Annual Town Meeting 25 th April 2016
Health and Safety and points to remember • Fire alarms and exit routes • Recording meetings – Council protocol • An opportunity for questions at the end
Introduction and Overview Councillor Paul Myers BEM Mayor of Midsomer Norton
Objective of the Annual Town Meeting To provide residents with a report on the Council’s work and to offer them the opportunity to ask questions of the Council
The Town Council report for 2015-16 • Introduction and Highlights for 2015-16 • Planning – Cllr Jane Lewis – Chair of the Town Council Planning Committee • Projects and Operations – Some examples of our projects presented by some of the Council team • Running the Town Council – Cllr Brian Lawrence – Town Clerk, Clive Stilwell
My Highlights for 2015-16 • In Bloom Success • Town Park land acquired and project underway • Broader Green Spaces Strategy – St Chad’s Well – Garden of Friendship – Wellow Brook Walk • Outdoor Gym Project • General Power of Competence • A qualified Clerk
The Town Council’s Planning Responsibilities 1 – Planning Applications 2 – Planning Policy and Strategy Councillor Jane Lewis
The Town Council Planning Committee • Role of the Committee - “To respond to the unitary authority on all submitted planning applications, land use and highways pertaining to Midsomer Norton” • Material planning considerations – We try to comment on material planning considerations – eg. loss of light, loss of privacy, highways issues, noise and disturbance, effect on trees, layout and density, conservation. – For example, you pay for a view, you don’t buy it!
Some statistics for 2015-16 • Total Applications received and considered 89 – Supported 59 – Opposed 10 – No comment made 6 – Comments only 7 – B&NES decision already made 6 – Decision noted 1 • Overall there were 12 cases where the Planning Authority’s decision contradicted the Council Planning Committee’s recommendation • We also attend appeal hearings and present the case for the Town Council or submit our views and information
Planning Policy and Strategy Key work for 2015-16 • Placemaking Plan • Neighbourhood Plan • Joint Spatial Strategy
The Neighbourhood Plan • will guide the detail of development in Midsomer Norton. If adopted, the Local Planning Authority must take it in to account when making decisions. • will reflect the B&NES Core Strategy and broader national policy • is well advanced and a referendum is being planned for late 2016
Operations and Projects • Green Spaces and Promoting Sport – Cllr Steve Plumley and Clive Stilwell, Town Clerk • Pride in our Town – Cllr Lynda Robertson and Cllr Paul Myers – Arts, Midsomer Fayre, In Bloom, Carnival • River Somer Project – Cllr Paul Myers
Green Spaces • St Chads Well • The Garden of Friendship • The Town Park • The Wellow Brook Walk
St Chad’s Well • Acquired in 2014 • Ambitious plan to restore monument and landscape the garden almost complete
The Garden of Friendship
The Town Park Housing Land purchased for Town Park
The Town Park – connected to the Town Somer Centre Entrance
The Town Park – looking east Radstock Road Boundary with housing development Wild meadow
The Town Park – looking west The Batch
Gaining the right access Car Park Event Space
Work on the Town Park so far • Tree Survey • Ecology Survey being commissioned • Remediation report on contamination and drainage • Planning permission variations to allow initial work • Design under way for entrance • Diversion of old Public Rights of Way
Public Rights of Way
The Wellow Brook Walk • A corridor for wildlife and a natural green space for the town • Conservation survey planned for May 2016 • A wildlife management plan will be developed • Leased from the Duchy of Cornwall for 10 years
Promoting Sport and Health • Outdoor Gym now complete and will officially be opened in early May 2016 • Developer Contributions have funded the project • Free to use for all • Inclusive equipment for individual and group use – two specific wheelchair friendly units • Innovative running track for all weather exercise being completed
The Outdoor Gym and Running Track
Pride in our town - Arts - Fayre - In Bloom - Carnival
Arts
Midsummer Fayre 2015 Becoming an established part of the calendar for the town
In Bloom Success
Carnival 2015
And finally – something that we probably hear more opinions about than anything else and is often covered in the local media … The River!
River Somer Project Currently managed by volunteers Contractor being engaged to manage vegetation every fortnight in the summer and to carry out an annual cut back of excess plant growth We are trying to keep everyone happy!
It’s all coming together
Councillor Brian Lawrence Money Matters
Income from the Precept • 2016 sees a first increase in the Precept – but still maintaining the same level as in 2003 taking inflation in to account • Reduction in the Council’s income from B&NES Council due to Central Government changes in Grants by £6,000 rising to £26,000 over three years • A 2% increase now will help ensure that future funding is adequate but some tough choices are still expected
The Council’s Financial Plan • Keep the budget under tight control • Continue to build capital for future investments (buildings, Town Park, securing other land for the community) • Maintain an adequate reserve • Only borrow where community assets are to be enhanced • Maximise access to developer funds and Community Infrastructure Levy and plan their use effectively • Keep Council costs to a minimum to fund our activities
Opportunities and Threats • Threats • Opportunities – Low return on any – New houses will investments/savings increase income – Local Council Grant – CIL income from future reductions of £26,000pa development – Infrastructure is ageing – Capital project funding • bins and benches from Grants and low • IT cost loans • equipment – Low inflation keeping – Additional costs managing costs down – for now! new land
Community Grants • £113,000 has been awarded since 2011 • 7 new applicants in 2015-16 • This year has seen awards to – sports clubs – senior citizens groups – children’s activities – the Railway Trust – and 8 charities operating in and around the town
Three Tiers of Expenditure Council expenditure strategy - equal thirds Net spend in 2015-16 approximately £320,000 (awaiting final account closedown) Target 33.3% 36% 32% 32% Discretionary Running the Council’s spend Council duties
Key Challenges for 2016-17 • Bringing the Town Park project forward – Consulting the public – Designing the masterplan – Starting work • Achieving asset transfers • Completing the Neighbourhood Plan • Attaining Quality Council status • Maintaining the river in the High Street • Bringing more to the town - appealing to young and old Moving forward regeneration of the town centre
Questions
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