Wellington Town Council tax unchanged for 8 years!

The council approved a precept for the next financial year of £75,506 and fixed its council tax at £16.50 for Band D properties, which means that the town council’s tax has remained unchanged for eight years. The last increase was in 1999 when it was raised from £15.89.
The council’s projected expenditure includes £10,000 for the Wellington Food Town Project which is designed to promote local producers and to encourage more residents to shop locally, with the overall aim of Wellington becoming the food town of Somerset. There is also £11,000 set aside for grants to local clubs and groups, £9,000 for Christmas illuminations, £9,000 for disabled access to the town council chamber with the provision of a stair lift and levelling floors, £4,000 for footpath maintenance and improvements, and £3,000 for a subsidised hospital car service to Musgrove Park Hospital as well as grants of £1,650 for Friends of Wellington Park and £1,250 for Wellington in Bloom Committee.

Concerns about state of town's pavements and roads

Concerns about the poor state of some of Wellington’s pavements, roads and gutters have been raised at the town council.
Councillor Gloria Copley asked the council to write to Somerset Highways about the state of disrepair of some of the town’s pavements, road and gutters, particularly at the bottom of George Street and Bovet Street, where there were special homes for the elderly.
The footways were in a poor state because of tree roots cracking the surface and making it uneven.
It was also pointed out there were potholes in the road at Corams Lane near the entrance to the sports centre, in Springfield Road, and at the Station Road end of Holyoake Street.
Members agreed to ask Somerset Highways to inspect all these areas and carry out any necessary repairs.

Council to consider buying a new CCTV camera

Wellington Town Council has agreed to consider buying another relocatable CCTV camera to try to deter vandals and anti social behaviour.
The council has agreed to include £11,000 in its budget for 2007-08 for such a camera.
Currently the council has one CCTV camera which is located in Lancer Court and which is due to be moved shortly to South Street car park where as well as damage to cars from time to time the rear of Wellington Baptist Church, which adjoins the car park, has been the target of vandalism.

Bank criticised for not supporting the town's Christmas illuminations

Wellington Town Council has criticised Natwest Bank for not supporting for the town’s Christmas illuminations.
It was reported at the February council meeting that Natwest had declined to have an illuminated Christmas tree erected outside its Fore Street office at a cost of £35.
Town councillors expressed great disappointment at Natwest’s lack of support for a community project designed to make the town more attractive at Christmas and to encourage more visitors and shoppers.
The town’s other three banks, Lloyds TSB, Barclays and HSBC all put up illuminated trees which were supplied by the town council. In previous years Natwest had a tree erected.