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Minutes October 2007
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD ON THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER 2007 AT 7.30PM
IN THE MEETING ROOM, TOWN HALL, BRIDGWATER
PRESENT: Cllr P Smeed (Mayor of Bridgwater - in the Chair) Cllrs D Busby,
MD Cresswell, JG Granter, JR Munn, KF Richards, Mrs G Slocombe,
and J Turner (JP)
Apologies: Cllrs Baker, Downes, Hall, Loveridge, Monteith and Preece
34/07 MEMBERS:
At the commencement of the meeting, the Mayor wished Cllrs Downes and Monteith and Cllr Mrs Slocombe a speedy return to full fitness.
35/07 BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE:
The Mayor welcomed Julia Ridge, programme director for the Building Schools for the Future programme in Bridgwater. Julia explained the progress and the work to complete the Strategy for Change Part 2 document. Bridgwater had been one of 15 successful bids and between Christmas and April more detail would be put into the Strategy. She had received good support from all in the Town, particularly the schools. A newsletter Issue 2 had been prepared and copies were circulated.
Julia identified the key issues in respect of the replacement of the four senior schools and two special schools. Robert Blake College and Elmwood would be combined, Chilton Trinity replaced and East Bridgwater replaced on existing sites and in respect of Haygrove and Penrose two options were being followed through. With the intention to use PFI for the re-building programme it would become clear that there was an affordability gap, partly due to the under-funding of the County, although this was being pursued. All the schools had confirmed their agreement in working together to form a Trust. Julia then answered a series of questions in relation to site options; alternatives; transport/green travel; and cycle ways. Members expressed their thanks to Julia Ridge for the thoroughness and focus of the programme.
36/07 MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 09 August 2007 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
37/07 MATTERS ARISING:
1. Waterlinks (Min 19/07) - Members requested that the Town Clerk follow up the inclusion of BTC in the publicity as supporters of the project, following the grant made available for the publicity effort.
2. Blake 350 (Min 22/07.1) - Members were given an update on events and programme, including the forthcoming medieval banquet and the church service on the Sunday, which would round off the celebrations. Members commented on the cleaning of the Blake statue, to which the council had contributed 50%.
3. Website Development for BTC (Min22/07.6) - The Town Clerk explained that this was proceeding, application had been made for the domain name bridgwater.gov.uk and a meeting arranged for the first examination of the paging layout.
4. Standards Committee (Min 26/07) - The Town Clerk confirmed that the council's two nominations, Cllr Monteith and Cllr Perry (Wembdon Parish Council) had been elected to represent town and parish council interests.
5. Unitary Status (Min 27/07) - Reference was made to correspondence from SCC and SDC following the rejection of the Single Unitary Authority proposals.
6. Bridgwater Cluster Meeting (Min 29/07) - Consultation was being undertaken on the arrangements in order to see what improvements could be made, and thereby bringing together various agencies and avoid duplication.
7. St Mary's Church Development Plans (Min 31/07.17) - Five members had attended the meeting held on 25/09/07 and commented favourably on the proposals.
38/07 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 27/09/07 be approved and confirmed.
39/07 TOWN HALL AND ISLAND SITE:
The Town Clerk expanded upon the written report, referring to various meetings of users, stakeholders, and the project team. A public open event attended by some 100 people had been held. In principle, groups had confirmed their commitment and secured user-group involvement towards pursuing the "cultural option".
A funding bid to the Community Asset Fund, administered via the Big Lottery, was now being prepared. Some £30M was available across the country, although this was breaking new ground for the Department of Communities and Local Government. Such proposal may involve the transfer of assets to community organisations set up as a Trust, although some had concerns about the liabilities. A fore-runner to this would be a partnership agreement. A report to the SDC Executive on 17/10/07, which would include a Project Initiation Document, to which the Town Council had contributed, was the next step. It was anticipated that November/December would see public advertisement to assess market interest and identify potential development partners. A joint public statement of support had been prepared. The Town Clerk suggested that when the Finance Committee considered the estimates in November, consideration should be given to including a sum of, perhaps £10K, for the pursuit of THIS project and the Town Council involvement.
RESOLVED:
1. That the Finance Committee be requested to examine this suggestion in conjunction with the estimates; and
2. that SDC be requested to confirm their commitment to the involvement of 'cultural partners' and to the involvement of the Town Council and the Town Hall as the Town Council base.
40/07 SEDGEMOOR AREA WORKING PANEL:
The Town Clerk confirmed that a bid had been submitted in relation to the provision of street lights at the Saxon Green garage courts against an allocation of £60K. The bid had scored well on the assessment criteria, but stood deferred pending a revised quotation for a modified scheme. It had been confirmed that SCC Highway Lighting would not pick up the running costs and this would mean going back to Homes in Sedgemoor to review the scheme and how running costs in particular may be met. The Town Clerk would attempt to expedite this as a matter of urgency.
41/07 PARKING CHARGES FOR 2008/2009:
SDC had supplied a draft report of proposals for the annual review of car park charges. Comparisons were provided with other local towns and inflation and options for retaining and increasing charges illustrated.
RESOLVED: That SDC be advised that:
1. Changes in pricing structure should not militate against the competitiveness of the town for shopping and business against other local towns; and
2. that consideration should be given to amending the time bands, in particular the possibility of a half-hour period being introduced in the Dampiate Street car park.
42/07 ALLOTMENTS TRANSFER AND BRISTOL ROAD 1 AND 2 ALLOTMENTS:
The Town Clerk confirmed that the transfer and registration of the Bristol Road 1 and 2 sites with the Land Registry was finally being completed. Registration of other allotment sites was delayed pending resolution of the outstanding issue concerning Chilton 2 which was still under discussion.
43/07 MAYORAL ITEMS:
1. Bridgwater Challenge and Bridgwater Regeneration Project - Presentation and report on partnership meeting, including grant awards.
2. Sewers and surface water in Eastover - Representations initiated by Cllr. Julian Taylor on the inadequacy of the present arrangements to be followed up
3. DurleighBrook - Deterioration of the inverted gravity siphon conveying the flow of the brook under the Bridgwater to Taunton canal - contributing to stagnant water and smells - to be followed up with Wessex or Environment Agency or Waterways Advisory Board.
4. Mayoral duties and functions - Arrangements now in hand for a programme to be issued on a monthly basis. The Mayor invited any member interested to advise if they wished to attend any event, particularly those in the Parlour.
5. SDC Leader and Chief Executive and Mayor and Town Clerk meetings - As a result of the recent meeting, the Chief Executive was arranging a meeting with the new Chief Superintendent and the District Inspector on several public order issues arising from recent correspondence.
44/07 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 additions below:-
1. Blake Gardens - progress on management planned and improvements - further meeting planned;
2. Friarn Street - suggested acquisition of land (former burial ground) as green space - to be raised with SDC in terms of responsibility, and the possibility of use of RLT 2/3 monies;
3. Somerset Road Safety Partnership - A38 study and cancellation of planned workshops;
4. Licensing Act Variation Applications: The Palace and Remedies - no objection raised;
5. SCC letter - advice relating to foot and mouth outbreak;
6. Somerset Rights of Way Team - workshop on 16/10/07 and consultation on path prioritisation - Cllr. Loveridge to attend;
7. War Memorial King Square - quotation for cleaning of £9700 - Agreed 50% to be offered by Town Council;
8. Evaluation Trust - leaflets advertising training for voluntary sector available;
9. Temporary Road Closure application for Remembrance Day Parade - 11/11/07;
10. Waste Management - consultation event at Angel Place on 30/10/07;
11. Victoria Springboard Committee - community café - request for grant support referred to Finance Committee with grant application form to be issued;
12. SLCC AGM 27/10/07 and Somerset Branch meeting 28/09/07;
13. Penel Orlieu Toilet block - refurbishment - opening prior to carnival;
14. Somerset Waste Partnership - introduction of new Managing Director and update on partnership progress;
15. Standards Board - newsletter for Town and Parish Councils circulated (Cllr. Parker attending national conference);
16 DEFRA publication "Ways to tackle climate change";
17 Sedgemoor District Local Plan - information on changes arising from Planning and
Compulsory Purchase Act and new Local Development Framework, with list of local plan
policies saved or discarded;
18 Magazines and newsletters
(Cllrs Munn and Mrs Slocombe declared interests in item no. 4 as members of the SDC Licensing Panel).
45/07 EXEMPT ITEMS - EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC:
RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the business recorded in minutes 46/07 and 47/07 on the grounds that this will involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Section 101 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.
46/07 LEASE TO THE CARNIVAL COMMITTEE OF PART BRISTOL ROAD 2:
RESOLVED:
1. That in consideration of the correspondence circulated to members and advice form the Town Clerk, the Council are prepared to include minor amendments to the lease, as discussed, in the spirit of co-operation with the Carnival Committee;
2. that the renewed interest in land adjoining Bristol Road 1 be noted.
(Cllr. Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in the matter of the lease to the Carnival Committee, spoke on the item as a member of the public, but took no part in the vote on the matter).
47/07 STAFFING MATTERS - MACE BEARER AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Following the advertising of the post, the Town Clerk reported on the interviews for the Mace Bearer. The Town Clerk also confirmed the successful temporary trial for the post of Administrative Assistant and recommended, as endorsed by the Mayor, that the position be offered on a permanent basis increased to 21 hours per week.
RESOLVED:
1. That the position of Mace Bearer be offered to Mr Chris Hocking, initially on a one-year trial basis in accordance with the conditions agreed;
2. that Mrs Judi Fisher be offered the post of Administrative Assistant for a total of 21 hours per week in accordance with the terms and conditions reported
(Cllr. Mrs Slocombe declared a personal interest in the Mace Bearer decision as a personal friend of Mr Hocking and Cllr. Munn declared a personal interest in the Administrative Assistant post as a result of personal friendship).
The meeting finished at 9.35pm
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Signed
Chairman