Agenda and minutes

1.1 DD welcomed those present.

2.1 All introduced themselves.  Apologies as above.

3.1 AP gave a presentation, highlighting the achievements of the Somer Valley Partnership and explaining the role of the new Forum.  The aim is to build on what went before but be more ambitious.  Also, for local Town/Parish Councils and communities to play more of a role and have more influence.  Hard copies of the presentation were circulated at the meeting and an electronic version will be sent with the minutes.

Action AW

3.2 AP asked if there were any questions/comments:-

CC asked whether B&NES are really going to start liaising with people outside Bath?  AP said the plan is to work in a different way across the whole of B&NES.

3.3 BMc said, taking budget setting as an example, what Parishes want and what the Somer Valley Forum want may differ and does B&NES care?  Parishes will focus on precepts in their own area, not elsewhere.  AP said the Council does want feedback on its budgets.  The question of precepts is a matter for individual Parish Councils but they may wish to liaise with each other.

3.4 LM said the theory is great but she does have concerns around whether B&NES will continue to act first and tell us after.  She suggested that a Compact is drawn up.

3.5 RM said he is keen that Parishes in Mendip participate in a more formal way.  Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 will be based on geographic areas but have impact on surrounding areas.

3.6 AP introduced the 2 workshop questions and suggested that while groups discuss these, the voting slips are circulated.

4.1 DD said that three members have been nominated as Chair:-

Terry Taylor - NRR

Lynda Robertson – Midsomer Norton Society

Cllr Lesley Mansell – Radstock Town Council

Lynda Robertson and Lesley Mansell had also been nominated to stand as Vice Chair.

All confirmed that they were prepared to stand.

4.2 PM said that a vote for both posts could not take place simultaneously and should be separate.

4.3 SG said that the candidates are unknown to some in the room and asked them to give short presentations to introduce themselves, their background and what they will contribute.  This was done.

4.4 The voting slips were distributed and collected while the workshop sessions took place.  The results were:-

Terry Taylor – 9 votes

Lynda Robertson – 7 votes

Cllr Lesley Mansell – 7 votes

Abstentions - 3

4.5 RM proposed that LR and LM jointly take the position of Vice Chair.  Some members agreed while others felt that a second vote for the position of Vice Chair should be held.  (NH left the meeting).

4.6 AP asked for a show of hands, with 15 agreeing to two Vice Chairs and 8 requesting a second election.  AP said it will be for the Chair and the two Vice Chairs to agree how they might make this work.

4.7 DC said that now a Chair had been elected, they should take over the meeting.

4.8 Feedback was given from the workshop groups and will be circulated with minutes.

Action AW

4.9 BMc said the feedback was very encouraging.  The subject of jobs was raised frequently.  He noted that the Somer Valley Partnership members had the opportunity to determine the Agenda and he would like to see this again.  AP said that is the idea.

4.10 TT thanked everyone for electing him as Chair and said he looked forward to presenting a united front to B&NES where we share our ideas with them, rather than make demands.  AP said it is also important to remember that the Forum is about working with other Public Services as well as the Council.

4.11 The meeting was closed at 9pm and it was agreed to defer the adoption of the Terms of Reference and other items until the next meeting.

5.1 DD said that the topic Place-making would be incorporated into a future meeting and that if any community wished to host future meetings, to contact him or AW.

Action All

Thursday 16^th October 2014

Tuesday 25^th November 2014

Thursday 19^th February 2015

1.1 DD welcomed those present.

2.2 All introduced themselves.  Apologies as above.

3.1 AP gave a presentation, highlighting the achievements of the Somer Valley Partnership and explaining the role of the new Forum.  The aim is to build on what went before but be more ambitious.  Also, for local Town/Parish Councils and communities to play more of a role and have more influence.  Hard copies of the presentation were circulated at the meeting and an electronic version will be sent with the minutes.

3.2 AP asked if there were any questions/comments:-

CC asked whether B&NES are really going to start liaising with people outside Bath?  AP said the plan is to work in a different way across the whole of B&NES.

3.3 BMc said, taking budget setting as an example, what Parishes want and what the Somer Valley Forum want may differ and does B&NES care?  Parishes will focus on precepts in their own area, not elsewhere.  AP said the Council does want feedback on its budgets.  The question of precepts is a matter for individual Parish Councils but they may wish to liaise with each other.

3.4 LM said the theory is great but she does have concerns around whether B&NES will continue to act first and tell us after.  She suggested that a Compact is drawn up.

3.5 RM said he is keen that Parishes in Mendip participate in a more formal way.  Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 will be based on geographic areas but have impact on surrounding areas.

3.6 AP introduced the 2 workshop questions and suggested that while groups discuss these, the voting slips are circulated.

4.1 DD said that three members have been nominated as Chair:-

Terry Taylor - NRR

Lynda Robertson – Midsomer Norton Society

Cllr Lesley Mansell – Radstock Town Council

Lynda Robertson and Lesley Mansell had also been nominated to stand as Vice Chair.

All confirmed that they were prepared to stand.

4.2 PM said that a vote for both posts could not take place simultaneously and should be separate.

4.3 SG said that the candidates are unknown to some in the room and asked them to give short presentations to introduce themselves, their background and what they will contribute.  This was done.

4.4 The voting slips were distributed and collected while the workshop sessions took place.  The results were:-

Terry Taylor – 9 votes

Lynda Robertson – 7 votes

Cllr Lesley Mansell – 7 votes

Abstentions - 3

4.5 RM proposed that LR and LM jointly take the position of Vice Chair.  Some members agreed while others felt that a second vote for the position of Vice Chair should be held.  (NH left the meeting).

4.6 AP asked for a show of hands, with 15 agreeing to two Vice Chairs and 8 requesting a second election.  AP said it will be for the Chair and the two Vice Chairs to agree how they might make this work.

4.7 DC said that now a Chair had been elected, they should take over the meeting.

4.8 Feedback was given from the workshop groups and will be circulated with minutes.

4.9 BMc said the feedback was very encouraging.  The subject of jobs was raised frequently.  He noted that the Somer Valley Partnership members had the opportunity to determine the Agenda and he would like to see this again.  AP said that is the idea.

4.10 TT thanked everyone for electing him as Chair and said he looked forward to presenting a united front to B&NES where we share our ideas with them, rather than make demands.  AP said it is also important to remember that the Forum is about working with other Public Services as well as the Council.

4.11 The meeting was closed at 9pm and it was agreed to defer the adoption of the Terms of Reference and other items until the next meeting.

DD said that the topic Place-making would be incorporated into a future meeting and that if any community wished to host future meetings, to contact him or AW.

Thursday 16th October 2014

Tuesday 25th November 2014

Thursday 19th February 2015