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Minutes February 2009
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
Report of the Town Clerk to the meeting on 05 March 2009
1. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
The following payments have been made since the last Meeting:-
January & February (Sec 137 payments = * )
- Salary recharge - January £2945.60
- Town Mayor's Allowance - February £324.03
- Table covers £29.33
- Danwood Financial Services - quarterly charge £228.71
- Danwood Service charge £76.05
- Avalonian - Kidsbury allotment clearance and hedging £750.00
- War Memorial cleaning (half cost) £589.00
- BJ's Cleaning Services - Windows £20.00
- Hamp Community Association - ward grant £1000.00 *
- Ivy House B A o t E - ward grant £1000.00 *
- Somerset Arts Work £30.00 *
- Wilkins Jewellers - Bridgwater Cup momento £39.00
- SLCC subscription (half share) £83.00
- Shred it - confidential paper disposal £71.01
- SDC Telephone charges - December £23.61
- SDC Franking machine charges - December £14.00
(£12223.34)
Income:
- S/ship auction of ball (to be paid to Mayor's Charity) £55.00
- BGFCC - balance of rental (onward to BATAss) £290.00
2. MATTERS ARISING from PREVIOUS MINUTES: Brief reports on the following:
Min 74/08. North East Bridgwater / Innovia / Little Sydenham Farm - The Planning Panel have submitted detailed comments building on several of the issues raised at the presentation. The SDC
Executive have recommended design principles to the Council. This fits into the Bridgwater Challenge for which a Stakeholder Workshop was held on 11 February 2009. A public drop-in was also held.
Min 77/08.I Skate Park and facilities - The Task and Finish Group set up by SDC has met and produced an initial paper. A further meeting is to be held at the YMCA on 06 march 2008. A Skatepark
Campaign Group is also actively meeting with representatives on the T & F Group.
Min /08 Standards Committee - Cllr Peter Osborn Brent Knoll PC elected as third T & PC rep.
3. PROGRESS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2008/9 - BUDGET AND FACIILITY AND SERVICE SUPPORT (Min 79/08):
I shall update members on specific items contained in the previous Minute(s) as below:
Blake Museum - Discussions and negotiations continue to settle the transfer documentation still with a view to completion by 31 March 2009. The Sub-Committee will be meeting prior to the Town Council to take forward the transitional arrangements including the proposed budget and the progress with the work by the Friends. Plans are being put in place for the formal re-opening.
Cemeteries - Meetings have been held with the SDC staff under the terms of the SLAg and Funeral Directors / Memorial Masons. No major issues have arisen although there is a request to improve the facilities for the operatives at Bristol Road which will be followed up. Suggestions have been made for additional tree planting along the railway boundary and to provide seats. The stone entrance gate pillar has been replaced. At Quantock Road following further discussions at which Cllr Mrs Slocombe was present the neighbour has reverted to agreeing to provide fencing on the basis that the untidy and bare in places hedge will be removed and the mounding levelled so that the fence can be erected.
Members will recall a sum was included for this levelling in the estimates. The Ombudsman has supported the original findings of SDC following a complaint against the decision to adopt a policy that only British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) members can work in Council operated cemeteries.
Trinity Hall - The SDC Executive have agreed the basis on which subject to contract the Hall will be offered to the Town Council. I shall report details at the meeting but I understand this is on the basis of it being a community resource for nil consideration with a small transitional grant in year one.
4. TOWN HALL ISLAND SITE (THIS PROJECT):
Meetings have been held of the THIS Stakeholder Group, the Project Team and the Cultural Partners and a further meeting at which the Development Trust Association will advise on future working structures is also planned. Copies of a further 'Highlight Report' from SDC taking forward the Shared Accommodation progress has been circulated to members by e-mail.
5. "AWARDS for All" BIG LOTTERY FUNDING - "FUN WITH FILM" PROJECT:
The Town Council has been successful in the application submitted on behalf of the Somerset Childrens'University working in conjunction with Somerset Film (The Engine Room). A grant of £9319.00 has been obtained. The project working through the Young Peoples Film Council with local schools will commence shortly and will give after school clubs an introduction to film making, digital photography animation and design.
6. BUS SHELTERS:
A repair programme has begun. Vandalism at the Durleigh Road shelter has seen the replacement of broken panels with high strength polycarbonate. Similar work is in hand at the Taunton Road shelter.
Estimates are being obtained for glazing replacement and painting of the two shelters on Bridge Estate and Parkway.
AGENDA ITEM 9. PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Blake Gardens Bandstand - A programme is being finalised which will include an event for the Museum launch.
2. Taunton Road Conveniences - counters have now been put in to monitor usage.
3. The Office Photocopier reaches the end of the 3 year term and quotation options have been invited.
4. Information has been distributed on Town / Parish Councillor training offered by SDC on 25 March 2009 led by Peter Lacey.
5. Proof reading and compilation of the 2009/10 Town Guide is underway - publication due March/April
6. RLT 3 - Confirmation of changes to procedure and guidelines to make more accessible.
7. Sydenham Ladies Netball Club - request to support claim for funding against RLT 3 monies.
8. Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) - Information e-mailed on outcomes from locations on NDR.
9. Safekeeping of items loaned to Blake Museum from Town Council.
10. Museums Libraries Archives - closure of South West regional agency.
11. Notes of Museums in Somerset Meeting held 23 February 2008.
12. Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival - letter of thanks for Sponsorship and Grant, payment of balance of rental and invite to opening of Bristol Road shed - 15 march 2009.
13. Somerset Cultural Forum invitation and agenda for 20 March 2009.
14. Bridgwater Heritage Regeneration Parnership - agenda and minutes 03 February 2008.
15. Sedgemoor Arts Forum held on 19 January 2009.
16. Somerset NHS Primary Care Trust - agenda for 25 February 2009
17. Eastover Park Sports Project meeting 18 February 2009
18. Building Schools for the Future update - circulated by e-mail
19. Parrett Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy - Offer of Environment Agency to attend Town Council and make presentation.
20. North Devon and Somerset Shoreline Management Plan - feedback.
21. EDF Hinkley Point Consultation - Public Consultation Statement.
22. Focus on ... Transporting Somerset issue 2 from SCC.
23. Red Routes A361 and A372 Safety Study - Exhibition Forum at Othery 18 March 2009 3 - 7.30pm.
24. Somerset Rail Guide 2008/9 - December to May 2009
25. SLCC Larger Councils' Conference Programme 2009.
26. Bridgwater & District Civic Society Newsletter.
27. 'Safe in your Community' information booklet.
28. PACT Meetings - 26 January 2009 at Eastover and 02 March 2009 for Bath Road Residents
29. Marsa Day (proposed) 25 July 2009 - visitors from Malta.
30. Uherske Hradiste - request to sign renewal documentation with possible visit to UH.
31. The King James' Exhibition and Scholarship Endowment Charity - letter from Solicitors requesting nomination to Board of Trustees and support for proposal approved by Charity Commission to transfer the assets to the Somerset Community Foundation. (Value approximately £5500.00)
32. Grant applications (if any).
33. Ward grant applications (if any).
34. Magazines, other newsletters 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
26 February 2009