Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Wellington held in Wellington United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington, on Monday, 12th May 2008 at 7pm
PRESENT: Councillor D. Mitton (Chairman), who presided, Councillor P. Critchard (Vice Chairman), Councillors R. Bowrah, J. Clark, Mrs G. Copley, G. Goodwin, A. Govier, J. Govier, R. Henley, C. Hindley J. Lloyd, J. Reed, V. Stock-Williams, S. Walters and N. Wilson.
Greg Dyke (Town Clerk), Mrs J. Thorne (Assistant to the Clerk) There were 23 members of the public present.
206 MINUTES
The minutes of the previous annual parish meeting held on 14th May 2007, as circulated to councillors and members of the public present, were received, confirmed and signed as correct.
207 REVIEW OF PAST YEAR BY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
In his review of the past year, the Council Chairman, Councillor D. Mitton said that he reported last year that 2006/2007 had been a busy year both for the Town Council and for Wellington. This year had been even busier.
He proceeded to report on a number of highlights that had taken place throughout the year. As a result of the local government elections in May the Council welcomed 5 new councillors. A model Code of Conduct governing ethics and standards for councillors had been adopted. The year started with a controversial planning application for the relocation of the Medical Centre. The Council also approved one of its largest ever grant for the Wellington RFC Stand Appeal Fund.
Other highlights of the year included the enormously successful Wellington Food Event, the decision to replace the Chairman of the Council with a Town Mayor and a series of visioning meetings held in connection with the Markets and Coastal Towns Initiative. The Council’s precept had remained unchanged for the ninth year running.
Wellington’s long serving Town Clerk, Tony Brown, announced his retirement after 34 years in the post. He was succeeded by Greg Dyke.
The Chairman concluded his review by saying that Wellington was a vibrant town with many local clubs and organisations contributing to society. He thanked his fellow councillors for giving him the opportunity of serving as the Chairmen of the Council for the last two years. He looked forward in the coming year under the leadership of the new Town Mayor, Peter Critchard and the guidance of the new Town Clerk, Greg Dyke, to continuing to run an effective and efficient service for the people of Wellington.
Councillor A. Govier thanked the chairman for the way he had carried out his duties over the past two years and for his hard work. Similar comments were made by Councillors B. Bowrah, R. Henley and C. Hindley.
208 PUBLIC FOOTPATH, COURT FIELDS SCHOOL, WELLINGTON
Mrs D Land raised the issue of the footpath at Court Fields school and asked when it would be reopened. Councillor Mitton replied that this matter would be considered as a matter of urgency by the Council’s Footpath Committee.
209. WELLINGTON PARK
Mrs P Sturgess reported that the recent May Day event in Wellington Park had attracted its largest ever attendance. However she was sad to report also that incidents of vandalism in the Park had increased in recent weeks. Representatives of the Friends of Wellington Park had visited locals schools with a view to establishing a link with them and some satisfactory progress had been made. Norman Merry, the Park Keeper, who lived on site confirmed that these problems existed and that as a result it was intended to close the Park earlier than usual during the summer months.
210. FOOTPATH AT THREE CUPS, WELLINGTON
Mrs Cherry Hitchcock asked when the public footpath at The Three Cups would be reopened. This was another matter that would be dealt with by the Council’s Footpaths Committee.
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7.26PM
