MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 27th MARCH 2007 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: M. Davidson - Stanley, S.A. Farr, J.E. Gaffney, N. Hird, M. E. Holton,
J. E. Howell, J.A. Magill, W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, K.E.C. Pinches and
R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince
Approximately 25 members of the public.

Dr. Anthony Lempert and Jim Collin gave a presentation on behalf of the Kemp Valley Group which was set up to oppose a Pyrolysis Gasification Incinerator at Brockton. They were to speak about this incinerator but as this proposal has now been withdrawn they spoke about the proposed biomas incinerator at the Crowgate Business park. Dr Lempert and Mr Collin explained they do not have full details of the new proposals but would share ideas gained from their research. Mr Collin, a consultant engineer, began by saying the Crowgate proposal was different to the Brockton one because it used wood chippings from coppicing and the saw mill but the same questions needed to be asked. Mr Collin then went on to list these questions.(Available on request.) He also said if people had an objection to the proposal they should write to everyone possible. eg. Councillors, M.P. etc. Dr. Lempert then introduced himself. He is a G.P working in Knighton who has done a lot of research into possible effects the emissions from incinerators may have on residents health. He explained that the Crowgate proposal sounded better than the Brocton one but any incinerator will give off toxins. The health effect of this type of toxins is yet unknown because the particles are so small they cannot be measured but may still have very harmful effects. He advised that questions on emissions should be asked and that precautionary principles should be adopted. It is up to the Developers to prove it is safe, not residents to prove it is not.
Cllr. Wright then proposed the meeting closed. Seconded by Cllr. Hird. The following questions were asked from the floor.
Question - Who benefits apart from the Company as the power produced goes back into the National grid?
Answer - Probably only the Company and the National Grid benefit.
Question - Are there any financial inducements?
Answer - Mr Collin replied that he understood the project was a stand alone viable project free from grants but there is a grant of £1 million available from Defra for a 10 week period.
Question - Who does the monitoring?
Answer - The Plant operator. This is normal procedure in industry.
Question - Why so close to Bishop's Castle?
Answer - The site has road access and services. Hot water can be supplied to large public buildings, eg. Community College, Church, Industrial Estate.
Question - How high will the stack be?
Answer - We believe it to be 16 metres.
Question - Will they move the Crowgate Child Care centre?
Answer - It is to move in two years time.
Question - Will this be before the incinerator is in operation?
Answer - We do not know.
The meeting was then re-opened.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
None

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. Farr proposed a personal interest in item 12 as his wife is secretary of Friends of the Playing Fields.
b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr. Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in item 15 as she owns property attached to the Town Hall.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 27TH February 2007, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Gaffney with the following corrections. Seconded by Cllr. Wright.
Item 8c - Delete "with" after "if"
Item 14 - Add "s" to "organization"
b) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 13th March 2007, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Farr with the following corrections. Seconded by Cllr. Magill.
Item 2 - delete "as the applicant is a close friend" and add " as a close friend will be adversely affected."
c) Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on Tuesday 13th March 2007, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr. Hird with the following corrections. Seconded by Cllr. Wright
Speaker 9 - Mary Holton - delete " Corricks Rise" insert "Copall Paddock."

The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

Cllr. Gaffney proposed that item 10 be considered next. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

10. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Matters arising from the Annual Town Meeting.
a) Culvert in Welsh Street
The problem of the untidy state of the culvert in Welsh Street was discussed. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a letter be sent to the Environment Agency requesting them to tidy and clean up the stream, at the same time reminding them that it was at their insistence that it was left uncovered. A second letter to be sent to Mrs Ott who lives adjacent to the culvert suggesting a group of residents clear and plant the grass area in the culvert. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

b) Water flowing in Welsh Street near Tree tops. -
The Clerk reported that she has spoken to Ian Rutherford, Divisional Surveyor, Shropshire County Council and County Councillor Peter Phillips has also contacted Mr Rutherford on this matter. Mr Rutherford will investigate.
c) Gates on the playing fields to stop dogs.
The Clerk reported that signs mentioning dogs, as well as other things are going up on the entrances to the playing fields and on the entrance to the play area. No other action to be taken.
d) Should Bishop's Castle have a Design Statement.
Cllr. Carroll and Lisa Bedford, Regeneration Officer, South Shropshire District Council both spoke on the amount of work involved. Cllr. Gaffney explained that Jonathan Grieg (the gentleman who raised the matter) was concerned that things like plastic window frames are allowed in the conservation area. It was suggested David Francis, Planning Policy Officer for the District Council be invited to speak on how these things can be controlled. As Stuart Taylor, Area Development Control Officer for South Shropshire District Council, is speaking on planning at the end of April it was agreed to raise this issue then and to discuss again at the following meeting.
e) Cobbles reinstated at the top end of the High Street.
After considerable discussion Cllr. Gaffney proposed that a letter be sent to the Highways Department of Shropshire County Council suggesting the tarmac be removed and sets be instated on the roads between the junction of New Street and Salop Street, but the Town Council would like to be consulted before any action is taken. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
f) The proposed Biomas Power Station at Crowgate Business Park
District Councillors Dr. Penney and Peter Phillips have written to Jake Berriman, Head of Planning and Building Control, asking that the planning application be delayed so that more information can be obtained and more time can be given for consideration.
g) The land adjacent to the footpath between Woodbatch Road and Grange Road.
The Clerk read a letter from John Bryan, Properties Department, South Shropshire District Council saying that he has no idea why anyone was measuring this piece of land.
h) The Clerk read a letter from Graham Biggs, Chief Executive, South Shropshire District Council saying that the rumours that part/all of the Crowgate Business Park have been sold are incorrect.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Item 14a - Letter of thanks from the South Shropshire Furniture group.
Item 19 - Letter of acknowledgement from Tom Dodds, Lead Officer Performance Scrutiny and Innovation, Shropshire County Council regarding Stone House hospital.
Item 6 - Letter from Jake Berriman, Head of Planning and Building control re planning applications. Mr Berriman apologized for poor information on plans and said he would ensure it is better in the future.
From previous meetings -
(i) Two letters from Ron Buzzacott, Traffic Manager for Shropshire County Council re parking in Bishop's Castle. Mr Buzzacott apologized for not including the Town Council in the consultation meetings and would notify them of any meetings in the future.

(ii) Copy of the report from the scrutiny panel re traffic management and highway maintenance schemes.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) Reports of Planning Applications.
(i) 1/07/19096/F Use of land for camping. The Foxholes, Montgomery Road, Bishop's Castle.
Planning permission granted.
(ii) 1/07/191586/F Felling of an ash tree, topping of 2 x silver birch and pruning of an oak.
The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Bishop's Castle.
Consent granted.

7. GRASS CUTTING IN THE PLAYING FIELDS
To consider tenders for the grass on the playing fields.
Sodexo - £1108.69 (current and good)
DC Gardening Services - £1800
ELD - £994
Cllr. Wright proposed Sodexo be given the contract. Seconded by Cllr. Morris and approved.

8. MICHAELMAS FAIR
Request for free use of the playing fields for the Michaelmas Fair on 22nd and 23rd September. Cllr. Farr proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved.
The proposed road closures for the Michaelmas Fair were then discussed.
9. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
As Councillors had not had time to read the complaints procedure, Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed this item be discussed at the next meeting. Seconded by Cllr. Gaffney and approved. NEXT AGENDA

11. CROWGATE CHILD CENTRE
A request from the Crowgate Child Centre for the Town Council to bank roll their feasibility study into multi-use buildings. Lisa Bedford, Regeneration Officer, South Shropshire District Council explained it would involve the paying of three invoices over a three month period. The money could then be claimed back from AWM via the RRZ at this stage. She explained that it is important for the Town Council to be seen to support this project.
After much discussion Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that £20,000 is made available to the Crowgate Child centre to enable them to carry out a feasibility study on the condition that a written guarantee on its security is received in advance. Seconded by Cllr. Stanley and approved with 5 votes against.

12. PLAYING FIELDS ACCOUNTS
Presentation of final accounts of transactions made on behalf of "Friends of Bishop's Castle Playing Fields." Cllr. Magill proposed these final accounts are accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.

13. AUCTION YARD PATH
The path between the Auction Yard and Church Street (by the Kings head) is now in a very poor condition despite requests to the District Council for repair. After considerable discussion about what action this Council could take Cllr. Carroll proposed that a letter be sent to the Highways Department of the Shropshire County Council asking what action this Council needs to take to enable it to improve this footpath. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. ATC

14. PURCHASE OF BIN
Cllr. Magill proposed that South Shropshire District Council is asked to install a bin on the junction of Woodbatch Road and The Ridge at a cost of £139.86 for the supply and installation. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved. ATC

15. TOWN HALL RENOVATION
The Mayor, Cllr. Carroll reported that a new layout has been suggested by Lesley Lloyd (architect) for the Town Hall renovation. The suggestion is to put the kitchen on the first floor by dividing the Mayors Parlour. Cllr. Dr. Penney requested that a Town Hall Renovation Group meeting be called soon.

16. LEAFLETS IN NEWSLETTER
Cllr. Wright proposed that this Council adopts the policy that no additional material is sent out with the newsletter, unless directly related to the work of the Town Council. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.

17. YOUNG DRIVERS
Council support requested for a scheme to help young drivers and pre drivers from the PACT meeting. Cllr. Wright proposed that a letter of support be sent to Irene Stelfox, Youth Officer. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved. ATC

18. ACCOUNTS
It was proposed by Cllr. Magill that the following accounts are all accepted. Seconded by Cllr Holton and approved.
19. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
None

20. CORRESPONDANCE.
b) Circulation
(i) South Shropshire Furniture Scheme
(ii) South Shropshire Sports & Leisure Annual Awards
(iii) Standards Committee - Agenda Tuesday 6th March, Minutes,Tuesday 7th November.
(iv) Sports and leisure Advisory Council
(v) E-on Parish Council Pack.
(vi) South Shropshire Arts Advisory Council

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.59 p.m.