Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 18/08/2009
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 18th AUGUST AT 8.OO PM.
Before the meeting, Mr. Nick Taylor, Assistant Director of
Strategy and Development spoke to the Council concerning planning matters in
general, with some reference to the Haining Croft development and to the Bakery.
He explained that planning matters can be quite critical to several parties
and it is rare that all are eventually happy with the outcome. Judgement and
balance have to be applied to all decisions. Planners have guidelines by which
they operate which are national policy and which are frequently revised. For
example, one such revision concerned the developments in the numbers of affordable
houses built across the County. Planners are also constrained by targets they
have to reach both at County level and those laid down by central government.
Bishop’s Castle Town Councillors expressed their concerns to Mr. Taylor.
Largely the concerns refer to the inconsistencies of planning decisions. Councillors
feel let down by the planning process. They feel that the views of the Town
are rarely heard, that enforcement is not carried out and that their faith in
the planners has been eroded. Mr. Taylor agreed that enforcement was difficult
and often they have to rely on members of the public or town and parish councillors
informing them of potential infringements. He acknowledged that there could
be improvements made with enforcement but that would probably mean extra staff,
which in the current economic climate could be difficult.
Cllr Pinches 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, N. Hird, M. E.
Holton, J.A. Magill, W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, M. Stanley and R.D.
Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. M. Denton
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Resolved: The following apologies were accepted: Cllr J Morris (Working) Proposed by Cllr Dr Penney, seconded by Cllr Hird
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr. N Hird declared an interest in item 6(a) as he is a friend of the applicant
b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr M Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in items 8 and 12 as she has
a home and business attached to the town hall
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 21st July 2009, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Hird with the following corrections: Item 10: the first sentence should read “ ...Transport Authority over two issues, firstly the inadequacy of the timetables, and secondly....” Item 17: Insert after”...Mr. John Yates, ‘English Heritage Historic Building Inspector’,...” Seconded by Cllr Wright.
b) Minutes of the Special Council meeting held on Tuesday 4th August 2009, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Dr Penney with the following corrections: The penultimate paragraph under item 6 should begin: “Cllr Holton.....” the second sentence should begin: “She proposed..” Seconded by Cllr Hird.
The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.
4. MATTERS ARISING
1. A site meeting was held with Mr. Phil Crossland and Martin
Allard concerning the adoption of white lines. In principle the Shropshire Council
have no objection, this has to be agreed with Inspector MacKaill. Cllrs Pinches
and Carroll plus PC Williams are to meet with the Inspector for a site meeting
on the 17th September.
2. The clerk has received a letter from Shropshire Council concerning the 773
Newtown and 860 Telford services. From 8th September M & J travel will take
over these operating on alternate Tuesdays
3. Central Networks checked the pole at the end of the track to the Bowling
Green on Bull Lane. They found no fault with it. Members of the public can phone
24/7 if they see a problem on: 0800 3281111.
4. The clerk has received a letter concerning the litter problem after festivals.
Shropshire Council can provide extra staff to litter pick. If extra bins are
required, Veolia have to be contacted and there will be an extra charge.
5. Concerning our street cleaner, he has had some extra training and will be
closely monitored.
6. The clerk has received a letter concerning the Regulatory Committee meeting
on the 25th August concerning the Bakery Planning matter: 09/01040/FUL.
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Mrs. Price. Concerning white lines on Station St opposite
the end of Salop St. (item 13) Mrs. Price explained the problems they are having
with vehicles parking on the pavement at this location and the dangers for pedestrians
who are forced into the road on this blind bend. This is hampering their business
and they are also coming in for criticism as people assume the vehicles parked
belong to the Price’s. The bus also cannot pass safely.
They would like white lines and a Keep Clear sign if possible or maybe some
bollards.
Cllr Dr Penney proposed that item 13 should be brought forward to discuss at this stage, seconded by Cllr Wright.
13. WHITE LINES ON STATION ST.
Councillors agreed with Mr. & Mrs. Price. Cllr Dr Penney stated that there have been some complaints from the doctors’ surgery about the difficulties for pedestrians. Cllr Stanley proposed that the clerk should write to the Highways department to request white lines and Keep Clear signs on the east side of Station St opposite Salop St. Seconded by Cllr ? and resolved.
The clerk read a letter from Mrs. Griffiths who had written concerning the white lines outside their property on Station St which have been obliterated by the recent top dressing of the road surface. She hopes that these will be reinstated. Cllr Furber also felt there was a problem further down Station St. Cllr Carroll proposed that the Council should ask the Highways department to replace the white line from Mrs. Griffiths’ house, and for it to continue as far as Ransford’s gate. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) 09/01913/AGR Erection of a storage shed Beech-O- Cwmago,
Bankshead, Bishop’s Castle SY9 5JL Cllr Dr Penney proposed no objection
seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.
b) 09/01407/FUL Use of land for and formation of, football pitch with perimeter
fencing, lighting, and associated access gates and under-pitch drainage. Bishop’s
Castle Community College, Brampton Rd Bishop’s Castle SY9 5AY
Cllr Stanley proposed no objection subject to the lighting going off before
11.00pm. Seconded by Cllr Holton and resolved.
7. REPORT BY COUNTY COUNCILLORS
The clerk has not received a report but Cllr Phillips has contributed several communications included in different items.
8. HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
The Council is currently reviewing procedures. Cllr Carroll proposed that the Council delegate powers to the Clerk to take some action on these matters. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.
9. REQUEST FOR FUNDING FROM MIKE PLUNKETT
Dr Penney proposed that £100 should be donated to Mr Plunkett to improve the club’s sound system. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.
10. ROSPA REPORT ON PLAYING FIELDS
The clerk stated that the ROSPA report highlighted two areas of concern: the two flat bed swings outside the main play area, which need some maintenance. Cllr Carroll proposed that the work on these should be done. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.
11 INTERNAL AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS
The clerk drew attention to the comments made by the internal
auditor that:
1.The bank reconciliation does not agree with the total receipts in the cash
book. (The clerk explained that the Interest from the Business Money Manager
Account is added in at a later stage.)
2. Two cheques which have been written in, numbers, dates and payees have now
been added.
3. The bank reconciliation should not have figures rounded up or down.
4. Box 8 of the Annual return should be equal to box 7.
5 Minutes December 2008 item 15 Multicultural Music Festival. This was brought
forward to “Members of the public wishing to speak” Resolutions
to make payments under a “public session” are ultra vires and the
matter should have been resolved at the appropriate point on the agenda.
6. Where an increase in staff pay has been agreed, the actual amount should
be minuted and not just the percentage.
7. Cheque 102979 £306.50 was a payment to the Allotment Society but there
was no supporting documentation. (In future the clerk should ask for a receipt).
8. Where the minutes say a quotation has been accepted, the agreed value and
name of the supplier should also be minuted.
Cllr Dr Penney proposed that these points were noted. Seconded by Cllr Carroll
and resolved.
12. ROOF INSULATION FOR LISTED BUILDINGS
Cllr Hird stated that Mr John Yates, English Heritage Historic
Buildings Inspector, confirms that fibreglass insulation can be used in the
Town Hall roof.
Cllr Penney proposed that the quotation from Domestic and General Insulations
for £538.25p plus 5% VAT (Meeting on 21st July 2009 minuted item 17) should
be accepted, seconded by Cllr Gaffney and resolved.
14. METAL DETECTING IN THE PLAYING FIELDS.
Cllr Holton proposed that the Council objects to metal detecting in the playing Fields as it would also involve the digging of holes which would be unsafe, seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.
15. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE ON SPARC ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Cllr Carroll explained that it would be useful for a Councillor to be on this advisory committee. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that Cllr Magill should be the representative, seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.
16.ACCOUNTS –
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney, that these accounts are all accepted except the £2000 to the Youth Council as this Council would like a report on the progress of the Youth Council first, seconded by Cllr Carroll and approved.
Salaries - £863.78
Andrew Wallace - £24.23
Mrs M Denton – expenses £38.24
Clive Pritchard £94.00
Fastrack Maintenance £180.55
Viking Direct £40.18
ROSPA Playsafety £113.85
V & W Electrics £165.51
Arrow Supplies £385.59
Youth Council £2000
Keith Pinches Mileage £39.92 (replacing cheque for Cllr. Carroll last
month)
Allotment Society £326.55
Npower (Playing Fields) Amended bill DD £125.84
David Jones (replacing cheque for Birmingham Assay Office) £22.95
17. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllr Stanley reported that she had been to an Enterprise South West Shropshire meeting, there was still concern over the lack of development in the former Emburey’s factory. She urged this council to consider taking over the ownership of these buildings and asked for this to be put on the next agenda.
18. CORRESPONDENCE.
1. The clerk has received a contact list for all members
of the LJC.
2. Letter received from Ms K Bavastock
3. Shropshire Local Development Framework Core Strategy: Consultation on ‘Policy
Directions’
4. Marches Community Choir
5. Collaboration Benefits
6. Sustainable Community Strategy Questionnaire.
7.Environmental Maintenance Deep Cleans
8. Margot Daniels letter The Bakery.
9. Mrs Griffiths White Lines on Station St.
b) Circulation
1. The Playing Field
2. Shropshire Core Strategy Policy Directions Executive Summary
3. Independent Policy Commission into Primary School Reorganisation.
4. NALC Parish Partnership (Collaboration Benefits)
5. The Caer Volunteer Newsletter No 25.
The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.