Portishead Town Council to take on more local services?

PUBLIC toilets, play areas and community halls in Portishead could be handed over to the  town council to run as North Somerset purseholders face making massive cuts from the authority's budget.

The cash strapped authority, faced with slashing £47.3 million over four years, is considering handing over the management of a range of facilities and services to town and parish councils across the district in a bid to save money.

The handover ties in with the soon to introduced Government Localism Act which puts the onus on local councils providing services to for local people.

Local authorities will also encourage residents, community organisations and volunteers to step in and help run services, such as youth centres.

Portishead Town Council has already agreed to pick up the bill for funding the town's Portishead in Bloom initiative at a cost of £14,000 a year after the authority withdrew its funding earlier this year.

It is now being asked to consider the possibility of taking over the responsibility of running the Somerset Hall and Avon Way Hall.

The town council already runs the Folk Hall and North Weston village hall, both are which are hired out to local groups, with the money being ploughed back into its coffers.

Town councillors also look likely to be asked to consider the possibility of taking over public toilets in the town - at Wyndham Way and the Lake Grounds.

Community groups, including the Senior Citizens Forum, has already petitioned the town council asking it to make improvements to the public conveniences should a takeover be agreed.

North Somerset Council is also considering handing over the management of 12 children's play areas in Portishead to the town council.

The town council already manages five play areas but could be asked to take on responsibility for others, including ones at the Lake Grounds, Avon Way and Brampton Way.

Town council leaders have met North Somerset officers to discuss which facilities could come under its control.

No decision on any takeover has been made and work is now being carried out to ascertain the costs of the town council running certain facilities.

Detailed costs will be presented to councillors in the New Year before any decisions are made.

If the town council agrees, some of the facilities could be taken over in 2012 with others following in 2013.

Portishead Town Council clerk Martin Dolton said: "There has not been a formal approach by North Somerset Council.

"Authority officers simply wanted to talk to us about the future provision of some services.

"All we have been asked to do is asked to look at how services can be run in the best way for the local community and in the most cost effective way."

The town council precept for 2011/2012 was £324,115 - the equivalent of £32.92 per band D household.

It is possible that this could increase if the town council is tasked with taking on more services.

Portishead Town Council chairman, Councillor Arthur Terry, said: "This is an issue facing all councils, not just in North Somerset, but across the country and is something which is being driven by government policy.

"The town council is not saying it can take on everything and inevitably there may be some tough decisions which will have to be made.

"We need further information on the costs of running the services before we can consider it further.

"There is no point in us running services unless it is beneficial to the tax payer."