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Minutes January 2006
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2006 at 7.30pm
in the Members Room Town Hall Bridgwater
Present:- Councillor W.J. Monteith (Mayor of Bridgwater – in the Chair)
Councillors M.D. Cresswell, B.J. Gillard, J.G. Granter, D.P. Loveridge,
A.J. Moore, J.R. Munn, W.H. Munn, M.D. Needs, P.G. Parker,
Mrs K.E. Pearce, D.L. Preece, K.F. Richards, Mrs G.J. Slocombe, P. Smeed
and J. Turner J.P.
67/05. MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of Bridgwater Town Council held on 15 December 2005 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
68/05. MATTERS ARISING:
1. Parking Standards at Residential Properties – Discussion Paper (Min 66/05.6.)
The paper had been circulated and the Town Clerk invited members to express any
views they may have on the policy issues raised.
2. Marsa Malta / Bridgwater Twinning – Draft Twinning and Co-operation
Agreement (Min 65/05): The draft paper had been circulated for comment. The view
was expressed that this was in the nature of a contract rather than the traditional
goodwill agreement on which other twinning arrangements the Town had entered into
were based. Given the role expected of the Town Council and the relationship to the
Twinning Association who would be the key body members wished to see the latest
venture on a similar footing. It was felt that this could be achieved by some re-wording
of the draft in line with those existing and Cllrs Cresswell, WH Munn, Parker and
Smeed were requested to undertake this review so that the projected timetable for
a signing ceremony could be met.
3. Bridgwater Heritage Re-generation Board (Min 59/05): The Town Clerk had
been notified of a possible meeting of the Board following Sedgemoor's approval
of the draft constitution. Cllrs WH Munn and Smeed had been nominated.
4. Finance Committee Report (Min 59/05): In reply to specific questions the Town
Clerk confirmed that he had not yet had the opportunity to contact the Clergy and
Funeral Directors about the question of facilities at the town's cemeteries and that
taking note of comments made by the Mayor at the previous meeting on the use of the
reserve for civic enhancement a question on accuracy of the Finance Committee
minutes in relation to the town hall could only be dealt with at their next meeting.
69/05. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
RESOLVED: That the payments made since the last Meeting recorded in the Town
Clerk's Report dated 18 January 2006 be approved and confirmed subject to
information on the functions carried out by the Mace-Bearer to justify the honorarium
and advice on the element of postage costs in the payment for office rental.
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70/05. REPORT ITEMS FOR NOTING:
The following were noted by Members :
- Bristol Road 1 Allotment Site – Revised proposals for gaining access via Council's land to land for residential development off Bristol Road still awaited: The District Valuer would be asked to advise with legal advice before any decision was made.
- Standards of Conduct in English Local Government : The Future – Report and
appendix covering principal proposed changes for members and officers.
3. Cluster Group Meeting – Items discussed at the meeting on 24 January 2006.
(Cllrs Cresswell and Mrs Slocombe declared an interest during discussion on 1. which
touched on the Carnival Club lease of part of Bristol Road 2 former allotment land)
71/05. TOWN COUNCIL ACCOMMODATION and TOWN HALL and ISLAND SITE:
The Town Clerk gave an update report following further discussions and the
consideration of this matter by the Executive of Sedgemoor District Council. The
opportunity had been taken to write to and address the Executive and a letter had now
been received outlining the decision taken in the absence of the public and press.
Whilst grateful to the Town Council for the commitment in producing with a prospective
partner a proposal to secure the long term future of the Town Hall and Island site and
notwithstanding the position reached in discussions Sedgemoor now felt they needed
to 'test' the market and intended to link the site and include in the overall marketing for
expressions of interest in the Northgate development. The brief for this had also been
extended to include the Eastover area. In terms of achieving the Town Council's
objectives of retaining the important aspects of the Town Hall the stated feeling of the
Executive was for this to happen and was likely to be reflected when details were sent
out to the market place. A substatial capital reserve bid had been included to carry out
repairs and redecoration to the facade of the Town Hall to assist the exercise.
Although the Town Council would be able to continue to express interest when the
exercise of marketing took place some members were unhappy that this left the Town
Council in limbo and may deter the prospective partner. It was believed that the Town
Council had shown SDC that the proposal put forward could satisfy best value by the
improvement of the economic, social or environmental well being of the area as well as
that authority's corporate policy priorities. The Mayor was critical of the District
Council's actions and the way this was now planned to go forward. The Working
Group appointed by the Town Council had not been convened due to the change in
circumstances. It was acknowledged that the Town Council had reserved a final
decision anyway which would have been taken only after presentation and detailed
financial, valuation and legal advice.
Members fully discussed the implications of the position the Town Council were left in
given the prime objectives.
RESOLVED: That in the light of the changed circumstances the Town Council seek to
persuade the prospective private sector partner to maintain the expressed interest in
the best regard for not only the Town and the Town Council but also Sedgemoor District
Council and to assure this to request that the proposed presentation in outline form is
brought to the full Town Council.
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(Cllr Parker declared an interest in relation to Northgate as a member of the County
Council representation)
72/05. TOWN HALL CHARTER HALL and TRINITY HALL:
Notwithstanding the item above the Town Clerk reported a seperate letter from the
Chief Executive of Sedgemoor in which the Town Council were invited to give a view on
whether they would be interested in taking over the management and running of the
halls. 'First refusal' was offered and had come about as part of the District Council's
budget considerations. Members recognised the significant implications arising.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk register the Town Council's interest but in doing so
ensure there is no commitment until the current position has been analysed and all
other implications, financial and otherwise, have been thoroughly investigated and
the impact on the Town Council considered.
73/05. BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL – FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Town Clerk reported a letter from the Chief Executive of Sedgemoor 'inviting' the
Town Council to advise whether they wished to take over the operation of additional
services which were set out in an appendix to the report. This also arose as part of the
budget consideration by the District Council although looking forward to 01 April 2007
or as stated sooner if possible. The Town Clerk pointed out it was a matter for the
Town Council to decide which, if any, they would wish to consider and perform. The
full implications and the ability to ensure service delivery would have to be assessed.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council confirm their willingness to join discussions on
specific areas subject to resources and ability to deliver.
74/05. SOMERSET LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN (2006 – 2011):
The final version of the LTP was shortly to be submitted to Government. Attention was
drawn to those issues and proposals affecting Bridgwater and Appendix 4 – the
provisional document dated July 2005 and draft final report - 'Bridgwater Transport
Strategy Review'.
RESOLVED: That the proposals, particularly in relation to the Taunton Road bus
lane, the Canon Junction and bus routes (currently being re-examined) and timing be
noted maintaining the views previously expressed by the Town Council on these isues
and the Council further press for the construction of the Leggar link (initially at least
one-way) and the application of the SCOOT system to all relevant sets of traffic signals
as soon as possible.
75/05. NOTICE OF MOTION – CLLR DL PREECE:
Cllr Preece moved the motion which was set out in the agenda. Following discussion
the motion was withdrawn and it was
RESOLVED: That an item 'URGENT BUSINESS' similar to that carried on agenda of
Sedgemoor District Council be included for all meetings and, if necessary, the Town
Council's Standing Orders be varied accordingly.
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76/05. MAYOR ITEMS:
The Mayor passed photos from La Ciotat to former Mayor Cllr Bill Munn. He drew
attention to advice of the 60th Anniversary of the Arts Centre and a request for funding
to support special events which was referred to the Finance Committee. He also
reminded Members of the arrangements for the sonsorship day at the Bridgwater and
Albion Rugby Club on 18 February 2006 and the Mayor's Charity Gig at the Town Hall
on 04 March 2006.
(Cllrs Gillard, Parker, Mrs Slocombe and Smeed declared an interest in the Arts Centre)
77/05. 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:
1. Westonzoyland Road Access and Parking for Residents – Reply from SCC
2. Planting of Trees on verges on road entrances to Bridgwater eg Taunton Road –
Planning Panel – Town Clerk to follow up on costs, locations, consents etc
3. Route 375 Provision of low floor bus kerbs on A39 Bath Road – both locations at
Filling Station
4. Eastover / St John Street Organisation meeting 16 January 2006
5. Northgate – Stakeholders Meeting 16 January 2006 – Suggestion of speaker from
Joseph Rowntree Foundation on need for 'Balanced Communities' - invite
6. Free computer offer to Parish and Town Councils
7. SALC information
8. Somerset Access – Annual Newsletter
9. Bridgwater College – Annual Report
10. Grants – letters of thanks from St Mary’s Church and Civic Society
11. Notice of intention - Personal Statement by Cllr David Preece – Request deferred
to be considered for next meeting subject to legal advice of Monitoring Offficer
made known to all members in advance
(Cllr Smeed declared an interest in item 10. Bridgwater and Disrict Civic Society)
78/05. 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 79/05 on the grounds that this will
involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 100I of the Local
Governmernt Act 1972.
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79/05. THE BRIDGWATER CUP – 2005:
RESOLVED: That having considered the merits of all the very worthy nominations
eligible the cup be awarded to Mr Eric John Shackleford in recognition of his
outstanding contribution and dedication particularly to the blind and partially sighted
through his involvement with Bridgwater Bowling Club and the Visually Impaired Section
the Bridgwater Carnival and the Two Town Talker.
The meeting finished at 9.50pm