charity and look forward to further updates (NC)

Report submitted to cancelled 12^th September meeting attached.

Inspector A Wills had submitted his report to the Town Council prior to the meeting.

Councillors asked questions about the following issues and Insp Wills responded accordingly:

-       Two reported attacks in the Gorwell and Bear St areas.

-       Extra patrols have been put in place.

-       Concerns were raised about reports that have come out through social media.

-       Insp Wills asked people to provide reports through the Devon & Cornwall Police website 101 Non-Emergency page, the Town Clerk will share the link to the page with Councillors.

8.30pm - Cllr Shah left the meeting at this point

Devon County Council

Cllr C Leaver reported

-       The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan consultation concludes on Wednesday.

-       DCC have significant issues relating to their budget for this and the next financial years, more information will be coming out soon.

-       The Rock Park footbridge repairs are still underway.

Cllr I Roome reported

-       The Link Centres are still being monitored as they are still at risk, they provide services for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

-       The latest data is indicating the Barnstaple has some of the most economically vulnerable neighbourhoods in the country.

-       It has been requested that some of the footway barriers be removed in order to assist with accessibility for mobility scooter users.

North Devon Council

Cllr L York

-       The £350,000 Safer Streets funding is now in place and the project is underway.

-       Yeo Valley Woodland has achieved Green Flag status for the 11^th year in succession.

-       Town & Parish Councils are being considered as consultees for licensing applications.

Cllr I Roome

-       North Devon Council is also impacted by budget pressures in this and the next financial year.

-       Following its purchase Green Lanes shopping centre is currently generating income for North Devon Council.

-       NDC are considering transferring public toilets to Town & Parish Councils.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the committee meetings and the resolutions contained therein be received and adopted in accordance with Standing Order 24. (NC)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Rock Park Trust Management Committee and the resolutions contained therein be received and adopted (NC).

Cllr Shah HAD reported TO THE Town Clerk that he needed to stand down from the North Devon Councillor Advocate scheme, this will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

To consider and discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on local residents and a potential response and actions by Barnstaple Town Council.

The partners of One Northern Devon (OND) have agreed an outline emergency plan - with support from the board. This includes Devon County Council and the two District Councils. In essence the plan is about coming together to do everything we can and in the most joined up way possible at a local level. OND would like to work with local councils and the seven One Communities to hold 'town/parish workshops' to:

1. Identify key areas that people need support with - by listening to local issues
2. Identify what is already available to meet that need - collating all the support (local and national) that is currently available 
3. Identify gaps and consider how local partners could fill those gaps - find creative local solutions to help mitigate some of the impacts 
4. Ensure those who need it can access the support - find ways to get all the help to the people that need it most

One Northern Devon are holding a workshop on 19^th October that the Mayor and Town Clerk will be attending to investigate local needs and current support to local residents. A report will be brought back to the next meeting.

RECOMMEND: to form a working group to better understand the current local situation and responses that the Town Council can make, Cllrs Orange, Marchewka, Carter, Coates, York & Jusef put themselves forward.

Following the death of Councillor Jane Wilsher there is a casual vacancy in the Fort Hill Ward.

To consider applications and elect from suitable candidates (if any received) to fill the vacancy (Councillor Co-option Procedure attached).

One candidate, Mr David Clayton had applied to fill the vacancy.  After introducing himself to the council he was duly elected by a majority vote of the councillors present.  Mr Clayton completed his “Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Town Councillor” and joined the meeting as a councillor.

Cllr Knight presented his motion and asked the Town Council to resolve to write to the Westminster Government in support of proportional representation for general elections.

Cllr Leaver spoke in support of the motion but asked for an amendment to be considered to include concerns raised about the implications of the Elections Act 2022 and the potential impact particularly in relation to the requirement for identity documents.

The Town Clerk raised concern that the amendment was significantly different to the original motion to not necessarily be valid to include in the same letter.

RECOMMEND: That two letters be sent to the Westminster Parliament relating to both matters (NC).

To receive an update from the Town Clerk on matters including:

-       Staffing Update

-       The Guildhall Redevelopment Project

-       The Shambles

-       North Devon Record Office

The Town Clerk reported:

Staffing

Two new staff members had recently been appointed to the posts of Assistant Town Clerk (Estates) and Heritage Manager.

The Guildhall Redevelopment Project

A meeting with the Consultants will be arranged soon.

The Shambles

Redecoration is nearly completed and it is currently being used by:

-       The Safer Streets project, one day per week.

-       Devon County Council Public Health, monthly

-       NDVS Community Development

-       North Devon Record Office held a 3 day exhibition in August with over 300 visitors.

North Devon Record Office

-       Barnstaple Borough and Town Councils archive is currently being worked on to create a single catalogue and is the largest collection in the Record Office.

-       An exhibition of the administration of Barnstaple is planned for 2023.

Activity Programme

A Fun Day on 24^th October is planned for half-term in the Pannier Market, many of the activities will be free.

Taw U3A visually impaired group

The Town Clerk recently had a meeting with this group who are very concerned about the footways around the town, particularly the town centre and how many vulnerable people are injured through falls, as a result of tripping over.

None received

None received