MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT 8.10 PM ON TUESDAY 20 MAY 2025 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; Cllr. A Hall; Cllr. R Smith and Cllr. A Wright.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. V Parry and R Hewitt, Clerk. No members of the public were present.
25/1 Election of Chairman – Mr H Salwey was elected unanimously and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
25/2 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell.
25/3 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
25/4 Election of Vice Chairman – Cllr. V Hawkins was elected unanimously.
25/5 To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting – The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2025 were approved as a correct record.
25/6 Pedestrian access to village hall/ new playground
The parish council noted the points made in the Annual Parish Meeting held earlier in the evening.
25/7 New waste treatment plant at the village hall
The parish council noted the points made in the Annual Parish Meeting held earlier in the evening.
25/8 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
There were no matters raised.
25/9 Planning
APP/L3245/W/25/3363880 Re: 25/00041/OUT Proposed Dwelling South Of Overton Grange Farm, Richards Castle. Outline application (all matters reserved) for the erection of one (market) dwelling. Noted. No action required on appeal.
APP/L3245/W/25/3363781 Re: 25/00247/FUL Proposed Dwelling And Annexe North Of, Station Road, Woofferton. Erection of a dwelling and residential annex/triple garage (revised description). Noted. No action required on appeal.
25/01029/FUL Rectory Farm, Richards Castle, SY8 4EE. Erection of a tractor shed. It was agreed to object to the proposed tractor shed on grounds of scale and use of non-traditional materials. It is considered too large and overbearing for the land holding. The condition recommended by SUDS and drainage to require a scheme of surface water drainage is supported.
25/01104/FUL and 25/01105/LBC The Barracks, Ashford Bowdler, Ludlow, SY8 4AL. Installation of solar panels on roofs of main house and detached studio, plus other alterations to studio to include installation of roof lights, fenestration changes and installation of internal staircase. The planning application and application for listed building consent was supported.
25/01526/FUL Warehouse And Premises, Station Road, Woofferton, Ludlow. Erection of one commercial building comprising two units (B2 and B8 uses), following demolition of existing building, formation of parking areas. There was no objection to the planning application. Due consideration should be given to access and speed of traffic on Station Road. The parish council understands there is no speed limit (60mph) and has requested a 30mph TRO for this stretch of road up to the A49. Therefore 2.4 of the planning statement is considered to be inaccurate as it states that a speed limit is already in place.
25/01703/FUL Storage Land Known As Unit 1 The Old Sawmills, Station Road, Woofferton, Ludlow. Proposed change of use from open timber storage to used car sales including preparation, light maintenance, storage and display of used motor vehicles. There was no objection to the proposed change of use.
Shropshire Council have refused planning permission for 25/00247/FUL Proposed Dwelling And Annexe, North Of Station Road and 25/00041/OUT Proposed Dwelling South Of Overton Grange Farm. Planning permission is granted for 25/00659/FUL Ched Barn. Appeal decisions re: 23/05512/FUL and 23/05513/LBC Woodcroft Farm were noted. A planning enforcement report was noted.
25/10 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
25/11 Financial items
a) i) Internal Audit report: The completion of the internal audit and auditor’s report was noted. Recommendations from 2023-24 have been noted/ implemented. A new internal auditor will need to be appointed for the 2025-26 annual return due to retirement.
ii) Annual Governance Statement – Approved.
b) Parish council accounts ended 31 March 2025. The Accounting Statements 2024-25 were approved. The meeting reviewed spend against budget for 2024-25.
c) i. Risk schedule – Approved.
ii. Insurance renewal – The long-term insurance agreement was agreed with Zurich Municipal.
b) The following payments were approved: J Hurcomb, environmental maintenance (£1,680.00); K Adams, internal audit 2024-25 (£100.00); Zurich Municipal, Parish council insurance (£241.00); SALC, affiliation 2025-26 (£224.60); Eyelid Productions, website support 2025-26 (£100.00); Clerk, wages April-June 2025; Cloud Next, hosting fee 2025-26 (£179.98); HMRC, PAYE to 5 July 2025 (£185.00); and C Davies, grass cutting (£97.00).
25/12 Oracy Project at Orleton School
It was noted that children in the parish attend Orleton School. The meeting agreed to donate £200.00 to help get the oracy project started.
25/13 Highway Items/ Amenity Items/ Footpath Items
a) Environmental maintenance grant (EMG) funded projects in 2025-26: It was agreed to commission work as set out in the EMG application, apply for a grant of £750.00 from Shropshire Council, and contribute £750.00 of match funding from parish council funds to achieve the £1,500.00 budget.
b) Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: Hedges on Wheatcommon Lane are to included in Shropshire Council’s programme of routine maintenance.
25/14 Clerk’s Report – Deferred.
25/15 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)
There were no matters raised.
25/16 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting of the parish council is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22 July 2025.
The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.