Would you like to tender for the concession to run Blenheim Gardens Cafe?  If so follow the link to Somerset West and Taunton Council's page to find the details - CLICK HERE  

Recycling and Refuse Collections, Bank Holiday Changes: Easter, May & August 2019.

Usual Collection Day         -       Revised Collection Day
Good Friday - 19 April                -         Saturday 20 April 
Easter Week                               -         All one day later (Friday pick ups on Saturday 27 April
Mon 22 - Fri 26 April 
Early May Bank Holiday         -          All one day later (Friday pick ups on Saturday 11 May 
Mon 6 - Fri 10 May
Spring Bank Holiday               -          All one day later (Friday pick ups on Saturday 1 June        Mon 27 - Fri 31 May
Summer Bank Holiday          -           All one day later (Friday pick ups on Saturday 31 August  Mon 26 - Fri 30 August

Revised collection days above also apply to assisted, clinical waste and garden waste collections. No change to subsequent dates; all collections resume on usual days.

All recycling sites will follow the new summer schedule from Monday 1 April. Sites scheduled to close on Mondays will also close on bank holiday Mondays. Full recycling site details on our website.

Follow Somersetwaste on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for Sorted e-newsetter updates at: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk 
SWP manages waste services on behalf of all Somerset Councils             

​To view the poster CLICK HERE

        List of Meetings Open to the Public June 2019

       To view the information CLICK HERE
         

Minehead Town Council Clarifies where Council meetings can be held

Minehead Town Council is concerned that incorrect and misleading information is appearing on social media about the eligibility of Minehead Social Club as a venue for Minehead Town Council meetings.
The legality of holding Council meetings at a venue with a licence to serve alcohol was one of many concerns raised by Councillors last year about the way Minehead Town Council was being run.
On 14 May 2019 Minehead Town Council again held a Full Council Meeting and Annual Town meeting at Minehead Social Club.  Prior to the 14 May meeting Minehead Town Council checked availability of other suitable venues; none were available.
Further research also revealed that Minehead Town Council Standing Orders, the Local Government Act 1972 Section 10(1) and the Parish Council Governance Toolkit all agree that meetings can take place in a licensed premises provided that, at the time of the meeting, the bar is closed and alcohol is not for sale.
Council meetings can also be held in licensed premises with alcohol for sale where no other suitable room is available either free of charge or at a reasonable cost.


Notes:
1.   Minehead Town Council Standing Orders state at paragraph 3a ‘meetings shall not take place in premises which at the time of the meeting are used for the supply of alcohol. unless no other premises are available free of charge or at a reasonable cost’.
2.   Local Government Act 1972 Section 10 (1) states ‘Meetings of a parish council shall be held at such place, either within or without their area, as they may direct, but shall not be held in [premises which at the time of such a meeting may, by virtue of a premises licence or temporary event notice under the Licensing Act 2003, be used for the supply of alcohol (within the meaning of section 14 of that Act)] unless no other suitable room is available either free of charge or at a reasonable cost.
3.   The Parish Council Governance Toolkit states “Meetings shall not be held in premises being used at the time for the supply of alcohol as permitted by the Licensing Act 2003 unless no other suitable room is available free of charge or at a reasonable cost’
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Please click the link below to access the latest updates from Somerset County Council.  Today’s topics include Staged return of children to early years settings and schools, This evening’s wellbeing slot on BBC Somerset is a Golden Oldies Sing–along, Support for the self-employed and Essential road resurfacing brought forward.
The site is updated throughout the day so please visit frequently.
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/

Blenheim Gardens Café - a Tale of Three Councils.
 
Ownership and management of Blenheim Gardens is clarified by Minehead Town Council which asks for support in ongoing discussions with the new Somerset West and Taunton (SWaT) District council.
​
Minehead Town Council is concerned that incorrect information is appearing on social media about who owns and manages Blenheim Gardens, which could be misleading.
Blenheim Gardens and Café was owned and run by West Somerset District Council.  This became Somerset West and Taunton (SWaT) on 1 April 2019.
Minehead Town Council only became aware of the closure of the Café at the same time as residents and has worked hard behind the scenes ever since to secure a commitment from the District Council for interim Café and concession arrangements which, unfortunately, were not successful.
However, with a new District Council, and with a new Chief Executive, Minehead Town Council is re-doubling its effort to find an acceptable resolution to this important issue for the town and will again be asking Somerset West and Taunton (SWaT) Council to put a notice on the Café confirming their ownership and plans for the building.
Residents and users of the gardens can help Minehead Town Council by attending the Town Council’s Annual Meeting on 14 May 2019 and sending letters expressing their concerns and hopes for Blenheim Gardens Café which will help Minehead Town Council’s discussions with the new District Council.
 
Notes:

1. Minehead Town Council took on ownership and management of the toilets in Blenheim Gardens in 2018, from West Somerset District Council.
2. Minehead Town Council asks residents and users of the gardens to be aware that it was the now extinct West Somerset District Council’s Asset Management activity required for the setting up of the new District Council - Somerset West and Taunton (SWaT), that resulted in the closure of the café along with the putting course and deckchair hire (Concessions).
3. Minehead Town Council hopes that the brief introduction to Somerset West and Taunton (SWaT) District Council’s new Chief Executive James Hassett on 29 May 2019 at Minehead Town Council’s offices heralds a fresh start to the two councils’ relationship and Mr Hassett has already committed to speaking and attending the open Town meeting on the 14 May 2019, to which all residents are invited.