Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 30/01/2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 30th JANUARY 2007 AT 8.OO PM.
PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: S.A. Farr, 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
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Gaffney (working) Cllr. Morris (working) and
Cllr. Stanley (working)
Cllr. Farr proposed that all absences are approved. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllrs Hird, Holton and Dr. Penney declared personal interests in item 6a as they are members of the Civic Society.
Cllr. Farr declared a personal interest in item 8 as his wife has applied for an allotment.
Cllr. Farr declared a prejudicial interest in item 6a as he is a relative of the applicant.
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 14 should read Buzzacott.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
Item 7 – The precept requested is £44,320
Item 8 – It has suggested the salt bin is moved to enable the light to go in its place. The Clerk has contacted Central Networks to see if this would solve the problem
Item 10 – The Clerk advised that the Health and Safety Executive is an advisory body, they do not look at individual cases. She has spoken to Lizzy Cashmore, Health and Safety Officer for South Shropshire District Council who says that as the company supplying the up the poles is reputable and we have a letter from them saying the planters are fit for purpose and properly installed there is nothing else we can do.
Item 11 – Letter from M. Allard, Head of Projects and Waste management acknowledging Councils requests for footpaths.
From previous meetings.
Traffic Control - Letter from Graham Biggs, Chief Executive, South Shropshire District Council re traffic control in Bishop‘s Castle.
Sewerage at Church Lane.
It appears that Severn Trent now think it would be more economic to provide a public sewer in Church Lane.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/07/19096/F Planning Permission (Full) Use of land for camping / touring caravans and 2no. static caravans together with ancillary facilities and winter storage of 10 no, touring caravans.
The Foxholes, Montgomery Road, Bishop’s Castle. Mr CG and Mrs W. Jones.
A letter was read from the Civic Society objecting to the application.
After much discussion Cllr. Carroll proposed the Council support the application, seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved (4-2)
b) Reports of Planning Applications. - none
7. LAND FOR PEOPLE
Jonathan Brown, Land for People, gave all Councillors a copy of the report on the results of the questionnaire. 302 questionnaires were completed and returned, just over 21%.
He explained that they are awaiting registration by the Financial Services Authorities, after which they can plan how and when they are going to launch the trust. After April more money may be available from Defra. He explained that the trust had been offered four plots of land in and around Bishop’s Castle. The District Council are very supportive and may allow landowners building non affordable properties to give plots in lieu of cash payments. Jonathan thanked the Council for all their help and support. He explained that the winner of the prize draw wished to remain anonymous and had given the £50 to the Land Trust. As soon as the Trust is registered a bank account can be set up and the money paid in.
As a result of the survey 24 people showed an interest in joining the trust and a sum of £513 was donated to the Trust.
8. ALLOTMENTS
(i) Approval of agreement for allotment rental.- After a few minor changes (see Clerk for details) Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the allotment agreement be accepted. Seconded by
Cllr. Howell and approved.
(ii) Approval to charge £35 per year for rental. Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that with the additional clauses “to be reviewed each year” and “the Council retains the option to make an increased charge to allotment holders living outside the parish” the charge of £35 per year be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Pinches and approved.
9. REVIEW OF DOCUMENTATION AND POLICIES
a) Standing Orders. – Cllr. Wright proposed no change to standing orders. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
b) Financial Regulations. – Cllr. Wright proposed no change to financial regulations, seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
c) Health and Safety Policy – Cllr. Wright proposed the Health and Safety Policy, with changes, be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. (see attached)
d) Equal opportunities – Cllr. Wright proposed the Equal opportunities Policy, with changes, be accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. (see attached)
e) Clerks Employment – Cllrs. Farr, Howell and Wright agreed to make up an appraisal group for the Clerk.
10. REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Request for financial assistance for Crucial Crew from Bridgnorth and District Crime Prevention Panel. Under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed a donation of £112 be made to Crucial Crew. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
11. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING (13th March 2007)
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed the format of the Annual Town Meeting be the same as last year. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. It was agreed it should be publicised through posters, the press, web site and radio.
10. SALT AND GRIT BINS
Cllr. Wright proposed a request be made to the County Council to change all the salt and grit bins in the conservation area to the new wooden type bins. Seconded by Cllr. Hird and approved. ATC
12. STREET FURNITURE
The amount of street furniture in Church Street and High Street was discussed. Cllr. Carroll proposed a request be made to the County Council for the two lamps on posts to be changed to wall mounted ones. Seconded by Cllr. Wright and approved. ATC
Cllr. Pinches proposed that the litter bin opposite the chemist be put on the side of the road near the chemist. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved. ATC
It was agreed that the direction signs to the Wintles be discussed at the next meeting.
NEXT AGENDA
13. CLOSURE OF THE HIGH STREET
The High Street is to be closed on Sunday 11th February to all vehicles to enable cabling works to take place.
14. PUBLIC HALL ACCOUNTS
Cllr. Wright proposed the Public Hall Accounts are accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Farr and approved.
15.TOWN HALL CLEANER
Cllr. Wright proposed the Town Hall cleaning be split between Claire Grant and Vicky Collins each doing 2 hours per week at £6 per hour. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.
16. ACCOUNTS: –
(a) Cllr. Magill proposed the quarterly accounts to 31/12/07 be accepted. Seconded by
Cllr. Farr and approved.
(b) It was proposed by Cllr. Dr. Penney that the following accounts are all accepted. Seconded by Cllr. Howell and approved.
Severn Trent Water - £128.39
G. M. Cooke - £3936.25
Enterprise South West Shropshire - £34.26
Amberol - £152.75
B.T. £112.38
Prysmian - £303.71
Mrs J Ince – expenses - £33.54
E-on - £37.95 (street lights)
Asterley events £200
(a) Lisa Bedford, Regeneration team, South Shropshire District Council reported back on the survey about the open space in Brick meadow. 29 responses were made, 24 requesting the land to stay as it is, 4 suggesting small scale changes and one suggesting large scale changes. The legal department are now looking into the financial situation.
(b) Cllr. Dr. Penney reported back on problems and changes in the Standards Committee.
19. Correspondence.
(i) Shropshire County Council – Road closure of the B4385 junction with B4368 Little Brampton to a point 300metres north of Kempton Stores junction, Kempton, Clunburyfor 2.5 weeks from Monday 5th February 2007. Diversion to go via Bishop’s Castle.
(ii) Wasteless Society meeting at Clun on Wednesday 31st January.
(iii) Shropshire County Council – re site visits to traffic management and highway maintenance schemes. Cllr. Carroll proposed that the Boars Head junction and Castle Green be put forward as examples of poor practice. Seconded by Cllr. Magill and approved.
(b) Circulation
(i) West Mercia Police Authority
(ii) Wasteless Society Newsletter.
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.