MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 3rd MAY 2005 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. Blundell, R. A. Evans, S.A. Farr, J.E. Gaffney, N. Hird,
J.A. Magill, W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, K.E.C. Pinches and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince, Town Clerk.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. M. Davidson - Stanley, Cllr. W. J. Morris

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a personal interest in item 6a as Norman and Rosie Reid are B & B colleagues.
Cllr. Farr declared a personal interest in item 6c as his wife works with Mr Ashwell.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared a prejudicial interest in item 6c as Mr Ashwell is a good friend.
Cllr Carroll declared a prejudicial interest in item 16 as she rents land along Laburnum Alley.
Cllr. Blundell declared a prejudicial interest in item 12 as he is the street lighting contractor for the Town Council.

Cllr. Wright proposed that, in view of the number of residents in attendance, item 7 be brought forward and discussed next. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

7. SOUTH SHROPSHIRE HOUSING ASSOCIATION PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OFF GRANGE ROAD.
The proposed new build scheme involves the building of
7 homes for affordable rent.
6 homes for shared ownership tenures.
7 homes for equity mortgage.
It would involve the demolition of an existing house and community centre.
The demolished house will be replaced and a site allocated that could potentially accommodate a community centre.
After much discussion Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter be sent to George Stoyan of South Shropshire Housing Association making the following points:-
a) When the idea of affordable housing was discussed by the Mayor and Deputy with Mr Biggs and Cllr. Heather Kidd it was envisaged various sites around the Town, each having 8 - 10 houses would best suit the needs of Bishop's Castle. Larger developments can have adverse affects on local residents, traffic, services and loss of amenity.
b) The Town Council sees no reason why a development in this area cannot be via Church Lane. Grange Road is a cul-de sac and residents believe they already suffer too much from traffic movements.

c) The proposed demolition of the community centre with no define plans to rebuild has caused great consternation among residents and concern to the Council. This Community Centre is heavily used by many groups. Some of the residents of the nearby bungalows rely on it for their laundry facilities. Even if a new community centre is rebuilt there would be a serious gap in provision.
d) The Town Council supports the policy of affordable housing but believes that the field nearer to Church Lane, which is also owned by Mr Dawson would be more suitable.
Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 5th April 2005, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Dr. Penney. Seconded by Cllr. Farr.
b) Minutes of the special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 19th April 2005. having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Carroll with the following corrections.
Seconded by Cllr. Pinches.
Apologies should have been shown from Cllr. Blundell.
c) Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on Tuesday 19th April 2005. having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Magill. Seconded by Cllr. Farr.
All three sets of minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 4 - (Item 22) Letters from Central Networks and Living Villages were read, each giving different reasons as to why the work at the Wintles / Castle Green junction had not been completed. Cllr. Blundell commented that the situation in this area is a safety issue and proposed that letters be sent to the Highways Department at Shropshire County Council and to the Health and Safety Executive explaining that this area was now unsafe as roundabout signs had been erected but the work had not been completed. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
ACTION TOWN CLERK
Item 12 - Cllr. Carroll reported that she had spoken to Alan Evans about F.P.22 and that he is willing to pay for the extinguishment of the definitive path and is willing for the Town Council to pay to have tarmac put on the walked path. He has passed on to his solicitor all the paperwork.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Norman Reid spoke on item 6a. The Old Brick House. He explained that as there had been objections to the removal of the yew hedge it was now felt that pieces on each end could be kept. A letter was shown from the Highways Department, Shropshire County Council stating that they had no objection in principle to the proposal.

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/05/16922/F and 1/05/16923/LB. Planning permission (full) and Listed building consent for formation of vehicular access and associated works.
The Old Brick House, 7 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. N & R Reid.
A letter was read from Bill Wright, 12 Church Street, objecting to the proposed plans.
Cllr. Blundell proposed no objection, and he welcomed the addition of off street parking. Seconded by Cllr. Evans and approved.

b) 1/05/16932/TC Tree works (conservation area). Felling of a pear tree.
17 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. C. Pritchard.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

Cllr. Gaffney left the room.
c) 1/05/16841/F Planning permission (full) Erection of extension to dwelling to provide annexe and garage (existing garage to be demolished)
Fields Cottage, Fields Lane, Bishop's Castle. M.H. and M.Z. Ashwell
Cllr. Wright proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
Cllr. Gaffney returned.

d) 1/05/16959/F Planning permission (full) Change of use domestic garage to auto parts and spares retail.
Chapel View, Station St., Bishop's Castle. G.Price
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.

e) 1/05/16992/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of an extension to dwelling (delegated matter)
Beech Cottage, Bankshead, Bishop's Castle. S & M Leawesky.
Cllr. Hird proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

d) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/05/16725/TC Felling of a conifer.
36 Union St, Bishop's Castle. Ms R. Kennedy
Consent granted

(ii) 1/05/16689/F Use of land as a coal yard, erection of a building & equipment for storage and bagging of coal.
Land at Bishop's Castle Business Park. Mr J. Sankey.
Planning permission granted.

(iii) 1/05/16796/TC Felling of a hazel & 4 no trees from rear garden & 1 small tree in front garden.
9 Copall Paddock, Bishop's Castle. Mr. A. Clarke.
Consent Granted.

8. ACCESS FOR USERS
There is some money available for different types of crossings. i.e. footway crossings and dropped kerbs. The Clerk had consulted with Mrs Gill Bass who is in the process of completing a disability audit for the Town. Mrs Bass suggested the following pavements should be dropped.
a). Pavement either side of entrance to Auction Yard in Station St.
b). Pavement at the Kerry Lane end of Corporation Street.
c). Pavement into Corricks Rise.
d). Pavement either side of entrance to the Primary School.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that all the areas above should be put forward and that if Councillors thought of any more they should let the Clerk know within one week. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

9. CHURCH BELL RINGERS REQUEST FOR DONATION.
While the Church Tower is closed the bell ringers would like to use the training tower at Hopton. They are applying for grant aid but are asking the Town Council for a donation. Cllr. Blundell proposed a grant of £100 be given. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

10. LITTER BIN IN THE AREA OF THE SCHOOL.
Because of dog fouling problems in the area it was suggested at the Town Meeting that a litter bin should be put in the area of the primary school. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the Head Teacher of the primary school be consulted and if she was in agreement a bin to be installed on the fence. The South Shropshire district Council would need to be consulted regarding the emptying. Cllr. Blundell seconded the proposition and said he had a bin available. The motion was approved.
ACTION TOWN CLERK

11. SHROPSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF PARISH AQND TOWN COUNCILS
Does the Council still wish to belong? A representative is needed to attend meetings. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the membership is not renewed. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

Cllr. Blundell left the room.
12. STREET LIGHTING - HARLEY JENKINS STREET, UNION STREET.
Tenders have been received for the above. Only two tenders had been received. Deferred to next meeting. NEXT AGENDA
Cllr. Blundell returned

13. SKATEBOARD PARK
Council were informed that the Skateboard association have obtained a grant from Awards for All
Tenders were to be discussed for the tarmac area but only one tender has been received. Deferred to next meeting. NEXT AGENDA

14. BOUVARD PAINTING.
The Mayor advised that although Council had agreed that the Mayor and Clerk should look for a second opinion on the reserve price it was usual to accept the Auction House reserve price. The acceptance of a reserve price was to be discussed but this has not yet been advised. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that if an urgent decision was required the Mayor could have the authority to take this after consultation with two other Councillors. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. Defer to next meeting. NEXT AGENDA
15. CROWGATE CHILD CENTRE
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that a letter of support for the Crowgate Child Centre's move to the Primary School site be sent to the local Education Authority. The letter should refer to the recent survey conducted by the Child Centre, the keenness of the Primary school for the nursery to be adjacent and the inappropriateness of the nursery adjacent to a coal yard. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. Cllr. Hird suggested that the Pines could be used as temporary accommodation. Copy to be sent to Francene Stock, Chairman of the Governors of the Primary School ACTION TOWN CLERK
Cllr/ Carroll left the room and Cllr. Magill took the Chair.
16. LABURNUM ALLEY
The resurfacing of Laburnum Alley and the path along the bottom of Oak Meadow was discussed. Cllr. Wright commented that it should be tarmac rather than scalpings. Cllr Blundell proposed that the work be put out to tender. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved.
Cllr. Carroll returned. ACTION TOWN CLERK

17. TRAFALGAR DAY - FRIDAY 21ST OCTOBER
There is a move to hold a national Trafalgar weekend to celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is suggested that Market Towns hold a Trafalgar Day dinner or lunch or party.
Cllr. Hird proposed that there should be some sort of celebration in a low key way. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

18. WHEELED BINS AND ALTERNATIVE WEEKLY COLLECTIONS
A meeting is being held on Thursday 12th May 2005 at Bishop's Castle Community College in the Fletcher room at 7.00 pm to communicate the District Council's plans for the introduction of wheeled bins and alternate weekly collections later in the year. Six Councillors showed an interest in attending.

19. TOILETS
Information has not been received regarding the running of the toilets. (Follow on from last meeting.) NEXT AGENDA

20. AUCTION YARD.
Suggestion to put a litter bin in the Auction Yard. Cllr. Magill proposed that two large litter bins are put in the Auction Yard. Seconded by Cllr. Wright. Cllr. Blundell proposed a CCTV camera be installed in the Auction Yard in the vicinity of the street light. Seconded by Cllr. Evans.
The amendment was put to the Council and overruled. The proposition was then put to the Council and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK The suggestion to move Auction day to Friday was discussed. Cllr. Carroll proposed that a letter be sent to Hall,s the Auctioneers to say that there is some dissatisfaction among farmers with Wednesday as the market day as it is early closing day in town. The Farmers are asking the Auctioneers if they could consider a return to the traditional Friday market day now that regulations have been relaxed and it is possible to hold Friday livestock sales. If Friday is not possible maybe another day of the week could be used. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved. .

21. TOWN PLAN
At the Town Meeting it was suggested a Town Plan should be drawn up to look into the
co-ordination of future development. Could this follow on from the Parish Plan? Is it required? How could it be achieved? It was agreed that this should be put on a future agenda after the Parish Plan has been published.

22. ACCOUNTS Accounts. -
Approval of annual accounts 2004/5. Cllr. Hird proposed that the annual accounts having been distributed are accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
It was proposed by Cllr Magill that the Accounts listed below are all accepted. Seconded by Cllr Wright and approved.
23. REPORTS OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
The Mayor, Deputy and Clerk had attended a meeting of the five Market Towns in Craven Arms. Affordable housing and the take over of public toilets had been discussed.

24. CORRESPONDANCE.
a)(i) Shropshire County Council - FP17 (part) diversion and extinguishment order.
(ii) Shropshire County Council - Change of date of Emergency Planning Briefing. - Now 28th September.
(iii) South Shropshire District Council. Reply to our letter about litter by the fish and chip shop.

b) For circulation
(i) South Shropshire Access Group.
Minutes of meeting on 9th November 2004 and Agenda for meeting on 8th March 2005.
(ii) Bishop's Castle Marches Partnership Steering Group - Minutes of meeting on 7th March 2005.
(iii) Bright Futures - The Children's Society
(iv) Path Times - Shropshire County Council
(v) Clerks and Councils Direct

. The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

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