Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 13 October 2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER AT 8.OO PM.
PRESENT Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, J Gaffney, N. Hird, M. E. Holton, W J
Morris, Dr St J Penney, M. Stanley and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mr. T Ward (Acting Town Clerk) and three members of the public
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr M. Furber (other meeting) and Cllr J.A. Magill (Illness)
It was proposed by Cllr Carroll and seconded by Cllr Wright
and duly resolved that the apologies be accepted
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Cllr Hird declared a personal interest in agenda item 9c,
as he was Treasurer of the Bishops Castle Group
Cllr Stanley declared a personal interest in agenda item 6a, as the applicant
was a business tenant
Cllr Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 10, as he was a Director of
the Wasteless Society.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Cllr Gaffney pointed out that it was Sarah Crowley not Halliday that had spoken in favour of the planning application for two dwellings at Watermead, Woodbatch Road’
Cllr Gaffney asked that Paragraph 3 of minute 11 be amended to read Cllr Gaffney commented that he had had a long conversation with the co-licensee who had only recently taken over the pub who stated that he was taking action to try to alleviate the problems
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Stanley and duly resolved that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday September 15 2009 be signed by the Mayor as a true record subject to the alterations above.
4. MATTERS ARISING.
The Clerk informed the meeting he had spoken to the Planning Officer regarding receiving copies of full planning decisions and had been informed that the Council were introducing an email alert system which would advise Town & Parish Clerks when the planning system was updated and relevant information could then be downloaded from the Council Website.
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken to the Council regarding the ragwort on the Business Park and he had been assured that it would be dealt with in the very near future
Cllr Wright asked whether it had been ascertained if Shropshire Council were able to carry out CRB checks on the Town Councils behalf. The Clerk advised him that they were and that he was awaiting receipt of the paperwork to set this up.
Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that there had been no further progress with the letting of the units at Enterprise House formerly occupied by Embreys
Cllr Hird informed the meeting that the application for grant funding from the CSEP had been unsuccessful
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK
Mr Dawes updated members on progress regarding the Biomass Plant. He informed the meeting that the Bishops Castle Group had met with members and officers of Shropshire Council who had confirmed that, as there was no formal option on the land the Council was obliged to advertise the plot nationally to obtain best value for the Council. He then outlined the possible outcomes for the site: -
1. The site could be sold to another consortium
2. The current developer could make an offer to buy the land
3. The person that has planning consent on part of the land could contact the
Council to take up the option he has.
He added that Council officers had indicated that it may be willing to receive an approach from the community to acquire the plot for some sort of community use, and that he felt that quite a lot of members of the community would contribute towards the acquisition of the land.
Mr Dawes informed the meeting that he had prepared the brief for the barrister whit regard to taking forward a judicial review.
Cllr Holton asked whether if the existing planning on one half of the area was taken up would this mean the end of the biomass plant. Mr Dawes informed her that the plant could be moved sideways but that this would involve a new planning application and all that went with it.
The Mayor thanked Mr Dawes for his update.
6. TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
The following Planning application was considered: -
09/02360/COU Change of use of part of premises from A1 - Retail to A3 - for sale of food and drink at 32 Church Street Bishops Castle.
Cllr Wright asked whether this application would include the possibility of take away food. He was advised that A3 status was for restaurants and cafes not takeaways.
It was proposed by Cllr Dr Penney and seconded by Cllr Holton and duly resolved that the Town Council has no objection to this application
Reports of Planning Applications.
There were no reports
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and duly resolved that Item 9c be taken next
9c. Cllr Gaffney explained that the decision taken at the last meeting to underwrite the cost of obtaining expert legal advice had been called into question. He added that advice had been sought and that whilst the decision had been in order it had been suggested that it might be advisable to confirm the decision.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Wright and duly resolved that the Town Council confirms the decision taken at the last meeting that the Town Council underwrites the cost of obtaining expert legal advice as to the potential success of an appeal or judicial review up to a maximum of £1000.00.
There was one vote against.
7. TO RECEIVE REPORT OF MEETING WITH INSPECTOR MACKAILL AND TO DISCUSS ANY FURTHER MEASURES REQUIRED
Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that a meeting had been held with Inspector Mackaill and PC Williams to discuss the Councils policy regarding parking in the town. She informed the meeting that the Inspector was reminded of the Council’s policy regarding parking and that a tour of the town was undertaken to point out the problems.
Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that Mr Gwyther had attended the meeting to explain problems he was having outside his shop with inconsiderate parking and traffic driving up the pavement and that following further discussion it had been felt that the problem could be solved by installing bollards on the pavement, similar to those at the top of the town which had proved very successful.
Cllr Stanley enquired whether the installation of bollards would include any road markings as at the top of Union Street. Cllr Carroll stated that there wouldn’t be any markings.
Cllr Gaffney asked how far the bollards would go. Cllr Carroll stated that she felt that a small number of bollards would be needed from where the pavement was dropped by the Old Bakery to outside Mr Gwyther’s shop.
It was proposed by Cllr Carroll and seconded by Cllr Dr Penney
and duly resolved that bollards be installed on the pavement from the Old Bakery
to outside Gwyther’s Shoe Shop.
Cllr Morris informed the meeting that the sign from the car park had been removed
as it had been set on fire. Cllr Carroll informed him that it had been removed
by Shropshire Council. It was agreed that a metal sign should be installed to
replace the one that had been removed
8. REPORT BY UNITARY COUNCILLOR
There was no report as Cllr Phillips was away
9. ACCOUNTS –
a) Councillors considered the schedule of accounts for payment.
The Mayor asked what the funding for youth activities would be used for. Cllr Carroll stated that she would get a report from Irene Stelfox regarding this. It was agreed that this payment would be held over pending receipt of Ms Stelfox’s report.
Cllr Stanley commented that the cost of advertising the vacancy for a Clerk seemed excessive. Cllr Wright pointed out that the Council had agreed the amount of advertising that would be done. Discussion followed regarding the effectiveness of the advertising.
Mr Hird commented that where we used external contractors
it would be good practise to offer the work to others. Cllr Carroll agreed that
it would be good that the work was put out to tender and that this should be
done after a service contract was drawn up and that this could be done after
the Maintenance Grant had been received from Shropshire Council.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Farr and duly resolved
that the accounts listed below be approved
Salaries £ 272.18
Andrew Wallace £ 24.24
Clive Pritchard £ 96.00
P Bindloss Playing Field August & September & Other Work £ 365.00
BT - internet £ 110.36
Enterprise South West Shropshire £ 14.05
Fastrack Maintenance £ 180.55
Midlands News Association - Clerk Advert £ 817.88
V & W Electrics £ 107.52
Severn Trent Water £ 259.96
Janes Petal & Gift - Polish for Town Hall £ 15.00
Payment made by Direct Debit
Npower - Electricity in Playing Field
£ 20.18
Npower - Electricity in Town Hall £ 253.85
b) Councillors considered a request for a grant from the Rhythms of the Heart Festival. It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Wright and duly resolved that a grant of £150.00 be made.
The Clerk advised the meeting that a request for a grant had been received from the West Shropshire Talking Newspaper for the Blind. It was agreed that this request should be brought to a future meeting.
10. BISHOPS CASTLE ZERO WASTE PLACE
Cllr Hird informed the meeting that The Wasteless Society had received an approach from Shropshire Council regarding making Bishops Castle a Zero Waste Place. He explained what this would entail and added that and article had appeared in the Sunday Times stating that Bishops Castle was one of six places selected by DEFRA for this scheme. He went on to say that Shropshire Council had agreed to fund a recycling site and that he had been to look at a similar project in Ditton Priors. Cllr Hird requested that the Town Council support this initiative.
Cllr Gaffney expressed concern that Shropshire Council had obtained the grant funding for this scheme without prior consultation with the community, especially as the application listed 1000 volunteer hours. He suggested that the Council write to Shropshire Council expressing conditional support asking for further details regarding what is proposed, as it is not clear what is proposed and the scheme needs much more consultation.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Hird and resolved that Before Bishops Castle Town Council can welcome news of the successful grant application it needs more details and would request a meeting with James Thompson, Waste Prevention Officer Shropshire Council to obtain further details of the scheme.
11. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CROSSROADS ADJACENT TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Cllr Stanley commented that there were an increasing number of accidents at the crossroads by the Community College and that there should be improvements to the junction to alleviate this. Councillors discussed several options.
It was proposed by Cllr Carroll and seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved that the Town Council request that the Highways department be contacted to ascertain what improvements could be made to the junction.
12. CLERKS SALARY
The Acting Clerk informed the meeting that he had received advice from SALC with regard to the appropriate level of salary for the Clerk based on size of Council and responsibilities of the Clerk and that this would be SCP26, which equated to £11.594 per hour
It was proposed by Cllr Wright, seconded by Cllr Stanley
and resolved that the Clerks salary be set at SCP26 - £11.594 per hour.
13. TREE WARDEN
Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that there was need for a new Tree Warden to be appointed and explained what was involved. Cllr Dr Penney stated that he would be prepared to take on the position.
It was proposed by Cllr Hird and seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved that Cllr Dr Penney be appointed Tree Warden.
14. BULL LANE LIGHTING SCHEME
Cllr Carroll commented that the council had agreed to get a scheme drawn up for improvements to the street lighting on Bull Lane and Castle Street. She went on to say that following consultation, residents of Castle Street had stated that they did not want any more lights.
Cllr Dr Penney commented that it was essential that a check be made to ascertain whether the lights involved were highway lights.
It was proposed by Cllr Carroll and seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved that the Council should proceed with the Lighting Scheme proposed for Bull Lane subject to a check being made that the lights involved are not highway lights.
15. WORKS AT KINGS HEAD
Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that further work was required to complete the improvement to the area adjacent to the Kings Head, which included work to the garden area and installation of footway lighting. She went on to say that some of the money required could be found from the Shropshire Council maintenance grant and that an application could be made to the Local Joint Committee for the capital costs of £500 and asked that the Town Council make this application.
Cllr Hird asked whether the Tourism Group should make this application. Cllr Carroll explained that the Group had already made a grant application.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved that the Town Council make an application to the Local Joint Committee for a grant to cover the capital costs of the remaining work required to complete the improvement scheme
16. BINS IN AUCTION YARD
Cllr Carroll commented that the Auction yard was one of the main car parks of the town and that there were no litter bins and asked that the Council consider installing bins.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney and seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved that the Town Council install 2 bins in the Auction Yard car park.
17. COMPUTERS
The Clerk informed the Council that the current laptop was exceedingly slow that Shropshire Council were running a scheme which would supply free laptops to Town and Parish Councils. He went on to say that the old computer tower and monitor were now obsolete. Cllr Carroll suggested that the old computer could be donated to the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme for recycling. Cllr Holton commented that it should be ensured that the hard drive is cleared of all items. Cllr Carroll commented that Mike Ashwell at Enterprise House could do this.
It was proposed by Cllr Dr Penney and seconded by Cllr Holton and resolved that the Town Council apply for a new laptop from Shropshire Council and that the old computer tower and monitor be donated to the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme for recycling after the hard drive had been wiped.
18. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
a) Cllr Hird informed the meeting that he had attended that last meeting of the Local Joint Committee and that several funding applications had been approved. He went on to say that other items had been discussion regarding the Shropshire Link bus service and a presentation from Jake Berriman on the core Strategy
b) Cllr Carroll informed the meeting that she had attended a meeting of Enterprise South West Shropshire and that concern was expressed regarding the fact that the units formerly occupied by Embreys were still empty. She went on to say that concern was also expressed regarding the fact the Teme Leisure were objection to the construction of the multi use sports area at the Community College.
c) Cllr Stanley informed the meeting that she had attended a meeting of the South Shropshire Business forum, which had received a presentation from Mike Ashwell on the future of broadband in rural areas
18. CORRESPONDENCE.
a) A letter had bee received from BT asking whether the Town Council wished to adopt the phone box in Colebatch, which actually was in the Town Council area. It was agreed that the letter should be passed to Colebatch Parish Council as it may be of interest to them.
b) A letter had been received from Mr R Freeman regarding the current state of the cycle track. It was agreed that Cllr Carroll and the Clerk should agree a reply to the letter.
c) Notification of the SALC AGM was received. No Councillor wished to attend
d) An environmental maintenance street cleaning survey was received; Cllr Carroll and Cllr Stanley agreed to complete the survey.
e) The notice of failure of funding application to the Community Sustainable Energy Programme was noted by Councillors. Cllr Hird informed the meeting that a new application would be submitted
There being no further business the mayor closed the meeting at 9.58pm