Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Pyne.

Resolved that the apology 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 and sign the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee held on

Members considered the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee held on 10 January 2024.

Resolved that the minutes of the Manor House & Riverside Centre Committee held on 10 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct and accurate record.

To receive an update from the Town Clerk, and in particular concerning:

·         Electrical works in the rear car park to garage and bollard lights

·         Building Access Audits in compliance with the Equalities Act

·         Thermal blinds and curtains within Manor House

The Town Clerk reported that:

·         Electrical works for finding a fault to the garage supply would be undertaken on 26 February; hirers had been informed that the rear car park would be closed until such time as the fault had been rectified,

·         He was currently in the process of obtaining quotations for an Access Audit as part of the Council’s compliance with the Equalities Act.  Subject to costs, decision to appoint would be delegated decision in consultation with the Chair of the Committee and would help inform short- and longer-term requirements,

·         Quotations were being sought for thermal blinds in rooms 4A and B and would be brought back for Members consideration,

·         A comment had been received regards the perceived lack of bike rack availability in the Manor grounds.  He submitted that fixed racks were opposite the rear entrance although were often obscured due to the positioning of waste bins.  These would in the future be relocated.  Further there was a temporary bike rack adjacent to the accessible ramp to the Council Chamber.  These were weighted down and chained to the railings.  Consideration was given to fixing the rack – it was noted that making them permanent would require listed building consent being within the curtilage of a listed building, and the fact they were provided by Teignbridge District Council during Covid-19 and could be requested back at any time.

Resolved that the update be noted.

To receive an update on the progress of the Canopy listed building consent application (if any).

The Town Clerk advised Members that the canopy application to remove and make good the elevation had been approved by the Planning Authority.

The Council’s surveyor would now look to incorporate the removal and remedial works with the wider external maintenance and redecoration which was due to start in the middle of March.  A pre-contract meeting was planned for early March.  It was suggested that Councillor A. James attend the meeting together with the Chair, Vice Chair, and Town Clerk.

It was further suggested that the lead covering of the canopy be used in repairs around the building if possible, and that the remnants remain in the Council’s custody.

The Town Clerk drew Members attention to the matter of lighting the path which would be removed once the canopy came down.  It was recommended the low-level options be investigated, to be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

Resolved that the update be noted.

To consider whether to include the replacement of the entrance panel to the Assist Teignbridge office in the forthcoming external maintenance and redecoration works, and determine material to be used (subject to access audit compliance).

Members considered the entrance panel to Assist Teignbridge’s office and the remedial works required to it. 

A sum of £1,000 had been allocated in the upcoming works for repair works however it was for the Committee to decide whether it should be replaced.

The Council’s surveyor had advised that it should be replaced in hard wood, and any inclusion of an opening window would require listed building consent which would likely render the works unable for the completion whilst the contractor was on site, due to determination timescales at the local planning authority.

Following discussion, it was

Resolved that the entrance panel be replaced using hard wood, with the inclusion of two trickle vents routed out in the top head, to comply with regulations where required, and that the entrance way be informed by the access audit where received.