Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Minute 30, mobile phones be limited to personal use only (in case of emergencies) and in which case the Councillor is to leave the room to respond. Councillors must switch their mobile phones to silent during the meeting to avoid disruption.

Taken as read.

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Myers

Resolved that the apology be noted.

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

None were received.

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

There were no dispensations.

To approve, sign and adopt the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17^th October 2023.

Members considered the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17^th October 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the Council meetings held on 17^th October 2023 be approved and signed as a correct and accurate record of the meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Jackman
Seconded by Cllr Jackson
1 Abstained by Cllr Comer (absent from previous meeting)
Carried unanimously

Verbal update was given on the Clerk’s report.

There was a card fraud issue that was done. It has already been investigated and we have already received a refund.

Currently waiting for more information about the Toilets from Teignbridge and should have an update by the 5^th December.

The amendments for the Pay and Display for Bitton House were given to DCC, however, DCC did not get them to HATOC in time for the November meeting. They are proposing a public consultation in December. Depending on the level of objections, that will determine whether is needs to go to HATOC or it can be implemented sooner.


 

The Mayor wants to send a letter of Thanks to Brian Hall who is the chair of the Remembrance Committee.
Proposed by Cllr Atkins
Seconded by Cllr Cox
Carried unanimously


The Mayor also explained that she has a full calendar leading up to Christmas.

Cllr Jackson gave her thanks to the Mayor for all the work she has been doing.

Cllr Cox proposed that we thank Teignbridge about reacting quickly to clean up the Storm Damage.
Second: Cllr Rudge
Carried unanimously

To receive and approve the list of payments for September.

The payment list to be approved by the Council

Proposed by Cllr Atkins
Seconded by Cllr Lloyd
Carried unanimously

As I am sure you are aware, each year we apply to Keep Britain Tidy for a Blue Flag or Seaside award for Teignmouth beach, unfortunately the latter last year. We need to submit a full application each year and we are assessed in the summer against a range of criteria for each award.

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting England’s best beaches. Blue Flag is an international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes. Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline. With an increased number of staycations in the UK it is even more important that we recognise our clean, safe and award winning beaches for both or residents and visitors. Visitors are increasingly looking for beaches that are safe and have clean bathing water and therefore having a beach award might even affect where they come on holiday which will have a direct impact on tourism and local businesses.

For 2024 we are looking to seek funding from Town and Parish Councils for the award, if this is something that the Town would like to continue to apply for. Unfortunately the beach awards are not a statutory obligation for the District Council, and we are under increased pressure to find savings for the District. It would be a real loss for the District to not be able to recognise our award winning beaches and the attraction they have on drawing tourism to our town.  We hope that this is something that you will be able to consider and support.

The District council would still support the awards in terms of the officer time to submit the application and coordination of the award criteria, however we would be looking for financial support from the Town and Parish Councils.

The cost of the Blue Flag application is £838.95 + VAT and the seaside award is £612.15 + VAT and we would need to submit the application by the end of December 2023. We will not find out from DEFRA/EA until the 1^st December what the bathing water quality classifications are for 2024. Therefore we will not be in a position to put in an application until the 1^st as this will determine whether we apply for a Seaside Award or a Blue Flag.

If you could consider our proposal please and let us know if there is a date that you would need to take this to a wider Council meeting in order to give a response. We appreciate that there isn’t much time to consider the proposal but we would really need a decision by the end of November at the latest to enable an application to be submitted as soon as we get the classifications on the 1^st Dec.

The Clerk gave a report about what is happening at Teignbridge regarding the proposed withdrawl of Blue Flag and the Seaside award funding and how this might affect us.