PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE DRAFT MINUTES TO BE CONFIRMED ON MARCH 3
Minutes of the meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington on Monday 4th February 2008 at 7pm.
PRESENT: Councillor D. Mitton (chairman) who presided, Councillors P. Critchard (vice-chairman), R. Bowrah, A. Govier, G. Goodwin, R. Henley, G. Copley, J. Reed, J. Govier, N. Wilson, and V. Stock-Williams, the clerk A. Brown and the assistant to the clerk Mrs J. Thorne. There were apologies from Councillors J. Clark, C. Hindley, J. Lloyd and S. Walters. There were 4 members of the public present.
14592 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The chairman, Councillor D. Mitton said that during January he had attended meetings to do with Wellington Food Town, Market and Coastal Town Initiative, and Beech Grove School. He reminded the meeting of the forthcoming Friends of Wellington Park quiz night on 15th February and asked if any councillors would like to join him and make up a team. He also welcomed the town’s new police sergeant Stuart Bell.
14593 POLICE MATTERS
PCSO support officer John Swayne of Wellington Police Station introduced the new police sergeant Stuart Bell to the meeting. Sergeant Bell thanked councillors for their welcome and informed them the crime figures were a mixed bag. There had been 2 reports of criminal damage in Wellington and a suspect had been charged and bailed for both incidents. There had been 1 window broken in the criminal damage to non-dwellings category and also 3 windows broken to dwellings and investigations were still ongoing. There had been a rise in the number of incidents of criminal damage to motor vehicles from December with 16 incidents of damage to tyres, windscreen wipers, and paintwork. Many of the incidents had taken place in car parks including the car park off Courtland Road. There had also been one house burglary and four burglaries to non-dwellings, and 10 offences of actual bodily harm with six of these occurring at the same time by the same assailant who had been remanded back into prison. There had been three cases of common assault and two of them related to a domestic incident and a person had been charged. There had been four thefts from motor vehicles where belongings had been left on display, and two thefts from shops with one person charged for shoplifting. There had been no bike thefts. Councillor Mitton suggested it would be a good time to arrange the visit to the CCTV centre in Bridgwater while Mr Swayne was at the meeting as he was the portfolio holder responsible for CCTV at Sedgemoor District Council which monitored Taunton Deane’s CCTV in the Bridgwater centre. It was agreed to have two visits to the centre – one on Tuesday March 4th at 2pm and the other on Tuesday March 11th at 7pm. Mr Swayne said he thought the council would receive a grant application from Shopwatch shortly for funding towards a CCTV scheme. Sgt Bell and Mr Swayne were thanked for attending.
14594 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME: WELLINGTON IN BLOOM
Mrs Isabel Ward, chairman of Wellington in Bloom, invited councillors to attend the WIB AGM on Thursday, 7th February at Bulford Community Hall at 6pm and reported that she had met the directors of Hawks, the main developers of the new Somerfield Store, that afternoon and they had confirmed that the work would be going ahead.
14595 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME: FRIENDS OF WELLINGTON PARK
Mrs Pauline Sturgess, the chairman of Friends of Wellington Park, reported that a cheese and wine quiz was being held on Saturday, 16th February, that the summer programme of Sunday afternoon entertainment had been arranged and that a May Day fund raising event would be held on the Park on Monday, 5th May 2008.
14596 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the council meetings held on 7th January 2008, as previously circulated to councillors, were taken as read and signed as correct by the chairman Councillor Mitton, with the following addition to council meeting minute 14584 Staffing Committee: “The short listing of candidates for the post of town clerk shall be decided by the Staffing Committee plus Councillors A. Govier, P. Critchard, V. Stock-Williams and J. Clark and that the interviews shall be undertaken by the Staffing Committee with the clerk present as an advisor.”
14597 PRECEPT AND BUDGET FOR 2008-2009
In his final budget report before his retirement, the clerk recommended the council to fix an unchanged council tax of £16.50 for Band D properties for 2008-2009 and to fix the council’s precept at £76,670. He recommended taking £32,305 from the balances to keep the council’s own tax unchanged for a ninth year in succession and pointed out that it was estimated that the council would have a balance of £84,695 at the end of March 2009 which would be more than adequate to meet any unforeseen expenditure which might occur during the next financial year. On the recommendation of Councillor Mitton, seconded by Councillor Critchard, it was agreed to accept the report (details attached to these minutes) and its recommendations, to thank the clerk for his hard work and to amend the item for CCTV to “CCTV/Crime Prevention.”
14598 REMOVAL OF WHISTLE BOARDS AT WESTFORD RAIL CROSSING
With reference to minute 14571 a letter was received from Network Rail stating that the boards had been in place until they were reported missing, presumed stolen. After unsuccessful investigations with the British Transport Police, Network Rail consulted with Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate for their permanent removal and following agreement the boards had not been replaced, leaving the crossing protected by the audible warning and lights based system. The red light showed and the audible warning started 21 seconds before the arrival of a train. The average crossing time for a pedestrian was calculated at 8.22 seconds. In addition a new foot-deck had been provided in August 2007 which reduced risk to pedestrians and speeded up the transit over the crossing. The crossing was last risk-assessed in Decembe 2006 and resulted in a score of C6 in their all level crossing risk model (ALCRM) computer test which did not fall within the high risk category. A site meeting with the Railway Inspectorate was offered and it was agreed to arrange such a meeting. Councillors felt the elderly would take longer than 8 seconds to cross the lines.
14599 STREET CLEANING
With reference to minute 14568 it was reported that councillors had seen an impressive demonstration of the mechanical pavement sweeper (the green machine) in the town centre area on 30th January and that Taunton Deane Borough Council had agreed that the machine would visit Wellington on a fortnightly basis, spending the first two hours in the town centre area and the rest of the day in other parts of Wellington. It was agreed that the Environment Committee should meet to draw up a list of streets to be included in the machine’s cleaning programme.
14600 JUNCTION OF CORAMS LANE AND SPRINGFIELD ROAD
With reference to minute 14564 it was reported that a site meeting had taken place on 23rd January with Mr Ian Titcombe, of Somerset Highways, to consider measures to improve traffic congestion. A report suggesting the possible provision of double yellow lines in parts of Corams Lane and Springfield was awaited. It was agreed to defer the matter until the March meeting, pending the receipt of Mr Titcombe’s report.
14601 CONDUCT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS
A letter was received from the Department for Communities and Local Government seeking views on orders and regulations relating to the conduct of local authority members in England. Members also received a report on the consultation document from Somerset Association of Local Councils putting forward their response to the various proposals. It was agreed to support the SALC proposals and also to get more information about dual-hatted members.
14602 TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE
It was reported that some quotes had been received for updating the town council website and that a meeting had been arranged with a firm later that week to discuss the website. It was agreed to consider the matter again at the March meeting when a full report would be circulated to councillors.
14603 NORTHERN RELIEF ROAD
Members were circulated with emails from Councillor A. Govier, Mr Ian Ayre, of Taunton DBC’s planning department, and the clerk, A. Brown about a proposed change in the Regional Spatial Strategy under which Wellington would be removed from policies covering Taunton and Bridgwater and about concerns that this alteration might adversely affect the suggested Northern Relief Road for Wellington. With a 15% increase in the housing numbers proposed for Wellington and the rest of the borough, Mr Ayre stated that he did not believe the change would have any impact on the case for developing Longforth Farm or the construction of a road which could operate as a relief road. After some discussion Councillor Govier proposed, and it was agreed, that Mr Ayre should be invited to attend a council meeting to discuss the topic further. A letter was also received from Mr Ian Mackinnon, chief executive of Swallowfield plc, supporting the town council’s plans for the construction of a Northern Relief Road.
COUNCILLOR R. HENLEY LEFT THE MEETING HERE AT 7.50PM
14604 WELLINGTON IN BLOOM GRANT REQUEST
With reference to minute 14570 a letter of thanks was received from the chairman of Wellington in Bloom, Mrs Isabel Ward, for the grant of £1,350. The letter was noted.
14605 ERECTION OF 2 BUNGALOWS AT WESTFORD COURT
With reference to minute 14557 a letter was received from Taunton DBC stating that the planning application to demolish a redundant building and erect two bungalows on land south of Westford Court, Wellington (43/07/179) had been withdrawn. Letter was noted.
14606 HOLYOAKE STREET TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
With reference to minute 14507 the clerk reported that an advance weight restriction sign had been erected in Station Road to deter large vehicles from turning left into Holyoake Street. The report was noted.
14607 PROVISION OF MORE CYCLE RACKS IN TOWN CENTRE
With reference to minute 14384 the clerk reported that 8 additional cycle racks had been provided by Taunton DBC in High Street and Fore Street. The report was noted.
14608 ROAD SIGNAGE AT BURROUGH WAY
With reference to minute 14503 the clerk reported that a new Burrough Way sign had been erected by Taunton DBC in the position requested. The report was noted.
14609 CCTV CAMERAS
With reference to minute 14561 the clerk reported that the council’s second CCTV camera had been installed in Mantle Street and that it was hoped to relocate the first camera which was currently in South Street car park to the Waterloo Road-Victoria Street junction very shortly. The report was noted.
14610 CLOSURE OF PAYTON ROAD
A letter was received from Somerset Highways stating that Payton Road would be closed for 4 weeks from 3rd March 2008 to lay storm and foul pipes along with the construction of new manholes. It was agreed to ask for the road to be opened as quickly as possible.
14611 TAUNTON DEANE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
A letter as received from Taunton Deane Local Strategic Partnership inviting councillors to attend a meeting of the West Community Partnership to be held at the Active Living Centre in North Street, Wellington on 12th February 2008 at 6.30pm. Councillors R. Bowrah, A. Govier, G. Copley and D. Mitton indicated that they would attend.
14612 A38 RED ROUTE WORKSHOPS
A letter was received from Somerset County Council about A38 red route workshops stating that driver error had been identified as the primary cause in over 95% of road accidents and that driver education was a vital part in any casualty reduction strategy. The clerk stated that more details were available from his office for members to read.
14613 BLACKDOWN HILLS CREATIVE ARTS FORUM
A letter was received from the vice chairman of Blackdown Hills Creataive Arts Forum, Fiona Hamilton about possible town council involvement in a community arts project and one day festival at Wellington Monument involving workshops and local food producers on Monday, 4th May 2008. It was agreed to defer a decision until the March meeting pending more information from the Forum.
14614 WELLINGTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
With reference to minute 14580 it was agreed to put the Northern Relief Road on the agenda for the next meeting of Wellington Economic Partnership to be held on Monday, 18th February 2008 at 6pm.
14615 PLANNING DECISIONS BY TAUNTON DBC
The clerk reported that Taunton Deane Borough Council had approved the following plans: (a) Construction of a timber double garage, caretaker’s workshop and greenhouse plus the creation of 9 additional car parking spaces at Court Fields Community School, Mantle Street, Wellington (43/2007/161: county council decision); (b) Retention of alterations to access, formation of earth mound and erection of workshop/barn at Burts Farm, Ford Street, Wellington (44/2007/025); (c) Installation of court lighting at Wellington Tennis Club, Courtland Road, Wellington (43/2007/166): (d) Erection of porch, single storey extension to rear and two storey extension at 30 Drakes Park, Wellington (43/2007/175); (e) Replacement of cement slates with Spanish slates at 50 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/176LB); (f) Erection of car port to east elevation at 21 Buckwell, Wellington (43/2007/157); (g) Installation of new shop front at 14 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/177 and 178LB, revised applications); (h) Erection of detached garage with store at 78 Rockwell Green, Wellington (43/2007/167); (i) Re-hanging of projecting sign and installation of window vinyl, Boots the Chemists, 6 High Street,igh Street, Wellig Wellington (43/2007/170A); (j) Erection of supermarket with associated car parking and
servicing, land to rear of 34-46 High Street, Wellington (partial amendment to planning permission 43/2004/141) (43/2007/163); (k) Erection of industrial unit at Rylands Farm Industrial Estate, Bagley Road, Rockwell Green, Wellington (43/2007/165). The clerk reported that Taunton DBC had refused the following plan: (a) Retention of satellite dish at 8 South Street, Wellington (43/2007/169).
14616 COUNCIL INCOME/EXPENDITURE TO 31ST JANUARY 2008
A report was received from the clerk showing that the council’s income for the period from 1st April 2007 to 31st January 2008 was £148,766 (£133,596 estimated for the full year to 31st March 2008) and that expenditure for the same period was £135,874 (£166,800 estimated for the full year to 31st March 2008). The report was noted.
14617 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
On the proposition of Councillor Mitton, seconded by Councillor Critchard, it was agreed to authorise the payment of the following accounts and the signing of the following cheques: Inland Revenue £732.85 for income tax and national insurance; Mr A. Brown £100 petty cash; Mrs J. Thorne £53.84 for additional hours of work in January; WCCTV £1.13 for calls to camera; Hinewood Cleaning Services £63 for bus shelter and window cleaning for January; Wellington Silver Band £300 for playing carols on 8th and 22nd December 2007; EDF Energy £160.13 for electricity at council offices; Society of Local Council Clerks £161 for annual membership; St John’s Primary School £295.84 for school crossing patrol for September to December 2007; Taunton Deane Community Transport £129 for concessionary hospital transport for December 2007; Taunton Deane Borough Council £2,550.15 for footpath clearance for 2007; Judith Goss Florists £45 for flowers for local war graves for September, October and December 2007; Taunton DBC £434.84 for grass cutting on 18 occasions at Tone play area; Christmas light power payments: Mount Veterinary Group £75, HT Perry £60, Wellington Baptist Church, Wellington United Reformed Church, J. Pragnell, Evad Furniture and Reel Cinemas Ltd £40 each, Green Dragon, Somerset Army Cadet Force and S.B. Ong £20 each.
14618 STAFFING COMMITTEE
With reference to minute 14584 the chairman Councillor D. Mitton reported that the committee had held two meetings and would hold another meeting before the actual interviews for the post of town clerk on 13th March. So far there had been 32 applications. As Councillor J. Lloyd could not attend the interview meeting on 13th March it was agreed that Councillor P. Critchard should take her place. It was further agreed that a short list of 6 applicants to be interviewed should be drawn up following the closing date.
14619 PAPERS, REPORTS, NEWSLETTERS ETC
The clerk reported the following newsletters and reports were available from the clerk’s office for members to read if they wished: Clerk and Councils Direct magazine for January 2008; Winter edition of THATCH, the rural community magazine for Somerset; What’s On in Taunton Deane for February 2008.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.50PM
