Seven-minute committee meeting at Wellington Town Council

Councillors in Wellington sped through a committee meeting’s agenda in just over seven minutes before excluding the press and public.

Councillors managed to go through a routine agenda in double-quick time when the policy and resources committee of Wellington Town Council convened on Tuesday (February 3).

The committee accepted apologies for absence from councillors Julie Pierce, Stephen de Launey, and Jim McGinn, and were told that Giles Luter was running late.

Chairman Councillor Paul Davis moved on to declarations of interest. None were declared.

Item three, to approve the minutes and confidential minutes of a meeting on January 6, was completed without debate. There were no matters arising which completed item four.

Item five was to agree finance reports and payments for December 2025 and to confirm that the council has sent its tax collection request to Telford & Wrekin Council. Town clerk Karen Roper confirmed that the request for the precept money has been sent to the borough.

Town mayor Councillor Reg Snell had what he called “insignificant” queries about items to do with a £209 “charity expenditure” which he knew nothing about, and for his expenses, which he has not submitted.

The meeting concluded that it could be something that the mayor could check with the finance officer on Wednesday.

Councillor Davis said: “Let’s not worry too much to be honest about it, let’s seek an answer through Lynn [the finance officer].”

Moving on to item six the committee gave the nod to an agenda being set for the full council meeting on February 10, which will include a report from the Wellington Conservation Area working group.

Councillor Davis asked if there were any questions or queries from his colleagues. There were none.

Item seven was to agree the next committee meeting as March 3. Councillor Davis encouraged his colleagues to put the date in their diaries and make any apologies.

Item eight was to close the meeting to the press and public so they could discuss a personnel report and get an update on the recent purchase of the town centre’s former Halifax bank branch.

The committee was called on “to consider security camera quotation” and to “consider the request from the Shropshire Cycling Hub to use the former Halifax building as a temporary collection point for bikes”.

Councillors approved the motion to exclude the press and public and make their decisions on those matters behind closed doors.

As the local democracy reporter left the meeting to get home in plenty of time to watch the football, there was no sign of Councillor Luter arriving to be a part of the confidential meeting.