Community & Civic Resources Committee - Devizes · 2019-12-27 · COMMUNITY & CIVIC RESOURCES COMMITTEE 7th January 2020 2 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION At the Chairman’s discretion,

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Community & Civic Resources Committee

You are summonsed to attend a meeting of the Community & Civic Resources Committee at the following, place and date. Date: Tuesday, 7th January 2020 Time: Immediately after the Planning Committee Meeting Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, St John’s Street, Devizes Enquiries: Town Hall - Tel: 01380 722160 The Town Mayor Councillor Rose Chairman: Councillor Carter

Councillors: Bridewell Burton Evans Gay Geddes Godwin Hopkins Johnson Nash Pennington

AGENDA

1. MINUTES To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the

minutes of the meeting held on 19th November 2019 and which have been circulated alongside the agenda.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 3. DISCLOSURE(S) OF INTEREST To receive any disclosure(s) of interest by a Councillor or an officer in matters

to be considered at this meeting, in accordance with provisions of Sections 94 or 117 of the Local Government Act 1972 or the National Code of Local Government Conduct.

COMMUNITY & CIVIC RESOURCES COMMITTEE 7th January 2020

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4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION At the Chairman’s discretion, members of the public attending the meeting will

be allowed to ask questions, make a statement or address the Council upon a matter of concern to that person which is relevant to the Council. A time limit of 5 minutes per person will be permitted, but this may be extended at the Chairman’s discretion and a maximum period of 20 minutes has been allocated by the Council for this item of business

5. REPORT FOR INFORMATION – SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS PAID

A Schedule of Accounts Paid is attached for information (doc 5/1 – doc 5/3). 6. NARRATIVE INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT & KEY

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2019/2020 See attached information (doc 6/1) 7. REPORT FOR INFORMATION - REPORTS FROM UNITARY MEMBERS There are no reports for this meeting. 8. REPORT FOR INFORMATION – CORRESPONDENCE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS Letters of thanks have been received from Devizes & District Link, Waiblingen Way Residents Association, Sheep Street Baptist Church, Alzheimers Support and Wiltshire Sight in respect of their Community Grant awards, granted at the previous Community & Civic Resources Committee. Copies of these letters are appended to the agenda (doc 8/1-5). 9. REPORT FOR DECISION – TO ADOPT TREE POLICY

Recommendation That this Council reviews and adopts a newly created Tree Policy, a copy of which is attached to this agenda (doc 9). Purpose of the Report To enable the Council to have a robust policy in place to ensure tree queries are dealt with equably. Background

As the Town Council has become responsible for trees and hedges in Devizes, officers are now dealing with a number of queries in this area. For example, residents who are keen to have trees removed from public land which is close to their property, or those who are seeking overhanging branches to be trimmed.


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When a complaint is made or an issue raised, officers carry out a site visit to determine if the tree is dead, diseased, dying or dangerous. If none of these, using guidance passed on from Wiltshire Council, no further action will be taken, the case closed and the person who reported the issue will be informed.

Of all of the areas that officers are now dealing with, the issue of trees is one of the most contentious and can be emotionally charged for the resident or homeowner. Those making the initial complaint are frequently not satisfied with the outcome and officers are spending a lot of time on these complaints. The Town Council has a number of policies which provide guidance to both officers and members when making decisions and it has become increasingly obvious that a policy is also needed to provide clarity in this area. This will ensure all queries are dealt with consistently and will not favour anyone simply because they are the most voluble. Members will also note that the attached policy will also provide clear and comprehensive information for anyone seeking to understand the Council’s position on trees. Options Considered The committee needs to decide if it wishes to accept the Tree Policy. Implications and Risks

Financial and Resource Implications The Tree Policy itself does not set out any financial guidelines. Any

financial implications will be dealt with for each case on an individual basis.

Legal Implications and Legislative Powers The Council will be considering this matter under its General Power of

Competence Environmental Implications Any environmental implications for the Council associated with the

issue of trees, will be dealt with on an individual basis. Risk Assessment Officers are unaware of any risk implication for the Council associated

with this decision. Crime and Disorder

Officers are not aware of any issues the Council should consider under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder act 1998.


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10. REPORT FOR DECISION – SUPPORT FOR THE DEVIZES FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

Recommendation That the committee considers a request by the organisers of the Devizes Food & Drink Festival for support of the 2020 event, to include:

1. Free use of the Town Hall for monthly committee meetings. 2. Free use of the Corn Exchange for a two-day World Food event. 3. Free use of the Market Place for an outdoor market. 4. A grant of £1,000 to cover ingredients, hire costs of equipment and

disposables for the World Food Experience. 5. Free use of the Assembly Rooms to hold a Murder Mystery dinner.

Purpose of the Report To consider if the committee wishes to support the organisers of the Devizes Food & Drink Festival as detailed above.

Background The organisers of the Devizes Food & Drink Festival have formulated a programme for the 2020 event to build upon the success of the re-imagined event in September. The committee are looking to keep the event multicultural and will, alongside many other events, keep the World Food Experience in the Corn exchange. New venues for their ‘dinner in expected places’ evenings will be added, alongside a series of cookery demonstrations. In line with other local groups, including the Devizes Arts Festival, the Food and Drink Festival is run entirely by volunteers. The majority of profit made from the event will, as in previous years, being donated to local charities. Costs incurred for this year’s event are taken from a small surplus left from previous festivals. To ensure all funds are spent directly on the festival itself, the organisers are asking for financial support from the Town Council:

Free use of the Town Hall for committee meetings – should they pay for the hire of the Cheese Hall for twelve meetings per year, the cost would be £828.00 (£69.00 per meeting).

Free use of the Corn Exchange for a two-day Multicultural Feast event – should they pay for the all-day hire of the Ceres Hall, the foyer and kitchen, the cost would be £1092.00 (£546 per day).

A grant of £1,000.00 to cover ingredients, hire costs of equipment, disposables, first aid cover, children’s entertainment.

Free use of the Assembly Rooms to hold a Murder Mystery dinner – should they pay for the Assembly Room and Cheese Hall (to accommodate the kitchen) for this event the cost would be £301.00.


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Currently, the Town Council supports a number of local charity and community organisations who can apply for one free Grace and Favour hire each year. Furthermore, members have agreed arrangements for both the Devizes Arts Festival and DOCA to receive support from the Town Council in the following ways:

DOCA has free use of meeting rooms and facilities as and when they require for festival, carnival, Lantern Parade events. For events outside of this, they pay 50% of room hire. This roughly equates to £7600.00 of free use per annum.

The Devizes Arts Festival is similarly supported and their free use of the venues for meetings, the two-week Devizes Arts Festival, and member’s party roughly equates to £6500.00 per annum.

Attached to this agenda (Doc10/1) is a letter from two of the organisers of the festival setting out their application. Options Considered The Committee needs to decide if they wish to:

Agree to the request as it has been made.

Consider each request separately and agree to support some requests if not all.

If no support is to be offered, make an alternative offer.

Agree how any support should be acknowledged by the recipient. (The Committee could ask that the Town Council’s logo be added to all publicity material as a condition of the grant.)

Members may also want to consider the following option:

To agree the same level of support for the Devizes Food and Drink festival for the life of this council.

Implications & Risks Financial and Resource Implications The total amount of support requested for room hire is £2,221.00 which

would be taken from the ‘Free Use’ budget. The proposed £1000 grant would be taken from the ‘Grants’ budget.

Legal Implications and Legislative Powers The Council will be considering this matter under its Power of General

Competence. Environmental Implications Officers are unaware of any environmental implication for the Council

associated with this decision.


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Risk Assessment Officers are unaware of any risk implication for the Council associated



11. REPORT FOR DECISION – DEVIZES OUTDOOR CELEBRATORY ARTS

Recommendation That the committee decides if it wishes to extend the free hire grant to Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) to cover the entire calendar year.

Purpose of the Report To decide if the Council wishes to update the current council policy on free use for the DOCA to cover the entire year. Background

At the Community and Civic Resources Meeting on 10th September 2019, members unanimously agreed that it would review the free use policy for larger festival organisations such as Devizes Arts Festival and DOCA.

Currently, the Council supports DOCA through the provision of free use of

venues during a two-week festival period and, additionally, allows free use of the Corn Exchange for a Winter Ales event in February 2019.

To ensure that the Council can meet this policy obligation, it set a cost in its estimates of £2,500 for 2020/21. Officers met with DOCA’s Artistic Director Loz Samuels following the agreement made to look again at the issue of free use for larger festivals. Further to this meeting, Ms Samuels has made the following request: Over recent years we have reviewed our programme of work and considered all the risks involved in continuing our current format. We have taken into account changes in the town, the economic impact of our work, rising costs, the priorities of funders and the resources available to our organisation to lead us to a new programme format. We would like to spread the content of our work more evenly throughout the year, bring the focus of our large events into the Market Place making better use of nearby venues such as the Shambles, Corn Exchange and surrounding open spaces. We have moved the Carnival, enabling us to build Confetti Battle and the Colour Rush and work closer with the community to build Carnival, we would like to run events on the run up to Carnival and on the evening of the Carnival in July. DOCA has benefitted greatly in the past from the allocation of rent-free accommodation during the Festival Fortnight in Council owned premises, with our new approach to our work the fit of the allocation could be better.


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To this end we would appreciate it if Councillors could review the time span of our allocation and consider giving us greater flexibility by making it year-round rather than just a fortnight. This decision would enable current events to flourish and give us the possibility of delivering more throughout the year which would greatly benefit the town. We would appreciate your consideration in this matter. Options Considered The committee needs to decide if it wishes to update the current policy to allow DOCA free use of the venues for the whole of the year.

Implications and Risks

Financial and Resource Implications The total support agreed for free use of the venues is £2,500 for

2020/21. Legal Implications and Legislative Powers The Council will be considering this matter under its General Power of

Competence. Environmental Implications Officers are unaware of any environmental implication for the Council

associated with this decision. Risk Assessment Officers are unaware of any risk implication for the Council associated



12. REPORT FOR DECISION – LITTER ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN DEVIZES TOWN CENTRE

Recommendation That the committee considers if the Town Council should partner with East Hampshire District Council to deliver a littering enforcement strategy for Devizes. Purpose of the Report To agree if officers should work with East Hampshire District Council to develop a litter enforcement strategy for Devizes Town Centre.


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Background Officers, supported by Cllr Nash, have recently met with representatives from East Hampshire District Council, who are offering to provide a contracted litter dropping enforcement service for smaller authorities through its own in-house company.

Should Devizes Town Council decide to enter into an agreement with East Hampshire Council, they will provide the enforcement staffing to issue fixed penalty notices and legal support services to ensure that small councils such as Devizes can recover any fines issued through enforcement action. Whilst there are a number of commercial companies who provide an enforcement service for local Councils, East Hampshire District Council has emphasised that the service is not purely profit driven, therefore will exercise greater levels of discretion than other providers might give. A town council can ultimately determine how far an individual prosecution will go.

East Hampshire District Council has now established a proven track record with about a 99% conviction rate for non-payment of Fixed Penalty Notices and around 87% average payment rate. Very few complaints about their staff’s behaviour are found to be valid, therefore they have been recognised as best practice for Single Justice Procedure by Courts. Given the size of Devizes and that the number of persons likely to be prosecuted for dropping litter or dog fouling is unlikely to be very high, the service will not be cost neutral. The principle of the system is that East Hampshire District Council will make a daily charge for the supply staff, which will be partly offset by revenue from fines. East Hampshire Council believes that enforcement action has saved £1.6m across the eight councils they support and it has reduced street littering by 60%. The meeting was purely an exploratory conversation but it is hoped that a number of smaller Wiltshire councils will cluster together to provide a cost- effective service for delivery, at which point Devizes Town Council will have to have decided if it wishes to be a partner in the project. Due to cost, it is not likely that the service will be provided every day in town, but preferably on random days each week to help manage costs.

The service is provided through an Inter Authority Agency Agreement providing the legal framework. Taking enforcement action risks the Council being accused of being heavy handed but surveys suggest that 81% of people in UK are angered and frustrated by litter and dog fouling, however 62% of people drop litter. 99% of Town Centre streets have cigarette litter and a total of 30 million tonnes of street litter is collected each year.


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Options Considered

The committee needs to decide if wishes officer to explore further a litter enforcement strategy for Devizes Town Centre.


Financial and Resource Implications Officers are unaware what financial implication for the Council

associated with this decision would be at this time but it will have a limited resource implication for the Council


Competence Environmental Implications The environmental implications are set in the report. Risk Assessment Potential risk implications are set out in the report. Crime and Disorder


13. REPORT FOR DECISION – GATEWAY SIGNS Recommendation That the Council agrees a programme of Gateway Sign replacement. Purpose of the Report To agree that the council funds the replacement the “Gateway” signs leading into the town on the main roads Background

In 2003, following pressure from the Town Council, Kennet District Council agreed to replace the Gateway sign on the main road leading into Devizes. The agreement at the time was that Kennet District Council funds the signs themselves, then Devizes Council will keep them clean. Whilst the signs needed to be compliant with highway legislation the centre portion of the sign was put out to competition, however unfortunately the printable graphics now seem to have been lost.


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Officers believe that the Gateway signs and their condition are important factors when a visitor forms an initial perception of a town. Many of the town’s gateway signs are beginning to fade badly and therefore reducing their visual impact and whilst still legible they give the impression of being uncared for. Given that Wiltshire Council will only provide the statutory minimum in terms of signage, it is unlikely that they will fund the work that is needed to replace the faded graphics therefore officers are suggesting that the work is funded through the open spaces signage budget. Fortunately, the structure for all the signs are in good condition therefore the work will involve simply replacing the vinyl graphics. Given that the artwork for the signs will need to be redrawn and the original artwork has been lost, officers are suggesting that much like the original design a competition is run to design a new centre portion.


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At the competition end a panel could choose the winning entry. Options Considered

The Committee needs to decide if it agrees to fund the replacement of the graphics on the Town Gateway signs and if so, do they wish to run a competition to determine the design.


Financial and Resource Implications Whilst this work has not been specifically budgeted for, the Council

holds £2,600 in its open space signage reserve which is more than the project will need.


Competence Environmental Implications Officers are unaware of any environmental implication for the Council

associated with this decision. Risk Assessment Officers are unaware of any risk implication for the Council associated



14. REPORT FOR DECISION – GREEN LANE PLAYING FIELD OPTION TO

TAX

Recommendation That the committee agrees the “Option to Tax” on goods and services provided at the Green Lane Playing Field site . Purpose of the Report To agree to “Opt to Tax” all goods and services provided at the new Green Lane Playing Field Facility. Background As work on the Green Lane site progresses, the Council is making stage payments based on valuations provided by the contractor and each of those payments have a 20% VAT charge added. The budget for the project was predicated on the Council being able to claim back the VAT, however the VAT implications on the project are far from


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simple as provision of sporting facility are an exempt supply and therefore there are rules that need to be followed. Getting the advice needed to minimise the Council’s risk of falling foul of taxation rules has been very difficult and even HM Customs will not provide clear advice. One action the Council does need to take is to exercise an “Option to Tax” on the site which means that in future, all goods and services that are supplied from the site will be subject to VAT even if it is an exempt supply and this option will be in place for 20 years. However with the option to tax in place the Councils is in a better place to be able to recover VAT expended on the project. There are a number of VAT related issues that have come to light over the project which officers are still working on but at this time the Council needs to formally agree to “Opt to Tax” to enable the current VAT payments to be reclaimed. The overall project value is 1.7m and that will attract a VAT charge of £340,000. The current plan is that the future operation of the facility will be undertaken by Wiltshire FA who will lease the site from the Town Council. They are aware that the Council will need to “Opt to Tax” on the site and therefore will need to charge VAT on goods and services they provide. Options Considered

The Committee needs to decide if they wish to “Opt to Tax” on all goods and services provided at the new Green Lane Playing Field Facility.


Financial and Resource Implications An out of the VAT financial implications are set out in the report Legal Implications and Legislative Powers The Council will be considering this matter under its General Power of

Competence Environmental Implications Officers are unaware of any environmental implication for the Council

associated with this decision. Risk Assessment Failure to be able to recover the VAT on the project will place a

significant financial burden on the Council. Crime and Disorder



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15. QUESTION TIME

A short time is allowed at the discretion of the Chairman for councillors to ask questions on matters which are not on the current agenda but which are related to matters which have been previously discussed on an agenda relevant to the committee.

At least 24 hours’ notice must be given to officers of the intended question. All other matters should be raised on an agenda and the request should be submitted though the Town Clerk

TOWN CLERK


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PREV YEAR YTD YTD +/- YEAR END YEAR END +/-

ACTUAL ACTUAL BUDGET %AGE BUDGET FORECAST %AGE

Operating Income

0 MARKETS 110,953 109,333 101% 164,000 150,912 92%

0 TWINNING 123 0 0% 0 123 0%

367 CIVIC & CEREMONIAL 350 100 100% 450 350 78%

893,755 CORPORATE MANAGEMENT 927,661 925,522 100% 926,185 928,361 100%

1,086 GRANTS 0 0 0% 0 0 0%

280,515 COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES 177,439 174,549 102% 292,623 292,623 100%

48,843 TOWN HALL 44,110 36,720 120% 51,000 61,200 120% Reflects percentage of receipts in initial seven months

108,089 CORN EXCHANGE 70,199 77,625 90% 112,500 101,250 90% Reflects percentage of receipts in initial seven months

57,726 HILLWORTH PARK CAFÉ 50,035 47,574 105% 60,000 62,461 104%

16,685 COMMUNITY SPACES CENTRAL SUPPORT 6,770 5,739 118% 12,840 13,374 104% Use of Green and Green Lane Playing Fields higher than anticipated

7,036 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES 4,740 5,667 84% 8,500 7,140 84% Reflects percentage of receipts in initial seven months

3,947 CHRISTMAS TREES - BUSINESS 3,352 3,000 0% 3,500 3,352 96%

1,043 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & LIGHTS 893 0 0% 847 893 105%

59,783 CEMETERY 36,065 44,533 81% 66,800 54,108 81% Reflects percentage of receipts in initial seven months

0 ADMIN SUPPORT SERVICES 0 0 0% 0 0 0%

2,500 CAPITAL INCOME 1,000 0 0% 0 1,000 0% Easement over DTC land

1,481,375 Total Income 1,433,690 1,430,363 100% 1,699,245 1,677,147 99%

Running Costs

0 MARKETS 44,765 69,029 65% 103,544 88,350 85% Transfer from Wiltshire Council not completed to date

34,429 COMMITTEE SERVICES 26,361 24,874 106% 37,311 39,543 106%

23,042 MEMBER SUPPORT 15,604 15,929 98% 23,893 23,292 97%

4,326 TWINNING 4,448 3,609 123% 5,413 5,340 99% Majority of twinning costs now expended

24,216 CIVIC AND CEREMONIAL 14,750 19,153 77% 28,729 25,940 90% Low spend on Devizes in Bloom to date

12,371 COMMUNICATIONS 14,115 12,799 110% 18,630 17,868 96%

86,509 CORPORATE MANAGEMENT 46,648 42,083 111% 63,124 67,124 106%

17,663 GRANTS 15,644 16,614 94% 23,700 22,330 94%

86,178 COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES 46,151 28,328 163% 50,996 56,584 111% Large repair costs in relation to flats at 3 Little Brittox

27,741 ARTS DEVELOPMENT 22,501 22,828 99% 30,591 30,637 100%

157,868 TOWN HALL 93,875 90,945 103% 136,418 139,760 102%

166,832 CORN EXCHANGE 99,204 101,913 97% 152,869 154,087 101%

67,076 DEVIZES LEISURE CENTRE 51,836 50,625 102% 67,500 69,115 102%

77,944 HILLWORTH PARK CAFÉ 71,940 60,475 119% 90,712 97,834 108% Increased salary costs high due to Bank Holidays

331,824 COMMUNITY SPACES CENTRAL SUPPORT 215,438 342,631 63% 513,942 504,164 98% Invoice from Wiltshire Council in respect of IDVerde not paid as contract not signed

66,592 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES 53,391 68,931 77% 103,396 80,414 78% Utility costs low YTD

14,882 CHRISTMAS TREES - BUSINESS 5,879 3,500 168% 6,688 7,629 114% Christmas Trees invoice received in November not December as anticipated

31,197 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & LIGHTS 17,528 7,752 226% 19,878 24,124 121% Christmas lighting invoice received in November not December as anticipated

57,339 CEMETERY 29,997 33,789 89% 50,683 44,768 88% Grave digging charges below budget

25,426 COMMUNITY SAFETY & T C MANAGEMENT 22,105 29,485 75% 71,728 74,488 104% Nil spend on CAT G Road improvements YTD

0 ADMIN SUPPORT SERVICES 0 0 0% 0 0 0%

116,462 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 43,094 90,000 48% 99,500 88,734 89% A number of Capital items are still to be expended before year end

1,429,917 Total Expenditure 955,274 1,135,291 84% 1,699,245 1,662,120 98%

0 GREEN LANE INCOME 318,923 0 0% 0 1,491,752 0%

64,280 GREEN LANE EXPENDITURE 776,478 0 0% 0 1,711,752 0%

Income and Expenditure Account for Period to 30 November 2019

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Doc 9 Go to Item 10

Tree Management Policies

Management of Trees on Council

Owned and Maintained Land


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Management of Trees on Council Owned and Maintained Land

Contents

1.0 Introduction.........................................................................................................................4

2.0 Tree Management Policy....................................................................................................4

3.0 Common Law Right on Encroaching Trees........................................................................4

4.0 Dangerous Trees Requiring Urgent Action.........................................................................5

5.0 Dangerous Tree Requiring Action but not an Imminent Danger ........................................6

6.0 Overhanging Trees and Trees Touching Building..............................................................6

7.0 Tree Too Big / Tall ..............................................................................................................6

8.0 Tree Protection - Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas ...............................7

8.1 Tree Protection - Tree Preservation Orders.......................................................................7

8.2 Tree Protection - Trees in Conservation Areas .................................................................7

9.0 View............................................................................................................................... .. . .8

10.0 Light..................................................................................................................................8

11.0 Carriageway Obstruction Due to Trees.............................................................................8

12.0 Danger to Highway (private tree)......................................................................................8

13.0 Danger to Land Other Than Highway (private tree).........................................................9

14.0 Pavement - Obstruction....................................................................................................9

15.0 Trip Hazard……………...…...............................................................................................9

16.0 Road – Sightlines Obstruction .................................................................................9

17.0 Traffic Signal / Street Sign Obstruction...........................................................................10

18.0 Street Light - Obstruction................................................................................................10

19.0 Drains..............................................................................................................................10

20.0 Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour.......................................................................................10

21.0 Vandalism / Felling Council Trees Without Consent.......................................................11

22.0 Theft of Timber / Wood...................................................................................................11

23.0 Bird Droppings ................................................................................................................11

24.0 Blossom ..........................................................................................................................12

25.0 Fruit, Berries, Nuts ..........................................................................................................12

26.0 Poisonous berries...........................................................................................................12

27.0 Pollen .............................................................................................................................13

28.0 Ivy and Climbing Plants..................................................................................................13

29.0 Leaves / Foliage .............................................................................................................13


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30.0 Sap .................................................................................................................................14

31.0 Wildlife - Wild Animal / Insect Pest .................................................................................14

32.0 Utility Cables - Overhead Lines......................................................................................14

33.0 Tree and TV/Satellite/Telephone/Broadband Reception................................................14

34.0 Ancient, Veteran and High Value Specimen Trees.........................................................14

35.0 Subsidence damage to property (tree-related)...............................................................15

36.0 Direct Damage Caused By Trees ...................................................................................15

37.0 Why Was a Tree Pruned / Felled?..................................................................................15

38.0 Reporting Tree Matters...................................................................................................16


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1.0 Introduction

This policy sets out how Devizes Town Council manages trees on council-owned or -maintained land. The Council recognises that trees are an important feature of our urban and rural landscape, providing a whole range of multi-functional contributions to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

How do we define a tree, and what does this policy cover?

In 2009 a High Court ruling concluded that with tree preservation orders there are no limitations in terms of size for what is to be treated as a tree; in other words, saplings are trees. However, other than that there is no legal definition of what constitutes a tree for more general purposes. In line with Wiltshire Council’s tree policy, the following definitions have been adopted to provide the boundaries within which this policy operates.

Tree:

A tree typically has a single trunk growing in excess of 6m tall and bearing lateral branches. It has a more or less permanent shoot system supported by a single woody trunk. For the purposes of this Tree Policy, saplings will NOT generally be regarded as trees. In woodland a tree has a trunk of over seven inches, 180mm, in diameter.

Shrub:

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree and distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems arising at or near the ground (rather than a single trunk); a shrub is usually less than 6m tall.

2.0 Tree Management Policy

Devizes Town Council will generally only undertake remedial works to trees where the trees pose an unacceptable level of risk to public safety or property i.e. if a tree is dead or dangerous or if the tree is causing damage to property. It is not reasonable to prune or remove healthy trees simply because of their size and proximity to buildings, roads or other infrastructure. Devizes Town Council will manage any risk through tree inspections and undertake any necessary works to abate hazards due to mechanical faults within the tree’s structure, diseases or fungal infections and other conditions relating to tree health. 3.0 Common Law Right on Encroaching Trees

A resident has a Common Law right to remove (abate) the nuisance associated with trees encroaching onto your property. The following advice is given if you wish to exercise your Common Law right with respect to encroaching trees:

a) Those parts of the tree from the point where they cross a boundary of a property can be removed. There is no legal right to cut or remove any part of a tree that does not overhang a property;

b) Anyone considering work to a tree is strongly advised to consult a professional tree surgeon for guidance on how best to prune back encroaching trees, unless the works are such that you could do the works with hand secateurs or similar;


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c) Before anyone considers doing any works to a tree / trees they should find out who owns them and if they are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or are within a Conservation Area. If the trees are protected, consent will need to be gained by making an application through Wiltshire Council’s planning department. To find out if the trees are protected and guidance on how to apply for works if they are protected contact Wiltshire Council on the following number:

Telephone: 0300 456 0114

The link Trees and hedges | Wiltshire Council will provided advice if work is to be carried out on a tree.

Anyone considering pruning encroaching branches is advised to discuss their intention with the tree owner. Legally, if the person seeking to carry out the work removes any encroaching branches, they should first offer them to the tree owner and only if the owner does not want the cuttings can other appropriate arrangements be made to dispose of them.

If the encroachment relates to a council-owned tree, any cuttings must be disposed of appropriately; the council does not require nor expect to have these returned. 4.0 Dangerous Trees Requiring Urgent Action

Policy: If a tree owned or managed by the Town Council is in such a condition that it poses a very high risk to people or property and is considered to be an emergency situation, urgent action will be taken to make the tree safe.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: If an emergency situation arises, urgent action will be taken to make the situation safe. An emergency is defined as a tree that is in immediate danger of collapse or causing an obstruction requiring urgent attention, as outlined below.

1. If a tree poses an immediate and present danger urgent action will be taken to make the tree safe.

2. If a tree’s condition could be described as any of the following, it may warrant urgent attention:

a) Snapped or blown over b) Rocking at its base - roots are damaged c) Uprooted but held up by another tree or building d) Large branch has broken off, is hanging off or hung up within the tree e) Completely blocking road, footpath, access to property f) Fallen onto house or car 3. Signs to look out for which may mean that a tree is a risk to people or property but the risk does not require an emergency response include a tree which is:

g) Dead h) Dying - few leaves in summer or dieback in the crown i) Losing bark j) Affected by mushrooms or other fungi growing on or near the tree k) Affected by old splits and cracks in the trunk or large branches l) Losing smaller branches which are falling from the tree

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/ourplanningservices/conservationhistoricenv/treesandhedges.htm


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4. Trees can be made safe by pruning or felling. We employ the most cost-effective approach. However, for certain High Value and Ancient / Veteran trees we would consider other options to reduce risk to an acceptable level including those which would reduce the likelihood;

a) Of the tree or parts of the tree failing b) Of persons being close to the tree if it did fail. 5.0 Dangerous Tree Requiring Action but not an Imminent Danger

Policy: If a tree owned or managed by the Town Council is identified as dangerous, but

the risk to the public is not high, then the tree will be made safe depending on the degree of risk identified at the time of inspection.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: If not an emergency situation a site inspection will be undertaken and within 14 days the customer notified of what action is considered appropriate. 6.0 Town Council trees Overhanging or Touching Buildings

Policy: We will not prune or fell a tree in Council ownership to alleviate overhanging branches. Where branches are causing damage by touching a building a site inspection will be made and the affected property owner will be notified within 14 days of appropriate action.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection is not required unless damage has been caused.

There is a Common Law right to remove (abate) the nuisance associated with encroaching trees which can be found above at point 3.0.

7.0 Tree Too Big / Tall

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned or maintained tree

merely because it is considered to be 'too big' or 'too tall'.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection not required.

A tree is not dangerous just because it may be considered too big for its surroundings. Other problems would need to be shown such as those described in the Dangerous Tree policies (4.0) for the Town Council to consider it to be dangerous.

8.0 Tree Protection - Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Areas

Tree Preservation Orders and protection of trees in a Conservation Area are enforced by Wiltshire Council’s Planning Team. Before any works to a Town Council-owned or maintained trees they should be checked to determine if they are protected by a Tree Preservation Order or are within a Conservation Area.


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If the trees are protected, consent will need to be gained by making an application to Wiltshire Council. To determine if trees are protected contact must made with Wiltshire Council 0300 456 0114.

This link Trees and hedges | Wiltshire Council provides helpful advice. 8.1 Tree Protection - Tree Preservation Orders

A tree preservation order (TPO) is an order made by Wiltshire Council’s planning department in respect of trees or woodlands. The principal effect of a TPO is to prohibit the: 1) Cutting down, 2)

Uprooting,

3) Topping, 4)

Lopping,

5) Wilful damage, or 6)

Wilful destruction

of trees without planning consent. The cutting of roots, although not expressly covered in 1 - 4 above, is potentially damaging and so, in the Secretary of State's view, requires planning authority consent.

Penalties for undertaking works to a Protected Tree without consent

Anyone who, in contravention of a Tree Preservation Order:

1) Cuts down, uproots or wilfully destroys a tree, or

2) Tops, lops or wilfully damages a tree in a way that is likely to destroy it is guilty of an offence. Anyone found guilty of this offence is liable, if convicted in the Magistrates' Court, to a fine of up to £20,000. In serious cases a person may be committed for trial in the Crown Court and, if convicted, be liable to an unlimited fine.

It is also an offence for anyone to contravene the provisions of a TPO otherwise than as mentioned above. For example, anyone who lops a tree in contravention of a TPO, but in a way that the tree is not likely to be destroyed would be guilty of this offence. In this case, the Magistrates’ Court can impose a fine in the Magistrates' Court of up to £2,500. 8.2 Tree Protection - Trees in Conservation Areas

Under section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a conservation area is required to give the Local Planning Authority six weeks' prior notice (a 'section 211 notice').

Penalties for undertaking works to a Tree within a Conservation Area without consent

Anyone who cuts down, uproots, tops, lops, wilfully destroys or wilfully damages a tree in a conservation area without giving a section 211 notice (or otherwise in contravention of section 211) is guilty of an offence. The same penalties as those for contravening a Tree Preservation Order apply. 9.0 View

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/ourplanningservices/conservationhistoricenv/treesandhedges.htm


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Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council-owned or maintained

tree to improve the view from a private property.


It should be noted that there is no legal right to a 'view'.

10.0 Light

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned or maintained tree to improve natural light in a property.


In law there is no general right to light with regard to vegetation. Any right to light would need to be established under the Prescription Act 1832, provided the light has been uninterrupted for at least 20 years. A legal right to light can be enjoyed only in relation to a specific opening (such as a window) in a building; there is no right to light in connection with open land, such as a garden.

If natural light is being blocked by the growth of a hedge then action may be taken to reduce the problem under the High Hedges Act, Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act, 2003 - See High Hedges 11.0 Carriageway Obstruction Due to Trees

Policy: Carriageways on minor or estate roads and on major routes including double-deck bus routes requires a minimum clearance of 6m over the carriageway - where reasonably feasible Devizes Town Council will seek to achieve this for the trees it owns or manages.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: Site inspection to assess

It should be noted If a privately-owned tree is causing an obstruction to a road, Wiltshire Council have the powers under the Highways Act 1980 to make the owner of the tree remove the obstruction. If they do not, Wiltshire Council will do this work and recharge the owner. 12.0 Danger to Highway (private tree) This falls under the responsibility of Wiltshire Council. 13.0 Danger to Land Other Than Highway (private tree)

A tree in private ownership that is shown to be an imminent danger to non-highway land falls within the responsibility of Wiltshire Council. 14.0 Pavement - Obstruction Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake work to a Council-owned and maintained trees to maintain a minimum (where reasonably feasible) 2.5 metres height clearance over a footpath associated with a street, road or highway (3 metres where there are


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cycling rights). Any works necessary to prevent an obstruction in the width of a footpath associated with the highway due to the presence of a Council-owned tree would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site visit within 14 days

If a privately owned tree is causing an obstruction to a footpath associated with the highway, Wiltshire Council has powers under the Highways Act 1980 to make the owner of the tree remove the obstruction. 15.0 Trip Hazard Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake measures to make safe an unacceptable trip hazard in a street, road or highway and other council owned or maintained land caused by the growth of a Council owned and maintained trees. Our response to this tree-related enquiry: a) Trip hazards in a footway measured at an up stand greater than 20mm is classed as a priority 1 repair and shall be attended to within 24 hours. b) A site inspection will be undertaken and the customer notified within 14 days of what action is considered appropriate. The Removal of the tree is the last resort (although in some circumstances, where the tree is of low-value or easily replaced, removal may be the most appropriate solution). 16.0 Road - Sightlines Obstruction Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake work to Council owned and managed trees to maintain clear sightlines (where reasonably feasible) at junctions and access points (associated with a street, road or other highway).

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: a site inspection will be undertaken and the customer notified of what action is considered appropriate within 14 days.

It should be noted that standards for visibility vary according to the class and speed limit in force. If a privately owned tree is causing an obstruction to the visibility at a road junction (sight line), Wiltshire Council has the powers under the Highways Act 1980 to make the owner of the tree remove the obstruction. If they do not, the council will do the work and recharge the owner.

17.0 Traffic Signal / Street Sign Obstruction

Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake work to Council owned and managed trees to maintain clear sightlines (where reasonably feasible) for traffic signals and street signs (associated with a street, road or other highway). Our response to this tree-related enquiry: a site inspection will be undertaken within 14 working days of receipt and the customer notified of what action is considered appropriate. It should be noted that if a privately owned tree is causing an obstruction to a traffic signal or street sign, Wiltshire Council has the powers under the Highways Act 1980 to make the owner remove the obstruction. If they do not, the council will do the work and recharge the owner.


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18.0 Street Light - Obstruction

Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake work to a tree in council ownership to ensure that trees do not unduly obstruct street lights.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: That a site inspection will be undertaken within 14

working days of receipt and the customer notified of what action is considered appropriate. It should be noted that if a tree in private ownership is shown to be causing an obstruction to street lights, the landowner will be contacted and instructed to remove the obstruction under the Highways Act 1980. If it is necessary that the council undertakes this work then the owner will be charged in full for the council’s costs.

19.0 Drains

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune, fell a tree or cut the roots of a council owned tree to prevent roots entering a drain that is already broken or damaged.


It should be noted that tree roots typically only invade drains that are already broken or damaged. Tree roots found in a drain are usually symptomatic of an underlying problem requiring repair of the broken pipe. If you are concerned about the condition of your drains then you are advised to contact your water and sewerage company. 20.0 Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

Policy: Where a Town Council owned tree or managed tree is associated with

criminal activity and/or anti-social behaviour, measures to reduce the problem will be considered on a site-by-site basis.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection will be undertaken. Customers will be informed that a site inspection will be undertaken and the customer notified within 14 days of what action is considered appropriate.

It should be noted that where a tree is associated with criminal activity and/or anti-social behaviour, the Police should be contacted in the first instance.

Where a tree is associated with criminal activity and/or anti-social behaviour steps to reduce the problem will typically require the coordination of a number of agencies including the Police. Just pruning or felling a tree is not always the answer to the problem.

21.0 Vandalism / Felling Council Trees Without Consent

Policy: Devizes Town Council will look into reports of vandalism or felling of a Council-

owned and maintained tree and address any damage wherever possible.


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Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection will be undertaken. Customers will be informed that a site inspection is required and notified within 14 days of what action is considered appropriate.

1. The town Council encourages members of our local community to report incidents

of vandalism or illegal felling of council trees

2. The Police should be contacted on their non-emergency number: 101 and then reported to the council’s customer services team on 0300 456 0100.

22.0 Theft of Timber / Wood

Policy: Devizes Town Council will look into reports of theft of Council-owned timber / wood and prosecute wherever possible.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection will be undertaken. Customers will be informed that a site inspection is required and notified within 14 days of what action is considered appropriate.

The Town Council encourages the local community to report incidents theft of wood from council trees and will consider taking legal action where witnesses have been prepared to come forward.

1. The Police should be contacted on their non-emergency number: 101 and the matter should be reported to the council’s customer services team on 0300 456 0100.

2. The Council will not allow the remove wood (or other parts of a tree) from parks or public open spaces without consent. The Council should either remove cut timber from site or leave it in place as a wildlife habitat.

3. Unauthorised persons are not allowed to use a chainsaw or other tools and equipment in parks or public open spaces. 23.0 Bird Droppings

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not generally prune or fell a Council owned tree

to remove or reduce bird droppings from trees, or remove bird droppings from private land.


It should be noted that bird droppings may be a nuisance, but the problem is not considered a sufficient reason to prune or remove a tree. Warm soapy water will usually be sufficient to remove the bird droppings as long as this is done promptly.

Nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and other related wildlife law). 24.0 Blossom


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Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a Council owned or maintained

trees to remove or reduce blossom from trees or remove fallen blossom from private land.


Customer Advice:

It should be noted that tree blossom usually heralds the start of spring. Blossom is a natural occurrence, which cannot be avoided by pruning.

25.0 Fruit, Berries, Nuts

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a Council owned or maintained trees to remove or reduce the nuisance of fruit, berries or nuts, or remove fallen fruit from private land. However, where fallen fruit is leading to significant anti-social behaviour problems, we will consider measures to reduce the problem including whether a phased removal and replacement with alternative species is reasonable.


It should be noted that fruit trees such as apple, cherry and pear have the double benefit of spring blossom and autumn fruit. This makes fruit trees good for wildlife and a source of free food. Equally, where fruit trees are established but there is a significant anti-social behaviour problem, we may consider phased removal and replacement. 26.0 Poisonous berries

Policy: Devizes Town Council has no general policy to remove trees bearing poisonous fruit or foliage (such as Yew trees), however where it is claimed or known that unsupervised young children or livestock are likely to be exposed to poisonous berries or foliage, such cases will be investigated and appropriate action considered. 27.0 Pollen

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned or maintained trees to remove or reduce the release of pollen.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection not required. 28.0 Ivy and Climbing Plants

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or remove Ivy (Hedera helix) or any other species of climbing plant from a tree to abate a nuisance e.g. bird nesting, pollen, fruit or for the purposes of light. The control of plants climbing on or over trees is not a routine aspect of crown maintenance.


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Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection not required, unless for safety purposes.

It should be noted that the control of plants climbing on or over trees is not a routine aspect of crown maintenance. They may, however, be removed or cut back if this is considered necessary in the light of any of the following circumstances:

1. The plant is hindering visual inspection of a tree that could be posing a risk to people or property because of suspected presence of weakened tree structures in areas of high footfall.

2. The plant is growing high into the crown of a tree, so as to increase its resistance to wind;

3. The plant is significantly weighing down a branch or a leaning tree;

4. The tree is otherwise likely to be smothered (e.g. by Clematis, Russian Vine or, occasionally ivy) especially if it is old and therefore unlikely to outgrow the climbing plant;

5. There is potential for dead stems of the plant to become a hazard. 29.0 Leaves / Foliage

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned or maintained trees to remove or reduce leaf / foliage fall or remove fallen leaves / foliage from private property.


It should be noted that the loss of leaves / foliage from trees in the autumn is part of the natural cycle and cannot be avoided by pruning. The maintenance of gutters is the responsibility of the owner/occupier and the council is not obliged to remove leaves that may have fallen from council owned trees. Where gutters are regularly blocked by fallen leaves owners/occupiers may wish to fit gutter guards to provide a low-maintenance solution. 30.0 Sap

Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned tree to remove or reduce honeydew or other sticky residue from trees.


It should be noted that honeydew is caused by greenfly (aphids) feeding on the tree, which excrete a sugary sap. Often the honeydew is colonised by a mould, which causes it to go black. Where honeydew affects cars, warm soapy water will remove the substance, as long as this is done promptly.

Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to remove the aphids which cause the problem and pruning the tree may only offer temporary relief. Re-growth is often more


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likely to be colonised by greenfly thereby potentially increasing the problem. Some trees, such as limes, are more prone to attack by greenfly and in some years, greenfly are more common especially following a mild winter. Honeydew is a natural and seasonal problem. Where new trees are planted, we try to choose trees which are less likely to cause this problem. 31.0 Wildlife - Wild Animal / Insect Pest Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council-owned tree to remove

or reduce incidence of perceived pests such as bees, wasps, or wild animals. Our response to this tree-related enquiry: site inspection not required.

32.0 Utility Cables - Overhead Lines Policy: Devizes Town Council will undertake work to a council owned and maintained tree to prevent damage to overhead lines/telephone wires.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: Site inspection

required.

33.0 Tree and TV/Satellite/Telephone/Broadband Reception Policy: Devizes Town Council will not prune or fell a council owned or maintained tree to prevent interference with TV or satellite, telephone or broadband reception as there is no legal right to TV, satellite, telephone or broadband reception.


Customer Advice:

It should be noted that It maybe that your service provider would be able to suggest an alternative solution to the problem, for example relocating the aerial/dish or a means to boost the signal. 34.0 Ancient, Veteran and High Value Specimen Trees Policy: Devizes Town Council will seek to help prolong the life of council owned and maintained Ancient, Veteran and High Value trees through inspection, protection and as a last resort remedial works.

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: There are a number of threats to

Ancient/Veteran trees; these shall be identified through an inspection if required.

35.0 Subsidence damage to property (tree-related)

Policy: Devizes Town Council will prune or remove a Council owned and maintained tree only where damage has been caused to buildings and other structures as a result of the action of Council-owned or maintained trees. We vigorously defend claims of tree-related subsidence damage and require that the claimant and/or their representative supplies sufficient evidence to establish that the vegetation is responsible.

Our response rate to this tree-related enquiry:


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All concerns about tree-related subsidence damage involving a Council owned

tree will be acknowledged. In our response, we will advise that you need to notify

your home insurer. In addition, we will advise you that the burden of proof lies with

the claimant and should you wish to make a formal claim for damages or to

formally notify us of your concerns about future damage you will have to supply

supporting evidence.

All claims or notice of claims against the Council relating to a Council-owned

tree will be acknowledged within 14 working days of receipt. In our response,

we will tell you what evidence we require so that we may assess your claim.

It should be noted that if it is believed that property is suffering subsidence damage due to the action of trees in council ownership (or that there could be potential damage) then your property’s insurer should be the first contact. 36.0 Direct Damage Caused By Trees

Policy: Devizes Town Council will prune or fell a tree maintained or owned by the

Council to resolve a direct damage issue. Our response to this tree-related enquiry: A site inspection will be made and the customer notified within 14 days of appropriate action.

37.0 Why Was a Tree Pruned / Felled?

Policy: Wherever possible Devizes Town Council will respond to a question of why trees have been felled..

Our response to this tree-related enquiry: Clarification of why a tree is to be or has been felled will be provided as necessary.

Customer Advice:

It should be noted that tree removal is regrettable but necessary in some circumstances. The decision to remove a tree is not taken lightly; most trees that need to be are felled because the tree has become unsafe and there is no cost-effective solution to otherwise retain it.

2. Trees are pruned for a variety of reasons including the removal of damaged or poorly-formed branches, to reduce the likelihood of failure by taking 'weight' out of the tree and generally to keep a tree as healthy and attractive as possible.

3. Where tree works are undertaken we use the services of fully qualified, insured and experienced arboricultural contractors who are all Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors. 38.0 Reporting Tree Matters


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Customers are advised to report tree related matters via the My Wiltshire App

Register for the App: http://wiltshire.mycouncilservices.com/register

Or email: [email protected]

Go to item 10

http://wiltshire.mycouncilservices.com/register


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Doc 10/1

AN APPLICATION PROPOSAL FOR SUPPORT FUNDING FOR

THE DEVIZES FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 2020

INTRODUCTION:

2019 saw something of a change of approach by the Devizes Food and Drink Festival [DFDF],

from moving the timing from late spring to autumn, reaching out to new sectors of the

community and it was organised by an entirely new committee.

The Festival was very well received, with encouraging feedback indicating that it had been

revitalised, with much wider appeal, encompassing younger people and the less well off. Most

of the ticketed events sold out, the traditional opening event, the Outdoor Street Market was well

attended, and a modest overall profit was made. The level of charitable donations will be

greater than in 2018; these will be announced once final accounts have been prepared.

2019 was a valuable lesson for the committee, which had been cautious for this first Festival

under their management. It is now felt that the 18th Festival in 2020 could go on to even greater

things to mark the DFDF coming of age.

THE FUTURE:

We now feel sufficiently confident to invest in one major addition to the Festival: the staging of

two or possibly three cookery demonstrations, featuring well-known names.

This will involve hiring for the day a demonstration kitchen with video, and payment to the guest

chefs and general expenses – travel, accommodation if necessary and food for the demos.

Holding these ticketed events during the Saturday when the Street Market takes place would, we

believe, increase footfall for the market, even if the weather is not as kind as it was in 2019. The

Corn Exchange is the obvious venue for these demos, one in the morning, one in the afternoon -

adjacent to the Street Market and running concurrently with it.


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An outline of events under consideration during the 2020 Festival, with provisional dates 26th

September – 4th October, are:

1st Saturday Outdoor Street Market, with stalls restricted to food and drink

producers, or organisations with a strong link to local food. We welcomed

Devizes Opendoors and gave them a stand free of charge in 2019 and

would offer the same facility to the Foodbank if they would like this in

2020. As in 2019 we will not have stalls selling non-food items unless

they had a strong food connection. This tactic proved most beneficial this

year and resulted in a much wider range of stall holders from Wiltshire

and further afield.

Cookery Demonstrations in Corn Exchange

See above

Evening event – to be established

Saturday night is an excellent time for an event, and in 2019 we held the

extremely successful Murder Mystery dinner at the Museum. We are

exploring ideas for 2020.

1st Sunday World Food Experience

This, inspired by a Trowbridge multifaith event, very popular and

achieved our aims of reaching out to all sectors of the community.

13 nationalities were involved, serving up taster portions of a national dish

for just 50p. Attendance exceeded our expectations and feedback has

been very positive. We would very much like this event to become a

regular occasion at the DFDF, further developing inter-community

cooperation within our area. Many of this year’s cooks have already asked

if they can come back and have indicated that they will suggest to their

neighbours and friends from other lands they join in.


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This is the prime area where we look to the Town Council for support,

both for the venue, and money to allow us to continue free entry, fund the

hire of necessary equipment [hot plates, PAT test home equipment,

purchase of disposable plates, cutlery etc) and to ensure that cooks are

reimbursed for their food purchases.

Monday – Friday Events we are currently considering for the DFDF include:

A Food Quiz

A Tea Party

Visits to local food producers, both manufacturers and growers

Meals in ‘unusual places’. Dinners in the Pavilion in Hillworth Park, and

the Town Hall lock up, sold out as soon as tickets went on sale in 2019.

New venues are being sought for 2020

Erlestoke Prison dinner [historically a very popular event, organised

entirely by the Prison authorities]

A drink event – possibly a gin and mixology masterclass, featuring a local

distiller

A lecture on Food in Art, at the Museum

A prestigious dinner with wine matching

A dinner with a speaker – Café Scientifique or similar

A baking competition

An Indian themed literary dinner accompanied by readings of extracts

from suitable works.

A Murder Mystery dinner, featuring the All Cannings Panto Players.

2nd Saturday Come Dine With Us - a popular dinner party event that has been

successful over many years. Ticket sales were higher in 2019 than

previous years.

A substantial part of any profit from the Festival would be donated to local charities, with the

balance held over to be used to run the 2021 Festival

APPENDIX A

DEVIZES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL 2020 and DEVIZES TOWN COUNCIL

The main event that traditionally opens the Festival week is the Outdoor Street Market,

scheduled for 26th September, and we are asking for continued Council support for the Market

Place to be made available free of charge.

If we are to run cookery demonstrations on the same day as the Market, then use of the Corn

Exchange would be vital. The lobby would also be an excellent area to hold the judging of a

baking competition, thus using the whole ground floor which would create a vibrant and wide-

ranging day for the town.

We would very much appreciate the use of a Council venue for committee meetings.


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We would like to hold the Murder Mystery dinner in the Assembly Rooms at the Town Hall.

They would be ideal for such an event with access to both kitchens and performance space. This

was a sell out event in 2019 and a great success albeit in the rather limited space of the Museum.

And once again we would seek Council support for the World Food Experience.

As in 2019, we would fund the cooks in advance as we do not want anyone not to cook

for fear of the initial outlay. We will aim to gain support from a local supermarket. CW

Butchers were generous in their support of the entire Festival and supplied meat at

catering rates.

The Corn Exchange was an ideal venue. It could easily accommodate a few more tables

serving food [we are anticipating attracting more cooks] and the long tables for sitting

and eating created a sociable atmosphere.

COUNCIL SUPPORT

We would like to advertise the Devizes Food & Drink Festival as being sponsored by Devizes

Town Council, and are seeking your support for:

£1,000 Funding, to cover ingredients, hire costs of equipment, disposables, for the World

Food Experience.

Free use of the Corn Exchange, including access to the kitchen and WCs, for cookery

demonstrations on the first Saturday, and World Food on the first Sunday

Free use of the Assembly Rooms to hold a Murder Mystery dinner – Friday 2nd October

is the ideal date, but we could be flexible

A room at the Town Hall for monthly committee meetings, second Tuesday of each

month, starting Tuesday 7th January 2020

We very much hope that you will consider our application favourably and are available to

answer any queries you may have

.

Rosalind Ambler Jenny Groom

[email protected] [email protected]

November 2019

mailto:[email protected]


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Documents

Community & Civic Resources Committee - Devizes · 2019-12-27 · COMMUNITY & CIVIC RESOURCES COMMITTEE 7th January 2020 2 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION At the Chairman’s discretion,