MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 19th JUNE 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,
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:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Magill
Cllr. Wright proposed the meeting be closed. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved.
A presentation followed by Andy Grundy, Project Officer of the Regional Woodland Initiative. Mr Grundy began by explaining his background. He went on to explain the following:-
Questions were then taken.
Q. What is dirty wood waste?
A. Mostly demolition wood. There is no source in this area.
Q. Miscanthus needs a lot of fertiliser. Would this put too much nitrogen into the land?
A. Mr Grundy was not sure but felt miscanthus was an inappropriate land crop.
Q. The cost of getting woodland waste is very high. Would not other waste be cheaper?
A. Yes it can be more expensive. It can be a planning condition as to where the woodland waste comes from. If other kinds of waste were burnt, the plant would lose its Renewable Obligation Credits.
Q The biomass plant needs soft water. Where would it come from?
A. Mr grundy said he did not know.
Q The safety of the children at the Crowgate nursery adjacent to the proposed plant was raised.
A. Mr Grundy said the emissions from burning pure wood would be less harmful than those produced driving the children to school.
Q Would the Biomass proposers be prepared to give some funding to enable the nursery to move?
A It was reported that Chris Day had said yes to one person and then said no to another.
Q. There is a shortage of certain timber. Will this involve moving it long distances?
A The type of timber that is in short supply is not the type that would be used. There is plenty of local wood waste.
Q If there are to be 6 - 8 plants in the West Midlands will there be sufficient waste wood?
A This number of plants would only use half the available resources.
The Mayor thanked Andy Grundy for coming and giving such a helpful talk.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest: none
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
b) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 22nd May 2007, having been
circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Carroll with the following corrections.
Seconded by Cllr. Wright.
Presentation by Jo Chambers - line 15 should read “All qualified staff and most of the unqualified staff would transfer over.”
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 7 - Stone House Hospital
The mayor reported that the revaluation of the hospital site is on the County Council cabinet agenda for the next meeting. There was considerable discussion on the matter. District Councillor Georgie Ellis then advised Council that the agenda item had now been withdrawn as the NHS now has enough money to spend on repairs to the hospital for the foreseeable future. Cllr. Carroll advised that she understood this money was just to patch the hospital up to keep it going. Cllr. Gaffney proposed that a letter be sent to Cllr. Malcolm Pate, Chair of the Shropshire County Council Cabinet saying
(i) There is not a consensus of opinion in Bishop’s Castle that to devalue the Stone House site is in the public interest.
(ii) Reiterating the comments in our previous letter to the Health Overview and Scrutiny dated 10/8/06.
Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved.
Matters from previous meetings.
(i) The Wintles now has a constituted residents association. The Clerk has contact details and will inform the association whenever the Wintles is discussed at Council meetings.
(ii) PayPoint - Letter from PayPoint saying they are considering Harry Tuffins, Co-op and another outlet in Church Street.
(iii) Embrys Jones & Co regarding the suggested bollards by Harry Tufffins. They have put forward another suggestion to Shropshire County Council.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Hugh Bland on the Biomass project.
Simon Pearson on the Biomass project.
Mr Bland and Mr Pearson both expressed concern on the conflicting information being given by the proposers of the Biomass plant in Bishop’s Castle and illustrated several areas where this had happened. Mr Pearson asked the Council to consider fully all the implications and to query why there will only be 21 days planning consultation rather than 12 weeks.
Cllr. Jackie Williams spoke on the Bus situation. Cllr. Williams expressed concern that the buses may stop coming into the Town centre. She asked the Town Council to do all it can to sort out the parking problems in Station Street. She presented a petition of 85 names requesting Town Council action.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed that item 13 be brought forward before item 6. Seconded by
Cllr. Hird and approved.
13. BUS SERVICE IN BISHOP’S CASTLE
Cllr. Wright explained that contrary to the papers being handed out by Minsterley Motors the Town Council has no powers to provide a bus service and no powers over the road markings. All the Town Council can do it to pressurise the County Council.
The Clerk reported she has received letters from Mrs Morris, Mrs Price on behalf of Bishop’s Castle W.I., Mrs Morrison and Mrs Hendley, all showing concern over the withdrawal of the Bus Service.
The Clerk then reported that she has spoken to John Jones of Minsterley Motors who has agreed to carry on running the buses if the white lines are in place in Station Street by the end of June. The Clerk has spoken to Ian Martin, Divisional Surveyors Office, Shropshire County Council who has advised that the lines will be painted before the end of this week, weather permitting.
Cllr. Stanley proposed that a letter be sent to Hugh Dannatt, Highways Officers, Shropshire County Council, expressing Councils dissatisfaction with the way the traffic management scheme in Station Street has been implemented. A copy to be sent to James Willcocks, Integrated Transport Unit, Shropshire County Council. A second letter to be sent to Mr Willcocks with a copy to Mr Dannatt expressing the importance of a Town centre bus service for the people of Bishop’s Castle. Seconded by Cllr. Carroll and approved.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed a letter be sent to P.C.Summerfield asking if the Community Support Officer can take some action on those who are guilty of obstruction once the white lines are in place. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
Cllr. Dr. Penney left the meeting.
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) Any other plans - none
b) Reports of Planning Applications
(i) 1/07/19384/F and 1/07/19385/CA Planning permission (full) and conservation area consent. Erection of extension to dwelling; demolition of existing lean-to (delegated matter)
44 Union Street, Bishop’s Castle. Sue Greenwood.
Planning permission and conservation area consent granted.
(ii) 1/07/19386/F Planning permission (full) Erection of 2 x portal framed buildings for B1 and B2 use; formation of vehicular and pedestrian access. (delegated matter.)
Plot E Bishop’s Castle Business Park. Web Hampers, Unit 8 Challenge Court, Bishop’s Castle.
Planning permission approved.
c) Notification of planning meeting - 1/07/19479/F Formation of estate roads and alterations to existing vehicular access (revised scheme), The Wintles, Bishop’s castle.
Wednesday 20 June 2007, The SBS Stadium, Ludlow.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Councillor Georgie Ellis reported on the following:-
(i) With regard to Stone House hospital Cllr. Pate had said that plan B (funding improvements directly through the P.C.T.) was not the highest priority, its on the list and can move up.
(ii) There are discussions at District level on affordable housing. Cllr. Ellis would appreciate any comments from Bishop’s Castle as she feels that the needs in Bishop’s Castle are very different to those in Ludlow.
(iii) The District Council has withdrawn its support for the Unitary Bid.
8. ELECTRICITY / WATER IN THE PLAYING FIELDS.
a) Report from V.W.Electrics regarding the dangerous state of the lights in the playing fields. Cllr. Carroll proposed that quotes be sought to correct the work and the Clerk be authorised to accept the best offer. Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.
b) It has come to the attention of our Festivals Officer that we do not have water/electricity certificates for the playing Fields. Cllr. Carroll proposed that quotes be sought for an electrician to inspect the electrics on the playing fields and issue a certificate and a plumber to inspect the water and issue a certificate. The Clerk to be authorised to accept the best offer. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
9. SKATE PARK EVENT
The mayor reported that the skateboarding event planned for 14th July has now been postponed and will take place later in the year in a different format following concerns expressed by the Mayor and Clerk. Letters were read from Peter Banford, Chairman, BCSA and Fiona Robertson, Secretary of BCSA.
10. BISHOP’S CASTLE CARNIVAL
Request to hang a banner on the Town hall. Cllr. Carroll proposed that Bishop’s Castle Town Council has a policy that banners are allowed to be hung on the front of the Town hall with permission from the Clerk. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved.
11. PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCES.
Cllr. Stanley proposed that the following licences are applied for.
Variation to allow alcohol on the streets licence - Sunday to Saturday 0800 - 23.00
Cost £100
Licence for the Town Hall with alcohol, Sunday to Saturday 0800 - 2300. Cost £190
Michael Leadbetter to hold the personal licence.
12. QUALITY STATUS
The Clerk reported that her portfolio has been to John Ward for perusal. It needs some alterations but she hopes to send it off by end of week. If it passes the Council will have all the requirements for quality status. A portfolio needs to be completed. Cllr. Wright proposed approval be given to the Clerk to apply for Quality Status at o cost of £50 - £100. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
14. DEVELOPMENT ON OLD POLICE STATION
Cllr. Hird proposed the name of Custodian Close as a name for the development of 8 three storey houses on the Old Police Station, Kerry Lane. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
15. ACCOUNTS –
16. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
17a) CORRESPONDANCE.
(i) Letter from Jon Summerfield regarding safe driving event.
(ii) Social capital in Rural Places. - A report to Defra (copy available at the Town hall or www.rerc.ac.uk/findings/social.html.
(iii) SSDC Street closure notice for the Carnival.
b) Circulation
West Midlands Regional Assembley - Speaking Out.
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.01 pm.