Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting
5th January 2010

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 5th JANUARY 2010 AT 8.OO PM.

Prior to the meeting Mr. Whatley outlined his suggestions for enhancements to bus services namely a local service linking up with the train station in Craven Arms and a later service into Shrewsbury, which would allow young people to make use of services in Shrewsbury.  He went on to say that he was waiting to arrange a meeting with the public transport section at Shropshire Council to discuss his proposals and to identify what funding is available.  It was agreed that Mr Whately should bring his proposals to a future meeting of the Council once he had spoken with the Council.

The Mayor then opened the meeting.

PRESENT           Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors:        J. M. Carroll, M. E. Holton, Dr St J Penney, M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.

In attendance:  Mr T Ward (Acting Town Clerk)

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Farr (family bereavement), Councillor J Gaffney (illness), Councillor N. Hird (holiday) Councillor J Magill (other commitment) and Councillor W.J. Morris (illness).

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Wright and duly resolved that the apologies be accepted

Unitary Councillor P. Phillips had also sent his apologies (unable to attend due to the weather)

2.  DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in items 8 and 15 as she lives and has a business attached to the Town Hall

Councillor Dr Penney declared a personal interest in item 6v as a member of the Castle Green Trust

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8th DECEMBER 2009

With the amendment of:
8.   Paragraph 2 amended to read, “It was proposed by Cllr Magill and seconded by Cllr Wright and duly resolved that the accounts listed below be approved”

It was proposed by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and duly resolved that the amended minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 8th December 2009 be signed by the Mayor as a true record.

4.  MATTERS ARISING

The Acting Clerk advised that the Unitary Councillor Mrs Kidd had requested that the subject of SpArc be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Community Services Scrutiny Panel with a view to holding a local scrutiny meeting on the matter at a later date.  Councillor Carroll informed the meeting that Unitary Councillor Phillips had written to Councillor Alan Moseley regarding the sale of land for the Biomass plant, the fact the Council seemed to be ignoring the Town Council’s wishes regarding the white lines and the fact that the units at Enterprise House had not been let and that these matters would be discussed at a meeting of the Development Control Scrutiny Panel on the 26 January.  Councillor Dr Penney offered to represent the Council at this meeting.

Councillor Stanley informed the meeting that the Clerk had written to Shropshire Council with regard to the installation of a bin outside the Co-Op and had subsequently found an email following a request from the previous Clerk informing the Council that a bin would not be installed.

The Acting Clerk informed the meeting that an email had been received from Glyn Shaw informing the Council that a review of the signage on Union Street had been carried out and that the present signage was considered adequate.

Councillor Carroll enquired whether anything had happened following the request for no footway signs either side of the Cottage Farm.  It was agreed that the Clerk should chase this up with the highways department.

5.   MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK

There were no members of the public present

 6.   TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:

1. The following Planning applications were considered: -

The Clerk advised the meeting that application   09/03445/FUL had been withdrawn and the proposals fell within permitted development and planning permission was not needed.

Councillor Stanley expressed concern regarding the proposals to cut trees in the conservation area.  She went on to say that she felt that the wires should be put underground within the Conservation Area

1. 09/03706/TCA - To side reduce one Larch and one Ash by 2m to provide 2m clearance from electrical cables in Bishop’s Castle Conservation Area.  Malt House, 20 Welsh Street.

It was proposed by Councillor Stanley and seconded by Cllr Dr Penney that the Council object to the proposal due to the effect on the Conservation area

1.   09/03707/TCA -  Silver Birch  x 1 – side reduce providing a clearance from electric cables. Creeper – removal from wall of The Laurels providing a safety clearance from electric cables. The Laurels, 23 Welsh Street.

It was proposed by Councillor Stanley and seconded by Cllr Dr Penney that the Council object to the proposal due to the effect on the Conservation area

1.   09/03445/FUL - Erection of extensions to dwelling.  7 Corporation Street.

This application had been withdrawn

1.   09/03904/TCA - Top two Ash Trees to a height of 8 feet from the ground in Bishop’s Castle Conservation area.  11 New Street.

Cllr Holton informed the meeting that the applicant wished to carry out this work as the trees in question were very large and cut a lot of light out of her garden.

It was proposed by Councillor Dr Penney and seconded by Cllr Holton that the Council has no objection to the proposal

1.   09/03851/TCA – To crown reduce/draw back by 2m from overhead cables the branches of various trees on Castle Green and Castle Street.

Cllr Dr Penney informed the meeting that there was already permission in place to carry out a lot of the work proposed but that and that this application was to carry out a little additional work.

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Cllr Holton that the Council has no objection to the proposal

b) Reports of Planning Applications.

1. 09/03227/CPE – 21 High Street. Certificate of existing lawful use granted.

7.  ACCOUNTS –
a) Councillors considered the schedule of accounts for payment.

It was proposed by Cllr Dr Penney and seconded by Cllr Carroll and duly resolved that the accounts listed below be approved

           
8. TOWN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT
Having declared a prejudicial interest Councillor Stanley left the meeting
Councillor Dr Penney commented that he was under the impression that the order for the work on the Town Hall roof had already been placed.  Councillor Carroll informed him that the work listed was extra to that already agreed on the roof.
Councillor Wright commented that the Council had a contract with South Shropshire Roofing for the repairs to the roof but that he was uncertain about the other work required.
Councillor Carroll informed the meeting that Mr Napier had offered to draw up a schedule of works required to enable the Council to go out to tender for the work
Councillor Dr Penney suggested that when drawing up the schedule of works Mr Napier should have sight of the existing work to be carried out on the roof to ensure that there is no duplication
It was proposed by Councillor Dr Penney and Seconded by Councillor Carroll and duly resolved that Mr Napier be asked to draw up a schedule of works having had sight of the existing schedule of work for the roof repairs and that the schedule be brought to the next meeting of the Council for approval prior to tenders being sought.
Councillor Stanley rejoined the meeting
9. TO ADOPT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
It was proposed by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and duly Resolved that the Health and Safety Policy be adopted
10. TO ADOPT THE RISK ASSESSMENT
It was proposed by Councillor Holton and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and duly Resolved that the Risk Assessment schedule be adopted
11. TO APPROVE THE BUDGET
It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and duly Resolved that the Budget for 2010 - 2011 as circulated be approved
12. PRECEPT
It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and duly Resolved that the precept for the 2010 – 2011 financial year remain at £44,320.
13. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
a) Councillor Wright informed the meeting that he agreed with the setting up of a personnel committee but felt that the membership of the committee should be on the agenda for the next meeting when hopefully more members would be in attendance.  Councillor Carroll commented that anyone serving on the Committee should be willing to undergo training and it was agreed that the Clerk should investigate what training was available.
It was proposed by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Stanley and Resolved that Personnel/Staffing Committee should be established, the membership of the committee being agreed at the next meeting of the Council
b) It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Wright and duly Resolved  that the disciplinary procedure and grievance procedure policies be agreed with the following additions: -
i) that local mediation be included as an optional stage in the procedures and
ii) and that there should be a clause that allows for the option not to pursue a complaint or deal with it informally
14. STREET LIGHTING

1. Councillor Carroll informed the meeting that the problems with the lights in Montgomery Road and Kerry Green had been exacerbated by a number of lights not working but that these had been resolved.  She went on to say that several of the residents had requested that the street lighting be improved.

Councillor Holton expressed concern that the lighting repair contractors were not fulfilling their duties.  Councillor Carroll commented that the Clerk was looking into this.
It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Stanley and resolved that Shropshire Council be asked to draw up a lighting scheme for Montgomery Road and Kerry Green

1. Councillor Dr Penney informed the meeting that the contractors developing the new bungalows had removed a light and were apparently not going to replace it.

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and resolved that the Council write to the Contractor and the Housing Association requesting that the light is replaced
15. SCHEME TO MAKE ENVIRONMENT OF TOWN HALL MORE USER FRIENDLY
Having declared a prejudicial interest Councillor Stanley left the meeting
Councillor Carroll informed the meeting that some preliminary work had been done but the Council need to ask Shropshire Council to draw up a formal scheme.
It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Wright and duly resolved that Shropshire Council be requested to draw up a formal scheme to enhance the environs of the Town Hall
Councillor Stanley rejoined the meeting

16. DATES OF MEETINGS FOR 2010
It was proposed by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Dr Penney and resolved that the dates for ordinary meetings of the Council as circulated be agreed.

It was proposed by Councillor Dr Penney and seconded by Councillor Wright and resolved that the dates for other meeting of the Council as circulated be agreed.

17.  CORRESPONDENCE

a) Big Lottery Fund – notification of grant received
b) Shropshire Council – Emergency Planning Briefing there was not interest expressed by Councillors.
 

There being no further business the mayor closed the meeting at 9.00pm