68 Call to Account - Transfer of Assets PDF 129 KB
To undertake a Call to
Account as agreed by the committee at the meeting on 7 November 2018.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
A brief introduction was provided by Councillor C
Brooks, Vice-Chairman (in the Chair), as the Chairman Councillor T Jones
indicated that he would not chair the meeting as he wished to take a full part
in the meeting.
Members were informed that written statements had
been received from:
·
Councillor Keith Day
·
Councillor David Rickard
·
Councillor David Harris
·
Verwood Town Council
·
Bridport Town Council
The following councillors had informed the Scrutiny
Officer, prior to the meeting, that they wished to speak to the item.
Councillor C Reynolds, representing West Dorset
District Council (WDDC), stated her belief that the same standards for
transferring assets had not been upheld across the county, using the proposals
WDDC had put forward to the Shadow Executive Committee as an example of this.
Councillor D Rickard, WDDC, stated that he believed
the benefits of transferring assets in West Dorset had been ignored by the
Shadow Council. He informed members that much of what had been proposed would
have returned assets to their communities and be funded at a local level.
Councillor M Rennie stated that Dorchester Market
was not an asset as it had been described in transfer documents, and that it
was important historically for the town. Councillor Rennie believed that
discussion should continue with Dorchester Town Council, so that not only the
market continued beyond April 2019, but also so that relations with the current
operator could continue.
Councillor Susie Hosford represented Dorchester
Town Council and wished to express support for the previous statements.
Councillor D Harris stated he was representing
Weymouth and Portland. Councillor Harris also stated he believed that initial
discussions over transfer of assets had been clear that the Unitary Authority
would not be taking on assets that did not contribute to its statutory
functions. Councillor Harris stated that whilst he understood why an asset such
as the crematorium in Weymouth should be run by the new authority, he did not
understand why the seafront hotels owned by Weymouth and Portland Borough
Council should be under the control of the new Dorset Council. Councillor
Harris also stated that he believed the transferring of the car parks in
Weymouth to the Town Council could also encourage its relationship of working
with the Unitary Authority.
Will Austin, Clerk of Bridport Town Council, stated
that he believed the Shadow Executive Committee had exceeded its powers by
considering matters beyond physical assets and that the Shadow Council should
not have a say in the £1.3 million reserve WDDC had earmarked for service/asset
transfers. Mr Austin also stated that he did not believe the minutes of the
meeting of the Shadow Executive Committee were accurate and that the actual
debate was also inadequate, as there was no discussion of assets or revenue
savings. Mr Austin also did not believe that Town/Parish Councils had been
given any input into the Shadow Executive’s initial decision, or the Call to
Account.
Councillor Alan Thacker expressed support for the statements that had already been given, and also wished to thank officers ... view the full minutes text for item 68