CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD 1st December 2010
Present
Cllr Mr T Evans, Wrexham CBC. Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
72. MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council Meetings held the 27th October 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.
73.MATTERS ARISING.
39/27/11 CCTV Camera.
The Clerk said that planning application forms had been received and an application for permission to fell the Oak Tree would be submitted in due course and would include for a new replacement tree to be planted in a suitable place on the recreation ground.
58. Parish Hall Committee.
Cllr Hemmings said that the Cinderella performance was very good and the three actors were excellent. The audience really enjoyed the whole show. The Clerk said that he had hoped for a bigger audience so that receipts would cover the cost. However, Wrexham CBC would be making up the shortfall. The Clerk also said that hire charges for the hall and a small amount of VAT would be received and members decided to pass these on to the Chirk Hospital Scanner Appeal.
61. Four Councils Annual meeting. Due to the inclement weather and poor turn out the meting was postponed and will be held on Monday 31st January 2011 at 7pm at the Memorial Institute, Glyn Ceiriog.
74NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING.
PCSO Stephen Griffiths was welcomed to the meeting and gave the crime statistics for the last month as follows: -
Violence against person – 2 (Person charged in both cases); Criminal Damage – 3 (one person charged);
Thefts – 2 (both shop lifting offences); Theft from motor vehicle – 2; Burglary other than dwelling – 0;
Burglary from Dwelling – 0. Youth related ASBO’s – 8:
PCSO Griffiths also reported that over the bonfire/Halloween period 8 Youth related ASBO’s occurred compared to 14 the previous year. The operation by the police over this busy period to keep anti social behaviour to a minimum was considered a success. The number of incidents was lower than the majority of the other wards in the policing section with the exception of the Ceiriog Valley and the Bronnington/Overton section being predominantly rural areas.
The attention of PCSO Griffiths was drawn to the damage recently caused to the public toilets on Chirk Car Park and he was asked that officers visit the premises regularly particularly on Saturday afternoons when the damage was said to have occurred. PCSO Griffiths said residents had been visited and that he would apply for “talking signs” to be put up.
75.REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Glyn Valley Tramway Trust.
Cllr Allen informed the Council that she had attended the Trust’s AGM. The meeting also dealt with the planning application matters. Mrs Allen said the members were in buoyant mood hoping for a start on the project next year starting with the felling of trees along the railway route now that a Bat fly path had been satisfactorily dealt with.
Sustainable Development Conference.
Cllr Smith said he had attended the conference that was very interesting. He said information was given on Carbon Footprint Reduction and savings on power use with solar heating and other heating methods available where grants may be available for such installations.
The Chairman thanked the Councillors for their informative reports that were well received by members.
76.REPORT – WREXHAM CBC MEMBERS.
Cllr Ian Roberts Evans reported that fencing works had been completed at Princess Avenue, Rhosywaun and that Maesyparc, Black Park would be next on the list. He also said that the pavement along Station Avenue had been re-laid.
At a recent meeting Cllr Roberts said the Wrexham CBC Executive Board had decided to accept the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee that would make the communities in the County Borough responsible for all footway lighting with the costs being raised by a Special Expense being levied on each community that does not take on the responsibility. Cllr Roberts said both he and Cllr Evans had argued strongly against such a proposal at every meeting when footway lighting was under discussion.
76. REPORT – WREXHAM CBC MEMBERS (cont).
Cllr Roberts informed the Council that the application for planning permission to extend Chirk Court Residential Home had been withdrawn. However, he and Cllr Evans were still concerned about the need to maintain places for elderly local persons who would need residential care. He asked that Chirk Town Council take the matter up with the Social Services Director and to try and find out the position and the policy of the Council in this matter. This action was agreed by the Council.
Cllr Terry Evans concurred with what Cllr Roberts had reported and said that good support from Susan Elan Jones, MP was supporting the cause to maintain residential patient places at Chirk Court.
Cllr Evans also reported that some work was needed to Matchbox Bridge.
The Chairman thanked the Councillors for their reports.
77.APPEALS.
The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with as follows: -
.Eisteddod Genedlaethol Wrecsam a’r Fro 2011 - Agreed to make donation of £500.00.
.Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2011– Agreed to make donation of £100.00.
.Chirk Branch Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal – Agreed to make donation of £150.00 (to include for payment of Poppy Wreaths)
.Chirk AAA’s Football Club – Agreed to make donation of £500.00.
.Victim Support Cymru - Agreed to let lie on the table.
.Home Start Wrexham – Agreed to let lie on the table.
78.BUDGET 2011/2012
The Clerk informed members that information had been received from Wrexham CBC regarding the Community base rate and was preparing a report for the Councils consideration. The Council decided to consider the budget for 2011/2012 at a meeting on 15th December 2001.
79.BLACK PARK COLLIERY MONUMENT
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Legal and Democratic Services Officer, Wrexham CBC with a copy of a draft agreement for the erection of the Black Park Colliery Monument. The Clerk said the agreement contained a number of clauses with regard to conditions to be met by the Council for erecting the monument on land owned by Wrexham CBC and part of the highway. After discussion the Council agreed to approve the draft agreement and so advise Wrexham County Borough Council.
80.CHIRK PLAY SCHEME.
The Clerk gave information from a report from the Play Scheme and Inclusion Coordinator, Wrexham CBC and this showed a good attendance by young persons to the play days.
The Clerk also mentioned that the Play Scheme was to run again next year during school holidays as last year.
An application for grant finding needed to be made and subject to approval the Councils contribution would be £3,743.00.
Following discussion the Council decided to make an application for a grant and agreed to the contribution of £3,743.00 towards the cost of the play scheme.
81.MODIFICATION ORDER – LLANGOLLEN BYWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC 73.
The Clerk reported receipt of information and plans showing the BOAT 73 route that includes a very minor section in Chirk where Wrexham CBC intend to modify the route and designate it a public footpath. The Council agreed to have no objection to the proposed modification.
82.WREXHAM EMPTY PROPERT SURVEY.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer Wrexham CBC requesting information on empty homes causing problems or concerns to residents. Members mentioned several houses that may be empty but were not causing any problem and it was agreed to relay this information to the officer concerned.
83.NEW PHARMACY AT CEFN MAWR.
The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of an application to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for preliminary consent for a pharmacy at Cefn Mawr. After consideration it was agreed to have no objection to the application.
84.CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with:
a.Estimate from Andrew Design Service, Chirk with regard to a Condition Survey and Report on Chirk Parish Hall. The Clerk provided information about the survey that had been approved by the Council previously. The Council agreed to accept the estimate.
CORRESPONDENCE (cont).
b.Letter from the Network Manager North Wales Trunk Road Agency regarding the A5/A483 bypass informing the Council that the agency is aware that the Coroner’s Report and the West Mercia Police Report are now complete but have yet to receive copies but will give any recommended engineering measures in the reports when to hand due consideration. This information was noted.
c.Letter from the Boundary Commissioners Secretary with copy of the draft proposals for the future electoral arrangements for the County Borough of Wrexham. The Clerk said that 52 councillors were to form the Council as now but there were some alterations in several wards. These did not affect Chirk where the two wards North and South were to be retained with one councillor representing each ward as now. This information was noted.
d.Letter from the Chief Environment Officer Wrexham CBC saying that his Network Policy and Road Safety manager would respond to the Councils recommendations regarding safety improvements to the A5/A483 bypass.
e.Letter from the Executive Director Groundwork North Wales with a copy of the current Annual Review. Noted.
f.Notice of Meeting regarding the proposed extension of the Clwydian Range AONB at the Memorial Hall Dolywern on the 6th December 2010. Noted.
g.November/December issue of AVOWS Health, Social Care and Well-Being Issues. Noted.
h.Notice of Meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership on the 7th December together with minutes of the previous meeting. Noted.
i.Notice from AVOW with regard to their Coffee Cake and Community morning at Chirk Parish Hall on Tuesday 14th December 2010. Noted.
j.Letter from David Ball, The Anthony Noland Trust with regard to setting up a recruitment event in Chirk. It was agreed to obtain more information in the matter.
k.Letter regarding the Ballet Pod Chirk that will be holding a Nutcracker workshop for children in December and an evening of entertainment and food in the Chirk Parish Hall on Saturday 15th January 2011. Noted.
85.PLANNING MATTERS.
Plans Committee.
The Clerk gave a report of the Plans Committee held 27th October as follows: -
a.Planning Applications received from the Chief Planning Officer Wrexham CBC under the consultation procedures and dealt with as follows:
P/2010/0925 Extension to form chiller room and store ancillary to existing dairy/shop – Edwards and Son, The Old Shop, Black Park, Chirk. No objection.
P/2010/0930 Swimming pool enclosure – Tan y Coed, Chirk.
No objection but to comment that the premises are within the World heritage Site Buffer Zone.
P/2010/0952 Re-installation of railway, erection of Station buildings, operation of railway, extension to existing footbridge, replacement footbridge, construction of platforms, extension to Cadbury’s visitors car park to provide additional parking for railway users, provision of Lay-by, alteration to existing vehicular field access and access to tramway and other general associated ancillary works – Chirk Station, Station Avenue, Chirk. No objection.
P/2010/0959 Conversion and refurbishment of existing barn to provide carer accommodation for disabled child – Ty Maen Farm, Pentre, Chirk. No objection.
P/2010/0983 Two storey extension to existing house together with raised deck and installation of solar panels on existing roof – Rock Cottage, green Lane, Halton. No objection.
3. Certificates of Decision.
The following Certificate of Decision were been received form the Chief Planning Officer for information: -
P/2007/1423 Permission granted for residential development - Plas Y Waun Site, Chapel Lane, Chirk.
P/2010/0798 Consent granted for new factory entrance sign – Kronospan Ltd, Chirk.
P/20100771 Permission refused to convert existing roof space and extension to dwelling –
5 New Bungalows, Pentre.
4.Wrexham Local Development Plan 2010 -2021.
The Chief Planning Officer has written to inform the Council that following the Deposit Consultation on the LDP representations received have been sorted into deposit chapter plan order and available to view on the website: http:/www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/planning portal/plan policy/local development plan representation.htm
5.Section 106 Agreement – Residential Development at Plas Y Waun, Chirk.
The Chief Planning Officer has confirmed that a 106 agreement has been signed that will include a payment to contribute to improvements to the play area at Chapel Lane.
This payment should be made prior to the occupation of any dwelling. There is need to ensure that this payment is received by the Council as the Council responsible for the play facilities and the playing field.
86. ACCOUNTS.
.Payments.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £7,660.39 were given to the Council and were passed for payment.
see addendum).
.Accounts.
The Clerk provided details of expenditure to the 30th September including details of bank reconciliation. These showed expenditure of £44,557.43 and receipts of 73,127.23. This information was noted.
.HSBC High Interest Bond.
The Clerk informed the Council that the bond would be maturing on the 29th December 2010. The Council agreed to re-invest the sum of £50,000.00 for a period of 3months.
Signed John Vant Chairman 26th January 2011