Subject Area

Question

Service Manager

Response

Access in the town

Footbridge? for access from Gay Meadow. New theatre site to "within the loop" and station.

Eddie McGrath

Anti Social Behaviour

Concern that anti-social behaviour is tackled in one area but then just moves on - need faster more comprehensive action? NB Belle Vue - stone throwing at cars by South Hermitage Surgery but no community policy available. Need police to pull their finger out before people take matter into their own hands - zero tolerance needed especially ref. young people. E.g. also Severndale School - no police response.

Andy Goldsmith

The Shrewsbury and Atcham Community Safety Partnership has been awarded funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06 to appoint an anti social behaviour co-ordinator. It will be the role of this person to investigate complaints of anti social behaviour and co-ordinate all the partners (including the police) to address the problems.

Anti-social Behaviour

Concerned about litter and anti social behaviour. Has improved but still more could be done. Feeling needs constant attention and all bad behaviour should be reported. Tourist part of Council should promote it - refer to Alison Patrick and David Griffiths.

Andy Goldsmith

The Shrewsbury and Atcham Community Safety Partnership has been awarded funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06 to appoint an anti social behaviour co-ordinator. It will be the role of this person to investigate complaints of anti social behaviour and co-ordinate all the partners (including the police) to address the problems.

Car Parking

Car Parking - more - where? and how many have we lost and how many gained?

Eddie McGrath

I am presently writing the Car Park Strategy for Shrewsbury which will be presented to the Council early in the New Year, which may assist their deliberations on the matter, and which will be publicly available. In the meantime we have last year created 45 spaces at St Austins, 10 at Barker Street and are in the process of providing a further 45 spaces adjacent to the Sixth Form College.

Car parking policy

Demolish Barker Street Shops. Car park for 3 years - too many car parks. Need green spaces.

Eddie McGrath

I am at present writing the Car Park Strategy to look at the whole issue of car parking and will take your comments on board.

Community

Council gets lots of input from vested interests. Need to tap into community groups and residents associations. Do we make it easy for them. E.g. Theatre idea is top draw.

Andy Goldsmith

We attempt to engage with many community groups through innovative consultation and participation. We are constantly exploring alternative ways to engage including the use of the internet and local area based committees.

Council Tax

Council Tax - Anyone over 60 should have a concessionary rate on Council Tax. How can pensioners meet 16% increase? Lot of pensions not working. Kent etc have done if with Government approval.

Paul Pennell

Recently declared unlawful to reduce Council Tax for pensioners.

Council Tax

Council Tax - income doesn't rise by +3%.

Paul Pennell

The level of Council Tax is a balance between affordability and service expectation.

Council Tax

Want to tell the Borough Council what you think? I think this year's rise in the Council Tax was disgraceful - way above the rate of inflation and the small increase in the state pension. OAP's and those living on a fixed income were hit the hardest. Local Authorities appear to have a policy of spend, spend,

spend, regardless of the consequences. Instead the Council should be examining

ways of cutting expenditure on non-essential services, e.g.the 30min. Pontesbury - Shrewsbury bus service, currently operating

at less than 25% full capacity, the extra collection service for garden refuse - very convenient but

hardly essential. Overstaffing at Shrewsbury library. The above are just starters, there are many more examples. Let's try putting

ALL additional council expenditure on hold for a few years.

Paul Pennell

Borough Council tax rise limited to 3% for 2003/04 and 2004/05.

Council Tax/ Finance

Expenditure on offices not justified as it was a prime site for tourism. Could have provided a cutting edge tourist attraction.

Paul Pennell

Disagree. The provision of Central office accommodation has been a priority for many years. The development along with the Flood Alleviation Scheme has dramatically improved the Frankwell area.

Council Tax/ Finance

If we are such a rich town how come we are always cost cutting and penny pinching.

Paul Pennell

The alternative is to be accused of being wasteful.

Council Tax/ Finance

Receipts from sale of housing stock - how used - receipts not being used in way tenants thought they would be - to lowering Council Tax or towards Capital expenditure. Are we on target on housing 500 social houses?

Paul Pennell

Receipts from LSVT are invested. Income is used to finance new capital schemes and to fund revenue expenditure.

Development/ planning

Glad brownfield sites being used. Affordable housing good. Should

factories be on green sites?

Geoff Harrison

Support welcomed on brownfield sites and delivery of affordable housing. The allocation of greenfield sites for employment development is a subject of some concern but policies emerging from Regional Planning Guidance are seeking to target employment land as well as housing land onto brownfield sites. This will clearly be a challenge in terms of competing land values and the need to accommodate the needs of expanding local companies.

Finance

We don't get enough choice about different options on spending.

Paul Pennell

Council Tax and Services survey identifies and prioritises possible growth areas.

Flaxmill

Flaxmill - no progress, why not anything done? Sat on for too long - it is a unique building. Should have been SABC HQ instead of Frankwell. Needs to be restored.

Celia Bahrami

Peter Jarratt

The Council and English Heritage will issue a design brief for the Flaxmill in the New Year to develop the building in accordance with the wishes of the community. Urgent works to commence by 8 December 2003.

The council has issued an Urgent Works Notice and Contractors have been appointed through English Heritage to carry out urgent works. The Council, EH and Advantage West Midlands have appointed a consultant to prepare a masterplan for the sustainable future use of the Flaxmill. This will be subject to public consultation in the Spring and will assist the Council when serving a Repairs Notice and compulsory purchase order.

Flaxmill

Flaxmill. Council will make it waterproof. Could not some more entrepreneurial. Respect fact that its privately owned and so Councils hands are tied.

Celia Bahrami / Peter Jarratt

(see above)

Flooding

Flood Defences - who is being protected and who isn't?

Peter Jarratt

Properties in Frankwell will be protected by the Environment Agency's new flood alleviation scheme. Elsewhere some properties will be protected by temporary defences.

Flooding

Frankwell HQ - Congestion in Frankwell, Smithfield Road too busy. Design - good energy efficiency. Flood defences - water comes up from the drains.

Peter Jarratt

Works have been carried out by Severn Trent Water as part of the Environment Agency's flood alleviation scheme at Frankwell to prevent water returning through the drainage system.

Flooding

Perceived attitude that defences for flood are adequate. But boat yard is outside of defences - therefore insurance for boats could be invalid.

Peter Jarratt

Comment noted but this is a private matter for boat owners.

Football Ground

Football Ground - How soon can it be re-located and developed? Tail is wagging the dog. Who is the tail? Delay in the planning application. What about the covenant? Alaska had to be pleased? Gate is about 3000 - what about family and 10000 seating stadium.

Geraint Morgan

Peter Jarratt

The Council is not subsidising the football club but will continue to work with Shrewsbury Town Football Club in their aims for a new ground. The development of the football stadium is a matter for Shrewsbury Town Football Club. Notwithstanding the Council is committed to supporting their aims for a new ground.

Planning permission exists for a new stadium on Oteley Road. It is a matter for the football club to progress the proposal. The Council has recently supported Dunedin (owners of the Pride Hill Centre) to assist the club which would have enabled the Council to build a new theatre on the Gay Meadow. Dunedin has withdrawn from this proposal and the Council is considering what options are available to bring forward the Gay Meadow Site for a theatre.

Football Ground

Football Ground - Telford gets 60% increases on gate from new stadium. How can it be paid for? Extra facilities. Will they pay? Commercial venture, should be no public subsidy.

Peter Jarratt

The Council is not subsidising the football club but will continue to work with Shrewsbury Town Football Club in their aims for a new ground.

Gay Meadow

Gay Meadow - Better used by Wakeman for sports facilities.

Peter Jarratt

The Council is not subsidising the football club but will continue to work with Shrewsbury Town Football Club in their aims for a new ground.

Gay Meadow

Gay Meadow - should be for public use, not be part allocated for housing.

Peter Jarratt

It is acknowledged that Gay Meadow is well located for a number of town centre public related issues.

Gay Meadow Site

Gay Meadow Site - New venue for swimming pool - not big enough and too old - used by all the community. Avoid removing the covenant.

Peter Jarratt

The Council is not subsidising the football club but will continue to work with Shrewsbury Town Football Club in their aims for a new ground.

Gay Meadow Stadium

Use of Gay Meadow - It is welcome news that the Council is taking a positive interest in the use of the Gay Meadow for the benefit of the community. Has the Council considered the benefits to be gained by adopting a dual-use approach? This would provide, on the western half of the site a water meadow at a low level, whilst the eastern half could provide a built leisure facility, such as a theatre, with high level access to the railway station and, if on stilts, low level parking (except during floods).(Environmental, cultural and transport benefits in one package).

Peter Jarratt

There are positive suggestions which the Council hopes can be pursued if the site of the Gay Meadow becomes available to the Council.

Grounds Maintenance

Britain in Bloom - not a very high profile event - unsure who entered

Derek Caddy

Grounds Maintenance/ Public Amenities

A bus between the two churches on Crowmere Road, Monkmoor - flowerbeds have not been touched for two years. Pavements need repair. Move bollards from Crowmere Road and put sleepers in place.

Derek Caddy

Lighting

Poor lighting - Old St Chad's church yard. Has written to Engineers, no reply.

SCC

Litter

Litter, flyposting, pigeon mess, chewing gum, graffiti, cigarette ends. To be a letter free zone bins need emptying more frequently. "Anything which detracts from the town". Invest money on dealing with these issues.

Derek Caddy

Litter

Street Cleaning - forget if you want more you will have to pay more. Please let us have what we are already paying for. Contract for street cleaning is every 13 weeks. We are not getting what we pay for and neither is the Council. 2001 - Mon 4th June, Thurs 27th Sept. 2002 - Tues 4th March, Wed 7th Aug, Thurs 19th Dec. 2003 March.

Derek Caddy

Market

Indoor general market - no signage for visitors. No attractive entrance, and lifts not very reliable.

David Griffiths

Signage for the Market Hall is on finger posts around the town but as a new visitor it is not in the most prominent of locations. Next year I will be trying to introduce a West End sign on the Frankwell footbridge to highlight the attractions of the West End including the Market. I would agree that the entrance is unattractive but there is limited scope to improve this because of the design of the building. However, attempts have been made over recent months to improve the lighting and highlight the Market through a barrow display at the entrance. Revamping of existing signs is being considered and in the future some banners around the building could be a possibility. Regarding lifts, I understand that the Bellstone lift is quite reliable but problems are occurring at the other end of the building. The problem with the lifts is essentially one of age but a major overhaul and service is planned next year which hopefully may improve reliability. Unfortunately the owners of the building, Threadneedle Properties, have no plans to replace the lifts in the foreseeable future.

Museum

At what point is the Council going to get serious about Darwin? e.g. Stratford and Shakespeare - Can we apply for world heritage site status.

Geraint Morgan/ Mary White

Museums

Move to develop Rowley's House - need to move this on.

Geraint Morgan

Public Amenities

Disabled Parking - why disabled spaces have been abolished. Toilets for the public sadly lacking, could do with more.

Derek Caddy

Public Amenities

Public Toilets

Derek Caddy

Public Amenities

Toilets in the town centre - difficult to get into and they are dirty.

Derek Caddy

Public Amenities/ Litter

Concern about litter bins - all over town not enough especially by SCAT - and always full - need emptying more. Also acknowledged it is mentality of people just throwing rubbish regardless.

Derek Caddy

Public Amenities/ Litter

Rubbish bins on pavement - bins left outside gate but when emptied they are left too far from the house.

Derek Caddy

Public Facilities

Local library services being depleted.

Shropshire County Council

Public Toilets

Can SABC upgrade public toilets?

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Green waste - bins - are these large enough for everyone bearing in mind the sizes of families etc

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Green waste - excellent to have the extended time too early at present to discontinue. Plastic recycling - is there plans to bring this in.

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Recycling - Is recycling economically led? There could be more recycling esp. for plastics and cardboard. Unless it is very expensive we should recycle everything.

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Recycling in the town centre? (Paper, glass, etc)

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Recycling. Green box system is useful but could use an additional one.

Derek Caddy

Recycling

Town centre recycling - why do town centre residents have a collection.

Derek Caddy

Recycling/ Highways Maintenance

Recycling in town centre does not exist - why doesn't the town have a collection? Pavements in poor state of repair - and vehicles are parking on paths and breaking more slabs.

Derek Caddy

Regional centre

What key things do Council think will make Shrewsbury a regional centre?

Peter Jarratt

A town centre strategy is being published which addresses how the town can perform better in the region.

Sport Village

Prefer sports village to scattered sports facilities

Alan Wallin

Council formally endorse the concept of a Sports Village on Sundorne playing fields. Council Minute No 95/03

Street Cleansing

Street cleaning has improved - educational. Boston Guest expressed his delight at how clean Shrewsbury is and how lovely the town is.

Derek Caddy

Street Lighting

Cost of Street Lighting etc in Rural Areas - The rural parishes have limited or even no services such as street lighting/cleaning compared to the urban areas. Is this reflected in a reduced rate of Council Tax for the rural areas. If not - why not? We are finding the cost of repair and maintenance of street lighting expensive for the few streets which have it in our Parish.

Shropshire County Council

Street Lighting/ cleansing

There have been problems with street lighting and had to lobby Council - County Council to improve and was effective in the end. Vandalism to cars stopped once lighting was improved. Allie Lucas interested e.g. putting new light on old part if makes a saving. NB Whitehall Street improved ref street lighting. Could also trim trees and put dog fowl bins in old St Chad's.

Derek Caddy/ SCC

Sustainable economy

An economy based on the service industry alone may be unsustainable. What is Shrewsbury Council doing to encourage and maintain manufacturing industry, especially small and new units?

David Griffiths

I would concur with your views that a diverse local economy is necessary for the long term sustainable future for Shrewsbury. However, manufacturing industry is in long term decline nationally and the capital investment which takes place tends to be by either firms in existing locations or in areas which offers grant aid. Shrewsbury is a non-assisted area and therefore the efforts of the Council have been focused on helping and working with local manufacturing companies. The Council was recently part of the Perkins Task Force which worked with the company to maintain as many manufacturing jobs as possible locally.

Funding from the regional development agency is focused on cluster development and Shrewsbury has attracted major funding for developing a Food Excellence Park at Battlefield. It is hoped that investment in infrastructure will start next year and that this will be followed by a incubator centre for smaller food manufacturing and processing companies. Through planning the Council has also supported private development schemes such as Centurion Park which offers smaller units for light manufacturing companies.

I hope that through these type of initiatives and developments, a significant and sustainable manufacturing sector in Shrewsbury can be maintained.

The Square

The Square - bare - what has happened to trees etc?

Lezley Picton

Eddie McGrath

The trees were removed as part of the Square Re-generation programme, new furniture, lighting etc will be installed in Spring 2004.

These were removed in early spring following public consultations and after obtaining the necessary planning permissions.

Theatre

1. Market Hall - website states October opening. 2. What is to happen to the Music Hall. 3. Business plan for the Market Hall should be available - would like reassurance that not based on over optimistic ticket sales. 4. 1960s eyesores - only scratched surface i.e. Market Hall.

Lezley Picton

1. The Old Market Hall Film & Digital Media Centre will open on Friday 9 January 2004.
2. The future of the Music Hall will be determined over the coming months. A public consultation session will be held on Monday 8 December at the Shire Hall.
3. The Business Plan for the Old Market Hall Film & Digital Media Centre is available to the public by contacting the Theatre Services Manager on 01743 281287 or lezleypicton@musichall.co.uk

Theatre

How to make a Theatre pay. Can Shrewsbury have a museum and a theatre? Hereford and Chester experience.

Lezley Picton

The New Entertainment Venue is not just a theatre, one would have to question whether Shrewsbury can support simply a theatre. The brief for the new venue concentrates on other areas of activity such as entertainment, community programmes, meetings , conferences as well as an arts programme.

Theatre

Theatre - Plenty of unquantifiable benefits e.g. Tourism, expectations for a major town. Personally would be prepared to pay extra Council Tax to subsidise theatre.

Lezley Picton

There are demonstrable benefits from a town having a cultural centre/programme. Economic Development research has shown the cultural experience is important to companies looking to relocate etc.

Theatre

Would a multi-use space e.g. for music (a concert hall) be better than just a theatre. Can Shrewsbury aspire to be like Harrogate, as a conference centre.

Lezley Picton

The New Entertainment Venue is designed to be as flexible as possible without compromising the integrity of each space.

Town Centre

Town centre residents have done a lot of work to improve St Alkmond's Square.

David Griffiths

Acknowledged

Traffic

Could you please explain the reason for implementing your anti-disabled policy of removing the free parking facilities in the town centre car parks. Surely the disabled are sufficiently disadvantaged without this additional problem - and to gain what?

Eddie McGrath

Consultation took place on this with the Access Group, and they did not oppose the proposal, but wanted more spaces on-street. This is not within the powers of this Council to provide, but we have passed the request onto the Highway Authority. No off-street disabled spaces will be lost as a result of this decision, and we will consult with the Access Group to determine the best relocation positions.

Traffic

Dial-a-Ride unable to drive up Pride Hill on certain days. Can we check why they cannot operate on Pride Hill.

Eddie McGrath

Traffic

Enforcement of cyclists on pavements too many - potential risks.

Eddie McGrath

Traffic

How do we encourage people to use roads avoiding the town centre?

Eddie McGrath

This is a very topical question, and you may have read the recent debate in the press on the issue. A number of ideas are being considered, but there are very mixed views from those parties who will be or think they might be affected. Banning through traffic from High Street is being proposed, but his will then displace a lot of it onto Town Walls, where there are other perceived problems. What is also relevant is not to discourage people from coming to Shrewsbury, as this would damage the viability of the town, which we would all wish to avoid.

Traffic

Issues ref cars in town - In rush - her husband needs car to get in and out of town - no other choice - ref short lunch hour. Mr Bannerman believes only Smithfield Road should be a through point and he thinks all new St Julian's development should go outside loop or be funnelled out at English Bridge - not by Town Walls or West End.

Eddie McGrath

Traffic

Should congestion charging be introduced to discourage unnecessary access to the town centre?

Eddie McGrath

This is not presently being considered, but we are keeping an eye on the Durham experiment, and may well be given consideration in the future. What we must always bear in mind however is the commercial viability of the Town Centre, and as such a number of items need to be balanced.

Traffic

Town centre traffic problem - closure of the High Street - how do we discourage traffic entering the centre without closure of High Street.

Eddie McGrath

Traffic problems/ Access

County Council idea of pedestrianisation is too small - just congest Town Walls

Eddie McGrath

Traffic problems/ Access

North West Relief Road - What if town closed in the new year. Access only to town centre? Bottleneck on the east side. Should not go along Town Walls. Is it right to use Park and Ride from Greenfields area? Congestion charging?

Eddie McGrath

Traffic problems/ Access

North West Relief Road - What is the cost and how is it going to be funded? What is the financial impact on the Borough Council?

Eddie McGrath

Traffic problems/ Access

North West Road - where on the Welshpool Road will this join up?

Eddie McGrath

Traffic problems/ Access

What exactly will impact of St Julian's development have on access to Shrewsbury around the English Bridge? e.g. impact on the High Street, access/egress - Beaches Lane, one-way conflicts of traffic - impact on pedestrian ways.

Eddie McGrath

Traffic/

Anti Social Behaviour

All the fireworks that keep going off all year round and the loud bangs. Fast cars going down Brunel Way and down Stevesons Drive and motorbikes too. I saw a car this morning going at about 50 mph down Tankerville Street, Monkmoor.

Eddie McGrath

Referred to Police.