Agenda and minutes

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

As neither the Chairman or Vice Chair were present at the meeting Cllr Dawson was proposed as the Chairman for the meeting by Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury and seconded by Cllr A James.

RESOLVED: with Cllr Dawson abstaining, that Cllr Dawson was appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Foden and M James.

RESOLVED: that the apologies for absence were noted.

RESOLVED: that item 13 Oaklands Park Defibrillator be moved to the first item on the agenda so members of the public could speak.

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

Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury declared an interest as she had an allotment at Brownsbrook and would not be taking part or voting on the Brownsbrook Allotment item.

To receive and consider requests for dispensations.

There were no dispensations.

To approve, sign and adopt the minutes of the Civic Amenities meeting held on 15^th March 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Civic Amenities Committee meeting on 26^th April 2023.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Civic Amenities Committee meeting held on 26^th April 2023 were approved.

Councillors are requested to consider and decide whether to:
• Agree the cost of the connection and defib as set out in the paper
And note that:

• The Association is looking at options for connecting to a metered supply.

• It may be possible to explore other options with the Association in the locality bearing in mind a defib is shortly to be installed at Little Swans.

Standing orders were suspended at 7.06pm to allow a member of the public to speak.

A member of the Oaklands Park Residents Association spoke about the need for the defibrillator at the site and the association did not have the funding for the item.

Standing orders were resumed at 7.14pm

A possible issue was raised with the cover of the defibrillator and this would be checked with SWAST.

RESOLVED: that the cost of the connection and defibrillator be approved as set out in the paper and enquiries be made for a local electrician to assist with the connection between the supply once installed and the defibrillator.

To receive and note updates on current CAC projects.

The officer reported there was no further progress on screening the viaduct bins from the Teignbridge District Council officer.

RESOLVED: that the report was noted.

To consider and decide whether to request to the Manor House and Riverside Centre Committee that the turning circle grass in front on the Manor House become a wildflower area.

Standing orders were suspended at 7.30pm to allow a member of the public to speak.

The member of the public spoke about it being a good idea with it potentially being across the strip of the circle which had been recently planted, but had not seeded well rather than the whole turning circle.

Standing orders were reinstated at 7.32pm.

Councillors considered the seed mix, location, need for advice from ACT Wildlife Wardens, the need for it to look acceptable for a long period, with appropriate signage to explain the planting to the public.

RESOLVED: that the Manor House and Riverside Committee is requested to approve that the central strip across the turning circle in front of the Manor House (where works were completed last year) become a wildflower area (with biodiversity and pollinators) as the Council has declared a climate emergency, and that within seven days, if approval were granted, a meeting of the ACT Wildlife Warden and a representative of the Civic Amenities Committee meet for advice with a view to early planting. The area would be accompanied by relevant signage of the project.

To receive and note the report.

RESOLVED: that the report was noted.

To note that works are due to be undertaken on the fountain at Tuck’s Plot in the next few weeks and discussions have taken place with the Environment Agency and Resorts Manager of Teignbridge District Council to let them know the timing.

RESOLVED: that the report was noted.

To receive and note the report.

RESOLVED: that the report was noted.

To consider and decide whether to ask the Chamber of Trade and Commerce to work with the Town Council on replacing the content of the board in Barton Car Park.

RESOLVED: that Cllrs Hardy and Weatherhead approach the Chamber of Trade regarding the situation with the notice board in the Barton Car Park and see if a partnership project might be possible with them and Cllr Dawson would raise the matter of a potential new noticeboard with the District Council.

To note that work is progressing by the Association on compost bins, a council contractor is due to start work on repairing fencing (adjacent to the footpath) and that the next meeting between the Council and the Brownsbrook Allotment Association is on Monday 13^th June 2023.

RESOLVED: (with Cllr Godman-Bradbury not voting) that the report was noted.

To note that the skatepark has had two sets repair works done in April/early May to the ramp following vandalism totalling £1274.95 for the first incident and £1074.95 for the second.

Standing orders were suspended at 8.09pm to allow a member of the public to speak.

The member of the public spoke about the regular repairs at the park and they were  keen to see work on a new skate park move forward.

Standing orders were reinstated at 8.22pm.

RESOLVED: that the report was noted.