Issue - meetings

This report outlines the current activities supported by the Charter Trustees in relation to Remembrance Services across the former borough and asks Trustee Members to determine the level of support to be provided in future, including the potential financial support to the Broadstone Branch of the Royal British Legion.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Trustee and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Charter Trustees were asked to determine whether to allocate the sum of £2,000 in the 2022/23 base budget and from the 2021/22 in-year unallocated reserves to provide financial support towards the Remembrance activities in Broadstone.

The Head of Democratic Services reported that the report was before the Charter Trustees at their request which outlined the current activities supported by the Charter Trustees and asked Members to consider whether to support financially the activities in relation to Broadstone. He explained that the current activities included financial support for the civic events in Poole Park, the two-minute silence at the civic offices and the laying of wreaths in Broadstone and Hamworthy.  The Head of Democratic Services reported in respect of the supply of wreaths that there could be activities throughout the Charter Trustee area therefore it would be right and proper to have representation at such events.  Therefore, it was suggested to reduce wreaths to one per ward upon request.

Charter Trustees were advised that the report set out the history relating to road closures which in the past had been relatively informal and undertaken by volunteers.  However, there had been changes for a number of reasons including compliance with regulations and increased traffic volumes and the arrangements have had to be formalised with formal road closures, marshalling by professionals and liability insurances which involved costs for organisers creating an impact on community and charitable events. He referenced the position in Broadstone.  The Head of Democratic Services set out the option for the Charter Trustees to consider providing financial support to Broadstone as detailed in the report. The Charter Trustees were advised that there was guidance from the national Royal British Legion suggesting that RBL branches cannot organise remembrance events and it should be up to the local authority to organise.  The Head of Democratic Services reported that having checked with the events team and the road traffic team that any organisation could organise and make an application for a road closure for any event.  However, a local community group could be formed working with the RBL Branch to undertake that activity.  The Head of Democratic Services reported that the Civic Team do not have the capacity to organise remembrance services in local areas. He confirmed that if the Charter Trustees supported the recommendations it would be to fund the work of others to formalise the road closures and for that particular event to take place.

Councillor Mike White proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) which was supported by the three Hamworthy councillors.  He explained that for 10 years the ward councillors had supported the Remembrance Service at St Michael’s and the laying of two wreaths in a major public ceremony at the war memorial.  The amendment proposed was as follows moved by Councillor White and seconded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19