BRIDGWATER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“QUESTION TIME” EVENT
8 OCTOBER 2009 AT JUNCTION 24
PANEL:
- Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP
- Alan Hurford, Town Clerk
- Anthony Gibson, Chair of Bridgwater Challenge Partnership
- Doug Bamsey, Director of Regeneration, Sedgemoor District Council
- Gary Coleman, Procurement Manager, Sedgemoor District Council
- Simon Dunford, Project Manager of Hinkley Point C, EDF Energy
Questions: (The name of the person asking the question has been removed)
Question:
Why wasn’t this event better advertised?
Answer:
The advertising for the event was in the Bridgwater Mercury Newspaper, was on the radio for 3 days and Dawn was based out of Angel Place for the week commencing 21st September to promote the discount card and also handed out lots of flyers for this event. 3 separate emails were sent out to 600 people on our data base in the weeks leading upto the event.
Question:
To Ian Liddell-Grainger – Why didn’t you intervene earlier regarding the closure of Splash?
Answer:
I did and you are aware of that. I put forward the concerns of my constituents but I am not in a position to control the decisions made by Councils (Ian Liddell-Grainger)
Question:
Tesco is the only bidder for the site, what is the Chamber’s view on this and what consultation has been carried out?
Answer:
We don’t want another supermarket and do not think it will benefit our members (Steve Leahy)
The process is that Tesco go through the Procurement process and if the council accept that bid, Tesco will then put in a planning application. At that point there will be a full consultation process.(Doug Bamsey)
If Tesco are the only bidder and the Council accepts it, then we need to ensure that they come on our terms by putting money back into the area to benefit the community. E.g. funding a pool (Steve Leahy)
Question:
There is talk of expansion, but given we no longer make products in the UK, how can we employ thousands of people coming in to our town on good terms and should we rebel against this influx of people?
Answer:
Two power stations will be built and this will require staff to build the site and also to maintain and run it. Bridgwater College are training people to have the relevant skills to undertake this.
(Steve Leahy)
We have a community that is a lower wage economy and we need to change that. We need to carve opportunities from those around us. The power station is the single largest investment in the South West and we need to make the most of that opportunity. We have an excellent college and decommissioning skills centre. We need to make sure that employers who come to the area pledge to train and retain people. Another example is Morrissons distribution Centre and we need to encourage them to employ local people – it would be good to have this established before more extensive housing is built. (Doug Bamsey)
Bridgwater has a good strategic location and we need to make the most of it. (Anthony Gibson)
Question:
I want to cycle to work from North Petherton safely and stay and shop in Bridgwater, but I currently go to Taunton due to the lack of transport, cycle routes and the closure of the Splash. How will the infrastructure of the Town be improved, including cycle routes?
Answer:
It is difficult as the current roads weer not designed for the volume of traffic that now uses them. Currently, there is Consulation on transport matters for Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington taking place and that includes being able to encourage people to use modes of transport, other than cars. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
Shouldn’t the amenities be ‘sorted out’ with all the plans for new houses? We are currently forced to travel by car to get to amenities. What amenities are planned?
Answer:
Bridgwater will have four new secondary schools (either new or rebuilt). There will be a new pool at Chilton Trinity. A new hospital is planned – the Primary Care Trust is no consulting on the possibility of a bigger hospital.
Facilities are coming in due course. (Doug Bamsey)
We need to use and develop the river as the focus of the town centre. We need to generate investment to improve facilities and transport. (Anthony Gibson)
Question:
There is rumour of a barrage on the river Parrett and new access roads towards Hinkley Point. What is happening with these?
Answer:
EDF are looking at transport in the area to update the Somerset County Council highway model and to understand the traffic. We will then overlay traffic that will be generated by Hinkley to see what affect this will have. We want to minimise traffic and are considering a Park and Ride at junction 24, junction 24 and Cannington. This will be discussed with the Highways Agency to establish the best way forward.
Will also look at the impact of a new road towards Hinkley – this may not change the traffic as most journeys undertaken in the area 3km or less.
It is now Government policy not to build new roads if it can be avoided.
We will get as much to Hinkley as possible (e.g. cement, sand etc) by sea and this will save 10,000 lorries going through Cannington. Big equipment will come through Commage Wharf and other things such as food etc will come from Bristol via the M5.
We will consider if it is worth fighting the Government policy and environmentalists for a new road. A road would essentially be a dam as it would be on a flood plain, and in any event, it will take 10,000 lorries to build the road, so the effect may be artificial. (Simon Dunford)
Question:
How does the Supermarket planning test affect Northgate?
Answer:
When a planning application comes in, the effect on the town will be assessed and will be public. The planning system on the whole is about overall balance and what else will be achieved and whether it will accord with the Bridgwater Challenge project.
The plans are phased and the Bridgwater Challenge is fundamental to feed information into the Local Development Framework.
Some things need to be planned now for the future such as flood defence, as in 30 years the sea will come over the current defences.
It is all about what can be achieved reasonably. (Doug Bamsey)
Whatever development is attracted needs to contribute to the plan and not conflict with it. For example, the emphasis on the town centre. (Anthony Gibson)
There will be up to 5000 people, half from outside the area coming in to work at Hinkley. We will need to find recreational activities for them. We were looking at Pools but Splash was still here at that time. When Splash was to be closed, the Council asked EDF to consider building a pool to be left for locals, once the Hinkley workers had finished. This is still in consultation, but we would consider it. (Simon Dunford)
With regard to training, we will be employing 2,500 local people and there will be lots of training required for the construction and after this period. We need to say to nuclear companies to come to Bridgwater as a base as we have skills to support the UK industry for other power stations elsewhere. Bridgwater Challenge will attract people to come and make jobs for decades to come. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
What business benefits will nuclear power bring to the area?
Answer:
At Sizewell, 1.2 – 1.5% of the total capital spend was spent locally and at Flemanville 2% of the total capital spend was spent locally. The capital spend is massive, so there is a large amount going into the local areas. We are building double here, so the amount will be more.
Bristol and Exeter are hungry for this money and are keen and looking to take it – EDF will encourage companies as much as possible to spend locally but we need to be careful not to breach the European Directive.
Local people need to understand and be aware and perhaps there should be an Association of local business to come together for particular projects. (Simon Dunford)
As Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, it falls to local businesses and members to join to influence and lobby. After all the local businesses are experts and we need their input. (Steve Leahy)
Question:
Bridgwater Challenge document is £35 to obtain, shouldn’t this be free?
Answer:
It is on the website and we will ensure there are hard copies in local libraries. (Anthony Gibson)
Question:
Can the town offer jobs other than supermarket jobs for the young people of Bridgwater?
Answer:
Planning for the future is key. Bridgwater Challenge has gone into the schools and is involving children.
The single biggest challenge is the town centre and how we will get vitality into the town centre. For this reason it is important that people respond to planning consultations. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
If Splash is demolished, is there a plan for a new pool?
Answer:
There is current consultation with the council to get funding for a new pool. Money will hopefully be available and various “Plan B” as we need to get a pool. We will get the money, it may just take a little longer. (Ian Liddell-Grainger)
Members of the District Council will ultimately decide. The Building School’s project is joint funded but there is no money for a pool – if a pool is built it will be from District Council money. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
There are lots of plans for new jobs and homes, but what about plans for leisure facilities for evenings/weekends and school holiday?
Answer:
The Local Development Framework is to co-ordinate people together to spend money in right areas. Facilities will be funded off the back of development as they are no longer publicly funded. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
How will we encourage business in the area to grow?
We need to nurture local business and be positive on planning – we need thoughts from businesses, perhaps via the Chamber.
Answer:
The chamber wants Bridgwater Businesses to join and give their input. We are trying to represent the business community but we need your ideas.
We believe that Bridgwater money should stay in Bridgwater and we are discussing with Gary Coleman to find out how businesses can access Council projects and be informed on the procurement process. (Steve Leahy)
We need to take the view that we are “all in this together” and there is enough promise in the town to achieve its goals. (Alan Hurford)
We are currently supporting a number of local markets e.g. building market, so money is spent with local companies if we have strengths in that industry area and local businesses need to prove they offer best value. (Gary Coleman)
Bridgwater Chamber is constantly lobbying and speaking with Gary Coleman to make this an easier, more accessible process. (Steve Leahy)
Question:
Rates and rents in Bridgwater are prohibitive on retention and expansion of businesses. What is the council doing to attract business into Bridgwater and to retain it? Is there anything short term to encourage retailers?
Answer:
I don’t know about the rates but we obviously need to look at it and find a solution. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
Will the distribution of the extra power generated at Hinkley mean more pylons?
Answer:
My involvement is in building and operating the station and doesn’t involve lines out.
I am aware we will need another substation near the site and will probably need a few new pylons near the station. They want to upgrade the current pylons to carry more voltage and to increase the number of cables on each pylon to maximise the use of current pylons.
The National Grid is now in consultation about power distribution. (Simon Dunford)
Question:
There is lots of talk over “sheds and warehousing”. Are they just jobs or good jobs?
Answer:
We are determined to get the best range of jobs and range of skills (especially when Morrisons arrives). We need to nurture people by getting them into jobs, giving them training and encouraging them to progress.
There is more to warehouse distribution than sheds (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
Have you considered taking a line from the Somerset railway at Norton Fitzwarren to relieve the pressure on the roads?
Answer:
We did look at railways at Dunball and Stogursey but it requires 10 years to get approvals and get the railway line in. Most of what would be brought in by rail, can be brought by sea.
A railway line would not be used after the construction period(Simon Dunford)
Question:
Have you thought about power lines underground?
Answer:
This is an area for the National Grid and they would be able to explain why they think overhead lines are preferable. (Simon Dunford)
Question:
On the removal of nuclear waste, I know it is safe but there may be fears about bringing it through the town
Answer:
We want to reopen the Visitor Centre at Hinkley to demystify nuclear energy and to reduce any fears people may have. (Simon Dunford)
Question:
We have the location to rebuild our dock in Minehead. Would EDF help?
Answer:
We looked at the potential to house staff in the Minehead are e.g. in Butlins and boating the staff over to the site. There were problems with exposure of the site jetty for a catamaran.
We also looked at staff living in Burnham and using a hovercraft to bring them on site. We were met with opposition for the RSPB
Although there were various options, there are also lots of constraints on each of these. (Simon Dunford)
We are also looking at a new ferry link, which should help Minehead. (Ian Liddell-Grainger)
Question:
I have been told Bridgwater is getting a 7 screen cinema – how will that help disabled people?
Question:
How do we get on and off buses as disabled people – we need a pool locally so we can access it.
Answer:
The new pool site will need to be carefully managed to facilitate access and better quality transport is needed. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
How can we achieve more joined up thinking between planning and business?
Answer:
We are attending regular meetings promoting the local businesses but we need your input to voice your specific concerns.(Steve Leahy)
Question:
If the council says no to a supermarket on the Splash site, what will happen to the site?
Answer:
The council will decide whether or not to proceed and will have to decide what to do with the site. It is owned jointly by the District and County Councils, who will have a strategic framework in place to make the decision. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
The dates of Consultation meetings are not published in the papers – please do so.
Question:
If I cannot let out my industrial unit, I have to pay full rates on it, even if it is empty – this makes it more difficult for business to grow and is indeed a deterrent for growth.
Answer:
It is a national Government decision and Ian Liddell-Grainger will take up the issue of rate relief. (Doug Bamsey)
Question:
The council should be involved with small businesses to get input if we can’t attend meetings like this.
Answer:
It is important to have an effective Chamber so Council will communicate through the Chamber to businesses. (Doug Bamsey)
