MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL, HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2001 AT 8.00PM
PRESENT: Councillor G.N. St J. Penney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: S.J.S. Bedell, J.M. Carroll, J.L.V. Blundell, B.P. Jones,
E.A. Lawrence, C.T.E. Kinmond, K.E.C. Pinches, J.A.J. Whittall and R.D. Wright.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies received from Cllrs Magill and Morris.

2. MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 16TH OCTOBER 2001:
Cllr Carroll pointed out that on item 4. it was S.S.D.C. not the 'Tourism Group' which are reconsidering this suggestion. Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th October, having been circulated and taking into account this correction, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Blundell, seconded by Cllr Carroll, approved and signed by The Mayor.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Cllrs Blundell and Whittall declared a direct pecuniary interest on item 18 and declared an interest associated with membership of an outside body on items 7 and 8. Cllr Jones declared a non-pecuniary interest on item 6.a. Cllr Carroll declared an interest associated with membership of an outside body on item 8.

4. MATTERS ARISING:
Item 6.d: The Clerk reported that there is a copy on file of the approved revised plans for 11 dwellings on Oak Meadow.
Item 9: Cllr Carroll has sent a diagram of the footpath in Oak meadow to Mr Jones, SSDC.
Item 12: A letter from The Headmaster and The Mayor has been sent to parents of students at the Community College. Comments are invited and these will be analysed in due course.
Item 18.c: Letter from Matthew Green MP supporting the Bishop's Castle Arts & Sports Project and forwarding concerns to the Minister of State for the Arts.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: None.

6. TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/01/12763/F Planning Permission (full). Erection of extension to dwelling. The View, Cabin, Bishop's Castle. Mr and Mrs Millard. Cllr Jones took no part of the discussion. Cllr Carroll proposed No Objection, seconded by Cllr Whittall and approved.
b) 1/01/12809/F Planning Permission (full). Erection of ancillary domestic outbuilding. 44 Union Street, Bishop's Castle. S.M. Cooper. Cllr Blundell proposed No Objection, seconded by Cllr Jones and approved.
c) 1/01/12802/F Planning Permission (full) for conversion of Agricultural building to offices and formation of vehicular and pedestrian access. Barn to rear of 5-7 Castle Green, Bishop's Castle Living Villages (Bishop's Castle) and 1/0112803/CA Conservation Area Consent. Cllr Carroll proposed No Objection, providing there is provision for adequate parking for staff and visitors, seconded by Cllr Blundell.
d) The following Planning Reports have been received since the last meeting:
1) 1/01/12590/F Planning Permission granted and 1/01/12591/LB Listed Building Consent granted for alteration to commercial premises. 10 Market Square, Bishop's Castle. Melcourt Farms Ltd.
2) 1/01/12633/F Planning Permission granted for change of use agricultural land to domestic curtilage. Land at rear of Meadow Brook, Colebatch, Bishop's Castle. Mr and Mrs J.H. Wakelam.
3) 1/01/12649/F Planning Permission granted for erection of extension to dwelling. 7 The Cabin, Bishop's Castle. Miss N. Curtis.
4) 1/01/11914/LB Refusal of Listed Building Consent and 1/01/11913/F Refusal of Planning Permission for Alterations and extension to Public House. Re-advertised, amended details. Crown & Anchor Vaults, High Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr R. Sidebottom.
e) Internally illuminated signs in the Town: On 23rd October The Deputy Mayor and Clerk with Cllrs Bedell, Blundell, Kinmond, Lawrence and Whittall walked Church Street and High Street to look at the various signs that had been mentioned at a previous meeting. There are a number that although not internally illuminated appear to be made of non-traditional materials, particularly the large corporate businesses. Councillors are concerned about the inconsistency of what signs are permitted in the Conservation Area and what are not. Cllr Carroll proposed a letter is sent to the Conservation Officer for clarification, seconded by Cllr Blundell and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

7. ACCOUNTS:
In addition to the invoices listed on the Agenda the following invoices have been received:
Royal British Legion - Poppy Wreath - £17.75
A. Burkhill - clock key - £25.85
J. Blundell and J. Whittall - removing lights in Corporation Street and re-instating tarmac and landscaping - £110
Cllr Wright proposed that all accounts presented are approved for payment, seconded by Cllr Pinches and approved.
Copy of Press Briefing from SSDC regarding Council Tax increases caused by Government Underfunding has been received and it was reported that all Councillors had seen a copy.

8. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
Twelve requests for donations were discussed and following individual consideration Cllr Wright proposed that the following donations are made, seconded by Cllr Lawrence and approved:
· Citizens Advice Bureau - £283
· South Shropshire Furniture Scheme - £100
· TESS - £25
· Axis Counselling - £25
· Oncology Services RSH - nil
· Arthritis Care - nil
· Bishop's Castle & District Dial-a-ride - £250
· South Shropshire Women's Aid - £50 when charitable status has been obtained.
· Shropshire & Mid Wales Hospice - nil
· The Pines Trust for footpath - £500 when work commences.
· Crucial Crew - £75
· Christmas Lights Festival - £200 - The Mayor gave credit to those volunteers, including Cllrs Whittall and Blundell, who have worked so hard to make this Festival a success and spent many hours over recent weeks putting up the Christmas lights.

9. FARMERS MARKET:
The first Farmer's Market held on Saturday 10th November had been a success and stallholders and the public had expressed the hope that further Markets would be arranged. Cllr Carroll had suggested Saturday 15th December, but unfortunately the Town Hall was already booked on that date. It is proposed in 2002 a Farmers Market is held on the third Saturday of each month from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. The Mayor thanked Cllr Carroll and the Clerk for organising this event.
It was suggested that a banner could be erected on the Boar's Head crossroads 'Market Today in Town Hall' which could be used on Fridays and Saturdays. The Clerk was asked to investigate prices.
Friday Market: It is noticeable in recent months that trade at the Friday Market is declining. Cllrs Carroll, Lawrence and The Clerk met with stall holders 9th November to discuss how trade might be improved. It was felt that advertising might help and The Shropshire Journal and Star could perhaps be asked to run a piece about these Markets. Efforts should be made to have all stalls near the Town Hall and it would be advantageous if the two stalls which are often found lower down in Church Street would move up. Cllr Blundell proposed that advice about this should be sought from SSDC, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. Mrs Burkhill had decided not to continue with her stall, so the Clerk was asked to approach the people on the waiting list for a stall.

10. PLAYING FIELD:
Use of field as Camp-site: Mrs S. Vowles has requested use of the Playing Field as a campsite during the week-end of 24th, 25th and 26th May for a mini Folk Festival which is being organised via the Tourism Group. This is a non profit making event which will involve music in the pubs over the week-end. They will need a water supply and there will be a team of stewards to organise security. The Mayor proposed a charge of £20 per day, with a deposit of £50.00, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. . The terms that apply to this agreement were agreed: All tents to be removed by Sunday evening. All rubbish to be removed by organisers. Toilets to be removed as soon as possible after event finishes. Arrangements should be made with the Bowling Club for a water supply and they need to liaise with them regarding the cost. The deposit to be returned when toilets have been removed and the field has been inspected.
Bike Track: Two letters were read complaining about noise, foul language and other problems from youngsters using the bike track. Cllr Whittall proposed that these complaints are considered after we have heard from Ms Seymore on the progress of the skate board area.

11. L. SEYMORE, SOUTH SHROPSHIRE YOUTH FORUM: Ms Seymore did not attend the meeting.

12. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT:
Mr Drummond was pleased to receive the Council's broad support of the proposed scheme. He appreciates the reasons for the decision against having the planters. The request for concrete or stone troughs outside the cash machines cannot be met as there is inadequate width to provide a trough and still have footway space for a pair of pedestrians, a pushchair or wheelchair. He is also optimistic about the robustness of the bollards and hopes the scheme proposed will achieve a realistic and effective trial. Mr Pahl has written to The Mayor and suggested a meeting between the Forum Steering Group and the Council to discuss the Traffic Management Scheme, but as the work has commenced this week it was felt this would not be necessary at the present time.

13. FLOODING AND DRAINAGE:
Mr B. Edwards has sent to the Council a copy of a letter he has sent to Severn Trent, S.S.D.C. and S.C.C. about his property flooding during a heavy rain storm on 19th October. Water and sewerage flooded through the back and front door of the Tan House and water/sewerage was coming up a man hole cover outside No 3 Church Street. A similar situation occured a year ago during heavy rain and nothing had been done to prevent it happening again. Councillors recalled that the pipe from the Church to the sewerage work was never replaced and perhaps during abnormal rainfall the existing pipe is not large enough. Cllr Blundell also thought that if the brook by the Six Bells and the gulley in Grange Gardens were on a regular schedule for cleaning out and maintenance and the camber of the road was looked at, the situation could be improved. Cllr Blundell proposed that a letter is sent to Severn Trent, S.S.D.C., S.C.C. with a copy to the M.P. and The Environment Agency, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

14. DISTRICT COUNCIL OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE:
During the flooding on 19th October Mr Edwards had tried unsuccessfully to ring the emergency number of S.S.D.C. and was only able to contact an ansaphone. He eventually rang the Chairman of S.S.D.C. in the middle of the night. The Mayor reported that S.S.H.A. are paid to take emergency messages on behalf of S.S.D.C. and it is not satisfactory that there is only an ansaphone in an emergency situation. It was proposed by The Mayor that a letter should be sent to Mr W. Jones requesting that the emergency number should be manned by the person on duty, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

15. TOWN HALL:
Letter from Mr M. Newall was read to the Council. The Mayor and Clerk are meeting Mr Wheatley, Tenbury Wells on 21st November and Mr Ratcliff of Oswestry hopes to be coming to Bishop's Castle in the next few weeks. The Mayor will report back at the next meeting the outcome of these meetings.

16. 18 BANKS HEAD, BISHOP'S CASTLE:
Snows have sent the engrossment of the Transfer in relation to Ivy House, Banks Head. It was agreed that The Mayor should sign and seal this as the Council had already approved the tranfer in March 2000.

17. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES:
Cllrs Magill and Morris were to have attended the meeting at the Community College on 22nd October 'What's the Future for Small Villages', but unfortunately neither were present to give a report. NEXT MEETING
Cllr Jones attended a meeting of the Chapel Yard Archive on 15th October, the minutes of which will be circulated in due course. It had been reported that running costs are estimated to be £2,000 per annum and partnership societies were asked if they would be prepared to organise a fund raising event. Cllr Blundell proposed that the Council should consider giving a donation rather than organise a fund raising event. A questionaire was completed.

18. STREET LIGHTING:
a) Kerry Lane: The Clerk has contacted Mr D'Alesio at S.C.C. for advice about the design drawn up by Babtie for Kerry Lane as Babtie no longer have the contract with S.C.C. Mr D'Alesio offered to have a look at the plans and the comments raised at the meeting with Babtie and Cllr Carroll proposed that they are sent to him. ACTION TOWN CLERK
b) Councillors Blundell and Whittall left the room while this matter was considered. It was suggested at a previous meeting that the two lights removed from Corporation Street could be erected in the Playing Field, Cllrs Blundell and Whittall had said they could erect both lights for £100 plus materials, which would be in the region of £25 - £30. Cllr Carroll proposed this is approved, seconded by Cllr Jones and approved.

19. CORRESPONDENCE:.
a) Ms V. Pryce: Letter read regarding continuing problems with her neighbour, which have not been resolved. A year ago she was asked by S.S.H.A. to keep a diary of incidents, which she has done, but no action has been taken and on telephoning the Housing Association she is consistently advised that no-one is available to discuss this with her and her calls are not returned. The Clerk reported that when this Council requested a meeting with the Association to discuss this matter the Housing Association did not respond. Councillors felt this is a disgraceful situation and entirely unacceptable. The Clerk was asked to write to the Housing Association and request the name and address of The Regulator and send the correspondence from this to the District Council representative on the Board of the Housing Association. ACTION TOWN CLERK

b) South Shropshire Housing Association: Annual Review 2000. CIRCULATE
c) Shropshire Health Authority: Shifting the Balance of Power in Shropshire. Consultation document setting out proposals for the establishment of a Primary Care Trust for Shropshire. The extension of services anticipated to be provided by the Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust and the dissolution of Shropshire Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust. CIRCULATE
d) BUZZ: The newsletter of the Community Council of Shropshire. CIRCULATE
e) West Mercia Police Authority: Joint Policing Plan 2001/2002, Performance Plan 2000/2005 and Annual Report 2000/01
CIRCULATE
f) DEFRA Quality Parish and Town Councils: A Consultation Paper, setting out proposals for a model charter covering relations between all parish & Town councils and their principle authorities and how the quality concept will work. Closing date for consultation is 14th February. CIRCULATE
g) Mr M. Reid, Project Worker for the West Midlands Capacity Building Project. As part of his role of providing training opportunities for rural communities Mr Reid is hoping to organise training events on the planning system for representatives from parish councils. CIRCULATE
h) NALC: The new National Training Strategy will help support the work of every council. It will build on existing training provision and develop current best practice to provide a programme that meets the competency requirements for Quality Parish status throughout the country. CIRCULATE
i) Telford & Wrekin Council: Passenger Transport Partnership Conference. To be held on 20th November at the Charlton Arms Hotel, Wellington in place of the Joint Passenger Transport Forum. Councillors wishing to attend to contact the Clerk who has an application form.
J) South Shropshire Access Group: Agenda for AGM to be held on 20th November at the Bishops Mascall Centre, Ludlow and minutes of the previous AGM held on 21st November 2000.
k) Matthew Green MP: Copy of a letter sent to Montgomeryshire Planning Officer objecting to the planning application for the erection of buildings to form a livestock market at Churchstoke.
l) Mr Lewis, Community College: A meeting has been arranged at the College Library for 6.00 pm Thursday 29th November regarding the possible twinning between Bishop's Castle and St Marcel. It is hoped there is sufficient interest to set up a Committee with a view to fostering links and establishing a full twinning status between the two towns. The Mayor agreed to attend.
m) County Councillor P. Phillips: a) Public Conveniences - The decision has been taken to close one set and the Council will need to consider which they would prefer to keep open. The D.C. will be contacting the Council in due course with the details. b) Arts & Sports grants - decision on these has been postponed, a list of past grants was provided to indicate the impact the loss of these grants would have. Many groups will not be able to get match funding without SSDC pump priming.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.