Radstock Town Council formally set its precept for 2018/2019 on Monday evening this week, which will see an annual increase of £20.14 for a Band D household, a 15% rise. The move comes as the Town Council has been given around £5,000 less from B&NES, (which, in turn, is receiving less from the Government); and the Town Council deciding to put £25,000 aside to support youth services and the library in the town. The library is due to move in to the new Doctor’s Surgery planned for Waterloo Road, whilst B&NES looks closely at how it provides youth services. It is most likely that anything non-essential will be up to Town and Parish Councils or volunteers to oversee in future.

Speaking at the meeting, Radstock Town and B&NES Councillor, Chris Dando, said: “Clearly the financial situation gets harder, year by year. I wouldn’t be surprised if B&NES Council raise rates by around 6% this time.

“People will see significant increases in Council Tax this year, entirely because of the reduction in Government grants and massive demand for local services.

“We have set a budget which enables us to participate in discussions with B&NES surrounding the provision of youth and library services. We are engaged in fairly positive discussions in sustaining services in a partnership arrangement, but this just isn’t possible on the existing budget.

“The conclusion of the building work in Radstock may reduce the precept next year, and we must stress that this will not mean a 15% year on year increase.”

All Councillors voted in favour of the proposals. The money will also be required to support outside services, such as park maintenance and street cleaning.

The meeting also heard that Radstock Mayor, Keith Tyrrell, has been in discussions with local police about drug problems and speeding issues within the town. The police will again be invited back to discuss drugs use, and reports of anti-social behaviour, such as creating road blockades using vehicles, reported recently.

A discussion then took place surrounding CCTV in the local area, with the suggestion by Cllr Mike Boulton to look in to crowdfunding improvements. It was put forward that this may be a future means of the Town Council being less reliant on the local authority for funds for specific projects.

There was a brief discussion about boundaries and the electoral review of B&NES, with the recommendations taking some parishes by surprise. It is proposed that Camerton joins the Radstock ward, with the feedback being that this would be confusing.

Plans are being made to replace the Octopus unit in the Tom Huyton play area, however, this is proving difficult and the Town Clerk is now going back to the original manufacturer to see if a replacement can be found.

In planning, Councillors discussed an application at the old Mirage Inks site in Coombend, to create two residential blocks of nine two-bed flats and five one-bed flats and the demolition of redundant industrial buildings.

Councillors said that whilst they were in support of the principle of the development, they had concerns over supporting infrastructure and highways. A decision is due on the application by B&NES by around 17th February and comments are still being accepted by B&NES’ planning portal at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/planning and searching under: 17/06244/FUL

Councillors have also put forward their comments on the local bus consultation which ends on 31st January (see Letters) and will be asking for a meeting with B&NES to see how the Town Council can help. They are also asking for an open consultation on the findings before any action is taken.

The next Radstock Town Council monthly meeting takes place on Monday, 19th February at Radstock Methodist Church (entry on the side opposite Radstock Working Men’s Club) and is always open to the public. The general monthly meeting starts from 7 p.m.