Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting
08 December 2009

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 8th DECEMBER AT 8.OO PM.

Prior to the meeting Evelyn Bowles gave a report on behalf of the Town Hall Renovation Partnership regarding the work carried out, the outline proposals and the initial enquiry made to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
In brief the proposals included the repair of the Town Hall, improved access and facilities and the future uses of the building.
To be successful for Heritage Lottery Funding, it needs to be demonstrated that the project deals with conservation, participation and learning.
The partnership has sought expert advice and local opinion on the project, it was felt important not to clash with other existing venues in the town.
Beyond conservation, the outline proposals includes restoration and adaptation of the building to include new and modern uses. The partnership has spoken to English Heritage and the Conservation Officer and has confirmed that adaptation is acceptable to ensure the future of the building.  It was proposed to remove the stair case from the council chamber and the kitchen from the hall and remove the paneling to the hall windows to create a lighter, larger, more attractive amenity space. The toilets would be re-arranged to create internal and external toilets, a lift would be added and the council chamber returned to its former glory.
The Tourist Information Centre could be moved to the hall and screened off to allow uses for other activities such as art exhibitions, small private parties, wedding ceremonies, civic functions, a museum and festivals.
In answer to questions raised by Councillors it was said that restoration of the external fabric of the building should be included in the project.
There was a concern raised by Councillors that the proposed uses could mean giving up an assured income from the Markets. Evelyn Bowles questioned if the Friday Market is assured and indicated that the donations received at the museum in its current location would cover any other losses of income.

The Mayor then opened the meeting.

PRESENT           Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors:        J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, J Gaffney, M. E. Holton, J.A. Magill, Dr St J Penney, M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.

In attendance:  Mrs. D Malley (Town Clerk)

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N. Hird (holiday) and Councillor W.J. Morris (Illness).

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll and seconded by Councillor Holton and duly resolved that the apologies be accepted

Unitary Councillor P. Phillips had also sent his apologies (illness)

2.  DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Dr Penny declared a personal interest in item 13. c) as he is a Trustee.
Councillor Farr declared a personal interest in minute 6a ii) as he was a friend of the applicant.
Councillor Stanley declared a personal interest in item 10 as she is Town Council representative on ESWS and a prejudicial interest in item 8 as she lives and has a business attached to the Town Hall
Councillor Holton declared  a personal interest in item 13 a) as she is a Trustee of The House on Crutches, and a member of the sub-committee of BCHRC
Councillor Carroll declared a personal interest in item 13 d) as she is a member of the Christmas Lights Committee and a prejudicial interest in item 10 as she is a director of ESWS.

3.a) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10TH NOVEMBER 2009

With the amendments of:
4.   Matters arising, clarify 3rd line should read ‘Council had previously written to Shropshire Council’.
7. Accounts, second paragraph, amend to read Councillor Hird commented.
It was proposed by Councillor Wright and seconded by Councillor Carroll and duly resolved that the amended minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10th November 2009 be signed by the Mayor as a true record.

b) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 24TH NOVEMBER 2009

It was proposed by Councillor Gaffney and seconded by Councillor Wright and duly resolved that the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 be signed by the Mayor as a true record.

4.  PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

It was proposed by Councillor Pinches to alter the order of business to move Matters Arising after Planning Applications. Seconded by Councillor Carroll. All in favour.

5.   MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK

Mr Smith had expressed a wish to speak regarding item 10. Teme Leisure Maintenance of SpArc but had not given notice.  It was proposed by Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Holton and duly RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting before item 10 to allow Mr Smith to address the Council.

Mr Hemmings addressed the Council regarding plans 09/03304/FUL Haining Croft, Church Lane.
Mr Hemmings reported the new proposal was no better than the previous proposal and there were factual errors in the application. The same traffic constraints exist, the lane is used as a footpath by vulnerable people, currently there are more pedestrians than vehicles that use the lane.
A measurement had been made of the width of the lane by the Rectory wall, the measurements are less than those stated in the application. The junction with Kerry Lane has limited visibility.
The drainage details as per the planning application are not practical, in addition the intention is to drain surface water into a private ditch that is already at capacity.
The density of the proposal for a conservation area is too great and the proposals are to remove 40% of the trees. These should be protected.

 6.   TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:

a)  The following Planning application was considered: -
i)    09/03304/FUL Haining Croft, Church Lane, erection of 11 residential units (including 5 affordable) and associated outbuildings.
Objection. Although the number of dwellings has been reduced, the reasons for refusal of the previous application still remain:

• Virtue of scale, grouping and mass represent an over development of this sensitive site within Bishops Castle conservation area, impacting in turn upon the level of traffic generated along Church Lane in terms of safety and general nuisance and upon open nature of the site, its setting and mature tree cover to the extent that it would be harmful to and not respect the character and appearance of the area contrary to the provisions of policy E6 of the SS Local Plan and the provisions ofPPS1 and PPG15
• It is considered that the limited visibility and width of the approach road to the site is inadequate to serve the number of dwellings proposed and could lead to dangerous conditions on the highway for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
• The drainage proposals are not practical, they propose to discharge surface water into a private ditch which is already at capacity.

Proposed by Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Dr Penny.
ii)    09/02842/FUL Longhope,The Cabin, Bishops Castle, erection of extension to dwelling (revised scheme)
No Objection. Proposed by Councillor Stanley, seconded by Councillor Magill.

iii)   09/03323/TCA 7 Grange Court, Kerry Lane. To fell one Western Red Cedar within Conservation Area.
Objection.  Proposed by Councillor Dr Penny, seconded by Councillor Carroll.

iv)   09/03227/CPE 21 High Street, application for Certificate of Lawful Development for use as a dwelling.
No objection. Proposed by Councillor Carroll, seconded by Councillor Magill.
b) Reports of Applications.
None.

7. MATTERS ARISING. 
 
The Clerk reported that Castlewood have been appointed to carry out the works to the Town Hall roof space.

An update was requested on the removal of the yellow lines from the town. It was reported the Police Inspector had stated it was not a police matter, however, Councillor  Phillips has been pursuing the matter.

It was noted there were several matters still outstanding from older minutes for example a litter bin near to the Co-op. A list of outstanding matters should be drawn up.

8.  ACCOUNTS –
a) Councillors considered the schedule of accounts for payment.

It was proposed by Cllr Morris and seconded by Cllr Wright and duly resolved that the accounts listed below be approved
           

9. TOWN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT
a)    Councillor Carroll proposed a motion to fully support the proposals so far as put forward by Evelyn Bowles. The matter will be required to go to public consultation but does require the support of the Town Council to proceed.
Councillor Dr Penny proposed an amendment to the motion in that the wording should be ‘to support the proposals so far as put forward by Evelyn Bowles.’  It was felt the proposals should not be fully supported as they may remove the Town Hall’s only source of income.
The motion with the amendment was seconded by Councillor Magill. It was duly RESOLVED that the Town Council support the proposals so far as put forward by Evelyn Bowles.
b)    It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendations of Peter Napier regarding repairs required to the roof and proposed to invite Shropshire Roofing to resubmit their tender based on the new recommendations. Proposed by Councillor Gaffney, seconded by Councillor Carroll.
10. ADJOURN MEETING TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK
It was RESOLVED to adjourn the meeting to allow Mr Smith to address the Council.  Proposed by Councillor Gaffney, seconded by Councillor Wright.
Mr Smith reported that he was a member of SpArC and was concerned that the cost of membership had nearly doubled and there was an administration fee charged to pay by direct debit. The membership fee was now nearly as much as for Ludlow Leisure Centre however SpArc is open for much fewer hours than Ludlow.
11. TEME LEISURE MAINTENANCE OF SPARC
Points of concern are:

• Membership charges are in line with Ludlow Leisure Centre, however the SpArC is not open anywhere near as many hours
• Teme Leisure said Bishops Castle would be treated on its own merits but it has clearly not been
• Teme Leisure’s anti community stance in that they were obstructive to the construction of the astro turf pitch;  will not allow users of the astro turf to use the changing rooms; will not allow ESWS to link up the electricity although payment was offered for the usage; visitors of the school cannot use the SpArC car park even when SpArC is not open
• Extra administration charge for payment by direct debit even though most other organisations offer a discount when paying by this method
• The lease has still not been signed
• Shropshire Council are not taking responsibility for the Leisure Centre.

At this point Councillor Carroll, who had declared a prejudicial interest in ESWS left the room.
It was noted the Town Council had previously not supported ESWS taking over the management of the Leisure Centre, this was mainly due to financial reasons, however the situation has now changed and it is understood Teme Leisure claim a subsidy from Shropshire Council for any shortfalls.
It was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Shropshire Council and copied to Mike Ashwell and Grant Perry at ESWS. The letter should question the way Teme Leisure is running the Leisure Centre and to request Shropshire Council reconsider putting the management of SpArC to ESWS. The letter should highlight the anti community stance of Teme Leisure and request Shropshire Council do take responsibility for their building. References should be made to the business case put forward that all services to be brought up to the top standard.  Proposed by Councillor Gaffney, seconded by Councillor Magill.
Councillor Carroll returned to the room.
12. MAINTENANCE OF THE PLAYING FIELDS
It was noted that the management plan for the playing fields has slipped and action should be taken on immediate points with a detailed schedule of works drawn up for ongoing maintenance. 
Councillor Dr Penny proposed a working party should be set up to agree action on immediate points and draw up the schedule of works. The working party to consist of Councillors Pinches, Carroll, Holton, Farr and Hird. Seconded by Councillor Pinches, four voted for, five voted against. The proposal was lost.
Councillor Gaffney proposed the working party should be set up to agree action on immediate points and draw up the schedule of works. The working party to consist of Councillors Pinches, Carroll, Holton and Farr. Seconded by Councillor Carroll, six voted for, two voted against. The proposal was carried.
13. ACTION FOR MARKET TOWNS
It was RESOLVED to accept the invitation from Shropshire Council to be identified within the Partner Membership in Action for Market Towns on condition it there is no cost to the Town Council. Seconded by Councillor Stanley.
14. BUDGET
It was agreed the precept should remain the same as the previous year.
It was thought sensible to retain the earmarked reserves for Town Hall Renovation at £56,624.
It was noted the budget for street lighting for the current year is £26,275, of that £7,767 has been spent during the year and £12,000 is anticipated for Bull Street. This will leave £6,508 in earmarked reserves for street lighting.
The £3,000 Environment Grant received during current year should be entitled Town Centre Maintenance of Green Areas. The title for youth should be changed to Youth Support and the budget increased to £3,000.
It was agreed to recommend the budget with the above changes to the Council meeting of 5th January 2010.
15. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
a)  Bishops Castle Heritage Resource Centre: It was RESOLVED  to award a grant of £200 to the museum and £200 to the Resources centre. Proposed by Councillor Stanley, seconded by Councillor Magill
b)  West Shropshire Talking Newspaper: It was RESOLVED  to award a grant of £50 to West Shropshire Talking Newspaper. Proposed by Councillor Gaffney, seconded by Councillor Holton
c)  Castle Land Trust: It was RESOLVED to award a grant of £400 to the Castle Land Trust. Proposed by Councillor Gaffney, seconded by Councillor Magill.
d)  Christmas Lights:  It was RESOLVED to award a grant of £500 to the Christmas Lights Committee. Proposed by Councillor Farr, seconded by Councillor Stanley. Councillor Carroll was thanked for the enormous work carried out in the Christmas Lights Committee.  Councillor Magill had been asked to mention that local people had thought the amount of lights were poor.
e)  Marie Curie Cancer Care:  It was RESOLVED  to award £50 to Marie Cure Cancer Care. Proposed by Councillor Stanley, seconded by Councillor Wright.

16. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Shropshire Council – speed limit policy
b) Shropshire Council –  Land sale for biomass. It was considered Shropshire Council should be pressed to make their intentions known however Councillor Stanley advised patience, that the matter is in hand.
c) Shropshire Council – proposed election fees, it was noted.
d) Mr and Mrs Bennett, objected to an advertising hoarding near the steps on the southern side of their house. The clerk was asked to check if the manager of the Co-op had been written to regarding a notice board..
e) Royal British Legion – A thank you for attending the Remembrance Sunday Parade
f)  Shropshire Council – Polling Station – will be moved back to the public hall
g) Community Land Trust – Grants will be received to enable 2 affordable homes to be built at the back of the Kings Head.

 There being no further business the mayor closed the meeting at 9.52pm