Deadline extended for views on Norton Radstock Council's future
By Desert Divas Ltd | Friday, April 30, 2010, 09:43
The deadline for airing your views about the future of the Norton Radstock Town Council has been extended by two weeks.
Originally the closing date was today, however B&NES council has decided to give residents in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Westfield until May 14 to voice their views on whether or not the town council should be divided into three separate local councils.
Already three public meetings have been held as part of the community governance review.
The working group that is conducting the review will hold an open and formal meeting on Wednesday, June 23, at the Somer Centre in Midsomer Norton at 6.30pm. Here all the views will be considered and the group will formulate its recommendations to the full council which will be decided on July 22 at 6.30pm at the Bath Guildhall.
Any local person who would like to speak at the meeting should inform Tom Dunne, Democratic Services Manager on 01225 394360 or email tom_dunne@bathnes.gov.uk.
To contact the council regarding the review write to L Thyer, Floor 4, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1LA or email Community_Governance_Review@bathnes.gov.uk
Comments
You may have seen this recent letter in the press and I think it sort of sums up why we need our own MSN Council.
You will see that MSN pay £141,485 a year to cut the grass in 6 recreation grounds and look after two war memorials? (not really sure how much looking after they require?)
The remaining £493,809 is spent on the areas below, I've repeatedly asked Norton/Radstock TC to provide me with a detailed breakdown of how EXACTLY our money is spent in the past, but they continually dodge my requests. I've looked on the Norton Radstock website to try and find minutes of meetings where these issues were decided - no luck there either. So below is a breakdown which you'll find on the back of your 'Precept Explained' leaflet which accompanied your council tax Bill. (for those of you who don’t know, this is an extra amount you pay each year in addition to your council tax bill – residents in Bath do not pay this) If anyone can point me in the right direction, to view a detailed breakdown (emphasis on DETAILED) of spending, I’d be very grateful!
Allotments £ 13,769 - A worthy way to spend this money in my opinion but is this spent on rent/equipment?
Capital Projects £ 66,000 - Now this fig is a little higher can anyone elaborate
Civic Support £ 7879 - Have Googled this to get a clear definition but unsuccessful
Community Serv £108,043 I'm assuming this includes things like ring and ride? If so that's great! But can we have a breakdown of costs?
Corporate Management £ 60,570 Breakdown please?
Democratic Representation £ 53,890 Breakdown please?
General Parks and play area's £ 79,051 Interesting as they then go on to list a separate amount for individual parks in the community (2 down)
War Memorials £ 3663 – Seriously! How much work is involved in looking after two war memorials? They are very important structures but unless vandalised I fail to see where this money goes?
MSN Recreation £ 13,348 why isn't this included in General parks above? What exactly did we spend £13,348 on in one park? Even if all the equipment needed re-painting I'm sure I could have got them a better price if we went out to tender with a local company!
Other Costs and income
By BoxOffice1 at 13:07 on 02/05/10
ReportI still haven't had anyone tell me of any real good reason to divide the councils up, other than the councillors bicker a lot as it currently stands.
By Chutzpah84 at 13:15 on 30/04/10
ReportAccording to the Journal the promoter of the separate councils was not told of the deadline extension by B@NES. I'm assuming they were referring to Paul Myers? Why wasn't he informed?
By Maryellentuck at 09:47 on 30/04/10
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