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Minutes August 2006
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 10 AUGUST 2006 AT 7.30PM
IN THE CHARTER HALL, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr PGH Parker (Mayor of Bridgwater – in the Chair), Cllrs BJ Gillard,
GJ Granter, DP Loveridge, AJ Moore, JR Munn, WH Munn, MD Needs,
DL Preece, KF Richards, Mrs GJ Slocombe, P Smeed and J Turner (JP)
Apologies: Cllrs Creswell, Monteith and Ms Pearce
23/06 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of Bridgwater Town Council held on 22 June 2006 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
24/06 MATTERS ARISING:
- Reconfiguration of Mental Health Services in Somerset (Minute 19/06) – the response setting out the Council’s concerns about the proposals in the document Mental Health: Fit for Future had been submitted.
25/06 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
The Town Clerk responded to questions in relation to payments to Danwood (photocopier) and Pardoes Solicitors (allotment transfer).
RESOLVED: That the payments made since the last meeting, recorded in the Town Clerk’s Report dated 03/08/06, be approved and confirmed.
26/06 REPORT ITEMS FOR NOTING:
The following were noted by members with invitation to comment:-
- Town Council accommodation and Town Hall and Island Site – report on option to progress Town Hall and Island Site as a development opportunity on its own, with timescales for formulation of strategy before going to market in 6-8 weeks. Evident proposed frontage works to the town hall shelved at least until report back from consultants.
- Town Hall and Charter Hall – commitment to community and cultural uses, but future put to one side pending marketing exercise.
- Trinity Hall – referred to Finance Committee to examine options for continuing Town Council interest.
- Audit of Accounts 2006/2007 – audit completed and certified by external auditors with no matters arising.
- Town Council Assets – agreed to carry, when convenient, audit with Town Clerk and two members (Mayor and Deputy Mayor).
- Gift of medals – based on 1984 report to Charter Trustees, supplied by Cllr Monteith, to be pursued within audit.
- Finance Committee Papers – to be circulated to all other members not on committee by e-mail in future.
- Bridgwater Cluster Group: 25/07/06 - report on items including presentation from SDC Clean Surroundings and decisions covered in Minute 27/06 below.
27/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES – TOWN CENTRE PROVISION:
The Town Clerk referred to the draft report to the SDC Executive, which had been circulated to all members. Consideration had been deferred until 31/08/06 and this gave members the opportunity to consider two potential options for a facility in the town centre, of either the refurbishment of the Blake Gardens units, or provision alongside the town bridge of a new facility. Views for and against each site were considered, although members welcomed the intention to provide a facility, it was felt that either would do if properly managed and policed.
RESOLVED: That SDC be informed of these views and that the Town Council’s preference for the refurbishment of the facility at Blake Gardens. (Vote 8-4 including Cllrs Preece and Mrs Slocombe against).
(Cllrs Parker and Mrs Slocombe declared personal interests in the light of their respective positions with the County Council).
28/06 BUS SHELTERS:
Confirmation was awaited from Ad-Shel in relation to the bus shelter in Westonzoyland Road opposite Eastern Avenue. Members requested that this should have Perspex windows when provided.
The Town Clerk also reported on vandalism to shelters at Durleigh Road (Oakfield Road junction) and Dunkery Road. This had been made good.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to effect the replacement of the panels in the shelter at Durleigh Road and to report the cost to the next meeting.
29/06 BRIDGWATER TOWN CENTRE:
The Town Clerk referred to the report from the Town Centre Manager and to a meeting of the Town Centre Partnership that considered ways in which interest could be revived within the business community. An event was planned for this purpose.
As a result of recent complaints and following discussion at the Bridgwater Cluster Group, measures had been instigated to improve cleanliness and initiate other actions.
RESOLVED:
- That the efforts of the Town Centre Partnership be supported;
- that the action taken in contracting for a further power wash within the sum included in the estimates be approved;
- that the proposed walkabout planned for 11 September at 9.15pm be supported and Cllrs Smeed and Gillard attend with the Town Clerk, and prior thereto members be asked to advise those persons with any specific issues to be addressed;
- that SDC Clean Surroundings be congratulated on the work regularly undertaken on the Town Centre overnight and in the early hours to ensure standards of cleanliness are maintained.
30/06 MAYOR ITEMS:
1. St Margaret’s Hospice – new build appeal – it had been suggested that as a means of sponsoring the appeal, the Town Council might consider the provision of a Bridgwater Room, which would cost in the region of £45,000.00. Members expressed different views on this with the general consensus that the general public of Bridgwater should have the opportunity through consultation to give a public view.
RESOLVED: That this be referred to the Finance Committee to consider how this could be funded and to consider prior to any decision how opinions of the public could be obtained.
- Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival Committee – St Matthews Field Fireworks
RESOLVED: That this be referred to the Finance Committee for consideration of the grant application for sponsorship.
(Cllr Mrs Slocombe declared an interest of a personal nature in this application and took no part in the voting thereon.)
- Mayor’s Book of Common Prayer – Cllr Gillard identified copies of the books belonging to the Town Council, which had been held at the St Mary’s Church.
RESOLVED: That the Reverend Charles Chadwick be invited to the next meeting of the Council to thank him and the Parochial Church Council for looking after the books of common prayer and for them to be formally returned to the Town Council for consideration of how they might best be stored.
4. Homberg – Town Twinning – the Mayor reported on his forthcoming visit and an earlier discussion with the Mayor of Homberg, who had outlined plans of the 775th anniversary celebrations. Part of this was the re-building of the market square with a fountain and three lions’ heads. In addition, restoration work included provision of sandstone bricks, to which the public could contribute and which could be purchased for 250 euros. The suggestion had been made that a British lion for a cost of 1000 euros could form one of the three lions. The Mayor explained the opportunity of funding from Somerset County Council for this and sought the Town Council’s agreement subject to there being no cost to the Town Council.
RESOLVED: That this be agreed
(Cllr Smeed declared an interest in this matter and took no part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
31/06 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received and those included in the report.
RESOLVED: That the following items be noted and actioned as appropriate
- Showmen’s Guild – meeting held and proposal awaited in respect of Bristol Road land.
- Eastover Park proposed cycle way and objections – outcome of meeting held on 4 August 2006, alternative being considered and County to report back to further meeting.
- Proposed Skate Park – meeting to be held on 11 August 2006 and to press for early implementation.
- Policies RLT2 and 3 – information on use of monies and works to play areas and possible additional site at Friarn Avenue.
- Eastover/St John Street – continuing to campaign for CCTV in St John Street area and ASB issues.
- Sedgemoor Statement of Community Involvement – circulated to all members with request for comment by 15 August 2006.
- Dorset & Somerset NHS Strategic Health Authority – report on letter responding to concerns over funding for Somerset Community Hospitals.
- Wembdon Road Cemetery – safety audit works and dusk to dawn closure.
- Traffic Regulation Orders – footpaths BW 38/2 and BW 38/5 Parrett Riverbank, Roads A39 Ashcott, Cornhill, Colley Lane, Market Street, A38 Bristol Road, A361 Burrowbridge and A361 Middlezoy.
- SCC Highway Services Parish Survey – results for 2005/2006.
- Binding of Town Council minute books – agreed to check options and costs.
- Docks Sculpture – new site proposed at North Petherton.
- Sedgemoor Community Strategy – 2nd edition published.
- Public Rights of Way – advice on problem reporting
- Charter Trustee and Charter Towns Association AGM – Grantham 29 September 2006 – diaries and costs of attendance to be checked.
- Statement of Gambling Policy – reminder that comments due to SDC 6 September 2006.
- Heritage Day – rota to be finalised
(Cllrs Gillard, Needs and Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in No. 16 in view of their involvement with the licensing panel of SDC).
32/06 EXEMPT ITEM – EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the business recorded in Minute 33/06 on the grounds that this will involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in section 100.1 of the Local Government Act 1972.
33/06 MAYOR’S MARSHALL/MACE BEARER’ DUTIES
As previously requested the Town Clerk reported on the duties undertaken in the year 2005/2006. Originally paid as an honorarium a retainer was now paid for the duties, which were undertaken when called upon to do so by the Mayor, or also to give advice on protocol. Previous mayors commented on the welcome assistance that had been provided in their term of office. Members discussed the function, and alternatives. It was felt that the function should be scripted and that in the near future consideration should be given to an assistant who might succeed the Mayor’s Marshall/Mace Bearer in due time. Members agreed to continue the present arrangements and to keep this under review.
The meeting finished at 9.25pm
………………………………………
Signed
Chairman