Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 4/12/2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 4TH DECEMBER AT 8.OO PM.
PRESENT Councillor J. E. Gaffney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, M. Furber, J.E. Gaffney, N. Hird, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill,
Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, K.E.C. Pinches M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Resolved The following apologies are accepted: Cllr. Farr and Cllr. Morris. Proposed by Cllr. Pinches, seconded by Cllr. Stanley.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 12 as he is Chairman of the Community Land Trust.
Cllr. Hird declared a personal interest in item 13 as he is a member of the Wasteless Society.
b) Declaration of prejudicial interest: none
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 10 - Letters of thanks have been received from West Shropshire Talking Newspaper, Hope House Childrens Hospice, Citizens Advice Shropshire.
Item 12 - Letter from Ann Hartley, Shropshire County Council in reply to our letter expressing concern over proposed school closures.
Item 14 - Biomass planning application. The mayor reminded Councillors that even though the planning application has been withdrawn (see item 6a) Councillors should refrain from expressing opinions about the application as this Council is likely to have to consider a resubmission of the application in the future.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
a) Sister Sandra Bradbury, Stone House Hospital - Sister Bradbury updated Council on the future plans for Stone House Hospital. The PCT has now decided Community Hospitals are the best arrangement offering services locally. The first plan was for 16 beds, 4 ensuite rooms and 3 x 4 bedded units. There will be a new entrance and new reception area and new nurses station. Also an increased outpatient capacity and a relatives room. There will be a lot more training for staff and a mobile diagnostic area. The local G.P’s support the plan and there is interest from consultants who would like to have onsite clinics. The second plan is expected to be approved by Christmas, with work starting just after. As many beds as possible will be retained while work is carried out. The hospital nurses will work more with district nurses, with hospital nurses going out into the community.
b) Ron Davies - Mr Davies spoke about his planning application for the land behind 36 High Street through to Station Street. He explained that he has worked with the District Council to see how the site can be developed to add to housing stock of Bishop’s Castle. There was initially a difficulty of including the affordable housing element. This has been solved by demolishing the red barn and bungalow to put six houses on that site and building a further six houses at Castle Green. Mr Davies said he would remain to the end of the meeting to answer any questions.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/07/20106/F Planning permission (Full) Erection of a Biomass Power Plant and alterations to existing vehicular access.
Bishop’s Castle Industrial Estate, Crowgate, Bishop’s Castle.
Bishop’s Castle Biomass Power Ltd.
South Shropshire District Council planning department has advised that this application has been withdrawn
b) 1/07/20112/TC Tree works (conservation area) (Delegated matter) Felling of an acacia, a western hemlock, a silver birch and two pine trees, loping a maple.
The Middle Bailey, Bull Lane, Bishop’s castle. Mrs G Roberts.
Resolved An objection on the grounds that the trees are well away from any property and therefore cause no danger of damage. Anxieties about problems caused by gales can be met by lopping. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Stanley.
c) 1/07/20130/CM Application by the County Council seeking planning permission for installation of extension to existing demountable youth service building.
The Community College, Brampton Road, Bishop’s castle.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Magill.
d) 1/07/20114/F Planning permission (full) Erection of an extension to dwelling.
14 Corporation Street, Bishop’s Castle. Mrs D Collins.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Pinches.
e) 1/07/20119/TC Tree works (conservation area) (Delegated matter) Reduce in height yew trees.
The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Bishop’s Castle. Mr G. S. Hemmings.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr.Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Holton.
f) 1/07/20146/F Planning permission (Full) (Delegated matter) Erection of an extension and alterations to dwelling and erection of a domestic garage.
Brooklyn House, Woodbatch Lane, Bishop’s Castle. Mr R. A. Kimber.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Pinches.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Cllr. Georgie Ellis reported on the following:-
a) Biomass plans. She has had an enormous post bag. She thanks people for writing but will not be able to answer all the letters individually.
b) Proposal for Childrens Centre at primary school. Cllr. Ellis asked for any thoughts on this matter to be sent to herself or Frances Phelps. There will be a consultation meeting in January.
c) Closure of the abattoir. There has been a big meeting with all concerned. There is a big demand to keep an abattoir in business. Advantage West Midlands are prepared to pay a salary for a marketing manager for one year.
d) Primary schools - Cllr. Ellis reminded Councillors that many children from Bishop’s Castle are sent to Lydbury North or Norbury because they are church schools. Lydbury North could be one of the schools under threat.
e)Unitary - There have been 29 councillors on the Joint Implementation Board. This is to be reduced to 19 until the 2009 election of members of the Unitary Authority.
8. QUALITY COUNCIL
The Mayor advised Councillors that Bishop’s Castle Town Council has achieved the Quality Status. He thanked Mrs Ince, the Clerk and Cllr. Carroll, previous Mayor for their hard work in preparing the application. He went on to explain that the Quality Status lasts for four years when we have to reapply. To do this we must ensure we have a qualified Clerk or a Clerk working towards qualification and Clerk and Councillors will have to show they have undertaken training in this time. Cllr. Gaffney went on to explain that we are not sure at present what extra roles we will be able to take on but one he thought would be appropriate is the management of the Crowgate recycling site.
9. PRECEPT
Resolved (unanimous) To set the precept for 2008/9 at £44,320 the same as last year. The Mayor noted that this would produce a slight decrease in residents council tax contribution for the Town Council. He continued that the Town Council will still be in a position to expand and improve services by increasing the hours of the Clerk, making provision for management of green spaces, a track to the allotments, extra help at the farmers markets, help at the Crowgate recycling site and lighting of footpaths. All other Council responsibilities will be adequately covered. Proposed by Cllr. Wright and seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
Cllr. Carroll spoke about the possibility of a Youth Council. To be discussed at another meeting.
10. STREET CLEANING
Resolved To request the District Council to employ a street cleaner in Bishop’s Castle for one extra day a week. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney.
11. SALARY INCREASE
Resolved An increase in the Clerk’s salary from £8.387 per hour to £8.595, back dated to April 2007 in line with NALC recommendations and the new salary scales. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr. Wright.
12. COMMUNITY LAND TRUST -
Cllr. Gaffney explained that there is a meeting on 17th December where the initial Board will be appointed. At this meeting the Community Land Trust will invite the Town Council to send two representatives to sit on this Board.
Resolved Cllrs Stanley and Holton to be the Council representatives. Proposed by Cllr. Gaffney and seconded by Cllr. Hird.
13. CROWGATE RECYCLING CENTRE
Cllr. Hird reported that he has written to Bill Jones, South Shropshire District Council explaining the problems at the Crowgate recycling centre. Cllr. Pinches suggested a camera would deter fly tippers. Resolved The Town Council make every effort to take over the management of this site, not including the fortnightly skips or the collection of fly tipped waste. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Hird.
14. ACCOUNTS
19. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllrs Carroll and Stanley reported back from the Enterprise South West Shropshire Board meeting. Cllrs Carroll and Stanley had hoped that ESWS Board members could discuss the hours and salary of the Chief Executive. Discussion on the matter was difficult because the Chief Executive was not present and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board chose not to discuss it. Several members were absent and others unavoidably late. Graham Biggs, Chief Executive, South Shropshire District Council gave some good advice. Changes in Board structure have been recommended and the Board must think about which direction it is going in. The part of Enterprise South West Shropshire on show at Enterprise House is run very well by Mike Ashwell and his Staff but the regeneration side is not doing very well. For example it did not give the support to keep the abattoir open that was expected of it.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that the Town Council representative to the Board of Enterprise South West Shropshire express the Town Council’s disquiet at the lack of a frank discussion on the role, performance and remuneration of ESWS members of staff, especially the Chief Executive. The Town Council would like an appropriate evaluation to be carried out as soon as possible. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
Cllr. Carroll reported on a PACT meeting. As few people attend these meetings it was agreed to hold two PACT meetings a year, one of which is attached to the Lets Talk meeting. In place of these meetings the Police would like to hold surgeries at the Town Hall from 7.00 - 7.30pm on the same evenings as Council meetings.
20a) CORRESPONDENCE.
(i) Letter from Shropshire County Council regarding road closure at Clun Bridge.
(ii) Letter from Shropshire County Council regarding village speed limits.
(iii) Letter from Mrs Green regarding planning application 1/07/20188/F.
(iv) Letter from Shropshire County Council regarding the temporary closure of footpath 30.
(v) E-mail from Cllr. Peter Phillips encouraging people to attend the Scrutiny Panel discussing Primary Schools Policy.
b) Circulation
(i) Stone House Forum - Notes on meeting on 26th October 2007.
(ii) SALC Annual report 2006-7
(iii) The Playing Field
(iv) Speaking Out - West Midlands LGA
(v) LCR
(vi) Clerks and Councils Direct
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.