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Key

To view Meeting details please go to the Meetings Page.

December 2009

BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.30PM

IN THE CHARTER HALL, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER

PRESENT: Cllr KF Richards (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the Chair) Cllrs D Busby,

MD Cresswell, GJ Granter, D Hall, DP Loveridge, PGH Parker, D Preece,

Mrs GJ Slocombe, P Smeed and J Turner (JP)

Apologies: Cllrs Baker, Downes, Monteith, Munn and Ms Raven

63/09 PUBLIC SPEAKING:

The council was address by Mr Bob Cudlipp raising a series of issues and specific questions in relation to Building Schools for the Future and Haygrove and Chilton Trinity sites in particular. Related issues were addressed in the questions in the planned location of a swimming pool at the Chilton Trinity campus and the alternatives for a new Haygrove school and the future of the existing site itself.

64/09 BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF):

The Council received a presentation from Julia Ridge, Project Director, outlining the position with each of the four sites planned in Bridgwater with the replacement for the four secondary schools and the two special schools. The BSF would provide significant investment in Bridgwater, which was fully supported by Somerset County Council with facilities that were more than just schools and were for the use of the wider public. Part of the impact of BSF was to raise standards and there was evidence that this was already improving. She outlined the timetable in each case with starts planned in 2010 in accordance with the procurement process and the two successful bidders.

Julia then dealt with the seven specific questions all put forward by Mr Bob Cudlipp in his public-speaking session.

She confirmed that in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act full information was available on the planning applications, but not in respect of the two detailed bids.

Specific questions were then dealt with from members relating to school exchanges, sports centre and pool provision and car parking at Chilton and periods of pool use when provided, bus service provision to all sites, access and transportation and ecology surveys in respect of the proposed Haygrove new site at Queenswood Farm, and the A39 access, and confirmation of the end date for all new schools to be ready.

Julia offered to return to the Town Council with further updates as the schemes progressed.

65/09 MINUTES:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10/12/09 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

66/09 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 10/12/09:

1. Bridgwater Heritage Regeneration Partnership - Durleigh Brook walkway proposals (Min 62/09.1) - further information had been anticipated but was not yet available in relation to future liabilities related to the walkway.

67/09 REPORT OF THE ELECTORAL REVIEW WORKING PARTY:

The Report of the Electoral Arrangements Working Party held on 07/01/10 was submitted to enable the Council to meet the deadlines for representations to the Boundary Commission of 18/01/10. The paper identified the specific issues that had been examined.

RESOLVED:

That given the population and therefore the electorate of the town in relation to the whole of Sedgemoor, and the increase in population anticipated in the next five years, the number of elected members representing Bridgwater on SDC should remain at 16;
that the boundaries of the town itself and the town wards should remain the same in the interests of community identity and effective and convenient local government;
that of the two scenarios produced in draft by SDC, which put forward a maximum number of councillors at 48 for the entire district, Bridgwater Town Council preference is for scenario two rather than for scenario one;
that the Working Party with the nominated membership be reconvened at the appropriate time to consider further stages in the process and in due course to examine town council membership, warding and demographics and the total number of councillors to be elected.

68/09 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:

RESOLVED: That the payments (including Section 137 payments) made since the last meeting recorded in the Town Clerk's Report dated 07/01/10 be approved and confirmed. (Museum expenditure will be covered in the next Sub-Committee Report).

69/09 TOWN COUNCIL ASSETS AND CATTLEMARKET & BRISTOL ROAD LANDS AND THIS (THERP) PROJECT (MIN 60/09):

The Town Clerk reported a further meeting that had been held on site with the Allotment Tenants Association representatives, and the way forward that had been agreed, which involved the phasing of the release of the allotment land initially to permit access for the principal road construction. The revised draft Promotion and Development Agreement had been received and was now being worked through by the Council's Solicitors to reflect the position with the allotments and the relocations once the new area was available. An application for consent related to the allotments would be completed for submission to the Secretary of State. It was understood that a planning application was likely to be submitted in March/April 2010.

RESOLVED: That the position and progress be noted.

70/09 EDF - HINKLEY POINT C - CONSULATION ON INITIAL PROPOSALS AND OPTIONS PRE-APPLICATION STAGE ONE AND NATIONAL GRID CONSULATION:

Following the consultation presentation from EDF and the issue of the consultation papers in respect of the Hinkley Point C proposals and the National Grid consultation, the Town Clerk submitted a copy of the response paper, which had been supported by conveying the principles into the questionnaire and specific issues that raised. The response on the National Grid, particularly in relation to the location and design of the new 400 kV sub-station either on a new or revamped existing site was also circulated.

RESOLVED: That the responses be endorsed and the papers noted.

71/09 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:

The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received: those for decision and those for information.

RESOLVED: That all items be noted as listed in the Report dated 07/01/10 (agenda item 10) and decisions taken as follows, as well as noting the additions:-

DECISIONS

A strategy for vacant shop premises - copies of the paper from SDC to be circulated to all members for comment;
West Somerset Audit - response to be given;
Sea Cadet Corps - application for grant for 50% of the cost of palisade security fencing - grant of £2273 approved;

And for information

Somerset Cultural Strategy - website - www.somersetcultureonline.co.uk - and Team Somerset newsletter;

Flourish Homes news;
Somerset West Energy Bulletin;
Connect South West Ltd (formerly Connection Somerset Ltd) - change of name
Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill - request for support;
Keeping in touch with communities;
Bridgwater Challenge Partnership Board Meeting 18-20/01/10;
Recycling and refuse collection update from Somerset Waste Partnership and Sort it Plus in Sedgemoor Phase Two

(Cllrs Parker and Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in item 5 and took no part in the consideration thereof).

72 EXEMPT ITEMS - EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC:

RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the business recorded in Min 73/09 on the grounds that this will involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 100.1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

73/09 THE BRIDGWATER CUP 2009:

RESOLVED:

That having considered the worthy merits of the nominations eligible, the cup be awarded to Dr Peter Cattermole in recognition of his outstanding voluntary service and dedication in the past year 2009 to the Blake Museum and supporting the voluntary operation as co-ordinator and his contribution to the town as a member of Bridgwater and District Civic Society and supporter of the education of young people progressing to University;
that a suitable presentation and photo opportunity be organised and;
that Members recognise the work of all those nominated and their invaluable support in the community and the nominees be thanked for their submissions.

The meeting finished at 9pm

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

Signed

Chairman

Meeting Calendar

December 2009