Subject Area

Question

Service Manager

Response

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Private events put in public parks e.g. The Proms in the Quarry. Public feel excluded because of prices and the 'Council' are excluding them!

Derek Caddy

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Yes. As long as it could be viable - and a multi-use venue - conference and hotel facilities. Music and theatre/Concert Hall. If we want to get on the national circuit we need to have a good venue. Needs adequate car parking and near the station for outside visitors. Suggested venue - Gay Meadow - on several levels with bottom floor used for parking and access at higher level to theatre.

Eddie McGrath

1. New Entertainment Venue.

New Entertainment Venue - Can't see how it can be justified? Will it be full? 90% of people will not use it. People who go to Theatre Clwyd, Wolverhampton and Birmingham may go to Shrewsbury. Music Hall will have to be kept - will it be sold? Museum? Cost of NEV cannot be justified.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

We need a new theatre with modern facilities to attract larger acts to Shrewsbury and which is more accessible to more people.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

If there is to be a new arts complex and, therefore we lose the opportunity to retain for the town and country, the excellent acoustics which, prior to its last major refurbishment, were the property of the Music Hall, what steps are being taken to ensure that the acoustics of this new hall(s) will be equally rewarding for music esp. choral, orchestral or chamber music. What staff are there to be? How high are the ceilings? What materials are to be used for the furnishings. How can three of us who are concerned about these vital issues make our views known to the architect?

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

How much is it going to cost? Yes we would like one but not if it is going to cost too much - yet affordable general feeling is the Council will put the facility where the Council wants. This issue has been raised before and views don't appear to be listened to. Should have late night transport to the venue. Doesn't appear to be any movement.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Theatre - need to resolve issues re flooding and finance etc before launching headlong into it. How can the Council afford to run it.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Theatre - if new theatre happens, what provision will be made regarding acountics. Needs to be substantially better than Music Hall ever was.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Balance in favour of retaining the Music Hall. Difficult to see how ticket sales will justify the proposed size of the NEV. If to be new location, Telephone House site preferable to Gay Meadow.

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

1. Do all new initiatives - Dunedin linked all rely on the Livestock Market issue? 2. What are the views on having the new shopping centre and theatre - where will they be situated?

Geraint Morgan

1. New Entertainment Venue.

Theatre - Do you think Shrewsbury has sufficient audience attendance to fill the theatre all year round - would it not be cheaper to bus people to Birmingham etc.

Geraint Morgan

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Independent businesses will close if access to town centre is stopped - will damage tourism and business.

David Griffiths

It is recognised that maintaining good access into the town centre in a variety of ways is important. A balanced approach to this is adopted in the draft town centre strategy.

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Coach Parking in Abbey area. Car Park. As you come into town along Old Potts Way the Abbey is observed. A lovely flood lit building is spoilt. Move coaches to the other side of the same car park.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

I am concerned that there is no Hotel which will accommodate a coachload of visitors. This is essential and without this, coach companies will

need to consider using the town in future.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Communications - rail links need to be exploited. London link - need to change at Birmingham / Wolverhampton.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Stop buses coming through town that only carry 4 people. Cars do use Pride Hill that shouldn't - should have traffic calming. Better signage - further out of town as usually too late. Should have a Northern Relief Road. Logical lights sequence along Smithfield Road to ensure traffic flows freely. Traffic Wardens could do a better job.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car parking/Access - Key issue if to become regional centre - car parking must be part of integrated plan for attracting investment. Balance English Bridge side with Dunedin development or people will have not reason to go there.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Pedestrianisation in Town Centre - May drive people out of town unless first class facilities to bring people in from the edge.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Comment elderly friends do not realise escalators, wheelchairs, shopmobility and lifts are available. Improve lifts to get to Pride Hill and shopping centres. Bus station is forbidding as well as place in wrong area being in centre. Should be refurbished and made nicer and well lit. Should follow e.g. on Public transport ref. Telford and Wrekin especially in dealing with Arriva and comprehensive approach.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Bottom of Claremont Bank. Needs to be addressed - yellow hatching at traffic lights should be returned.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Traffic - Welcome concessionary fares - full if possible.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Why town centre - couldn't make pedestrian-only because system still abused.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Improved Park and Ride. Park and Ride only works one way - if you live in town you cannot use it to shop out of town and return. Addition of a one off fee with a rover ticket using a bus with clean fuel.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Comments on excellent bus facilities for disabled - rapid, cheap, user friendly services - we need to be less timid.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Support Park and Ride but keep car parking charges down. Balance between pedestrianisation and cars about right. Some cobbles ok.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Need to move Bus Station out of centre - put them on Park and Ride and centre one at Emstrey. No Bus Station needed in town centre. But would need to provide support to people with difficulties - children, wheelchairs - design pedestrian and disabled friendly facilities - take out all curbs.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Should divert people to Park and Ride? Need incentives. Not fair if ordinary buses are more expensive than Park and Ride and buses should be interchangeable. Also much cheaper to use car rather than any buses. If have heavy flat packs have to have car! Should move Argos and heavy goods stores out of town??

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Park and Ride buses could generate more usage if the same bus travelled from on P&R site to another (e.g. Harlescott to Meole Brace)

Eddie McGrath

We will look closely at that when the service is next tendered (in 12-18 months time) but at the moment we think the logistical arrangement we have arrived at is the most efficient - however, it might not be, so thank you for your comment.

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking. Too many disabled spaces - Extra spaces reduce number of ordinary spaces and therefore the facility to park.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking Access. Building car parks on prime sites in town centre - not economic sense.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking/Access. More car parking required as Gateway development at English Bridge.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking and Access. Borough should have a big say in the Transport Plan - re County Council

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking in Town Centre. Car parking is expensive - 50p for 2 hours in Telford. Car Parking on Barker Street - Needed but sick of cars. Car parks bring money into the town. Park and Ride is good, but there is a heavy financial subsidy. Is it justified?

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car Parking - why don't we consider more parking outside the town with easier access into the town - footbridges etc.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Concern about volume of traffic re-routed up Town Walls in SCC Transport Plan.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Alternatives to car use. No space for cycle routes in town as they take up valuable footpath space.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

1. Review where new car park/P&R facilities go - get away from idea that car parks are in the centre. 2. Access restricted to certain times and days.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

20 mile an hour throughout town centre would solve many problems (as a start).

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car parking/access to town centre. Principle of parking outside the loop and walking in is good - its old dairy in Frankwell still available? Could it be used as a car park with footbridge to West End. Proposals for re-routing traffic from High Street are good and maybe should be extended.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Multi-storey car parks on the outside of the loop e.g. Gay Meadow, Frankwell, Railway Station etc.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Buses should still go through the town. Access should stay as it is. Shops will close. High Street - pedestrian crossings - traffic (including buses) ignoring them. Cobbles and crossings should be marked - need speed humps.

Eddie McGrath

2. Car Parking / Access to the Town Centre

Car parking - Free on Sundays and evenings. Help to rural areas.

Eddie McGrath

3. Improving Air Quality

North West Relief Road - Very necessary but development at Oxon has hampered this - would make a terrific impact. Route needs to be investigated and kept away from the town.

Eddie McGrath

3. Improving Air Quality

North West Relief Road and Bypass. Yes for both - but this question keeps being raised but nothing done.

Eddie McGrath

3. Improving Air Quality

North West Relief Road. Good in principal but implications if loss of good agricultural land need to be established.

Eddie McGrath

4. Community Strategy.

Community Strategy - Advertise success - you would get more people involved.

Celia Bahrami

Agreed

4. Community Strategy.

Community Strategy - want feedback on groups success. This is not publicised.

Celia Bahrami

Agreed

4. Community Strategy.

No one aware of the Community Strategy - what exactly does this do?

Celia Bahrami

More promotion/publicity required for events and outcomes.

4. Community Strategy.

Community Strategy - Mike Jones would like to get involved in community theme group.

Celia Bahrami

Policy Officer to action.

4. Community Strategy.

Community Strategy - Lots of strategies but we don't get good feedback.

Celia Bahrami

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4. Community Strategy. (Community Safety)

Like the idea of the Community Alarm Scheme as an example of partnership working. Could see more Community Alarms in private houses.

Andy Goldsmith

4. Community Strategy. (Litter in streets)

Not heard of Community Strategy or Partnerships key issues, fear of crime. If more facilities open in the evening not pubs. But these businesses should be responsible for the customers i.e. litter.

Derek Caddy

4. Community Strategy.`

Shrewsbury Community Strategy. Some involvement in community strategy and the partnership. Some of us were in at the start other had not heard very much about it.

Celia Bahrami

More publicity required for events and outcomes.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

SABC should devolve its budget to community level.

Paul Pennell

Disagree – would lead to increased administration costs and loss of efficiency.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax - If there was a visible change in the environment then people would be prepared to pay more. But at present there is nothing to see.

Paul Pennell

Disagree – many examples of change within SABC area.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Comments on idea of senior citizens paying less Council Tax then others, but hard to discuss as some can pay lots as affluent.

Paul Pennell

Agree. Council not allowed to give Council Tax Discount to pensioners.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

County Council needs to reduce its Tax - Local income tax.

Paul Pennell

Central government currently reviewing funding of local government.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax - People do not want to pay more, but do want better facilities. Should be more central Government support.

Paul Pennell

As above.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Does the Council give value for money? If Peter Nutting had majority at County Hall what would his budget increase be?

Paul Pennell

The Borough Council does give value for money.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax payers get one bill and although its split don't really know what is Borough and what is County. What influence does Borough have on County Council's tax rate?

Paul Pennell

The Council Tax bill clearly identifies the charging authorities. The Borough has no direct influence on the SCC tax rate.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax - costs of providing Council services should be not more than inflation and as competitive as possible - by outsourcing.

Paul Pennell

Borough Council Tax increase is limited to 3%.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

We should move to American system of sales tax - everybody and visitors pay.

Paul Pennell

Basis of local taxation currently being reviewed by Central Government.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax - Absolutely not more - Senior Citizens etc ... struggle to pay Council Tax

Paul Pennell

Assistance with Council Tax payment is available for people on low incomes – contact the Benefits Department, Castle Street Office.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Council Tax - would prefer a clearer, simpler breakdown of where money goes - plain English - too much jargon in current Council Tax bills. All think it would be much better and think people happier to pay if can see what getting for money.

Paul Pennell

The Council's Budget Book is available on the Internet Site. www.shrewsbury.gov.uk. Paper copies are available on request. The Budget Book gives a clear picture of services provided and their cost.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Increase in Council Tax justified in order to a make appropriate investments in the town but need to take a judicious approach.

Paul Pennell

Agree.

5. Council Tax "How much is reasonable".

Use of receipts - keep Council tax to minimum without using up all capital - must be clear what Council is doing. People do not want services reduced. People may be willing to have an increase in Council Tax.

Paul Pennell

The Council wishes to improve services and provide new facilities but within a strict financial framework.

6. Does the Council listen?

Concerned when goes to SABC committees it seems majority push things through without even a investigation/explanation. Appalled by failure to notice views especially on community and get constraints in to prove they are right/when wrong.

Celia Bahrami

The Cabinet's decisions may be called in by any member of the Council for Scrutiny and reasons are given for recommendation and decisions made.

6. Does the Council listen?

Conference was not advertised enough - compared to last year turn out extremely poor.

Celia Bahrami

The Shrewsbury and Pontesbury events attracted over 120 participants, similar to last year and no less publicity was afforded.

6. Does the Council listen?

Does the Council listen? Yes

Celia Bahrami

General consensus at both events is that the Council does not listen but it is not possible to please everyone all the time.

6. Does the Council listen?

Peoples views appear to be ignored.

Celia Bahrami

General consensus at both events is that the Council does not listen but it is not possible to please everyone all the time.

6. Does the Council listen?

Council listening - Councillor surgeries useful. What happens to information? Letters from Councillors in Chronicle don't show them as very responsive.

Celia Bahrami

Councillors respond directly to constituents on issues raised and can be contacted via email - details published on Council's website.

6. Does the Council listen?

It is improving!

Celia Bahrami

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6. Does the Council listen?

SABC needs a Press Officer - would ensure better information to public.

Celia Bahrami

The Council has limited resources and higher priorities for direct public services.

6. Does the Council listen?

Council meetings poorly attended by members of the public - only parts get reported.

Celia Bahrami

The Council is not responsible for press coverage of meetings, we acknowledge that more needs to be done to interest the public.

6. Does the Council listen?

Concerned local authorities and especially police do not really listen and tend to put down ideas of the community. Most people on table very disappointed by what happened at the Old Market Hall despite survey on open days and 2 Shrewsbury Conferences. Andrew Bannerman - this is why last people at the Conference this time - whats the point - get ignored anyway.

Geraint Morgan