MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL, HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 6TH MARCH 2001 AT 8.00PM

PRESENT: Councillor P.B. Jones, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J.L.V. Blundell, J.M. Carroll, J.A. Magill, G.N. St J. Penney, K.E.C. Pinches and R.D. Wright.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies received from Councillors Bedell, Kinmond, Lawrence, Morris and Whittall.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 6TH FEBRUARY 2001:
Minutes of the Council Meetings held on Tuesday 6th February, having been circulated were proposed as a true record by Cllr Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr Blundell, approved and signed by The Mayor.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.

4. MATTERS ARISING:
Item 5: The application for erection of buildings to form a livestock market was scheduled for consideration at the meeting of Montgomeryshire Planning Committee being held on 2nd March. This meeting had been cancelled owing to the Foot & Mouth outbreak and as yet no new date has been arranged.
Item 10: A letter from Mr Rutherford was read. He accepts the need for items 1, 3 and 4 of Ian Wall's letter (repairs to road surface and white lines) to improve the safety of Kerry Lane. However, item 2 (priority to uphill traffic) could induce faster traffic speed and Glyn Shaw has been asked to investigate this suggestion.
Item 11: No response has been received from Severn Trent. Cllr Wright asked for this to be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Mr Ray Pahl, Chairman of the Community Forum, reported that following the public meeting in January, 93 replies were received, the overwhelming majority complaining about traffic congestion and speed. As a result three options have been drawn up by S.S.C. - purely initial ideas, which will be discussed at the Public meeting planned for Tuesday 20th March. At this meeting a further questionnaire will be given out. The Developers of The Wintles also hope to give a statement. Mr Pahl has been advised that funds will be available to finance a scheme, which ought to initially be temporary, for a period of six or twelve months, but it is vital that it has local support. Information packs produced by S.C.C. will be available from the Library from next week. He suggested that the Town Council has a representative on the Steering Group. Cllr Carroll felt that the Council should not make any decision about a scheme until we have carefully considered the options put forward by S.C.C. and Cllr Dr Penney proposed that after the Forum meeting on the 20th the Council should meet to consider its preferred scheme, seconded by Cllr Wright and approved. Miss J. Davies, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade has sent a letter to the Council, which was circulated with the Agenda and a copy was given to Mr Pahl.

6. TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/01/11878/F Planning Permission (full) for erection of ancillary building (for storage) (delegated matter). Unit 1a Bishop's Castle Business Park, Crowgate Child Centre. Cllr Blundell proposed that the Council objects to a permanent extension in block work to a temporary building and that there should be a pitched roof similar to that on the Veterinary Surgery, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved.
b) No further plans have been received.
c) The following Planning Reports have been received since the last meeting:
1/00/11087/F & 1/00/11089/LB 13 Market Square, Bishop's Castle. Mr and Mrs R.J. Lennox, change of use from Class A1 to Class A3 food and drink. An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State in respect of the above. Any comments made following the original application have been forwarded to the Department and will be taken into account by the Inspector in deciding the appeal.

1/00/11448/RR Approval of Reserved Matters. Siting, access and landscaping associated with 40 dwellings. Land off Welsh Street and Castle Green, Bishop's Castle. The Living Village Trust. A letter from the Bishop's Castle Civic Society was read, who think that the road linking Welsh Street to Castle Street should be constructed before any building work commences in order that residents of Welsh Street do not have to tolerate the construction traffic in an already congested part of the Town.
1/00/11761/F Planning Permission granted for change of Use of dwelling C3 to retail A1, 3 Market Square, Bishop's Castle. Ms B.E. Craig.

7. ACCOUNTS:

8. DATES OF ANNUAL MEETINGS:
1. Private meeting of members of the Council: Cllr Wright proposed this should be held prior to the next Council meeting, on Tuesday 3rd April at 7.30p.m., seconded by Cllr Blundell and approved.
2. Annual Town Meeting: Cllr Wright proposed this is held on Tuesday 24th April at 8.00 p.m., seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. Cllr Carroll asked the Clerk to arrange plenty of publicity, to encourage as many members of the public as possible. It was suggested that several short speakers, with opportunity for questions, rather than just one, would make the meeting more interesting. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr W. Jones, SSDC, (drainage scheme) and Mr M. Corfield, Chairman of E.S.W.S.
3. Annual Council Meeting: It was proposed this is held on Tuesday 15th May at 8.00 pm.
4. Mayor's Sunday Service: In the past this has been held on either the first or second Sunday in June. The Mayor thought that to fit in with other services Sunday 10th June would be preferable. Clerk to contact Rev K. Collins to confirm. The Clerk was also asked to contact The Cadets, to give them as much notice as possible, as in the last few years the date had clashed with their annual camp.
9. REVIEW OF MAYOR'S ALLOWANCE:
The Mayor's Allowance is £250 for the current year. Cllr Blundell felt this figure is too low and does not reflect the time that has to put into this position. Cllr Jones run through some of the items she had spent her allowance on. Cllr Dr Penney proposed an increase of £25, to £275, seconded by Cllr Magill. Cllr Carroll proposed an amendment, that the Allowance is increased by £100 to £350, seconded by Cllr Blundell. The amendment had 2 votes for and 5 votes against, the proposition was approved.
10. REVIEW OF SALARIES:
1. Part -time Cleaner, Town Hall: The salary is currently £882 per annum, the hours are flexible, but approximately four hours to be worked each week. Cllr Dr Penney proposed an increase of 5%, rounding it up to £930 per annum, with effect from 1st April, seconded by Cllr Wright and approved.
2. Street Cleaner: Currently paid £3.80 per hour, for approximately one hour per week. Cllr Dr Penney proposed this is increased to £4.10 per hour from 1st April, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved.
3. Clerk: The Clerk is part-time, working approximately 10 - 12 hours per week, as and when required. The current salary is £2,890. Cllr Magill proposed an increase of 5%, rounding it up to £3,050 per annum, with effect from 1st April 2001, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved.
11. REVIEW OF RENT FOR TOWN HALL:
Rents were reviewed last year and increased by 2.5%. Details of current rents were considered and The Mayor proposed that the fruit & veg stall is increased to £25.00 per week and all others to £5.00 per week, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved. Cllr Carroll proposed that the daily charge for the Flea Market and Record Fair are increased from £20.00 to £30.00, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved. Cllr Dr Penney proposed the charge for use of the Council Chamber for Inquests is increased from £15.00 to £20.00, seconded by Cllr Pinches and approved.

13. TRAFFIC IN THE HIGH STREET: Dealt with under item 5.

14. CRUCIAL CREW:
A letter from Mrs Bayliss, Headteacher of the Primary School was read. Crucial Crew is a day for Year 6 children designed to help develop personal awareness and self assetiveness. Several agencies are involved including West Mercia Police, N.F.U., N.H.S., St John's Ambulance, Shropshire County Council, Tarmac and Trading Standards. Unfortunately the demand for places is high and last year Bishop's Castle was not selected. However, places have been allocated this year and a request for support towards the cost of transport for the 27 children is requested. Cllr Blundell proposed a donation of £2, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

15. FOOTPATHS:
A) Diversion of footpath 45: This was applied for in 1996 as the path crosses the Timber Yard. Objections were made by this Council and The Ramblers Association. The work requested has now been carried out and the Council have been asked if they will remove their objection. However, the correspondence from S.S.D.C. has not arrived. It was proposed this is on the Agenda for the next meeting. AGENDA NEXT MEETING
B) Footpath number 17: The Council's attention has been brought to the poor state of the footpath joining Church Lane with The Pines. The tarmac path is now completely overgrown and the path is very wet and muddy, making it impossible for visitors to The Pines to use this shortcut and they now have to use the main road to get into and out of Town. Cllr Carroll thought that some time ago there were plans to resurface this path and proposed that the Clerk contacts The Pines Trust to enquire about the progress of this project. ACTION TOWN CLERK

16. STREET LIGHTING:

a) Church Lane: The Street Lighting Committee had met with residents of Church Lane to discuss the inadequate lighting. Cllr Carroll reported that Church Lane is very dark and certainly needs additional lights as well as up-grading some of the existing ones and suggested that some improvements are carried over the next two years or so. The Clerk was asked to contact M.E.B. for an estimate. ACTION TOWN CLERK

c) Kerry Lane: The Street Lighting Committee had met to discuss Babtie's design for Kerry Lane and in order to understand the reasons for placing some of the lights in the proposed places it was suggested that a member of Babtie is invited to meet members of the Committee to discuss. ACTION TOWN CLERK

17. PLAYING FIELD:

a) Grass Cutting: Four companies have been approached for a tender to cut the grass in the Playing Field this year, but unfortunately S.S.D.C. have advised that they are not in a position to tender and only one tender has been received. The Clerk was asked to contact Frank and John Thomas and the Bateson Brothers prior to the next meeting. It was also suggested that the Cricket Club are asked who cuts their grass. ACTION TOWN CLERK

b) Skate Board Area: Mr Tim Evans and Mrs Debbie Lewis had been with the Youth Bus and a number of Skate Boarders on the Playing Field on Saturday 3rd March to show people a video they have made about skate boarding and the clay model of the Playing Field that they have made. Members of the public and particularly those living in the vicinity of the Playing Field were welcome to go along and ask questions about the proposed skate boarding area.
Spare soil: Cllr Dr Penney pointed out that the large pile of soil against Mr and Mrs Allwood's fence should be moved, either spread out over the field to level it out or removed completed. Noted, but no action decided at present.

18. RECORD FAIR - BANNER:
The Clerk reported that the plastic banner advertising the Record Fair had been removed from the Town Hall during the week-ending 21st January. The owner would be grateful for its return and if anyone knows where the banner is could they arrange to return it to the Clerk or leave it at the Town Hall. It was felt the banner should not be left on the building all of the week prior to a Record Fair as it has in the past, and if it is found they should be asked to only put it out on the day of a Record Fair.

19. TOWN HALL: - To be dealt with at the end of the meeting.
Kitchen: When the estimate for decorating the Town Hall was made the kitchen had not been included. It now looks very dirty in comparison with the rest of the building and Roger Morris has advised that he has sufficient paint left over to paint it, the additional time for cleaning, preparing and painting would cost £120.00. Cllr Carroll proposed that the kitchen is painted, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and approved.
Clock: The Town Hall clock has not been working for some time now. Cllr Blundell reported that the chiming is not working and Mr Burkhill has been contacted. In the meantime Cllr Blundell will wind the clock.
First Aid Kit: Friends of Bishop's Castle Library recently hired the Town Hall for two days in order to hold childrens book-making craft events and had asked about a First Aid Kit. The Clerk advised that we do not have one and felt that perhaps there should be one available. Cllr Wright proposed that the Clerk contacts S.S.D.C. to enquire if it is necessary and if so one should be purchased, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK
Cupboard under stairs: Yet again, this is now full of empty boxes, papers and rubbish. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that as it has been noted in the past that this is a fire hazard a padlock should be put on the door, so the cupboard can only be used as a store and by the cleaner, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. The Clerk to contact Cllr Morris.
ACTION TOWN CLERK
Mayor's Fund: The Mayor would like to hold a Coffee Morning in the Council Chamber in aid of the Mayor's Fund. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that the Mayor should be offered free use of the Council Chamber, seconded by Cllr Pinches and approved.

20. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS:
The Mayor had attended a meeting of the Chapel Yard Heritage Archive Group on 12th February. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated. On the 16th May it is planned to hold an official Opening Ceremony. There will be an annual Affiliation Fee of £25.00 per group. The Mayor asked if a second Representative could be appointed for meetings that she is unable to attend. It was proposed that as Cllr Lawrence is a member of the Group, then she would be able to report information back to the Council should The Mayor not be in attendance.
At 10.00 p.m. it was proposed that the meeting is closed and all correspondence is circulated to Councillors:
21. CORRESPONDENCE:.

a) Rev K. Collins: Request to use The Square for two events as it is such a good focal and gathering point at the to of the Town. Sunday 8th April at 10.30 am to assemble for the Annual Palm Sunday Procession to Church. Also Friday 13th April at 12 noon for a short service of worship, humns and prayers, lasting 15 minutes.

b) S.S.D.C.: Best Value Performance Plan 2001/2002: By law this document has to be produced, outlining plans for the future and past performance, to ensure the community is better informed about the work that SSDC do. A copy has been placed on the SSDC website

c) DETR Draft model Code of Conduct Consultation Paper, final proposals on general principles of conduct: Part III of the Local Government Act 2000, introduces a new ethical framework for local government, designed to secure high standards of conduct in public life. Summary outlines the main features. Closing date for responses is 27th April.

d) S.C.C.: South Shropshire County Area Panel: Next meeting will be held on 15th March at 7.30 p.m. at Lacon Child School, Cleobury Mortimer.

e) S.C.C. Working together 2: Invitation to the second library service seminar aimed at District, Town and Parish Councils, Friends Groups and other partners, will be held on Saturday 17th March at Shirehall Council Chamber, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, following by a buffet lunch. There will be no charge.

f) S.S.D.C.: Emergency Information: A proposed format for reporting incidents during an Emergency situation, intended to relay information to the District Council quickly and briefly. Comments or queries welcome.

g) S.C.C. Closure of footpaths and rights of way and general advice regarding the outbreak of Foot and Mouth.

h) The Wasteless Society: Newletter, issue No 6, February 2001.

i) S.C.C. The Shropshire Welfare Benefits Take Up Campaign: Now in it's third year, to encourage any elderly or disabled who may be missing out on their entitlement to benefit.

j) South Shropshire Area Committee: Minutes of meeting held on Monday 8th January 2001.

k) Residents of Corricks Rise: Disturbances caused by neighbours.