Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 18th November 2019 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on-Sea.
Present: Cllr Nick Tolley (Chairman), Cllrs Janet Keen, Sue Barber, Dawn Carey, Peter Clayton, Phil Harvey, Andy Hodge, Mike Murphy, with Samantha Winter (Town Clerk), Lorna Williams (Deputy Clerk) and Sally Jones (Responsible Finance Officer) in attendance.
One member of the public was present.
Public Participation
There were no speakers.
54/19/TIMP Apologies
Cllrs: Chris Allen and Rich Gardiner-White
Cllr Helen Groves was absent
55/19/TIMP Declarations of Interest in items on this agenda & dispensations granted
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations granted
56/19/TIMP Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Town Improvements Committee meeting held on 23rd September 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
57/19/TIMP Action List
The Action List was noted as completed
Motions for note/resolution
58/19/TIMP Members noted that Sedgemoor DC have agreed to a request by the Burnham Chamber of Trade, & supported by the Town Council, for a permanent arrangement to permit free parking on the three weekends on the run-up to Christmas as well as free parking after 4 p.m. on the night of the Christmas light switch on event.
59/19/TIMP To receive an update on the performance/use of the dog waste bag dispensers.
The meeting received the report on the use of the dog waste bag dispensers to show that the dispensers installed in in seven locations: Apex Park, South Esplanade, Southwell Gardens, South end of High St., North end of High St. Manor Gardens and alleyway by Westfield Road Cemetery, are being used for their intended purpose as several dog waste bins have been checked. No bags have been seen littering the areas. In order to pursue this project, 2400 dog waste bags were purchased & no budget remains to purchase more.
It was RESOLVED to continue with the provision of 50 bags per week in each dispenser and that funds are used from Grounds Maintenance in Ear Marked Reserves. The dispensers’ usage will continue to be monitored over the next six months.
60/19/TIMP To consider a request for an installation of a litter bin at Frank Foley Parkway at a cost of £250
A letter had been received from a resident requesting installation of a litter bin to be sited on the path adjacent to Frank Foley Parkway, by the pedestrian crossing and next to the dog waste bin. It was identified that the location has no bin and suffers from significant levels of litter.
It was RESOLVED to commission Sedgemoor District Council to supply and install a litter bin at the location.
61/19/TIMP To receive an update on the consultation results from residents trialling gull-proof rubbish bags.
The meeting heard that there had been a very low uptake of the bags by residents. Cllr Tolley was one of those to trial a bag and reported that they work in keeping the seagulls out, but once emptied are susceptible to being carried away by the wind. Very few properties have a post to tie them to. It was RESOLVED to end the trial.
62/19/TIMP To agree the committee’s 2020/21 budget for recommendation to the Finance & Resources Committee
It was suggested that the £6,600 for footfall monitors should be paid for out of remaining Tesco EMR. It was clarified that the budget figure had increased due to a new contract being entered into following the failure of the alternative supplier.
It was suggested that £2000 of the £2500 budget for new tools for ground staff could come out of Tools & Equipment EMR.
The installation of Speed Indicator Devices comes under the terms of reference for the Planning Committee. A recommendation will be made to that committee to consider any budgetary need at its December meeting.
The meeting heard that now the Christmas lights are up, quotations can be obtained from suppliers for three-year Christmas lights contracts for both towns. The quotations will be available before the budget is finalised and accurate figures applied.
It was resolved to approve the Committee budget of £110,738, subject to the adjustments discussed in the meeting, and to recommend the adjusted budget to the Finances and Resources Committee.
63/19/TIMP Date of Next meeting
It was noted that the next meeting of this committee will be held on Monday 20th January 2020, at 7pm at The Old Courthouse.