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Minutes May 2006
BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL
Finance Committee
Members Room Bridgwater Town Hall
2.30pm 10 May 2006
Present: Cllrs J Turner (Chairman) WH Munn PG Parker MD Needs KF Richards and Mrs GJ Slocombe
Apology: Cllr Moore
29. MINUTES:
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 February 2006 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
30. NOTICE OF AUDIT:
Audited accounts were due for submission by 30 June 2006. The accounts were with the Internal Auditor and should be ready for submission to the Council at the meeting in June. Fair Account had also written offering audit services for future reference.
RESOLVED: That this be noted
31. MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL 16 March 2006 - Matters referred
RESOLVED: That the Town Council indicate they are prepared, in principle, to look favourably at supporting the 350th Anniversary of Robert Blake, subject to more detailed information on what is planned.
32. GRANTS and APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING:
RESOLVED: That the following decisions be put forward:
1. CAB - Grant approved in principle awaiting completion of application;
2. Arts Centre - Grant of £2500.00 approved for 60th Anniversary;3. Shopmobility - Grant of £1500.00 approved
4. Bridgwater Flower Show - Grant of £500.00 approved5. St John's Church - repairs and renovations - Grant of £2000.00 approved
6. Somerset Arts Week - to support sustainability of SAW - Grant of £100.00 approved
(Cllr Parker declared an interest in nos 2 & 6, Cllr Richards in no 4 and Cllr Mrs Slocombe in no 3)
33. WARD BUDGET BIDDING - APPLICATION:
RESOLVED: That the Town Council be recommended to consider approval of the anticipated application for Quantock Ward to assist with the provision of a footpath in St Matthews Field subject to receipt of a completed application.
34. TOWN COUNCIL FUNCTIONS:
The Committee gave further consideration to the isuues the request from SDC had raised. Members were aware of the functions already carried out or where contributions were made in cash or kind or offered or planned or partnership working applied including Allotments, Bus Shelters, Street lighting, Clocks, Arts support, Street trees, Street cleaning and litter, War memorials, Cemeteries etc.
Cllr Turner reported on the latest position with the potential transfer and/or closure of public toilets at Taunton Road and Blake Gardens and possible new provision of a facility in the central area of the town if the transfer or closure took place following the meeting of the SDC Policy Review and Service Improvement Committee. Members were prepared to continue discussions although considered a level of cross subsidy between authorities essential to make the future operations work.
35. TOWN HALL / TRINITY HALL MANAGEMENT:
The Town Clerk reported on further discussions designed to narrow down the possible options for any Town Council role and what form this might take. The position with the Town Hall and Charter Hall remained clouded by the proposed marketing exercise on the future of the Town Hall and Island site. It did seem though that some form of service level agreement was the best that could be achieved at this time and some possible examples had been offered for assessment; although the level of any subsidy would be crucial. The commitment of SDC to including provisions to ensure the retention of the halls within the marketing was welcomed.
Meetings with the user groups of all the facilites had proved useful in clarifying the key issues for them but had received little favourable response to user group takeover.
RESOLVED: That the examination of the options for all continue notwithstanding the reviously expressed reservations and the Town Clerk be requested to continue discussions and gathering of information.
36. CEMETERIES - RULES and REGULATIONS and FEES:
Cllr Mrs Slocombe confirmed that a number of changes had been proposed to the draft Regulations.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk obtain a copy of the latest amended version.
37. ALLOTMENT LAND:
The Town Clerk brought members up to date with the formal transfer through the Land Registry and outstanding issues including Bristol Road and Chilton 2, interest in Kidsbury vacant land and the lease to the Carnival Committee at Bristol Road.
(Cllr Mrs Slocombe declared an interest in the Carnival Committee item)
38. MAYOR'S PARLOUR and OFFICE EQUIPMENT:
RESOLVED: That a dishwasher be obtained and fitted in the Mayor's Parlour kitchen and an office chair provided.
39. CORNHILL MARKET:
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk enquire the plans for the former auction hall.
Meeting finished at 4.20pm