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Key

To view Meeting details please go to the Meetings Page.

March 2009

MINUTES OF MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2009 AT 7.30PM

IN THE CHAIRMAN'S ROOM TOWN HALL BRIDGWATER

PRESENT: Cllr GJ Granter (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the Chair) Cllrs DL Baker, D Busby (JP), MD Cresswell, AS Downes, D Hall, DP Loveridge, JR Munn,

PGH Parker, DL Preece, KF Richards, Mrs GJ Slocombe, PJ Smeed and

J Turner (JP)

Apologies: Cllrs Monteith and Ms Raven

88/08 YMCA AND FOYER (AND MY PLACE):

Martin Hodgson (CEO) at the YMCA had forwarded an apology due to illness.

89/08 POLICING IN BRIDGWATER - PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION WITH INSPECTOR NIC CROCKER:

Inspector Crocker first referred to the encouraging plans emerging from the YMCA and the youth offer, which was developing with the proposed new build. Co-ordination was already being improved with the YMCA and Building Schools for the Future and the Youth Service towards long-term facilities for young people.

Inspector Crocker then dealt with a series of issues affecting Bridgwater, in particular, statistical information compared with adjoining areas and the relationship of policing the town centre and the night-time economy and the need to be wary of displacement to residential areas. A series of questions from members in relation to ward issues was also dealt with.

Inspector Crocker offered the Town Clerk an open invitation to attend the weekly co-ordination meetings held on Tuesdays. The Mayor thanked Mr Crocker for his attendance.

90/08 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes held on 15 January 2009 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

91/08 MATTERS ARISING:

I. North East Bridgwater/Innovia/Little Sydenham Farm (Min 74/08) - the Planning Panel had submitted detailed comments building on the issues raised at the presentation. Design principles had now been approved by SDC, with which the planning application was largely in tune. The Town Clerk referred to the way in which this proposal fitted in to the Bridgwater Challenge and the Stakeholder Workshop recently held. A further meeting of the Challenge Board was due at the end of the month and the Town Council representation would be confirmed if Cllr Downes, the nominated representative, was unavailable. The Council endorsed and had already commented on the issue raised by Cllr Munn in relation to the facilities at the Bridgwater Sports & Social Club and sports facilities and the need to ensure that these were provided elsewhere within the development and enhanced to meet the needs of the additional population.

II.Skate Park and facilities (Min77/01.1) - Members noted the work of the Task & Finish Group and the establishment of the Skate Park Campaign Group. Emphasis was placed on pursuing the Leggar site for a permanent facility, but also consulting in the meantime on two micro sites at Victoria Park and Cranleigh Gardens;

III. Standards Committee - Members noted that Cllr Peter Osborn of Brent Knoll Parish Council had been elected as the third Town & Parish Council representative.

IV. War Memorial Trust Application (Min 84/08.9) - the Town Clerk reported that the trust had awarded £875 to the Town Council, being 50% of the cost of the replacement plaque.

92/08 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:

RESOLVED: That the payments (including Section 137 payments) made since the last meeting recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 26 February 2009 be approved and confirmed.

93/08 PROGRESS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2008/2009 - BUDGET AND FACILITY AND SERVICE SUPPORT (MIN 79/08):

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

i. Blake Museum - reference report of Sub-Committee Minute 94/08 below;

ii. Cemeteries - the Town Clerk reported on meetings that had been held and the request to improve the facilities for the operatives at Bristol Road, which was being followed up. Suggestions had already been made for additional tree planting along the railway boundary and to provide seats. A stone entrance grate pillar had been replaced. At Quantock Road agreement had been reached with the neighbour to provide fencing thus reverting to the original proposal where the Town Council would remove the redundant hedging and the mounding so that the fence could be erected. This was provided for in the estimates. Reference was also made as to the outcome of the complaint made to the Ombudsman in relation to the policy where only British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) members were permitted to work in Council operated cemeteries. Cllr Mrs Slocombe referred to problems that had occurred with flooding at Quantock Road. A new gully had been put in to try to overcome this problem. The Council endorsed the need to closely monitor the provisions of the service level agreement.

iii. Trinity Hall - the Town Clerk confirmed that subject to contract the SDC Executive had agreed the basis on which the Hall would be offered to the Town Council as a community resource for nil consideration with a small transitional grant in year 1. However, it was understood that this decision had now been called in to the Scrutiny Committee due to the fact that the hall was also shown as a receipt in the capital programme.

94/08 REPORT OF THE MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE (02 MARCH 09):

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 March 2009 (attached as an appendix) were circulated. The Town Clerk confirmed the progress that was being made to settle the transfer documentation with the aim of completion by 31 March 2009. The Sub-Committee assisted by the Honorary Museum Coordinator had taken forward the transitional arrangements. Members commended the work being undertaken especially that by the volunteers of the Friends of Blake Museum.

Members raised a series of questions particularly in terms of the financial arrangements and the draft budget, which had been put forward.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report of the Sub-Committee be endorsed;

2. that the draft budget be approved including the arrangements for interim payments prior to 31 March 2009;

3. that subject to contract and the completion of the transfer documentation the Town Council acquire the buildings and responsibility for the Museum operation on the basis that this will be undertaken by volunteers pending the creation of a Museum Trust and a separate trust for the Old Mill in due course;

4. that the plans for the re-launch on Easter Saturday 11 April 2009 be noted;

5. that members be requested to provide the Town Clerk as soon as possible with any ideas on themes and emphasis for the new Museum

95/08 TOWN HALL AND ISLAND SITE (THIS) PROJECT:

The Town Clerk gave an update on developments with the project and in particular the meeting with the Development Trust Association representatives who advised on future working structures. The meeting had been productive. The next critical step was a meeting with SDC Executive due in April that would be reviewing the whole of the Island Site, planned new development, and relationship to other projects.

(Cllrs Busby, Cresswell, Parker, Mrs Slocombe and Smeed declared non-prejudicial interests through association).

96/08 "AWARDS FOR ALL" BIG LOTTERY FUNDING - FUN WITH FILM PROJECT:

The Town Council had been successful in the application submitted on behalf of the Somerset Children's University, working in conjunction with Somerset Film (The Engine Room) and obtained a grant of £9319.00. The project was now being development through the Young People's Film Council with local schools designed to give after school clubs an introduction to film making, digital photography, animation and design. Members welcomed this award.

97/08 BUS SHELTERS:

The Town Clerk reported on the repair programme that had so far dealt with the Durleigh Road and the Taunton Road shelters. Estimates were being obtained for glazing replacement and painting of the two shelters on Bridge Estate and one on Parkway. Members identified sites at Rhode Lane, North Street (outwards) and Parkway (Pig & Whistle) where shelters were needed.

RESOLVED:

1. That the ongoing programme be approved;

2. that an approach be made to AdShell in respect of the three sites;

3. that appropriate compensation be sought for criminal damage in relation to the Durleigh Road Shelter

98/08 BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL IDENTIFICATION BADGES:

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk obtained badges for Town Councillors in the most appropriate form.

99/08 MAYORAL ITEMS

i. The record of recent engagements would be circulated by e-mail.

ii. The Mayor commended members for their support at the recent Rugby Club sponsorship and the Bridgwater Cup reception, which had both been highly successful

100/08 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:

The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received and those additional to the report. Members requested that this item be segregated between information only items and those requiring decisions in future.

RESOLVED: That all items be noted as listed in the report dated 26 February 2009 (agenda item 9) and action taken on the following and additional items:-

13. Somerset Cultural Forum invitation and agenda for 20 March 2009 - Cllr Parker to represent Town Council.

19. Parrett Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy - invitation to be extended to Environment Agency to attend and make presentation at Town Council meeting.

26. Bridgwater and District Civic Society newsletter - national recognition on civic trust website.

31. The King James Exhibition and Scholarship Endowment Charity - Cllr Pat Parker nominated to the Board of Trustees, and authorised to endorse the transfer of assets to the Somerset Community Foundation.

35. SALC - invitation to join at cost of £2164.37 for 2009/2010 - declined.

36. SALC - training - Certificate of Well-being - agreed to attendance of Town Clerk at fee of £60 (non-member SALC fee).

37. Playing Field magazine

38. Town & Parish Council Standards Advice Note issue 4.

39. Somerset Matters leaflet.

40. Classic Buildings - confirmation that Raglan Housing still wished to acquire flats, but delay over requirements for changes to entrance to cinema.

41. Homberg Link Society AGM 10 March 2009.

42. Strategic Clusters - notice of report from SDC on improving community engagement through broadening scope of cluster meetings, including local strategic partnership.

43. Bristol Road lands - update on negotiations with David Wilson Homes and continuing progress. Recognition of need to agree to equalisation across whole site including third party land, being Mole Valley Farmers, Abattoir Site and the industrial site on the southern side of the Cattle Market.

44. Reinstatement of pavements and broken stones and slabs - to be followed up with request for target date.

45. Pipework in Green Space off Westonzoyland Road - pursue reinstatement.

(Declarations of interest: Cllr Baker item 22, Cllr Cresswell item 12, Cllr Loveridge item 18, Cllr Parker items 15, 17, 18, 22, 29 & 30, and Cllr Mrs Slocombe items 1, 10, 11, 12 and 18).

The meeting finished at 9.33pm

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

Signed

Chairman

Meeting Calendar

March 2009