MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 14th AUGUST 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, N. Hird, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill, W. J. Morris, 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: none
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a personal interest in item 9 as she is a member of Enterprise South West Shropshire.
Cllr. Gaffney declared a prejudicial interest in item 6a as the applicant is a friend.
Cllr. Farr declared a prejudicial interest in item 6a as the applicant is a friend.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Item 4 relating to item 13 - delete “They have agreed to help with any obstructions.” and insert “When pressed Sgt. John Evans agreed the Police have a duty to enforce the law on obstructions.”
Item 12 - Delete “30mph” and insert “Mynd View”
Item 17 - line 3 insert “as usual in “ so that it reads “The Lifeline Company is as usual in a difficult financial situation”
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 12 - Footpath in Montgomery Road - The Clerk reported that Clive Pritchard had given a quote of less than £50 to strim and tidy the west side of Montgomery Road from Castle Green to Mynd View. It was agreed the Clerk use her powers to authorise this work now and in future when necessary.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/07/19761/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of extension to dwelling (delegated matter)
Sefton, Harley Jenkins Street, Bishop’s Castle, Mr & Mrs P Carty.
Resolved - No objection, proposed by Cllr. Stanley and seconded by Cllr. Hird.
b) 1/07/19763/F Planning permission (Full) Erection of a horticultural building and alterations to existing vehicular access (delegated matter) OS Field No 8467 Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5EU. N & A Coull.
Resolved - Objection - The Council saw no reason to change its original objection on the grounds that this application should go to committee because of the large size of the building and the fact that it is not connected to the farm. Proposed by Cllr. Wright and seconded by Cllr. Carroll.
c) 1/07/19768/VC Variations of conditions. Variation of conditions 4(b) of Planning permission 1/05/17600?f dated 16th January 2007 to include occupancy under equity mortgage provision. (delegated matter)
Land adjoining Grange Road, Bishop’s Castle. South Shropshire Housing Association.
Resolved - Objection on the grounds that there is a need to protect the provision of rented accommodation. It is not clear from this application whether the variation would continue to provide the rented accommodation. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley and seconded by Cllr. Wright.
e). Notification of planning meeting - 1/07/19692/F Planning permission (full) Erection of 3 no affordable dwellings and 3 no open-market dwellings: construction of estate roads and formation of vehicular and pedestrian access. (delegated matter).
Station Street Garage, Bishop’s Castle, SY9 5AQ. G & R Price
Wednesday 15th August 2007, at 2.00pm at The SBS Stadium, Ludlow.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Cllr. Ellis reported on the following.
a) There is to be consultation on local bus services on Monday 20th August 10.00 am to 2.00 pm in the Auction Yard. The suggestion is that large buses should continue to run on the main routes but there should be a demand lead smaller buses to the more rural routes.
b) There are to be business mentoring groups for pupils of the Community College. Volunteers are required to act as mentors.
Cllr. Phillips spoke about the replacement of the Regional Assembly with a regional cabinet, mostly government appointed.
8. ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION
Resolved - An Article 4 Direction for Bishop’s Castle is to be sought but it is not to include the painting of the outside of the houses. The Clerk to make an application to the District Council. Proposed by Cllr. Wright and seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. ACT
9. SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE REGENERATION COMPANY
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the recommendations of the feasibility study commissioned by E.S.W.S. be accepted. The recommendations included the establishment of a new regeneration company that would oversee Enterprise House, the Community College community operation and SpArC. Some Councillors expressed concern about the ongoing subsidy of some £100,000. Cllr. Gaffney said that he did not believe there would be any gain in local accountability. Cllr. Carroll said that she felt that there was an opportunity for local control of SpArC. Seconded by Cllr. Carroll, the motion was defeated with 4 votes for, 8 votes against.
10. UNITARY AUTHORITY
Update on Unitary Authority from meeting held on Tuesday 14th August 2007 with SALC.
Cllr. Gaffney reported that there was no new information but went on to explain a little more about the process of changing to a Unitary Authority. The new Unitary Council will be elected in May 2008 and shadow the current County and District Councils. Cllr. Phillips thought this would be for about three months. There will be 27 area committees based on the current County Council Divisions. These will be made up of the elected Unitary Councillors for that area and at least one representative from each of the Parish Councils in the area. The area committees will have money available to spend. Cllr. Phillips estimated around £40,000 per year.
Cllr. Phillips explained that there will be a Joint Interim Board, consisting of representatives of the six Principal Councils, to set up the workings for the Unitary Authority.
11. UNSUITABLE FOR HGV’S SIGN
Resolved A request be made to the Highways Department, Shropshire County Council for the following:-
a) An “unsuitable for HGV’s” sign at both ends of Castle Street.
b) An “unsuitable for HGV’s” sign at both ends of Welsh Street.
c) An “HGV recommended route” sign at Moat Hill at the junction of Kerry Lane and at the entrance to Kerry Lane by the Church.
Proposed by Cllr. Hird and seconded by Cllr. Pinches.
12. SKATEBOARD PARK
Resolved a) Approval for BCSA to enclose the tarmac area of the skatepark with a fence whilst the new ramp is being installed.
b) Approval for BCSA to hold a skate/bmx event on the afternoon of September 15th
12 - 5 pm, if wet to hold the event on the afternoon of the Michaelmas Fair.
c) To provide a litter bin by the Skateboard Park.
Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr. Magill.
13. COUNTRY ACCESS STRATEGY FOR SHROPSHIRE 2008-2018
Draft document for the Countryside Access Strategy for South Shropshire including a feedback form. To be circulated and put on the next agenda for discussion.
14. ROSPA REPORT ON PLAYING FIELDS
Feedback on the Rospa report on the Playing Fields that was made available to Councillors. It said that “the new facility, was absolutely fantastic, excellent play value for both toddler/junior age groups.”
15. PAYMENT OF BT ACCOUNT
Resolved - The Clerk to have the authority to pay the BT account and any similar accounts by Direct Debit if it saves this Council money. The payment to be shown on the agenda as usual Proposed by Cllr. Carroll and seconded by Cllr. Wright..
16. PLAY CHEST GRANT SCHEME
Council were advised that money is available for up to 75% of total costs to a maximum of £3000 for new or improved play facilities.
17. LOCAL MEETING
Council would like the following matters discussed at the Local meeting on Monday 8th October 2007.
a) Policing - It has not come up to expectation.
b) What powers will be devolved down when a Unitary Council comes into being.
c) More details on the joint Interim Board when changing to a Unitary Council.
d) Bus services.
e) What powers of scrutiny will the Area Committees have.
18. STREET LIGHTING REPORT
The street lighting report from V & W electrics was shown to Councillors. The Clerk is looking into the cost of the more urgent work.
19. THE PLANNING PACK
At the request of Cllr. Hird the Planning Pack has been downloaded. It is in the office should any Councillor wish to borrow it.
20. ACCOUNTS –
21. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllrs Carroll reported that she and Cllr. Holton had visited the new houses off Grange Road. She said they were built to a high standard of sustainability and were very energy efficient. Whether for sale or rent they were all built to the same standard. All had gardens and some are quite large. There is considerable space between the new development and the old Grange Road houses. Councillors were concerned that it appears the only input they will have in the allocation is to say whether applicants are local. The Clerk to investigate further.
22a) CORRESPONDANCE.
(i) Philip Dunne - Re meeting about Big Lottery Fund.
(ii) Copy of a letter from John and Diana Beddoes of Colebatch to Peter Phillips requesting a footpath from Colebatch to Bishop’s Castle.
(iii) Letter from Carol Naden of 38 High Street requesting Council recommendation of her being local for the purposes of affordable housing at Grange Road.
(iv) Rural Transport Strategy Local Consultation. Road shows on changes being considered to rural bus services. Bishop’s Castle - 20th August at the Livestock Market 10am - 2pm.
(v) Peter Phillips re Post Watch.
(vi) Copy of a letter from C J Day to Karen Bavastock in reply to her letter of 17th July 2007. Cllr. Hird pointed out that the information in the letter was incorrect and a 2.5 mw power plant could not produce 13 megawatts of heat.
b) Circulation
(i) Wasteless Society Newsletter
(ii) SCC - Village speed limits
(iii) H.M. Revenue & Customs
(iv) The Playing Fields
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.