|
Present: John Taylor (Chair), Rob Mulliner (Treasurer), Chris Hair (TF Exec), Pat Westaway (TF Exec), Mandy Govier (WDBC & TTC), Simon O’Connor Thompson (TF Exec), Dick Eberlie (Tavistock Museum), Bob Huges (D&C Police), Robin Pike (WDBC & TTC), Maria Jones (Farmers Market), David Whitcomb (TTC), Veryan Barneby (Secretary), Graham Kirkpatrick. 1) Apologies: Jeffrey Stackhouse (TF Exec.), Mark Steed (Kelly College), Christopher Kirwin (TaVi), Jan Kelway, Mike Smith (Youth Café), Larry Base (TF Exec), Guy Talbot (TF Exec), Anne Johnson (TTC Mayor). Candace Greensted (Kelly College) 2) Chairman’s Report: The Chairman started his report by thanking all those who had supported Tavistock Forward over the past year. He welcomed those who were attending the AGM and then gave a brief review of what had happened since the last meeting. MARKET & COASTAL TOWNS
ASSOCIATION The Chairman explained that the MCTi was set up in 2001 by the RDA and had become the vehicle which helped promote towns affected by Foot & Mouth. Unfortunately for Tavistock the RDA set up two separate bodies covering the town which meant there was an overlap. The first was the Tamar Valley MCTi now known as Tamar Community Futures, and the second Tavistock MCTi now known as TaVi, and both these organisations still existed. Having run successfully for 10 years TF decided to keep its independence by not merging with TaVi, who are more closely linked with the Local Authorities in a strategic role, such as being a member of West Devon’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). TF has retained its own identity and would now concentrate on delivering projects, which was probably a good decision as the Government decided last week to end the MCTA in June!
TAVISTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
GUILDHALL & ORIENTATION CENTRE As for the Guildhall itself, the TF deal with the Police still existed but to take the matter forward, it was necessary to have a decision as to what physical alterations could be agreed with English Heritage for the Courtroom so that the building be brought back into beneficial use. Unfortunately the change in the proposals for the toilets and Guildhall Square directly effects how one enters the Guildhall and utilises the facility enabling disabled access (before even dealing with the internal alterations). TF have been lobbying the Local Authorities to prepare a comprehensive Conservation Heritage Management Plan for Guildhall Square so there would be clarity about the future heritage of the town which would assist in obtaining funding to take the matter forward. The Chairman said that TF did not feel enough was being done to promote the town as the ‘Gateway’ to the World Heritage site which would increase tourism and benefit the local economy. He reminded everyone that TF already have an initial report from DTZ on the best possible future uses for the Guildhall, but DTZ cannot complete their report until the proposed works of alterations have been agreed with English Heritage. Funding was needed to enable an Architect to complete designs for these proposals.
WYNN MAP 1752 PROJECT
TOWN ALIVE REVISITED EATWISE ~ EAT LOCAL CAMPAIGN Plans were afoot to expand the EatWise ~ Eat Local campaign next year which was instrumental in winning the Best Local Food Awards and the database of producers and providers had been enlarged. There were a number of potentially interesting funding packages becoming available this year and TF would work with their partners to try and ensure maximum benefits for the area.
DEVON & CORNWALL BUSINESS COUNCIL TF had also lobbied behind the scenes on other life style issues such as implementing a street drinking ban in the centre of Tavistock and supporting the Track4Tavistock as well as other initiatives. The Chairman concluded by paying particular thanks to all the Executive who had given up so much of their spare time to help the Group try and make Tavistock a better place to live, work and relax.
Existing Executive: Chairman John Taylor
3) Election of Officers and Executive Committee: All the existing members on the Executive Committee were happy to stand again and as no new members were forthcoming and no objections raised, the Executive Committee was re-elected. The Election of Officers would take place at the next TF Executive Meeting.
4) Minutes of Annual General Meeting – 25th
May 2006: 5)
Matters Arising: DE thought the forthcoming Thursdays Interpreting Tavistock Meeting had a limited Agenda but the Chairman said that the Agenda had been changed following the recent letter in the newspaper to included consideration of a Conservation Management Plan and Townscape Heritage Initiative. Following a discussion, the meeting was united in their condemnation of the Local Authorities lack of support for World Heritage Status for Tavistock (particularly the Town Centre) and were concerned that the title could be lost if nothing was done. RP said he had been lobbying hard to improve signs to Tavistock and DE/GK thought it was essential that a unified Steering Group was formed to develop Guildhall Square to include the Museum, Subscription Library, Court Gate Cottage and Guildhall as a comprehensive scheme. Disbelief was also expressed that the plans for the public toilets had been granted (contrary to the public consultation) and there were doubts if English Heritage had been consulted. MG stated that she had objected to the proposed toilets, the concept was wrong and that Tavistock was getting forgotten. She added that the War Memorial was now listed which would complicate matters. Chairman said that whilst the RDA, English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Fund were supportive of the Guildhall project, it would be unlikely to progress matters until the Local Authorities had established a Heritage Conservation Management Plan and a Town Heritage Initiative for the town. It was felt that the next couple of months were crucial and pressure on the Councils Officers was essential. SOC said it was important to have a strong Committee to get these plans in place and it needed to be publicised. The Meeting agreed that a special meeting should be set up to review the World Heritage Status when the outcome of Thursdays Meeting was known. BH (Police) said the Estate Manager was renovating the building over the next 5 years following English Heritage’s concern over vegetation seen growing out of the roof (and water running down walls inside the building)! Railway Link – RP said it was likely to be built but the station would be further down the line from Monksmead. (see Local Development Framework). 6)
Finance and Accounts:
7) Town Alive – Projects Update: · World Heritage - Building Restoration, Interpretation Centre (Guildhall?), Signage, Entrances, Lighting, Meadows. · Marketing & Branding - Web Portal for Tavistock Non-commercial Organisations, One Town Leaflet, Links with other Groups, Strategy · Traffic Management - Car Parking, Transport Links, Relief Road, Railway and Hoppa Bus, Cycle Links · Comunity Activities [Visual]– Flowers, Trees, Events, Links etc The Chairman added he was pleased to see TTC were building a new Car Park and that he was amazed at how much Community Groups do for the town! SOC said how well the groups got on together and was encouraged by their response. CH said how they all appreciated the Forum and would like it to continue on a quarterly basis. MG thought the web portal had already been created but it was pointed out that it was a private commercial venture and the proposal was for non-commercial community based website. GK was pleased to learn that Town Alive Revisited was considering cycle links but had concerns relating to river crossings (see AOB).
8) EatWise ~ Eat Local Campaign MJ said Tavistock Farmers’ Market had been approached by a linked BBC film company to create a new programme on local food. All the other television channels were doing similar programmes and the BBC were keen to source new angles/ideas. This was a great opportunity for Tavistock to promote local food. The Meeting congratulated the FMarket on its success. DE said that all the Community Groups should work closely together to help the Food Festival keep going and there was a general discussion about future funding. CH went on to say that the FFestival sponsors Burts may not be sponsoring the 2008 event and all their sponsorship last year went to pay WDBC for the use of the Car Park. The floor agreed that more should be done to encourage community groups as these are run by people in their own spare time although MG pointed out that Local Authorities funds are now so tight that even some public services were underfunded.
Any Other Business:
The meeting closed at 8.00 pm
Vice Chair: Chris Hair
|
Action
TF Exec.
TF Exec.
TF Exec.
|