59
Church Stretton Town Council
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, SILVESTER HORNE INSTITUTE, ON
TUESDAY 24thMARCH 2015 at 7.00 p.m.
Those present: Chairman: Cllr M Braid
Councillors: Cllr B. Buckingham, Cllr L Brown, Cllr M Bugiel, Cllr E Roberts, Cllr L Chapman, Cllr H Luff, Cllr R Hickman, Cllr M Walker and Cllr H Claytonsmith
Officers: Ms M Giles(Town Clerk)Mrs C Harvey (RFO)
Unitary Councillor: Cllr L Chapman
Members of the Public: 1
Press: 0
Guests : Mr. Richard Banks of JCR Planning & Mr Enzo Sauro (Enzos
Homes)
14.125 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES
Cllr B Welch (illness), Cllr M Morris (family emergency) Cllr R Hubbard.
14.126 DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS & DISPENSATIONS
To declare any disclosable pecuniary interest in a matter to be discussed at the meeting and which is not included in the register of interests (in accordance with the new code of Conduct adopted by Church Stretton Town Council on 26th June 2012). NONE
14.127 DISPENSATIONS:
In pursuance of the Localism Act 2011, s31(4), (in accordance with Council Policy 1.5 (13.54b)) in order for members to participate and vote during consideration of the 2015-16 precept, dispensations were requested and granted by the Town Clerk prior to the meeting in respect of all participating councillors.
NONE
14.128 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
None
14.129 PRESENTATION BY MR. RICHARD BANKS OF JCR PLANNING ON THE ACADEMY SITE
Mr Banks gave background to the proposed development at the school site. This is an evolving plan which will be informed by input from a public exhibition in the SHI next week, and comments from the Town Council. The scheme provides for up to 50 dwellings and an employment site of 1.27 hectares for small enterprises. The landscaping requirements are still under discussion with Shropshire Council.
Mr Banks had also consulted local planning policies, and the town design guide in relation to the conservation area in which the site is located.
The Scheme is in 3 parts:
1. Housing site (drawn for 47 dwellings), including provision of new road & coach parking facilities, plus landscaping.
2. Sports academy scheme with associated pitches and amphitheatre
3. Artisan Quarter of business and employment units (non dwelling)
Councillors raised a number of issues including concerns about density, the possibility of an entrance further north to avoid school traffic, creating driveway accesses off Shrewsbury Road etc. It was agreed that these would be summarised by Cllr Claytonsmith and provided to Mr Banks after the meeting.
Mr Banks emphasised that they wished to retain as much of the boundary hedge as possible and that driveway access off Shrewsbury Road would be difficult because the site is 1.5 metres below road level.
Cllr Claytonsmith also suggested that they consider putting together a working group to involve local people and the town council in taking the development of the design forwards.
Presentation concluded at 7.30pm
14.130 LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR CLLR BOB WELCH
14.130.1) Request for formal consideration of a 4 month leave of absence for Cllr Welch
Proposed by Cllr Brown, seconded by Cllr Buckingham and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to extend a 4 month leave of absence for Cllr Welch from July 2015
14.130.1a) Temporary Chair of Economic Development Committee
Required to cover period of absence granted to Cllr Welch.
Proposed by Cllr Walker, seconded by Cllr Braid and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Cllr Buckingham would join the EDC on a temporary basis as Chair to cover for the absence of Councillor Welch
14.130.1b) Temporary additional member of AF&GP
As there is no AF & GP Meeting before the May Annual meeting, temporary cover not required at present.
14.131 MINUTES
To confirm the minutes taken at the Town Council Meeting held on 24thFebruary 2015.
Proposed by Cllr Walker, seconded by Cllr Claytonsmith and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to confirm and adopt the Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 24thFebruary 2015 as correct and these were duly signed by the Chairman as a true record.
14.132 AGENDA ORDER
The Chairman requested that item 11 Library update be taken next - AGREED
14.133 PROPOSED CLOSURE/RELOCATION OF CHURCH STRETTON LIBRARY
SERVICE - UPDATE
The Town Clerk/Cllr Chapman and others provided a verbal update on developments and recent correspondence. Copies of final decision report from Shropshire Council were distributed at the meeting. Town Clerk emphasised that this was a decision report and the actual decision would be made by portfolio holder Steve Charmley on Friday 27th March.
A request from a resident that the Town Council rethinks its decision had been circulated.
Members were reminded that the six-month rule applies unless they wished to consider
formal rescission. No such proposal was forthcoming. Cllr Walker had visited the school and reported on the positive aspects of these proposals. Town Clerk will draft a reply accordingly.
Proposed by Cllr Claytonsmith, seconded by Cllr Braid and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to suspend Standing Orders to allow A Fox to speak
Mr Fox reported that the Governors said that if school has to put funds in to the development of the new library then it will not happen – they understand SC will provide capital funds if project is to go ahead.
Standing Orders resumed.
14.134 FINANCIAL MATTERS
14.134.1 Accounts Paid 25/2/15 to 24/3/15
A list of payments made between 25th February to 24thMarch 2015 had been circulated and is attached herewith in the Minute Book.
NOTED AND ACCEPTED
14.134.2 Update on the Withdrawal of Council Tax Support Grant by Shropshire Council
The Town Clerk updated councillors on the latest developments – decision had been ratified by Full Council on 26th February. Issue raised with Phillip Dunne MP on recent visit to Church Stretton Town Council office.
Cllr Chapman confirmed that, as unitary councillor, he had voted for the withdrawal.
NOTED
14.134.3 CIL Allocation for 2015/16
The Church Stretton CIL ‘Neighbourhood Fund’ allocation (allocated April 2015) is £973.00. This cannot be applied to general expenditure and has to be accounted for in line with the ‘Neighbourhood Fund Agreement’ which we will be required to sign with Shropshire Council in due course. Funds must be ring-fenced within the accounts and accounted for annually. Project ideas were discussed and whether to save and spend or spend as it comes in – confirmed that there was a 5 year limit before the funds had to be spent.. Agreed it would be useful to have a clearer picture of how much (and at what point) further monies will be received in the future.
Further enquiries will also be made with regard to the New Homes Bonus for Ashbrook development which has clearly been developed as a Community Led scheme but is not included in the list of those allocated funds for this purpose.
NOTED
14.135 UNITARY AND PARISH WARD MATTERS
14.135a) Report from Unitary Councillors
Cllr Chapman reported on his recent activities:-
· Christmas lights – looked into regulations, SC highways prepared report. SC providing new S/L columns and connections for the lighting. Awaiting confirmation on thickness of wire required.
· All Stretton – right of way (dirty lane) disputes occurred regarding potential damage on Rights of Way. Trying to reach a reasonable conclusion.
· SC meetings with Highways re: New House Farm.
· Street Cleaning/dog waste issues – meeting held recently. Not keen to support all of responsibility to be shifted to TC. SC reluctant to offer training to volunteers.
· Health & wellbeing board – al lot of work involving CCG, SC & planning going forward with Better Care funding.
· Working on improving benefits advice to those with a learning disability in advance of changes by the DWP to the Universal Credit system..
14.135b) Parish Ward Issues
TC reported on a recent meeting organised by local CPRE representatives with Shropshire Council to which she had been invited. Focus of meeting was dog fouling and litter enforcement. Agreed by meeting participants that a multi agency ‘Model Action Plan’ should be piloted in Church Stretton. This would involve CPRE volunteers, other Stretton based community volunteers, public protection staff from Shropshire Council and Church Stretton Town Council and cover a range of approaches combined within one plan.
TC seeking an “In principle” agreement to proceed with working on ‘Model Action Plan’ to report back to AF &GP in July.
Proposed by Cllr Hickman , seconded by Cllr Walker
RESOLVED (unanimously) to pursue the idea of a Model Action Plan to tackle dog fouling and litter enforcement in the town in partnership with CPRE and Shropshire Council
14.135c) Road Closures
Closure of Church Street for 2 days on 26th May for Severn Trent works including suspension of one way order between Church Street and Cunnery Road
14.136 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES/WORKING GROUPS/COUNCILLORS
14.136.1 Planning Committee
a) To receive the minutes of the meetings dated 24thFebruary 2015 and 17th March 2015
The Minutes of 24thFebruary and 17thMarch had been circulated.
Proposed by Cllr Walker, seconded by Cllr Buckingham and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to receive the Minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 24thFebruary 2015 and 17thMarch 2015 and to confirm and adopt the resolutions/recommendations contained therein.
b) To seek a further representative for the Planning Committee following the resignation of Cllr Lee Brown owing to work and family commitments
AGREED that Cllr Luff would join the Planning Committee
14.136.2 Economic Development
a) To receive the minutes of meeting dated 17thMarch 2015 and to confirm and adopt the resolutions/recommendations contained therein
The Minutes had been circulated.
Cllr Hickman asked for a point of clarification – regarding themes for the market – one was books linked to the National Trust – linked to the Saville books.
Proposed by Cllr Walker, seconded by Cllr Buckingham and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development Committee held on 17thMarch 2015 and to confirm and adopt the resolutions contained therein.
14.136.3 Town Plan Review Group/Community Consultation Group
Summary of town plan now available in printed form – idea to circulate via Royal Mail had fallen through as they would only accept a minimum order of £500. TC had discussed alternative distribution arrangements to all public venues with Lisa Bedford. Discussion took place on whether this would be adequate given previous commitment to distribute to every home.. Councillors asked to distribute as many summary leaflets as possible in their immediate area/via groups they attended.
14.136.4 Rectory Wood and Field Working Group
a) Notes from meeting held on 25/02/15
The notes from the meeting held on 25th February 2015 had been circulated for information.
b) Update on Progress on Negotiation of Feehold and Service Level Agreement with Shropshire Council
The TC updated councillors on negotiations with Steph Jackson, Head of Commercial Services for Shropshire Council concerning the transfer of the freehold. Steph Jackson had provided a short written statement i.e. “Shropshire Council has further considered the Rectory Wood and Field and subject to completion of due diligence their intention is o transfer the site on a freehold basis” Thanks were expressed to the Town Clerk for all her work on this and also to Cllr Chapman for his support.
However, the freehold transfer and associated due diligence is likely to take some months. In the meantime, the RW & F Working Group would continue to work towards operational transfer of management. An appropriate resolution as to transfer of operational management and the agreed date was therefore required and it was therefore:
Proposed by Cllr Hickman seconded by Cllr Buckingham and
RESOLVED (unanimously) to agree in principle to pursue managerial transfer ahead of freehold transfer subject to appropriate financial safeguards
It was noted with regret that Ed Andrews was leaving his post with the Outdoor Team which would leave a significant gap behind. He had been appointed to a post with the National Trust at Cardingmill Valley and it was therefore hoped he would be able to continue to contribute to the conservation proposals for the field and wood.
14.137 FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
a) Dates of next meetings:
(i) Planning Committee : 7thApril 2015 (Rachel Parry to attend plus additional invitees) and 28thApril 2015 at 6 pm.
(ii) Annual Assembly : 21st April 2015 at 7pm. – Reminder to Councillors to submit their reports to the Office by 31/03/15
(iii) Annual Meeting/Council Meeting : 12th May 2015 at 7 pm.
14.138 CORRESPONDENCE
None
14.139 CONFIDENTIAL ITEM(S)
Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 S1(2), to resolve to exclude Public and Press due to the confidential nature of business which may arise relating to Staffing and Property or as determined by the Town Council.
Proposed by Cllr Braid ,seconded by Cllr Chapman and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 S1(2), to exclude the public from the next items .
14.139.1 Resignation of Stephen Buttler
Noted that Stephen Buttler from the outdoor team had resigned to take up a post working on physical rehabilitation therapy for patients with the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.
As the Spring/Summer season is due to commence shortly, TC requested that she be given delegated authority to look at most cost efficient option for replacing this post function.
Proposed by Cllr Walker seconded by Cllr Braid and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that TC be given delegated authority to replace the existing post on the most appropriate/cost efficient basis (and to report back in due course to AF &GP in July)
14.139.2 SCP Changes to Staff Salaries for 2015/16
A table of SCP changes to staff salaries was circulated at the meeting for Councillors confirmation(all figures are included with previously approved 2015/16 budget)
Proposed by Cllr Hickman, seconded by Cllr Buckingham and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the SCP changes to staff salaries, as shown on the submitted table, be effective from 1st April 2015, as budgeted for.
………………………………Chairman 8.55 p.m.
Church Stretton Town CouncilCo-operative Bank
List of Payments made between 25/02/2015 and 24/03/2015
Date Paid / Payee Name / Cheque Ref / Amount Paid / Transaction Detail
26/02/2015 / Landscape Supply Company / Debit Card / £215.91 / Spray equipment