Minutes of the meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington on Monday 4 August 2008 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT: Councillor P Critchard (Mayor),
Councillors J. Clark, G. Copley, K C Hindley, J Lloyd, D Mitton, J Reed, V. Stock-Williams and S. Walters.
Greg Dyke (Town Clerk), Mrs J Thorne (Assistant Clerk)
There were 4 members of the public present.
14796. APOLOGIES
Councillors R Bowrah, G. Goodwin, A Govier, J Govier R. Henley and N. Wilson
14797. MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 7 July 2008 copies of which had been circulated were taken as read and were signed as correct by the Mayor.
14798. TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Mayor reported that since the last meeting he had attended a number of events including a concert given by the New Horizon Singers in Taunton where the guest soloist had been a young Wellington resident. He had also attended the presentation of prizes at Court Fields School and a fete at Linden House. Unfortunately he had suffered a bout of ill health during the past month and he thanked the Deputy Mayor Councillor Janet Reed, for deputising for him on a number of occasions.
14799. POLICE REPORT
John Swayne, PCSO Support Officer submitted details of the latest crime figures for the area. Criminal damage to motor vehicles had shown an increase although decreases had been seen in assaults and criminal damage to property. Overall, the crime figures had remained fairly stable.
The drive to increase the number of Special Constables in the area had been successful.
14800. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME
(a) Mrs Diana Land drew attention to problems being caused by the lack of a deflector on the Belisha Beacon in North Street.
Resolved that the Highway Authority be informed of the problem.
(b) Mrs Isabel Ward thanked the Town Council for its support during the Britain in Bloom competition. She also drew attention to the success achieved at Wellington Park where Green Flag status had been retained for the sixth successive year.
Resolved that the Friends of Wellington Park be congratulated on once again achieving Green Flag status.
14801. GRANT APPLICATION: WELLINGTON SPORTS FEDERATION
An application for a grant of £400 had been received from the Wellington Sports Federation to pay for insurance cover for its Sports Spectacular to be held on 25 August 2008.
Unfortunately the application had not been submitted in accordance with the Council’s grants policy. Insufficient information had been provided and therefore the Council were unable to make a judgement on the application.
Resolved that the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor, be authorised to deal with the application subject to satisfactory additional information being provided by the Sports Federation.
14802. GRANT APPLICATION: WELLINGTON CARNIVAL COMMITTEE
An application for grant of £800 had been received from the Wellington Carnival Committee as a contribution to providing barriers and signs for the 2008 Carnival.
Resolved that a grant of £800 be made.
(Councillor P Critchard declared a personal interest in this application as Vice Chairman of the Wellington Carnival Committee)
14803. TAUNTON AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Further to Minute 14755 (2 June 2008) submitted a note of a meeting between Councillors Jackie Govier and Vivienne Stock-Williams and Liz Fothergill of the CAB regarding the possible provision of an enhanced service in Wellington. Although there was a desire to enhance the service, there were a number of logistical, security and funding problems which prevented any additional service being provided at the present.
Resolved that the report be noted.
14804. DOG WARDEN SERVICE IN WELLINGTON
With reference to Minute 14680 (7 April 2008) it was reported that the Environmental Health Section at Taunton Deane Borough Council had submitted further information regarding the possible provision of an increased Dog Warden service in the town.
SDK, the Dog Warden contractors, had confirmed that any additional time would cost £35 per hour. In addition, the Town Council would be required to undertake day to day administration of the additional hours, monitoring of the contract, invoicing and negotiating with the company if and when problems arose. The Council were disappointed at the outcome of these negotiations and suggested that further consideration be given by the Environment Committee.
A letter was also submitted from the Wellington Action Group for Dogs drawing attention to the results of a survey they had undertaken which highlighted the worst areas in the town for dog fouling.
Resolved that
(a) the possible provision of an increased Dog Warden service be referred to the Environment Committee for further consideration and a representative of the Environmental Health Section be invited to attend;
(b) the Wellington Action Group for Dogs be thanked for the valuable work they were carrying out in this area.
14805 THINKING BIG FOR WELLINGTON.
Further to Minute 14773 (2 June 2008) the Town Clerk reported that he had contacted the Cooperative Society to enquire about its future plans for the existing Coop supermarket in Wellington. A reply had now been received which indicated that it was too early to formulate any plans for this building but that it would welcome the views and aspirations of the Council in relation to its future use.
In view of recent developments regarding the establishment of a new Medical Centre in Wellington it was felt that the Centre should be given the opportunity to take part in any further discussions should they wish.
Resolved that the Health Centre be asked if they would be interested in being involved in any further discussions with the Coop regarding the future use of the building.
14806 YOUTH COUNCIL
With reference to Minute 14785 (7 July 2008) a report was submitted which explained the advantages and disadvantages involved in setting up a local Youth Council. The report drew attention to the methods involved in operating such a Council and gave examples of where they had operated successfully.
Resolved that the local schools, colleges and youth organisations be contacted to ascertain what potential there might be for forming a Youth Council.
14807 WELLINGTON SCOUT GROUP
Submitted an email from Steve Altria, Group Scout Leader 1st Wellington Scout Group which updated the Council following the award of a grant made in March 2007.
Resolved that the information be noted
14808 FREE TRAINING FOR VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Details were submitted of a number of free training events which were being organised through the Community Council for Somerset. The events would cover a variety of topics which were related to the organisation and running of voluntary and community organisations.
Resolved that any councillor interested in attending any of the courses inform the Town Clerk who would take the necessary action.
14809 TREE PRESERVATION ORDER, SHUTE ROW, WELLINGTON
Reported that a Tree Preservation Order had been made on an ash tree in the front garden at 1 Shute Row, Wellington.
Resolved that the TPO be noted.
14810 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE, EXETER ROAD AND MANTLE STREET, WELLINGTON
Notification had been received from the Highway Authority that Exeter Road and Mantle Street would be closed for 3 days starting from 18 August 2008. This was to enable resurfacing work to be undertaken. It was hop-ed that the Highway Authority would take the opportunity to re-seat a drain at the junction with Trinity Close.
Resolved that the information be noted.
14811 FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
The minutes of a meeting of the Footpaths Committee held on 1 July 2008 were submitted for consideration. Although the Committee had taken action to ensure the proper maintenance of a number of footpaths it was felt that it required further information on the division of responsibilities regarding footpath matters.
Resolved that
(a) the terms of reference set out in the minutes be adopted;
(b) the County Footpaths Officer be requested to provide further information regarding responsibilities for footpath matters.
14812 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
The minutes of a meeting of the Allotments Committee held on 9 July 2008 were submitted. The Committee had given consideration to the provision of fencing and gates, the clearing of footpaths and hedges and had undertaken a full inspection of all plots. The “new” 2008 contract would be sent to all tenants. The re-numbering of plots was to be considered and the policy regarding the allocation of plots was adjusted. Details had been received of an informal meeting of allotment tenants.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.
14813 COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE
The minutes of a meeting of the Community Safety Committee held on 17 July 2008 were submitted. The Committee had considered options for connecting to the CCTV camera and felt that the current connection should be renewed. One of the CCTV cameras had now been re-located to Rockwell Green. Discussion had also taken place regarding the availability of external funding, the outstanding grant application from Radiowatch, security issues at Court Fields School and progress with the Resorative Justice scheme.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted, the action taken confirmed and the recommendations contained therein be agreed
14814 WELLINGTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Councillor Mitton reported upon a meeting of the Partnership held on 28 July 2008. The WEP also encompassed the activities of the MCTI and the Food Town. It was reported that Taunton Deane Borough Council would be providing £10,000 to fund a number of projects.
It was also felt that information in the Vision for Wellington could form the basis of the Town Council’s Parish Plan and that this should form the basis of a future agenda item for the Council.
The Local Action for Rural Communities bid for rural funding had been successful and it was hoped that some of the funds would be used for local initiatives.
The Partnership had considered a report on the recent Food Town event. As a result it would be preparing a Business Plan for next year’s Food Festival. It had been felt that a separate committee should be formed to undertake this event although the overall concept of the Food Town would remain part of the Economic Partnership.
Resolved that the report be noted.
14815 WELLINGTON TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Councillor Copley reported upon recent activities of the Twinning Association. A party of visitors from Torres Vedros had recently visited the town and a group of 19 scouts had gone to Portugal.
45 German children would be taking part in a visit at the beginning of September.
Resolved that the report be noted.
14816. SWITCHING ON OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2008
Consideration was given to the arrangements for the switching on of the Christmas Lights for 2008. A number of suggestions were discussed for the event which would take place on 28 November 2008.
Resolved that a Working Party comprising Councillors Critchard, Copley, Reed and Walters be formed to consider the detailed arrangements for the switching on of the lights.
14817. BMX TRACK
Councillor Mitton reported that although an alternative use had now been planned for the existing BMX track, Court Fields School had indicated an interest in the provision of both a replacement track and a Risky Play Area. He would keep the Council informed of any further developments.
Resolved that the report be noted.
14818. PROMOTING WELLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Mayor (Councillor Critchard) drew attention to the number of events that took place in the town at which he felt the Town Council could be promoted. He felt that more should be done to raise the profile of the Council at such events.
Resolved that the matter be noted.
14819. PLANNING DECISIONS OF TAUNTON DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL
It was reported that the following planning decisions had been made by Taunton Deane Borough Council:
PERMISSION GRANTED for the following applications:
(a) Application to fell one poplar tree at Wellington School Playing Fields (adjacent to SwainsLane) (43/2008/054T)
(Note: This decision was taken following a site meeting with Wellington Town Councillors. The conditions imposed include the planting of a replacement tree within two months, amending the TPO to include the new tree and also the
Wellingtonia currently adjacent to the poplar tree)
(b) Reduction in height of existing fence by 300mm, 32 Seymour Street, Wellington (43/2008/059)
(c) Erection of single storey extension to north elevation at 31 Queens Road, Wellington (43/2008/041)
(d) Erection of two storey extension to north west elevation and conservatory to south west elevation 36 Crosslands, Wellington (43/2008/062)
(e) Erection of single storey extension to south elevation at 1 Millstream Gardens, Wellington (43/2008/067)
(f) Erection of two storey extension to rear of 5 Lower Westford, Wellington (43/2008/069)
(g) Change of use from residential dwelling to osteopathic/complementary health practice at 13 Mantle Street, Wellington (43/2008/064)
(h) Erection of one 4 bedroom dwelling at Hill View, Buckwell, Wellington (43/2008/073)
(i) Erection of two storey side extension with the construction of 2 dormer windows at 48 Richards Close, Wellington (43/2008/079)
PERMISSION REFUSED for the following applications:
(a) Erection of a two and single storey extension to the front of 78 Sylvan Road, Wellington (43/2008/066);
(b) Application to fell one ash tree within Wellington Conservation Area at 1 Shute Row, South Street, Wellington (43/2008/084T)
(c) Retention of removal of pier and part removal of wall and erection of lower height wall to car park at Mount Veterinary Hospital, 21 High Street, Wellington (43/2008/058LB)
14820. COUNCIL PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Clerk reported that the Council’s receipts for the period from 31 March to 30 June was £328,102.75 and that expenditure for the same period was 384,722.02. It was explained that the sum that was originally in the Council’s Deposit Account had mistakenly been transferred by the Bank to the current account. This therefore showed a much higher balance in the current account than anticipated. The position had since been corrected and would be reflected in next month’s figures.
Resolved that the report regarding Payments and Receipts be noted and approved.
14821. ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Resolved that the payment of the following accounts and the signing of the following cheques be authorised:
(a) BT £306.87
(b) EDF Energy £11.83
(c) Taunton Deane Community Transport Ltd £180
(d) Hinewood Cleaning Services £64.00
(e) Judith Goss Florists – Flowers for war graves £30.00
(f) Somerset Association of Local Councils – charges in respect of training event regarding CiLCA £130
(g) Viking Direct for office supplies and stationery £137.19
(h) EDF Energy £163.38
(i) Travelling expenses to the Town Clerk (Greg Dyke for attendance at 3 courses at Edington and Taunton. A total of 166 miles @ 40p per mile)) £66.40.
(j) Travelling expenses to the assistant clerk J Thorne for attending a finance training course in Taunton. A total of 10 miles @ 40p per mile - £4.00
(k) WCCTV £564 for reconnection of GSM for one year
(l) Wellington Carnival Committee – grant previously approved - £800.
The meeting closed at 8.22p.m.
