A MOTION proposing an increase in community benefit provided by independent schools was introduced to Taunton Deane Borough Council.

Councillors Steve Ross and Libby Lisgo tabled the motion that would see a ten per cent donation from Business Rates Relief from the four independent schools in Taunton and Wellington to go towards educational, environmental and recreational initiatives.

Currently, Taunton School, Wellington School, King's College and Queen's College do not pay business rates as they are considered to have charitable status, as granted by the Charities Commission.

Cllr Ross said: "This is about creating a dialogue with the schools, an idea to find a way to work with them in a different way."

Councillors discussed the issue at a meeting on Monday night in a session that was dubbed a "good" debate that was not divisive.

It was agreed in the meeting that the motion was not an attack on the private schools and what they do in the community as it was widely agreed they contributed a lot, whether this was in the form of publicly used playing fields, taster Latin lessons, festivals for primary school children, or scholarships.

Cllr Eddie Gaines, whose children attend private schools, said: "This is a very small amount of money, these schools will cope and will still be here in 100 years time."

Cllr Thomas Davies disagreed with the motion, saying that the contribution to community benefits being asked of the schools is already being achieved.

Leader of the council, Cllr John Williams amended the motion to take out the set amount of money the schools would need to donate, and instead replaced it with a meeting between two Conservative councillors, one Lib Dem and one Labour or Independent to discuss ideas as to how community benefits may be increased or extended.

Cllr Williams stated that each school is "ready and willing to participate".

Cllr Terry Beale dismissed the idea of a ten per cent donation for fears it was too "prescriptive".

Councillors voiced concerns that a six-monthly meeting would achieve very little and could act as just another "talking shop", to which Cllr Williams said the frequency could be amended if it is seen as necessary in the future.

A letter from King's College that was read out in the meeting stated: "We fundamentally believe we discharge our charitable duties to the fullest extent and are a hugely valuable resource to the town of Taunton and the wider community, a resource that would be materially threatened by the removable charitable status."

The councillors voted to approve Cllr Williams' amendment.