MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 10th JANUARY 2006 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. Blundell, M. Davidson - Stanley, S.A. Farr, J.E. Gaffney, N. Hird,
Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince, Town Clerk.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Magill, Cllr. Evans,
Cllr. Pinches, Cllr. Morris

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:

a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Davidson - Stanley declared a personal interest in item 6b as her Mother-in-law's house backs on to the property.
Cllr. Farr declared a personal interest in item 6b as the property can be seen from his property.
Cllr. Farr declared a personal interest in item 7 as his wife is a committee member for Friends of the Playing Fields.
Cllr. Davidson - Stanley declared a personal interest in item 11 as she owns the building that it may be attached to.
Cllr. Davidson - Stanley declared a personal interest in item 12 as she is a personal friend of Carol Kinmond.
Cllr. Carroll declared a personal interest in item 17 as she is a member of the P3 group.
Cllr. Carroll declared a personal interest in item 18 as she is a member of the Tourism Group.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a prejudicial interest in item 16 as she has an allotment off Laburnum Alley.
Cllr. Blundell declared prejudicial interests in items 12 and 19 as until today he is the street lighting contractor and in future may tender for work.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) As the circulated minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 6th December 2005 were incorrectly printed, it was agreed that the correct copy should be circulated and agreed at the next meeting.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 10a) (ii) A letter of explanation has been received from Graham Biggs, Chief Executive, South Shropshire District Council with an apology if offence had been caused. Cllr. Wright commented that it was a half-hearted apology.
Item 18 Cllr. Gaffney explained that he had been approached by two households in Welsh Street regarding the rainwater drainage problems. The Mayor explained that the Clerk had previously spoken to Shropshire County Council about the problems but it was some months ago. Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter be sent to Ian Rutherford (Shropshire County Council) pushing for an urgent solution to the problem. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
Item from a previous meeting. - Cllr. Carroll reported that a letter had been received from Jonathan Brown, Community Land Trust asking if he could speak at the next meeting. Cllr. Wright proposed that Jonathan Brown be invited to speak at the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. Dr. Penney requested that he be asked to come at 9.00 pm.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Paula Middleton requested to speak about item 14. (Her letter regarding Stone house Hospital). She expressed her concern about the piecemeal development of the Town and the major problem of parking. She asked the Council to be pro-active in its approach to planning.

Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that item 14 be brought forward. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.

14. STONE HOUSE HOSPITAL
Consideration of the letter received from Mrs Middleton. Cllr. Carroll reported that she had attended a meeting at the Public Hall where she had put forward Mrs Middleton's suggestion that a new hospital be built at the Crowgate Business Park. This was not considered a good idea for the following reasons:- a) Coverage Care could not afford it. b) The District Council Planning Department may not give permission because a hospital is not classed as business use. c) The Bishop's Castle doctors are against it. There was some discussion on Mrs Middleton's letter. Cllr. Wright felt that Mrs Middleton's point was that the Council should make representation but he felt there was not really anything that the Council could do. Cllr. Dr Penney felt the Council should be more pro-active and should approach the new planning officer to invite him to Bishop's Castle for a meeting to discuss the future shape of Bishop's Castle. Cllr. Carroll felt that a design statement was required. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the new planning officer be invited to Bishop's Castle to discuss how the Council could be more pro-active in planning decisions. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved. Cllr. Gaffney asked if Councillors would prefer the hospital to be on the Crowgate site. Cllr. Wright felt that Stone House was better in the centre of the Town as people could easily walk to it, therefore reducing the use of cars. Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed that Mrs Middleton be allowed to comment on the discussion. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. Cllr. Carroll proposed the meeting be adjourned to allow Mrs Middleton to speak. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
Mrs Middleton explained that the main point of her letter was to stress the traffic problems in the Town and ways to reduce it.

Cllr. Carroll resumed the meeting.

Tony Barnes, Community Fire and Safety Officer for Bishop's Castle spoke to give an update on the progress of the fire safety and fire alarm programme. He reported that 80% of houses in Bishop's Castle do not have a working smoke alarm. He explained that traditional smoke alarms need testing weekly, cleaning six monthly and the batteries changing every year. A special alarm has been designed that will last 10 years and does not need a battery. Funding has been given for 750 of these alarms for this area. The fire service are cold calling on houses and if they do not have an alarm they will fit one or two in each house, depending on the size of the house, free of charge,. He explained to the Council that he would like to set up a warden type system to find out which houses do not have alarms. He would like the Council to consider how they can help with this system. He then went on to explain about Shropshire Care and Repair - Bogus caller task force. This program has funding to install security chains, barrel viewers and mirrors to the houses of the more vulnerable. (People on income support or the elderly for example.) The Fire Service are being paid to install these security items at the same time as they install the smoke alarms. The Police are backing the project. There will be a launch on Friday 27th January at 2. pm.

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:

a) 1/05/17776/OE Overhead Electricity Supply -Installation of an overhead line. Pumping Station at Oakley Borehole, Bishop's Castle.
Wayleave Survey and Engineering Ltd.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

b) 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 Street, Bishop's Castle, Mr Thorpe and Ms Bath.
Appeal to the Secretary of State. Cllr. Wright proposed no change to previous comments. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

d) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/04/16360/F Erection of a dwelling; formation of a vehicular access: installation of a septic tank.
The Ponds, Castle Green, Bishop's Castle. Mr & Mrs Leek.
Planning Permission Granted.

(ii) 1/05/17660/F Erection of chlorination 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.
Oakley Farm Puming Station, Bishop's Castle. Severn Trent Water Ltd
Planning permission granted.

7.PLAYING FIELDS
Update of the financial situation of the Playing Fields Project as at 31/12/05.
(summary included) Cllr. Wright proposed that the playing field accounts be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

8. PRECEPT
Discussion took place and questions were asked about the precept figures provided. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the precept remain the same as last year at £39 820. Seconded by Cllr. Hird. Cllr. Wright proposed an amendment that the figure be increased by 5% (1% per household) to £41 811 as the Town has more amenities that the Council need to take care of. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell. The amendment was carried (6 votes for, 2 votes against) and put to the Council as the substantive motion and approved (5 votes for, 2 votes against). Cllr. Dr. Penney voted against.

9. BUS TIMETABLES AT THE BUS STOP AND OUTSIDE THE TOWN HALL.
Cllr. Gaffney explained that the timetables on the Town Hall and the bus shelter do not show the times of the return journeys to Bishop's Castle. It was generally felt that there is room on the timetables to show the return journey. The public are told that subsidies will be cut if the services are not used. All efforts should be made to encourage the public to use the services. Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter to this effect be sent to Jean Smith, Transport and Administration Officer at Shropshire County Council asking for the return journey timetable to be put in the case. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

10. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT AND JOB DESCRIPTION FOR TOILET CLEANER.
Cllr. Wright proposed that the contract and job description for toilet cleaner (see attached) be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that this contract format be used for Town Hall Cleaner and Street Cleaner. Suitable amended copy to be approved by Council first. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

11. HANDRAIL ON STEPS IN MARKET SQUARE AT THE JUNCTION WITH HIGH STREET
Request for a handrail adjacent to these steps. A letter was read from Laurie Stanley, owner of the adjacent property saying he is willing for a handrail to be put on his property as long as the design is approved by Colin Richards, Conservation Officer, South Shropshire District Council. Cllr. Wright proposed a handrail be put on the road side of the steps. Mr Richards advice to be sought regarding design. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.
Cllr. Blundell left the room
12. STREET LIGHTING CONTRACT
A letter was read from J Blundell and J. Whittall explaining that because of the problems associated with the light in Castle Street they would not be renewing their contract. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a letter be sent to Messrs Blundell and Whittall thanking them for all their good work over the years, especially for all the money they have saved the Council. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. A letter was read from Carol Kinmond expressing her dissatisfaction with the manner in which the light in Castle Street was repaired. Cllr. Dr. Penney commented that he understood that the bright light was less expensive but it was quite unsuitable. After some discussion Cllr. Gaffney proposed that Central Networks be contacted to repair any lights immediately needing attention and that tenders be sought for the long term.
Cllr. Blundell returned

13. WELSH STREET - STREET CLEANING
Cllr. Blundell proposed that the Clerk investigate further as to what part of Welsh Street Andrew should clean. Is it as far as the Wintles? The Clerk to speak to Andrew if he should be cleaning further. If more hours are required then come back to Council. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
15 ACRE OF LAND - ALLOTMENTS
Consideration of the reply received from Cllr. Hurst-Knight and the minutes of the meeting where the decision of a 6 month break clause was reached (see attached). Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that a letter be sent to Cllr. Hurst-Knight requiring a break clause of 12 months. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

Cllr. Carroll left the room and Cllr. Dr. Penney took the Chair.
16. LABURNUM ALLEY (FROM KISSING GATE TO UNION STREET)
Cllr. Wright proposed that tenders are sought for the laying of scalpings on the section of Laburnum Alley from the kissing gate to Union Street. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
Cllr. Carroll returned and took the Chair.

Cllr. Wright proposed the meeting be extended for five minutes to discuss item 21 Accounts. Other items to be postponed to the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

The Mayor reported that Carol Kinmond had requested that Cllr. Blundell rescind the comment in his letter in item 12 that Mr and Mrs Kinmond had been abusive and aggressive. Cllr. Blundell said her would say sorry if he had offended anyone.

21. ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney that the following accounts are all accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

23 b) Correspondence for circulation
(i) Local Council Review
(ii) SSDC - Standards Committee - Agenda 10/1/06 and Minutes 29/11/05.
(iii) South Shropshire Furniture Scheme
(iv) South Shropshire Housing Association - Annual report
(v) Salopian Recorder
(vi) Shropshire Ambulance Service, Serving your Community.

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

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