Annual Report 2006/07
Bradford on Avon Town Council Annual Report 2006/07
As the term of this Town Council comes to an end, this is a useful opportunity to review the year, which has progressed many of the aims, which my fellow members brought to the table in 2003.
Young People
The Youth Council formed a year ago has gone from strength to strength and has held regular meetings in the Town Council offices. It has just been successful in obtaining a grant from the Wiltshire Youth Opportunities Fund for a Cinema Project and is also planning the installation of a bike ramp close to the skateboard park in Poulton. I was particularly pleased to see this venture succeed as I have taken a personal interest in the progression of the Youth Council.
The Economy
The Economic Development Working Group was set up in response to the Community Plan and commissioned URBED (Urban and Economic Development Ltd) to prepare a report, which is entitled ‘Securing a Better Balance in Bradford on Avon’ and known as the ‘Buzz Report’. This was released in June 2006 and suggests a strategy with three main strands: promoting a ‘cool’ image, supporting the growth of a creative and innovative cluster or networks and developing a good working environment. A consultant was appointed in January 2007 to start to implement the strategy and that work is ongoing. The report was jointly funded by West Wiltshire District Council under the Five Towns Initiative.
Community Safety
The Town Council has contributed again towards a Police Community Support Officer and through the Town Management Committee works alongside the Community Safety Partnership, which brings together all relevant bodies and individuals to ensure a co-ordinated approach to tackling crime and anti social.
Health and Social Care
The former Bradford on Avon Community Hospital is up for sale and bids are currently being considered. The Town Council has actively supported the Development Trust who with the Friends of Bradford on Avon Community Healthcare has sponsored one of the bids which includes a health care facility.
Traffic and Transport
Following a strong campaign led by the former councillor, the late Paul O’Callaghan, the good news was received that ‘the current two trains per day operation between Bristol and Waterloo will be retained throughout the new franchise’. The Town Council was pleased to fund a plaque to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the railway and celebrations for that anniversary continue through 2007.
Culture, Leisure and Sport
The Culver Close tennis courts have now undergone a transformation. This project was carried out by West Wiltshire District Council and part funded by Bradford on Avon Town Council. The courts are well used throughout the year and the Town Council is soon to decide whether to take over responsibility for the courts from West Wilts. Barton Farm play area has also had a face-lift with the help of a substantial contribution from the Town Council.
The Town Council has agreed to contribute £3,000 towards an honorarium for an Arts Co-ordinator to be appointed early in the new financial year. The Community-Planning group has also contributed an equal amount.
Projects
The Octagonal Garden
The Mosaic was completed in Spring 2006 and is now visited by many people as a riverside haven and place to spend a few quiet moments. The Town Council considered this to be a very worthwhile and successful project
Boats on the River
The pilot project of running canoes on the river in conjunction with the Family Adventure Store, last summer was successful and we hope it will be repeated again this year.
St Margaret’s Hall
Planning Permission for removing the lower breeze blocked windows in the south wall was refused and the council is awaiting the Inspector’s decision as a result of the planning appeal. The windows let down the appearance of the hall and the Town Council is keen to resolve this long outstanding issue.
The Town Council is still seeking funding for the stage/seating makeover as the bid to the Big Lottery under the community buildings scheme was not successful. The community plan is clear in the aim to see the hall updated and we are keen to pursue this project.
The use of St Margaret’s Hall continues to grow and there are now not many days when it is not in use.
Kingston Mills and the Footbridge
The Kingston Mills planning application is currently with the West Wiltshire District Council planning authority and a decision is eagerly awaited. In the mean time, the Town Council in partnership with West Wiltshire District Council has gone out to tender for the proposed foot/cycle bridge and will be ready to progress this as soon as planning permission for the Mill site has been obtained by the developer.
End of Term
The Town Council was sad to hear of the death in March of former Town Councillor Paul O’Callaghan who retired to Devon only a short while before.
This year sees the end of the current four-year term for this council and no doubt new councillors will be elected in May to continue the work and bring new ideas and initiatives to continue to enhance the life of this beautiful town. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their tireless efforts during the life of this council.
Peter Leach
Chairman of Bradford on Avon Town Council
April 2007
Bradford on Avon Town Council
St Margaret’s Hall, St Margaret’s Street Bradford on Avon BA15 1DE
tel 01225 864240 Fax 01225 868165
email town-clerk@bradfordonavontown.freeserve.co.uk
Financial Report for Bradford on Avon Town Council 2006/07
Year ending 31st March 2006
Mazars of Southampton audited the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2006 and I am able to report once again that no issues were raised and the audit report was completely clear.
Year ending 31st March 2007
These accounts are yet to be prepared but an initial comparison with the budget does not reveal any surprises and total expenditure is well within budget. The following results from an initial and brief analysis of the Income & Expenditure Accounts but invoices are yet to be paid still relating to this year so no final accounts can yet be produced.
Administration of the Town Council cost in the region of £100,000 with a total expenditure budget of £368,724.
The full grants budget of £7,000 was allocated to local voluntary groups, charities and organisations; a list of beneficiaries is as follows:
Dorothy House Foundation
SPLASH Wiltshire
BOA Life Saving Club
WW Special Needs Scheme
Monday-Wednesday Club
Castle Gardens Nursery
BOA Country Markets
Ladies over 50 Swimming Club
Relate
BOA Youth Town Council
Wessex M S Therapy
SPLITZ
Climate Friendly
Help Counselling Services
Victim Support Wiltshire
BOA Senior Citizens Forum
West Wilts Young Musicians
West Wilts Access Group
BOA Rotary Club
Friends of Bath &Dist Samaritans
Cruse Bereavement Care
BOA Football Club
Cedar Court Day Centre
Carers Support West Wiltshire
Group 5
£10,000 was also contributed to the Bradford on Avon Historic Buildings Joint Committee.
The Town Council newsletter which is produced and delivered to every household twice a year costs in total approximately £2,000 and this year £11,778 has been contributed to employment of a Police Community Support Officer for Bradford on Avon. This will not be necessary next year as it will be funded by the police. As usual the Town Council supported the Bradford on Avon Tourist Association and this year the grant was £9,000. Other beneficiaries were the Mount Pleasant Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau, which operates in Trowbridge but serves Bradford on Avon residents. A grant of £1,000 was given to enable pleasure boats to operate on the river from the quayside adjacent to St Margaret’s Hall.
The Five Towns Initiative (a Partnership of West Wiltshire District Council and the Five Towns) has supported the employment of a consultant to progress the Economic Development Strategy.
St Margaret’s Hall running costs are slightly lower than budgeted and the income slightly higher, which should give a good overall result although the running costs still have to be subsidised. The funds budgeted for replacement windows will be carried forward to the next year.
The Town Management Committee has managed the property in the care of the Town Council and has contributed towards hanging baskets (£5,665), Christmas lights (£2,000) and will earmark reserves to pay for the proposed hand rail between Middle Rank and Tory.
The Leisure Youth & Arts Committee contributed £14,000 to the renovation of the Culver close tennis courts and Barton Farm play equipment. A grant of £2,500 was given to the Bradford on Avon & Area Community Sports hub at Winsley. £4,600 was given to Arts & Festivals events as follows:
Lions Club Art Exhibition
BOA Choral Society
Woolley Festival
BOA Town Arts Festival
BOA Film Society
Singing in the Round
Wiltshire Music Centre
K.& A. Canal Trust
Cloth Road Arts Trail
When the accounts have been compiled in a few weeks time they will be available for inspection at the council offices and a summary will be produced on request.
2007/08
The budget for 2007/08 has been detailed in the joint councils publication sent out with your council tax bills. The budgeted expenditure totals £ 366,314 with a precept of £313,314 (£79.84 per band D property).
Diane Holmes
Town Clerk
12 April 2007
Town Councillors
Chairman Cllr Peter Leach Tel 01225 309065 Vice ChairmanCllr Philip Sutton Tel 01225 867640
Cllr David Bolwell Tel 01225 866941 Cllr Michael Bowen Tel 01225 309190
Cllr Alison Craddock Tel 01225 868508 Cllr Jocelyn Feilding Tel 01225 863370
Cllr Malcolm Hewson Tel 01225 869220 Cllr Vicky Landell Mills Tel 01225 863668
Cllr Fran Lewis Tel 01225 863212 Cllr Martin Sandford Tel 01225 863713
Cllr Janet Repton Tel 01225 866080
Staff
Town Clerk Diane Holmes
Assistant Town Clerk Sandra Bartlett
Administrator Janet Ford
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