MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30PM ON TUESDAY 12 JULY 2022 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres (Vice Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins; Cllr. A Cowell; Cllr. A Hall; and Cllr. R Smith.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Councillor V Parry; Mr T Shrosbree and Mr K Jones, Shropshire Council (virtual); and Mr R Hewitt, Clerk. One (1) member of the public was present.
22/31 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell and Cllr. A Wright.
22/32 Declarations of Members Interest and Written Requests for Dispensation
Cllr. R Smith declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in 11b) surface water flooding, Park Lane.
22/33 To approve the Minutes of the annual meeting – The minutes of the annual meeting held on 24 May 2022 were approved as a correct record.
22/34 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
The Chairman invited Mr T Shrosbree and Mr K Jones to share plans for a housing need survey in the parish later in the year. The parish council was asked to consider organisations which may be able to help raise awareness of the survey among members of the public.
22/35 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry provided an update on planning and reported on housing and highways.
22/36 Speed limits on the B4361 on the approach to the village hall and up to the county boundary
The parish council was addressed by a member of the public concerning measures to address speeding on the B4361. It was resolved to support the request for new speed limits starting from the village name sign by Wheatcommon Lane. A meeting with the responsible highway officer at Shropshire Council will be requested to discuss this speed limit request and a vehicle activated sign.
22/37 Biodigester
Correspondence from the business representative of the biodigester and the local contractor was noted. It was agreed to confirm the request to meet with the business representative of the biodigester to look for a solution for traffic movements that can work for everyone.
22/38 Planning
22/02962/PMBPA Proposed Conversion Of Agricultural Building At, Batchcott, Richards Castle – Application for prior approval under Part 3, Class Q of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 for the change of use from agricultural to form one residential unit (Re-submission). The parish council agreed to support the planning application.
Shropshire Council have granted planning permission for 22/01645/FUL Green Trees and 22/01734/FUL Premises known as Overton School.
22/39 Report from Councillors who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – None.
22/40 Financial items
a) Receipt of the Shropshire Council environmental maintenance grant for 2022-23 was noted (£80.00).
b) The following payments were agreed: Shropshire Council, election administration, May 2021 (£100.00); and K V Hawkins, Platinum Jubilee expenses (£398.34).
22/41 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
a) Woofferton Station Road footpath: The maintenance of the footpath remains outstanding. To follow up with the contractor.
b) Surface water flooding, Park Lane: A report from Cllr. Smith on drainage in and around Park Lane was noted.
c) It was noted that the environmental maintenance programme has been extended to include the footpath at Station Road, Woofferton.
d) Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: potholes at the A49 end of Park Lane.
22/42 The Queen’s Green Canopy
The parish council have consulted on the proposed location of the Green Canopy trees proposed for the wide verge at Batchcott (members of the public attending the annual parish meeting and adjacent landowner) and requested initial feedback from the Natural Environment team on the feasibility of this proposal. On confirmation of the feasibility of the scheme, an application will be made for a licence to plant on the highway.
22/43 Consultation on Shropshire Council’s Draft Economic Growth Strategy 2022-27 – Noted.
22/44 Police and Crime Commissioner’s Parish Council Survey – Noted.
22/45 Clerk’s report
The Certificate of exemption has been submitted to the external auditor and public rights notices displayed on the noticeboard and website. Ambulance and fire services were informed of the Platinum Jubilee beacon event in June 2022. Charges to hire the village hall are going up from 1 July 2022. SALC is providing neighbourhood planning training. The next South Shropshire Area Committee meeting will be online on 18 July 2022.
22/46 Matters raised for next meeting – There were no matters raised.
22/47 Next Meeting – The next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at the village hall.
The meeting closed at 9.11 pm.