Weston-super-Mare Town Council Malcolm L Nicholson LL.B, DMS, AILCM Town Clerk

Two Hundred Years of Growth “A Victorian New Town” “A Victorian New Town” inhabitants inhabitants , , , , , , , ,000 Future Growth?

– Weston Borough Council abolished 1974 – Weston Borough Council abolished Town’s property passes to District Council Town’s property passes to District Council Beach lawns, beach, parks, toilets, car parks, theatres, Town Hall, Museum, Tropicana, etc Beach lawns, beach, parks, toilets, car parks, theatres, Town Hall, Museum, Tropicana, etc Increasing Central Government control of services Increasing Central Government control of services 1996 Avon abolished, North Somerset created 1996 Avon abolished, North Somerset created 1996 – 2000 Public campaign for a parish council 1996 – 2000 Public campaign for a parish council 31 councillors, 28 permanent staff plus casual, seasonal and volunteer workers 31 councillors, 28 permanent staff plus casual, seasonal and volunteer workers

Why a local council? Things which local communities want Things which local communities want Eg. parks, play areas, allotments, museums, flowers, bus shelters, cemeteries, etc Democratically elected body -v- unelected Democratically elected body -v- unelected –Kidderminster A&E Compared to Area Committees – outside capping Compared to Area Committees – outside capping Permanent, can raise tax, grants, loans Permanent, can raise tax, grants, loans Less control from Central Government Less control from Central Government Local voice on Planning, Licensing, Waste, etc Local voice on Planning, Licensing, Waste, etc

Budgets and Council Tax North Somerset Council £140,000,000 North Somerset Council £140,000,000 Weston Town Council £1,374,117 Weston Town Council £1,374,117 Total band D Council Tax £1,400 Total band D Council Tax £1,400 Parish and Town Councils – nil to £199 Parish and Town Councils – nil to £199 Weston Town Council band D £ 57 Weston Town Council band D £ 57 Small is Beautiful - Efficiencies of local provision Small is Beautiful - Efficiencies of local provision Volunteers Volunteers No capping (yet?) No capping (yet?) Capping unlikely below £140? Capping unlikely below £140?

Achievements since 2000 Youth cafe/services via YMCA Youth cafe/services via YMCA Blakehay Theatre Blakehay Theatre Water Adventure Play Park Water Adventure Play Park Milton Road Cemetery Milton Road Cemetery Love Weston - Tourism Promotion Love Weston - Tourism Promotion Weston (former North Somerset) Museum Weston (former North Somerset) Museum Flower Beds and Public Toilets Flower Beds and Public Toilets Play areas, bus shelters, allotments, parks etc. Play areas, bus shelters, allotments, parks etc. Giving Weston a representative voice Giving Weston a representative voice

Opportunities Localism Act - Devolvement of local services Localism Act - Devolvement of local services General Power of Competence - to do “anything” General Power of Competence - to do “anything” Effect of unitary authorities instead of 2 tier Effect of unitary authorities instead of 2 tier Effect of Central Government cuts – principal councils focus on core business Effect of Central Government cuts – principal councils focus on core business Local Management of Facilities Local Management of Facilities Fundraising – tax, grants, loans, sponsorship Fundraising – tax, grants, loans, sponsorship New Town Councils – Salisbury, Shrewsbury, Bridgwater, Morecambe... Bath? New Town Councils – Salisbury, Shrewsbury, Bridgwater, Morecambe... Bath?

Weston-super-Mare Town Council Any questions?