Temperature 16°c (61°f)
Clouds are
Few Broken
Humidity 76%
Minutes March 2008
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 06 MARCH 2008 AT 7.30PM
IN THE CHAIRMAN'S ROOM, 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, PGH Parker, Ms JA Raven, KF Richards, Mrs GJ Slocombe and J Turner (JP)
Apologies: Cllr Preece
85/07 PRESENTATION OF PETITION - ROAD & TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN RHODE LANE:
The Mayor received a petition containing 1262 signatures, presented by Tracy Cummins, Kate Page and Chelsea Cummins, on behalf of the residents and community in Hamp Estate, seeking improved access to the estate via Rhode Lane, the recent poor re-surfacing of Rhode Lane to be renewed, and the roadside drains in Rhode Lane blocked by the re-surfacing and chippings to be checked and cleared where necessary. The petition strongly urged the Highway Authority to implement a "no parking" zone on one side of Rhode Lane from the junction of Taunton Road to the Kent Avenue turnoff, and to re-examine the road surface.
The Town Council supported all of these issues and the petition was accepted by the Mayor on their behalf.
It was suggested that this highlighted the need for a cohesive solution to parking throughout Bridgwater and a review of planning policies and traffic management policies to address the issue.
RESOLVED: That with the Town Council's full support the petition be referred to the Highway Authority and SDC be requested to give their support.
86/07 BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE:
Julia Ridge, Programme Director for the Building Schools for the Future Programme, gave an update on progress towards the presentation of the business case due by the end of March this year. With the progress made, it was envisaged that the first school would open in September 2011. Proposals for three sites on existing locations were firm and options had been identified for the Haygrove replacement. Preliminary consultation meetings had been held at Blake and Chilton and further events were planned at East Bridgwater on 11 March and Haygrove School on 12 March 2008. Members were encouraged to attend and to offer encouragement to residents and parents. Further discussions within the County Council had sought to bridge the affordability gap at no insignificant cost. The Educational Trust, which would administer all the schools, was being put in place.
Julia answered several questions, including timescales, the robustness of the figures for future school populations taking into account all circumstances including the increased number of dwellings planned for the Bridgwater area by the revised Strategy. Members welcomed the progress being made.
87/07 EASTOVER DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT BRIEF CONSULTATION DRAFT AND ASSET MANAGEMENT:
The Town Council received a presentation led by the Corporate Director Doug Bamsey and presented by Stuart Martin in relation to the Eastover Development Potential, Julian Street in relation to the Asset Management Plan, and Tim Mander on the proposals for Barclay Street car park in particular. Members were invited to comment on the Eastover Development Potential (copies of the document were available).
The Asset Management Plan and review was principally for the purpose of raising capital and had examined assets that did not support a statutory service, those which did not reflect identified priorities of the council, and sites not currently realising their potential value or returns for the council. Members were advised of consideration by Axbridge Town Council of buying the car park in that town and members pointed to the issues of enforcement, which affected the occupation levels of the Barclay Street car park. The detail of what had been offered was explained and it was confirmed that the original intention to report to the Executive in March had now been deferred to a date in April to allow full community consultation and a comprehensive assessment of all the issues before making a decision. Members questioned the underlying assumptions and usage figures.
RESOLVED:
1. That the presentations be noted;
2. that the stance adopted by the Council in relation to Barclay Street be maintained in particular the key issue of enforcement of on-street parking restrictions and consequent impact on usage and income
88/07 MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 17 January 2008 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record, subject to the correction of the declarations of interest contained in Minute 78/07.
89/07 MATTERS ARISING:
I. Sedgemoor Area Working Panel (Min 77/07.i) - the Town Clerk confirmed the bid by the Gardens Centre had been approved in the sum of £2500, but the bid by Durleigh Parish Council in relation to Queenswood Lane had been placed on the reserved list;
II.Website development for BTC (Min 77/07.ii) - the launch of the websites had been held on Thursday 21 February 2008 at the Exchange and had been successful and well receive;
III. Proposed Grant to SCC Olympic Games Fund (Min 78/07) - the Town Clerk confirmed that the legality of such payments had been called into question and as matters stood the grant could not be made. The position was being re-examined;
IV. Sedgemoor Parishes Meeting and Charter Signing and Cluster/PACT (Partners and Communities together) Meetings (Min 81/07.7) - the Town Council confirmed agreement to the signing of the Charter and noted the future intention in relation to Cluster meetings and PACTs. In Bridgwater PACT would also become part of the local action team meetings and the first example had been held in Eastover. It was noted that parking had been identified as the most significant issue raised;
V. Bridgwater Cup (Min 94/07) - following the award of the Cup to Eileen Haysham members noted the presentation to take place on 10 March 2008 at 7.30pm at the Mayor's Parlour.
VI. The Mayor made a brief statement in relation to Standing Orders and procedural matters.
90/07 PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS:
RESOLVED: That the payments (including section 137 payments) made since the last meeting and the income received by reimbursement from the La Ciotat Link Society recorded in the Town Clerk's report dated 28/02/08 be approved and confirmed.
91/07 TOWN HALL & ISLAND SITE:
The Town Clerk reported on the stakeholder group meeting held on 28 February 2008. The project group had continued to meet with their next meeting planned for 11 March 2008. In the meantime, a bid had been submitted to "Advancing Assets for Communities", which could yield 10 days specialist consultancy advice to help progress the project. A showcase and luncheon for selected invitees likely to be a source of assistance for the project was also being considered.
92/07 AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 2006/2007 AND RE-APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR:
The Town Clerk confirmed that the audit had been completed satisfactorily and no matters had arisen giving cause for concern. Issues which had been drawn to the Council's attention in relation to expenditure powers, the level of fidelity guarantee, risk assessment and internal financial controls had been addressed in the current financial year through the Finance Committee.
Messrs Moore Stephens had been re-appointed as external auditors for a further five year period by the Audit Commission.
RESOLVED: That these matters be noted.
93/07 CONSULTATION PAPER ON CONDUCT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS:
The Town Clerk reported on the consultation paper issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government, essentially designed to provide a more locally based ethical regime on the principle of proportionate decision-making. This affected the role of the Standards Board, which had become more strategic.
94/07 BUDGET AND FACILITY AND SERVICE SUPPORT:
The Town Clerk updated the Council on progress in relation to the following:
1. Transfer of cemeteries - legal documentation in relation to land and property and service level agreement, including implications of TUPE;
2. Blake Museum - meeting of Task and Finish group and recent meeting of Blake Museum Committee, including reference to possible closure on Fridays;
3. Sydenham Community Centre - advice from Cllr. Turner with request that Ward Members maintain a watching brief;
4. Town Centre Activities, street furniture, Blake Gardens Band Concerts and Guide publication;
5. SDC Asset Sales and position, including Trinity Hall, Cattlemarket, Bristol Road Allotment land, Barclay Street car park and Chilton 2 former allotment site.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Town Clerk be authorised to convene a meeting of the Finance Committee if required to ratify any financial aspects of the various matters;
2. that authorisation be given for the completion and signing of the necessary documentation for the transfer of cemeteries;
3. that the continuing developments in relation to Blake Museum be noted;
4. that Ward Members be requested to keep a watching brief on the situation with Sydenham Community Centre;
5. that the acquisition of 4 anti-vandal benches in the sum of £280.00 plus VAT each be confirmed;
6. that the observations of members be passed on in relation to the Blake Statue;
7. that the payment of the contribution to the Town Centre Partnership for 2007/2008 in the sum of £2000 be confirmed;
8. that the position with the future of the Town Centre Management Partnership be noted;
9. that the proposal for a band concert season at Blake Gardens Band stand - proposal 2 - including the celebration of the centenary be approved in the sum of £1705 and a small "fair" be considered for the centenary event;
10. that work towards the preparation of the Town Guide 2008 be noted;
11. that the proposals in respect of Trinity Hall be endorsed, together with the contribution of £6000 to defray costs;
12. that the Council maintain their opposition to the disposal of any part of Barclay Street, express concern at the validity of the statistical information, and invite Sedgemoor to seek improved enforcement, particularly of on-street parking through the PCSOs;
13. that the position with the sale of assets related to the Cattlemarket and the Bristol Road land be noted.
95/07 CHILTON 2 FORMER ALLOTMENT SITE - EXEMPT ITEM EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC:
RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the business recorded in Minute 98/07 below, on the grounds that this would involve disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 100.1 of the Local Government Act 1972.
96/07 WARD BUDGET BIDDING:
The following new applications were considered and it was RESOLVED that:
1. Bower Ponds and Ash Close Open Space/Play Areas - provision of seats and bins - (Bower) grant of £2991 plus VAT approved;
2. Sydenham Family Centre - equipment for Breakfast Club - (Sydenham) grant of £250 approved;
3. St Matthew's Field - surface improvements to walkway, footpath - (Quantock) - grant of £1000 approved;
4. Eastover - Eastover School and Theatre Group - (Eastover) - referred to Ward Members for consideration
97/07 PUBLICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE:
The Town Clerk reported on correspondence and papers received and those included in the report.
RESOLVED: That items be noted and actioned as indicated below:-
1. Somerset NHS PCT - Bridgwater Hospital planning application submission (and presentation at Annual Town Meeting);
2. Somerset PCT meeting 14 February 2008;
3. Appointments Commission - appointments to chairs and non-executive directors of NHS Board;
4. Marsa Twinning - commissioning of signs to add to welcoming road signs;
5. Bridgwater/Marsa Twinning Association Minutes of 21 January 2008;
6. Bridgwater/Slovak Friendship Society AGM minutes and UH Twinning - Cllr. Loveridge volunteered to replace Cllr. Munn if the latter unable to continue as representative;
7. Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival - Firework Sponsorship £5000 confirmed;
8. Dog Control Orders publication of notice;
9. Bridgwater Chamber of Trade - setting up of pilot committee for revival of organisation - Town Council support and follow up working together, including links to existing town trader groups;
10. SALC - request to join for 2008/2009 (cost £2038.11, including NALC component of £1035.17) - further consideration to membership;
11. Heritage Open Days 11-14 September 2008 - no longer to be co-ordinated by SDC - consideration to be given to alternatives;
12. Taunton Road Public Conveniences 2008/2009 - receipt of quotation for continuation of routine cleaning in the sum of £6300 plus VAT - agreement subject to confirmation of usage figures;
13.HGV Pinchpoint Consultation - outcomes;
14. All other items included and recorded in the report dated 28 February 2008 noted
(Cllr. Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in item numbers 7 and 8 and took nor part in the consideration and did not vote thereon).
98/07 CHILTON 2 FORMER ALLOTMENT SITE:
The Town Clerk explained the background to this item with the use as allotments, and relationship to the transfer of allotment land at the creation of the Town Council. Sedgemoor District Council was considering a report related to the transfer of this piece of land. The land also figured in the Building Schools for the Future plans.
RESOLVED: That this item be deferred for detailed consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on Monday 10 March 2008 at 6pm with restricted outstanding business.
99/07 CHILTON 2 FORMER ALLOTMENT SITE -
TRANSFER TO BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL:
The Town Clerk explained the position with the proposed transfer and the relationship to the Building Schools for the Future Programme. A series of options were considered for the way in which this matter might be progressed, having regard to the possible claims on other allotment land, disposed of by SDC. Members understood fully the importance of this land in relation to the Building Schools for the Future Programme.
RESOLVED: That subject to the decision of SDC to transfer the land to the Town Council without encumbrances, the Town Council agree
1. to accept the land;
2. to forgo any further claim on sold land in the Faversham Avenue area;
3. to reserve the right to negotiate with Building Schools for the Future along the lines laid out in Option 2, including full recognition, a reverter clause and subject to the district valuers advice sale or land swap;
4. to this end a letter of intent, subject to terms being agreed, be entered into to meet the deadline of March 2008 with Building Schools for the Future;
5. that this matter be delegated to the Finance Committee in the event that further decisions are required.
100/07 CONTINUATION OF MATTERS FROM ADJOURNED MEETING:
1. Transfer of cemeteries
RESOLVED: That in the event of this being necessary to satisfy the obligation of the TUPE regulations the following resolution be adopted: "That Bridgwater Town Council wishes to become a Resolution Body to allow all eligible employees to participate in the Local Government Pension Scheme."
2. Blake Museum (Min 94/07)
RESOLVED: That the Council take up with SDC the proposed closure of the museum on Fridays and oppose this most strongly.
3. Publications and Correspondence - impact of District Council budget cuts on local organisations - referred to Finance Committee;
4. Memo from Cllr. David Preece raising issues about the suitability of the meeting room in terms of DDA compliance, etc.
5. Public Catalogue Foundation - advice on Town Council painting held in St Mary's Church in terms of history and valuation
(In the list of organisations whose grants may be affected by the proposed cuts members declared various interests of a personal nature)
.............................................
Signed
Chairman