AN PLANNING application for the construction of swales on public open space will be discussed at Wem Town council this evening.

The swales were constructed before full planning permission was obtained so the application is likely to be a hot topic among councillors.

The meeting, which will be held at the Edward German Suite at Edinburgh House at 7pm, will begin initially with a session of public participation.

Councillors will then hear a progress report from issues raised at previous meetings, before discussing the recent planning applications for land off Roden Grove.

Full planning permission has been submitted for alterations to the approved public open space and drainage layout to allow for creation of swales within approved area of public open space.

Other planning applications include the construction of a market dwelling and the felling of three trees inside the Wem conservation area.

Regarding climate change, councillors will review the open meeting held on October 16 and consider the date and format for the first Wem Area Forum.

A discussion took place on this item, the clerk explained that due to workload she was not able to take on the responsibility of organising the Wem Area Forum meetings and that these could be organised by the forum itself.

It was agreed that the clerk would act as secretary for the first meeting and arrange the venue and promote the meeting but that all subsequent meetings of the Wem Area Forum would have to be organised by the group itself with a chairman who would be nominated by the forum at its first meeting.

Following on from this, councillors will approve nomination of trustees to The Barber Trust, before discussing the condition of shop fronts in the town.

There will also be an update on the One way traffic system for Wem, and councillors will receive feedback from the working group meeting.

Other items on the agenda include correspondence regarding the Environmental Maintenance Grant, Wem Civic Society and Nat West Friends Against Scams.

Finally councillors will discuss a request for access to town council CCTV from West Mercia Police, as well as receiving reports from the Council’s representatives to other bodies and from Shropshire Council Councillors Chris Mellings and Pauline Dee.