MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2005 AT 8.OO PM.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Hird, Cllr. Carroll Cllr. Magill

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Blundell declared a personal interest in item 8 as he is Health and Safety Officer for the Michaelmas Fair.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared a prejudicial interest in item 6c as the tree is in the neighbouring garden.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 16th August 2005, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Blundell. Seconded by Cllr. Morris.
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 30th August 2005, having been circulated were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley. Seconded by Cllr. Evans and approved.
The minutes were approved and signed by Cllr. Dr. Penney.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 6a - A letter was read from Cllr.Phillip Dunne M.P. saying that he has written to the Chief Executive of the South Shropshire Housing Association voicing the concerns of the Town Council in respect of the proposed site for affordable housing in Bishop's Castle.
Item 12 - A list of parking places where tickets are to be placed was given to each Councillor.
Item 15 - Ian Rutherford is contacting Brewmaster with a view to improving the walking service between the Auction Yard and Church St.
He has asked Ian Martin to organize a white line at the entrance providing Glyn Shaw approves.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
6. Town & Country Planning Act:
a) 1/05/17407/TC Tree works (Conservation Area) Felling of 1 x laburnum and 1 x fir. (delegated matter)
2 Church Lane, Bishop's Castle. Mr C. Pritchard.
This application was to be reconsidered on the new information from the Tree Warden that the fir is a very fine scots pine. The Tree Warden has now advised that the tree in question is not a scots pine. Cllr. Blundell proposed that an objection be made if the tree is a scots pine. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.

b) 1/05/17396/F & 1/05/17397/CA Planning permission (full) and Conservation area consent. Erection of an extension to dwelling and external alterations. Demolition of existing lean to and front elevation.
3A Bull Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr. J. Charters.
Councillors to meet at 7.15 pm before the Council meeting, at the Town Hall, to go on a site visit.
Cllr. Dr. Penney explained that Councillors had spoken to Mr Marston, the main objector to the previous application and that he is happy with this new application. Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed no objection providing there is no damage to the scheduled ancient monument. (The Town wall) Seconded by
Cllr. Blundell and approved.

Cllr. Gaffney left the room.
c) 1/05/17432/TC Tree works (conservation area) Felling of an Ash Tree (delegated matter)
The Porch House, 33 - 35 High Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr J. Lucas
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.
Cllr. Gaffney returned

d) Any other plans received. - none

e) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/05/17216/F Erection of an agricultural building for storage of fodder.
Banks Head, Bishop's Castle . F. T. Bedell & Son
Planning permission granted.

(ii) 1/05/17205/F Erection of a dwelling; conversion of (existing) building to domestic garage and store; use of land for the (temporary) siting of a mobile home.
The Bakery, Church St., Bishop's Castle. Mr. P Thorpe & Ms J. Bath.
Planning permission refused.

(f) Planning meetings
(i) 1/05/17315/F Erection of 20 dwellings at Grange Road.
(ii) 1/05/ 17278/RM Erection of two dwellings at former RWA Depot off Woodbatch Road.
Both applications to be considered on Wednesday 14/9/05 at 2.00 pm at the Coors Stadium, Ludlow.

7. SHROPSHIRE PASSENGER TRANSPORT CONFERENCE.
This will take place in Shrewsbury on 12th October 2005 from 10 am to 4 pm in Shrewsbury. Councillors were asked if anyone wished to attend. No interest in attending was shown. Cllr. Dr. Penney suggested Councillors contact the Clerk if they wished to attend.

8. STREET CLOSURE ORDER.
Request for Street Closure for the Michaelmas Fair on 24th and 25th September.
from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
24th and 25th September - Union St from the junction with Church St to junction of Corporation St and Market Square.
24th & 25th September - Salop St, High St, Church St, Station St, New St and Kerry Lane from 11.45 am to 1.45 pm.
24th September from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm. Church St and High St.
25th September frpm 9.00 am to 5.30 pm. High St and Church St.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.
Cllr Blundell asked that the Michaelmas Fair be made aware that there must be free access for the Fire Service at the bottom of the Town.

9. LABURNUM ALLEY
Quotes cannot be considered as only two have been received.

10. SLOW CHILDREN PLAYING SIGNS
Suggestion to put "slow, children playing" signs in Oak Meadow and Brick Meadow. Cllr. Gaffney proposed that the Shropshire County Council be approached requesting "slow children playing" signs in Oak Meadow and Brick Meadow. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

11. FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE SURVEY
Draft IRMP Action Plan 2006/7 - Consultation Questionnaire. (Copies with Agenda.) Councillors completed questions 1 to 3. Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed that question 4 be left to the next meeting after the Firefighters had been consulted. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

12.ACCOUNTS -
Cllr. Dr. Penney wished to put forward a proposition regarding the finances of the playing fields but Cllr. Gaffney said that as this is a substantive matter not on the Agenda Councillors had not had time to consider it or to consider whether they needed to declare an interest. He felt the matter needed to be discussed in some depth and therefore should be put on the next agenda. Cllr. Wright proposed that the finances of the playing fields be put on the next agenda. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.

13. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCILLORS.
Cllr. Dr. Penney summarised a report given by the Mayor on a meeting by
Cllr. Carroll and Cllr. Dr. Penney with Cllr. Peter Phillips, Penney Spencer, (Corpoate Director, Economy and Environment, Shropshire County Council), Roger Whitehouse and Cllr. Everall to discuss the scheme to improve highways and pavements in the Town. Cllr. Wright expressed his concern over the time being taken in implementing these changes. He proposed that the matter be put on the next Agenda to discuss any action that can be taken.

18. CORRESPONDANCE
a) (i) Letter from Beth Hendley congratulating the Friends of the Playing Fields.
(ii) Letter from Pat Dawson regarding the Auction Yard entrance from Church Street.
Cllr. Wright proposed that a letter be sent to Mrs Dawson saying that as the land belongs to the Pub a gate could be installed as we understand there is no right to vehicular access but there is a pedestrian right of way. Several Councillors can remember a gate. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
(iii) Notice of application for transfer of licence. Off-licence 59/63 Church St.
(iv) SSDC A New Planning Policy - Questionnaire to be available for next agenda.
(v) Letter from Cllr. P. Phillips advising that Mr Richard Thomas in the Shirehall is looking for a Marriage room. Cllr. Blundell proposed that the Council Chamber be offered as a Marriage Room. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
b) For circulation
(i) Changes to Shropshire's Registration and Celebratory Services
(ii) South Shropshire Arts Advisory Council
(iii) HMCS Consultation paper on proposed merger of the existing two local justice areas.
(iv) South Shropshire Access Group - Agenda and minutes of last meetings.
(v) Local Council Review
(vi) Standards Committee - Agenda 13th September, minutes 5th July 2005.
(vii) South Shropshire Furniture Scheme.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.

The formal meeting was followed by a presentation by Tim Evans on Youth Participation, asking Councillors to consider how they engage with young people.

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