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To view Meeting details please go to the Meetings Page.

Minutes April 2009

BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 9 APRIL 2009 AT 7.30PM

IN THE CHARTER HALL TOWN HALL BRIDGWATER

PRESENT: Cllr GJ Granter (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the Chair) Cllrs MD Cresswell, AS Downes, DP Loveridge, JR Munn, PGH Parker, DL Preece, KF Richards, Mrs GJ Slocombe, P Smeed and J Turner (JP)

Apologies: Cllrs Baker, Busby, Hall, Monteith and Ms Raven

101/08 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 30/04/09:

RESOLVED: That Martin Hodgeson (CEO) YMCA and Foyer be invited as guest speaker together with Inspector Nic Crocker Bridgwater Police.

102/08 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 March 2009 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

103/08 MATTERS ARISING:

I. North East Bridgwater/Innovia/Little Sydenham Farm and Bridgwater Challenge (Min 91/08.1) - the Open House in the Old Seconds Ahead shop in the High Street had been held on 3 and 4 April 2009 and had been well attended. Further meetings were planned by the PR group and a neighbourhood planning group/forum was being arranged for the Sydenham Ward on 15 May 2009. Cllr Munn pointed to the importance of the Bridgwater Sports & Social Club in providing facilities for the town and the need to ensure that similar facilities were replicated within the new development. This had already been highlighted in the Town Council responses. Cllr Smeed reported on his attendance at the Bridgwater Challenge Board meeting and the contributions invited to prepare the vision for the future;

II.Angel of Bridgwater - War Memorial Plaque - the Town Clerk reported that the additional inscription had now been added to the plaque placed on the war memorial. Arrangements would be made with the family for dedication. Some attractive pictures of the "Angel" had also been produced.

III. Skate Park and Facilities and Bridgwater Cluster Group (Min 91/08.2) - the Cluster Meeting had agreed to support the application for RLT3 funding for the main proposal at the Leggar and to support the applications for the two micro sites subject to local consultation. SDC were now considering the creation of Strategic Clusters, although this raised a number of issues particularly for the Bridgwater cluster and representations had been made on this addressing particularly RLT3 funding, procedure, and the PACT meetings.

104/08 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:

RESOLVED: That the payments (including Section 137 payments) made since the last meeting recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 2 April 2009, and the recovery of £500 adjustment from SDC, be approved and confirmed.

105/08 PROGRESS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM BUDGET & PRECEPT 2008/2009 - BUDGET AND FACILITY AND SERVICE SUPPORT (Min 93/08):

Members were updated on all the specific items as below:-

i. Blake Museum - the transfer documentation had not yet been completed, but good progress was being made so that this would be effective from 01/04/09. The Friends and volunteers had geared their work towards this and the transfer celebration on 11 April was going ahead. A note of the very useful meeting of the Friends and Museum Sub-Committee held on 25 March was circulated. The Town Council Sub-Committee had provided a very useful link to progress and the Town Clerk recommended that this should continue in being in the initial operation of the museum through volunteers and as the move was made to create a trust. SDC interest, other than that covered within the transfer agreement and the transitional funding, in effect ceased on 31 March 2009. The former Blake Museum Management Committee had been wound up and Members expressed appreciation for the work they had contributed. Arrangements were in hand to provide a Curatorial Advisor essential to maintain accreditation. Insurance had been transferred to the Town Council account.

Solicitors had advised that the transfer of the property should be supported by indemnity insurance for a potential chancel repair liability;

RESOLVED:

1. that the Sub-Committee with existing membership continue in being and be considered for re-appointment at the first ordinary meeting in the new municipal year;

2. that an indemnity insurance at an adequate level be obtained covering potential chancel repair liability;

3. that the Friends of the Museum and the Honorary Museum Co-ordinator be requested to advise on the appointment of a Curatorial Advisor;

4. that every effort be made to complete the transfer agreement with the transitional funding and the free conveyance of the land and buildings as quickly as possible;

5. that the Town Clerk make enquiries as to the £1600.00 approximately held in trust towards renovation of the Old Mill;

ii. Cemeteries - the Town Clerk confirmed that work had been completed at Quantock Road to remove the hedge and mounding for the fence on the boundary of No. 121, which had now been erected. A report had been received of some relatively minor vandalism to the container used by operatives at Bristol Road, which had been attended to. Problems with rabbits were also being addressed and it may be necessary to move a stock of redundant headstones from their present location. Members agreed to turn their attention to the upgrading of the Bristol Road Cemetery in due course. Cllr Mrs Slocombe confirmed her interest in both cemeteries and mentioned a number of points that she had observed. She undertook to maintain her watch at both cemeteries, which role was endorsed by the Council.

iii. Trinity Hall - the Town Clerk advised that no further information had become available since the reference to the Scrutiny Committee and the forthcoming consideration by the Executive of SDC on 15/04/09.

106/08 TOWN HALL AND ISLAND SITE (THIS) PROJECT:

The Development Trust Association had produced advice on future working structures and reference would be included in the next stage report to the SDC Executive, which was now delayed until 29/04/09. The Project Team had met again on 08/04/09 and it was understood that the report to the Executive would examine the financing regime in relation to other projects and the sale of land at Northgate and that the result may be that some of the cultural offer would have to be reduced, together with a reduction in the new build offices. It should, however, mean that the refurbishment of the exterior of the building and some upgrading of the main hall and facilities would be achieved.

(Cllrs Parker and Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in this matter and did not take part in the discussion or vote thereon).

107/08 CODE OF CONDUCT AND TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER INTERESTS:

Following on from conversations with the Monitoring Officer from SDC it had been muted that formal dispensation should be applied for by all dual-hatted members of BTC and SDC given the number of the Town Council membership affected in this way. This would mean application to the Standards Committee of SDC. With a dispensation it would mean that members would not be disbarred from speaking on matters where it may be considered that such members had a "personal and prejudicial interest". An example would be transactions involving both Councils.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be requested to prepare a suitable application for signature by all such members wishing to sign up.

108/08 NOTICE OF AUDIT 2008/2009:

The Town Clerk reported that the timetable for the audit had been shortened under the regulations and this year required the calling of the audit and submission by 06/07/09 and approval of the accounts by 30/06/09.

RESOLVED: That the audit be completed accordingly.

109/08 BRIDGWATER GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL COMMITTEE AND LAND AT BRISTOL ROAD:

Members were aware that the new carnival committee shed on the land at Bristol Road leased from the Town Council had been officially opened recently with the Mayor and other Councillors in attendance. The Carnival Committee had now written thanking the Town Council for their support and enquiring whether consideration could be given to the other half of the site (former Bristol Road 2 Allotment) being leased or used by them under licence in view of their desire to accommodate more Bridgwater clubs needing sites to build and a need for additional car parking.

Members considered the issues and implications that arose with this request, bearing in mind the overall interest of the Town Council in land in this area. It was considered premature to enter into any formal lease of any length, pending knowledge of the more comprehensive development in the whole area.

RESOLVED: That no decision on the future of the piece of land involved be taken, until such time as a clearer picture emerges of comprehensive proposals for the area.

110/08 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2009/2010:

RESOLVED: That the provisional calendar of meetings for the forthcoming municipal year be approved.

110/08 ANNUAL MEETING AND MAYOR MAKING FRIDAY 11/05/09:

Members discussed detailed arrangements for the Mayor-Making Meeting.

RESOLVED: That the agenda and programme be prepared as now agreed.

111/08 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:

The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received and those additional to the report in two sections: those for decision and those for information.

RESOLVED: that all items be noted as listed in the report dated 2 April 2009 (Agenda item 9) and decisions taken as follows with additional items recorded:-

1. Wembdon Road Cemetery - following historical work by Miles Peterson, a member of the Civic Society, invitation to BTC (and SDC) members and the Conservation Officer to undertake a guided walk to be arranged after 20 May 2009.

2. Sports sponsorship - agreed to sponsor Bridgwater Town second leg southern League cup final against Atherstone Town on 21 April 2009 in combination with a game in the new fixture list for 2009/2010.

3. Office photocopier - agreed to replacement machine with additional features on favourable terms reported.

4. Further consideration to be given to arrangements with Ureske Hradiste Council in relation to signing renewal documentation with possible visit to UH in September 2009 (11-13)

27. Somerset Community Council - invitation to join with subscription of £30 minimum - declined

28. Information Commissioners Office - Freedom of Information Act DVD

29. Arts Centre - proposed street party

30. SLCC branch meeting 01/05/09

(Cllr Parker declared an interest in items 2, 8 and 29 and Cllr Loveridge in item 8).

The meeting finished at 9.05pm

.............................................

Signed

Chairman

Meeting Calendar

Minutes April 2009