Minutes of the meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington on Monday 1 September 2008 at 7.20pm (due to the over-running of the planning meeting)
PRESENT: Councillor P Critchard (Mayor),
Councillors J Reed, J Clark, J Govier, A Govier, D Mitton, R Henley, N Wilson, J Lloyd, V Stock-Williams, G Copley, G Goodwin, R Bowrah, S Walters
J Thorne (Assistant Town Clerk) and C Green (Assistant to the town clerk)
There were 6 members of the public present.
14827 APOLOGIES
Councillor C Hindley because he was on holiday.
14828 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 with the following amendment that Cllr D Mitton was present at the August planning meeting.
14829 WELLINGTON RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SCHEME PRESENTATION
Restorative Justice coordinator Rowena Stratford gave a presentation to the council about the Wellington Restorative Justice Scheme. She explained that after 8 months into the project and the scheme was now up and running. The panel had been set up and it dealt with cases of anti-social behaviour and low level crime to bring together offenders and victims and find positive solutions to crime. There were currently 15 volunteers for the panel who were now trained and had dealt with their first cases which included thefts, anti-social behaviour, neighbourhood dispute, criminal damage. Rowena explained that in many cases the parents of young offenders were involved in the process which often had the strongest affect on the offender when they realised how it had affected their parents. Sgt Stuart Bell praised the scheme and explained it fulfilled a gap in the criminal justice system for those offenders which the police did not want to take through the criminal justice system. Restorative justice schemes had proved to be a great success as the re-offending rate was very low. He felt it was also important the local community also saw offenders taking responsibility for their actions. The mayor thanked Rowena for her hard work and praised the success of the scheme.
14830 TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Town Mayor reported that since the last meeting he had attended a number of events including an ‘armchair travel’ session at Lodge Close which enabled residents to share their memories and experiences, Wellington Sports Federation’s Summer Spectacular at the rugby club and a health living walk around Wellington Park organised by WHERE. He also represented the town council at the funeral of Jack Shires and attended Wellington Flower Show and Nynehead Village fete and barbeque.
14831 POLICE REPORT
Councillors received details of the latest crime figures for the area. Sgt Bell explained the figures were up by one compared to the previous month but they had a successful month in arresting and charging offenders. He also praised a member of the public who had detained two young offenders aged 12 and 14 and explained the 14 year old had been charged with 6 offences of criminal damage and the 12 year old was wanted in connection with a large number of incidents of 15 thefts from shops and 15 thefts from motor vehicles. Two 14 year olds were also on bail following a series of offences of criminal damage, and thefts from motor vehicles and shops. A 17 year old has been remanded in custody for 5 thefts from shops and 1 non dwelling burglary. There had been reports of a large spate of crime which took place in the centre of Wellington recently including two women who had a scuffle and a number of thefts from motor vehicles however Sgt Bell said it was exaggerated and was linked to a group of youngsters which they were aware of. He also pointed out that many of these vehicles were unsecured. A disco had been arranged for youngsters on Friday September 5.
Resolved the council write to the lady who had apprehended the offenders praising her for her action.
14832 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME
(a) The chairman of the Friends of Wellington Park Pauline Sturgess informed councillors the park had been the victim of a considerable amount of vandalism this year but despite this and the awful weather it had been another successful year for the summer entertainment in the park. However the weather had taken its toll on the gazebos and new ones would have to be bought. The programme for next year was being planned and events for the winter had been planned including one on November 22. There were now over 140 members of the park and it was hoped a parks forum would be established shortly to exchange advice etc with people from other park groups.
(b) Mrs Isabel Ward from Wellington in Bloom said there had been a lot of vandalism in the town centre and it had been a very difficult summer for the displays. The South West in Bloom presentation was to be held on 18th September in Plymouth when they would find out if they had been successful. Many of the points in the competition were awarded on community involvement. The presentation for local competitors was to be held in the Methodist church on October 10 and councillors were invited to attend. On October 25 there would be an art auction to raise funds and councillors were invited to join the event where there would be cheese and wine.
14833 GRANT APPLICATION: COURT FIELDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
An application for a grant of £600 had been received from Court Fields Community School for providing workshops in relation to exposure to drugs or misuse of substances.
Resolved that the grant for £600 be paid either directly to the school or youth centre on condition it would be a one-off payment.
14834 PLANNING APPLICATION AT 49 HIGH STREET, WELLINGTON
Further to minutes 14676 (April 2008 meeting) and 14444 (September 2007 meeting) a letter was received from Mr and Mrs Sumner thanking the council for its support in their appeal against a refusal of planning permission for the installation of solar heating panels. Councillors sympathised with the couple and agreed that something needed to be done to change the current policies at Taunton Deane BC to encourage more environmentally friendly proposals.
Resolved to write a letter to Taunton Deane to find out what can be done to change the existing planning policies in order to support more environmentally friendly proposals.
14835 UPDATE ON THE WELLINGTON COMMUNITY WOODLAND PROJECT
A report was received from tree warden Colette Hayter updating the council about the plans for a Wellington Community Woodland with details on how people could get involved.
Resolved the report be noted.
14836 TAUNTON DEANE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
A letter was received from TDBC parish liaison officer David Greig inviting nominations to serve as a parish representative on the Taunton Deane Standards Committee.
Resolved that Councillor Mitton become the council’s representative.
14837 WELLINGTON AND DISTRICT HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE TRUST
A letter was received from the Wellington and District Healthy Living Centre Trust explaining that it will no longer be able to arrange and deliver a programme of activities. It was explained the trust were unable to deliver these activities due to the restrictions imposed on them for the agreement for the lottery grant. Councillors expressed their disappointment about this and hoped other groups might be able to take on some of the activities.
Resolved to contact the trust about the situation and find out if there are other groups in the town who are able to continue with the activities.
14838 VISION FOR WELLINGTON LAUNCH
The council received an invitation from the Wellington Market and Coastal Towns Initiative for the Vision for Wellington Launch on Thursday September 18 at either 2pm or 7pm at Wellington Rugby Club.
Resolved the invitation be noted.
14839 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS
A letter was received from Taunton Deane Local Strategic Partnership giving details about the next round of Community Partnership meetings.
Resolved the information be noted.
14840 WELLINGTON FOOD TOWN FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
A letter was received from Wellington Food Town Festival Committee asking for a representative from the town council to be appointed to the committee.
Resolved that Councillor J Clark be appointed.
14841 SOMERSET ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS AGM
Notice was given of the SALC annual meeting to be held on Saturday September 27 at 10.30am at Woolavington Village Hall. Councillor Mitton said he would be attending.
14842 WELLINGTON 1100
A report was received from Councillor Mitton about marking the long history of Wellington. He explained the history of Wellington dated back about 1100 years but nothing seemed to have been done to celebrate the town’s long history and felt something ought to be done perhaps with some sort of civic event next year. Councillors praised the idea and felt some research about this could be done so they could look at the matter in more detail.
Resolved to bring this matter back to a future meeting to discuss in more detail.
14843 ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
The minutes of a meeting of the Environment Committee held on 12 August 2008 were submitted for consideration. The committee considered the existing dog warden service, the town guide for 2010, land at Winsbeer, and flower beds in the town.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.
14844 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor Bowrah declared a prejudicial interest as an allotment holder and stated he would not vote on this item.
The minutes of a meeting of the Allotments Committee held on 14 August 2008 were submitted. The Committee had given consideration to the inspection of plots, a fence and gate at the site, and the informal meeting of the tenants.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.
14845 STAFFING AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
The minutes of a meeting of the Staffing and Training Committee held on 18 August 2008 were submitted. The Committee had considered options regarding maternity leave, pay and conditions of the town clerk and assistant clerk, member development strategy, and training for members.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted, the action taken confirmed and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.
14846 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WORKING PARTY
The minutes of a meeting of the Christmas Lights Working Party held on 21 August 2008 were submitted. The working party had looked at arrangements for the switching on of the Christmas lights for this year.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed and to write to all junior schools in Wellington about their thoughts for having a combined school choir for next year’s Christmas Lights switch on.
14847 WELLINGTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
Councillors considered the appointment of a representative to the Wellington Economic Partnership. The assistant clerk also informed the council there had been no minutes or reports received from WEP since the withdrawal of council officers from the partnership earlier in the year. However Councillor Mitton said he had sent a report to the office and he agreed to re-send it. He also informed members the next meeting was due to take place on 22 September.
Resolved that councillors would consider the appointment and notify the clerk if they wished to be considered for the position.
14848 EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
The council was informed that a meeting of the emergency committee had been arranged to take place on Tuesday September 9 at 2.30pm to discuss the town council’s emergency role with civil contingency officers from Taunton Deane and Somerset County Council.
Resolved that information be noted.
14849. 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) Conversion of existing garage into study/lobby and erection of single lean-to garage, 26 Oakfield Park, Wellington (43/2008/082)
(b) Erection of agricultural building at Chelston House Farm, Chelston, Wellington (43/2008/075)
(c) Application to carry out management works to one Wellingtonia tree included in the Taunton Deane Borough (Wellington No 1) Tree Preservation Order 1983 at Priory Court, Priory Gardens, Wellington (TD295)
(d) Erection of replacement single storey extension to south elevation at 8 High Path, Wellington (43/2008/089)
(e) Re-slating of roof (with Cambourne Slates) and replacement of 4 windows with sash windows at 14 Fore Street, Wellington (43/2008/088LB)
PERMISSION REFUSED for the following application:
(a) Erection of building to provide for ground floor retail units with 7 residential units on the first, second and third floor together with associated car parking, 36 High Street, Wellington (43/2008/056)
14820. COUNCIL PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Clerk reported that the Council’s receipts for the period from 31 March to 31 July was £183, 225.36 and the expenditure for the same period was £195,566.54.
Resolved 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) HM Revenues and Customs for Income Tax and National Insurance in June and July - £1,811.36
(b) Deane DLO for relocation of CCTV camera - £137.89
(c) CPRE membership - £28
(d) Sage (UK) Ltd for payroll system - £250.63
(e) Konica Minolta Photocopier - £135.42
(f) Deane DLO for installing lights in office - £162.15
(g) Deane DLO for painting street furniture - £446. 50
(h)Taunton Deane Community Transport for concessionary journeys to MPH - £153.00
(i) Wadham Fencing for installation of 1 no pair of 1.8 metre wide steel entrance gate with post and fittings - £998.75
(j) Hinewood Cleaning for cleaning of office windows and bus shelters - £64.00
(k) Acanthus Press for printing Council Newsletter - £348
(l) BT for rental and calls on FAX machine £56.63
(m) Wellington URC £90 for hire of hall in June, July, and August.
The meeting closed at 8.25p.m.
