Under the general heading of matters arising, the following items were discussed:

1. As agreed at the previous meeting, Dave had written to Tony Osborne about the conditions under which DOS was leasing 17 The High Street. As yet he had received no reply. It was agreed that we should take out public liability insurance for the office and Dave agreed to investigate further.
2. Dave had written to Ken Carter at SHDC about the Japanese Knotweed in the Bungalow Garden but had so far not had a reply.
3. Dave had written to Alan Robinson asking him to write to Devon CC to discover the current status of the Grove School resiting plan. Alan agreed to investigate.
4. Totnes Town Council had decided to refuse the request by DOS for free use of the Civic Hall for DOS Public Meetings. Pruw explained that she had spoken on our behalf but the Council had felt unable to help.
5. Alan Robinson noted that at the last meeting Deborah had suggesting contacting Howard Topliss of Tor Homes. He explained that SHDC has a partnership agreement with Sovereign Homes for the Totnes area, so it was important that they should be consulted too.
6. Alan explained that the reason that SHDC was commissioning an Ecological Survey of the Southern Area was so that the lease SHDC has for the Old Orchard Garden (which belongs to Devon CC) could be renegotiated to allow its use for purposes other than as open space. The survey would cover the whole Southern Area.
7. Alan noted that the figures given by John Halliday for car parking space costs were somewhat above those used by Savilles. They had estimated 1.165 Million for the 270 places in their plan - an average of 4300 pounds per space even though over two thirds of the spaces were in the multi-storey car park.
8. Pruw mentioned that since the last meeting she had pursued the question of inviting Time Team to perform an archaeological dig. Alan had raised various questions about cost, time and disruption. Pruw reported that there is no charge for a Time Team dig, that it would take 3-4 days, that the digs would be small (i.e. would not involve closing a whole car park) and would not prevent future development. It was agreed that Pruw should write formally to the programme.
9. Shirley asked about feedback from the Training Evening run by Di Parkin on April 5^th. Dave was the only person present who had attended it. He said that it appeared to have been very successful. It was attended by 16 people (one more than were signed up) and the 'brainstorming' session produced a great deal of useful questions. Di will be writing up details of these for later use.
10. Pruw raised again the question of a newsletter (see below). She was anxious to begin work on this as she felt the resulting publicity was essential if the project were to involve the community.

Donald raised the question of SHDC's expectations of the project. Alan re-iterated their constraints (on housing, parking, capital receipts) and said that they were expecting (at least) a viable concept statement to replace the one they had set aside. Bill argued that it was likely the project would produce more, both in terms of details of what was proposed and in how development might proceed. It was agreed that the first edition of the newsletter should make clear just what the project was aiming to deliver.

There was brief discussion of the capacity of the service infrastructure (water, sewerage, electricity etc) under the Southern Area and whether this could support a development of the size proposed. Alan confirmed that Savilles had assumed that any shortfall would be up to the eventual developer to make good. He also said that the appendices to the report put before the SHDC Executive Council on March 11^th contained such information as was available (including information about housing cost estimates). He agreed to provide a full copy of the report (the copy Susie obtained in March did not contain the appendices).

The meeting then discussed the proposed DOS Constitution. Dave (the drafter) outlined its main purpose - to give confidence to potential funders that any donations would be properly managed, would only be spent on approved objects and was subject to the proper controls. What was proposed was an unincorporated organisation (though a proper company limited by guarantee could be set up later if necessary). Shirley's proposal - that another object be added covering activities that might happen after the project had achieved its primary objective - was discussed. It was agreed that this should not be added now - it could always be added later when and if such a need arose.

The issue of membership was then dealt with. Pruw felt the question of who was a member was currently unclear and that there should be a formal way for members to sign up, involving membership forms and signatures. After much discussion it was agreed that membership should involve attendance at a DOS meeting and acknowledgement by the member that they agreed to join. Dave agreed to redraft the appropriate paragraph (at the beginning of Section 5).

Bill then outlined the importance of planning for the Community Action Planning days in Phase 2. Because it was important that as many people as possible should attend, it was necessary to give adequate notice and to try to avoid times when people were likely to be away on holiday. A weekend seemed the best period and a target date of June 19-20 was suggested.

It was noted that although Lionel Boswell has offered to be the DOS Treasurer, he does not want to be involved in attending meetings.

Alan Robinson has agreed that SHDC will pay Paul Fassam directly for the full 3D topographical survey data if Dave can ensure that the invoice goes to Alan Robinson.

SHDC will send DOS a copy of Andrew Fiske's Housing Needs Survey. Andrew or Debbie (?) will attend one of the Housing WG meetings.

Shirley noted that Kate Geary, DCC Archaeology, was visiting the site together with James Bellchambers and Pruw, to give her an overview of the heritage issues and get her advice on the recommendations of the 2001 Survey.

It was agreed that there would be two Press releases, before and after the 2^nd Volunteers Day on April 24^th. Claire Madron at SHDC will be consulted as to the wording etc.

Pruw discussed her offer to edit a DOS newsletter, two sides of A4 in black and white. She could do one every 3 weeks or so, frequency to be discussed. She cannot be responsible for distributing this to a range of sites- suggested to include: GPs, the Guidhall, Library, Museum, DOS office etc. She felt the first run should be about 300 copies. SHDC will make the copies for DOS.

Donald made useful suggestions as to halls for hire for the consultation process should the Civic Hall not be available- United Free Church Hall was central and good value. Also the Methodist Church Hall (costly?) St Johns Bridgetown and the Seven Stars Hotel!?

Pruw noted that she was out of the country 22-30^th of June - can we set dates that will allow her to attend please?

Alan advised us to set meeting dates ASAP and get them to him as his diary was filling up

The meeting closed at 11.40. The next meeting will be held on 28^th April.