MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST 2006 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: M. Davidson - Stanley, J.E. Gaffney, N. Hird, 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. Farr

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllrs Hird and Gaffney declared personal interests in items 7a and 9 as they are members of the Wasteless Society.
Cllrs Hird and Dr. Penney declared personal interests in item 13 as they are campaigners for an NHS hospital at Stone House.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
There were no declarations of prejudicial interest.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 18 July 2006, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Dr. Penney with the following corrections. Seconded by Cllr. Wright.
Item 3, line 1 should read 20th June not July.
Item 7, line Delete "he was in favour of Coverage Care as a non-profit company."
Item 7, line 15 should read "The level of care and number of beds need to be safeguarded." (delete "and any reduction in this number").
Item 7, line18 should read "but to include "Council supported one month deferment so further consultation can take place"".
Item 7, after line 19 insert " Cllr. Pinches opposed the Trust being allowed the freehold of the land in case in future years the site became housing land."

The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING (information from previous meetings.)
Item 6 - A letter from Jake Berriman, Head of Planning and Building Control was read accepting the invitation to the next meeting but requesting that the meeting be earlier.
Cllr. Carroll suggested the next meeting begin at 7.00pm. Cllr. Wright said that he felt that the meeting should commence at 8.00pm as usual because the public may wish to listen to Mr Berriman and there could be confusion if the normal times were changed. It was agreed that the meeting should commence the same time as usual. ACTION TOWN CLERK

Previous meetings.
Land for people - A letter of thanks was read from Jonathan Brown for the distribution of questionnaires and an update on the response to them. At the closing date there had been 260 survey replies and 15 people had signed up as members.
Shropshire County Council - A letter of thanks for the response to the draft policy on village speed limits.
Shropshire County Council - A reply to the request by the Town Council to adopt the 1 in 3 and road narrows signs. Also an update on the Chapel Yard situation. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a letter be sent to Mr Fisher saying that the Town Council wished to take the signs at the top of the High Street into their ownership so that they could not be removed. Seconded by Cllr. pinches and approved.
Abbie Hemmings - A letter of resignation as deputy Town Crier.
The Community College - A letter in response to the request for parking at the site. Cars of people not using the site may park at times of festivals only.
South Shropshire District Council - Refusal to the request for Banks Head to be included on the 'D' list with regards to planning. Cllr. Carroll proposed a letter be sent to David Francis, Planning Policy Officer, asking if Banks Head can be considered at the next review as it is so similar to Colebatch. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/06/18466/TC Tree works (conservation area)
Remove ash trees from hedgerow. (delegated matter)
5-7 Castle Green, Bishop's Castle. S. Hankin
A letter was read from Mrs Daniels, Tree Warden. Cllr. Wright proposed no objection including the suggestion the ashes are pollarded. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

b) 1/06/18492/F Planning permission (full)
Change of use of garage/workshop to offices and warehousing. (delegated matter)
New Street Garage, Bishop's Castle. Mr A McLeish
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.

c) 1/06/18506/F & 1/06/18507LB Planning permission (full) and Listed Building consent. Erection of extension and renovation to public house. (delegated matter).
Kings Head Inn, 48 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. Punch Taverns.
A letter from Mrs Daniels, Civic Society was shown. Cllr. Morris proposed no objection as long as there is a condition that the public footpath through to the Auction yard is renovated. This is owned by the property. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved. The Clerk to advise Ian Rutherford, Shropshire County Council, District Surveyor, of the planning application and suggested condition. ACTION TOWN CLERK

d) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/06/18303/F & 1/06/18304/LB Erection of an extension to dwelling: existing lean-to
to be demolished: internal and external works to dwelling.
53 Church Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr. R. Anderson.
Planning permission and listed building consent granted.
(ii) 1/06/18294/F Construction of a manege.
Yew Tree Farm, Bishop's Castle. Mr and Mrs D. L. Boniface
Planning permission granted.

7. ENERGY SURVEY
a) Report on energy efficiency survey carried out by David Finney, Wasteless Society.
b) What are Council's aspirations regarding energy efficiency in the Town Hall?
A discussion took place about the Council's aspirations. Cllr. Gaffney said encouragement should be given to Mr Finney and the Wasteless Society volunteers. To explain the Council is pleased with the report and when the renovation goes ahead the Town Hall should have the best possible insulation. The building should be made as carbon neutral as possible. Cllr. Gaffney proposed a response be made to Mr Finney thanking him for his report and stating that the inspirations of the Town Council are as high as possible. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

8. CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005
Dog fouling and litter control. The two questionnaires were completed. Copy attached.

9. CROWGATE RECYCLING CENTRE.
Cllr. Hird explained that the amount of plastics and cardboard collected at the Crowgate recycling centre had grown considerably. It was now too much work for volunteers to keep this tidy. It was suggested a person be employed for three hours per week to work with the volunteers. They would be paid the minimum wage. Cllr. Hird asked if the Town Council could employ a person. Cllr. Carroll explained that this would not be possible as the Town Council does not own the land. Cllr. Carroll proposed a sum of £350 be paid to the Wasteless Society under section 137 to enable them to pay a person. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.

10. VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR
Cllr. Carroll proposed that the closing date for applications for co-option of a Councillor be Monday 4th September and interviews take place on Thursday 7th September. The Clerk to advise Councillors of applicants and times. Any Councillor wishing to can be part of the interviewing panel. We must ensure there are at least three Councillors. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

11. TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter be sent to the new Head of Bishop's Castle Primary School expressing the Council's concern at the traffic congestion by the school and asking him to encourage children to walk to school. The letter to offer any help that the Town Council can give. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

12. RUBBISH IN THE PLAYING FIELDS
Cllr. Carroll explained that there has been several complaints about the litter in the playing fields. Andrew Broome is paid to pick up litter one hour a week. He has been approached and he does not want more hours. He would rather not do his present hour. Cllr. Carroll proposed that Clive Pritchard is paid for two hours a week until the end of September to enable him to do any tree or garden work, to pick up litter, keep an eye on the play equipment and generally look after the playing fields. He is already paid by the Friends for one day a month for tree and ground work. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

13. STONE HOUSE HOSPITAL.
Cllr. Gaffney explained that several people had put their name to a proposition suggesting that a way out of the uncertainty would be for the building to be handed over to Coverage Care and the NHS lease back a section of the building which they could continue to run as an NHS hospital. This is a realistic plan which would meet the concerns expressed. Cllr. Dr. Penny proposed that Stone House hospital be put on the next agenda as a decision item when the proposition can be discussed and a decision made as to whether to support it. More information should be available at this point. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. NEXT AGENDA

9.00 pm Cllr. Gaffney proposed the meeting be adjourned to allow John Ward, Local Council Development Officer to give a presentation. (see end of minutes) Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

9.30 pm the meeting resumed.

14. FARMERS MARKET
Cllr. Stanley explained that all the small Farmers markets in South Shropshire were having a big push in October to expand. Bishop's Castle now has 20 stalls booked for October which would use Market Square as well as the Town Hall. A road closure order has been sought. Village Outreach will be applying for a grant to purchase 10 stalls and canopies. These could be used for any event in Bishop's Castle. Cllr. Wright proposed the idea be approved in principle. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

15. CONSULTATION MEETING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTION
Invitation to send a representative to a consultation meeting on Tuesday 29th August at Craven Arms. Cllrs Magill, Stanley, Carroll and Gaffney expressed an interest in attending.

16. MAYORS SUNDAY / MAYOR MAKING
Cllr. Carroll explained that there had been a suggestion to combine Mayor making and Mayors Sunday on a Tuesday evening. The Mayor making ceremony would take place in the Town Hall followed by a procession to the Church. There would be a short service at the Church followed by a procession back up the hill to refreshments in the Town Hall. There was some discussion on this idea. Cllr. Dr. Penney felt it would be better on a Sunday. Some Councillors felt tit was illegal to have the Annual Council meeting on a Sunday. The Clerk to check. It was agreed to put this item on the next agenda to give Councillors more time to consider the idea. NEXT AGENDA

17. ACCOUNTS
The Clerk reported that the external audit had been successfully completed.
The quarterly income and expenditure account had been circulated. The Clerk answered questions from Councillors. Cllr. Gaffney proposed the quarterly accounts be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
18. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
None

19. CORRESPONDANCE.
(i) Central networks - Information on funding for community project
(ii) Kaye Chambers - Suggestion that street lights should be turned off at night.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that this letter be considered at the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved.
(iii) Letter from Cllr. Peter Phillips regarding the Wintles
.
(b) Circulation
(i) Path Times
(ii) Local Council Review
(iii) Steps programme at the Community College.
(iv) SSDC Local Development Framework - Feedback from public meetings.
(v) The Playing Field
(vi) SSDC - Draft Statement of Community Involvement - Affordable Housing interim planning guidance. (separate envelope).

20 ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCE
Approval to apply for an entertainment's licence for the Town Centre streets and playing fields at a cost of £200.
To be considered at the next meeting.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.04 p.m

John Ward, Local Council Development Officer spoke about the advantages of being a Quality Parish Council, especially if a Unitary Council comes into being. He explained that criteria had to be met in eight areas which are:-. Electoral mandate, Qualified Clerk, Regular meetings, Communications, Annual report, Accounts, Ethical Framework, Other information. He gave more details of each of these areas, also, how to go about applying and the cost to the Council. This subject is to be discussed further at the next meeting.