Agenda and minutes

Only members of the core membership are eligible to be nominated as the Chair. Either the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Local Community Network shall be a Somerset Council Councillor.

Only voting members can make nominations. The nomination must be seconded to be valid.

Cllr Diogo Rodrigues Proposed by: Cllr Gill Slocombe, Seconded: Lewis Hayes

Cllr Tim Mander Proposed by: Cllr Brian Smedley, Seconded: Cllr Kathy Pearce

At this point, Cllr Redman raised an issue with the Terms of Reference attached to the agenda and organisations that would be classed as Core Organisations and for the Executive Lead to have been present at each LCN. After discussion, it was agreed that Sara Skirton to confirm the correct course of action.

Vote on chair:

Cllr Rodrigues – For 9, Cllr Mander For 6

RESOLVED:

For Cllr Diogo Rodrigues to be elected chair of the LCN Bridgwater.

Only members of the core membership are eligible to be nominated as the Vice-Chair. Either the Chair or Vice-chair must be a Somerset Councillor.

Only voting members can make nominations. The nomination must be seconded to be valid.

Cllr Tim Mander: Proposed by Cllr Brian Smedley, Seconded Cllr Kathy Pearce

Cllr Mander was duly elected Vice-Chair.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Avon & Somerset Police

To receive and note any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the notes.)

None

The Chair to advise of any questions, statements or petitions received that are not covered by items on the agenda for the meeting on which members of the public have requested to speak.

None

a)    What are LCNs and how will we work together.

b)    Discussion – What is important to residents and businesses in our area? (An opportunity to raise any local issues or concerns for LCN to consider)

After a short presentation from Frances Gully on the Local Community Networks, those in attendance at the meeting broke into small groups including those that had joined the meeting via Teams. They then agreed a number of local issues and concerns as detailed below,

Top issues:

Housing Developments & size of Estates

Lack of Infrastructure including schools/shops

Active Travel – cessation of car travel/volume of traffic, opportunities to use other forms of transport

Reduction of red tape for businesses and the tender process/public sector contracts, encouragement of small independent businesses

Bringing people back into the offices/work

Anti-social behaviour and cultural differences of the residents moving into the area.

On-going Maintenance of the new developments

Youth Services, especially for teenagers and SEN

Car parking especially in the town centres

Additional support for volunteer groups i.e. food poverty

One Stop Shops – ASB & networking

Lack of Affordable Housing

Access to health care, especially dentistry

Opportunities for Youth

Free and accessible inclusive exercise and link to services/ opportunities/activities – lead by local residents and also play rangers for children.

Other issues raised:

Louder local voice

Parking around schools

Disabled access to town

Clear cycle ways

Better rail links

Public safety orders/knife crime/ drug mis-use

Identify hotspots with specific areas of need,

Need communication on agencies available for problem solving, one-stop shops and list of resources available, visibility of the organisations highlighted

Need police drop-ins at hub

Cost of living, fuel poverty, high interest rates

Quality social care

Access to open spaces/leisure spaces, Arts

Climate Emergency – reducing waste/tree planting, saving energy, street cleaning/litter

Additional information/comments:

Need to use data/stats available especially on a Divisional basis, Housing waiting lists, Indices of deprivation

Wider consultation on budgetary allocation by SC with LCNs

Review of Local Plan & CIL money received in locality i.e. roads/infrastructure

Use of social media, press and local residents views

Other people/organisations who should be involved:

Together Teams/Local Pantry/Residents Associations

Arts Centre/ Somerset Film/Library Services

10 Town Council Forums

CAB

NHS mental health services

School Heads/school reps

Housing Association/HIS reps

YMCA

Councillor Redman proposed that the meetings were held every 2 months as from September and this was seconded by Robbie Davies (For 10)

It was also proposed by Councillor Slocombe that meetings were held quarterly and this was seconded by Councillor Duddridge, however this proposal failed (For 4).

RESOLVED:

That meetings would be held every 2 months as from September 2023.

It was agreed that the schedule of meetings for this LCN would be drafted and then circulated after consultation and agreement with the other LCN meetings.