MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 28th February 2006 AT 8.OO PM
PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors:M. Davidson - Stanley, R. A. Evans, S.A. Farr,
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, Town Clerk.
1. APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Blundell
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration
of personal interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 17 as he is a Director of
the Wasteless Society.
b) Declaration
of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a prejudicial interest in item 11 as she rents an allotment
in Laburnum Alley.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS
MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 31st January 2006, having
been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Magill. Seconded by
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
4. MATTERS ARISING
From previous meeting - Letter from Cllr. John Hurst-Knight noting our request
for a break clause of 12 months.
From a previous meeting letter of thanks from Dial-a Ride for our donation.
Item 14 - Skateboard park. A letter from Fiona Roberson saying that Bishop's
Castle Skateboarding Association do not wish to take up grants such as the big
lottery fund because of the extensive long term conditions.
5. MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Jessie Rowlands spoke on behalf of the Skateboarding Association (item 14) He
said that he lived in Bishop's Castle and had recently joined the Skateboarding
Association. At the last meeting there were six parents and six young skateboarders.
They have planned six fund raising events. He explained that at a show of hands
at the Community College 86 young people had shown a direct interest in the
skateboard park. It was thought that about 20 pupils at the Primary School were
interested. He thought that when it is completed interest would grow in the
Town. He asked the Council to give their approval for the installation of three
larger ramps and a small tool box to store brooms etc. Also for the wooden fence
and the other points on the agreement. He thanked the Town Council for all their
help.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/06/17899/F Planning permission (Full) Erection of an extension to dwelling.
1 Station Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr. R. Bunting.
Cllr. Wright proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.
aa) 1/06/17916/F
Planning permission (full). Erection of a dwelling (committee matter).
Land adjacent to Fair View Farm, Colebatch, Bishop's Castle. D. R Griffiths.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the plans be considered at this meeting. Seconded
by Cllr. Morris and approved.
Cllr. Dr Penney proposed there be strong support for the application. Seconded
by
Cllr Pinches and approved.
b) Reports of Planning
Applications.
(i) 1/05/17776/OE Termination of overhead line and installation of an underground
cable.
Pumping Station at Oakley Borehole, Bishop's Castle.
Wayleave Survey and Engineering ltd.
No objection
(ii) 1/06/17789/F Erection of an extension to a dwelling.
Haytor, 8 Lavender Bank, Bishop's Castle. Mrs M. Tantrum
Planning permission granted.
(i) 1/06/17820/F Erection of an extension to dwelling.
8 bull Lane, Bishop's Castle. Mr J Russell
Planning permission granted.
7. VAT REFUND
The VAT office has refused to refund all the VAT because it does not meet the
criteria. The invoice in question is SDW for the tarmac on the skatepark. The
VAT element is £1,946.07.
The criteria for claiming the VAT is:-
a) BCTC places the order for the works.
b) BCTC receives the supply.
c) BCTC receives a VAT invoice addressed to BCTC
d) BCTC pays from its own funds.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this be noted. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
8. USE OF MARKET
SQUARE.
Bishop's Castle Parish Church would like to use the Old Market Place on Sunday
9th April and
Friday 14th April. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr.
Pinches and approved.
9. BISHOP'S CASTLE
CARNIVAL 2006
Request for use of the playing field on Sunday 2nd July by the Carnival Committee.
Cllr. Morris proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
10. OAK MEADOW
GRASSED AREA.
a) Report on meeting with residents.
Cllr. Carroll reported that Joan Grant is the Bishop's Castle representative
for the Residents Association. At the meeting residents explained that they
would like the area for the mid aged children to kick a ball about. They would
like chain link fencing at each end to protect the houses (cost approx £350)
and a piece of wall for children to kick a ball against. (South Shropshire District
Council may do the foundation and provide a few bricks). The Residents would
like fencing similar to the small children's playground along the road edge
(cost approx £2000) with a safety zig zag fence at the end of the footpath.(SSDC
will provide) They would like the shelter at the opposite end to the path as
far as possible from the road.
The Clerk reported that there is possible funding in this financial year from
the Community Safety fund and possibly funding next year from the Community
Fund. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the Clerk apply for both types of funding, the
Community Safety Fund as soon as possible. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
There was some discussion about the height of the wall. Residents to be consulted
and it brought back to Council.
b) Treasurers Account money. Cllr. Wright proposed the account be closed and
the money used on the Oak Meadow grassed area. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and
approved.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that item 14 be brought forward. Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley
and approved.
14. SKATEBOARD
PARK.
a) A précis of the report from Skateboarding Association was read giving
the information that 86 young people were interested in improving the facilities
at the skatepark. Of these 50 had provided their contact details. Six young
people and six adults attended the last meeting.
b) Approval required for back safety fence. Cllr. Pinches proposed a five foot
fence be installed along the back of the skateboard park, joining up with the
fence along the jubilee gate entrance. The Skateboarding Association to pay
for the part behind the skateboard park, the Town Council to pay for the rest.
Seconded by Cllr. Davidson-Stanley and approved.
c) Approval required for the Skateboarders to put up a Health and Safety notice
board. Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed that the meeting be closed so that the
representatives from the skateboard Association could answer some questions
about BMXers. Seconded by Cllr. Wright. The Skateboarders felt it was quite
safe and normal for a few BMXers to use the site but they would have to give
priority to skateboarders. The majority of BMXers would prefer to use the BMX
park.
The meeting was resumed.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the attached notice be displayed on a notice board
at the skate park. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
d) Suggested working agreement with Skateboarders Association. Cllr. Gaffney
proposed the circulated working agreement be accepted with the following amendments.
Item 8b to read:- BCTC to place all orders of work after being agreed by the
Town Council.
Item 8e to read:- BCTC will pay for the goods from the Town Council accounts.
Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
Cllr. Carroll left
the room and Cllr. Magill took the Chair.
11. LABURNUM ALLEY
Consideration of tenders for laying scalpings from the kissing gate to Union
Street.
SDW - £1700
Andy Mellor - £1780
K. Watkins - £1682.50
Cllr. Wright proposed that the SDW bid be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney
and approved.
Cllr. Carroll returned.
12. STREET LIGHTING MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.
Consideration of Street Lighting Contracts.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this item be discussed at the next meeting when all
the information is available. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved.
13. CLERKS MATTERS
a) Cllr. Gaffney proposed the Clerk receive one increment and NALC's recommended
pay increase. New hourly rate from 1st April. (NALC recommendations) £8.225
per hour from £7.804 Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
b) Agenda - The problems that arise in giving three clear working days notice
were discussed. Cllr. Morris proposed the Clerk be paid an extra hour for each
Council Meeting to enable her to come to Bishop's Castle on the Tuesday prior
to the meeting to enable her to post the Agenda. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and
approved.
15. PLAYING FIELDS
a) Vandalism of lamps. Update on situation. Cllr. Carroll explained there had
been two incidents of vandalism of lights on the Playing Field. The first incident
involved some local boys who were known to Cllr. Blundell. Cllr. Blundell is
believed to have arranged for the boys to pay for the damage and to do some
work on the playing fields to make amends. As far as is known this has not happened.
Cllr. Pinches proposed that Cllr. Blundell be formally asked to undertake the
necessary repairs to the two lights damaged by the boys as quickly as possible
at no cost to the Council. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
The second incident was of a more serious nature and has been reported to the
Police and is being claimed on the insurance.
b) Local Residents have requested that the lights on the Playing Field are put
on a timer to switch off at night because when they are on young people gather
in the early hours of the morning. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by
Cllr. Morris and approved. Cllr. Carroll reported that the Reverend Plunkett
will liaise with Irene Stelfox, the youth worker, and they hope to visit the
playing fields in the early hours to talk to the children.
16. LEAFLET HOLDER
Cllr. Magill proposed that the six towns leaflet holder be put in the entrance
hall of Town Hall. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. Cllr. Pinches
volunteered to put it up.
17. WASTELESS SOCIETY
- Cllr Hird
Cllr. Hird explained that cardboard recycling is now being used more than expected
and they have a rota of volunteers to move it. The Wasteless Society would like
a donation to pay a person to tidy up for one hour on a Monday. Cllr. Pinches
proposed a donation could be given as soon as possible of £300 to cover
the cost of paying a person for one hour a week. The Wasteless Society will
organise it. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
18. SIGNPOST AT
THE JUNCTION OF THE NEW WINTLES ROAD WITH WELSH STREET.
Cllr. Davidson-Stanley proposed that a request be made to the County Council
for a direction sign at the junction of the new Wintles Road and Welsh Street.
The sign to say Castle Green and Montgomery in one direction, Mainstone, Bishop's
Moat and Kerry Ridgeway in another direction and Town Centre in the third. Seconded
by Cllr. Evans and approved.
19. Accounts. -
20. Report of recent
meetings attended by Council representatives.
Cllr. Carroll reported on the meeting of the Town Hall Restoration Group. It
was attended by Cllr. Carroll, Cllr. Magill, Cllr. Dr. Penney, the Clerk, Sue
Cooper and several members of the Civic Society. Cllr. Wright had sent his apologies.
It was agreed that visits should be made to the Clerk at Ludlow to see the Buttercross
and to visit the Millennium Green Project. These have both received Project
Planning Grants. It was also agreed to go to Birmingham to see Chris Tomlin,
the adviser for the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Cllr. Dr. Penney reported that he had been at a dinner and spoken to Algernon
Heber Percy, Lord Lietenant of Shropshire, who is the Chairman of the Walker
Trust. It is possible that when the Pines is sold there may be some money available
for education purposes from the Trust. Cllr. Carroll proposed that Cllr. Dr.
Penney and the Clerk write a letter to Mr Heber Percy requesting funding for
the Town Hall. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
21. Correspondence.
a) (i) Shropshire Archives and Archaeology - Invitation to an open evening on
Thursday 9th March 2006, 5.00pm - 7.30pm.
b) Circulation
(i) SSDC Standards Committee - Agenda for meeting 7th February 2006 and minutes
for meeting 10th January 2006.
(ii) SCC Cabinet paper - Highway maintenance
(iii) West Midlands Regional Assembly - Speaking out
(iv) The Playing Field
(v) Standards of Conduct in English Local Government - The Future
(vi) Shropshire Access Partnership.
(vii) SCC Sustainable Resource Management (4 booklets)
22. Invoices paid
for Friends of Bishop's Castle Playing Fields.
R. Williams - £100.00
Paul Jasper Trees - £104.48
E.S.W.S. - £63.23
A. R. Jones - £4700.00
Roger Page - £19.98
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the above be noted. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and
approved.
The Mayor declared
the meeting closed at 9.30p.m.
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