Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 27/05/2008

MINUTES OF THE  ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 27th  MAY 2008
IN THE TOWN HALL AT 8.00 P.M.

PRESENT    
Councillors:  J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr,  M. G. Furber,  J. E. Gaffney, N. Hird, M. Holton,
J. A. Magill, Dr G. N. St J. Penney, Cllr Stanley, Cllr Wright.
 
In attendance:  Mrs. M. Denton, Town Clerk, Mr. M. Shanahan, Town Crier
Approximately 45 guests were in attendance.

Cllr. Gaffney took the Chair.

1.  ELECTION OF MAYOR.
Cllr. Penney proposed Cllr Gaffney as Mayor. Cllr Holton seconded the proposition. There being no further nominations the Council approved without division that Cllr Gaffney should be Mayor for the ensuing year.

2.ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR.
Cllr Holton  proposed Cllr Pinches as Deputy Mayor. Cllr Hird seconded the proposition. There being no further nominations the Council approved without division that Cllr Pinches should be Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.
 
The Mayor was robed and accepted the chain of office.

 Cllr. Gaffney took the Chair.

3.  OATH OF ALLEGIANCE/ DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Cllr. Gaffney took the Oath of Allegiance and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

4.  APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR’S CHAPLAIN
Cllr. Gaffney has asked the Rev. Paul Collins to be his Chaplain. Rev. Collins has gladly accepted but unfortunately he is unable to be present but has asked Rev. Michael Plunkett to deputise.
Rev. Plunkett read a prayer.
 
5. APPOINTMENT OF CONSORT
 The Mayor had pleasure in asking his wife Diane Gaffney to be his Consort for the ensuing year.  She confirmed her willingness.  The Clerk presented Mrs Gaffney
with her badge of office.

6.  ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAYOR’S SUNDAY
The date of Mayor’s Sunday was confirmed as 1st June 2008.  The procession will meet at the Town Hall at 10.30 am as usual. 
     
 7. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that there be no change in the frequency of Council meetings and they continue to be held every fourth Tuesday. Except for January 2009 which will be a week later.   All meetings will commence at 8.00 p.m. Additional meetings will be called as deemed necessary by the Mayor.  Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.

8.  THE MAYOR’S ADDRESS
Cllr. Gaffney began by thanking Councillors for their support.  He went on to comment on the demands of the job which have made him realise that Bishop’s Castle has become what it is today due to the hard work of all its residents, including his predecessors.
He then reminded us of the issues which concerned the Town last year: the hospital, the Biomass, the future of Crowgate and the threat of withdrawal of the bus service.

The Hospital’s future is now much more secure, the council voted to object to the Biomass application, a new pre-school facility is to be built at the Primary School for which Crowgate is tendering, and the buses continue to run.
He went on to thank the retiring clerk, Janet Ince for all her hard work and to welcome the new clerk.

Matters which are of concern are the Town Hall and its future, the lights, footpaths and play areas. He also commented on the move to a Unitary authority with elections in 2009.
He finished by saying that the Town Council deserves to have the resources and the right to do more for our residents. He feels very honoured to have served as Mayor for the past year, and will do his best in the year to come.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m. The Town Crier invited everyone to join the Mayor for light refreshment in the Market Hall.