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April 2009
Report of the Town Clerk to the meeting on 09 April 2009
1. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
The following payments have been made since the last Meeting:-
January & February & March (Sec 137 payments = * )
Salary recharge - January and February £5391.20
(includes £2945.60 shown on previous report but not collected and
£500.00 adjustment to be re-paid)
Salary recharge - March £2534.79
Town Mayor's Allowance - March £324.03
B & A RFC Sponsorship £1650.80
Rugby Ball Auction - Paid to Mayor's Charity £55.00
Bridgwater Allotment Tenants Ass. - BGFC Ctte payment £290.00
SDC Car Space Mount Street £500.00
MBS Minutes £30.80
Chisletts - Bus Shelter repairs £997.51
Danwood - Photocopy paper and service charge £62.11
BJ's Cleaning Services - window cleaning £20.00
Mike Searle - silver displays £50.00
Xmas Lights 2008 inc. new kit St John Street - contribution £9000.00
Pardoes - legal fees Bristol Road £1817.00
NA Haggett ( Builders) Ltd - Quantock Road cemetery work £2599.00
SDC Rent of office etc - Ist quarter £402.50
Shred it - confidential paper disposal £63.25
SDC Telephone charges - January and February £44.67
SDC Franking machine charges - January and February £67.58
(£25900.24)
2. MATTERS ARISING from PREVIOUS MINUTES: Brief reports on the following:
Min 91/08.l North East Bridgwater / Innovia / Little Sydenham Farm and Bridgwater Challenge - Cllr
Smeed represented the Town Council at the Challenge Board Meeting. The Open House in the old
Seconds Ahead shop in the High Street is on the 03 and 04 April 2009. The PR Group will be meeting
on the 14 April and a Neighbourhood Planning Group / Forum is aranged for Sydenham Ward in May.
Min 91/08.Il Skate Park and facilities and Bridgwater Cluster Group - The Cluster Meeting agreed to support the application for RLT 3 funding for the main proposal at The Leggar and the applications for the two mocro-sites subject to local consultation and other relevant factors including siting and interest of exisiting park users.
3. PROGRESS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2008/9 - BUDGET AND FACIILITY AND SERVICE SUPPORT (Min 93/08):
I shall update members on specific items contained in the previous Minute(s) as below:
Blake Museum - It is intended that the transfer documentation will be completed by the meeting date effective from 01 April 2009. The Friends and volunteers have geared their work towards this and the transfer celebration on the 11 April. A useful meeting was held between the Sub-Committee and the Friends and a note of that meeting will be circulated. The Town Council Sub-Committee provide a very useful link to progress and I would recommend continues in being as the move is made to create a trust. SDC interest other than covered within the transfer agreement and the transitional funding in effect ceased from 31 March 2009. The former Blake Museum Management Committee has been wound up and Members will no doubt wish to express appreciation for their work.
Some members remain involved through the Friends Organisation. It will be necessary to confirm a Curatorial Advisor.
This is in hand and will be vital to maintaining accreditation. Insurance has transferred to BTC. I am advised that the transfer of the property should be supported by an indemnity insurance for any potential hancel repair liability.
Cemeteries - Work has been completed at Quantock Road to remove the hedge and mounding for the
fence on the boundary of No. 121 to be erected. At Bristol Road there has been some relatively minor vandalism to the container used by the operatives.
Trinity Hall - No further information has become available since the reference to the Scrutiny Committee.
4. TOWN HALL ISLAND SITE (THIS PROJECT):
The Development Trust Association have produced advice on future working structures and reference will be included in the next stage report to the SDC Executive on the 15 April 2009. An update should be available at the Town Council meeting on further progress.
5. CODE OF CONDUCT AND TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER INTERESTS:
Following on from conversations with the Monitoring Officer from SDC it has been mooted that formal dispensations 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.
It would mean that members would not be debarred from speaking on matters where it may be considered that such members have a 'personal and prejudicial interest'. One example could be transactions involving both councils.
6. NOTICE OF AUDIT 2008/9:
The timetable for the audit has been shortened under the regulations and this year requires the calling of the Audit and submission by 06 July 2009 and approval of the accounts by 30 June 2009.
7. BRIDGWATER GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL COMMITTEE AND LAND AT BRISTOL ROAD:
Members will know that the new Carnival Committee shed on the land at Bristol Road leased from the
Town Council was officially opened recently with the Mayor and other councillors in attendance.
The Carnival Committee have written thanking BTC for their support and asking whether consideration can be given to the other half of this 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. I will outline at the meeting the issues and implications which arise with this request bearing in mind the interest in the town council's land ownership in this area.
8. CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2009/10:
I am completing a calendar of meetings fro the forthcoming municipal year and aim to circulate this in draft before the meeting.
AGENDA ITEM 9. PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
For decision
1. Wembdon Road Cemetery - following historical work by member of Civic Society invitation to BTC (and SDC) members to guided walk.
2. Sports Sponsorship - suggestion for 2009/10 to sponsor Bridgwater Town Second leg of Southern League Cup Final v Atherstone Town on 21 April 2009.
3. The office photocopier has reached the end of the 3 year term and favourable terms have been agreed for a replacement machine with additional features.
4. Further information obtained from Uherske Hradiste Council on request to sign renewal documentation with possible visit to UH in September 2009.
For information
5. Code of Conduct presentation at SDC on 31 March 2009
6. Audit Commission Planning Inspection of SDC - Focus Group held on 24 March 2009
7. Sedgemoor Arts Forum - 25 March 2009
8. Eastover Park Sports Project - Grant application to Somerset NHS Primary Care Trust
9. EDF Energy - site nomination for new build Nuclear - details of consultation awaiting decision
10. Proposed Conservation Day - July 2009
11. Civic Society AGM - 15 April 2009
12. Affordable Housing - SDC Rural parishes Newsletter
13. Mendip Housing - news letter
14. Sedgemoor Speed Indicator Device Results for February - Bridgwater NDR
15. Ramblers Association - Spring programme
16. Somerset NHS PCT Meeting - 18 March 2009
17. Association of Charter Trustee Towns and Charter Town Councils Executive Committee - 20 March
18. Sunday and Public Holidays Bus Services 2009 publication of timetable
19. Second Taunton Area Transport Strategy Review including Bridgwater
20. Complaint about surface and potholes in access to Piggy Lane
21. Eastover Community Primary School - complaints of dog fouling
22. Representations on impact of overdevlopment and number of units allowed in Eastover / St John Street area bringing environmental and car parking problems
23. South-West Regional Conference - Annual policy and technical update 13 May 2009
24. Grant applications (if any).
25. Ward grant applications (if any).
26. Magazines, other newsletters - Volunteer Centre and Dogs Trust - and product information.
(Background documents to items listed in this section Agenda Item 9 are available in the Town Clerk's Office)
Alan Hurford
Town Clerk 02 April 2009