Agenda 31 January 2006

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A MEETING OF THE BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY 2006 AT 8.00 P.M.
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A G E N D A

1. Apologies for absence.

2. Declaration of Interest: Members are requested to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests they may have in matters to be considered at this meeting in accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (England) Order 2001 issued under Section 51 Local Government Act 2000 as follows:
a) declarations of personal interests.
b) declarations of prejudicial interests.

3. Minutes of the Council Meetings held on Tuesday 6th December 2005, and Tuesday 10th January 2006.

4. Matters Arising.

5. Members of the public wishing to speak. Notice must be given prior to the commencement of the meeting. (Maximum of three minutes per person).

6. Town & Country Planning Act:
a) 1/05/17776/OE Overhead Electricity Supply, Termination of overhead line and
installation of underground cable.
Pumping station at Oakley Borehole, Bishop's Castle. Wayleave Survey.

b) 1/06/17789/F Planning permission (full) Erection of an extension to dwelling,
Haytor, 8 Lavender Bank, Bishop's Castle.

c) 1/06/17804/F and 1/06/17805/LB Planning Permission (Full) and Listed
Building Consent. Change of use of shop on ground floor and residential unit on first floor. (delegated matter)
25 High Street, Bishop's Castle. Nick Buy.

d) 1/06/17787/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a dwelling.
Land adjoining Fairfield, Woodbatch Road, Bishop's Castle. Mr R Griffiths.

e) Reports of Planning Applications.

7. Skateboard Park
a) Request from the Bishop's Castle Skateboarding Association for the Town
Council to take over the running of the Skatepark project in the medium to long term, once it is fully equipped, or in the short term if the Skaterpark committee become unviable.
b) The Skateboard Association has requested £2000 towards the fundraising effort to purchase and install 3 main ramps for the skate park. Also a grant of £1000 to fund a youth worker to build a team of Skatepark users with whom the Town Council could liase over matters arising in relation to the Skateboard use and maintenance. Councillors earmarked £2000 in December for the skateboard park. How would they like it allocated. Mrs Robertson distributed information at the December meeting on the current situation and future planning of the skateboard park. If Councillors would like another copy please contact the Clerk.
Decision
8. Presentation of quarterly accounts.
Cllr. Hird has requested a meeting with the Clerk and the Internal Auditor. Do Councillors support this request. The accounts will be audited soon after 31/3/06.
Cllr. Hird has requested a review of the Risk Assessment - Finance. Parts of the current risk assessment has been approved by Council in recent months but some of it is hereditary. Approval of full risk assessment sought. It is suggested that a Certificate of Internal Financial Control is added. Please find enclosed standard SLCC copy and adaption suggested by the Clerk suitable for Bishop's Castle.
Decision
9. Town Hall Restoration
Request for two members of Council to sit on the Town Hall Restoration Committee with representatives from other bodies in the Town. (The Mayor to sit as Chairman) Decision

10. Archives.
Mary McKenzie, County Archivist has visited the Town Hall to look at the old papers. She recommends as a first step that:
a) The following go to the County archives:-
(i) Two very old minute books in the deed box.
(ii)The minutes held in the Town Hall before February 1998.
(iii) Old cash books and audit papers.
(iv) List of donations 1996 and 1997
(v) 1972 local government reorganisation papers.
(vi) Town Hall Clock papers.
(vii) Town Hall renovation papers 1980's.
(viii) Millenium celebration papers
(ix) Valuation list - rateable values.
It is suggested that in our Town hall restoration bid we ask for money to microfilm these documents for the BCHRC.
b) The following are destroyed:-
(i) Old invoices, cheque book stubs and bank statements over seven years old.
(ii)Old copies of the Society of County Clerk and Local Council Review's
(iii) Typists copies of correspondence prior to 2002 as they will be found under subject correspondence.
(iv) Planning correspondence prior to 2000 as the Planning office should keep archives of these.
Marion Roberts Hon. Archivist supports this action.
Decision
11. Town Centre Floral Decorations
Request from Tourism Group for £184 for floral decorations, being one third of the cost. Decision

12. Police Operations in Bishop's Castle.
Information on Police Operations carried out in Bishop's Castle on 25th November and 16th December. General update on Policing in Bishop's Castle.
Information
13. Annual Town Meeting on March 14th.
Do Councillors wish for the same format as the last two years. Decision

14. FP22 Bowling Green Close and Fp 24 Love Lane Industrial Estate.
Application for the diversion of these two paths. Do Council wish to make any representations. Decision
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15. Footpath 46 by the Castle Hotel.
Letter from Paul Crampton , Countryside access team, Shropshire County Council explaining the legal implications of this footpath. Information

16. Fire and Safety
Tony Barnes Community Fire and Safety Officer mentioned a warden type system to discover houses without smoke alarms etc. What do Councillors think?
Discussion
17. Street Lighting Contract.
To consider street lighting contracts. Decision

18. Arts Advisory Council
Cllr. Magill is unable to attend meetings now due to work commitments Is another Councillor willing to attend. Decision

19. Loan of benches
Maggie Love, Arts Access, has requested the loan of 6 benches and the carved chair from the Council chamber for one week. They will remain on the stage in the Music Hall Shrewsbury for the Shrewsbury Youth Theatre production of The Roses of Eyam. Do Councillors have any objections? Decision

20. Accounts. -

21. Report of recent meetings attended by Council representatives.

22. Correspondence.
a)(i) Shropshire County Council - Changes to the operation of the registration service in South Shropshire.
(ii) Citizens Advice Shropshire. Letter of thanks for the donation.
b) For circulation
Wasteless Society newsletter.
Local Council Review
Clerks & Councils Direct

***PLANS/DETAILS OF ANY PLANNING APPLICATIONS BEING CONSIDERED WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO INSPECT DURING TWENTY MINUTES PRIOR TO THE MEETING, BETWEEN 7.40 P.M. AND 8.00 P.M., OR OTHER TIMES BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE TOWN CLERK****

If you have difficulty reading these minutes an alternative format can be provided.
If you have difficulty with the stairs to the Council Chamber and wish to attend the meeting, please contact the Clerk as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made.

Jackie Ingham has been invited to give an update on the Stone House Hospital situation.

9.00 pm Presentation by Jonathan Brown, Land for People to update Councillors on their affordable housing projects in Powys and to explain the bid they have submitted to the Shropshire Partnership to seek funding to develop an affordable housing project in Bishop's Castle for local people.

Would Councillors please collect a copy of "The Good Councillors Guide" at the meeting if they do not already have one.