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Minutes August 2007
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 9 AUGUST 2007 AT 7.30PM
IN THE CHARTER HALL, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr P Smeed (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the chair) Cllrs DL Baker, D Busby, MP Cresswell, AS Downes, JG Granter, D Hall, DP Loveridge, WJ Monteith, JR Munn, DL Preece, KF Richards, Mrs G Slocombe, and J Turner (JP)
Apology: Cllr Parker
19/07 WATER LINKS:
Cllr. Ann Fraser, Portfolio Holder for SDC covering the Water Links project, addressed the Council on the scope of the project and the current position. The project was county-wide and with the support of relevant authorities and bodies a big lottery bid had been submitted for some £50M, which out of 700 was one of 6 going forward. To gain recognition in the light of a forthcoming TV series where projects would be judged, it was necessary to give as much publicity and support as possible to the variety of projects. Several of the exciting projects were located in and around Bridgwater and would be of significant worth to the Town. Most authorities and organisations had pledged support and offered financial aid to assist the publicity.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council support the project and to aid the publicity effort a sum of £2500.00 be made available.
20/07 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 12 June 2007 and the Meeting held on 21 June 2007 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
21/07 AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 2006/2007:
The Internal Auditor had completed the accounts for the Town Council for 2006/2007 and copies were presented for approval, prior to submission to Messrs Moore Stephen, the External Auditors.
RESOLVED: That the income and expenditure account and balance sheet for the year ended 31 March 2007 be approved and signed off for submission to external audit, together with the approved statement of assurance.
22/07 MATTERS ARISING:
1. Blake 350 (Min 06/07.1) - Members were given an update on the programme and the specific events that had taken place to date. A further meeting of the Steering Group was to be held on 10 August 2007. The cleaning of the Blake statue was due to take place between 20th and 24th August 2007.
2. Town Centre Management (Min 06/07.2) - the Council had previously been informed that a review of the current arrangements was underway in conjunction with a review of the economic development strategy and staffing levels and that prior to a report to the Executive this was to be considered by the Community Scrutiny Committee of SDC on 13 August 2007. The Town Clerk had made a submission to the committee based on the views previously expressed and in particular a need for a full-time dedicated town centre management.
3. La Ciotat Link Society - 50th programme and visit to La Ciotat 16-18 August 2007 (Min 06/07.4) - the visiting party had been entertained on a civic night before their departure, which had been very successful and arrangements were in place for the Mayoral visit to France accompanied by the Chairman of SDC.
RESOLVED: That the Council approve the taking of chains and badges of office by the Mayoral party for the purpose of the visit.
4. Visit to Twin Town Uherske Hradiste (min 06/07.5) - arrangements and the makeup of the visiting party to UH was noted.
RESOLVED: That the approval be given for the chains and badges of office to be taken abroad by the Mayoral party.
5. Appointments 2007/2008 (Min 12/07) - the Town Clerk confirmed that it would not be appropriate for Cllr. Downes to act as both trustee and town council representative to the BCI. Cllr Downes preference was to act as the council's representative and this was agreed.
6. Website development for BTC (Min 16/07.3) - the Town Clerk presented a draft agreement, which was considered acceptable for the setting up of a website for the Town Council. This would also afford dedicated e-mail addresses. Cllr Hall was invited to give a second opinion on the terms of the agreement.
RESOLVED: That subject to any additional issues raised the council authorise the Town Clerk to enter into the agreement and to advise possible assistance with historical content from Dr Peter Catermole as well as Roger Evans.
7. Commemorative Plaques - arising from issues discussed in connection with Blake 350 and Blake Gardens, Members pointed to Bridgwater plaques that had gone missing from the Victoria Park gates and gates at the Cattle Market. Further attempts would be made to identify their whereabouts.
23/07 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (20/06/07):
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 June 2007 (attached as an appendix) had been circulated and were introduced by the Chairman Cllr John Turner.
He explained that specific decisions arising from these minutes had been taken at the previous meeting and that this was the formal presentation of the written report.
RESOLVED: That the Finance Committee report be approved and all matters covered be actioned.
24/07 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS & INCOME:
RESOLVED: That the payments (including section 137 payments) made since the last meeting and the income recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 01/08/07 be approved and confirmed.
25/07 TOWN HALL AND ISLAND SITE:
The THIS Project Group had continued the development work pursuing the "cultural option" approved by the SDC Executive. A meeting of the Town Hall users had also been held and nominations made to a Stakeholder Group. A montage illustrating in indicative form how various users, existing and proposed, could be accommodated was displayed.
Members also noted that the SDC Executive had considered a report on the proposals by Bridgwater College for a Theatre Project at College Way off Bath Road, which were viewed as complementary to the objectives for the Town Hall. Arising from this item, Cllr Monteith raised various issues about the continuing deteriorating condition of the building and the fabric of the building. He referred in particular to water escaping from the down pipes at the frontage of the building, the condition of stone sills to windows on the frontage and various other matters requiring attention. Concern was also voiced about the fabric of the building generally, in particular around the old council chamber, the Meeting Room, the Mayor's Parlour and Chairman's Office.
Members accepted that the current proposals looked forward to the longer-term use of the building, but remained concerned that nothing was being done about the fabric of the building and considered it was essential that a timetable for repairs and refurbishment was promoted.
The Town Clerk reminded members that English Heritage had inspected the building in connection with the interior and the "cultural option" proposals, but it was pointed out that this was not extended to an examination of the exterior of the building.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Mayor and Town Clerk take these issues up again with the leader and chief executive of SDC and a formal letter be sent to the Council, copied to English Heritage outlining the council's severe concerns and pointing to the possibility of an emergency works order as a last resort;
2. that in conjunction with this the Council convey their support for the cultural option and contribute the sum of £90 towards the cost of the montage and preparatory work;
3. that a letter in similar vein be submitted in relation to the Concrete Castle and the appalling condition in which that site remains
(Cllr. Busby declared an interest in the matter of the THIS and took no part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
26/07 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - NOMINATIONS FOR TOWN AND PARISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES:
The Town Clerk invited the council to consider nominations for the Town and Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee of Sedgemoor.
RESOLVED: That the BTC votes be cast in favour of Cllr. Monteith (BTC), Cllr. Perry (Wembdon Parish Council)
(Cllrs Mrs Slocombe and Turner declared an interest in this matter as members of the Standards Committee and took no part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
27/07 UNITARY STATUS FOR SOMERSET:
The Council were aware that the bid had been rejected by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It now remained to be seen how this would impact on the role of Town Councils and relations with both county and district given that closer working would undoubtedly be required. It seemed likely that there would be a period of reflection before any proposals came forward.
28/07 SEDGEMOOR AREA WORKING PANEL:
Members were reminded that three themes - community safety, youth provision, highway safety and related issues - had been determined as the focus of spending devolved budget from SCC in this area.
A bid against the ring fenced allocation of £60K had been submitted on behalf of the Town Council for the funding of the provision of lighting at the Saxon Green Garage Courts. A bid had also been submitted by Durleigh Parish Council in respect of Queenswood Lane.
It was understood that bids would be considered at the meeting of the Sedgemoor Area Working Panel on 4 September 2007 at Cheddar.
(Cllrs Busby and Loveridge declared their interest as members of the Sedgemoor Area Working Panel).
29/07 BRIDGWATER CLUSTER MEETING:
The Town Clerk reported on the Cluster Meeting held on 6 August 2007. Relevant items had been picked up elsewhere on the agenda.
30/07 MAYORAL ITEMS:
1. Engagements - a list and programme of engagements undertaken to date was circulated;
2. Correspondence - the Mayor outlined the content of correspondence in relation to La Ciotat, regular meetings with the Leader and Chief Executive of Sedgemoor, issues and challenges, local Police Inspector and immigrants, DEFRA and the Environment Agency in respect of flooding; and Alan Yentob as patron of the THIS Cultural Project
31/07 PUBLICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE:
The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received, and those included in the report.
1. Blake Gardens - Project Team established to consider management plan and improvements with capital sum of £50K made available (collection of grass cuttings required);
2. Friarn Avenue - negative response to consultation for children's play scheme adjoining number 13 - "blue plaque" agreed - need to identify alternative site for children's play;
3. Somerset Road Safety Partnership leaflet;
4. Avon & Somerset Constabulary - Somerset tackling alcohol-related crime - reference to recent press report;
5. Public Seating Commission Bridgwater Dock - "Settee" chosen;
6. River Parrett Bridgwater - correspondence with Environment Agency (as reported by the Mayor);
7. Somerset Art Week - £100 donation agreed;
8. Parish Emergency Plan Information and Template - for discussion at next Cluster Meeting;
9. Somerset Rights of Way team - workshop invitation for 16 October 2007;
10. Viridor Credits Environmental Company - funding opportunities;
11. Bridgwater Heritage Open Days - 6th to 9th September 2007, including Charter Hall for Town Council silverware on 8 September 2007;
12. Association of Charter Trustees and Charter Town Councils - AGM and Executive Committee 28 September 2007 at Daventry;
13. Future of the River Parrett Trail - survey;
14. Somerset Freight Quality Partnership - reference to NSC proposals;
15. SLCC 33rd Annual Conference "Building Successful Communities" 26th to 28th September 2007;
16. Magazines and newsletters;
17. St Mary's Church Development Plans - to arrange revised date for members to comment on development plans;
18. St Mary's painting - to pay sum of £45.83 for cost of scaffold tower to clean painting and follow up with insurers;
19. Free and Safe School Transport (FASST) to send letter of support to organisation in relation to school transport need from North Petherton to Robert Blake Science College;
20. Bath Road Local Residents Team - letter on need for extra lighting and CCTV rear of Union Street/Bristol Road and Children's Play Area - referred to Community Safety Partnership;
21. SWRA - public consultation - review of additional pitch requirements for Gypsies and Travellers in the South West - expiry 31 October 2007.
32/07 NOVEMBER MEETING:
RESOLVED: That the meeting in November be held on 1st November rather than 15th November in view of other commitments.
33/07 TOWN COUNCIL TIES, ETC.:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council agree in principle to obtain specimens and costings.
The meeting finished at 9.40pm
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Signed
Chairman