Decisions

·        Discussion was had on the limitations of the precepting ability of the Charter Trustees.

·        It was confirmed that the Charter Trustees were a separate precepting body but that they did not have the competence to precept for any costs outside those directly related to the Mayoralty.

·       A query was raised as to why the Band D was used as an equivalence and further information was requested on the impact on other bands.

·       This could be provided.

RESOLVED that the Charter Trustees for Taunton;

1.    Set a precept for the financial year 2022/2023 at the amount of £58,722, to be collected on their behalf from the Unparished Area of Taunton ratepayers by Somerset West and Taunton Council as the billing authority. This was equivalent to £3.85 expenditure per Band D property.

The Specialist in Governance introduced this item, the third budget that the Taunton Charter Trustees would set following their creation. Following the advice of the Internal Auditors the Precept request was separate from the Budget item. The Budget provided for a range of activities that the Mayoralty covers over the year. As Members were aware, this budget would have to be justified to ratepayers and managed responsibly. There was a need for any spending to have a direct link to the civic role of the Taunton Mayoralty and the limitations in scope as Charter Trustees.

During the discussion of this item, Members made comments and asked questions which included:-

·       It was queried as to whether the two twinning link organisations had been contacted to ensure they definitively did not require funds?

·       Recent contact had been made with both organisations and SWT now held the funds on behalf of the Lisieux Twinning Organisation.

·       Comment was made that not all those who participated in twinning were from the unparished area.

·       A question was raised as to what would happen when the Charter Trustees ceased to exist at the end of March 2022 between the few weeks when there would be an election.

·       The District Council would set the budget for the new Town Council for 23/24 based on an estimation. Further work would need to be understood what would happen to the Mayoralty if there was any proposal to split the Charter Trustee area.

·       When the Re-organisation Order is created a Shadow Town Council could be created which would support the arrangements needed to be put in place by 1^st April 2023. A written answer would be sought on the technical issue raised by that gap between the 31^st March and the May Election.

·       Further detail was sought on the possible exercise of a Freedom Parade, especially in a Jubilee year and the extra demands on a Mayor because of the Platinum Jubilee.

·       Officers had discussed the number of events going on in the town in 2022, some of which that Madam Mayor would only be attending, and some that she would be hosting.

RESOLVED that the Charter Trustees for Taunton;

1.     Approve the budget for the financial year 2022/2023 at the amount of £58,722, to be collected on their behalf from the Unparished Area of Taunton ratepayers by Somerset West and Taunton Council as the billing authority. This was equivalent to £3.85 expenditure per Band D property.