Issue - meetings

Resolved that members:

1)    Noted the work undertaken by the Partnership in the last 12 months and the proposed changes to the partnership and that a similar report will be taken to Area East Committee.

2)    Refused the funding contribution of £1,000 from Area South revenue discretionary projects grants budget for 2019/20.

(voting 9 in favour, 5 against, 0 abstentions)

3)    Agreed in principle that the Council’s share of the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Reserve and share of any surplus from the 2019/20 revenue budget is transferred to the new Somerset and Dorset CRP to assist with start-up costs and appointment of a new community rail officer.

(voting: unanimous)

The Specialist – Strategic Planning presented the report and summarised to members the work undertaken by the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership and the proposed changes to the structure of the Partnership as set out in the agenda report.  She explained that should members agree to continue to support and remain a member of the Partnership the authority would continue to have a representative on the new organisation.

During discussion, members made several comments including the following:

·         Questioned the benefits to the authority if continued as a member of the partnership and the definite contribution it has to the connectivity of the area and people of South Somerset.

·         Believe the money could be better spend elsewhere on grant funding or direct lobbying.

·         Need to encourage, support the volunteers, and sustain the work of these groups

In response to questions the Specialist – Strategic Planning acknowledged there had been less support for the local stations in the last 12 months as a direct result of the departure of the Community Rail Officer due to ill health.  She said the new partnership  would be structured in a different way (with a new separate line strategy group) and a new rail officer appointed in due course.  She told members that by not supporting the Community Rail Partnership then the Council would lose their seat at the table.  She added that the other Somerset and Dorset authorities who are partnered to the agreement have committed funding into the new partnership.

There being no further debate, members noted the officer’s report and proposed to refuse the contribution of £1000 from the Area South revenue discretionary grants Budget but agree the transfer of the surplus budget to assist with the start-up costs of the new organisation.

Resolved that members:

1)    Noted the work undertaken by the Partnership in the last 12 months and the proposed changes to the partnership and that a similar report will be taken to Area East Committee.

2)    Refused the funding contribution of £1,000 from Area South revenue discretionary projects grants budget for 2019/20.

(voting 5 in favour, 9 against, 0 abstentions)

3)    Agreed in principle that the Council’s share of the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Reserve and share of any surplus from the 2019/20 revenue budget is transferred to the new Somerset and Dorset CRP to assist with start-up costs and appointment of a new community rail officer.

(voting: unanimous)