MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2006 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors:S.A. Farr, J.E. Gaffney, 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 ( Another meeting) and Cllr. Stanley. (Another meeting.)

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared personal interests in items 6a, b, e as he is a friend of the applicants.
Cllr. Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 10 as he is a director of the Wasteless Society.
Cllr. Morris declared a personal interest in item 6a as he is a neighbour of the applicant.
Cllr. Stanley proposed a personal interest in item 6b,e as she is a friend of the applicant.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Farr declared a prejudicial interest in item 25 as payment to his wife is to be authorised.
Cllr. Stanley proposed a prejudicial interest in items 17, 18, 19, 20 as her property is adjacent to the Town Hall.

Jake Berriman, Head of Planning and Building Control, South Shropshire District Council spoke about planning matters.
Mr Berriman explained there were two main areas to planning. The Policy Development Framework and Development control. He then explained the Policy Development Framework. He explained that the Core Strategy - issues and options was the important document. There will be consultation in the spring which is a key stage where the Town Council can influence the decision making in this area.
The other area that the Town Council can have influence is the Regional Spatial Strategy. There will be consultation on this in January where the Town Council can have some influence.
He then went on to talk about Development Control. This is where the Town Council can influence the outcome of local planning applications. He has written a paper which is a guide to the planning process for parish councils. When it is approved it will be taken to all parish councils by an area officer who will explain it. The purpose of the paper is to help parish councillors make the most constructive comments. Cllr. Wright asked if this would give locals councils a greater weight than individuals. Mr Berriman replied that it did not give a greater weight but hopefully the comments would be more relevant and therefore more notice taken of them. He then went on to talk about the affordable housing policy. Cllr. Wright queried the lack of enforcement. Mr Berriman explained that two enforcement officers are now in place and a clear enforcement policy should be in place soon. He realises there has been a problem and is working to improve the situation.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 15TH August 2006, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Wright. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney.
b) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 22nd August 2006, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Wright. Seconded by Cllr. Farr.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 6c - Letter from Ian Rutherford, Divisional Surveyor, Shropshire County Council saying he will try talking to his colleagues in SSDC planning.
Item 4 - Letter from C. Fisher, Assistant Divisional Surveyor granting the Town Council ownership of the 3 in 1 and road narrows signs.
Meting of 22nd August - Item 6a - Letter of objection to plans for Coppice House by Miriam Lennox.
Previous meeting - Phillip Dunne - letter of thanks for support for the Sustainable Communities Bill
Local Works Campaign Coordinator - Letter of thanks for support for the Sustainable Communities Bill
Wastelless society - letter of thanks for donation to assist in the employment of a person at Crowgate.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
a) Mary Holton spoke about Stone House Hospital. She urged Council to support an NHS hospital in the Town.
b) Jonathan Greig spoke about plans 6b and 6e. He explained that because of a change in the law the second plan had to be resubmitted therefore they had become separated. They were in fact the same project. He asked Council to consider them favourably.

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/06/18579/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of a Conservatory. (delegated matter)
51 Welsh Street, Bishop's Castle. K. Chambers.
Cllr. Pinches proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

b) 1/06/18594/TC Tree works (conservation area) Felling of 2 x elder, 4 x larch and 2 x birch.
58 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr & Mrs Greig.
Cllr. Wright proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

c) 1/06/18580/MNT Misc Notification. Erection of 3 x poles to support overhead electricity line. (delegated matter)
Bishop's Castle sub station, Love Lane Industrial Estate. Central Networks, East.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection with the recommendation that if possible the cables are put underground. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved.
d) Planning permission (full) Erection of an agricultural building for livestock and feed store; alterations to (existing) vehicular access (delegated matter).
O.S. Field no 8467, Bishop's Castle. N & A Coull
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the recommendation be that this application goes to committee because of the large size of the building and the fact that it is not connected to the farm. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.

e) Planning permission (full) Erection of a domestic garage/greenhouse (delegated matter)
58 Church Street, Bishop's Castle JF & MC Greig.
Cllr. Wright proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

f) FOR INFORMATION ONLY Use of the Bakehouse as unfettered residential accommodation. (delegated matter)
Bakehouse Cottage, Market Square, Bishop's Castle.

e) Reports of planning applications
(i) 1/06/18409/LB Installation of 3 no roof lights.
4-6 Welsh Street, Mrs J Slavin,
Listed Building Consent granted.

(ii) 1/06/18382/F Erection of 4 dwellings (Plots 18,19, 32 & 33 - Revised scheme)
The Wintles, Bishop's Castle. Living Villages BC Ltd.
Planning permission granted with the following as part of the conditions:
No other part of the development shall be commenced until drainage works for the disposal of surface water and foul sewage have been carried out in accordance with the details to be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.
The development permitted shall not be commenced unless and until the approved mini-roundabout proposed for the junction of Castle Green with the new estate road has been completed and the estate road has been laid out to adoptable standards

(iii) 1/06/18466/TC Remove Ash trees from hedgerow.
5-7 Castle Green, Bishop's Castle. S. Hankin.
Consent granted.

7.a) CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR
There has been one application for the vacancy of Councillor - John Howell.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that Mr Howell be invited to an interview. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. Councillors will be informed of the date and time. All Councillors are welcome.

b) Newspaper article regarding resignation of Cllr. Blundell.
The Clerk advised Council that to date neither the Mayor nor the Clerk has received any form of resignation from Cllr. Blundell.

8. STONE HOUSE HOSPITAL
There was some debate about the future of the Stone House site. Cllr. Carroll proposed that Council request that Shropshire County Council retains freehold of the site. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a letter be sent to the Primary Care Trust requesting that the NHS have control of hospital beds and staff. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. Cllr. Carroll proposed that a letter be sent to the PCT requesting that the arrangements between both parts of the hospital be more flexible. Seconded by Cllr. Wright. The proposition fell, 3 votes in favour, 5 against.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that a letter be sent to the leader of South Shropshire District Council and to the consultants conducting the feasibility study stating that the Stone House Hospital should not be part of any Ludlow based hospital trust. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. Action Town Clerk

9. MAYORS SUNDAY/ MAYOR MAKING
Cllr. Pinches proposed that there be no changes to the format of Mayor Making and Mayors Sunday. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.

10. LETTER FROM KAYE CHAMBERS
Ms Chambers requests that street lights are turned off at night. Cllr. Wright proposed that investigations be made to see whether it is feasible to turn the lights off between 2am and
5am. An article to be put in the next newsletter to seek residents opinions. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved. Action Town Clerk

11. DRAFT STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Cllr. Magill proposed that Council support the Statement of Community involvement. Seconded by Cllr. Carroll and approved with Cllrs. Gaffney and Pinches voting against.

12. AGENDA FORMAT (Cllr. Dr. Penney)
Discussion took place on the format of the agenda. Should the words information, discussion, decision etc be on the agenda. Cllr. Gaffney proposed they remain on the agenda but are not binding. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

13. LIGHTING IN LOVE LANE
The Shropshire County Council lighting scheme for Love Lane was considered. Cllr. Wright felt the lighting at the Kennels crossroads was rather excessive. Cllr. Magill felt that this is a very dangerous junction and should be very well lit. Cllr. Wright proposed there be seven lights at the Kennels crossroads. Seconded by Cllr. Magill. Cllr. Pinches proposed an amendment that there be only four lights . Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. The amendment was put to the Council and overruled. The proposition was then put to the Council and approved.
Cllr. Wright proposed the scheme for the College crossroads be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved. It was agreed that all properties in the area and the college should be consulted.

14. JUNCTION OF LOVE LANE AND BRAMPTON ROAD
Cllr. Magill proposed that a roundabout be requested at this junction. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. Action Town Clerk

15. GRANGE ROAD FOOTPATH
Consideration of tenders.
Ken Watkins - £1120
SDW - £1380
Andy Mellow - £1470
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that Ken Watkins tender be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.

Cllr. Wright proposed the meeting be extended for ten minutes. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

16. BISHOP'S CASTLE BOWLS CLUB PAVILLION
Cllr. Morris proposed a letter of support be sent to the Bishop's Castle Bowls Club to aid it in its application for a Heritage Lottery Fund to enable the octagonal Georgian clubhouse to be saved. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved. Action Town Clerk

17. TOWN HALL BELL TOWER.
Consideration of the report by the South Shropshire District Council structural engineer following his inspection of the tower. The Clerk advised that the report has not yet been received. Next Agenda

18. ELECTRICAL REPORT
Consideration of the periodic electrical report on the Town Hall, (summary enclosed)
Cllr. Gaffney expressed the opinion that because of the urgency of the work required it should be completed as soon as possible. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed Gavin Cooke be asked to complete the work. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
Action Town Clerk

19. TOWN HALL EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND FIRE ALARMS.
Consideration of tenders.
G. Cooke - £3350, RMW - £4596, Jeremy Blundell - £1007
Cllr. Wright proposed that Gavin Cooke' tender be accepted, but the Clerk to try to negotiate a cheaper price as he is being given both pieces of work. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. Action Town Clerk

20. TOWN HALL RENOVATION PARTNERSHIP
We have been advised to set up a partnership to aid the application for funding for the Town Hall. It is hoped this partnership will be made up of 4 Councillors and 2 members of each of the following:- Civic society, Wasteless Society, BCHRC, SWSAHS.
Cllrs Dr. Penney, Wright, Gaffney and Carroll are to represent the Council on the Partnership.

21. SIX CASTLES CYCLEWAY.
Councillors are invited to make comments on the proposed signing of the Six Castles Cycleway. There were no comments made.

22. STREET LIGHT AT THE JUNCTION OF UNION STREET AND MARKET SQUARE.
This new light was put in the wrong place. Consideration of letter from Central Networks who wish to charge £2283 to remove the existing light and put up a wall light. Cllr. Gaffney proposed the Clerk write a strong letter to Central Networks explaining that they put the light in the wrong place so they should move it free of charge. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. Action Town Clerk

23. QUALITY PARISH
Following the presentation given at the last meeting.
a) Approval of a report and summary of income and expenditure to be sent out with next newsletter.
b) Approval for the payment of the Clerk for 20 hours to complete the training course. Next Agenda

24. BANK SIGNATORIES.
It was agreed sometime ago that all Councillors should be signatories on the bank account. (The Clerk and two Councillors to sign each cheque.) Cllr. Carroll proposed new bank mandates are signed. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

25. ACCOUNTS

26. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

27. CORRESPONDENCE
There was no time to read the correspondence. All to be carried to the next meeting.
(a) (i) Letter from Biddulph Town Council thanking the Council for permitting the Town Crier to participate in the British Championships.
(ii) E-mail regarding the Shropshire History Project.
(iii) Letter from Margot Daniels regarding the felling of a tree in Billingsley Close.
(iv) Letter from John Howell, Kemp Valley Group re the Brockton incinerator.

b) Circulation
(i) Regional View
(ii) South Shropshire Arts Advisory Council

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.10 p.m.