BEAMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 23rd May 2016in the Skyrm Room at the Public Hall, Beaminster at 7.50pm

1505PRESENT– Cllr C Turner(Chairman), Cllr C Baker, Cllr T Beswarick, Cllr R Cheeseman,

Cllr Mrs J Cooke,Cllr A Dawkins,Cllr P Elliott, Cllr M Jupp and Cllr Mrs J Page.

1506IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs Christine Bright (Town Clerk) also Cllr Mrs R Knox (DCC) and one press representative.

1507REPORTS FROM AND QUESTIONS FOR:

Dorset Police – In the absence of a police representative the Town Clerk read a report

submitted by PCSO Alex Bishop, a copy of which is attached.

West Dorset District Council –In the absence of a District Council representative no

report was received.

Dorset County Council –Cllr Mrs R Knox addressed the parking issue contained within

PCSO Bishop’s report by reiterating the legal requirement for the emergency services to

collaborate together and without shared use of the fire station premises there would be no

police presence in the town. She urged members and residents to give the new

arrangement time to settle.

Cllr Mrs Knox also reported that:

  • Children‘s Services had been subjected to an OFSTED inspectionresulting in

18 recommendations in order to attain the status of GOOD. Early intervention

was proving positive but further improvements were needed

  • in response to Mr Streets concerns that Beaminster Youth Club had not been

mentioned in the Committee papers for the County Council’s Cabinet meeting

at which, the transfer of assets would be discussed, Cllr Mrs Knox advised

the report had been concerned with the transfer of property which was not

relevant to Beaminster as the County Council were retaining ownership of the

building. In response to Cllr Turner’s concerns regarding the transfer of

equipment etc. Cllr Mrs Knox confirmed there would not be an issue with

the transfer of equipment and asked that a list be compiled

  • the issue of access of the bus to Gerrards Green had not been resolved and

enquired if she could assist, Cllr Turner stated that the information

requested from Damory had not been forthcoming. The Town Clerk was

asked to forward correspondence to Cllr Mrs Knox.

1508APOLOGIES–Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Body and District

Councillor A Alford.

1509 PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS

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

numbers 104417 and 104431 issued, together with direct debit payments between 1st

Mayand 31stMay 2016 totalling £13,032.98; also receipts totalling £3167.38.

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

Noting the payment to VPW for broadband services Cllr Cheeseman requested the supplier be made aware of the unreliability of the WiFi in the Skyrm Room with a view to

suggestions for improvement.

1510MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

(a) Queen’s 90th Birthday – Picnic in the Playing Field

Cllr Turner advised that meeting had taken place with representatives from all

organisations contributing to the event, posters had been distributed around the town and

the event listed on social media. NOTED.

1511INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT

Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the Internal Auditors second report.

The recommendations were NOTED and actions as documented APPROVED.

1512CONSULTATIONS

(a)DAPTC – Combined Authority for Dorset

Members were asked to consider a corporate response in respect of proposals for a

combined authority – consultation deadline NOTED as 17th June 2016. In order to consider

and submit a response prior to 17th June it was AGREED to place the item at the end of the

next Planning Advisory & Highways Committee meeting scheduled to take place on 6th

June.

1513CORRESPONDENCE

No items of correspondence had been received.

1514PROGRESS REPORT

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

content of which was NOTED.

1516FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

The following items were identified:

  • 40th Anniversary of Beaminster & District Twinning Association
  • Future of Community Pool and B-Fit

Under this heading Cllr Beswarick raised his concerns that some areas could not connect to superfast broadband. Cllr Turner advised there were two meetings scheduled at which this subject was an agenda item and he would raise this point.

1517DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Monday 27th June 2016.

1518MEETING

The meeting which commenced at 7.50pm, closed at 8.30pm.

CHAIRMAN

27th June2016

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