Bishop's Castle Annual Town Meeting 11/03/2008

MINUTES OF BISHOP’S CASTLE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY MARCH 11TH 2008 AT 8.00PM IN THE TOWN HALL

PRESENT:   Councillor Jim Gaffney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: M.Davidson Stanley, M.E.Holton, R.D.Wright, J.A.Magill, J.M.Carroll, M.. Furber, W.J.Morris, K.Pinches, Dr.G.N.St.J. Penney.
Six members of the public.
In attendance: Mrs M. Denton, Town Clerk.
Apologies were received from Cllrs Hird and Farr, and District Councillors Ellis and Phillips.

1. MATTERS ARISING FROM MEETING HELD ON 13TH MARCH 2007.
Item 2 a: The culvert has been cleared on Welsh St.
            b. The spring in Welsh St. still has not been attended to. ATC to contact Ian Rutherford.
            c. Piece of land adjacent to footpath from the Ridge to Grange Rd. Assurances have been received that no work has been authorised there.
            d. Success with the Hospital, indeed they are now embarking on a “makeover” in which some councillors are involved  The hospital has £250,000 to spend on this. Cllr. Dr G.N.St. J Penney, informed the meeting that they are also building up a fund for new equipment; whatever the final amount reaches will be match-funded by the NHS. So far  £11,000 has been collected. Anyone who wishes to see the Plans for the hospital, there is currently  an exhibition in the library.
            e  Unitary Authority. The District Council ceases to be at the end of March 09. There was some discussion as to why the Unitary Authority was imposed when there was a vote against. There may be some money available as a result of the District Council going. There should be a lot more local accountability.
            f Biomass incinerator /  generator. Planning Application was withrawn as the District Council wanted more information on supply of combustible material and whether it would come from renewable sources.  They were also concerned about the impact on local people, and whether there would be local contracts for material. As far as atmospheric tests were concerned, the nearest site at Shawbury could not be evaluated as it is too far away. The problem of heat and how it would be used up was un- answered as there was nothing in the original application.
            g Reducing the hours that street lights are kept on. A request was made that some lights, perhaps two thirds could be switched off at say 2 a m, this would be beneficial as  it reduces light pollution and  use of electricity. Some concern was expressed that vandalism and crime would rise with darkness. Perhaps we could do some research into the subject. The clerk to look into.
            h) Jonathan Greig Church Street.  Wondered why such things as plastic windows and satellite dishes were not included on planning applications especially in the conservation area. Clerk to pursue this with District Council.
            i) The Boars Head junction, although raised at the last meeting and generally thought to be odd, it is working .
            j) Cars parking on the pavements. This has been discussed at council meetings. September 11th 2007 A copy of the discussion is below:
9.  PARKING IN BISHOP’S CASTLE.
The Clerk read a letter from Phil Crossland, Assistant Director, Transport and Highways, Shropshire County Council suggesting that the only way to solve traffic problems in Bishop’s Castle is double yellow lines on Salop Street, Market Square, Welsh Street, Boars head junction and Station Street, enforced by ParkRight.  Also letters from the Police and fire Service to Mr Crossland.
Cllr. Stanley reported on the difficulties with parking in Market Square.
There was considerable discussion when the following comments were mad.
(i) Cllr. Stanley commented that the yellow lines were very confusing and that one can safely park on some yellow lines but in other areas with no yellow lines it is very dangerous to park.
(ii)  The Police are obliged to come out if there is an obstruction, especially if a car is parked on a white line.
(iii)  White lines are guide as to whether cars are at risk.
(iv)  Cllr. Magill felt double yellow lines were a good idea.
(v)  Cllr. Gaffney explained that Park Right enforce law indiscriminately.  People who park outside their house on the pavement in Welsh Street would be fined.
(vi)  It was generally felt that a single yellow line did not achieve anything.
(vii) It was commented that it is important for buses and the fire service to get through. 
Resolved  (a) Ask Mr Crossland to come to Bishop’s Castle to discuss the problems.
(b)  To ask for assistance from the local Police at the PACT meeting.
(c)  For a working group of Cllrs. Stanley, Magill, Pinches Gaffney and Carroll to walk the area and mark on the map where lines are, or are not required. Cllr. Stanley to organise.
Proposed by Cllr. Gaffney, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.

k) The idea to have setts at the top of High Street has been withdrawn
l) Blocked drains on High St and Church St: the situation  seems to be improving.

Heather Willis Bull Lane
Mrs Willis asked how houses can be built outside the planning envelope. The mayor explained that District Council policy is that if the plan is for 100% affordable houses, then they will give consent. It’s is called “exception” land and is very contentious. The scheme has been dropped in Craven Arms and Ludlow.
Mrs Willis asked about the arrangement for 50-50 planning which means that any plans submitted for new houses have to have a 50% affordable element .
Mrs Willis wondered why the planned new houses at Castle Green are L shaped, could this open the way to developing the rest of the field.
Mrs Willis would like to know what the District Council’s affordable housing policy is. The clerk will pursue this.

Jim Pratt Welsh St.
Mr Pratt  asked about the salt bins on Union St. about which nothing has happened. We put in a request for wooden ones. The clerk will pursue this.
The problem with broken play equipment is being dealt with.
There was then a discussion about the threat to Lydbury North School and general support for their very difficult situation.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm