MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 14TH MARCH 2006 AT 8.00 PM IN THE TOWN HALL, BISHOP'S CASTLE.
Present: Councillor
J. M. Carroll, Mayor in the Chair.
Councillors: M. Davidson Stanley, R. A. Evans, S.A.Farr, N. Hird, J.A.Magill,
Dr. G.N. St John Penney and R. D. Wright
County Councillor P. Phillips, Lisa Bedford (South Shropshire District Council) and 4 members of the public.
Apologies were
received from Cllr. Phillip Dunne M.P., Cllr. Pinches and
District Cllr. Heather Kidd.
1. Matters arising
from the thirty - second Annual Town Meeting.
The minutes of the thirty-second Annual Town Meeting were approved as a true
record by full Council on Tuesday 3rd May 2005.
Report following the thirty-second Annual Town Meeting held on 19th April 2006.
a) Parking in Station Street.
A meeting was held in Station Street with representatives of the Shropshire
County Council and the line painting agreed. Unfortunately it was too wet on
that day to do it. The Clerk is still chasing the County Council for action.
b) Parking.
The ticket system is till in operation and the white lines on the junctions
seem to have improved the situation here.
d) Dogs mess in Oak Meadow.
Clean up signs were put on the fence and a bin has been installed by the school.
e) Water in Station Street
A meeting was held with Ian Rutherford of Shropshire County Council at the Three
Tuns and actions were agreed to alleviate the situation. The Three Tuns were
to put in a channel to drain the water and the County Council were to put in
a gulley to take the water off the road Still not completed.
f) Auction Yard
The Police have been into the Auction yard and booked some of the youngsters
for various offences.
g) Sign for school lane.
Signs have been ordered for both ends of School Lane. The District Council will
put them up when they are in the area.
2. Questions and comments from the floor.
Cllr. Wright asked if anyone had noticed an improvement with the boy racers
in the Auction Yard. Cllr. Carroll reported that a prosecution had been brought
against someone and she believed it had improved but the problem has now been
transferred to the Crowgate Business Park by the vets. Mr Allwood of the vets
wishes the gate to be locked but realises the Wasteless Society needs access.
In the past Graham Biggs, Chief Executive of South Shropshire District Council
has confirmed that he is happy with the gate being locked if he has letters
from the businesses occupying the site saying what is happening and that they
are in agreement.
Cllr. Dr. Penney requested that the problems with the new lights in Grange Road
be looked at. It was explained that a plan was drawn up following the requests
from the residents meeting. Cllr. Dr. Penney suggested that in future copies
of the final plan be put in letterboxes before work commences. The Clerk explained
that she is going to telephone unhappy residents and hopefully reach an agreement.
Cllr. Peter Phillips requested a list of all the work outstanding from the Shropshire
County Council and he will follow it up.
Cllr. Peter Phillips reported that the Bishop's Castle Squash Club has had its
first ever home match. This has been impossible in the past as there were no
suitable courts. He explained that the SpArC project will be finished by 20th
April and will be opened to the public on 3rd April. Cllr. Wright asked who
will manage the complex. Cllr. Phillips explained that the County Council manage
the school side and the District Council manage the community side. The joint
management is common across Shropshire but what is unusual is that the building
is open to the public during school hours.
Cllr. Magill asked if the Mayor could update those present on the situation
on the Castle green / Wintles junction. The Mayor explained she had no further
information as it appeared the County Council had no power to make something
happen. The situation was the same with the lights in Welsh Street. It was suggested
that the residents of the Wintles might like to put some pressure for the official
opening of the road and completion of the junction. It was thought that there
is a Management Committee. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this be investigated and
members be invited to the April Town Council meeting where it can be discussed.
Seconded by Cllr. Davidson- Stanley.
Lisa Bedford, representative from South Shropshire District Council and the
Bishop's Castle Marches Partnership explained that there will be a meeting at
the Community College on Tuesday 28th March at 6.30pm on the issues and options
paper of the new planning system. David Frances, Policy Planning Officer will
be giving the presentation and all Councillors are invited. Lisa also reported
that the new Head of Planning and Environment is Jake Berryman. James Caird
will continue working with him for some time.
Lisa also explained that the Community Chest scheme will be re-launched at the
beginning of this month. It proved very popular last year, particularly will
village halls, play areas etc and Lisa recommended early applications.
Cllr. Carroll reported that the Playing Field had its final inspection this
week by Doorstep Greens. They were very pleased with the project and the final
instalment of the grant will be in the bank within a week.
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley reported that the work the fire-fighters were doing on
fitting smoke alarms and security bolts etc was brilliant and working very well.
Julia Parker asked the Mayor to update the meeting on the Town Twinning. The
Bishop's Castle junior football team is to go to St Marcel this year, also the
Phillipa Whittaker choir.
There being no
further comments the meeting closed at 8.40 pm.
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