MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2007 AT 8.OO PM.
Councillors stood for one minutes silence in memory of Len Gwilliam who passed away last week. A well respected past Councillor and Mayor who worked very hard for Bishop’s Castle.
PRESENT Councillor J. E. Gaffney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, M. Furber, J.E. Gaffney, 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:
Resolved The following apologies were accepted: Cllr. Hird and Cllr. Farr.
Proposed by Cllr. Pinches, seconded by Cllr. Magill.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Carroll declared a personal interest in item 11 as she is a member of the Christmas Lights Festival Committee.
Cllr. Gaffney declared a prejudicial interest in item 6c as he is a friend of the applicant.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Item 9 line 7 should read “made” not “mad”.
Item 13 line one delete “Is there an”
Item21 - Insert after line 2 “The Partnership makes grants to not for profit organisations through the Community Chest scheme (up to £500 for each application) and the Opportunities fund. It has a sum of £40,000 to distribute.”
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
A meeting has been arranged with Phil Crossland, Assistant Director, Transport and Highways, Shropshire County Council, in Bishop’s Castle to discuss yellow and white lines on Thursday 15th November 2007 at 9.30am.
The Mayor distributed copies of a letter he has written to Prof. Pahl. in reply to Prof. Pahls letter to Councillors with regard to the donated bench.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/07/19946/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a balcony (delegated matter)
Chapel View, Station Street, Bishop’s Castle, G. Price.
Resolved. No objection proposed by Cllr. Stanley, Seconded by Cllr. Morris.
b) 1/07/19924/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a conservatory,
The Grange, Kerry Lane, Bishop’s Castle. Mr Tilling.
Resolved No objection. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney, Seconded by Cllr. Pinches.
Cllr. Gaffney left the room and Cllr. Pinches took the chair.
c) 1/07/20031/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of a replacement dwelling (delegated matter)
The Pines, Colebatch, Bishop’s Castle. Miss Hicks
Resolved An objection on the grounds that the proposed building is bigger in footprint than Pines itself and therefore too prominent. If the application is permitted a section 106 should be included stipulating that it is not sold separately to the Pines in the future. Proposed by Cllr. Wright, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. Cllr. Stanley did not vote.
Cllr. Gaffney returned and took the Chair
e) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/07/1/07/19761/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of extension to dwelling (delegated matter)
Sefton, Harley jenkins Street, Bishop’s castle, Mr & Mrs P Carty.
Planning permission granted.
(ii) 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.
Application withdrawn.
(iii) 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
Planning permission granted.
(iv) 1/07/19720/F Planning Permission (full) Erection of extension to dwelling (delegated matter)
Cross Keys Cottage, Castle Street. SY9 5BY M. Ellison
Planning permission granted.
(v) 1/07/19885/TC :Tree Works (conservation Area), Felling of a walnut tree (delegated matter)
Stoney Pound, Union Street, Bishop’s Castle. R.G. & M Jones.
Application withdrawn.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Apologies were received from Cllr. Ellis.
8. AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Resolved (unanimous):Strong letters to be sent to South Shropshire Housing Association and South Shropshire District Council, with a copy to the press asking them to apply stringent local criteria to Housing Association houses falling vacant when residents have moved into affordable housing using the “local” rule. Also requesting if possible a section 106 to this effect on the vacated houses. The letter to point out that the present system is making a mockery of the “affordable homes for local people” policy and asking if this Council can be assured in the future that the “local” rule will apply to all these vacated houses. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. ATC
9. MICHAELMAS FAIR
Resolved (unanimous): A letter be sent to the Michaelmas Fair Committee congratulating them on a very successful fair, the best that Councillors can remember, and thanking them for their continuous hard work. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley, seconded by Cllr. Morris. ATC
10.FOOTWAY FROM KING’S HEAD TO THE AUCTION YARD
Resolved: An application be made to the Map Review Officer, Shropshire County Council, requesting that the path from Church Street to the Auction Yard adjacent to the Kings Head be put on the definitive map as it has been an open right of way as long as anyone can remember. (More than twenty years) Proposed by Cllr. Magill, seconded by
Cllr. Dr. Penney. ATC
11. STREET CLOSURES
Resolved (unanimous): No objection to the following street closures. Proposed by
Cllr. Magill and seconded by Cllr. Stanley.
a) Sunday 11th November - Remembrance Sunday Parade
High Street and Church Street - 10.40am - 11.00 am and 11.55.am - 12.15 pm.
b) Saturday 1st December - Christmas Lights Festival
12.00 - 22.00 Church Street, High Street, and Market Square.
17.30 - 18.30 Six Bells to the Union Street/ Station Street crossroads.
12. PLANNING WHITE PAPER - Cllr. Hird
Planning White Paper and response to it by South Shropshire District Council. (The white paper can be found on the Communities and Local Government web site and the planning white paper policy can be found on the SSDC web site.)
To be discussed next meeting. Please can Councillors read. Copies available from the above web sites or ask the Clerk.
13. RESTORATION OF TOWN BENCHES
Emma Ransford has offered to restore some of the Town Council benches at a cost of £50 to the Council for materials.
Resolved (unanimous) Emma Ransford to be thanked and her offer accepted after liaison with the Mayor or the Clerk to ascertain which benches are to be restored and how they are to be done. Proposed by Cllr. Carroll, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. ATC
4. BISHOP’S CASTLE PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNOR
Resolved (unanimous) Following Cllr. Farrs resignation Cllr. Carroll is to take on the role of Town Council representative on the primary school governors. Proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr. Wright.
15. PORTFOLIO
The Clerk explained to Councillors that the portfolio had achieved 5 distinctions, 18 passes and 3 fails so had failed overall. The feedback sheet was then read to Councillors. The Clerk went on to explain that she has spoken to John Ward (County Training Officer) who has advised that it can be resubmitted in a short space of time.
Resolved (Unanimous): The improvements are made and the portfolio submitted at a cost of £55. Proposed by Cllr. Stanley and seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney. ATC
16. ACCOUNTS
Resolved: (unanimous)The following accounts are all accepted. Proposed by Cllr.
Dr. Penney and seconded by Cllr.Pinches.
17. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
The Mayor, Cllr. Gaffney reported on the PACT meeting, Most of the discussion was on the speeding of traffic. It is difficult to get the Traffic Police out to catch speeding motorists. Vandalism in the playing fields was discussed and there are to be prosecutions. Drug abuse in the Town was also discussed. Sgt. John Evans from Church Stretton reported that he does not get reports of crime associated with drug problems from Bishop’s Castle.
The Mayor, Cllr. Gaffney then reported on the Lets Talk meeting. He explained that it was a good meeting with very reassuring comments regarding the future of Stone House hospital. The closure of small primary schools was also discussed.
Cllr. Gaffney then reported on a site meeting on a piece of recreation land at Brick Meadow. Residents were not in favour of a playground on this site. Lisa Bedford, Regeneration Officer, South Shropshire District Council is to recommend that the Town Council decide how the earmarked £15,000 should be spent. It must be on play equipment.
18a) CORRESPONDENCE.
(i) Bishop’s Castle Marches Partnership - Drop in networking and celebration event. Monday 12th November 4.30 - 7.00pm
b) Circulation
(i) Shropshire Association of Parish & Town Councils - Agenda & minutes
(ii) Town & Parish Standard.
(iii) Shropshire County Council document on Speed Management Strategy.
(iv) Bishop’s castle Marches Partnership
(v) South Shropshire Housing Association home finder information.
(vi) Press release from Cllr. Peter Phillips on school closure.
(vii) SSHA Annual Report 2006/7
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.15pm