Council has 'best chance' to do something positive (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Council has 'best chance' to do something positive

8:55am Wednesday 29th August 2007 in Chard By Steve Sowden

TOWN clerk John Furze believes that councillors have got the best chance' in more than 30 years to do something really positive for Chard.

Mr Furze along with Chard Mayor, Cllr Martin Wale, is fully supportive of a move for the town council to look at taking on extra powers and responsibilities from Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council.

It comes after the district council recently supported in principle a Government initiative promoting the concept of transferring assets to community groups, including town councils, in order to provide a more accessible and responsive service to local needs.

Mr Furze and the Mayor have already had informal talks with the principal authorities about the prospect of the council taking on new roles.

Councillors heard last week that a precedent' might have already been set at district level with its District Executive having recently agreed to a budget saving initiative by transferring the management of the Eastfield Nature Reserve at High Ham to the Joseph and Frances Clark Trust on a 125-year lease arrangement at a peppercorn rent.

Mr Furze said: "Detailed business plans of what we want to do are needed, but the precedent is already there.

"There will be rock falls, ambushes and blind alleys along the way, but this gives us the best chance since the reorganisation of local government in 1974 to do something really positive for Chard.

"I want some direction from councillors as to what things you want me to go after."

The move to take on new powers was initially discussed by the town council at its monthly meeting in July when it was decided that a working party would be set up to investigate the situation further.

Cllr Dave Keitch was unhappy last week, however, that the working party had still yet to be formed and inferred Mr Furze was pressing ahead.

But Mr Furze said: "We are committed to the regeneration of this town. We are either committed or we can stand still.

"I think the whole town council should be considering this rather than just a working party."

The Mayor said: "We have a principle to accept that we move forward into a debate with the principal authorities about the devolving of powers and assets."

Councillors voted narrowly in favour of opening talks with the county and district councils.

The council went into secret session to discuss which roles and assets it would like to try and take responsibility for.