By Councillor Gill Slocombe on behalf of the Bridgwater Conservative Group
Many of you are likely aware of the recent petition regarding the personal allowances for Bridgwater Town Councillors. The Conservative group on the Council opposed these allowances, citing the timing against a significant increase in Bridgwater Council Tax as inappropriate and unfair. Despite the recommendation by independent remuneration panels, the Conservative group remained uncomfortable with the decision made by the Labour-run Town Council. As expected, we were outvoted. But we wont be defeated!
Instead of letting the Town Council keep our allowances, the Conservative group has decided to allocate these funds to address the specific needs of our respective wards. For instance, I know that another defibrillator is needed in my part of the ward, while another councillor has been asked for more 'dog bins,' and so forth. It may seem like a small gesture, but we hope it will be appreciated.
As part of the Devolution of operations and services to the Bridgwater Town Council services will start from the 1st May 2024. Devolution of services was part of the Somerset Councils plan and the Asset and services Devolution framework was agreed in January 24. Many staff members from old Sedgemoor have transitioned to the Town Council under TUPE regulations which will, hopefully, bring continuity and consistency to the continued services we had at Sedgemoor.
Under this devolution, the responsibility for maintaining many open spaces now falls on the Town Council. This includes tasks such as street cleaning, litter removal, fly-tipping, collection of litter and dog waste bins, tree maintenance on council-owned land, grass cutting, roadside verge upkeep, road sweeping, and more, details of which can be found on the Town Council website.
It’s a very ambitious undertaking and one that the powers that be have always wanted, the crown will lie very heavy on some, this is for sure, so patience might be needed whilst the king gets comfortable on his throne.
As you can see, there’s enough to be going on with, but its good that we all know where are monies are being spent, what all residents want is to know that it is ‘spent wisely’, efficiently and notwithstanding with ‘quality’ at all times.
