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.