Agenda and minutes

To receive, note and where requested, approve the reasons for apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Petherick, L. Petherick, and Wrigley.

Resolved that the apologies be noted.

There was no Part II.

To declare any disclosable interests relating to the forthcoming items of business (if any).

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive and consider requests for dispensation (if any).

There were no dispensations.

To approve, sign and adopt the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 7 June 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 7 June 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 7 June 2023 be approved and signed as a correct and accurate record.

To receive the Minutes of the following Committee(s) for adoption (if any) – Members are requested to refer to the Town Council’s website to view said Minutes:

·         Emergency & Strategy Committee – 15 December 2022

·         Finance & General Purposes Committee -  25 May, 22 June 2023

·         Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee – 7 June 2023

·         Planning Committee – 1 June 2023

Resolved that the minutes set out below, approved by the relevant Committee and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of that meeting, be adopted:

·         Emergency & Strategy Committee – 15 December 2022

·         Finance & General Purposes Committee -  25 May, 22 June 2023

·         Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee – 7 June 2023

·         Planning Committee – 1 June 2023

To receive any updates from the Town Clerk (if any).

The Town Clerk referred to the previously circulated agenda report, and welcomed Mel Deeks, Town Council Administrator to the meeting who had not been able to attend the Annual Meeting of the Council in May.

There being no questions, it was

Resolved that the report be noted.

To receive the Town Mayor’s announcements (if any).

The Mayor reported on the previous month as follows:

1^st June - welcome Memories florist to new shop, opened the information telephone box, and raised the seaside award flag

2^nd June - radio interview with BBC radio Devon

3^rd June - Twinning and letter from mayor of Carhaix

6^th June - Dawlish Action for Youth meeting

6^th June - meeting skaters at the skate park

7^th June - Full council

13^th June - pre event meeting Armed Forces Day

15^th June - giving tablets to Oakwood college from Helping Dawlish

16^th June - Gatehouse school fayre

17^th June - Armed Forces Day and evening

22^nd June - DALC meeting - embedding respect and civility project, s21 notices

22^nd June - Lord Lieutenant of Devon presentation

23^rd June - opening project at Sefton Hall - forget me not community cafe Thursdays 10-11.30

25^th June - Cofton American car show day

27^th June - meeting at Dawlish College about engaging with young people (see notes)

27^th June - Police Advocate meeting with Inspector ASB car, carnivals cover, raised our NOM how is staffing need calculated? Is population data up to date for calculation does it include our seasonal population expansion? We need to invite Steven PHILP to our meeting he’s happy to come quarterly

28^th June - primary school engagement … Cockwood, Westcliff and Gatehouse

28^th June - Chamber of Trade meeting - informing our agenda

29^th June - Cockwood school enterprise fete

Topics of concern from residents included:

·         Naming of stilling basin

·         Concerns about flooding risk from new stilling basin design

·         Toilet hygiene concerns

·         Concerns re living standards from residents

·         Childcare crisis notice of motion

·         Requesting contractors back to complete Stockton Hill

·         More potholes

·         Parking being card only at Barton Carpark - doesn’t fit with inclusivity for older people or those with mobility issues that can’t walk to cash accepting machine, don’t understand apps etc

Resolved that the report be noted.

To consider whether to establish an earmarked reserve for the planning and incurring of fees in relation to events to mark D-Day 80, and Turn the Tide 2024 event.

The Town Council considered a report detailing options for celebrating the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, which would coincide with the Turn The Tide 2024 event.  Due to the nature of the events, it was proposed that a budget be established for the enabling of the two events.

Standing Orders were suspended at 7.33 p.m. to permit a representative of Transition Dawlish to address the meeting.

Standing Orders were reinstated at 7.35 p.m.

Following discussion, it was proposed and seconded that an ear marked reserve of up to £20,000 be established for the funding of D-Day 80, and Turn The Tide 2024.

Resolved that an ear marked reserve of up to £20,000 be established for the funding of D-Day 80, and Turn The Tide 2024

Following a recent meeting of the Dawlish Chamber of Trade and Commerce the Town Council is requested to consider:

·         Writing a letter in support of a banking hub being established in Dawlish; and

·         Whether to support the Chamber in seeking clarification on the length of stay disabled badge holders are entitled to along the Strand.

Following a recent meeting of the Dawlish Chamber of Trade, Members considered:

·         Writing a letter in support of a banking hub being established in Dawlish, and

·         Supporting the Chamber in seeking clarification on the length of stay disabled badge holders were entitled to along the Strand.

During discussion, reference was made to some residents along the Strand with blue badges, several bays indicating the length of time someone could park, with others not.  The concern of the Chamber was the turnover of trade and apparent lack of enforcement for those parking longer than permitted.

Resolved that

(a)    The Town Council writes to the Chamber of Trade in support of a banking hub being established in Dawlish, and

(b)   The Town Council seek clarification from on and off-street parking authorities regards the regulations relating to disabled bays and disabled blue badge holders, including resident disabled badges.

To consider a Notice of Motion that calls on Dawlish Town Council to support and commit to action with local campaigners in order to improve family and children wellbeing across the Dawlish area by encouraging an increase in childcare providers.

Further information provided in the attached report.

Members considered a notice of motion which called on the Town Council to support and commit to action with local campaigners in order to improve family and children wellbeing across the Dawlish area by encouraging an increase in childcare providers. This could be achieved by:

(a)    Writing to Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council asking for urgent engagement with Dawlish Town Council and local campaigners about the childcare crisis in the parish.

(b)   Writing to MP, Anne-Marie Morris, and relevant Ministers, expressing concern about the lack of childcare provision especially in the light of the government’s new funding proposals which will take effect from April 2024.

(c)    Asking officers from Devon County Council to agree to a meeting with Dawlish County Cllr Martin Wrigley, The Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Rosie Dawson, Dawlish Town Clerk and local campaigner Lynne Nicholls in order to discuss how Dawlish Town Council can move forward with DCC to encourage, enable, and facilitate more people into childminding in and around Dawlish.

(d)   Discussing with DCC officers the possibility of Dawlish Town Council/Councillors supporting a collaborative pilot scheme in the town to appeal for and empower people to become childminders in Dawlish parish.

Following discussion, it was

Resolved that the Town Council

(a)    Writes to Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council (TDC) asking for urgent engagement with Dawlish Town Council and local campaigners about the childcare crisis in the parish.

(b)   Writes to Anne Marie Morris MP, and relevant Ministers, expressing concern about the lack of childcare provision especially in the light of the government’s new funding proposals which will take effect from April 2024.

(c)    Asks officers from Devon County Council to agree to a meeting with Dawlish County Cllr Martin Wrigley, The Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Rosie Dawson, Dawlish Town Clerk and local campaigner Lynne Nicholls in order to discuss how Dawlish Town Council can move forward with Devon County Council (DCC) to encourage, enable, and facilitate more people into childminding in and around Dawlish.

(d)   Discusses with DCC officers the possibility of Dawlish Town Council/Councillors supporting a collaborative pilot scheme in the town to appeal for and empower people to become childminders in Dawlish parish.

To consider the recommendation of the Emergency and Strategy Committee to establish a Community Emergency Plan Task & Finish Group.

Members considered appointing up to five Councillors to form the Town Council’s Community Emergency Plan Task and Finish Group.

Resolved that Councillors Foden, Heywood, A. James, Littlewood, and Wrigley be appointed to the Community Emergency Plan Task and Finish Group.

Note – Councillor Wrigley’s appointment was subject to his approval having been absent at the time of proposal.

To consider the recommendation of the Emergency & Strategy Committee that the Town Council establishes a Skatepark Task and Finish Group, and that the Council appoints Members to that Group.

Members considered appointing up to four Councillors to form the Town Council’s Skatepark Task and Finish Group.

Resolved that Councillors Graham-Ellis, Hardy, Heath, and L. Petherick be appointed to the Skatepark Task and Finish Group.

To consider engaging with the community regards the possible naming of the Stilling Basin area, and new promenade, of Phase II of the new sea wall.

With the second phase of the sea wall resilience works now completed, the Town Council considered the naming of the stilling basin and promenade running from the station to coastguards.

The promenade running from Boat Cove to the Station was locally known as King’s Walk.  It was proposed and seconded that the path from the station to Coastguards be known as Queen’s Walk both in honour of the former, and current Queen.

In relation to the stilling basin, it was proposed and seconded that Network Rail consult with the public to bring about a suitable name.

Resolved that

(a)    Network Rail be recommended to name the new path from the Station to Coastguards as ‘Queen’s Walk’ in honour of the former, and current Queen, and in recognition that the path from Boat Cove to the Station is known as King’s Walk, and

(b)   Network Rail is recommended to consult the public on the naming of their new asset at the stilling basin.

To consider the recommendation of the Finance & General Purposes meeting held on 29 June 2023 that the draft Bad Debts Policy be adopted by the Town Council as set out.

The Town Council considered a recommendation from the Finance & General Purposes Committee to adopt the Bad Debts Policy.

Resolved that the proposed Bad Debts Policy be adopted.

To receive a report from the County Councillor (if any).

There was no County Councillor’s report.

To receive reports of District Councillors (if any).

Councillor Dawson

It has been a busy month for casework for residents and other issues, including:

Concerns about flooding risk from new stilling basin design

Toilet hygiene concerns,

concerns re living standards from residents

Childcare crisis notice of motion

Requesting contractors back to complete Stockton Hill

More potholes

Families receiving section 21 notices and having nowhere to go

Training has continued at TDC and I was elected as vice-chair of the Licensing Committee

Councillor Foden

I have made enquiries regarding the replacement of 'no cycling' signs along the Dawlish Sea Wall. For your information, here is the reply that I received from Claire Mcgine, the Communications Officer for Network Rail for this project:

We are currently reviewing all the signage required now that the work is substantially complete and will be liaising with the relevant local authorities regarding various signs that relate to the use of the public right of way and beach which includes ‘no cycling’ and “dogs on leads” signs.

I've also made enquiries regarding pavement licencing. The reply that I received from Paul Nicholls, the officer responsible for the TDC licensing team - explained that the temporary licencing scheme was brought in with approval from the government during the pandemic, to licence additional seating for businesses with DCC-awarded licences already. TDC now are only responsible for managing temporary pavement licences that they awarded. The only business with this in Dawlish is Daisy's Tea Room.

I intend to organise another wheelchair tour of Dawlish sometime soon, to highlight the need for improved accessibility and pavement licensing in central town.

The repair cafe I ran as part of the Great Big Green Week in Dawlish was well attended.

Finally, there is still time to enter Dawlish in Bloom 2023, the closing date is Sunday July 16th.

Councillor Goodman-Bradbury

Councillor Goodman-Bradbury advised that:

·         Good partnership working was being fostered by multiple agencies in relation to anti-social behaviour problems around the District

·         A project known as Sprint launched last month aimed at supporting those in rented accommodation together with private landlords.

Resolved that the reports be noted.

To receive reports of Town Councillors (if any).

Councillor Pyne

Councillor Pyne referred to the recent news that train operators were consulting on proposals to close railway station ticket offices.  He proposed the Town Council submit an objection to the consultation on the grounds discriminatory to the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable who relied on accessing help and assistance in relation to the purchasing of tickets at the station.  He further suggested that councillors be encouraged to respond to the consultation individually, and that access to the consultation be shared on the Council’s social media accounts.  Responses needed to be submitted by 26 July 2023.

Following discussion, it was

Resolved that

(a)    the Town Council responds to the consultation on the grounds tha the proposed closures would discriminatory to the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable who relied on accessing help and assistance in relation to the purchasing of tickets at the station,

(b)   Councillors be encouraged to respond to the consultation individually,
 

(c)    The public be sign posted to the consultation at https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/ticket-office-consultation/ on social media, and

(d)   That the Inclusivity Officer at Teignbridge District Council be alerted to the proposals.

Councillor Foden

Councillor Foden referred to the news published before the meeting that the South Coast was not safe to swim in due to the discharging of sewerage into the sea following increased capacity from recent storms.  This would mean a period of 72 hours when it was not safe to swim

It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved that

(a)    The Town Council writes to South West Water inviting them to give a presentation to the Council on their practices, and to invite them to paddle in the sea at a time when sewerage is present,

(b)   The Town Council writes to local MP Anne Marie Morris, and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to empower Ofwat to prosecute water companies to protect the health and safety of users, and marine life, and protect the wider coastline. 

(c)    Teignmouth Town Council be invited to add its weight to the campaign, and

(d)   Copy of correspondence be sent to the Environment Agency, and relevant Portfolio Holder at Teignbridge District Council.