It was good to attend as an observer the Town Council meeting in Southam last night, Thursday 27th September. It was also good to hear the report of the recent success of the Southam Heritage Collection who , along with the John Turner Festival of Arts & Crafts, Southam United Bowling Club, Harbury e-Wheels and the Grange Hall Management Committee were awarded grants by the Town Council.

The Neighbourhood Plan working party report promoted the public consultation that it is hosting at Tithe Lodge on 29th September 9am to noon to which everyone is welcome. https://www.southam-npsc.co.uk/news-and-events

There were also written reports received from Cllrs Crump and Bromwich. It was noted that Stratford District Council Overview & Scrutiny Committee will consider a request on 3rd October to call in a decision taken by the SDC Cabinet on 10th September that disposal of The Grange, Southam be agreed and that the Head of Technical and Community Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Resource and Property, be authorised to negotiate and agree the final details of the sale. The reasons being given for the call-in include the fact that the decision fails to require the proposals to be referred back to the Cabinet and the decision fails to provide any opportunity for the buildings to be used as a business and enterprise centre that could have the support of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. At the Cabinet meeting the requests that proceeds of the sale be reinvested back into Southam were noted but the Portfolio Holder said that this is not how the SDC capital programme works. Concern was also expressed about Cllr Bromwich’s level of attendance at SDC’s meetings.

Many thanks to Southam Town Council for their welcome at the meeting.