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Key

To view Meeting details please go to the Meetings Page.

November 2009

BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.30PM

IN THE CHARTER HALL TOWN HALL BRIDGWATER

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

D Busby, AS Downes, GJ Granter, DP Loveridge, WJ Monteith, D Preece,

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

Apologies: Cllrs Cresswell, Hall, Munn and Parker

42/09 BTC OFFICE - TELEPHONES AND E-MAIL:

The Town Clerk confirmed that the communication system had been transferred away from the Sedgemoor link and the new number 01278 427692 to contact the office was now available with e-mail townclerk@bridgwatertowncouncil.gov.uk

43/09 STREET PASTORS (SEDGEMOOR):

Dick Brummitt, Chairman of the Street Pastors Committee and Rachel Ryan, Co-ordinator, introduced the street pastors who had been active in the town for the past six weeks; explaining the origins of the scheme, operations, core values and role in the community. To date this had been successfully received. The Pastors co-operated with the police and also with premises owners, door staff and those active in the night time economy. Contact details would be circulated by e-mail. The representatives replied to a series of questions.

44/09 REDEVELOPMENT OF BRIDGWATER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL: CONSULTATION:

Jan Hull, the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Strategic Development and Simon Corrick, Capital Project Director, gave the meeting a summary of the background of the proposed redevelopment. The current consultation that closed on 2 December 2009 was concerned with which health services over and above those already identified to be provided should be added. Members were encouraged to respond to the consultation through the very useful document, which had been circulated. The aim was still to begin the hospital

in 2011/12 subject to the submission of the outline business case and the full business case in 2010/11 by the NHS Somerset PCT. The representatives responded to a series of questions in relation to the service proposals, continuing revenue, and likely availability of capital, the major question of infrastructure and access and transport to the proposed site and intentions in the event that finance for the entire business case project when finalised was cut back. Plans for the hospital over and above that already planned would be judged on the resources available it was confirmed.

45/09 PUBLIC SPEAKING:

The Council were addressed by Mrs Julie Jones in relation to the qualities of the town and disappointment at actions and decisions particularly those by SDC, which impacted upon it. She maintained there was a lack of joined-up thinking in a number of decisions recently taken and reinforced by the implications impact of the Regional Spacial Strategy, which was influencing the Local Development Framework. She maintained that other towns, notably Taunton and Weston super Mare, had rejected the RSS figures, but that the LDF was planning on the numbers required without considering the wider issues and pressures. Stuart Houlett later explained that the housing growth figures for Bridgwater had been accepted by the Inspector at Inquiry, whereas those at Weston and Taunton had been considerably increased, which was the reason for their objections. Mrs Jones implored the Town Council to oppose the selling off of assets, to ensure that housing was provided at an acceptable level and to push for jobs across the spectrum and not allow Bridgwater to become even more "shed city".

A further address was given by Peter Smith who picked up the series of issues previously raised by Mrs Sally Jones, and Mrs Linda Brigg through correspondence from the last meeting, particularly in relation to the closure of The Splash and the provision of swimming facilities. This implored the Town Council's support for public swimming facilities to be kept in the town centre and raised a series of issues in terms of information relating to the Splash closure, which the Bridgwater Forward group and others felt should have been available and would have enabled SDC to reach a different decision. The Town Council's stated position was well documented. Various issues were then picked up in relation to the local development framework. (Minute 46/09)

46/09 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF):

The Council had received a presentation at the previous meeting and had been invited to respond to the core strategy document illustrating the preferred options. Stuart Houlett was in attendance to respond to questions that had been raised and to take back responses. The deadline for responses had been extended to 18 December 2009. And all were urged to respond. Under the auspices of the RSS, the LDF should provide the framework for all decisions through the planning process. Members raised a series of questions in relation to projections for dwellings, leisure provision, transport and parking, demand and provision and delivery mechanisms within the LDF. People were concerned that "authority" did not listen

although there was an acceptance that reasons for decisions were not always clearly given. Members identified a series of contradictions in the strategy and Cllr Monteith undertook to respond on these. Cllr Smeed had also identified issues in each of these areas including employment opportunities, but was most concerned that the LDF took little account of major projects impacting on the town including Hinkley Point, BSF, Severn Barrage and Parret Barrage, and traffic impacts from the network of housing developments planned. It was explained that the RSS was also silent on many of these major issues and that where these were not brought into the core strategy options as a result of the consultation they would be the subject of separate topic papers in due course.

Cllr Baker requested that the Council seek formal confirmation from SDC in relation to information provided by in a letter from EDF, and the position of Tesco in terms of the ability these may have offered to retention of the Splash.

RESOLVED:

That given the revised deadline, Members respond to the LDF Core Strategy directly to SDC where appropriate or through the Town Clerk if desired;
that clarification be sought on the information proffered in relation to the EDF letter and Tesco situation.

47/09 MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 October 2009 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

48/09 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (20/10/09):

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20/10/09 (attached as an Appendix) had been circulated and were introduced by the Chairman, Cllr John Turner. Cllr Turner explained the reasons behind the decisions and recommendations of the Finance Committee and with the Town Clerk raised several matters for members' information and consideration.

The Town Clerk confirmed that information on usage had been received regarding Taunton Road toilets, and a meeting had been held with a representative of Bridgwater Carnival Community Centre which would be reported to the Finance Committee for consideration in the preparation of the estimates. It was also hoped that information on the costs of clearing and laying out additional land for allotments would be available.

The Town Clerk drew particular attention to Minute 06 on Governance and Accountability and in particular the detailed risk assessment, a copy of which had been circulated as an appendix to the minutes. This dealt with particular issues of concern previously revised in external audit. Other matters raised in the report would be brought forward to the meeting of the Finance Committee on the 18/11/09, which would consider the draft estimates.

RESOLVED:

That the Report of the Finance Committee be approved and adopted and all matters covered in the Resolutions be noted;
that in relation to Minute 12 Cemetery Fees a copy of the proposed charges be circulated as an Appendix and the report on extending the authorisation for the National Association of Memorial Masons registered operators to work in the Bridgwater cemeteries as well as those within the British Register of Accredited Masons be deferred for confirmation that similar high standards are applicable under both registration schemes.

49/09 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:

RESOLVED: That the payments (including Section 137 payments) made since the last meeting recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 4 November 2009 be approved and confirmed. (Museum expenditure will be covered in the next Sub-Committee report).

50/09 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 01/10/09:

Skate Park and Facilities (Min 32/09.3) - progress continued with the Eastover site opened and already well used and work continuing satisfactorily at Victoria Park with completion due in December. The Task & Finish Group had met again.

Members were keen to see that the commitment by SDC to the provision of the main site at the Leggar should be honoured.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk seek confirmation and, acknowledging that the land is not yet available, obtain an outline time-scale and programme for such provision (as registered at the Task and Finish Group meeting).

WWA proposed major water supply scheme for Bridgwater (Min 38/09.4) - Planning Panel representatives had met with officials of Wessex Water and received an outline of the £10M scheme due to commence in January and to be completed by June 2011. This involved the cleaning and rehabilitation works to the existing infrastructure. The scheme was due to be phased from the Quantock Road end of the town through to the Bath Road end over this period and attention had been drawn to possible traffic impacts given other new developments likely to commence in the second phase period. A wide programme of consultation was planned. The first notice of removal of hedgerows affecting the route of the water main in Danesborough Zone 21 Quantock Road (had been received). Leaflets and plans were distributed, outlining the proposed programme of works.

51/09 TOWN HALL ISLAND SITE (THERP PROJECT) (MIN 33/09):

The Town Clerk referred to the latest update recorded in the Finance Committee Minutes with the project on schedule to start 16/11/09. Members were asked to note that an agreement had been concluded for Somerset Films/The Engine Room to take a long-term lease of their existing building and the former TIC building from SDC.

52/09 AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 2008/2009 - COMPLETION OF AUDIT (MIN 32/09.1):

The audit of accounts had been completed in accordance with the audit commission requirements and no matters had come to attention giving cause for concern. Certain other matters not affecting this opinion had been highlighted in relation to the level of fidelity guarantee insurance and risk assessment. Detailed risk assessment had been dealt with through the Finance Committee and an increase in the fidelity guarantee insurance cover would be obtained in addition to that already in place at renewal.

53/09 BOUNDARY COMMITTEE REVIEW:

The Boundary Committee review had begun, the main aim of which was to make sure as far as possible that every councillor in each ward of the district authority represented the same number of electors. Following information provided by the Committee the Town Clerk confirmed the way in which this would be undertaken, explaining that it would also take into account the identities and interests of local communities. Boundary change for parishes and towns was quite separate and would be dealt with solely by the District Council. With the review likely to be concluded in autumn 2010, views and proposals for the new warding arrangements were requested by 18/01/10 and the Town Clerk suggested that a Working Party would be most appropriate to recommend for Council approval, a submission from the Town Council.

RESOLVED: That a Working Party be established comprising Cllrs Granter, Monteith, Mrs Slocombe, Smeed and Turner, together with the Town Clerk to report to a future meeting of the Town Council.

54/09 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 04 November 2009 (agenda item 11) and decisions taken as follows:-

1. Transport priorities in Bridgwater - 06/11/09 deadline noted but continuance Bridgwater Transport Strategy Group still to be pursued with Somerset County Council;

2. Strategy in Action - Sedgemoor Economic Development Conference 27/11/09 - two places reserved - nomination for one representative required;

3. South Western Ambulance Service - Foundation Trust Application, Consultation Plan and Questionnaire - referred for individual responses;

4. Review of Somerset Waste Management Strategy - stakeholder workshops - representation available to members as e-mailed;

5. Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority - draft corporate plan 2010/2013 - referred to members for individual response as per e-mail;

6. EDF Energy Hinkley Point New-Build Community Forum - Cllr Monteith nominated as representative

The meeting finished at 9.20pm

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

Signed

Chairman

Meeting Calendar

November 2009