Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 29/01/2008
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 29TH JANUARY AT 8.OO PM.
PRESENT Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Deputy Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, N. Hird, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill,
W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Resolved The following apology was accepted. Cllr. Gaffney. (Away on business)
Proposed by Cllr. Magill, seconded by Cllr.Farr.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllrs Carroll and Magill declared personal interests in item 6a as they have known the applicant as an acquaintance for many years.
Cllr. Stanley declared a personal interest in item 6a as the applicant is a personal friend.
Cllr. Dr. Penney declared a prejudicial interest in item 6a as the applicant is a neighbour and friend.
Cllr. Pinches declared a prejudicial interest in item 6a as he owns neighbouring property.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 4 - (Item 13) Crowgate recycling centre. A meeting has been arranged with Mr Hunter of Veolia Environmental Services, Shropshire for 3rd March 2008. Cllr. Wright pointed out that Veolia is only the contractor. The responsibility still lies with the District and County Councils.
Item 12 - A follow up letter has been received from Paul Sutton, Managing Director, South Shropshire Housing Association. Cllr. Dr. Penney noted that Mr Sutton promised to find out if there were any sanctions that could be used if it was found that the Housing Association had been deceived. All agreed a letter should be written to this effect. ATC
Other meetings:
A letter of acknowledgement has been received from the Definitive Map Orders Officer, Shropshire County Council regarding the footpath from Church Street to the Auction Yard.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:Councillors Pinches and Penney left the room and Councillor Carroll took the chair during this discussion.
a) 1/07/20188/F Erection of 12 x dwellings (including 6 x affordable dwellings); formation of vehicular and pedestrian access and alterations to existing vehicular access. Land to the rear of 34-36 High Street and Sumach, Station Street and land at Castle Green, Bishop’s Castle. Mr R Davies and Mrs J Davies. (Additional plans)
A letter of objection was read from the Civic Society.
Resolved An objection on the previous grounds. Proposed by Cllr. Magill and seconded by Cllr. Farr. ATC
Resolved A letter be sent to the Planning office requesting that information on heights of buildings and construction materials be supplied in future. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley, seconded by Cllr. Farr.
Councillors Pinches and Penney returned. ATC
b) Reports of Planning Applications.
1/07/20230/TC Tree works (conservation area) Felling of a leylandi.
Castle Cottage, 1 Castle Street, Bishop’s Castle. G Hamer.
Consent granted.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Cllr. Georgie Ellis reported on the following:
Schools closure programme.- The schools to be closed have now been named. Lydbury North is the closest school affected. It is to merge with Clunbury. There are petitions in the Town that can be signed.
Possible upgrading and refurbishing of the Town Hall toilets. Cllr. Ellis explained that she voted against the request for money for these toilets as she had no idea of costs involved. She explained there is money available in the District Council at present so it would be worth applying but more details need to be included.
Play area in Brick Meadow - This area is not to be upgraded. The money that would have been paid by the developer will go to somewhere else in the Town.
8. APPOINTMENT OF CLERK
Resolved To appoint Madeleine Denton as Town Clerk from 1.2.08 on the NALC recommended pay scales spinal column point 15. At the end of a three month probationary period consideration to be made whether the spinal column point should be increased.
Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney. Seconded by Cllr. Wright.
9. FUTURE DATES
Resolved Following dates for 2008
Annual Town Meeting - Tuesday 11th March
Annual Council Meeting - Tuesday 27th May
Mayors Sunday - Sunday 1st June or Sunday 8th June after consultation with Rev. Collins.
Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
10. PARKING IN BISHOP’S CASTLE
Parking problems in Bishop’s Castle were discussed and letters read from the Civic Society and Robert Gwyther. It was agreed that cars in parking places with “for sale” boards on them were a Police matter. It was also agreed that some publicity should be put in the newsletter requesting people who work in the Town to park in the car parks. The matter could not be discussed further as the agenda item was not specific, also, decisions on yellow lines have been made within the last six months. To be discussed further at the next meeting. Next Agenda
11. DONATION REQUESTS
a) Resolved Under section 137 of the Local Government Act to offer a grant of £92 to Crucial Crew. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Magill.
b) Resolved To write to the Shropshire Hills Shuttle Bus explaining there is no money in the budget at present for offers of financial assistance but suggesting they reapply after 1st April if the money is still required. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Wright.
12. FOOTPATH FROM BOWLING GREEN CLOSE TO BRICK MEADOW
Complaints have been received about the muddy condition of this footpath. The Clerk explained that the diversion of the footpath has been stalled because the developers of Brick Meadow require a large sum of money for the footpath to be diverted onto their land.
Resolved
a) To ask Morgans Solicitors if this Town Council can be kept informed of progress.
b) The Clerk to check with the County Council to see if the Brick Meadow Development roads and pavements have been adopted.
c) To write to Sue Howells, Brick Meadow residents representative suggesting the residents petition the County Council and the Developers for the footpath to be diverted speedily. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Carroll.
13. LIGHTING IN BULL LANE/CASTLE STREET
The Clerk explained that Central Networks are to put the cables fixed to the pole at the Castle Green/Wintles junction underground. Some of these cables feed the Town Council’s street lights in Bull Lane and Castle Street. Central networks will pay for the connection charges but the Town Council will have to pay for new columns.
Resolved (6 votes to 4) A letter to be sent to Wse Ltd, (representative for Central Networks) requesting a financial contribution for renewing the columns. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Holton.
Resolved Peter Emberton, Shropshire County Council be approached to draw up a lighting scheme for this area at an approximate cost of £1,000. The lighting will then be able to be upgraded to County Council standards and consequently adopted by the County Council. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
14. MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
Resolved To agree to South Shropshire District Council placing a block advertisement in the press to conform with legal requirement to notify the public of changes to the Code of Conduct. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Wright.
15. TOWN HALL TOILETS
Resolved To write to South Shropshire District Council requesting £60k to enable the Town Council to upgrade its public toilets. A plan of the intended Town Hall renovation to be included. To explain to the District Council that detailed quotes will follow. The Clerk to obtain three quotations for the work. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Magill.
16. UPKEEP OF WEBSITE
The design and upkeep of the web site was discussed. Mike Ashwell has done this free of charge in the past but now wishes to charge £500 per year. This would include improving the web site.
Resolved To enquire further from Mr Ashwell what this price includes and can it be reduced. To make enquiries of charges by other providers. To bring back to the next meeting. Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Dr Penney. ATC, Next Agenda
17. REPORT
OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
None
18a) CORRESPONDENCE.
(i) SCC - closure of Clun Bridge 11/2/08.
(ii) NHS Stone House redevelopment.
(iii) South Shropshire Housing Association - Properties at Drews Leasow. Two applicants for “local criteria” were considered. It was agreed a letter should be written to Paul Sutton pointing out that procedure (i) explained in his letter was not complied with
(iv) SALC courses for Councillors.
b) Circulation
(i) South Shropshire Police - Community Consultative Group.
(ii) Speaking Out
(iii) The Playing Field
The Deputy Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.