Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 340 KBVenue: The John Meikle Room - The Deane House. View directions
Contact: Clare Rendell Email: c.rendell@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk
Webcast: View the webcast
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors L Baker, S Buller, D Durdan, K Durdan, R Henley, D Johnson, M Kravis, A Milne, C Morgan, C Palmer, M Peters, A Pritchard, A Sully, N Thwaites, T Venner, K Wheatley and G Wren. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting of Full Council
To approve the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: (Minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 24 May 2022 circulated with the agenda)
Resolved that the minutes of Full Council held on 24 May 2022 be confirmed as a correct record. |
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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.) Additional documents: 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:-
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Public Participation
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.
We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, but you can also access them on the Somerset West and Taunton webcasting website. Additional documents: Minutes: Mr Robert Barnes addressed the Council on issues that related to street cleanliness, fly tipping and other concerns on local democracy.
Mr Pakes spoke on agenda item 9:- Mr Pakes asked why had the Council turned to the use of a Commercial Investment Strategy to make money and fund local services. He mentioned how the High Street Funds would be lost and he made comment on the debate raised at a recent Scrutiny Committee meeting and that information had been kept confidential, which concerned him, as councillors took a vote on unknown information.
The Portfolio Holder for Communications and Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Phosphates, Planning and Transportation both thanked Mr Pakes for his comments and gave some background information as to why the Commercial Investment Strategy had been used and what had happened with the Coal Orchard site.
Mr Ginger spoke on the petition he had submitted to Council regarding Taunton Area Cycling Campaign. Mr Ginger thanked the Council for the work that had been carried out but acknowledged there was still more to achieve. He raised concerns on the routes that were currently being used in the area and what work needed to be carried out to improve the infrastructure.
The Portfolio Holder for Phosphates, Planning and Transportation thanked Mr Ginger for his comments and advised him that officers were working actively on implementing many of what was being requested as part of the petition. He urged Mr Ginger to re-present his petition to Somerset County Council, as there had been a change of administration since he last raised the matter at their Council meeting. |
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To receive any communications or announcements from the Chair of the Council
Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair of the Council made the following announcements:- · The Chair had attended some lovely events within the District, including the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and Armed Forces Day. She thanked all those who were involved for their hard work. |
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To receive any communications or announcements from the Leader of the Council
Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council advised Full Council that she had been appointed as the representative on the Local Government Reorganisation Implementation Board at the Special Executive meeting that took place prior to the Full Council meeting on 5 July 2022. |
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To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13
Additional documents: Minutes: No questions had been received in relation to Procedure Rule 13. |
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Petition - Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC)
Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were raised:- · Councillors agreed it was a cross-council piece of work which they supported. · Councillors stated that they would like to see the connections into the main towns improved. · Councillors supported the work being carried out in Taunton but would like to see similar work being carried out across the District. · Councillors highlighted that the petition had already been handed in to Somerset County Council but that it might be worth taking it again since there had been a change in administration. · Councillors thanked Mr Ginger for all his work on the petition. · The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation thanked all the councillors for their comments and support.
Resolved that Full Council noted the following:- 1. To support the implementation of a high-quality cycle network by direct implementation where SWT had control, and by influencing others (developers, SCC, National Highways) where it didn't have control 2. To encourage cycling to school 3. To promote with SCC cycle friendly road design 4. To work collaboratively with SCC and TACC |
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This matter is the responsibility of the Executive Councillor for Corporate Resources, Councillor Benet Allen. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were raised:- · Concern was raised on the Brewhouse and the impact on their trade due to the works taking longer than expected. · Councillors thanked officers for all their work to ensure the project was completed, especially when Midas had withdrawn from the contract. · Councillors requested assurance that if the recommendations were approved that the project would be completed. The Portfolio Holder for Communications and Corporate Resources advised that nothing was risk free, but he hoped that the space would be in use by August 2022. · The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation supported the project and gave some background information on why the costs had changed and gave an update on the works.
Resolved that Full Council:- 2.1Noted the use of urgency powers by the Chief Executive who approved the increased capital budget allocation of £675,000 towards the completion of the Coal Orchard regeneration scheme. 2.2Noted the allocation of a refundable £45,000 bond to National House Building Council, approved by the S151 Officer and managed through cash flow. 2.3Approved the transfer of £185,000 from General Reserves to a new Coal Orchard Warranty Earmarked Reserve to manage any potential financial liabilities under warranty claims. 2.4Delegated authority to allocate funds from this reserve and approve related uplifts in relevant budgets to the Director of Development and Place, the Assistant Director Major and Special Projects, and the S151 Officer. 2.5Approved a further supplementary capital budget increase of £100,000 for the Coal Orchard scheme additional £100,000 to be funded by capital receipts. |
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Blue Anchor - Request for Capital Supplementary Budget Increase
This matter is the responsibility of the Executive Councillor for Environmental Services, Councillor Andy Sully. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were raised:- · Councillors were very pleased to see the project going ahead. · Councillors were very happy to support the project.
Resolved that Full Council supported the supplementary capital budget allocation of £262,280 to reflect the additional funding provided by Somerset County Council to deliver the Blue Anchor Coastal Protection Scheme.
Councillor D Mansell abstained from the vote. |
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Ecological Emergency Vision and Action Plan
This matter is the responsibility of Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Councillor Dixie Darch. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were made:- · Councillors supported the recommendations; however, they raised some concern on destroying habitants and how to move them and create news ones without disruption. · Councillors supported the Vision and Action Plan and the cross-party work carried out on the project. · Councillors were pleased to see that the report included both local and global factors. · Concern was raised on the use of the word ‘accessible’ and that it needed to be meanable and include all disabilities. · Councillors wanted to see the Action Plan linked to work being carried out on local transport and hoped there would be a stronger push towards eco-friendly public transport once the New Unitary Council was formed. · Concern was raised on the number of complaints that councillors had received regarding grass cutting and that more communications were needed to inform residents why certain areas were cut and others were left. A balance needed to be struck on keeping areas tidy for public use and cultivating eco-friendly habitats. · Councillor F Smith left the room.
Resolved that Full Council approved the following:- 2.1The ecological vision and action plan. 2.2Existing governance arrangements identified in the Somerset West and Taunton /Sedgemoor District Council Joint Climate Change Delivery Partnership were maintained and used as a framework for delivery and monitoring of the action plan. 2.3Somerset West and Taunton with Sedgemoor District Council led the creation and delivery of ecological recovery. 2.4Annual reporting would be undertaken in conjunction with CNCR reporting. |
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Scheme of Delegation to Officers
This matter is the responsibility of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following point was raised:- · Concern was raised on the Equality Act and work not being carried out on the Equality Working Group or Impact Assessments. The Leader of the Council would check the details outside of the meeting.
Resolved that Full Council noted the Scheme of Delegation to Officers (Appendix A). |
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Local Government Reorganisation: Re-establishment of the Joint Scrutiny Committee
This matter is the responsibility of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following point was raised:- · Councillors were advised that Councillor M Lithgow would be the Liberal Democrat representative and the Independent Group would advise the Monitoring Officer of who their representative would be.
Resolved that Full Council:- 1. Approved the re-establishment of a Joint Scrutiny Committee together with the County Council and three other District Councils in Somerset constituted in accordance with and having the roles and responsibilities set out in the Terms of Reference attached at Appendix 1 (“Terms of Reference”). 2. Nominated two Members from the Somerset West and Taunton Council Scrutiny Committees onto the Joint Scrutiny Committee. Such nominations to be politically proportionate and based upon the political makeup of this council, unless otherwise agreed by Full Council, but only where no member of the authority votes against such a proposal. |
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Access to Information - Exclusion of the Press and Public (Appendices Only)
During discussion of the following items (Agenda Item 15 – Appendix 1 only, Agenda Item 16 – Appendix 1 and 4 only) it may be necessary to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 13 13.02(e) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. This decision may be required because consideration of this matter in public may disclose information falling within one of the descriptions of exempt information in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Full Council will need to decide whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Recommend that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next items of business (Agenda Item 15 – Appendix 1 only, Agenda Item 16 – Appendix 1 and 4 only) on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). Additional documents: Minutes: Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next items of business (Agenda Item 15 – Appendix 1 only, Agenda Item 16 – Appendix 1 and 4 only) on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). |
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Six Monthly Commercial Property Investment Update
This matter is the responsibility of Executive Member for Corporate Resources, Councillor Benet Allen. Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were raised:- · Councillors supported the work being carried out within the Strategy as it meant that services could still be provided in the local area. · Councillors understood that the Strategy needed to be used due to lack of funding from Central Government. · Councillors queried the length of time quoted for the payback period. The Section 151 Officer gave clarification on the payback period. · Councillors highlighted that the Strategy was approved by Full Council back in 2019 and advised that the work had been thoroughly checked, and that assets were debated at the Working Group. · Councillors highlighted that other District Councils had done similar work on commercial investment. · Councillors thanked the officers for all their work. · Councillor H Davies requested that the meeting went into closed session. · Closed session at 8.05pm · Open session at 8.15pm · Councillors queried what impact the Unitary Council would have on the work carried out under the Strategy. · Councillors queried why there was no local investment carried out under the Strategy. · Councillor B Hall left the meeting. · The Deputy Leader of the Council gave further information on the different terminology used for local investment which could lead to confusion that there was no local investment when there was. · The Leader of the Council gave further information on the work to carry the Strategy forward into the Unitary Council.
Resolved that Full Council noted the Commercial Property Investment activity and performance for 2021/22 financial year.
Councillors H Davies and D Mansell abstained from the vote. |
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Green Space Acquisition
This matter is the responsibility of the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Councillor Mike Rigby. Additional documents: Minutes: 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. |
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Re-admittance of the Press and Public
Additional documents: |
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Motion regarding the Cost of Living
To consider a Motion proposed by Councillor Chris Booth, seconded by Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts Additional documents: Minutes: During the discussion, the following points were raised:- · Councillor S Wakefield returned to the room. · Councillors S Pugsley and A Trollope-Bellew left the meeting. · Councillor C Booth introduced the Motion and highlighted the importance of the work to be done. · Councillors were happy to support the Motion. · Councillors agreed that the crisis was real and impacted everyone. They further agreed that the Government needed to take action now to assist those who were on Universal Credit. · Councillors stated that residents were doubled taxed on their electricity bills because they were linked to their gas bills. · Councillors requested that an update report was taken back through Scrutiny to show the progress with the work requested within the Motion. · Councillor L Lisgo proposed an amendment to the wording of the recommendation to change the wording to minimum of £50,000, which was duly accepted by the Proposer and Seconder. · Concern was raised that the Government were not investing in low-cost energy. · Further concern was raised on the lack of insulation which impacted on cost of energy bills. · Councillors had all been approached by many of their residents in regard to the increasing costs of energy bills and fuel. · Councillors agreed it was a national crisis. · Councillors requested improved signposting to better assist the customers to get the help they needed.
Resolved that Full Council:- 1. Declared a “Cost of Living Emergency” 2. Instructed the leader of this council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express the Council’s demands for VAT to be cut to 17.5% for 12 months, for the re-introduction of the pension triple-lock and for the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored. 3. Instructed the leader of this council to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to express Council’s view that the Government committed to further fuel duty reductions in rural areas (Somerset was currently not eligible). The leader was to also urge the Government to move faster on cross-party desires to uncouple power prices from gas prices in an effort to cut household bills with prices to increase further in October. 4. Endorsed a local Cost of Living Emergency Summit to be led by the leader of this council, with stakeholders including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, Somerset Community Foundation, Spark Somerset, MIND, Chambers of Commerce and invite both local MPs to attend this hybrid meeting 5. Somerset West and Taunton Council would continue working on a minimum of £50,000 support fund for residents suffering from energy and food price increases in conjunction with Citizens Advice to be ready by the end of the summer. This would be funded from an underspend in the previous financial year.
Councillors N Cavill, R Habgood, A Hadley and V Stock-Williams abstained from the vote.
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