Wellington Town Council - January 2009

Minutes of the meeting of Wellington Town Council held in the United Reformed Church Hall, Fore Street, Wellington on Monday 5 January 2009 at 7.00p.m.

PRESENT: Councillor P Critchard (Mayor),
Councillors R Bowrah, J Clark G Copley A Govier, J Govier, G Goodwin, K C Hindley, J Lloyd, D Mitton, V Stock-Williams and N Wilson

Greg Dyke (Town Clerk), Julia Thorne (Assistant Clerk)

There were 2members of the public present.

14949 APOLOGIES
Councillors J Reed (Deputy Mayor), R Henley and S Walters

14950 MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 1 December 2008, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and signed by the Mayor as correct.

14951 TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor reported that since the last meeting he had attended the following events:-
The planting of a tree at the newly formed Community Woodland. St John Ambulance Cadets presentation evening and carol service where many examples were seen of the hard work and time given by these young people to the local community. The annual Salvation Army carol service and a similar carol evening at Linden House.
The carol service at St John Primary School gave the Mayor the opportunity to thank the School for its involvement in the recent Civic Service.
The Mayor also drew Council’s attention to the recent sad death of Hans Stompf of Immenstadt. Herr Stompf had been instrumental in forging the twinning link between Wellington and Immenstadt and had played a large part in ensuring that the link had grown and flourished over the years.

14952 POLICE REPORT
Details were submitted of the latest crime figures for the area. Members were pleased to note that this had been another good month with a noticeable reduction in crime figures. Tributes were paid to the Police for the manner in which they carried out their duties during the New Year’s Eve festivities in the town.

14953 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME
Mrs Anne Brummitt of Wellington Boots addressed the Council on the problems that had been experienced by local traders and shoppers alike during the interminable road works in the centre of town.
The Council, whilst acknowledging the situation, pointed out that there was little practical support that it could give. Members spoke generally about liaison with the organisations that represented the traders and expressed a wish to develop closer links with a view to promoting the town in a positive manner.
Resolved that:-

(a) the Town Clerk contact the Wellington Economic Partnership and the Chamber of Trade to see if there was any way in which the organisations could work more closely together and promote the town;
(b) the Highways Authority be asked if there were any plans to offer compensation to the traders who had been so adversely affected during the disruption caused by the road works.

14954. GRANT APPLICATIONS
(a) Cruse Bereavement Care
An application for a grant of £250 had been received from Cruse Bereavement Care for providing booklets and leaflets.
Resolved that a grant of £250 be made

(b) Friends of Wellington Park
An application for a grant of £1,750 had been from Friends of Wellington Park towards the cost of providing a programme of entertainment in the Park. It was noted that this application was for funding in the 2009/2010 financial year.
Resolved that a grant of £1,750 be made in the 2009/10 financial year.

14955 CAR PARK CHARGES 2009/10
Further to Minute 14927 (1 December 2008) the Town Clerk reported that representations had duly been made on behalf of this Council at a meeting of Taunton Deane’s Traffic Regulation Order Panel on 17 December 2008. Despite these representations Taunton Deane had decided to make no changes to the recommended increase in car parking charges.
Resolved that the position be noted

14956 MOBILE YOUTH SHELTER
With reference to Minute 14923 (1 December 2008) it was reported that the Partnership Support Officer, Taunton Deane Borough Council had indicated that were certain concerns in respect of this proposal that needed to be addressed before it proceeded further. The Town Council would be kept informed as the matter progressed.
Resolved that the report be noted.

14957 REQUEST FOR GRIT BIN OUTSIDE OF ST JOHN PRIMARY SCHOOL, PRIORY, WELLINGTON
Submitted details of a request for the provision of a grit bin on land at St John Primary School. The icy weather had caused problems for persons using the Priory entrance to the school. The cost of such a bin was estimated to be around £150.
Resolved that a grit bin be provided at the school.

14958 POWER OF WELL BEING
Councillor Mitton reported that Regulations had recently been passed which would enable certain qualified town and parish councils to undertake greater responsibilities. There were certain requirements necessary before these new duties could be conferred which included, amongst other things, having a CILCA qualified Clerk and having at least 80% of members suitably trained.
Resolved that the report be noted.


14959 PARISH PLAN
Councillor Mitton asked that a Working Party of Councillors be formed to consider the provision of a Parish Plan.
Resolved that Councillors Mitton, Critchard, Lloyd and Clark form a Working Party to consider this matter further.

14960 QUALITY COUNCILS
Councillor Mitton reported that there was to be a NALC “Stepping Stones” Conference in Coventry on 11 February which would be valuable in working towards Quality Council status. The Finance Committee had recommended that Councillor Mitton be authorised to attend this conference.
Resolved that the recommendation of the Finance Committee be agreed and Councillor Mitton be authorised to attend the conference with the cost being met by the Council.

14961 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Submitted the minutes of a meeting of the Allotments Committee held on 26 November 2008. Details of this meeting had already been reported to the Council at its meeting on 1 December 2008.
Resolved that the minutes be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.

14962 WEB SITE WORKING PARTY
Submitted the notes of a meeting of the Web Site Working Party held on 4 December 2008.
Resolved that the notes be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.

14963 FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
Submitted the minutes of a meeting of the Footpaths Committee held on 18 December 2008. Reference was made to the proposal to hold a site meeting in relation to a disputed footpath at Millstream Gardens. Caution was counselled in this case as the matter was already under consideration by the County Council.
Resolved that the minutes be noted and the recommendations contained therein be agreed.

14964 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WORKING PARTY
It was reported that the Working Party would be meeting shortly to review provision of Christmas Lights in 2008 and give consideration to arrangements for 2009. It was noted that there were a number of differing views over the success or otherwise of the Christmas lights display this year.
Resolved that the position be noted.

14965. COUNCIL PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The Clerk reported that the Council’s receipts for the period from 31 March to 31 December 2008 was £187,540 and the expenditure for the same period was £132,610. The Finance Committee had considered the report earlier in the evening when the Clerk had given a detailed explanation of all the figures.
Resolved that the report regarding Payments and Receipts be noted and approved subject to a double book keeping error regarding the payment of an individual allotment rent being corrected.

14966 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Resolved that the payment of the following accounts and the signing of the following cheques be authorised:-
(a) Wellington United Reform Church - £130 – for hire of hall
(b) Deane DLO - £323.77 – Road Closure for Christmas Light Switch On
(c) Hinewood - £64.00 Cleaning of office windows and bus shelter
(d) Transporting Somerset - £112.50 – Concessionary journeys to Musgrove Park Hospital
(e) Konica Minolta – Rent of Photocopier - £272.20
(f) Somerset Playing field Association - £10 – membership fee
(g) Wellington Quaker Meeting - £50 – Hire of Meeting House for Christmas Lights Switch On
(h) TDBC - £250 – rental of offices at 28 Fore Street (Museum and Museum Store)
(i) Viking Direct – Stationery, envelopes etc - £306.44
(j) HMRC - £72.70

14967 APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITOR
The Finance Committee had previously considered the appointment of an Internal Auditor to replace Tony Bullen who had recently resigned from that position. It had recommended the appointment of Bryan Howe of 23 Alexandra Road, Minehead.
Resolved that Bryan Howe be appointed as the Council’s Internal Auditor on the terms and conditions set out in his letter dated November 2008.

The meeting closed at 8.35 p.m.