Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The John Meikle Room - The Deane House. View directions

Contact: Marcus Prouse Email: m.prouse@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

58.

Apologies

59.

Declarations of Interest

    To receive and note any declarations of disclosable pecuniary or prejudicial or personal interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

     

    (The personal interests of Councillors and Clerks of Somerset County Council, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes.)

    Minutes:

    Members present at the meeting declared the following personal interests in their capacity as a Councillor or Clerk of a County, Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

     

    Name

    Minute No.

    Description of Interest

    Reason

    Action Taken

    Cllr L Baker

    All Items

    Cheddon Fitzpaine & Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr M Barr

    All Items

    Wellington

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr M Blaker

    All Items

    Wiveliscombe

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr C Booth

    All Items

    Wellington and Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr N Cavill

    All Items

    West Monkton

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr S Coles

    All Items

    SCC & Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr H Davies

    All Items

    SCC

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr C Ellis

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr A Govier

    All Items

    SCC & Wellington

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr C Herbert

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr Mrs Hill

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr J Hunt

    All Items

    SCC

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr S Lees

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr L Lisgo

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr M Lithgow

    All Items

    Wellington

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr J Lloyd

    All Items

    Wellington & Sampford Arundel

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr D Mansell

    All Items

    Wiveliscombe

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr A Milne

    All Items

    Porlock

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr S Nicholls

    All Items

    Comeytrowe

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr C Palmer

    All Items

    Minehead

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr D Perry

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr M Peters

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr P Pilkington

    All Items

    Timberscombe

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr H Prior-Sankey

    All Items

    SCC & Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr M Rigby

    All Items

    SCC & Bishops Lydeard

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr F Smith

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr F Smith-Roberts

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr V Stock-Williams

    All Items

    Wellington

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr R Tully

    All Items

    West Monkton

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr T Venner

    All Items

    Minehead

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr A Wedderkopp

    All Items

    SCC & Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr D Wedderkopp

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr B Weston

    All Items

    Taunton Charter Trustee

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr L Whetlor

    All Items

    Watchet

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

    Cllr G Wren

    All Items

    Clerk to Milverton PC

    Personal

    Spoke and Voted

     

60.

Minutes of the previous meeting of Full Council pdf icon PDF 378 KB

    To approve the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee.

    Minutes:

    (Minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 30 July 2019 circulated with the agenda)

     

    Councillor Wakefield advised that she had submitted her apologies for the previous Full Council meeting which had not been included in the minutes.

    The Chair advised Councillor Wakefield that her apologies would be added.

     

    Resolved that the minutes of Full Council held on 30 July 2019, with amendments, be confirmed as a correct record.

61.

Public Participation

    To receive any questions, statements of petitions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 14, 15 and 16.  The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

     

    For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

    Minutes:

    Mr Hincks (Extinction Rebellion) made the following statement in relation to a petition submitted to Full Council:-

     

    Mr Hincks introduced himself to the Councillors and had been a member of Extinction Rebellion for approximately a year.  Extinction Rebellion was a fairly new group but had been influential over the past couple of years, rapidly increasing both public and government awareness of the climate and environmental emergency that was confronting the planet.

    Extinction Rebellion remained concerned, however, that there were still many people who did not fully understand the gravity of the emergency being faced.  If they did recognise it, they were failing to act in a manner that reflected that recognition.  All those in such power, including those in the room, held a greater degree of responsibility than normal for our future in these precarious times.  Unless suitable policies were implemented and fundamental changes were made swiftly, we would simply run out of time.  Time was of the essence and action was needed now.  Whilst Extinction Rebellion had been running a vigil outside the Deane House, they hoped that some of their concerns had permeated even if only subliminally into the consciousness of the Council, its officers, staff and of course the Councillors themselves.  And into the consciousness of the public that passed by.  We’ve not made a nuisance of ourselves, as the vigil had been a more subtle form of protest than they were used to, but they had hoped it had some sort of effect.  He also hoped that you had been able to recognise that many members of Extinction Rebellion in Taunton were normal people like yourselves.  During the vigil they had collected signatures to a petition from people who had just been passing by, they had not gone out of their way to obtain the signatures and they were real signatures on paper, not just something you could do with a quick click on the internet.  The petition demanded that: 1. The creation of a citizen’s assembly to hold our local council authorities to account and oversee changes to combat the climate change emergency.  2. Immediate implementation of local policies to reduce net carbon emissions to zero in the Somerset area by 2025 and the reduction overall of consumption levels.  3. Reversal or revision of any existing policies which increased net carbon emissions.  There were 23 pages of signatures on the petition and it had been his privilege to present the petition to the Council and thanked the Councillors for allowing him to speak at the meeting.  Extinction Rebellion.

     

    The Chair of the Council advised Mr Hincks that the petition would be checked and that he would be advised when the item would be debated at the next available Full Council meeting.

     

    Val Hammond (Brewhouse – Taunton Theatre Association (TTA)) made the following statement in relation to a petition submitted to Full Council:-

     

    She advised the Councillors that she had a petition signed by over 3000 people on behalf of My Theatre Matters, to ask the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

62.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Chair of the Council

    Minutes:

    The Chair had commenced the meeting with a moment’s silence in memory of the recent passing of Somerset West and Taunton Councillor Jean Adkins and former Taunton Deane Borough Councillor William Coombes.

     

    The Chair also welcomed the newly elected Councillors Derek Perry and Andrew Sully.

     

    The following announcements were made by the Chair:-

    ·         Councillors were advised on the new procedure to follow during question time on the Portfolio Holder Reports.

    ·         Councillors were reminded about the Mayor’s Civic Event.

    ·         The Chair advised Councillors that both the Vice Chair, Councillor Simon Coles and Executive Councillor Richard Lees, would be unavailable for Council business for a few weeks and to contact the Governance Team with any queries for them.

63.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council

    Minutes:

    The Leader was pleased to announce that Somerset West and Taunton Council had scored joint second in the Friends of the Earth rankings for Climate Change.  The results were based on the Council’s eco achievements and policies.  She said that it had demonstrated the actions taken so far by the Council and acknowledged there was still more work to be undertaken, but that it was a step in the right direction.

     

    The Leader highlighted the introduction of the new audio/visual equipment and to remind Councillors to be aware of their behaviour during meetings as it was recorded and would be available on webcast in the future.

     

    The Leader also wanted to remind Councillors that it was Mental Health Week and that there were several activities being held in the offices and that she would like to encourage a Councillor to take on the role of Mental Health Champion.

64.

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13

65.

Heart of the South West Joint Committee Governance Review Report pdf icon PDF 560 KB

    This report provides an update for the Constituent Authorities on the Joint Committee’s governance arrangements and budgetary position for 2019/20.   The report contains recommendations for amendments to the Committee’s Arrangements document following the governance review.

    Decision:

    Recommended that Somerset West and Taunton Council approved the amendments (shown in red) to the Committee’s list of functions in the Arrangements document – Appendix A – and noted the updated budget position for 2019/20; and

    Somerset West and Taunton Council agreed to the reappointment of Somerset County Council as the Administering Authority to the Joint Committee for the period from 22 January 2020 to 21 January 2022.

    Minutes:

    During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

    ·         Councillors queried whether the Local Enterprise Partnership were due to include any information on climate change.

    The next meeting was scheduled for 29 November 2019 and climate change was due to be on the agenda.

    ·         Councillors wanted to use the agenda to lobby Central Government on climate change.

     

    Resolved that Somerset West and Taunton Council:-

    ·         Approved the amendments (shown in red) to the Committee’s list of functions in the Arrangements document – Appendix A – and noted the updated budget position for 2019/20; and

    ·         Somerset West and Taunton Council agreed to the reappointment of Somerset County Council as the Administering Authority to the Joint Committee for the period from 22 January 2020 to 21 January 2022.

66.

Corporate Strategy 2020-24 pdf icon PDF 315 KB

    The report introduces the draft corporate strategic priorities, outcomes and objectives for the period 2020-2024, which were considered, and unanimously recommended for Council approval, by the Executive at their meeting of 18 September 2019.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    Recommended that Somerset West and Taunton Council:-

    ·         approved the priorities, outcomes and objectives within the attached appendix; and

    ·         authorised the Head of Communications to agree the final design and publication style for the Strategy.

    Minutes:

    During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

    ·         Councillors made the following comments on the themes within the Strategy:

    -        Theme One: concern was raised that there weren’t any measures included.

    -        Theme Three: Councillors thought it was a shame that the current administration had declined the opportunity to build a hotel on development land, the theme should include ethical implications and concern was raised that the theme had been developed due to lack of support provided from Central Government.

    -        Theme Four: concern was raised that events for those with learning difficulties had not been included.

    ·         Councillors requested that promotion of equality of opportunity be included in the high level report.

    ·         Councillors thanked the officers for their work on the Strategy and supported the publication of the document.

     

    Resolved that Somerset West and Taunton Council:-

    ·         approved the priorities, outcomes and objectives within the attached appendix; and

    ·         authorised the Head of Communications to agree the final design and publication style for the Strategy.

67.

HRA Capital Scheme Recommendation from Executive pdf icon PDF 236 KB

    Executive request Full Council to approve the Housing Director / Head of Function, in consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder, to have delegated authority to approve changes to the budgeted spend for all of the HRA capital schemes, whist remaining within the approved capital programme for 2019/20. The reason for this is to help address flexible delivery of the programme in year.

    Decision:

    Recommended that Somerset West and Taunton Council approved the Housing Director/Head of Function, in consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder, to have delegated authority to approve changes to the budgeted spend for all of the HRA capital schemes, whist remaining within the approved capital programme for 2019/20. The reason for this is help address flexible delivery of the programme in year.

    Minutes:

    Resolved that Somerset West and Taunton Council approved the Housing Director/Head of Function, in consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder, to have delegated authority to approve changes to the budgeted spend for all of the HRA capital schemes, whist remaining within the approved capital programme for 2019/20. The reason for this is help address flexible delivery of the programme in year.

68.

Political Allocation and Committee Membership revised October 2019 pdf icon PDF 291 KB

69.

Signing of the Armed Forces Covenant pdf icon PDF 222 KB

    To sign the previously agreed Armed Forces Covenant as Somerset West and Taunton Council

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Leader and the Chair of the Council along with the Armed Forces Champions spoke in support of the covenant and subsequently the document was signed.

     

    The Armed Forces Champion highlighted the importance of the document and the agreement set out between SWT and the service men and women out in the community along with their families and the people that supported them.  He was happy to recommend that the Council continued with the Armed Forces Covenant as it ensured that the service men and women who lived in the district were able to access services and were treated equally.

70.

To consider reports from Executive Councillors pdf icon PDF 64 KB

    Part I – To deal with written questions to the Executive.

    Part II – To receive reports from the following Members of the Executive:-

    a) Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts – Leader of the Council

    b) Councillor Benet Allen – Deputy Leader & Communications and Culture

    c) Councillor Christopher Booth – Community

    d) Councillor Ross Henley – Corporate Resources

    e) Councillor Marcus Kravis – Asset Management and Economic Development

    f) Councillor Richard Lees – Sports, Parks and Leisure

    g) Councillor Peter Pilkington – Climate Change

    h) Councillor Mike Rigby – Planning and Transportation

    i) Councillor Francesca Smith - Housing

    j) Councillor Alan Wedderkopp – Environmental Services

     

    An Executive Councillor shall submit a report to an Ordinary Meeting of the Council as to current and future business of their portfolio for the information of and comment from the Council. Such reports are for discussion and comment only and no motion shall be put to the meeting as to any such item other than those closure motions described in Standing Order 5.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Leader of the Council (Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

    ·         Transformation and commitment from the Executive towards to Change Programme.

     

    Communications and Culture (Councillor Benet Allen)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Internal communications;

    ·         Improved communication programme; and

    ·         Firmstep processes and procedures.

     

    Community (Councillor Chris Booth)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Concern for traders located in the Station Road area;

    ·         Taunton BID;

    ·         CCTV; and

    ·         Rough sleepers check.

     

    Corporate Resources (Councillor Ross Henley)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Customer service satisfaction;

    ·         Firmstep processes and procedures;

    ·         Wellington Customer Hub and staffing levels;

    ·         Somerset living wage community;

    ·         Complaint statistics; and

    ·         Staff structure and definitions for job titles.

     

    Asset Management and Economic Development (Councillor Marcus Kravis)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Cost implications of the work of the East Quay wall and harbour safety;

    ·         Information on Seaward Way;

    ·         Taunton ice rink; and

    ·         Affordable employment land.

     

    Sports, Parks and Leisure (Councillor Richard Lees)

     

    No question were submitted for the Portfolio Holder.

     

    Climate Change (Councillor Peter Pilkington)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Climate change awards;

    ·         Concern on emissions produced by the ice rink; and

    ·         Electric vehicle charging points.

     

    Planning and Transportation (Councillor Mike Rigby)

     

    Councillor Mike Rigby apologised for his report not being submitted.  He then presented a verbal update to Full Council, which included an update on the following:-

    ·         Planning staffing levels and the reduction in the backlog on the validation stage of the planning application process.

    ·         A Conservation Officer had been appointed.

    ·         A Local Plan Working Group had been formed and he gave information needed for developments on the Local Plan.

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

    ·         Planning staffing levels;

    ·         Government targets set for planning applications and sanctions that might be incurred;

    ·         Park and ride and potential for Saturday operations;

    ·         High Street funds;

    ·         Business developments and infrastructure; and

    ·         Employment land.

     

    Housing Services (Councillor Francesca Smith)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

    ·         Perspective of Housing over time.

     

    Environmental Services (Councillor Alan Wedderkopp)

     

    Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

    ·         Taxi vehicles checks.