Temperature 16°c (61°f)
Clouds are
Few Broken
Humidity 82%
Minutes June 2006
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 22 JUNE 2006 AT 7.30PM
IN THE MEMBER’S ROOM, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr PG Parker (Mayor of Bridgwater – in the Chair), Cllrs MD Cresswell, BJ
Gillard, GJ Granter, WJ Monteith, AJ Moore, JR Munn, WH Munn, MD Needs,
M/s KE Pearce, DL Preece, KF Richards, P Smeed and J Turner (JP)
Apologies: Cllrs Loveridge and Mrs Slocombe
12/06 PRESENTATION & QUESTION SESSION – DISTRICT COMMANDER SOMERSET WEST AVON & SOMERSET POLICE:
The Town Council received a presentation from Chief Superintendent John Snell, the District Commander, whose responsibilities included the Town of Bridgwater within the Somerset West Police District. As background, John Snell gave a brief summary of his career and the role he now played as District Commander. He summarised the key issues facing the Force in this area and in the Town and candidly gave his views on the effectiveness of policing in the modern day. He illustrated the key areas of crime, the impact of government requirements in terms of performance management, and “vocational policing”. He dealt particularly with statistics of crime and, as raised by the Mayor, people’s perceptions. He also explained the policing numbers available within the division and the way in which police community support officers were now used, and planned to be used as numbers increased with a move to neighbourhood policing teams lead by a manager, which was likely to come into place in April 2008, possibly 2007. He dealt with questions related to community issues, increases in emergency calls and the volume crime agenda, successful operations in the division in relation to ASBOs, crackhouse closures and dispersal orders, the different roles of police on the beat and PCSOs, and the use of cautions.
Members praised the police operations in the Town, particularly those officers picking up community issues in specific areas. Reference was also made to the invitation from Inspector John Hart to members, which the Mayor had already taken up, to attend with an evening patrol in the Town.
The Mayor thanked Chief Superintendent Snell for his honesty in the presentation and the breadth of information he had covered.
13/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of Bridgwater Town Council held on 18 May 2006 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
14/06 MATTERS ARISING
- Quantock Road and Bristol Road Cemeteries – revised regulations and fees (Minute 04/06): The Town Clerk reported that a final version of the rules and regulations had been circulated by e-mail. These appeared to pick up the amendments the council had supported, which had been promoted by Cllr Mrs Slocombe.
RESOLVED: That the revised rules and regulations be noted and any member wishing to raise specific issues refer to the Town Clerk by no later than Tuesday 27 June 2006.
- Audit of Accounts 2005/2006 – report of Finance Committee (Minute 05/06): The internal audit of the Town Council accounts for 2005/2006 had been completed. Copies would be circulated to all members for any questions to be raised.
RESOLVED: That the Income & Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 March 2006 be approved and signed for submission to external audit, together with the approved Statement of Assurance, subject to any further comment from members.
15/06 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Cllr Smeed referred to his request for information on the activities of the Mace Bearer and requested that this be tabled on the agenda for the next meeting.
RESOLVED: That the payments made since the last meeting, recorded in the Town Clerk’s Report dated 13 June 2006, be approved and confirmed.
16/06 REPORT ITEMS FOR NOTING
The following were noted by members with invitation to comment:-
- Town Hall, Charter Hall and Trinity Hall – continuing negotiations and discussions with deadline set by SDC of 01/09/06, but for Town Hall and Charter Hall still dependent upon marketing of island site.
- Bridgwater Town Council – functions and responsibilities – continuing negotiations following decisions of SDC Executive on 14 June 2006;
- Marsa Malta/Bridgwater Twinning – copy of Twinning and Co-operation Agreement in the Maltese language received, with possible visit to complete signing in October 2006;
- Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West 2006/2026 – receipt of executive summary with consultation period between 06 June and 30 August 2006;
17/06 BRISTOL ROAD 2 - SURRENDER AND LEASE TO CARNIVAL COMMITTEE
The surrender of the land by the Bridgwater Allotment Tenants Association had been completed, together with the lease to the Carnival Committee and both were ready for signature. These matters would be concluded with the formal transfer under the SI and the registration of the title with the Land Registry. Legal examination was continuing to conclude the registration.
RESOLVED: That the surrender and lease be signed and the common seal of the Bridgwater Town Council affixed to the documents.
(Cllr Cresswell declared an interest in this matter related to the Carnival and took no part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
18/06 BUS SHELTER WESTONZOYLAND ROAD
The Town Clerk reported that, following safety concerns, the roof of the shelter opposite Eastern Avenue had had to be removed leaving only the frame in place. Discussions had taken place with Ad-shel, who had offered to provide a replacement under the terms of the current agreement, in place of one that was removed from St John’s Street. Members also reported that a shelter in Dunkery Road needed attention.
RESOLVED: That arrangements be concluded with Ad-shel for the provision of the replacement shelter in Westonzoyland Road, opposite Eastern Avenue.
19/06 SOMERSET PARTNERSHIP NHS AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST – MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES – FIT FOR FUTURE – CONSULTATION
The Town Clerk reported on the Executive Summary of the plans for the service, with a specific request for views on adult community mental health services and adult acute inpatient provision – the configuration of service to meet different needs of the range of clients. He also drew attention to public meetings to be held on 10 July 2006 at 2pm at The Great Escape, and at 6.30pm at the Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club.
The Town Clerk also reported information provided by Cllr Julian Taylor, who had pointed particular concerns at the proposals to close the Acute Inpatient Unit in Bridgwater. He felt this could have clear implications for Bridgwater residents in view of the co-relationship between social need and psychiatric disorder. It was also desirable to have services as close as possible to where the client group lived and putting acute services in Taunton would mitigate against this.
RESOLVED: That as many members as possible attend the public meetings and the Town Council support fully the comments received from Cllr Julian Taylor, particularly in relation to the proposed closure of the Acute Inpatient Unit in Bridgwater.
(Cllr WH Munn declared an interest in this matter and took no part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
20/06 TOWN COUNCIL ACCOMMODATION AND TOWN HALL AND ISLAND SITE:
The Town Clerk reported that the Northgate Phase One Report was due to be submitted to the SDC Executive on 12 July 2006 and that this would include consideration of the Town Hall and Island Site and options. The timescales envisaged for the marketing exercise and/or developing options in more detail, were also expected to be considered at that time. In addition, the timetable for the proposed frontage improvement works to the Town Hall would be considered.
The Town Clerk reminded members that this still affected the offer to the Town Council in relation to the management and day-to-day running of the Town Hall/Charter Hall and still considered it critical to know what was happening before proposals could be firmed up by the Town Council. The members referred to the fact that despite full coverage of the North gate proposals on the website, this contained no reference to the Town Hall and Island Site or indeed Eastover, both of which were being considered within the consultants brief, complementary to what might come forward for Northgate.
RESOLVED: That the Council continue to press for clarity in the marketing exercise and development options for the Town Hall and Island Site so that the Town Council’s future interest may be firmed up.
21/06 MAYOR ITEMS
The Chairman of the Finance Committee responded to a question from Cllr Preece in relation to plans for the expenditure and use of the £140,000.00 included in the council’s budget as a Civic Enhancement Reserve. He explained that this would not necessarily be utilised in the year, but reserved for suitable projects, but the involvement of the Town Council was essential to meet the needs of the Town and the community.
Cllr Gillard requested that Bridgwater Corporation items held in St Mary’s Church, including the Bible, Prayer Books and Song Books, should be handed over to the museum on a permanent loan for safekeeping. This was agreed.
The Mayor referred to forthcoming visits to Homberg and Marsa for Civic connections and invited any members, at their own expense, to indicate their desire to take part.
The Mayor also referred to the open evening for St Margaret’s Hospice and their New Build Appeal and advised his intention to bring forward an item on the next agenda for the Town Council to consider a possible involvement.
He reminded members that his Civic Service was to take place on 2 July 2006 and repeated the invitation to all members.
RESOLVED:
- That the items be noted; and
- that the permanent loan of the Bridgwater Corporation items from St Mary’s to the museum be approved.
22/06 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 arranged for 05 July 2006 to progress interest in Bristol Road land.
- Allotment land at Kidsbury Road – interest of Allotment Association and other interests to be followed up.
- SDC and Community Council Communication Event – 20 July 2006 – members invited
- Advertising signs, street furniture and general cleanliness – letter to Civic Society from SDC advising removal of signs on Fore Street railings.
- Temporary road closure on Northgate – five days for resurfacing of Bascule Bridge from 26 June 2006.
- Speed Visor Signs – temporary installation on NDR
- Association of Charter Trustee Towns and Charter Town Councils – Executive Meeting 30 June 2006.
- Charter 88 Campaign for Modern Democracy – sustainable communities bill – noted
- SCC “making a difference” case studies booklet.
- Parish Councils – litter collection packs
- Somerset Playing Fields Association Newsletter
- SDC Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Newsletter 2006/2007
- Eastover Park Cycle Way – draft report circulated – route not wanted – concerns over route in park crossing point and movement against flow of traffic and report inaccuracies – objections to be continued
- Statement of Gambling Policy – copies circulated for information
- Towells Charity – Cllr Smeed appointed for four years from June 2006.
- Ward Budget Bidding – Sydenham Ward – Rainbow Pre-School – Grant of £200 requested to replace table and benches stolen and assist new garden area – grant of £200 approved
The meeting finished at 9.10pm
………………………………………
Signed
Chairman