Annual-Report-2012-2013

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Chard Town Council
Annual Report
2012/2013

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Mayor’s Annual Report
I have been privileged to serve a second term of office and again this year I have visited a
lot of places in Chard and Somerset. Some weeks I feel Jim and I have lived in the car with
all the travelling we have done but we have met some very interesting people, and made
some new friends. It has also been a time when I have learnt a lot more about Chard and
the surrounding areas.
Two of the charities I have chosen to support during my term of office are involved in
assisting young people, and my third charity is the First Responders. Working with the
Guiding and Scouting Associations has brought me a lot of pleasure again this year. At my
Tribute to Musicals event, representatives from the charities once again had the audience
taking part which resulted in a lot of laughter. This was an emotional night for me and any
one that attended will have seen me near to tears. The groups taking part gave their time
freely and a big thank you to them. Also the Military Wives were brilliant and had a
standing ovation as they walked in, and again when they left after their performance.
The Town Team have been working very hard this year and I would like to say a big thank
you to them for trying to promote the town.
Also last year it was the Jubilee and Olympics and we saw some marvellous events going
on in the town. Thank you to the committee for the hard work that was necessary in
putting on the events. There was a tremendous amount of community spirit in the town.
There are many people I would like to say a big thank you to, firstly the Guildhall staff for
keeping the building in good order and being around when people have enquiries. I can
honestly say that nothing is too much trouble for them. I would like to express my
appreciation and thank the Amenities team for their dedication to the town. The Tourist
Information Centre is being well used, a big thank you to the committed volunteers and
staff who man the office and keep this facility open. We find that it is not only visitors
wanting information for the surrounding area, but also residents wanting to find bus times
etc... so this is a vital local service. I would like to give the office staff and especially Vicky
a very big ‘Thank You’ for their support during my two years as Mayor. Vicky as been
looking after my events calendar, and advises me of any invitations, letters or questions,
and if I did not respond quickly would send me a reminder. Thanks also to Mr. Dave
Travis, who has been my Mace Bearer, and his family for supporting me at events. My
Chaplains, Reverend Sue Tucker and Jim Fallon from St Mary’s Church and to Councillor
Mrs. Jenny Kenton, my Deputy, for stepping in when I was not able to attend a function,
and for being there to listen when things were getting busy. Also to the councillors who
have helped behind the scenes on some of my events.
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to my husband Jim, who remembered the key
each time for the chain box because I kept forgetting it, for being my chauffeur, time
keeper, dresser and ideas man. And for my family that have missed me not being able to
visit as much as I wanted, but maybe they say thank you for the peace and quiet.

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I have enjoyed this privilege and honour of serving the people of Chard in this way. I wish
the new Mayor of Chard good luck and hope they enjoy their time representing the town.
I would like to finish be saying this is everyone’s town, and if you are not happy with what
is being done you have a standing invitation to come to any council meeting and speak at
the public participation time. There are some big planning applications coming up and this
is your time to voice your views. So please do not be afraid to attend the meetings as we
like to hear your views.

Councillor Mrs. Cath Morrison
Mayor of Chard

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The Town Clerk’s Report
2012/2013 has been a very busy time not only for the Council, but also for the wider
community. There were several national events to celebrate and Chard has played its part
too with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee taking place last summer. There was a whole week
of events organised by a very dedicated group of volunteers that culminated in a Party in
the Park followed by an evening of entertainment and fireworks at the Beacon site. The
Olympics was a time of celebration too with a lot of interest generated when the Olympic
Torch passed through Somerset. There was a feeling of great community spirit and pride.
The red, white and blue theme was carried through with the town’s planting scheme in the
summer and despite being the worst summer in living memory the displays looked
fantastic and instilled a sense of national pride in many whose positive comments were
well received.
Another event taking place last year for the third consecutive year was the Community Fun
Day organised by Streetspace, which sadly due to all the rain in July had to be postponed
until September, when eventually the sun did shine. This was once again a great success
and helped promote this local group working with young people to enable them with
social, personal and spiritual development.
This year has seen the Council taking over the running of the Saturday street market which
was previously operated by the District Council. A Royal Charter from Charles II dating
back to 29th June 1683 granted Chard the right to hold markets on certain days. This is
certainly a tradition the Council is keen to continue with and hopes to develop it by
attracting new traders. In conjunction with this a Saturday Indoor Market in the Guildhall
commenced and in the run up to Christmas certainly proved to be very popular attracting a
large and diverse group of stall holders offering a wide range of products.
Chard saw the introduction of its own Town Team last year, which was formed when a
group representing local businesses and trades people came together to apply to become a
Portas Pilot Town. This was a government initiative set up with funding targeted at
improving town centres. Although Chard was not successful in its initial bid the Town Team
has since been awarded funding and has been busy developing a number of schemes
aiming to regenerate the High Street and boost the town’s economy. A Christmas event
saw the culmination of a lot of effort and hard work being rewarded with a huge turnout of
local people coming into town to enjoy the festive atmosphere, sample local produce that
was being sold in the street market, enjoy music provided by local entertainers and of
course the official Christmas light ‘Switch on’. I for one certainly enjoyed the carnival type
atmosphere that was present in the town that evening!
December also saw another first with the staff at the Guildhall putting on a children’s
event, which they all undertook in their own time. Local schools were contacted and an
open invitation sent for all primary aged children to come and join in a number of activities
that had been organised. Santa Claus even took time out from his busy schedule to see the
children and talk to them about their plans for Christmas. Although the numbers were
slightly disappointing it was a rewarding experience for those staff who had worked to put
on the event and hopefully lessons learnt to make future events even better.

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Earlier this year it was my privilege to meet a number of past mayors who were invited to
attend the unveiling of a new Honours Board. The Council had agreed to support this
project and local craftsmen were involved in the design and creation of the new board. A
small reception took place on 4th February to which were invited former mayors and their
families to officially unveil the board which lists previous mayors dating back to 1974 (this
was when the local government reorganisation took place). It was a pleasure talking to so
many people who have taken such an active role in the life of our town and in serving our
community as mayor in times gone by. The board is proudly displayed in the Town Hall
and, subject to other events taking place, is available for all to come and see.
Another scheme that came to fruition in early spring was one that had been in the pipeline
for many years, and was therefore a particular pleasure for me to finally see complete. It
was a partnership project between Chard 2000/Chard in Bloom, South Somerset District
Council and Chard Town Council which involved the removal and replacement of four trees
in Fore Street. The work was carried out over a number of weekends therefore minimising
disruption to pedestrians and traffic. The new trees – Pyrus Chanticleer are, I’m sure you
will agree, a great improvement allowing a lot more light and offer a more attractive street
scape. The Town Council will be working to enhance the planting scheme on the gateways
into town over the coming months and hopefully will continue to improve the entrances
into Chard for both visitors and residents alike.
It was with sadness that we recently received the news of the sudden death of former
councillor Mrs. Audrey Spencer. Audrey was a tireless campaigner and worked hard
assisting many local voluntary groups. Her positive attitude and spirit was certainly an
example to us all and she will be greatly missed.
Despite the continuing gloomy economic outlook Chard has much to be thankful for and
we can all enjoy the strong sense of community that exists within our town. It is always so
heart warming at this time of year to look at the nominations for the Outstanding Service
Awards and recognise how many people selflessly give of their time and energies in
helping others. Chard Town Council, its Members and Officers, is committed to serving our
community and has a real desire to see it continuing to develop and flourish.

Sarah Robson
Town Clerk

April 2013

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Organisation and Accountability
Chard Town Council is comprised of fifteen elected members each representing one of five
areas of the Town. These areas are known as wards. Each ward has three members,
Combe, Crimchard, Avishayes, Jocelyn and Holyrood. This arrangement makes sure that
we have a truly local government in Chard. The Council Committees for 2012/2013 were
Amenities, Finance & Guildhall and Planning & Highways. There is also an Allotments Sub
Committee which works in partnership with the Allotment Holders Association. This year
has also seen number of working parties that have been set up on a task and finish basis
as and when necessary. These included the Jubilee working group, the Football working
group and the Market working group.
All meetings of the Council and its Committees are open to the public and press to attend.
There are some occasions when for reasons of confidentiality members of the public and
press are excluded. This is by means of a resolution in accordance with the requirements
of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. These matters are usually, but not
restricted to issues such as ‘Staff in Confidence’ or ‘Commercial in Confidence’. At most
meetings time is set aside, usually fifteen minutes, before the meeting starts for members
of the public to address, make statements or ask questions of the Council.
In accordance with statute, at the end of each financial year the accounts of the Council
are available for public inspection for a period of twenty-one working days. This period is
advertised and facilities are made available for members of the public to come and
examine the Council’s accounts. As the Council is committed to a policy of openness and
transparency any reasonable request to view the accounts, or any other aspect of Town
Council work, will try and be accommodated at any time of the year.
The Council has a new website which contains a lot of information about services and
functions of the Council. There are many downloadable forms available relating to
allotments and the cemetery. All of the minutes of the Council’s meetings are available also
and can be downloaded. If you do not have access to a computer and wish to see copies
or extracts of minutes these can be made available for you to view at the Guildhall upon
request in advance.

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Chard Town Council – How to get in touch
Town Councillors
Your Town Councillors are elected democratically by the people of Chard. They are not
paid and do not receive any allowances. It is the Councillors that make the decisions and
steer the direction in which the Council goes.
Avishayes Ward

Mrs. Cath Morrison (Liberal Democrat)
Graham Forsyth
(Independent)
Mrs. Tricia O’ Brien (Liberal Democrat)

01460 239120
01460 67202
01460 66104

Combe Ward

Mrs. Sara Dowell (Liberal Democrat)
Andy Kenton
(Liberal Democrat)
Martin Wale
(Conservative)

01460 261898
07591 087347
01460 65190

Crimchard Ward

Julian Dorse
(Liberal Democrat)
Mrs. Jenny Kenton (Liberal Democrat)
Tony Prior
(Independent)

07882 191108
07591 087347
01460 65144

Holyrood Ward

Mrs. Brennie Halse (Conservative)
Garry Shortland
(Liberal Democrat)
Mrs Sue Wyatt
(Liberal Democrat)

01460 67422
01460 67357
01460 61370

Jocelyn Ward

Dave Bulmer
(Independent)
Martin Dowell
(Independent)
Ms. Sandra Pittwood (Independent)

01460 67917
01460 67143
01460 67481

Details of Councillors’ addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses may be obtained
on request from the Town Clerk and are also available on the Chard Town Council website
under the page ‘Council’.

Council Officers
The Town Council’s team of staff, which currently stands at eighteen, is led by Sarah
Robson, the Town Clerk. Terry Powell is the Council’s Operations Manager and is directly
responsible for the Guildhall and Amenities teams.

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How to contact us:
Visit us at:

Chard Town Council
Tel: 01460 239567
The Guildhall
Fax: 01460 261661
Fore Street
email: sarah.robson@chard.gov.uk
Chard
email: terry.powell@chard.gov.uk
TA20 1PP
Other Council officers may be contacted through the Town Clerk or by phoning the
reception desk on 01460 239567.

Finance
The precept for the year 2012/13 was set at £530,854 equating to a local parish
precepting charge of £117.17 for Band D properties. Changes in policy at central
government have been imposed on district councils relating to the Council Tax Benefits
Scheme which has had a knock on effect on town and parish councils for this coming year.
For this financial year 2013/14 Chard Town Council will receive a Support Grant of
£67,825.00 to offset the effect of the Council Tax Benefits Scheme and the Council has set
the precept at £463,029.00 giving an overall amount of £530,854.00. However the effect
of the new scheme has had an impact on the Band D equivalent for Chard which for the
coming year will be £121.43, a rise of £4.26 which is approximately 3.6%.
Chard’s town precept continues to be in line with other towns of similar size within the
South-West Region.

Council Tax
Council Tax for the three Local Authorities responsible for Chard has been set for the year
2013/14 at the following levels:£121.43 for Chard Town Council
£150.74 for South Somerset District Council
£1027.30 for Somerset County Council
£168.03 for Avon & Somerset Police Authority
£75.39 for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue
£1542.89 in total and based on Band D Properties
The average bill for South Somerset is £1490.64

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Summary of Budgeted Accounts for 2011/12
Item
Amenities Including Capital
Street Cleaning
Cemetery
Allotments
Guildhall
Tourist Information Centre
Support & Other Services
Grants
Precept
Total

Expenditure £
148,608
52,160
28,947
6,082
183,529
22,837
230,047
10,000
682,210

Income £
7,400
52,160
29,000
5,000
49,150
4,700
1,200
533,600
682,210

The forecast Accounts for the year ending March 2013 are as follows but it should be
noted that these figures have not been audited and are only ‘forecasts’ and will probably
change when the Audited Accounts are presented to Council in the Summer of 2013.
Item
Amenities Including Capital
Street Cleaning
Cemetery
Allotments
Guildhall
Tourist Information Centre
Support & Other Services
Grants
Precept
Total

Expenditure
174,762
59,185
27,676
3,610
186,873
23,543
180,525
15,000
671,174

Income
6,500
52,160
32,500
3,610
37,550
5,400
2,600
530,854
671,174

Other Legal Requirements
Chard Town Council is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998, The Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and has adopted the Model Code of Conduct for the conduct of its
Councillors.
The introduction in 2011 of the Localism Act saw many changes to democracy at a grass
roots level with the need for wider engagement with the electorate on a range of issues.
This new legislation has enabled greater opportunities, with provision under the General
Power of Competence, for town and parish councils to take responsibility for a broader
range of services and a greater freedom to act.

Sarah Robson MILCM
Town Clerk
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