BEAMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 27th June 2016 in the Skyrm Room at the Public Hall, Beaminster at 7.00pm

1519 PRESENT – Cllr C Turner (Chairman), Cllr C Baker, Cllr T Beswarick, Cllr P Body,

Cllr Mrs J Cooke, Cllr A Dawkins, Cllr M Jupp, Cllr S Norris and Cllr Mrs J Page.

1520 IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs Christine Bright (Town Clerk) also Cllr A Alford (WDDC) and one press representative.

1521 REPORTS FROM AND QUESTIONS FOR:

Dorset Police – In the absence of a police representative no report was received.

West Dorset District Council – Cllr Alford reported that conversations continued with

regard to both the proposal for a combined authority and Local Government Re-

organisation. However in the current political climate it was unknown as to whether these

could be taken through to fruition. In response to a question regarding EU funding, Cllr Alford advised there would be no EU funding towards a combined authority however some

elements of the LEP work would attract funding but would not be dependent on it.

Dorset County Council – In the absence of Cllr Mrs R Knox no report was received.

1522 APOLOGIES – Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Cheeseman, Cllr P Elliott and District Councillor P Barrowcliffe.

1523 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS

No declarations were received.

1524 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANSATIONS

(a) WATAG – members had previously been circulated with a copy of the minutes of the WATAG meeting held on 26th May 2016 and noted the County Council would continue to subsidise the No 40 service for a further year.

(b) DAPTC – members had previously been circulated with a copy of the Western Area Meeting update regarding the Superfast Dorset project. The Chairman advised that, as far as he was aware, there were two cabinets within Beaminster that were still to go live – St Mary Well Street and Fleet Street.

(c) Beaminster and District Twinning Association – Cllr Mrs Cooke informed members that in 2017 the Twinning Association would celebrate its 40th Anniversary during a visit of guests from St James. Beaminster Museum had agreed to stage a display and it was likely that representatives from the Twinning Association would wish to address the Town Council later in the year.

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1525 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 23RD MAY 2016 AND THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 23RD MAY 2016

Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 23rd May 2016 and were amended to record Cllr Norris as having tendered his apologies before they were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23rd May 2016 and were amended to record Cllr Norris as having tendered his apologies and Min No. 1490 – Declarations of interest amended to note Cllr Mrs J Page as Vice President of DAPTC before they were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

1526 PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS

Members had previously been circulated with the schedule of payments, cheque

numbers 104432 and 104449 issued, together with direct debit payments between 1st

June and 30th June 2016 totalling £13,494.41; also receipts totalling £3,115.90.

Members RESOLVED to APPROVE the schedule, a copy of which is attached.

Noting the payment to Dorset County Council for wheely bin services Cllr Baker questioned

whether it would be cost effective to purchase wheely bins. The Town Clerk clarified the

rental cost of £8.86 the balance of the invoice related to the costs associated with collection of waste on a weekly basis. It was suggested that the bins be padlocked to prevent

unauthorised use with a view to establishing whether two bins were in fact necessary.

Water charges were also raised and it was AGREED to investigate the possible installation

of a water meter at the Public Hall.

1527 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

(a) Minute No 1501 – Insurance cover for all insured risks

The Town Clerk advised that Findlay and Butler had updated their valuation of the Public

Hall and ‘Julia’. It was considered prudent to seek a second valuation and a response was

awaited from Council’s insurers. NOTED.

1528 ANNUAL RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2016

Members had previously been circulated with the Statement of Accounts and the Annual

Governance Statement for the financial year ended 31 March 2016.

Members RESOLVED to approve and sign the Statement of Accounts and having

confirmed compliance with the Annual Governance Statement RESOLVED to sign as

APPROVED.

1529 NSIB – INCOME BOND

The Town Clerk advised that an amendment had been made to the signatories on the

account, removing Mr Gilbert Berry and the addition of Cllr Robin Cheeseman. Members

APPROVED the action taken.

1530 CONSULTATIONS

(a) Dorset County Council – Registration Service

Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the County Council’s consultation letter in which they sought comments via online survey to assist them to understand and

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assess the impact of the proposed changes to the registration service. Concern was

expressed with regard to the proposal to reduce the number of offices, in particular any

affect on the services offered in Bridport and it was AGREED to express those concerns.[1]

1531 CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Beaminster Festival – members NOTED a letter of thanks received for the Town Council’s

donation of £400.

(b) 1610 Beaminster Sport & Leisure – members NOTED 1610 Ltd had taken over the B-fit

contract at Beaminster School and would be offering the swimming pool and fitness suite

for community use with effect from 4th July 2016.

1532 PROGRESS REPORT

Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the latest progress report, the

content of which was NOTED.

The Chairman thanked members for their assistance at the Picnic in the Playing Field

event, a well attended afternoon despite the weather. The event provided the opportunity

for the town’s organisations to raise funds and an amount in excess of £1,000 had been

achieved.

1533 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

No items were identified.

1534 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Monday 25th July 2016.

1535 MEETING

The meeting which commenced at 7.00pm, closed at 7.50pm.

CHAIRMAN

25th July 2016

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[1] Having viewed the survey on line it would appear the Bridport office would be retained.