MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER 2005 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. Blundell, 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. Davidson-Stanley,
Cllr. R. Evans, Cllr. Gaffney (unavoidable delay., would be late)

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Farr declared a personal interest in item 13 as his wife is a "Friend of the playing field"

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Blundell declared prejudicial interests in items 7l(iv), 12 and 15 as he is the street lighting contractor.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 8th November 2005, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Wright. Seconded by Cllr. Hird.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 4 (Item 4) "Slow, children playing" signs. Glyn Shaw, Shropshire County Council has agreed to put a blue sign by the children's playground in Oak Meadow and one in Brick Meadow when the road has been adopted.
Item 4 (Item 17) The cupboard under the stairs has now been cleared. It just needs another vacuum by Mr Turnbull, the sweep.
Item 8 - Letter from Jack Collier, Corporate Director (Community Services), Shropshire County Council regarding funding for the Town Hall roof. He suggested a Village Hall Grant be applied for.
Replies have been received from the Railway Museum, SWSHAS, Bishop's Castle Heritage Resource Centre and The House on Crutches Museum Trust, all saying that they would be pleased to send a representative to sit on a committee.
Item 10 - Letter from South Shropshire Furniture Scheme explaining their work in Bishop's Castle. (23 deliveries and 67 collections)
Letters of thanks from Hope House Children's Hospices and West Shropshire Talking Newspapers for the donation.

Item 12 - Reply from Jackie Ingham regarding the closure of Stone House Hospital. Copy on request from the Clerk. Cllr. Dr. Penney informed Council that it was proposed to offer the doctors a surgery on the Stone House site with two years rental paid in advance. The doctors were unlikely to take up this offer as they at present own the surgery and receive rent from others.
A letter was received from Mrs Middleton suggesting the new hospital be built on the Crowgate Business Park. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the suggestions in the letter be put on the next agenda. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches. An amendment was proposed by Cllr. Wright that a reply be sent to Mrs Middleton but no further action taken. Seconded by Cllr. Magill. The amendment was put to the Council and overruled (3 votes against). The proposition was then put to the Council and approved. NEXT AGENDA
Item 15 - A letter from Mr & Mrs Furber regarding the Co-op lorries was read.
A letter from Cathy Batson regarding the Town Council's reply to her about the co-op lorries has been received. Cllr. Carroll, the Mayor has sent a reply. Cllr. Pinches informed Council that he had spoken to two Co-op lorry drivers who said that they had not been given the suggested route into Town.
Item 16 - Reply from Councillor Hirst-Knight regarding the acre of land at Crowgate. He gives reasons for the break clause and states that Officers of the County Council will liaise with Officers of the District Council to identify the location.
Minutes of the County Council Cabinet meeting where the decision was reached have been received. To be circulated. The subject of the acre of land to be discussed at the next meeting. NEXT AGENDA
Item 18 - Footpath in Montgomery Road - Telephone call from Morris Phillips, Mynd View, and letter from Geoff Grimes, Magnolia, Montgomery Road in support of a tarmac footpath.
Letter from Phil James, Shropshire County Council saying they are willing to strim the land and that there has been a request for a footpath in the system for some time but it is low on the priority list. Cllr. Carroll reported that the longstanding request was for a footpath on the other side of the road which would be very costly. Cllr. Carroll proposed a site meeting be requested with Terry Titley, Shropshire County Council. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Fiona Robertson spoke on behalf of the skateboarders association.
She informed the Town Council that it is her intention to resign as secretary in May 2006. She requested that the Town Council consider taking over the maintenance of the skateboard park when all the equipment is in place and if necessary before. She thanked the Town Council for its funding this year and requested £2000 for equipment and £1000 towards maintenance in the next financial year. The maintenance grant would include funding a proposed project whereby the Council would employ a youth worker for 36 hours per year to coordinate the young people. This is to be considered at the next Council meeting.
Tim Evans spoke about the skateboard facility and the importance of project planning. He recommended that a youth worker be employed at approx. £1,000 per year to work with young people to manage the project. He circulated a project plan.

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/05/17660/F Planning permission (Full) Erection of clorination kiosk, erection of an extension of pump station building; erection of a 2m fence; construction of estate roads and widening of existing access and 1 x access. (delegated matter)
Oakley Farm Pumping Station, Bishop's Castle, Severn Trent water Ltd.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.
b) No other plans
c) Reports of Planning Applications.
1/05/17543/TC Permission for the works trees. Removal of lower boughs from Wellingtonia trees.
Tall Trees, Church Lane, Bishop's Castle. Mr Jones.
Consent granted.

d) Planning meeting for 1/05/17600/F Land adjoining Grange Road, Bishop's Castle on Wednesday 7/12/2005 at 2.00 pm at the Coors Stadium, Ludlow.

7. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
The following need considering to enable the 2006-7 Budget to be set.
Any changes will take place from 1st April 2005 unless agreed otherwise.
a) Town Hall Cleaners salary. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
b) Street Cleaners salary. Cllr. Blundell proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
c) Town Clerks salary (i) Hourly rate (ii) annual increment. Cllr. Blundell proposed NALC rates be applied. Budget for 3%. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
d) Mayors allowance. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed £350. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
e) Training costs for Clerk and Councillors. Cllr. Blundell proposed budget £100. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
f) Hire of Town Hall. Cllr. Wright proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
g) Hire of Friday Market stall. Cllr. Wright proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
h) Hire of Farmers market stall. Cllr. Wright proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
i) Mace and Pike Bearers. Cllr. Blundell proposed an increase to £10. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
j) Reserves - Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed all reserves are carried forward. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.
k) Repair and renewal of street furniture. Cllr. Wright proposed £1000 be budgeted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
l) Expected expenditure over and above the normal Council running costs. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the following budgets be set. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.
(i) Town Hall improvements - To be considered at precept meeting.
(ii) Footpaths - £1500
(iii) Allotments - £1000
(iv) Bowling Green Close street lights - £1500
(v) Skateboard park - £2000
(vi) Floral decorations in Town - £200

8. CONSIDERATION FOR APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL AWARDS
a) Crucial Crew - Cllr. Magill proposed a sum of £96 be given to Crucial Crew. Seconded by Cllr. Dr Penney and approved.
b) Citizens Advice Shropshire- Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a sum of £204 be given to Citizens Advice, Shropshire. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell. Cllr. Wright proposed an amendment that a sum of £250 be given. The amendment was put to the Council and overruled. The proposition was then put to the Council and approved.

9. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
It was suggested that the declaration of interests book be left on the table before the meeting so that Councillors, if they choose, can fill it in before the meeting. The Clerk will read all declarations out and ask if there are any others. It was proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney that this suggestion be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

10. SIGNING OF CASTLE LAND SITE
It was proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney that direction signs be put on Bank House and the wall as you enter the castle land saying "To the Old Castle Land". Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

Cllr. Morris left the meeting.

11. TOURIST INFORMATION SIGN
The suggestion that the Tourist Information sign that was in Harley Jenkins Street Car Park be put in the Old Market Square was discussed. Cllr. Wright thought that it might be possible to put it at the lower end but he would need to look. Cllr. Wright proposed that Council give authority to himself, the Mayor and the Clerk to make the decision as to whether the lower end of Old Market Place was suitable. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved.

12. LIGHTING
Lighting Contract - At the October meeting it was proposed that a clause was added to the lighting contract giving a length of time between the reporting of a fault and the completion of a repair. The Lighting Contractor likes to do 4 or 5 lights at a time to reduce costs. Lights can usually be repaired within a month. They could be repaired within 7 days but it would necessitate a £40 call out charge.
Councillors were asked how they would like the contract worded. Cllr. Wright proposed that the lighting contractor should aim to get lights repaired within two weeks. Seconded by Cllr. Magill. Cllr Dr. Penney proposed an amendment saying that the lighting contractor should aim to get lights repaired within three weeks but in a special case the Clerk can authorise the light to be repaired within a week at a special call out rate. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches. The amendment was carried and put to the Council as the substantive motion and approved.

PLAYING FIELDS - MAY FAIR
Mr & Mrs Wynn of the May Fair are unsure if it can fit onto the Playing Fields now that the changes have taken place. They are requesting the use of the top part of the field for caravans if necessary and if possible the dip in the middle of the lower field to be infilled with soil. The Clerk reported that the "Friends " are happy with caravans on the top field.
Cllr. Carroll thought it was too late in the year to do anything with the dip but proposed that caravans be allowed on the top field for the next May Fair and the whole situation be reviewed later next year. Seconded by Councillor Wright and approved.

14. CASTLE GREEN / WINTLES JUNCTION
Following a letter from Roger Whitehouse, Assistant Director, Traffic and Transport, Shropshire County Council to Geoff Grimes of Montgomery Road
Regarding the problems at this junction, Council discussed ways to improve the situation. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a letter of dissatisfaction with the situation be sent to the local government Ombudsman. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
Cllr. Gaffney arrived at the meeting.

15. LIGHTING IN WELSH STREET.
Council discussed the problems associated with lighting situation in Welsh Street.
Cllr. Pinches proposed a letter be sent to the Planning Office of the South Shropshire District Council asking if a retainer for lights was in place in Day's planning application. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

16. STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Cllr. Gaffney explained that he felt the document was long and involved and very difficult for the Community to understand. He proposed that a letter be sent to Mark Tinsley, Assistant Policy Officer, Shropshire County Council saying that this is the Council's opinion. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

17. ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Cllr. Blundell that the following accounts are accepted except for the Rampmental invoice. Seconded by Cllr Wright and approved. The Clerk to go back to the Skateboarders Association to discuss whether using the £2000 earmarked by the Town Council for the Association is the best way forward or whether it would be better to keep it for match funding.

18. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllr. Carroll met with Cllr. Peter Phillips, Chris Edwards (Shropshire County Council) and Glyn Shaw (Shropshire County Council) to discuss the scheme to improve highways and pavements in the Town. Chris Edwards has promised to come up with a plan for the Boars Head junction in January with work to start in the new financial year.

Cllr. Wright proposed that the meeting be extended for 10 minutes. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.

19. Correspondence.
a) (i) Letter of receipt and thanks from the Crowgate Child Centre.
(ii) Correspondance with Veronica Calderbank, Monitoring Officer, South Shropshire District Council. Ms Calderbank sent a formal letter saying "she had been advised that one of our projects is greatly overspent." The Clerk responded with some financial information and
Ms Calderbank replied saying "she may have misheard information which she often picks up from meetings." Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that Ms Calderbank be invited to the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches. Cllr. Wright commented that is was quite extraordinary that such an accusation be made without any foundation. Cllr Wright proposed an amendment that a letter be sent to Ms Calderbank with a copy to the Chief Executive of South Shropshire District Council. Seconded by Cllr. Farr. The amendment was carried (5 votes for, 3 against) and put to the Council as the substantive motion and approved.
The Clerk informed Council that a letter from Cllr. Hird has been received regarding his dissatisfaction with the management of the Town Council finances. The letter needs to be read carefully before being discussed.
b) For circulation
(i) South Shropshire Sport and Leisure Advisory Council

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.10pm

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