===== PAGE 1 ===== # BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL # MINUTES Meeting: Town Council Meeting Date: Thursday, 30 July 2026 Meeting Time: 6:50pm Venue: Greenhouse, Riverbank House, Bideford EX39 2QG Present: North Ward Councillor D Bushby Councillor K Hind South Ward Councillor S Inch Councillor R Clarke Councillor P Lawrence (Chairman) West Ward Councillor C Hawkins Councillor T Inch East Ward Councillor J Craigie Councillor J Gubb Councillor J Hellyer Councillor L Hellyer Councillor J McKenzie ## Also Present: J Gardner, Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer R Coombes, Deputy Town Clerk Prior to the start of the meeting, councillors received a presentation from the Chairman of the Bideford and District Archive. She explained the important work of their ===== PAGE 2 ===== volunteers, over the years, in cataloguing and researching the resource, its accessibility, and popularity to the local and distant worldwide community. She expressed gratitude for the funding support that has been received over the years; whilst believing it to be a very effective facility she indicated that the Council can be proud of “its resource.” The Chairman thanked her and informed the Members on the Council's relationship. ### 50. Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Smith. Apologies were not received from Councillors Gordon, McGeough and Taylor. ### 51. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations Councillor Gubb declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 8.17 (spouse of payment recipient) and pecuniary interest in Items 8 numbers: 28, 43, 46 and 77 (spouse of payment recipient). ### 52. Public Participation The Chairman invited Councillor Barry (Devon County Council Bideford East) to address the Council. Councillor Barry first intimated that the Local Government Review (LGR) had not been well received at County Hall; Devon County Council would consider the new plan at a meeting on 10 August 2026. He referred councillors to his report, made available earlier in the day and forms part of these minutes, highlighting Devon County Council support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Devon and explained the implication of changes brought about by the merger of Exeter and Petroc Colleges. Councillor Barry also highlighted a pothole initiative and detail on the North Devon Hospital Maternity Unit also contained within his report. Councillor T Inch saw the irony in Torbay having announced the opening of a new fully resourced Maternity Unit whilst the Maternity Unit at North Devon Hospital would be temporarily shut through staff shortages. He bemoaned the continued disregard by motorists in accessing Mill Street contrary to the restrictions. Councillor Barry intimated that the issue was one of enforcement, or not, by Devon and Cornwall Police. The Chairman warned of the spectre of the National Grid digging up the newly laid and much improved Moreton Park Road and questioned why Devon County Council could not have foreseen or better coordinated the works. ===== PAGE 3 ===== Councillor Barry noted that the utility companies were under no legal obligation to inform Councils of scheduled works generally (although not the case in this instance). The Chairman thanked Councillor Barry for presenting his report. ### 53. Minutes of the Previous Meeting It was proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor Gubb and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2026 as a correct record. (Vote – For: 8, Against: 0, Abstention: 4) ### 54. Items Brought Forward by the Chair Councillor Hind suggested the Council consider the Council’s response to the recently announced local government reorganisation decision by central government at the next meeting of the Council. The Deputy Town Clerk reminded members of the arrangements for the Procession of the Civic Party, councillors, officers and the Youth Pipe Band including the Long Bridge crossing on Saturday 8 August 2026. (Councillors L Hellyer, Bushby and Hawkins indicated that they would not attend the Procession.) ### 55. Proposal to Install Digital Street Kiosks The Chairman provided background detail, including benefits (free ‘phone calls, free charging for devices, free public Wi-Fi, internet connectivity, bleed control kit, defibrillator, public and emergency messaging, local information, maps and wayfinding”), to a proposal to install digital street kiosks. Councillor Bushby questioned why Pulsehub had not approached the District Council direct, the Council Planning Department having rejected their initial approach. Councillor J Hellyer inferred that the kiosks were not aesthetically pleasing. It was proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor McKenzie to support the installation of two Pulse hub digital street kiosks at Kingsley Road and the Quay in Bideford. ## (Vote – For: 5, Against: 6, Abstention: 1) The proposal was not carried; the Bideford Town Council would not support the installation of digital street kiosks in Bideford. ### 56. Committee Minutes It was proposed by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Gubb and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Amenities Committee held on 23 July 2026 as a correct record. ===== PAGE 4 ===== (Vote – For: 9, Against: 0, Abstention: 3) It was proposed by Councillor S Inch, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 June 2026 as a correct record. (Vote – For: 12, Against: 0) It was proposed by Councillor S Inch, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 24 June 2026 as a correct record. (Vote – For: 12, Against: 0) It was proposed by Councillor L Hellyer, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 12 July 2026 as a correct record. (Vote – For: 11, Against: 0, Abstention: 1) (Councillor S Inch indicated that the vote for the motion was incorrect with reference to planning application number 1/0440/2026/FUL; the Clerk to correct.) It was proposed by Councillor Bushby, seconded by Councillor Lawrence and resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Resources Committee held on 9 July 2026 as a correct record. (Vote – For: 12, Against: 0) It was proposed by Councillor Hind, seconded by Councillor Bushby and resolved to appoint Councillors T Inch and D McGeough to the Resources Committee. (Vote – For: 11, Against: 1) ### 57. List of Payments (Councillor Gubb, having declared a pecuniary interest in numbers 28, 43, 46 and 77, left the meeting.) It was proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor Inch and resolved to approve the List of Payments. (Vote – For: 11, Against: 0) (Councillor Gubb returned to the meeting.) ## Part II (Closed Session) ### 58. Exclusion of the Press and Public ===== PAGE 5 ===== Due to the sensitive or confidential nature of the following item it was proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor T Inch and resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting on the basis of Section 1 paragraph 2 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 which stipulated that a council may, by resolution, exclude the public from a meeting (whether during the whole or part of the proceedings) whenever publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted or for other special reasons stated in the resolution and arising from the nature of that business or of the proceedings. (Vote - For: 12, Against: 0) ### 59. Christmas Lights – Outcome of the Tender Exercise (Councillor T Inch left the Meeting.) The Council considered a report recommending the appointment of a contractor for the annual maintenance, installation and removal of the Christmas Lights. (Councillor T Inch returned to the meeting.) It was proposed by Councillor L Hellyer, seconded by Councillor Gubb and resolved to appoint DS Electrical to install, maintain, and remove Christmas lighting displays in various locations in the town centre in Bideford for the festive seasons 2026-2029. (Vote – For: 11, Against: 0, Abstention: 1) ### 60. Pannier Market – Licence for Alterations The Council considered the licence of alterations governing the construction works at the Pannier Market. It was proposed by Councillor Lawrence, seconded by Councillor T Inch and resolved to authorise the execution of a licence for alterations for the Pannier Market to be signed as a deed in accordance with the Council’s Standing Order 23. (Vote - For: 12, Against: 0) Councillor McKenzie expressed disappointment regarding the distribution of funds to those that had not entered into nor satisfied the criteria for funding through the Levelling Up initiative. He believed that the Market could have attracted additional funding support. ### 61. Mayor's Robe The Council considered a report recommending the replacement of the Mayor's robe. At its last meeting on 18 June 2026, the Council had questioned the potential suppliers' availability and capacity to deliver the works and requested a further report to this ===== PAGE 6 ===== meeting to include quotes for the replacement of the fur with faux fur as well as any necessary repairs to the existing robe. It was proposed by Councillor Craigie, seconded by Councillor Clarke and resolved to purchase a new robe from Robes of Distinction as he had provided the only matching faux fur and a short lead time. (Vote – For: 8, Against: 4) Councillors noted the research / liaison work that the Town Clerk's assistant had engaged to produce the report. ### 62. Staffing Matters There is a confidential note associated with this item. The business of the meeting having been concluded the Chairman thanked the councillors for their attendance at the meeting, which concluded at 7.56pm. Signature of Town Mayor: ..... Date: ..... ===== PAGE 7 ===== ===== PAGE 8 =====
BIDEFORD TOWN COUNCIL - Accounts for approval at the Town Council Meeting - 30 July 2026
Agenda Item 8
Invoice DateSupplierAllocationVATNETTOTALPaymentGovernance
122/06/2026Staff MemberRefund misc items purchased for Regatta£0.00£393.75£393.7522/06/2026TC
205/06/2026Pauline MillsFloral Pedestals - Mayor Introduction£0.00151.00£151.0026/06/2026TC
321/06/2026J FisherSecuring of M Hall (11 days: Apr - Jun)£0.00£440.00£440.0026/06/2026Mkt
404/06/2026The Royal HotelMayor Introduction Buffet (Myr's Alice)£378.58£1,892.92£2,271.5026/06/2026TC
524/06/2026Staff / HMRC / DCCSalary / National Insurance / Pensions£37,105.53£37,105.5324/06/2026TC
621/06/2026Tamar TradingMaintenance Items£68.16£473.84£542.00TC
722/06/2026RGBMaintenance Items£35.26£176.27£211.53TC
804/06/2026EDFQuay Decorative Lighting£9.02£180.35£189.3723/06/2026TC
918/05/2026Source for BusinessWater (Caddsdown)055.05£55.0523/06/2026TC
1003/06/2026SWWMarket0241.72£241.7223/06/2026PM
1114/06/2026BJ's Value HouseMaintenance Items£0.0012.24£12.24CC032TC
1214/06/2026Morrisons BidefordMaintenance Items1.085.42£6.50CC033TC
1318/06/2026Morrisons BidefordMaintenance Items£28.62143.09£171.71CC034TC
1419/06/2026Mow ItMaintenance Items£2.0810.42£12.50CC035TC
1522/06/2026Blakewell Services LimitedMaintenance Items45.93229.67£275.60CC036TC
1623/06/2026AldiMaintenance Items0.562.82£3.38CC037TC
1701/06/2026M GubbPPE£0.0068.74£68.7426/06/2026TC
1829/05/2026D KeightleyPPE045.00£45.00TC
1905/03/2026Torridge District CouncilMarket Hall Non-Domestic Rates Bill 26/2701117.20£1,117.2023/06/2026PM
2023/06/2026AcomSeasonal worker82.67413.33£496.0030/06/2026TC
2130/06/2026Myles Clough Management ServicesPannier Market refurbishment project management£441.25£2,206.25£2,647.50TC
2229/05/2026WollensLegal fees£166.00£830.00£996.00TC
2330/06/2026Myles Clough Management ServicesPannier Market refurbishment quantity surveying fees£323.07£1,615.33£1,938.40TC
2401/07/2026Starboard Systems LimitedFinancial software monthly subscription£34.80£174.00£208.80TC
2530/06/2026PFM Intelligence UK LimitedFootfall counter and analysis Pannier Market£123.40£617.00£740.40PM
2630/06/2026Robeda JoineryIroko timber - Moreton Park bench£14.62£73.10£87.72TC
2701/07/2026LinealLicenses / Support£36.17£180.84£217.01TC
2830/06/2026AcomSeasonal worker£82.67£413.33£496.0007/07/2026TC
2930/06/2026ClarityMeter copy charge£6.87£34.37£41.24DDTC
3030/06/2026JewsonMaintenance Items£3.12£15.59£18.71TC
3102/07/2026E.On NextElectricity - Maintenance Depot£3.31£66.17£69.48DDTC
3226/06/2026G J HeamanMOT + Vehicle Maintenance - Renault Traffic£71.18£395.89£467.0702/07/2026TC
3301/07/2026Screwfix LtdMaintenance Items£1.00£4.99£5.99CC038TC
3401/07/2026BJ's Value HouseMaintenance Items£3.71£18.53£22.24CC039TC
3503/07/2026Background Sounds LtdAnnual Payment£30.00£150.00£180.00CC040PM
3603/07/2026Screwfix LtdMaintenance Items£1.70£8.49£10.19CC041TC
3703/07/2026ToolstationMaintenance Items£1.58£7.91£9.49CC042TC
3803/07/2026ZunichInsurance cover for Pannier Market construction works£0.00£1,075.20£1,075.2006/07/2026TC
3910/07/2026Zonkey Solutions LtdAnnual website hosting and maintenance/support£119.00£595.00£714.00TC
4011/07/2026Fizzog Face PaintingFace painting at Chudleigh Picnic£0.00£225.00£225.00TC
4106/07/2026HBH WoolacottsWoods Cortina XL 18K Portable Air Conditioner£166.66£833.33£999.99TC
4214/07/2026MedisaveReplacement pads for defibrillator£26.00£129.98£155.98CC056TC
4307/07/2026AcomSeasonal worker£82.67£413.33£496.0015/07/2026TC
4415/07/2026TTS Training Services LtdPortable Appliance Testing (PAT) qualification for employee£39.00£195.00£234.00TC
4515/07/2026T/A Focus GroupBroadband Caddsdown Maintenance Depot£49.39£9.88£59.27TC
4614/07/2026AcomSeasonal worker£82.67£413.33£496.0021/07/2026TC
===== PAGE 9 =====
Invoice DateSupplierAllocationVATNETTOTALPaymentGovernance
4724/07/2026Staff / HMRC / DCCSalary / Tax National Insurance / Pensions£0.00£31,033.13£31,033.1324/07/2026TC
4810/07/2026In StitchesWork clothing£11.40£57.00£68.40TC
4929/06/2026BlanchardsMaintenance Items£5.00£24.99£29.99CC043TC
5009/07/2026Direct car seat covers ChesterfieldSeat Covers - Toyota Hilux£10.00£49.99£59.99CC044TC
5109/07/2026AldiMaintenance Items£0.56£2.82£3.38CC045TC
5209/07/2026ScrewfixBike(s) Stand£10.00£49.99£59.99CC046TC
5313/07/2026Pat Williams LtdMaintenance Items£16.72£83.61£100.33CC047TC
5413/07/2026Kirkham TyresMaintenance Items£45.20£226.00£271.20CC048TC
5514/07/2026Merry Harriers Garden CentrePlants£1.25£6.25£7.50CC049TC
5617/07/2026Andrew SymonsMaintenance Items£5.00£24.98£29.98CC050TC
5717/07/2026Vincent's HolsworthyMaintenance Items£15.72£78.60£94.32CC051TC
5821/07/2026Evans Transport LtdMaintenance Provision£20.13£100.66£120.79CC052TC
5923/07/2026Asda Stores LtdMaintenance Items£1.98£9.88£11.86CC053TC
6003/07/2026Amazon PrimeAmazon Prime£0.00£8.99£8.99CC054TC
6123/07/2026Morrisons BidefordOffice Items£1.90£10.39£12.2923/07/2026TC
6207/07/2026NALCTraining - Make social media work for you£7.00£35.00£42.00TC
6308/07/2026PeninsulaHR£65.15£344.97£410.12TC
6414/07/2026VistaprintStandard Banner£10.98£54.91£65.89TC
6523/07/2026North Devon TrailersMaintenance Items£9.88£49.39£59.27TC
6621/07/2026AcornSeasonal worker£82.67£413.33£496.0028/07/2026TC
6714/07/2026North Devon ForumGrant£0.00£200.00£200.00TC
6823/07/2026Way of the WharvesGrant£0.00£200.00£200.00TC
6927/07/2026Andrew SymonsRepair to the stand on Ferris due to the drive belt snapping£42.67£213.33£256.00TC
7004/07/2026Ashton ElectricalReplace downlights in Unit£103.75£518.74£622.49PM
7101/07/2026TriangleBroadband / Line rental£72.02£360.11£432.13PM
7228/07/2026Robeda JoineryIroko timber - Kingsley Road Benches£22.44£112.20£134.64TC
7323/07/2026Eagle PlantToilet - Chudleigh Fort£36.80£184.00£220.80TC
7426/07/2026SolutionsBideford Fair£0.00£4,502.80£4,502.80TC
7527/07/2026MedifireBideford Fair - First Aid / Fire Cover£0.00£400.00£400.00TC
7624/07/2026Staff memberRefund of misc BTC expenses in stationery + Canva registration£0.00£87.81£87.81TC
7728/07/2026AcornSeasonal worker£82.67£413.33£496.0004/08/2026TC
7829/07/2026VistaprintStandard Banner£10.67£53.32£63.99CC055PM
7930/07/2026David Ogilvie EngineeringSeat (Park Lane), Bolt Down Kit + Delivery£239.20£1,196.00£1,435.20TC
8039/07/2026Staff MemberRefund of PPE£0.00£45.00£45.00TC
8130/07/2026LinealMicrosoft Licenses£34.47£172.34£206.81TC
£3,527.03£95,184.06£98,711.09
Bank Balances at 30/07/2026 - Current£ 10,252.29
Bank Balances at 30/07/2026 - Deposit£ 550,633.62
Bank Balances at 30/07/2026 - Reserves Account£ 50,000.00
Bank Balances at 30/07/2026 - Current (Mkt)£ 23,635.30
Bank Balances at 30/07/2026 - Deposit (Mkt)£ 36,202.27
===== PAGE 10 ===== Report Councillor P Barry Local Government Reorganisation A decision from central government regarding what the new Unitary Council for Devon will look like has been announced this month. Devon will be split into four areas with the largest area, geographically speaking, being Devon Coast and Countryside. All councillors from all political parties at DCC are against this idea and therefore are looking into having a judicial review of the plan. If the unitary plan does go through then our new Prime Minister has said that Unitary Councils will be headed by a Mayor. This is good news in one respect as that opens up more sources of grants from central government. Devon County Council has therefore asked that Devon be placed first in the queue for a Mayor if the change to Unitary Council goes ahead. ## SEND DCC recently agreed a significant new investment to expand support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Devon. The additional £20.5 million will support a major programme of improvements across Devon’s education system, helping more pupils access high-quality education closer to home. This programme will create more places in mainstream schools, specialist settings and post-16 provision as well as improving existing facilities so they can better meet a wide range of needs and help more children get the support they need in environments that work for them. By increasing the support available locally, more children stay in their own communities, closer to home, learning alongside their peers and connected to their support networks. Alongside creating new places, DCC will also be focusing on workforce development and working more closely with schools and colleges, so that the support children receive will be consistent and high quality wherever they are in Devon. DCC be delivering these improvements over the coming years, with new provision opening in phases. With that in mind, It has been brought to DCC attention that as a direct result of the merger between Exeter College and Petroc (now known as North Devon College - NDC) the post-16 Wings College for those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) were in danger of imminent closure. DCC are working on this right now and the latest email about the situation is show in appendix 1. ## POTHOLES You may recall that a trial using new materials for filling potholes last year focussed on the Barnstaple South, and Hatherleigh & Chagford electoral divisions. The results were ===== PAGE 11 ===== inconclusive so another 12 month trial has been implemented in the following 8 electoral divisions:-
Ashburton & Buckfastleigh
Bideford East
Bovey Rural
Crediton
Feniton & Honiton
Holsworthy Rural
Teignmouth
Totnes & Dartington
These locations were chosen in line with the CIRS Scrutiny and Cabinet recommendations regarding pothole data, protected characteristics and with consideration given to geographical and political spread. The trial started on 29th June and at the time of writing, the first non-safety defects have already been passed to our contractor for repair. It is however important to note that there will be times during the 12-month trial when the number of safety defects means it needs to be paused to allow the teams to focus on those issues that pose the greatest risk to the travelling public (typically winter/early Spring) ## North Devon Hospital Maternity Unit The Maternity Unit at the North Devon will be temporarily shut from Tuesday 11th August due to staff shortages. This is the latest news so far:- ## Helpline for non-urgent enquiries – 01271 335773 This is a new dedicated support helpline for general enquiries and is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Outside of these hours you can leave contact details for a call back. ## Urgent concerns – 24/7 maternity triage line – 01392 406616 Any women, birthing person or family member who needs urgent medical advice should call our maternity triage line as usual - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01392 406616. Please do not use our triage helpline for non-urgent enquiries. ## Feedback People can also share feedback with Devon Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) by emailing info@devonmaternityvoices.org.uk ## Keep up to date - web page and FAQs Our web page will continue to be updated with the latest information and FAQs: www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/services/maternity-and-obstetrics-birth-and-babies/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/ ## Advice for pregnant women and birthing people and their families Every person who is 34 weeks pregnant or more will be receiving a phone call soon from one of our midwives, to discuss their own birth plan and ensure they are fully supported. Once we ===== PAGE 12 ===== have had these conversations, we will start contacting people who are earlier on in their pregnancy. Email: Mark.Barry@devon.gov.uk Phone: 07392 433699 ## Appendix One This is the latest email sent to me regarding the merger between Petroc and Exeter College: - Hello Mark, Thank you for following this up. Although a few weeks ago we were being given the impression from North Devon College that students could be coming to Wings, that quickly changed with a similar message from both them and DCC. As such, we put together a form of words for us to share with the parents of the fourteen children who had planned to come to the Wings College, some for their second year. This is what we sent to parents:- 'I just wanted you to know that Wings has now received the same letter as sent to you by on behalf of North Devon College that the fourteen students who were going to be attending Wings College from September 2026 will now be re-offered a place at NDC. We have also been contacted by DCC to say that Wings will not be named on your child’s EHCP, something which would have enabled them to come to Wings. Having worked for the past eight years with students who have been unable to access Petroc/NDC we are not going to give up trying to find a way of continuing this invaluable and, in many people’s opinion, much-needed work. As such we are still talking with our senior contact in DCC and also urgently looking for alternative funding streams, different ways of working and delivering exciting and inviting programmes. However, at the moment we cannot promise that the Wings College will continue in its current format from September so you need to decide what is the best way forward for your child when weighing up the next steps. What we can promise is that you and your child are of paramount importance to us and that we only want the best for them. We are always here for you so please free to get in touch'. The tightrope we are walking Mark is that we are asking DCC for help in enabling the College to continue for a year while we apply to the Section 41 route for becoming a Specialised post 16 Institution, something we have been operating as for at least the past 8 years, while not appearing to blame them for what has happened as a result of a business decision by ENDC (Exeter and North Devon College). We need people to look for possible solutions rather than keep saying what can't be done and causing children and parents to suffer. Kind regards Paul