Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Mark Elliott, introduced the report.

(Councillor Moss declared that he acts as clerk to 2 small parish councils)

Panel members raised the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Hughes stated that North East Somerset will pay for our own elections and asked how elections in Bath are financed. The Cabinet Member stated that there aren’t parish elections in Bath, the equivalent would be the Charter Trustees elections, and I believe those are recharged. Councillor Moss stated that it is a running issue that North East Somerset residents pay additionally.

Councillor Treby stated that a lot of income is brought into the Council by tourism and the Roman Baths which is redistributed. There are arguments both ways. Councillor Moss stated that North East Somerset residents come into Bath which adds to the economy.

Councillor Moss stated that this is an ongoing discussion and there are a percentage of residents that are resentful of what they see as a second tier of Council Tax. He stated that it would be interesting to see some numbers around elections in North East Somerset. Many vacancies are filled by co-opting. He stated that the cost for wealthy areas is different to other parishes. Councillor Hughes stated that it is a worrying trend that more and more is getting sent down to Parish and Town Councils.

Councillor Heathcote asked what feedback had been received from clerks of parish councils up to now.The officer explained that one parish clerk commented that the parish council were not happy about the decision, no other emails received.

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officer.