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Minutes December 2007
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER 2007 AT 7.30PM
IN THE MEMBERS ROOM, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr P Smeed (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the chair) Cllrs DL Baker, D Busby, MD Cresswell, AS Downes, JG Granter, D Hall, DP Loveridge, JR Munn, PGH Parker, D Preece, KF Richards, Mrs GJ Slocombe and J Turner (JP)Apology: Cllr Monteith
63/07 BRIDGWATER CHALLENGE UPDATE:
Polly Adams, Regeneration Team Leader SDC, gave an update on progress with the Bridgwater Challenge and the various components. A strategic framework document was in course of preparation, which took into account various constraints including the historic built environment, infra-structure, and environmental and economic issues. In the move towards regeneration the document also picked up redevelopment potential and developer interest in various parts of the town, which together formed the challenge. Polly gave more detail on the Town Hall Island Site, the Northgate proposals, the overall challenge, Eastover and proposals by ASDA. Reference was also made to the relevance of the Innovia site and adjoining land to the north, for which master planning was underway, the progressive development of south Bridgwater, supported developments at Hamp and Victoria. The Building Schools for the Future programme, and the growth of the Bridgwater College. The announcement of a five year extended life for Hinkley Point B was also relevant. The South West Regional Development Agency had ring-fenced some £400K with half to be devoted to learning and skills and half directed to the Bridgwater Challenge. Members asked a series of questions related in particular to new jobs alongside the additional housing, levels of skills available in the area and wage rates.
RESOLVED: That Polly Adams be thanked for the information
provided and for her promise to keep the Town Council informed.
64/07 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 1 November 2007 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
65/07 MATTERS ARISING:
I. Sedgemoor Area Working Panel (Min 56/07) - further invitation from SCC to submit bids for the balance of the budget to be ranked against the Working Panel's priorities.
II. Website development for BTC (Min 54/07) - The Town Clerk confirmed progress being made with the development of the website and advised a proposed launch during the week 04/02/08 - 08/02/08
III. Blake 350 (Min 53/07) - the Mayor informed members of the success of the medieval banquet and in particular expressed thanks to Cllr. Parker for the work he had put into the organisation.
IV. UH 750th Anniversary Visit - the Mayor confirmed that a plaque commemorating the 750th anniversary and the town council's twinning with UH had been hung in the Mayor's Parlour.
V. Policing - reference was made to the increased activity of the police community support officers in relation to parking, although concern was still voiced that cycling on pavements, in the pedestrian areas and against the one-way system was still too commonplace.
(Cllrs. Busby, Loveridge and Parker declared an interest in item (i) (Sedgemoor Area Working Panel) as members of the County Council and therefore the Panel).
66/07 REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (21/11/07):
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21/11/07 (attached as an appendix) had been circulated and were introduced by the Chairman Cllr. John Turner. Cllr. Turner explained the reasoning behind the recommendations of the Finance Committee, and with the Town Clerk answered any questions in relation to the draft estimates. Members reviewed the individual items and the options identified for a 3% and 4% increase. The procedure for the allowance to the Deputy Mayor was also discussed with other specific items.
The Town Clerk reminded the Committee that the Special Expense figure had not yet been advised by SDC and explained the reasons for this. Reference was then made to a letter from the Leader of SDC in relation to the 2008/2009 budget and the budget gap of £1.8M, which the District Council were faced with. As a result the Town Council had been asked to consider the transfer of responsibilities in a number of areas, which were listed in the agenda. This included the transfer of the cemeteries to the Town Council, costs of which would then form part of the precept rather than the special expenses. Representatives of the Town Council had been invited, together with the Town Clerk, to meet with the Leader and Chief Executive to discuss these issues in more detail.
The mayor adjourned the meeting to enable a member of the public to address the council in accordance with the standing orders and public speaking in relation to the Admiral Blake Museum.
RESOLVED:
1. That a delegation comprising the Mayor and Deputy Mayor and Cllr. Turner and the Town Clerk be appointed to meet with SDC to examine the budget issues and service areas listed, with a view to a further report to the Finance Committee and to the Town Council prior to the final setting of the precept;
2. that the provisional estimates be approved incorporating a 4% increase for the purpose of setting a base for the precept 2008/2009 of £216238.91, including the provisional civic enhancement reserve (£39258.20) and exclusive of special expenses equating to £21.20 per Band D property;
3. that the transfer of special expenses for the cemeteries to the Town Council precept be further considered at a special Meeting of the Finance Committee in light of the discussions with SDC;
4. that the Review of Governance and Accountability undertaken and recorded in Minute 15 of the Finance Committee minutes be endorsed and approved;
5. that all other matters covered within the Finance Committee resolutions be noted and approved;
6. that in light of the report received from the District Valuer the discussions with the Leader and Chief Executive be expanded to include the future of Trinity Hall.
(Cllr. Cresswell declared an interest in the reference to the Admin Assistant's post due to family relationship, Cllr. Busby an interest in the Sydenham Community Centre and the Arts Centre, Cllr. Parker an interest in the Arts Centre and CAB and the Volunteer Centre, and Cllr. Mrs Slocombe an interest in relation to Sydenham Community Centre and the Arts Centre).
67/07 PAYMENT
OF ACCOUNTS:
RESOLVED: That the payments (including section 137 payments) made since the last meeting recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 05/12/07 be approved and confirmed.
68/07 TOWN HALL & ISLAND SITE:
In addition to the points covered in the presentation on the Bridgwater Challenge, the Town Clerk reported on further meetings of the THIS project group and the Stakeholders Group and the Workshop planned for 17/12/07. The workshop was planned to share ideas and progress possible use of the space and management options. This emphasised how the whole project was now moving forward with the funding bid to the community assets fund, advertisement to gauge private sector interest, and the appointment of historic buildings consultants. A first draft of the partnership agreement had been prepared and it was pleasing to note that the project had now been recognised in the regional strategy for arts and culture.
69/07 ALLOTMENTS TRANSFER AND BRISTOL ROAD 1 AND 2:
The Town Clerk confirmed that the one outstanding issue concerning Chilton 2 had still not been resolved, although this would not hold up the registration of the other transferred allotment land. The lease to the Carnival Committee as part of Bristol Road 2 had been completed and the formal surrender document with the Allotment Tenants Association was also completed. The financial arrangements associated with this were also confirmed.
Members acknowledged the item included in the Finance Committee report (Min 16). This authorised professional, legal and valuation advice in relation to the draft provisional heads of terms for possible comprehensive development taking in land off Bristol Road and the cattle market site.
70/07 BRIDGWATER CLUSTER GROUP MEETING:
The Cluster Group had met on the 05 December 2007. Presentations were received in relation to the proposed Bridgwater Community Hospital, the outcomes of the Sedgemoor Core Strategy householder consultation and the Sedgemoor Health Profile and tackling health inequalities.
The Town Clerk also confirmed that following discussions with the Somerset Local Authorities Civil Contingencies a revised template more appropriate to bigger centres of population was being drawn up.
71/07 PENEL ORLIEU
TRAFFIC SCHEME:
Following continuing concerns and problems through the town centre with traffic build up a meeting had been convened at Penel Orlieu and the proposals previously put forward for revamping the junction revisited. A plan was displayed illustrating the proposals upon which the Town Council's views were sought. Such a scheme was likely to receive high priority under the Local Transport Plan but would require Traffic Regulation orders to be made and thus would only go forward with full support.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council are not prepared to go forward with the alternative scheme unless and until traffic survey evidence is available to show the benefit of the revised layout, taking into account the existence of the NDR.
72/07 MAYORAL ITEMS:
1. Blake 350 - reference to completion of programme - general success of events.
2. Building Schools for the Future - consultation on trust status.
3. Jual - order commissioned for Bridgwater Town Council ties.
RESOLVED: That the Town
Council seek to be represented on the Trust and Councillor Parker be asked to
follow this up.
(Councillor Mrs Slocombe declared an interest as a Governor of one of the schools involved)
73/07 PUBLICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
The Town Clerk
reported on correspondence and papers received and those included in the
report:
RESOLVED: That the items be noted and actioned as indicated below:-
1. Blake Gardens Bandstand - interest in promoting band concerts - to be followed up.
2. Public Rights of Way Consultation - need for Path Liaison Officer - invite interest.
3. Highway Related Services results of survey and Winter Services Guide
4. Somerset Strategic Partnership - Discussion on priorities for next 10 years - Monday 07 January
5. Somerset Primary Care Trust meeting - 21 November 2007
6. Age Concern Somerset - Request for financial grant aid - not approved
7. Xmas Lights - provision of trees in St John Street - follow up for North Street and St Mary Street in future years
8. Bridgwater Marsa Twinning Association meeting - 15 November 2007
9. Bridgwater Czech Slovak Friendship Society meeting - 04 December 2007
10. Footpath at St Matthews Field - response received
11. Cleansweep programme 2008
12. Magazines and newsletters and product information
74/07 SEASONS
GREETINGS
The Mayor wished all members of the Council a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year! With seasons greetings exchanged.
75/07 FORMER MEMBERS OF BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL:
At the conclusion of the meeting the Mayor invited all members of the Council to join him in presenting certificates to former members of the Council in acknowledgement of their services to the Council and town.
The meeting finished at 9.20pm
.............................................
Signed
Chairman