Minutes of the Tourism Committee held in the Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 26 October 2016 at 6.00 pm

PRESENT:

East Ward:   
Councillor J McKenzie
Councillor S Robinson
   
North Ward:   
Councillor D Bushby
   
South Ward (Outer):   
Councillor D Howell (Chairman)
   
South Ward   
Councillor A T Inch
   
Atlantic Village   
Mrs Ruth Benney
   
IN ATTENDANCE:    Mrs L Dixon-Chatfield (Town Clerk’s Asst)
   
042   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillor Mrs R. Craigie – East Ward (personal)

043   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

There were no declarations of interest at this point of the meeting

044   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION

No members of the public were present

045   MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2016 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Vote For: 6, Against: 0)

046   ONE OFF ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.

Members were updated as follows:

•     Craft Fair –
The Chairman asked Mrs Benney how many stalls she would require for the Craft Fair on 3rd December.  Mrs Benney advised that she would need 11 or 12.  The Chairman advised that he had secured 10 for her but would check with the Market Officer if one or two more could be provided.  Mrs Benney advised that apart from the table numbers everything was in hand for the Craft Fair.

•     Evening Entertainment –
The Chairman advised members that the proposed Christmas concert in the Conservative Club using the band “Encore” would not be able to go ahead but that plans for a Spring concert were looking more favourable.  A date of 1st April was proposed, with the venue as yet to be decided. 
Councillor Bushby asked if food would be required.  The Chairman had not yet decided and it would depend upon the venue.  Councillor Bushby said he would look at the Conservative Club diary.
The Chairman concluded that tickets would be charged at £5 per head with proceeds going to the Mayor's Charity Fund – Families for Children.

047   “TAKE A PRIDE IN YOUR TOWN” SPRUCE UP DAY – TO RECEIVE AND UPDATE AND SET A DATE FOR THE NEXT “SPRUCE UP DAY”

The Chairman invited the Asst to the Town Clerk (Lesley) to update members.  She gave positive feedback for the day concluding that it was good to have McDonalds on board, and that pre-set dates for next year would assist the larger teams ie Asda and McDonalds to secure funding for equipment for the project – if it was to be ongoing.

Councillor Bushby noted that there was not as much rubbish on the most recent Spruce Up day but had observed that a dedicated programme to weed-spraying around the whole town was necessary.  He advised members also that TDC had steam cleaned the steps by the public lavatories and that they were looking much improved.

Councillor Robinson advised that Chudleigh Fort had not been looking too bad and that there was little rubbish around that area. 

Councillor McKenzie wished it to be noted that the Railway Station area was looking particularly shabby.

Members discussed the necessity for more active Spruce Up days next year, especially as the Town Council now have employed two Maintenance Operatives, and that perhaps to concentrate on the periphery of the Town Centre. 

Members decided that the Spruce Up days would continue as they were a good way to profile the Town Council.  The Chairman asked Lesley to look at dates around Easter and the middle of Summer and to circulate around Councillors.

048   LITTLE AMERICA – TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ACTIONS FROM THE LAST MEETING

The Chairman informed members that the picnic tables have been installed and that the designer of the Information Boards has all the material he needs.  The work is progressing and it is hoped to be completed soon.  As soon as the artwork is complete SWH will be able to refurbish the boards themselves.  There would be a further update at the next meeting.

049   TO RECEIVE AN UP DATE ON THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE ART BRICKS IN THE QUAY WALL AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman informed members that the electrics had been completed and needed to be connected to the timer switch.  He suggested that the work needed to complete this task could be carried out by the new Maintenance Operatives.  He asked Councillor Bushby if he would like to join with him on a walk around the Town to look at jobs that could be taken on (including the Art Bricks completion).

050   UPDATE OF SCHOOL CHOIRS PLAYING IN PANNIER MARKET IN DECEMBER AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman advised members that East-the-Water School would be performing in the Pannier Market on Friday 9th December and that he was hoping that Westcroft School would take part on another Friday leading up to Christmas, but was having a little difficulty in discussing the subject with Schools.

Lesley said she had eventually contacted the Head of Music at Bideford College and they had shown interest but wished to know dates, times etc.  The Chairman advised that the performances would be between 10am and 11am on Fridays in December, and suggested a duration of approximately 30 – 40 minutes.  Lesley said she would return to the College with this information and would advise members of the outcome before the next meeting.

051   UPDATE ON THE MAKING OF A VIDEO OF BIDEFORD EVENTS AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Councillor McKenzie advised members that he had been in contact with Mr Koorlander and that his meeting had been very positive.  He had given Mr Koorlander a list of major events in Bideford that would be worth including in a video.  He had not as yet secured any idea of costs.  He hoped to have more information for the next meeting.

052   TO CONSIDER MARKING THE OCCASION OF 2017 BEING THE CENTENARY OF THE END OF THE BIDEFORD RAILWAY AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Councillor McKenzie apologised that he did not as yet have anything to update members with but was working on the concept.  He asked members to let him know if they had any information that would assist him.

053   TO CONSIDER A PICTORIAL BOARD OF WHAT’S ON IN BIDEFORD AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman advised members that no further information had been forthcoming but that options could be looked at and he would speak informally with Warren Collum (the designer who is working on the Little America Information Boards).

054   TO CONSIDER THE ENTRY ONTO BIDEFORD PAGE(S) OF THE VISIT NORTH DEVON AND EXMOOR WEBSITE AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

Lesley informed members that she had spoken with Trevor Stanbury regarding the website and he had expressed his concern that the Bideford section is somewhat lacking.  He did mention also that there was a cost implication of £1k.

Members discussed the necessity for the site to have good content but that Town Council were somewhat stretched already with regards to manpower to keep the site updated and fresh. 

Councillor Inch suggested that the task be taken on by the Chamber of Commerce as  the subject was more of a Marketing/Commercial nature.  The Chairman said he would raise this at the next Chamber meeting on 1st November.  He suggested that Town Council could possibly support the venture financially.  Councillor McKenzie noted that it would be important for Town Council to have input.

055   TO CONSIDER REINSTATING AN ANCIENT FAIR IN BIDEFORD FOR ONE DAY IN JULY TO CELEBRATE ST MARGARET OF ANTIOCH, PATRON SAINT OF BIDEFORD AND RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED

The Chairman explained to members that the idea behind an Ancient Fair would be to create a day of fun for all including old fashioned fairground rides and stalls ie coconut shy, three-legged races, a family dog show, donkey rides etc.  He suggested that selling stalls could offset some of the costs and could perhaps incorporate a Craft Fair (Mrs Benney).

He had spoken to Bideford 500 and they were happy to run the first event side by side with Heritage Day.

Members discussed different aspects of an Ancient Fair and considered the idea to be good.

The Chairman said he would research further.

Proposed by:  Councillor A T Inch, seconded and

RECOMMENDED: That an Ancient Fair be reinstated annually in July to celebrate St Margaret of Antioch incorporating old fashioned family events as well as stalls, music, food and crafts.

(Vote:  For: 6, Against: 0)

056   TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE BUDGET REQUIRED FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE TOURISM COMMITTEE DURING 2017/18 AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL

The Chairman asked members to consider the budget for the year 2017/18 and various aspects of Tourism they wished to cover.
The following activities were agreed upon:

Street Theatre during the School holidays  - £2,500
One-off events -  £2,500
Spruce Up days  -  £100
Taste of Torridge Food and Drink Festival  -  £1,000
Ancient Fair  -  £1,000
Gig Boat racing  -  £750

Total £7,850 with a contingency of a further £1,500 for the Ancient Fair should it be required.

Proposed by:  Councillor D Bushby, seconded and

RECOMMENDED:  That a budget of £7,850 is set with a contingency of a further £1,500 for the Ancient Fair if required.

(Vote:  For: 6, Against: 0) 

057   DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting would be scheduled for Wednesday 7th December 2016 at 6.00 pm in the Council Chamber.

The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 6.40 pm.