MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 5th DECEMBER 2006 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: M. Davidson - Stanley, S.A. Farr, M. E. Holton, J. E. Howell, 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

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

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Magill declared a personal interest in item 6d as she is a friend and work colleague.
Cllrs Stanley, Carroll and Wright declared personal interests in item 7 as they live and work in the town centre.
Cllr. Magill declared a personal interest in item 7 as she has a shop in the town centre.
Cllr. Dr. Penney declared a personnel interest in item 13 as he is a committee member.
Cllr. Holton declared a personal interest in item 11 as she is a member of the management committee.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a prejudicial meeting in items 8d and 15b as she is Mayor.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 7th November 2006, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Wright. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING - Relevant information following the last meeting
Item7 - Correction to the resume. Bill Hendley said he was standing as chair for the Friends of Stone House, not that he was going to be Chair as reported.
Item 8 - Letters of thanks have been received from BCHRC (cost of shelf storage space £20), No Panic, Relate, West Shropshire Talking Newspapers and Hope House.
Item 9 - Resurfacing of Chapel Yard. Acknowledgement from Chris Fisher (SCC) saying he has asked Jake Wentworth of Mouchel Parkman to give us a progress report in time for the meeting. Letter from Jake Wentworth reassuring Council that the width of the pavement is adequate for wheelchairs etc and that the new surface will not present a slip hazard. He also advises that drainage is installed as part of the scheme. Dr Penney proposed a letter be sent to Mouchel Parkman asking them to commence with the work of the pavements and the drainage. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
Previous meetings:- Jake Berriman, planning. Invitation to attend site planning meetings.
Cllrt. Wright proposed that the Clerk contact the most appropriate Councillor for the plans. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

Billingsley Close - Letter from Dyanne Fisher saying Billingsley Close is not in the conservation area.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/06/18929/LB List Building Consent. Installation of replacement door and painting of dwelling. (delegated matter)
35 Welsh Street. M Ellis-Jones.
Cllr. Farr proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

b) 1/06/18867/TC Tree works (conservation area). Felling of a flowering cherry tree. (delegated matter(.
19-21 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. C. Pritchard.
Cllr. Stanley proposed no objection with the recommendation that two trees are planted nearby. Seconded by Cllr. Howell and approved.

c) 1/06/18866/TC- Tree works (conservation area). Felling of a flowering cherry tree. (delegated matter).
17 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. C. Pritchard.
Cllr. Stanley proposed no objection with the recommendation that two trees are planted nearby. Seconded by Cllr. Howell and approved.

d) 1/06/18868/F Planning permission (full) Erection of an extension to dwelling. (delegated matter)
22 Oak Meadow, Bishop's Castle. Miss S. Taylor.
Cllr. Farr proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved.

e) 1/06/18899/LB Listed Building consent. Installation of a hand rail.
Bishop's Castle Town Council. (Information only.)

f) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/06/18701/AD, 1/06/18702/LB Installation of 3 x window vinyl advertisements.
63 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. Cooperative Group Ltd.
Permission refused on the grounds that the scheme is considered incongruous and of inappropriate design at this location within the conservation area.
(ii) Erection of a 12m radio broadband monopole.
Moat Hill Garage, Bankshead, Bishop's Castle. Qi Comm.
Planning permission granted.

8. PARKING ISSUES IN BISHOP'S CASTLE
a) Cllr. Carroll explained that there had been a meeting with PC Jon Summerfield to discuss parking problems in Bishop's Castle. She explained that Park Right deal with yellow lines but the Police can deal with any obstructions. ie. junctions and passing places. She explained that Park Right is a body set up by the County Council and all the District Councils of Shropshire to enforce parking restrictions. She has spoken to the Traffic Manager at the County Council who advises that the Parking Attendants cannot enforce parking restrictions on pavements unless there is a yellow line. He also said the Parking Attendants are supposed to be helpful and courteous.

Cllr. Wright proposed the meeting be closed to enable Members of the Public to speak. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved.
Peter Hughes said that traffic and parking problems were brought about by inconsiderate and thoughtless drivers. He went on to say that two solutions had been tried but were unsuccessful. One relying on drivers to be considerate and the other the notices put on cars by Councillors. He said he welcomed stewards who enforced parking restrictions.
Jill Thomas then asked how many tickets had to be given to make it worthwhile for the attendants to come. She felt they were a waste of money.
Kate Pratt said that as a newcomer she was very impressed with the understanding drivers showed for each other in Bishop's Castle.
Sue Wilmer also felt that people managed traffic well in Bishop's Castle and that Parking Attendants were unnecessary.
Loveday Hickey asked what time of day the attendants would be present. She was informed it was 8.00am until 6 pm.
The meeting was then reopened.
Cllr. Carroll went on to explain that P.C. Jon Summerfield is our community officer. He has said that he will be speaking to people who park on junctions or in the passing bays and if necessary issue tickets for obstruction.
She explained that Mr Buzzacott (SCC) had informed her that all yellow lines in Shropshire are to be reviewed from January 2007.
The Council then went on to discuss the problems of the yellow lines. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that a letter be sent to Mr Buzzacott and another to the Chairman of the District Council asking that the Parking Attendants show more servility to the Police and residents when carrying out their duties and that they are less harsh when in training. Secondly to point out the inaccuracy of the leaflet which says that they will give fixed penalty notices to owners of cars parked on pavements or verges. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. Cllr. Stanley proposed that a request be made for the yellow lines in Bishop's Castle to be reviewed urgently. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved. I
9. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
It was agreed the following to enable the 2007-8 budget to be set.
Any changes will take place from 1st April 2007 unless agreed otherwise.
a & b)Cllr. Wright proposed all cleaners salaries rise by 5%. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
c) Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the Clerks salary rise in line with NALC recommendations with the addition of one increment. Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.
e) Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed £125 be budgeted for training. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.
f) Cllr. Holton proposed the Town Hall rents be raised to £35 per day or £6 per hour, whichever is less. (£60 if upstairs and downstairs are used) Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
g) Cllr. Wright proposed Friday Market rents increase to £6.50 per table. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
h) Cllr. Stanley proposed Farmers Market rents for indoor stalls and people providing their own outside stalls remain the same. If tables are provided rents rise to £12.50. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
i) Cllr Holton proposed that the following reserves are carried forward.
Town Hall renovation £33,600
Street lighting £24,000

The Mayor left the room and Cllr. Magill took the chair.
Cllr. Wright proposed the Mayors allowance remain the same. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
The Mayor returned.
The following figures were suggested as figures for the budget.
Repair and renewal of street furniture - £1000
Town Hall renovation £8,000
Footpaths (surfacing and lighting) - £3000
Allotments - £2000
Office improvements (Laptop and broadband) - £800
Playing fields supervision - £1000
Lighting schemes - £8,000

9. UNITARY AUTHORITY
a) Report on SALC meeting attended by Cllr. Carroll. Most people at the meeting were in favour of a Unitary Authority. Shrewsbury and Atcham Council were against.
b) Invitation to a meeting to discuss the Local Government white paper and case for single Unitary Council.
Thursday 7th December 2006 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, South Shropshire District council presented by Mrs H Kidd.
.
10. SOUTH SHROPSHIRE PLAY AREAS
South Shropshire District Council seeks Councils opinion whether they would be interested in taking over play areas. Maintenance money would be transferred. Lisa Bedford, Regeneration Officer, SSDC explained that a questionnaire was being sent to the residents of Brick Meadow to seek opinion as to what they wanted done with a small piece of open space. There is £15.000 to be spent on it or this money can be spent on another play area in the Town. She also explained that the slide in Oak Meadow is not up to safety standards and needs money spent on it. Cllr. Magill proposed that the Town Council take over the running of the Oak Meadow play area. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

11. SIGNAGE FOR OLD CASTLE LAND TRUST AND BCHRC
Council has requested signing for the Old Castle Land. (two signs).
BCHRC has requested a sign in Station Street in place of the old library sign on the lamp post.
We now have the costings.:-
Sign in Castle Street by the steps - £125.00 plus vat.
Sign at Bank House area. Sign against Bank House (listed building) £416 (possibly £102, under investigation)
Or fixed on up the pole post outside Autolycus £148.00 plus vat.
BCHRC sign - £132.60 plus vat.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this item be discussed at the next meeting with pictures available and more information from Colin Richards. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

12. STREET FURNITURE (Cllr. Hird)
Concern over the amount of street furniture in Bishop's Castle.
In the absence of Cllr Hird this item is to be passed to the next agenda.

13. OLD CASTLE LAND TRUST.
Cllr. Stanley proposed a donation of £400 for the old Castle Land Trust. Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.

14. SPOTLIGHT.
Cllr. Carroll reported that spotlight had a membership of 250, mostly under 20 years of age. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a donation of £250. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
Cllr. Carroll left the room and Cllr. Magill took the Chair.

15. RECORDS FOR THE FUTURE.
a) Shields on Mayors chain - Suggestion that a 30 cm chain be put across the back of the chain to make it easier to wear.
b) To address the problem of the expense of the shields.
Cllr. Stanley proposed that option F be accepted (to make up a chain to match the original with 7 shields of 1mm thick in it.) Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
b) Photographic record - Cllr. Stanley proposed that the photographic record be continued. Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.

16. COMMMUNITY LAND TRUST
Cllr. Carroll reported that the Community Land trust report is due to be published shortly and every Councillor will receive a copy.

17. RESIGNATION OF TOWN HALL CLEANER.
Ali Fox has resigned as Town Hall cleaner. Cllr. Wright proposed Claire Grant be offered the position of Town Hall cleaner. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

18. FARMERS MARKET.
Cllr. Farr proposed that the Clerk apply for a Temporary Events Notice for alcohol at the January and February Farmers Markets. (£21 each - stall holders to pay an additional £10) if required. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

19.

20. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

21. Correspondence.
(i) Copy of a letter from David Woodward (Living Villages) to Mr Berriman (SSDC) with regard to the Wintles Road.
(ii) Rob Surl, Shropshire County Council, Shrewsbury Transport Innovation Fund Study.
b) Circulation
Shropshire Hills - News and Views
Bishop's Castle, Clun and Surrounding Parishes Lets Talk Meeting. - Note of proceedings.
South Shropshire Arts Advisory Council
South Shropshire Sport and Leisure Advisory Council
South Shropshire Guide

22. The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.

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