Meeting documents

To consider the report.

The Council noted the report.

Councillor John Woodman introduced the report which highlighted the key activities and achievements of the past year. In addition, his report also highlighted the work services had undertaken to support the Council’s ongoing response to Covid-19 pandemic. The Council considered the report, and Councillor Mike Rigby asked for reassurance that coordination of street works be undertaken as he had noticed that in Bridge Street in Taunton once one set of works had been completed another had started after the road had been resurfaced. He also asked for information on the following: the value of fixed penalty notices; the removal of temporary road signs when no work was being undertaken; and children excluded from school transport. Councillor John Woodman undertook to issue a written reply to those questions.

Councillor John Woodman highlighted the considerable number of major improvements currently underway or completed in addition to 265 minor schemes. There was a discussion and clarification was provided on the budget for Small Improvement Schemes. Cllr Dance apologised for remarks he made in his statement about the Leader of Council.

Councillor James Hunt joined the meeting at this point (12:15)

Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey noted, and Councillor Fraschini agreed that as Taunton was an unparished area it was not able to commission surveys to support SIS applications. Councillor agreed to issue a Members Information Sheet with further details about Officer Lead Improvement Schemes.

Councillor Dawn Johnson noted that Highways is an issue in her area and was concerned that schemes that had been promised were not delivered and some work was needed to improve communication.

Councillor Tessa Munt requested, and Councillor Woodman agreed to hold a meeting to discuss road improvements in Wells.

Councillors David Huxtable and Mark Healey both raised Points of Order in relation to asking questions of Cabinet Members in this forum without indication the nature of the questions beforehand as doing so would give Cabinet Members the opportunity to provide fulsome replies.

The Council noted the report.