MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 8.OO PM.
PRESENT Councillor J. E. Gaffney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, J.E. Gaffney, 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 were accepted: Cllr. Morris and Cllr. Hird Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Farr.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Stanley declared a personal interest in item 6a as she is a friend of the applicant.
Cllr. Holton declared a personal interest in item 10 as she is a member of The House on Crutches museum and BCHRC.
Cllr. Dr. Penney declared a personal interest in item 10 as he is a Trustee of the Old Castle Land Trust.
Cllr. Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in item 9b(x) as she is an owner of the adjacent property.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Dr Penney with the following corrections. Seconded by Cllr. Holton.
Item 6c line 7 should read “Cllr. Stanley voted against”.
Item 17 line 12 should read “It may have to be on play facilities.”
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 8 Affordable Housing - A letter from Paul Sutton, Managing Director, South Shropshire Housing Association was read explaining the letting policy of affordable houses. The Mayor is to invite Mr Sutton to speak at a future meeting.
From previous meetings:-
(i) Cllr. Carroll reported on a meeting about the future of the Crowgate Child Centre. The County Council has decided to build a new child care facility at the primary school site. It is to be built by next year. This will allow the Crowgate nursery to move but will not give any expansion to services and the capacity will be slightly less. Lisa Bedford, Regeneration Officer, South Shropshire District Council had hoped for an expansion which would include babies and after school facilities. She is seeking grant funders to build an extension to the planned building.
(ii) The Clerk reported that the Project Planning grant application for the Town Hall renovation has been posted.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
(i) Heather Ladyman - (Treasurer of the Allotments Association) asked the Council to consider budgeting for the improvement of the track across the bike track to the allotments.
(ii) Andrew Cunningham - (Bishop’s Castle Group representative) explained to Councillors that the Bishop’s Castle Group had a meeting with the Biomass developers, with Phillip Dunne (M.P) present. Mr Dunne is to ask the District Council for an extension to the planning period.
Cllr. Gaffney moved that item 14 be brought forward and discussed before item 7. Seconded by Dr. Penney and approved.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
1/07/20069/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a log store with roof top seating area. (delegated matter)
10 Welsh Street, Bishop’s Castle. Lynn Townsend.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Magill.
b) Reports of Planning Applications
(i) 1/07/19946/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a balcony (delegated matter)
Chapel View, Station Street, Bishop’s Castle, G. Price.
Planning permission granted.
14. PROPOSED BIOMAS PLANT
Request from the Bishop’s Castle Group for a referendum on the proposed Biomass plant under LGA1972 para 3 sch. 12, para 18, sub para 4 and 5.
Cllr. Gaffney explained that the Bishop’s Castle Group decided not to call a referendum at their meeting yesterday evening.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that in view of this decision the agenda item be dropped. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and agreed.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Georgie Ellis (District Councillor) reported on the new arrangements for getting planning for housing. Applicants wishing to build for the open market are required to pay £30,000 when the property is sold. (Up until now it has been £60,000 when planning is granted). Applicants who are prepared to sell or pass on property within the affordable criteria will not pay.
She also reported that there have been a lot of meetings about the proposed Primary school closures. Shropshire receives a low per capita grant from the government at present. The formula is to be altered but there is no knowledge as to how it will change. Cllr. Ellis reported that the County Council is now looking for 1.2 million pounds of savings.
Cllr. Ellis then spoke about the plans for the Crowgate child centre. She was asked if the centre will be independent of the Primary School. She said it would be. The Children’s Services of the County Council would look favourably on the Crowgate Team running it but tenders would have to be sought. The cheapest would not necessarily be taken but the best for the community.
Cllr Ellis then went on to talk about the abattoir. There is to be a meeting with vendors, wholesalers and suppliers. They are looking for someone who will revive it as an abattoir. It is an industrial site and will have to be used as such.
8. RESIGNATION OF THE CLERK
The Clerk has given notice that she intends to retire on 31st January 2008.
Resolved (unanimous)
a) Cllrs Carroll, Gaffney, Dr. Penney, Magill and Wright to form a working group to conduct interviews and recommend an appointment.
b) The new Clerk to be employed for 22 hours per week on SCP 15 or higher if experienced. The Mayor explained to Councillors the increase in hours would involve approximately 3% increase in the Councils budget. If possible the new clerk will work part time in January with Mrs Ince and Mrs Ince to work some hours in February to help the new Clerk.
Proposed by Cllr. Wright and seconded by Cllr. Carroll.
9.BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
All changes to take effect from 1st April 2008.
(i) Town Hall cleaners salaries. Cllr. Wright proposed an increase to £6.50 per hour. Seconded by Cllr. Carroll. The proposition fell by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and passed by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention.
(ii) Street cleaners salary. Increase to £6.00 per hour. Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Carroll. The proposition fell by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and passed by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention.
(iii) Toilet cleaners salary. Increase to £6.00 per hour. Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Carroll. The proposition fell by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed no change. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and passed by 5 votes to 4 with one abstention.
(iv) Mayors allowance. Increase to £340. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Carroll and approved.
(v) Hire of Town Hall. Increase to £39 per day or £6.50 per hour whichever is cheaper. Proposed by Cllr. Holton. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
(vi) Hire of Friday market stall. Increase to £6.60. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
(vii) Hire of Farmers market stall. To remain the same. Proposed by Cllr.Stanley, seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
b) Resolved that the following are recommended by Council for the preparation of the budget.
(i) Training costs for Clerk and Councillors. £125 budgeted for this year and not spent to be carried forward. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Magill.
(ii) Repair and renewal of street furniture. £500 to be budgeted. Proposed by Dr. Penney, seconded by Cllr. Farr.
(iii) Town centre enhancement. (Hanging baskets etc.) £300 to be budgeted. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Magill. (9 votes to 2)
(iv) Playing Field supervision. £3,500 to be budgeted. Proposed by Cllr. Wright and seconded by Cllr. Carroll.
(v) Weeding in playing fields. £1,000 to be budgeted. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley, seconded by Cllr. Wright.
(vi) Footpaths - surfacing. £2000 budgeted. The money not spent this year to be carried forward. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Magill.
(vii) Allotments. £1,000 to be budgeted for the work on the track. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Magill.
(viii) Donations. £1,500 to be allocated for donations. proposed by Cllr. Pinches,and seconded by Cllr. Carroll.
(ix) Reserves - The reserves for the Town hall renovation and new street lighting to be carried forward. Proposed by Cllr. Gaffney and seconded by Cllr. Farr.
(x) Town Hall renovation. No extra money to be allocated. Proposed by Cllr. Gaffney and seconded by Cllr. Pinches
(xi) Footpath lighting - £1000 suggested. Decision to be taken at the Councils next meeting in the light of the Precept required by the rest of the budget. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Magill.
.
10. APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Resolved The following offers for financial support under section 137 of the Local Government Act are to be made.
Old Castle Land Trust £50
South Shropshire Talking Newspapers £50
Hope House Children’s Hospices £50
Dial a ride £50
House on Crutches museum £50
BCHRC £50
£50 also to be awarded to Citizens Advice Bureau.
Cllr. Farr reminded Councillors of last year’s decision to allocate only £600 for applications of financial support. £195 has already been distributed, leaving only £405 for these applications. After the above payments £55 is still available for future applications in this financial year.
Proposed by Cllr. Farr and seconded by Cllr. Stanley.
11. WASTE BIN AT OAK MEADOW
Resolved: A waste bin to be provided by the new play area in Oak Meadow. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley and seconded by Cllr Wright.
12. PROPOSED SCHOOL CLOSURES
Resolved: A strong letter to be written to Ann Hartley, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Shropshire County Council deploring the closure of primary schools. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr. Wright.
13. CHANGES TO STANDING ORDERS.
Resolved: The following is adopted and added to Bishop’s Castle Town Council standing orders.
“Members of the Public are allowed to attend meetings of the council for the purpose of making representations, giving evidence or answering questions.”
Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr. Holton.
15. ACCOUNTS –
16. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
17a) CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk explained that a letter has been received from Derek Latimer, a blue badge holder, who has received a Town Council letter for parking in the passing bay. The Clerk explained that Blue badge holders are entitled to do this. Councillors agreed to be more careful and a letter of apology will be sent to Mr Latimer.
(b) Circulation
(i) Shropshire Hills AONB Annual Review
(ii) Wasteless Society Newsletter
(iii) Proposed Biomas Plant, Gill and Jim Lawler
(iv) West Mercia Police Authority.
(v) A healthier future- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m.