Temperature 16°c (61°f)
Clouds are
Few Broken
Humidity 82%
Minutes November 2007
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2007 AT 7.30PM
IN THE
CHARTER HALL, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr P Smeed (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the chair) Cllrs D Baker, D Busby, MP Cresswell, JG Granter, D Hall, D Loveridge, WJ Monteith, D Preece, Ms JF Raven, KF Richards, and J Turner (JP)
Apologies: Cllrs Downes, Munn, Parker and Mrs Slocombe
48/07 ABSENT MEMBERS:
The Town Clerk was requested to send cards to Cllrs. Downes and Mrs Slocombe, wishing them a complete recovery and an early return to active duty.
49/07 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 4
October 2007 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
(Cllr. Cresswell declared an interest in all matters relating to the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival and Griffens Carnival Club and in relation to Minute 42/07 a declaration in relation to Mrs Judi Fisher, due to a family relationship)
50/07 MATTERS ARISING:
1. Mayoral Items (Min 43/07.3) - Durleigh Brook referring to the previous correspondence, Cllr Monteith related problems experienced by the cadet forces adjoining their land off Friar Avenue where a security light flashing indicating problems with the sump had been reported to Wessex Water some five weeks ago without any action being taken.
RESOLVED: That this problem be brought to the attention of
Wessex Water again with a request for immediate action.
51/07 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 25/10/07 be approved and confirmed.
52/07 WATERLINKS (MINUTE 37/07.1):
Members were aware that the Waterlinks project had failed to reach the final stage of "the people's £50M contest". However in a letter to the Council the Chairman of Waterlinks had thanked the council for their support and indicated a desire to see some or all of the individual projects pursued and come to fruition. Members requested information on how many other bodies had provided tangible support in hard cash.
RESOLVED: That the Town Council do support the objectives of the Waterlinks projects, but ongoing support of a financial nature will be subject to cost and what ongoing commitments are entailed, and whatever other bodies and local authorities are like-minded;
53/07 BLAKE
350 (MINUTE 37/07/2):
Attention was again drawn to the forthcoming Medieval Banquet and it was hoped that with the return of Cllr Parker all tickets would be sold to make this a viable prospect. Members were asked to give their support. Members also noted that the Carnival Fireworks, which the Town Council had sponsored, would be based on a "Blake 350" naval theme and that the banquet would be followed by a Service at the Unitarian Chapel to complete the anniversary events.
54/07 WEBSITE
DEVELOPMENT FOR BTC (MINUTE 37/07:3):
Members noted that the domain name "bridgwatertowncouncil.gov.uk" had been obtained as the only one permissible for the council and that this would be linked to a community informative website. Progress was being made and Cllr Hall was thanked for the support he had given to the project.
RESOLVED: That the fee of £94 including VAT for the purchase of the domain name for two years be paid and the proposals for the linked websites on the basis of the page layouts be approved.
55/07 TOWN
HALL AND ISLAND SITE:
The Town Clerk gave a progress report on further activities undertaken. SDC support had been confirmed and an advert prepared to go to the market. This was a vital step in assessing private sector support for the project. Alongside this, an application was being submitted to the Department of Communities and Local Government Community Assets Fund and the Town Clerk explained how this would carry the project forward if the bid was successful. The associated cultural organisations and local community groups and users had confirmed their support.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Town Council endorse the progress that has been made with the project;
2. that the preparation of a business plan acknowledging the involvement of the Town Council in the project for submission with the bid be agreed
(Cllr
Busby declared a personal interest in this matter and took no part in the
consideration and did not vote thereon).
56/07 SAXON GREEN GARAGE COURTS LIGHTING
(& SEDGEMOOR AREA WORKING PANEL):
The Town Clerk reported that the bid to the Sedgemoor Area Working Panel remained deferred. The options to provide lighting columns to serve each of the two garage courts had been pursued, although this had reverted to the original proposal for the reasons previously explained. It was pointed out that the initial proposal had involved one lamp being provided in the right-hand garage court and suggested that this was the way in which it should proceed. The issue which the Town Clerk sought the Town Council's decision on involved the ongoing energy cost, which at this point no other organisation was prepared to pick up. The Town Clerk reported the information on energy running costs per annum, all of which remained to be confirmed with the Southern Electric Company.
RESOLVED
1. That the Town Clerk be requested to continue exploring a way forward, providing one light if not both;
2. that a decision to take this forward be deferred pending confirmation on energy costs and future maintenance.
57/07 ALLOTMENTS TRANSFER AND BRISTOL ROAD 1 AND 2:
The
transfer and registration with the Land Registry had finally been completed in
respect of Bristol Road 1 and 2 sites.
On this basis the lease to the Carnival Committee of part of Bristol
Road 2 would be completed, provided a third party interest which had been
indicated to the committee was not pursued beyond the deadline given.
The one outstanding issue concerning Chilton 2 had still not been resolved, although this should not hold up the registration of the other transferred allotment land. The Council's Solicitor was in continuing correspondence to expedite this issue.
Members
were also advised of renewed interest on land adjoining Bristol Road 1, for
which a formal approach as part of a land assembly package and planning
proposal was anticipated.
RESOLVED: That the information be noted and the Town Clerk's
actions endorsed to pursue each aspect to conclusion.
58/07 ST MARY'S CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CLOCK:
The Town Council, through the office of the Town Mayor, had been asked to join the list of patrons supporting the project for redevelopment. The current Mayor favoured this, but required the support of the Town Council because of the commitment to the cause that would be placed on successive Mayors.
The Council had been requested to part-fund with SDC, the cost of re-establishing the chimes on the church clock with a night silencing system included. A quotation had been received in the sum of £1653 plus VAT. SDC indicated they were unable to give an answer on this pending a grant application decision.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Town Council support the Mayor's patronage of the project, which the Town Council and in-coming Mayors will review with the option of opt-up as the redevelopment scheme is progressed;
2. that the Town Council indicate their willingness to meet 50% of the cost of restoration of the chimes and night-silencing system
59/07 PLANNING PANEL - MEMBERSHIP:
Following the appointment of Cllr David Preece to the SDC Development Control Committee, members were requested elect a replacement to the BTC Panel.
RESOLVED: That Cllr David Loveridge be elected to the Planning Panel
60/07 PUBLICATIONS & 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, together with additional items below:-
1. Blake Gardens - further meeting held on management plan and improvements, including proposals to improve security through CCTV coverage, fencing along riverbank, and renewal of garden areas - points raised by Members to be taken forward;
2. Temporary road closures on Carnival Night and Remembrance Sunday - thanks expressed to Cllr Monteith for organisation in relation to Remembrance Parade;
3. Somerset Arts Week - agreed to register with SAW Ltd at a cost of £30 to support their sustainability;
4. Sedgemoor Corporate Strategy 2007/2010;
5. Temporary road closure Old Taunton Road, Bridgwater;
6. Somerset County Council - Olympic Games support - request for £500 x 4 years - referred to Finance Committee for consideration;
7. Future Waste Planning in Somerset - Issues and Options Consultation October 2007 - closing date 15 December;
8. Licensing Act Variation - The Cornhill - no objection;
9. Footpath at St Matthew's Field, Bridgwater - correspondence reported in relation to grass growing through surface - follow up unacceptable reply;
10. Publicity information, magazines and newsletters
61/07 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON AND LANTERN PARADE:
The Town Clerk reported on a request from SDC for financial support. This involved artists preparation and pre-work with schools towards the lantern parade to be associated with the Christmas lights switch on. Significant additional money, including support from the Town Council, was being spent on the Christmas lights and trees in the Town Centre.
Given
the shortage of time, it was noted that SDC had requested a reduction in the
quoted costs, which were in the order of £7750.
In light of the late stage and following discussions with the Mayor and
the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Town Clerk indicated that a sum of
£2000 could be made available. A
breakdown of the costs had also been obtained.
Members were concerned at the implications and costs involved. It was agreed that they would only consider
this as a one-off payment.
RESOLVED: That subject to any further information, the sum of £2000 or two-sevenths of the cost, whichever is the lower amount be agreed as a one-off and in future years the possibility of an application being considered through the Town Council's Grants process be mooted.
62/07 MAYORAL ITEMS:
1. UH 750th Anniversary visit and UH Bridgwater Twinning - the Mayor reported on the successful visit to UH and participation in the 750th celebrations of the Town Council official party;
2. Town Council Carol Service - Wednesday 19 December at 7.30 at St Mary's Parish Church;
3. Policing - the
Mayor reported on correspondence received from the Bridgwater Sector and
explained his alarm at the response and lack of positive action. Members shared the concerns and it was noted
that similar issues were to be raised as an item at the Community Scrutiny
Committee of SDC.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk write to SDC chasing up the request to the Police Authority Division to meet and refer these issues on to the Community Scrutiny Committee.
The meeting finished at 9.25pm
.............................................
Signed
Chairman