Issue - meetings

This matter is the responsibility of the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Councillor Mike Rigby.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillor S Wakefield declared a prejudicial interest as a Director of Wellington Mills and left the room for the debate.

·       Councillors who represented the Wellington Wards supported the recommendations and were pleased that Somerset West and Taunton Council were purchasing the land and were working with Wellington Town Council (WTC) on their use of the land to provide local services.

·       Councillors agreed that they were glad that the land was being acquired and that it was important for WTC and the residents of Wellington.

·       Councillors thanked officers for all their work.

Resolved that Full Council approved the recommendations set out the Confidential Appendix 1.

This matter is the responsibility of Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Councillor Mike Rigby.

During the discussion, the following points were made:-

·       Councillors were happy to support the acquisition report.

·       Councillors spoke as representatives from Wellington Town Council (WTC) and highlighted how pleased they were that Somerset West and Taunton Council was purchasing the piece of land, which would provide more allotments for the residents of Wellington.  WTC had previously tried to purchase more land and had used some of the Community Infrastructure Levy funding to acquire some fields.  The Clerk from WTC had also sent in a letter which had been circulated to the members of the Executive.

·       Councillors queried why the land had been fragmented on one of the maps in the agenda pack.

The Heritage Project Manager advised the pieces of land had been split due to the water courses that ran through the area.

·       Councillors queried why the ponds had not been included and whether there were any options to purchase them to protect their future use.

The Heritage Project Manager advised that the ponds belonged to Tonedale Mill and if the ownership of the Mill changed, then they could look into the options that might be available.

Resolved that the Executive sought approval for the recommendations set out the Confidential Appendix 1 to go on to Full Council.

This matter is the responsibility of Executive Councillor for Economic Development & Asset Management

Report Authors: Joe Wharton, Assistant Director Major and Special Projects & Dr Joanne O’Hara, Programme Manager – Heritage at Risk

Cllr Farbahi returned to the chamber.  

The Leader of the Council introduced the report: 

·                   The report related to land around the Tone Mill area of Wellington and protect open green space for community use.  

·                   As outlined in the report Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocated funds would be used.  

·                   A long-term lease would be granted to Wellington Town Council of 125 years. 

·                   This had been discussed at Full Council before as part of the Council’s previous Levelling Up Bid which was unfortunately unsuccessful but another way to proceed with this part of the bid had now been found.   

The Assistant Director for Major and Special Projects provided a further introduction:  

·                   Wellington Town Council were supportive of the plans.  

·                   The Council would retain control of the land into the future as it would be leased rather than sold to Wellington Town Council.  

·                   The landowner was willing to sell the land to the Council.  

During the Debate the following points were raised:  

·                   It was raised that the purchase of the land for the community would benefit people in Wellington. CIL funds had already been used by Wellington Town Council to purchase land around Wellington however, the Town Council was not able to afford to purchase the piece of land which the report related to. The Town Council was supportive and pleased to be approached by Somerset West and Taunton Council regarding a long-term lease of the land.   

The Committee entered confidential session.

The Committee resolved to note the recommendations in the Confidential Appendix 1.