Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 23/06/2009

Draft MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 23rd JUNE 2009 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor K.E.C.Pinches, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: J. M. Carroll, S.A. Farr, M. Furber, J.E.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 Farr (family illness), Cllr Furber (away) Cllr Stanley (Away) Proposed by Cllr Gaffney, seconded by Cllr Hird.

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest: Cllr N Hird declared a personal interest in item 18 as he is a member of the Bishop’s Castle Group.

b) Declaration of prejudicial interest: None

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
a) Minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday May 26th 2009, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Carroll with the following corrections: Cllr W.J.Morris should be listed as those councillors present. In item 2, Cllr Hird declared a personal interest in item 9. In item 4, the first sentence should read: “ ..(Low carbon Building Programme phase 2..” and the last sentence should read “..to approach the Community Fund for a grant..” In item 8, no 1 Should read; “double the money paid to the wasteless society, which could allow them to pay for some extra hours for Andrew Broome. Item 18 The amount paid to Lexis Nexis should read “£59.05”. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.
b) The Annual Town Meeting minutes were not the correct ones for this year and will be considered at another meeting.

The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
1.Cllr Hird reported that he was unable to procure a grant for the photo voltaic cells on the roof from the Community Fund as there was insufficient evidence given that this is a community project. He is re applying to Awards For All.
Cllr Hird also reported that a surveyor is coming to give an estimate for the loft insulation.
2. Item 8 CCTV and The Wasteless Society, Cllr Hird has asked Shropshire Council for this CCTV camera.
3. Item 9 Local connections: Cllr Gaffney stated that he had spoken to the Housing Enabling Officer Mr David Garrett, and he had stated the Town Council should request that two of the criteria be met by applicants, the Council’s satisfaction with this evidence would be the third criteria. Cllr Gaffney suggested that in future, when seeking local connection, those involved should apply by sending their own information to the Town Council; they could also attend the relevant Council Meeting themselves.
4. Haining Croft : the clerk read out an email from County Cllr Peter Phillips concerning this development and some apparent inconsistencies with decisions by the planners.
5. The Wintles Pole The clerk read an email from County Cllr Peter Phillips making clear that the Shropshire Council is going to resolve the problem of the pole and the junction at Castle Green.
6. The Clerk has received a reply from Mr Phil Crossland concerning the bollards outside Autolycus (item 16 26.5.09). The pavement has to be 2m wide, which it is. He suggests a site visit to determine where the bollards should go.
7. The clerk contacted Irene Stelfox for some help in paying for the allotment drive. However, this money had to be spent by the end of January and has now gone.
8. The Clerk has received a hard copy of the Shropshire Council contacts list.
9. The clerk has received a letter from Mr Christopher Hill concerning the request for the 99 year lease on the allotments. Unfortunately, he feels it is inappropriate to extend the lease on this land.
10. Several incidents in the playing fields have been reported to the clerk: a youth (16 years old) broke his leg whilst playing on a swing. Community Officer Nick Williams, has warned the youngster who was riding his motor bike round the playing field that he could have his bike removed if there was any more trouble. The Police are expecting the King’s Head to change hands soon, and they are making efforts to stop under age drinking and disorder in the Town. Names have been given to the police about the vandalism in the playing fields and they are following it up.

5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK: none

6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:
a) Reports of Planning Applications:
1/09/21549/F Retrospective application for the erection of an agricultural building for housing livestock. Watermead, Woodbatch Rd Bishop’s Castle Mr R Lennox
Granted

7. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR.

8.TO CONSIDER THE BUSINESS PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
Following the talk from Mr Chris Edwards, Cllr. Carroll proposed that this Council approve the business plan drawn up which will provide more extensive management of the green areas in the Town, according to need, which the Clerk will administer. Cllr Penney seconded this motion with the proviso that once the money was spent, no more would be allocated. Unanimous vote in favour.

9. PLANNING MEETING REPORT.
Cllrs Carroll, Holton and Pinches attended this meeting in Shrewsbury. Cllrs felt that the emphasis has changed in that planners seem very conciliatory and would rather meet objections than go to appeal. This will put more power in the hands of individual officers rather than committees.
Cllr Dr Penney proposed that Mr Jake Berriman and Ms Wendy Marston should be invited to talk to the Town Council about this new approach as well as the Haining Croft development. Seconded by Cllr Holton and resolved.

10 EXTRA LAND FOR THE ALLOTMENTS.
Cllr Hird proposed that the clerk should write to Mr Hill to request the .3 of an acre, which is unused and adjacent to the allotments. Seconded by Cllr Gaffney and resolved.

11.REPORT FROM THE INTERNAL AUDITOR.
The clerk has received the internal auditor’s report and can now send the accounts to the external auditors Mazar.

12. CHANGE OF VENUE FOR ELECTION.
It was proposed by Cllr Gaffney that the Public Hall is the best venue for a polling station and that the clerk should write to Shropshire Council to clarify the situation. Seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved.

13. APPLICATIONS FOR ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE MICHAELMAS FAIR AND CARNIVAL.
Michaelmas:
Day 1: 19th Sept 2009: Market Square, Union St between Church St and Corporation St, Church St & High St 07.30 - 22.30; High St, New St &Salop St 12.00 - 22.30;
Church St, Station St, &Kerry Lane 12.30 - 13.30.
Day 2: 20th Sept 2009: Market Square, Union St (between Church St and Corporation St); Church St between 12.00 and 17.30 hrs; High St 12.00 - 21.00 ; Church St, Salop St, Station St, and Kerry Lane 15.30 - 16.30.
Carnival:
B4385 Brampton Rd, Church St, Station St, High St, Market Square, Salop St, New St, Harley Jenkins St, Union St, Corporation St, and Kerry Lane. 12.00 - 14.30. July 5th 2009
Cllr Gaffney proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Carroll, with the amendment that Pound Close should be kept clear for access. Resolved

14. KINGS HEAD FOOTPATH.
The clerk reported that there are some difficulties with Punch Taverns’ mortgagee: Deustche Trustees who have asked for searches to be made to determine what, if any, utilities lie under the proposed path. The Town Council has been asked to pay the bill for these searches. Cllr Carroll proposed that the clerk should continue to negotiate with the parties in question. Seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved.

15.RE-CONNECTION OF STREET LAMP: WELSH ST.
The clerk reported that Eon have asked the Town Council to pay for this new connection, and for a way leave. Cllr Carroll proposed that a site meeting should be arranged. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved. It has also been reported to Councillors that a pole at Castle Green appears to be unsafe. Cllr Penney proposed that the clerk write to Central Networks for assurance that this pole is safe. Seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.

16 PAYE BY DIRECT DEBIT
Cllr Dr Penney proposed that the Clerk could set up a direct debit for PAYE to HMRC. Seconded by Cllr Carroll and resolved.

17. NEW DESIGN FOR ADVERTS IN THE NEWSLETTER.
Cllr Carroll proposed to accept the new design and to charge £20.00 per year for the adverts to be reviewed in the Autumn, seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved.

18. REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

19a) CORRESPONDENCE
1. Funding fair Ludlow Racecourse. 13th July 10.00 - 12.00
2. LJC Public Meeting 7th July, 7.00pm Public Hall
3. SALC Courses:
ACAS Shrewsbury 25th June
Information Governance: Shrewsbury 13th July
Quality Parish Scheme : Shrewsbury 15th July
New Councillors :Telford 20th July, Shrewsbury 23rd July
4. Email re lamppost removal on Bowling Green Close. (Done I think on 12th June)
b) Circulation
1. SALC Consultation/ Key Structure.
2. The Playing Field
3. The Model Code of Conduct 2007

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 9.35 p.m.