Temperature 13°c (55°f)
Clouds are
Few Broken
Humidity 71%
April 2009 ATM
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009 MSC
- May 2009
- April 2009 ATM
- April 2009 APM
- April 2009
- March 2009
- January 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008 AGM
- April 2008
- March 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- August 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007 APM
- April 2007
- March 2007
- January 2007
- November 2006
- October 2006
- August 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- March 2006
- January 2006
Town Council created in 2003 - sixth full year 2008/9. Second term elections held in May 2007. 16 members covering 6 wards (political affiliation = 10 Labour 6 Conservative).
4 members of BTC only, 9 members of BTC & SDC, 1 member of BTC & SCC and
2 members of BTC, SDC and SCC.
Cllr Graham Granter - current Mayor completes term of office on 15 May 2009 having succeeded Cllr Philip Smeed, Cllr Ken Richards Deputy Mayor. Mace Bearer Chris Hocking.
Progressive increase in role and impact on service provision particularly during past
2 years, and as we move into this new financial year 2009/10.
Transfer of allotment land from Sedgemoor District Council automatic - land registration
completed on all 10 allotment sites including Bristol Road sites 1 & 2 although use relinquished on B Rd 2 - long outstanding issue in relation to Chilton 2 settled through SDC resolution to transfer to BTC and immediate agreement to transfer to SCC for use as part of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project at Chilton School replacement. All in-use allotments administered by Bridgwater Allotment Tenants Association under terms of continuing agreement.
Bristol Road 2 allotment surrendered by BATA and part now leased long-term to Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee who have erected new HQ and shed - formally opened earlier this year.
Following vacation of Town Hall office accommodation by SDC a couple of years ago long term future still to be resolved - BTC office refurbished and new lease taken from April 2008 within self-contained part of Town Hall including Mayor's Parlour pending proposals for Town Hall and Island site (THIS). BTC working closely with SDC and partner organisations including cultural and local user organisations. Stated objective remains to keep Town Hall and Charter Hall as community resource for people of Bridgwater and remain in prominent High Street location. Possibility of re-establishing some office use and some new-build.
Trinity Hall - discussions on future continue to retain for community use in meantime BTC contribution to running costs in 2007/8 & 2008/9 - advice of decision awaited from SDC on proposed transfer to BTC.
Bus shelters now responsibility of BTC with new replacement shelter provided in association with AD-shel at Westonzoyland Road.
Contribution to running costs of toilets at Taunton Road to ensure continued availability and to CCTV at Blake Gardens to protect refurbished toilets provided by SDC. Series of Band Concerts sponsored in Blake Gardens through Spring/Summer.
In furtherance of contribution to THI (£100,000.00) largely expended on Cornhill refurbishment BTC continue to build fund to assist Bridgwater Heritage Regeneration Partnership activities.
Funds also set aside for Street Lighting, Skatepark, Elections, BCI, Xmas Lights and Civic Enhancement. Grant programme both general and ward based extended together with sponsorship of pre-Carnival fireworks, town guide and Chamber of Commerce and main sporting clubs on a rota basis and support for Arts Centre, Sydenham Community Centre and ReCreation. Successful bid to Awards for All for project with Somerset Children's University and Engine Room and local schools "Fun with Film" - award of £9319.00.
Completion of cleaning of both Admiral Blake Statue and 'The Angel' of Bridgwater jointly paid for by SDC and BTC.
Cemeteries (Quantock Road and Bristol Road) transferred to BTC with effect from 01 April 2008 and managed and operated via a Service Level Agreement by SDC. Cemetery costs met from BTC precept and budget rather than Special Expenses. Arrangements working satisfactorily on all counts. BTC appreciation to staff involved at all levels.
Funding support provided to Blake Museum in 2008/9 to ensure continued operation. Agreement reached with effect from 01 April 2009 for transfer of buildings being Museum and Old Mill with intention to be run and operated on volunteer basis by the Friends of Blake Museum. Long term intention to transfer operation to Museum trust and separate trust to run the Old Mill. Superb commitment already by Friends assisted by Dr Peter Cattermole as Honorary Museum Co-ordinator to reinvigorate the Museum with expected opening date (to public) on 20 may 2009. BTC appreciation to all involved and to SDC Museum and related staff for help in the transfer which includes transitional funding from SDC for 4 years initially (£40k 2009/10 and £25k for each of next 3 years).
Policing in Bridgwater - close co-operation maintained and all Town Council meetings attended by Inspector Nic Crocker thus aiding relationships.
BTC member representation on some 20 plus organisations and groups including Partnership Board of Bridgwater Challenge. Detailed comments offered on North East Bridgwater proposals.
Town Council web-sites up and running and proving worth with significant hits www.bridgwatertowncouncil.gov.uk and www.bridgwatersomerset.info .
The Bridgwater Cup 2008 presented to Mrs Janet Harvey. Christmas Shop window display - cup presented by Mayor and Mayoress to Messrs Biddiscombes first winners.
Model Publication Scheme revised effective from 01 January 2009.
Precept (and Special Expense recovery from previous years) kept at same level for 2009/10 as previous year £448,813 and £14,557 respectively = £45.01 per Band 'D'.
KEY ISSUES CONTINUING and COMING UP:
Future of Town Hall and Island site
Bridgwater Challenge - Northgate and Eastover regeneration
North East Bridgwater inc Innovia and Little Sydenham Farm
Cattlemarket and land at Bristol Road - re-development
Gerber site re-development
Building Schools for the Future - 4 new Secondary Schools inc 2 Special Schools
Town Centre management
New Community Hospital
Bridgwater College - continuing expansion - Nuclear Academy and new theatre
Long term future of Blake Museum and Old Mill and Trusts
Long term future of Sydenham Community Centre and Trust creation
Long term future of ReCreation Centre
Skatepark /BMX at The Leggar and two micro-parks
Eastover Park Project
Opposition to loss of any part of Barclay Street car park
Long term future of B&ARFC at Bath Road
Nucelar new build at Hinkley Point
Future development ROF site at Puriton
Alan Hurford
Town Clerk 29 April 2009