MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 25th APRIL 2006 AT 8.OO PM.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Magill

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley declared a personal interest in item 6a as the applicant is a friend and near neighbour.
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley declared a personal interest in item 12 as Mr Morgan is a tenant.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared a prejudicial interest in item 13 as he also employs the Town Hall cleaner.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th March 2006, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Blundell. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING Relevant information from previous meetings.
(i) Town Hall restoration - A letter was read giving a reply from the Walker Trust regarding funding for the Town Hall restoration. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a reply be sent to the Walker Trust explaining that we will send a more detailed application towards the end of the year. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
ACTION TOWN CLERK
(ii)Street lighting contracts. - The Clerk has contacted Roger Lennox and Gavin Cooke. They are both considering the possibility of taking on a street lighting contract. Rise Hire is not suitable as it is only a hire service for vans with platforms. They do not repair lights.
(iii) Lights in Welsh Street - A letter was read from Dyanne Humphries, South Shropshire District Council saying there was no mention of street lighting in Welsh Street in the Days planning application for Oak Meadow. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that Day's be contacted asking them to replace the light they took away, explaining that the Council will go to the small claims court if they are not able to. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.
(iii) Allotments - The request for a twelve month break clause on the piece of land requested for allotments at the Crowgate Business Park is to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on 9th May. Cllr. Carroll will be attending to speak for the 12 month break clause.
(iv) Stone House Hospital - The feasibility study was presented to the Board on 28th March. It recommends the site is sold to Coverage Care and the building is knocked down and rebuilt. There will be 12 hospital beds and 3 spot beds. At present there are 18 hospital beds but 5 are used for Shrewsbury and Atcham patients. Under the new proposals Shrewsbury and Atcham patients would not be eligible to use the beds. There is to be public consultation with meetings at the Public Hall. Cllr. Wright proposed that it was not now necessary to invite Jackie Ingham to the Council meeting to speak as Councillors could go to the public meetings. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.
(v) Town enhancement - The Mayor reported that the Town enhancement signs are now finished with the sponsor plaques in place. The other new road signs ordered will be erected on Thursday.
(vi) The Clerk reported that she has written to the South Shropshire Housing Association advising them that the Council wish to tarmac the path from Kerry Lane to Grange Road. As she has not had a reply she will go out to tender.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/06/18073/LB Listed Building Consent. Alterations to dwelling (delegated matter)
2 Welsh Street, Bishop's Castle. H. Dartnall
Cllr. Blundell proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.

b) 1/06/18088/TC Tree works (Conservation Area) Reduction in height of an ash tree by 3m (delegated matter)
7 Pound Close, Bishop's Castle. C. Pritchard
Cllr Dr. Penney proposed that there be an objection on the grounds that the tree only be reduced in height by 1m as advised by the tree warden. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

d) Reports of Planning Applications. - none

e) Notice of planning meetings.
1/06/18001/F Planning permission (full). Formation of a balancing lake at the Wintles, Bishop's Castle. A meeting to be held on 26/4/06 at the Coors Stadium, Ludlow.

Plan 1/06/18141/F was brought to the attention of Councillors as it is on the Bishop's Castle boundary. Conversion of rural buildings to provide 5 x hoiliday let units with ancillary communal accommodation, local history and educational room. Oakley House, Stank Lane.
7. POLICING IN BISHOP'S CASTLE
Inspector Payton reported on the Policing situation in Bishop's Castle. He said the problem was that there are only 34 Police Constables in South Shropshire to cover 24 hour policing. There are two officers in each town and the rest work in cars out of Ludlow. The problem in Bishop's Castle was that Andy Dawson left to take up a CID position and Ann Gutteridge has been off sick. The position is now improved as Anne is back at work and John Summerfield is to be in post from May 11th. As Bishop's Castle has such a low crime rate (three reported incidents in 25 days) it takes a low priority when allocating police. South Shropshire is to have 14 Community Support Officers (CSO's) by 15 months time. Bishop's Castle is to have three of these officers. Inspector Payton explained that CSO's
are employed by West Mercia and are in uniform. They have the powers to stop people and vehicles and to collect fixed penalty fines. They reassure the public and feed back information. If they had more powers there would be more paperwork. Cllr. Gaffney asked about the two raids in Bishop's Castle. Inspector Payton explained there was some success and that it does no harm to have a show of strength if there are problems.
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley asked if PC Summerfield would be on duty in the evening as this is mainly when the problems with young people occur. Inspector Payton explained that there would be as many evening shifts as day shifts. Council were reassured that PC Summerfield would be involved with community policing and would keep his eye on the playing fields. Cllr. Blundell suggested a key to the playing fields be kept at the Police station to enable easy access. It was agreed that this would be a good idea.

8. CORE STRATEGY, ISSUES AND OPTIONS- Completion of questionnaire.
Councillors received copies of the document at the last meeting. As Councillors did not have copies of the questionnaire Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this be item discussed at the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved. The Clerk will obtain copies of the questionnaire for all Councillors and it is suggested they each fill it in before attending the meeting. ACTION TOWN CLERK

9. POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT
The Government plans to terminate the Post Office Card Account. Cllr. Wright proposed that the meeting be closed for Mrs Furber of Bishop's Castle Post Office to explain the situation. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.
Cllr, Furber explained that a POCA (Post Office Card Account) is a plastic card instead of a paper order book. The termination will cause confusion and uncertainty to the elderly and they will be very vulnerable drawing money at a cash point. This termination will also cause the decline of rural post offices along with the fact that TV licences will not be sold at Post Offices, nor budget payments or TV stamps. The DVLA is also campaigning for road tax to be renewed by telephone or online. She explained that rural post offices are an important link for the community and will be greatly missed, particularly by the more vulnerable.
The meeting was resumed and Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a strong letter of support be written to Phillip Dunne,our M.P. with a copy to Mr Blair, Prime Minister. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. ACTION TOWN CLERK

10. PARKING IN THE TOWN
A letter has been received from Margaret Griffiths asking Council to take action to improve the parking in the Town. She raised the following points.
(i) Parking/congestion in Station Street. - It was reported that the markings are now in place for parking bays.
(ii) Parking in the Town - There was much discussion on this item. Cllr. Carroll proposed letters be sent to Hall's (regarding their land behind the Boar's Head) and SpArC asking if their parking facilities can be publicised. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.
(iii) Hole in the road in Station Street. The Clerk will approach the County Council again.
(iv) Lights in Welsh Street. - This has been discussed under another item.
ACTION TOWN CLERK

11. E.S.W.S. VACANCY ON THE BOARD FOR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NORTHEN PARISHES.
Would Council like to suggest a suitable representative? Councillors felt that as this was for the northern parishes it should not be discussed by this Council.

12. TOWN HALL CLOCK
The Town Hall clock needs some repair. John Morgan is willing to do it. In the region of £250 - £300. Cllr. Gaffney explained the work that was required. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the work be carried out. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.

13. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR TOWN HALL CLEANER.
Approval needed for employment contract for Town Hall cleaner. Hours and rate of pay unchanged. Cllr. Blundell proposed the Town Hall cleaner's contract be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

14. ALTERATIONS TO PRIORITY AT THE BOARS HEAD JUNCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS AND PAVEMENT SURFACES
Report on site meeting held on Monday 10th April with representatives of Shropshire County Council. There is to be a change of priority at the Boars head junction with traffic automatically going into Station Street. The entrance to Church Street will be narrowed to single lane width. The surface will be a different colour for the first stretch which will eventually run throughout the conservation area. The traffic signs and pedestrian signs will all be on one new finger post. The pavement outside Whittles will be laid with paviors the same colour as in Market Square. The bus shelter will be moved back slightly to give more turning space for the buses. Cllr. Blundell requested a letter be sent to the County Council explaining that there needs to be enough room for lorries to turn into Church street at carnival time. Also to check that Central Networks are not likely to dig up the road in the near future.

15. GUTTER AT 11 WELSH STREET. (Cllr. Davidson-Stanley)
A letter was written in November 2005 asking the occupant to repair his gutter. The gutter has not been repaired and is in a worse state. Cllr. Wright proposed that a letter be sent to South Shropshire District Council reporting the problem as they have the powers and expertise in these matters. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.

16. Accounts.
a) Presentation of annual accounts. Cllr. Wright proposed the annual accounts are accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
17. Report of recent meetings attended by Council representatives.
Cllr. Carroll reported on the Launch of the "Wasteless Escape" organised by the Wasteless Society and funded by the Energy Savings Trust. It aims to reduce energy usage in Bishop's Castle homes.
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley reported that she had been to a Board meeting at Enterprise South West Shropshire and that there had been a very interesting talk by Cllr. Gaffney.

18. Correspondence.
(i) Cittaslow, Ludlow - First Annual Conference - Thursday 4th May 2006.
(ii) Defra - Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
(iii) Peter Phillips - A Unitary Council for Shropshire. The Mayor suggested that the Chairman of SALC, a Telford Councillor be invited to speak to the Council.
(iv) Invitation to the World Religions exhibition at the church.
(v) Letter from the Public Hall Committee inviting Councillors to their AGM and updating Councillors on repairs to be undertaken. Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter be sent to the Public Hall Committee recording the Council's delight at their progress and asking to be kept informed of future progress. Also suggesting that some agreement could be reached so that the AGM and Council Meetings were not on the same day. Seconded by Cllr. Blundell and approved.
(vi) Letter from Deb Hughes, Countryside Access Manager, Shropshire County Council regarding Off - road vehicle usage in the countryside. - Next agenda
b) Circulation
(i) Regional Action
(ii) Salopian Recorder
(iii) Standards committee - Agenda 4th April and minutes 7th March.
(iv) NHS Serving Your Community

19. Invoices paid for Friends of Bishop's Castle Playing Fields.
Clive Pritchard - 227.50
E.S.W.S. £35.46
Village Outreach £7.00
Windrush willow £14.00

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.

[home page] [members]

[links]