Minutes of the meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington on Monday 3rd March 2008 at 7.15pm. (The meeting started late due to the planning meeting over-running)
PRESENT: Councillor P. Critchard (vice-chairman), who presided, Councillors R. Bowrah, J. Clark, G. Copley, A. Govier, J. Govier, G. Goodwin, R. Henley, C. Hindley, J. Lloyd, J. Reed, S. Walters, N. Wilson, and V. Stock-Williams, the clerk A. Brown and the assistant to the clerk Mrs J. Thorne. There was an apology from Councillor D. Mitton. There were 6 members of the public present.
14625 POLICE MATTERS
Wellington police sergeant Stuart Bell informed members of the latest crime figures for February. There had been some criminal damage to a flowerbed and 3 sheds had been damaged. There had also been 3 reports of criminal damage to dwellings. Incidents of criminal damage to cars had dropped to 8 this month (a reduction of 9) which was encouraging and was as a result of extra patrols which had been organised for Friday and Saturday nights. Three of these offences in Wellington East were related to a parking dispute. There had been 1 attempted burglary in Wellington East and 6 burglaries of non dwellings – 4 in Wellington North and 2 in Wellington West and Rockwell Green. There had only been 3 assaults which was a reduction of 7 on the previous month and two people had been arrested. There had been 2 common assaults both were domestic and arrests had been made in connection with both incidents. There had been four offences of theft from motor vehicles which included the removal of hub caps from cars. There had been no reports of thefts from shops and one theft of a cycle. There had been one theft of a motor vehicle which had been recovered near Honiton. The police had issued 49 warnings to motorists who had left the vehicles unsecured. It was reported youths had been throwing food at windows of property in Corams Lane and Springfield Road. Sgt Bell said the culprits had been spoken to about their behaviour and had apologised and he agreed to come back and meet with them at a coffee morning. The situation was being monitored but part of the problem was there was a low wall at Ivy House elderly persons home where youngsters liked to sit. There had also been problems with people who had been coming out of the rugby club late at night causing anti-social behaviour in that area. Sgt Bell explained the police response to youth anti-social behaviour in the first instance letter would be sent to parents, if there was a second incident the parents would be invited to the police station and evidence would be gathered towards an acceptable behaviour contract. In a recent incident two officers detained 13 youngsters after they committed anti-social behaviour. The youth were gathered outside the children’s home in Corams Lane and police spoke to managers there to find out what could be done to alleviate the situation. Sgt Bell was asked for an update about the Courtland Road car park and also about Pubwatch. He said there had been a reduction in crime at the Courtland Road car park because the police had increase the amount of patrols there. In his view the provision of a light in the car park would reduce problems there. Sgt Bell said he had recently attended his first Pubwatch meeting where he raised the issue of banning orders. He said prior to the meeting there were 5 banning orders in place and after the meeting it had more than doubled and he was hopeful this would rise further. He had also met with managers of licensed premises with a view to extending the bans to included licensed premises as well as public houses. He said the bans were a very useful tool and were extremely effective and had not been used enough. Sgt Bell was also asked for his view about introducing no cold calling zones in the town and said he very much supported it because he strongly believed cold calling encouraged rogue traders.
14626 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME: ADVERTISING IN SHOP WINDOWS
Mr Frank Bishop stated he wanted to see a better look for Wellington town centre and felt that shop windows completely covered with advertising instead of displaying goods did not help. He particularly mentioned the shoe shop at the corner of High Street and North Street. The clerk reported that the shop had recently been taken over by another shoe chain and that he would have a word with the manager about the advertising.
14627 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the council meetings held on 4th February 2008, as previously circulated to councillors, were taken as read, confirmed and signed as correct by the vice-chairman Councillor Critchard.
14628 DOG WARDEN SERVICES IN WELLINGTON
With reference to minute 14572 a letter was received from Taunton Deane Borough Council suggesting that a contract to deliver additional dog warden services in Wellington should be under the umbrella of the existing borough-wide arrangements which would provide greater flexibility for the town council and asking the town council to decide the number of hours per month it wished to purchase and the days of week for which cover was required. When that information had received an accurate quotation for the work could be obtained. On the proposal of Councillor A. Govier, seconded by Councillor N. Wilson, it was agreed to find out the cost for one day a week for a six month period. Standing orders were suspended to allow Jean Cornish, of the Wellington Action Group, to address councillors. She said the group represented responsible dog owners who were concerned that they might not be able to exercise their dogs in such places as Wellington Recreation Ground and the Basins, supported the town council employing a dog warden to try to catch offenders who did not clean up after their pets and called for dog waste bins to be placed in town centre areas.
14629 WAITING RESTRICTIONS IN CORAMS LANE
With reference to minute 14600 a letter and location plan showing proposed “no waiting at any time” restrictions in parts of Corams Lane and Springfield Road to help ease traffic congestion and allow coaches better access to Wellington Sports Centre were received from Mr Ian Titcombe, of Somerset Highways. After some discussion it was agreed that the proposed restrictions were as agreed at a site meeting and these were approved.
14630 SPEED OF TRAFFIC IN WELLESLEY PARK
Councillor J. Reed reported that she had received complaints about traffic exceeding the 30mph speed limit in Wellesley Park. It was agreed to ask the Community Speed Watch team to carry out speed checks and report back to the council.
14631 PHASE 2 RE-SURFACING OF MANTLE STREET
In reply to questions from Councillor R. Bowrah, it was reported that Somerset Highways proposed to re-surface the section of Mantle Street between Champford Lane and Court Fields Community School entrance during the school summer holidays and that the other peeling off areas from Hilly Head to Rockwell Green would be repaired in the next financial year starting April 2008. On the suggestion of Councillor G. Copley it was agreed to find out if County Highways had a regular programme for re-surfacing pavements and whether Bovet Street and Waterloo Road were due for re-surfacing.
14632 WELLINGTON SQUASH CLUB GRANT REQUEST
A letter, application form and financial details were received from Wellington Squash Club asking the town council to consider making a grant of £2,500 towards the £3,065 cost of improving court heating and spectator viewing. On the proposition Councillor A. Govier, seconded by Councillor G. Goodwin, it was agreed to make a grant of £1,000.
14633 NO COLD CALLING ZONES AND ROGUE TRADERS
Councillor A. Govier reported that he had discussed with the police the setting up of no cold calling zones in Wellington to protect the vulnerable from rogue traders. The scheme had been introduced in Street and had been a success and it could be introduced either town wide or in a specific area. It involved putting notices restricting people calling door to door. The council decided to support the proposal and Councillor Govier agreed to investigate further and report back to the council.
COUNCILLORS HENLEY AND WILSON LEFT THE MEETING HERE AT 8.38PM
14634 PROPOSED ROCKWELL GREEN BUS STOP CHANGES
The assistant to the clerk, Mrs J. Thorne reported on a conversation she had with Somerset County Council principal local transport plan implementation officer Dan Martin. Mr Martin explained there were proposals to upgrade the bus facilities in Wellington and the county council had identified two sites. The first was the existing bus stop near the Barley Mow public house where new high kerbs would be provided for buses where there were none. There would also be improvements to create easier access for getting on and off the bus. However, the plans were very much in the early stages. The other site the team had looked at was at Spy Post. The scheme had been assessed by an independent safety audit team who had a number of concerns about the plans which needed to be ironed out first. One of the ideas the team had proposed was to provide an island refuge in the middle of Exeter Road for pedestrians.
COUNCILLOR BOWRAH LEFT THE MEETING HERE AT 8.40PM
14635 REMOVAL OF WHISTLE BOARDS AT WESTFORD RAIL CROSSING
With reference to minute 14598 the clerk reported that a site meeting with Mr Rob Aston of Network Rail would be held at the Westford Rail crossing on Friday, 14th March at 11am. Councillors A. Govier, P. Critchard, C. Hindley, J. Clark and V. Stock-Williams indicated that they would be attending the site meeting.
14636 STREET CLEANING
With reference to minute 14599 the clerk reported that a mechanical pavement sweeper (green machine) had visited Wellington on 20th February and that it would be coming to the town on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month to cover the town centre in the early morning and other parts of the town during the rest of the day. The report was noted.
14637 TOWN COUNCIL WEBSITE
With reference to minute 14602 the assistant to the town clerk, Mrs J. Thorne reported that quotes had been received from a number of company’s about updating the town council website. One quote was still awaited, however she believed it would be best to set up a website working party and when the last quote had been received the group could look at the proposals and make a short list. The council agreed to set up a website working party and the following members were agreed: Councillors Lloyd, Clark, Stock-Williams and Mitton.
14638 CCTV CAMERAS
With reference to minute 14609 the clerk reported that the CCTV camera, which had been previously deployed at South Street car park, had now been installed in Waterloo Road, to cover parts of Victoria Street, North Street and Waterloo Road. A fault had been found in the council’s second CCTV camera, which had been installed in Mantle Street, and it had been sent back to the suppliers for repairs. It was hoped to re-install the week beginning 10th March 2008. The report was noted.
14639 RETIREMENT 0F MAYOR OF IMMENSTADT
The clerk reported that the Mayor of Immenstadt, Wellington’s German twin town, who was retiring after long service at the end of April 2008, would not be visiting Wellington this year but hoped to come in 2009. The report was noted.
14640 COURT FIELDS SCHOOL FOOTPATH
With reference to minute 14569 a letter was received from Somerset County Council’s children and young people corporate director Mr David Taylor stating that he was aware of some anti-social problems at Court Fields Community School and would look into specific incidents to see if there was anything more the local authority could have done. The letter, which was circulated to members, was noted.
14641 CADES FARM DEVELOPMENT
With reference to minute 14528 the clerk reported that work on construction of a roundabout to serve the proposed Cades Farm housing development and a cycle route to link with the A38 would be starting shortly which would mean the green verge by the B3187 containing hundreds of daffodils would be dug up. He had informed Wellington in Bloom about the work. It was agreed to find out if the roundabout would also be able to serve the suggested Northern Relief Road and Longforth Farm development and whether the planning conditions included the planting of daffodils alongside the cycle route.
14642 WELLINGTON PARISH TREE WARDENS NEWSLETTER
Members were circulated with a copy of Wellington parish tree wardens’ newsletter which detailed work to be carried out at the A38 lay-bys, at the A38 lay-by near White Ball quarry and walks in Wellington Park on 15th June, 27th July and 17th August 2008.
14643 WELLINGTON AND AREA COMMUNITY JUSTICE PANEL
A letter was received from Wellington and Area Community Justice Panel co-ordinator Rowena Stratford along with background information about the newly established project. She offered to talk to councillors about the restorative justice scheme and it was agreed to invite her to the April council meeting.
14644 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WELLINGTON RELIEF ROAD
A letter was received from Somerset Highways stating that Wellington Relief Road would be closed for six nights starting from 9th March 2008 between 7pm and 7am to enable resurfacing and associated works to be carried out. An alternative route would be signed. The letter was noted.
14645 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP
A letter was received from Somerset County Council inviting the town council to send a representative to take part in a community engagement workshop on 18th March at 6pm at Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton. The letter was noted.
14646 SOMERSET LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
A letter was received from Somerset County Council inviting the town council to consider nominating people to serve on the Somerset Local Access Forum which deals with access to the countryside and which is funded and administered by the county. The annual report of the Forum, an independent body, was also enclosed. The letter and report were noted.
14647 TAUNTON DBC CORPORATE STRATEGY 2008-2011
A letter was received from Taunton Deane Borough Council about its corporate strategy containing its vision, business principles and core values and describing the key outcomes it intended to achieve in the community over the next three years from April 2008. The objectives had been agreed after considerable consultation with the community and would be used to help develop service plans for 2008-09. The letter was noted.
14648 SOMERSET HERITAGE EVENT IN MAY 2008
A letter was received from Somerset County Council about a large heritage and museum community event to be staged at Glastonbury Abbey in May 2008 and inviting local history groups to take part. It was agreed to pass on the letter to the Wellington Local History Group.
14649 WELLINGTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
With reference to minute 14614 a report was received from the assistant to the clerk on the Wellington Economic Partnership meeting held on 18th February 2008 which updated members about planning developments in the town, arrangements for the next food town event, and the progress of the Wellington Market and Coastal Town Initiative’s visioning events. Members were also circulated with a draft revised constitution for Wellington Economic Partnership drawn up by Taunton DBC economic development manager Steve Kendall. The proposed changes would allow the partnership to become a voluntary, not for profit organisation, and the first step towards company status for the future. The adoption of the new constitution would also allow the partnership to open its own bank account. One of the main proposed changes was to reduce the town council membership of the partnership from 4 to 3 representatives. Other changes included the ability to be able to apply for funding and sponsorship and open and maintain bank accounts as required, and to employ staff. Members also received a copy of proposed changes to the draft constitution by Wellington Chamber of Trade and Commerce which included reducing the membership of town council representatives even further to 2 and changing the focus of the partnership and to economic and dropping social well-being. However councillors disagreed with the chamber’s proposals and agreed to support the draft constitution drawn up by Mr Kendall. The constitution was due to be decided at the next Wellington Economic Partnership meeting to be held on Monday 31st March at 6pm.
14650 PLANNING DECISIONS BY TAUNTON DBC
The clerk reported that Taunton Deane Borough Council had approved the following plans: (a) Retention of conservatory at 3 Burrough Way, Wellington (43/2007/182); (b) Demolition of 3 holiday lodges and erection of 2 dwellings and associated access works on land adjacent to Sandstone Rise, Westford, Wellington (43/2007/182); (c) Erection of first floor extension at 2 Lower Westford, Wellington (43/2008/003); (d) Erection of single storey extension to rear of 19 Sylvan Road, Wellington (43/2007/174); (e) Demolition of detached garage and erection of two storey extension at 24 The Brambles, Wellington (43/2007/180); (f) External and internal alterations at Boots the Chemists, 6 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/168LB); (g) Erection of single storey and two storey extensions to the rear of 73 Springfield Road, Wellington (43/2008/005).
14650 PLANNING DECISIONS BY TAUNTON DBC (cont)
The clerk reported that Taunton DBC had refused the following application: (a) Retention of emergency overflow pipe installed at 19 High Street, Wellington (43/2007/188LB).
14651 COUNCIL INCOME/EXPENDITURE TO 29TH FEBRUARY 2008
A report was received from the clerk showing that the council’s income for the period from 1st April 2007 to 29th February 2008 was £149,224 (£133,596 estimated for the full year to 31st March 2008) and that expenditure for the same period was £143,099 (£166,800 estimated for the full year to 31st March 2008). The report was noted.
14652 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
On the proposition of Councillor Critchard, seconded by Councillor Hindley, it was agreed to authorise the payment of the following accounts and the signing of the following cheques: Taunton Deane Borough Council £5,000 for food town contribution for 2007-2008; Councillor R. Bowrah £23.20 for travelling expenses; Information Commissioner’s Office £35 for renewal of registry entry; Konica Minolta £272.20 for photocopier rental from January to May 2008; Viking Direct £142.25 for new phone system and stationery; Wireless CCTV £10.03 for phone calls; Somerset County Council £2,107 for residential youth work and dance workshops; BT £62.39 for rental and call charges for office fax for February to April 2008; Taunton DBC £460.60 for two vacuum blowers; Taunton DBC £8,176.83 for erecting, supplying and taking down Christmas lights 2007; Taunton DBC £162.15 for supplying electric and installing CCTV camera in Mantle Street; Somerset Association of Local Councils £45 for training event charges; Taunton Deane Community Transport £188 for concessionary hospital patient transport for January 2008; Taunton DBC £1,391.01 for dog bin emptying for 2007/08; BT £296.60 for office telephone and broadband rental and call charges from October 2007 to January 2008; Tone Leisure Ltd £3,000 for organised youth sporting activities in the town; Mrs J. Thorne £47.21 for additional hours of work in February 2008; Inland Revenue £731.22 for income tax and national insurance; Wellington United Reformed Church £90 for hire of hall for January, February and March 2008; Home Aerials £150 for supplying public address system for Christmas lights switch-on in November 2007.
14653 APPOINTMENT OF NEW TOWN CLERK
With reference to minute 14618 the clerk reported that 50 application forms had been sent out for the post of town clerk, that 17 application forms had been returned and that a short list of 6 had been invited for interview on Thursday, 13 March 2008. Report was noted.
1454 RETIREMENT OF TOWN CLERK
The assistant to the town clerk reported that arrangements for the retirement working party and the clerk’s official last meeting next month were progressing well. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the retirement working party on Monday March 17 at 10am and there would be an update at the next council meeting.
14655 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: The Clerk magazine for March 2008; Tree Guardian for Spring 2008; Lillebonne Town Council’s municipal information magazine for January and February 2008.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.30PM
