Bishop's Castle Town Council Meeting 31/03/2009

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF BISHOP’S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON 31st MARCH 2009 AT 8.OO PM.

At 7.50, Mr Geoff Grimes explained to the Council the: “ Buy Local Scheme.”
This scheme has been initiated by the Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) which in itself exists to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Shropshire Hills. The Buy Local scheme aims to produce a strong, healthy local economy. The AONB is producing a directory of all businesses which participate in the scheme. There could be many advantages in using locally sourced produce, for example in reducing energy and transport costs, and increasing local employment. If a business wants to join the scheme, there is a £25.00 joining fee. The AONB will assist businesses to grow, in order to preserve the economic future of the area.

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. 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 KEC Pinches (Lambing) Proposed by Cllr Holton, seconded by Cllr Morris.

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest:
Cllr Magill declared a personal interest in Item 6B as she is a friend of the applicant.
Cllr Furber declared a personal interest in item 6B as he is a friend of the applicant.
Cllr Gaffney declared a personal interest in item 6A as he is a friend of the applicant.
b) Declaration of prejudicial interest:
Cllr Holton declared a prejudicial interest in item C as she lives close to the planned structure.
Cllr Stanley declared a prejudicial interest in item 13 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 March 2008, having been circulated, were proposed as a true record by Cllr Wright with the following corrections:
In the first paragraph of Mr Dave Thomlinson’s address, substitute “which carries on some of the work of the Wasteless Society” in place of “formerly the Wasteless Society”. In item 4, no 1 should read... “the transfer documents for the play area at Oak Meadow, and the green space at Brick Meadow...” Seconded by Cllr Hird and approved.
b) Minutes of the special Council Meeting on Monday February 23rd 2009 having been circulated were proposed as a true record by Cllr Gaffney with the following corrections: The first sentence of Mr Dawes’ comments should read: “ Mr Dawes spoke as the representative of the Council...”, and the second sentence should read: “ Mr Dawes explained that the Council’c specific concerns...”. The final sentence should read: “ ...it could underwrite this expense, which would not exceed £5000.” seconded by Cllr Wright and resolved.

The minutes were approved and signed by the Mayor.

4. MATTERS ARISING
1. The clerk has received a response from West Mercia police concerning parking in the Town to be discussed in Item 10.
2. The clerk has received an email from Cllr Peter Phillips concerning Local Joint Committees.
3. Cllr Phillips has also sent the clerk the copy of a letter he sent to Mr Graham Biggs addressing the cost to this Council of consultants for the Biomass Inquiry (Special meeting 23.2.09)
4. The LCBS (low carbon based scheme) phase 2 grant for funding the photo-voltaic cells has been refused, hopefully temporarily, as all the money has been used. (Item 17 3.3.09)
5. Cllr Gaffney was unable to send this Council’s concerns over brown field sites (Item 10 3.3.09) as the web site would not accept his submission. He has requested a paper copy.
6. Cllr Gaffney has looked into the implications of the delegation/ devolution of services (item 15 3.3.09) and is concerned that the amount of work it is suggested that the Town could take over does not correlate with the money that would be forthcoming. (The clerk advised that Mr Chris Edwards, Delegation/Devolution officer, will be attending the next Council Meeting (28.4.09) and will answer Councillors’ queries then.)
7. The clerk has not had time to write to Mr. Graham Biggs about the matter concerning the special meeting, (23.2.09) with reference to the District Council reimbursing the money spent by the Town Council on Consultants for the Biomass Inquiry. The Clerk will write to the Planning Implementation Executive. The clerk has received a letter from Cllr Peter Phillips who has raised this matter with Mr. G Biggs.(see above no 3)
5. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK:
Mr Richard Leadbetter: Concerning planning application:1/09/21603/F &1/09/21604/CA
Erection of an extension to a supermarket and associated warehouse facility. 2. Demolition of a dwelling (15 Church St). Harry Tuffins supermarket.
Mr Leadbetter is very concerned as this is a terrace of two hundred year old houses in a conservation area. No survey seems to have been carried out and he fears that the demolition of No 15 could compromise the structure of his house, no 13.There will be problems of noise and dirt with the demolition and with the extra cars parking, and warehouse noise. The Town will also lose a good dwelling house and the streetscape will be changed irrevocably.
Mr Gwyther is very concerned about the parking on Church St ( item 10). Parking is very limited there, and some cars/vans are parked all day reducing the parking space for shoppers. He would like to see better regulation with yellow lines limiting parking.
6. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT:To consider response to:
a) 1/09/21610/F Planning Permission (Full) Erection of extension to residential care home The Pines Colebatch Bishop’s Castle Mr Hicks. Cllr Carroll proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Magill and resolved.
b) 1/09/21549/F Planning Permission (Full) Retrospective application for the erection of an agricultural building for housing livestock. Watermead Woodbatch Rd Bishops Castle Mr R Lennox. Cllr Wright proposed no objection as this application is presumably the result of an enforcement order, and the neighbours have not made any objections. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved.
c)1/09/21603/F & 1/09/21604/CA Planning permission (full) and Conservation Area Consent. 1. Erection of an extension to supermarket and associated warehouse facility 2. Demolition of dwelling (15 Church St) 17 Church St Bishops Castle Harry Tuffins Supermarkets Ltd.
Cllr Wright proposed objection to this plan. He agreed with the points raised in the letter from the Civic Society: demolishing this cottage in a terrace of similar properties in Church St would have a deleterious effect on the street scene of the conservation area. Secondly, it is improper to eliminate a residential property and its garden when housing is so much in demand in the Town. Thirdly, this is a serious over-development of the site. The parking spaces shown on the plans would be inaccessible when deliveries were taking place. Tuffins already has extensive buildings and car parking space behind the supermarket frontage which could be used instead of damaging the conservation area. If permitted, it would create a bad neighbour to properties nearby which suffer already from the traffic the supermarket generates. Cllr Wright also wanted to add that the parking and queuing at the moment is very unsatisfactory but the impact of the traffic and noise on the adjacent properties if this proposal were passed would blight the neighbours’ lives. Cllr Gaffney added to this proposal that the loss of an affordable house is absolutely contrary to Council policy. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved. The proposal was upheld 9-1

d) Any other plans

e) Reports of Planning Applications.
i) 1/08/213339/F Erection of extension to dwelling 31 Corporation St Bishop’s Castle Mr Darren Price Granted
ii) 1/08/21432/TC Fell leylandii and a holly bush; reduce height and width of border hedging plants Unicorn House 64 Church St Bishops Castle Ms Susan Rose Granted.
7.REPORT BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS.
Cllr Ellis reported that this is the last evening of the District Council which ends at midnight tonight. Some of the Councillors are to remain on the Implementation Executive until June 5th:Hilary Clayton Smith in Planning, and Jack Williams in Licensing.
The Onny Valley PC Tourism group would like to have links with the Bishop’s Castle website to promote their Places To Stay.
Mr Matthews at Bishop’s Castle Building Supplies would like to discuss with councillors planting for the screening of the building.
Two long serving councillors on the SSDC have been made Honorary Aldermen: Mr Neville Stevens and Mr Joe Meredith. Many of the officers have retired and some have moved to work for the new Shropshire Council.
Cllr Dr Penney thanked Cllr Ellis for all her hard work, and Cllr Gaffney expressed the appreciation of all Councillors.
8. TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR THE PLAYING FIELDS MAINTENANCE.
The clerk has received three quotations for the grass cuttting in the playing fields. Cllr Dr Penney proposed to accept the cheapest quotation seconded by Cllr Hird. Cllr Gaffney proposed that Councillors should accept Fastrack as they have done an excellent job this year and are not the most expensive, seconded by Cllr Carroll. The first motion fell by 3 votes to 8, the second motion was passed by 8 votes to 3 and resolved.
9. TO CONSIDER THE COST OF RENEWING THE TOWN HALL INSURANCE.
The clerk has received the renewal forms from the brokers WPS. Cllr Dr Penney proposed to bring this back to the next agenda, whilst the clerk pursued some more quotations, seconded by Cllr Hird.
10.TO CONSIDER THE PARKING PROBLEMS ON CHURCH ST.
Councillors sympathised with Mr Gwyther’s summary of the situation. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that to increase the number of parking spaces, the clerk should write to the businesses in that part of the Town suggesting that they could park off the road where possible. The clerk should also pursue the implementation of the white lines scheme and extend the scheme to Church St. Seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved.
11.TRANSFER OF LAND AT KERRY GREEN.
The clerk has received a letter from Mr McCaul at the South Shropshire Housing Association. The transfer is going ahead, and Mr McCaul asked if this Council would be prepared to meet the legal costs which could possibly amount to £500.00. Cllr Dr Penney proposed that the clerk should reply welcoming the news of the transfer and suggesting that this council would pay for one hour of the solicitor’s time up to £225.00 Seconded by Cllr Hird and resolved.
12. THE PARISH PLAN, THE WAY FORWARD.
Cllr Carroll explained that the Parish Plan needs updating and suggested that a working group of Councillors should be set up to do this. Cllr Carroll was happy to volunteer as was Cllr Magill.
13. SOLAR PHOTO. VOLTAIC SYSTEM ON THE TOWN HALL ROOF AND PLANNING APPLICATION.
Cllr Stanley left the room and took no part in the discussion.
Cllr Hird explained that unfortunately the funding from the Low Carbon Building Scheme has failed as they have run out of money. However, he has applied to Awards For All for £7,000. and a second application has been sent to Communities Sustainable Energies Project for £9431. The Clerk is to send off the planning application.
Cllr Stanley returned to the Chamber.
14.TO CONSIDER THE INADEQUACY OF THE BUS TIME TABLES.
Cllr Wright explained the shortcomings of the time tables, he proposed that the clerk should write to the Transport Officer requesting full time tables to be posted at all stops, as well as on the Town Hall notice board. Seconded by Cllr Dr Penney and resolved.
15.TO CONSIDER REQUESTS FROM THE MICHAELMAS FAIR COMMITTEE.
The clerk has received a request from the Michaelmas Fair Committee to put a banner in front of the Town Hall as last year and to erect a stage before the south face of the Town Hall also as last year. They also asked whether a rod could be put permanently underneath the guttering at the top of the south face of the Town Hall so that banners could be placed more easily. Finally they suggested that part of the Town Hall renovation could include flattening that part of the High St immediately below the Town Hall to form a permanent “stage”. Cllr Carroll proposed that the Michaelmas Committee should have permission to put the banner up and to erect a stage as last year and that the other suggestions could be put to the Town Hall Renovation Partnership.
Seconded by Cllr Stanley and resolved.

16.REPORT OF RECENT MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

17. Correspondence.
1. Interim Planning Guidance (IPG) on Affordable Housing: Consultation Draft. Document forwarded to Councillors with Agenda.
2.Wintles residents Association Update.
3. Lisa Bedford’s new email: lisa.bedford@shropshire.gov.uk
4. Rural Regeneration Zone Conference: Friday 3rd July 10.00am to 1.00pm Ludlow racecourse.
5. General enquiries no. for Shropshire Council, from 1st April: 0345 678 9000
6. Salc Courses: Councils as Empoyers,Recruitment and Selection of Staff,Community Engagement, The Power of Well Being
b) CIRCULATION
1. Salc Annual Subscription

The Mayor declared the meeting closed at 10.04 p.m.