3rd August 2020 Town Council Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 3rd August 2020 at 7pm

Present: Cllrs Mike Facey (Chairman), Bill Hancock, Nick Tolley, Chris Allen, Sue Barber, Andy Brewer, Peter Clayton, Phil Harvey, Sue Harvey, Andy Hodge, Janet Keen, Alan Matthews, Mike Murphy, Louise Parkin, Colette Winfield with the town clerk, Sam Winter.

1 member of press was in attendance

Public participation session

There were no speakers.

113/20/TC     Apologies

                        Cllr Dawn Carey

                        Cllr Helen Groves was absent

114/20/TC     Declarations of Interest in items on this agenda & dispensations granted

                        None

(Cllrs Murphy & Barber declared an interest later in the meeting at agenda item 126/20/TC re: taxi licensing policy as they are members of the relevant Sedgemoor committee)

115/20/TC     Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 22nd June 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

116/20/TC     Action List

                        The Action List was noted.

117/20/TC     Report from the Police

                        There was no report.

It was noted that, following a change in police personnel, the office will remind the police of the continued invitation to report whenever possible.

118/20/TC     Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman detailed his civic work over recent weeks, including formally opening a number of local businesses.

119/20/TC     Reports from County Cllrs on County Council

Members received a report from Cllr Clayton on a number of county council work area, including updates on Coronavirus and One Somerset.

120/20/TC     Reports from District Cllrs on District Council relevant matters

Members received a written report from Cllr Janet Keen that detailed the disposal of land at lakeside, changes to the waste services contract and the impact of Coronavirus on issues of the district’s homelessness. 

121/20/TC     Reports from members attending meetings of outside bodies

Members received an update from Cllr Louise Parkin on a meeting held with Sedgemoor officers to consider a number of potential actions being explored regarding control of the anti-social behaviour issues associated with Pier Street car park.   

Motions for note/resolution

122/20/TC     To note that following the resignation from the council of Rich Gardiner White, the councillor vacancy will remain until resolution of the election scheduled for 6th May 2021.

Noted

123/20/TC     To resolve whether the town council requires poll cards to be issued for the town councillor election on 6th May

The Clerk confirmed the cost of cards for the central ward in 2019 was £3,040. Next May will see the county elections & the postponed PCC election so the cost should be split 3 ways.

It was resolved to request that poll cards are issued for the town council election in May 2021.

124/20/TC     To agree a consultation response to the LGA’s proposed changes to the Members Code of Conduct.

The meeting heard comments that any change to the current Code does not offer progression whilst there is no requirement for councillors to undergo training and whilst the system is not supported by legislative change offering sanctions for breach.           

It was proposed my Cllr Facey, seconded by Cllr Harvey and resolved that the Council will not submit a corporate response, but each councillor is encouraged to respond to the consultation in their own capacity.

125/20/TC     To receive recommendations from the Christmas lights working party on the award of a 3-year contract for the provision of Christmas lights in both towns

The meeting agreed that, whilst it was imperative to act swiftly to award a contract ready for the Christmas period, in order for the interviewing councillor panel (revised due to availability: Cllrs Clayton, Allen, Murphy, Carey, Hancock) to agree its recommendation, it required more time to discuss the procurement report and submissions and seek clarity on the scoring applied by each councillor.

The meeting was reminded that no delegated authority had been given to permit the interviewing panel to award a contract and that any award of contract must be taken by a meeting of the full council. Cllr Facey agreed to call an extraordinary meeting of the full council once the interviewing panel had met to consider its recommendation.

126/20/TC     To receive the Sedgemoor Taxi Licensing Policy and agree any response to the consultation.

Cllrs Murphy and Barber declared an interest & left the meeting

It was resolved that members had confidence that the district council was best placed to agree the policy and would therefore make no corporate response to the consultation.

Cllrs Murphy and Barber re-joined the meeting

127/20/TC     To resolve the town council’s position on the farmers’ market returning to the High Street within the pedestrianised zone on 28th August.

The meeting welcomed the return of the market and noted that the applicants’ consideration of its risk assessment and method was admirable. It was further notes that, if required, the street marshals will be available to assist shoppers in following the market’s safety guidance. 

 

It was proposed by Cllr Keen, seconded by Cllr P Harvey and resolved to give the town council’s support for the market’s return to Burnham.

128/20/TC     To note the closing date for the Civic Award nominations will be extended to the end of August and consideration of nominations will be undertaken at a meeting of the Town Improvements Committee, date to be confirmed.

It was noted that few nominations had been received and that the office will circulate to councillors the criteria for making nominations.

                    Accounts

129/20/TC     The details of expenditure during May and June 2020 were received and approved.

Clarification on a payment for joint funding was requested and agreed to follow from the RFO.

         

130/20/TC     The Town Council Accounts for the months of May and June 2020 were received and approved

                                   

131/20/TC     Minutes of previous committee meetings:

It was noted that the minutes of the following committees had been circulated and received.

29th June       Extraordinary Town Improvements

6th July           Finance & Resources Draft

8th July           Planning Draft

13th July         Town Improvements Draft

132/20/TC     Correspondence

                        Items of correspondence were noted as received.

133/20/TC     Date of Next meetings

The dates were noted as listed

August 2020.

Tuesday 11th             Princess Management Committee

Monday 24th              Planning Committee

September 2020

Monday 14th              Planning Committee

Monday 21st              Finance & Resources (Grants)

Wednesday 23rd       Burial Committee

Monday 28th              Town Improvements

It was noted that the next Town Council meeting will be held on Monday 5th October 2020 at 7pm

The Chairman thanked staff for their continued support under ever-changing circumstances and closed the meeting at 19:51hrs.

Records Retention Schedule

Financial Risk Management Policy - March 2023

Grant Application Kings Coronation Form

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023, with an additional bank holiday on Monday 8th May 2023.

We are keen to hear from groups/organisations in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge that are looking to celebrate the Coronation. The Town Council has £1500 available to allocate to events being organised to celebrate the Kings Coronation. The maximum grant to be allocated per event will be £500.

You must meet the following criteria for your application to be considered:

– The event will be open to all members of the public

– The event will be free of charge

– The event will take place within the Coronation weekend

– The event will take place within Burnham on Sea or Highbridge

 

Applications will close on Monday 6th March at midday. 

Your organisation and contact details

What happens next....
Applications will be considered at the Finance and Resources Committee Meeting on Monday 13th March 2023. You will be notified after this date whether your application has been successful.
Burnham & Highbridge Town Council takes your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information for the purposes of contacting you about this grant. The Council’s privacy notice can be found here.

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