Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 03/03/2009

Draft MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2009 AT 8.OO PM.

Before the meeting at 7.45, Mr. Dave Thomlinson spoke about the work of Light Foot Enterprises, formerly the Wasteless Society. He explained that the company has been running for three years. In that time they have completed on average about 40 Home Energy Surveys a month, helping home owners to cut their energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions. These were mainly in Bishop’s Castle and Clun but he went on to say that they were expanding geographically. Due to this expansion, they have been seeking additional funds. Grants have come from the Waterloo Foundation, the Welsh Assembly and a small amount from the Area of Natural Beauty. Most of their revenue goes on staff but they now need to improve their advertising with a banner and table top displays. Light Foot is also hoping for success in the Big Green Challenge to be decided in November. Two members of the company will also be helping with the Town Hall renovation group.
The Council Meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
PRESENT Councillor J. E. Gaffney, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, N. Hird, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill, W. J. Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, K.E.C. Pinches M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. M. Denton

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr Wright declared a personal interest in item 6b as he is a friend of the applicant.
Cllr Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 6b as he is a friend of the applicant.
Cllr Stanley declared a personal interest in item 6b as she is a friend of the applicant.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in Items 17 and 18 as she has a business attached to the Town Hall.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 3rd February 2009, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Wright seconded by Cllr Dr Penney.

The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
1. The clerk has received the transfer documents for Oak Meadow and Brick Meadow which have been signed and returned to Medlicott Snows.
2.The clerk has received a copy of the reply from Penny Spencer in response to Cllr Welch’s concerns re Environmental maintenance grants discussed at the last 6 Towns meeting, and communication links with Town Councils. The clerk sent a letter to Shropshire County following last meeting and has also received a response.
The whole document is in circulation.
3. Cllrs Register of Interests will have to be completed again this year, sometime in April/May
4. Monitoring officers are doing free road shows at moment, which are well worth a visit.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: Mr Geoff Grimes has withdrawn his request to speak at this meeting and would like to speak at the next Council Meeting.
Mr R. Fowke spoke about his planning application ( item 6b.) He explained that the tree in question is a large Ash tree (or possibly two trees) which is undermining some of their out buildings. They intend to replace it with pear trees and a Yew hedge which should improve the look of the area.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 1/09/21489/TC Tree Works (Conservation Area) Pruning of a pear tree. Valley Coach House, High St. Bishop’s Castle. Mr E D Mason. Cllr Dr Penney proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Pinches.
b) 1/09/21561/TC Tree works (conservation area) Felling of an Ash tree. 23 High St Bishop’s Castle. Mr R Fowke, Ms C Denham. Cllr. Pinches proposed no objection seconded by Cllr Holton. Cllrs voted 10-1 in favour

c) Any other plans: None

d) Reports of Planning Applications.
i) 1/08/21399/F Erection of two holiday let units and a summerhouse. The Old Surgery, Bull Lane Bishop’s Castle Dr A Penney Granted subject to conditions.
ii) 1/08/21400/CA. Demolition of existing garage. The Old Surgery, Bull Lane Bishop’s Castle. Dr A Penney Granted.
iii) 1/08/21278/F Erection of a timber storage barn. Greenfields Farm, Kerry Lane Mr A Jones Granted

7. REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
Cllr Phillips,in a letter, reported that he has finally got the County Council’s agreement that they will remove the Wintle’s electricity pole paid for by the bond lodged with the County by the Living Villages Trust.
Cllr Ellis reported that the Local Joint Committees have now been established with the final edition of the new Boundaries .

8. STREET CLOSURE ORDERS
Cllr Magill proposed no objection to the street closures in the Market Square for Sunday April 5th 2009, 10.00-10.30, and on Friday 10th April, 12 noon -12.15 for a short service, seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved. Decision

9. REQUEST FROM THE CARNIVAL COMMITTEE FOR USE OF THE PLAYING FIELD
Cllr Pinches proposed no objection to the Carnival using the playing fields free of charge with the proviso that they cover their own insurance costs. Seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved. Decision.

10. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF): BROWN FIELD SITES.
Proposed by Cllr Pinches that this Council’s response to the LDF is that we ask for the preference for brown field sites to be removed from our proposal. The pre-supposition in Bishop’s Castle is not in favour of brown field sites as Councillors feel strongly that the Town has reached the limits of density, in line with other settlements where the same constraints apply. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved.

11. A REQUEST FOR A GRANT FROM THE LIGHT FOOT COMPANY.
Cllr Carroll proposed that we offer £375.00 and ask the Company for advice on the insulation of the Town Hall roof, and for the second part of the Town Hall energy survey. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.

12.A REQUEST FOR A DONATION FROM CRUCIAL CREW.
Bridgnorth and District Crucial Crew have asked for a donation of £5.00 for every Bishop’s Castle child attending this year’s event . There are 27 children. Cllr Magill proposed that £135.00 should be awarded, seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved.

13. PARKING ON CHURCH ST AND STATION ST BISHOP’S CASTLE.
Concerning Station St., Cllr Gaffney proposed that the clerk should write to Halls Auctioneers requesting that the farmers park more considerately on auction days, to allow the bus to pass, and to write to the County Council to have one white line as agreed previously at the junction of New St and Station St on the East side of the road.
Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved.
A letter was read out from a shopkeeper on Church St. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that the problems on Church St should go on the next agenda. The problems outlined in the letter concerning obstruction and damage to sun blinds however were a legal matter and the police should be informed.
Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.

14.GRITTING IN BISHOP’S CASTLE
Cllr Gaffney explained that he was particularly concerned with the Housing Association houses on Grange Rd where the elderly are often unable to go out due to the footways being icy. Cllr Gaffney proposed that this Council should ask the County about the possibility of gritting specific footways in the Town and will investigate further in pursuit of revised delegated powers. Seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.

15.DELEGATION/DEVOLUTION OF SERVICES TO PARISH AND TOWN COUNCILS. ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE GRANT.
Cllr Gaffney explained the link between this item and item 14. He proposed that he and Deputy Mayor Cllr Pinches should fill in the form together, seconded by Cllr Pinches and resolved.

16.THE PARISH PLAN, THE WAY FORWARD.
Proposed by Cllr Carroll that a copy of the plan should be sent to all Councillors to consider and that it should be on the next agenda. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.

17 PHOTO-VOLTAIC CELLS ON THE TOWN HALL ROOF.
Cllr Stanley left the chamber and took no part in this discussion.
Cllr Hird explained the quotation received from Dulas to place a renewable energy system on the roof was for £18,862. The Council could receive a 50% grant for this from the low carbon Building programme, and a further 50% grant from the Community Sustainable Energy Programme. Other Public Buildings in the area were also looking into this, and that we could combine our work with that of the Public Hall. Cllr Carroll proposed that Cllr Hird should go ahead with the grant applications on behalf of the Town Council, and a separate one for the Public Hall. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved. Councillors thanked Cllr Hird for his hard work in pursuing this matter.

18.INSULATION FOR THE ROOF.
Cllr Wright proposed that the Clerk should look into the cost of wool as an insulator for the Town Hall roof, and that the Light Foot Company may be able to help. Seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.

Cllr Stanley returned to the chamber.

19. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllr Dr Penney and Cllr Pinches both attended the funeral of Mr Jim Jones who for many years was a pike and mace bearer for the Town Council.
Councillors had attended the Inquiry into the Biomass plant and expressed their disappointment with South Shropshire District Council who offered no evidence whatsoever.

20. CORRESPONDENCE
i) Members Code of Conduct, (DVD and Guide in Circulation) Letter from Veronica Calderbank.
ii) Marches Partnership Farewell party 10th March Public Hall Bishops Castle 5.30-7.30.
iii) CPRE event on 13th March The Future of Rural England. Church Stretton .
cpre@cpreshropshire.org.uk

b) CIRCULATION

i) SALC/SCC meeting update
ii) Electoral services newsletter.

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.50p.m.