CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 16th December 2009
Present
Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Mrs J Allen, Mrs C Gough, Mr B Evans, Mr R Jones,
Mr N James, Mr D Richards and Mr F Hemmings.
Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.
Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.
113. COMMUNITY POLICING.
The Chairman welcomed PCSO Griffiths who gave a report on crime statistics during the last few weeks that included: -
Anti-social behaviour – 6; Burglary – 1; Criminal damage – 3; Drugs – 1.
PCSO Griffiths mentioned that “Operation Tube” to with drink/driving had not been carried out due to the bad weather but a Road Safety Action Plan had been created. PCSO Griffiths also said that traffic speed (gun) monitoring is to take place in Chirk.
In this connection PCSO Griffiths was asked to pay particular attention to Coronation Drive area.
The Chairman thanked PCSO Griffiths for his report and on behalf of the Council wished him and his fellow officers a Happy (and quiet) Christmas.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the North Wales Police Authority with regard to the tactics employed by North Wales Police as part of Operation Focus that is run annually, each weekend between Easter and October as part of the force’s efforts to reduce casualties sustained by motor cyclists. Motor cyclists have protested at the tactics with an organised ride out to North Wales. The Police Authority are reviewing the tactics and are canvassing local communities and members for their opinions.
Members pointed out that there did not appear to be any problem in Chirk but agreed that action to prevent accidents was a worthwhile exercise. It was agreed to reply accordingly to the North Wales Police Authority.
114. MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council meeting held the 25th November 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.
114.MATTERS ARISING.
107. Chirk Celebrations and Christmas Lights Committee. Cllr Mr Frank Hemmings mentioned that there were technical problems with the lighting of the Coronation Oak but hoped it could be sorted soon.
The Chairman said that the lights along the streets and on the shops were very nice as was the walk and carol service at the Church. She thanked Cllr Hemmings and his committee on behalf of the Council for the strenuous efforts that provide a good atmosphere at Christmas time in the Town.
114.REPORT – PARISH HALL COMMITTEE.
Members received a copy of the report of the Committee meeting held the 9th December 2009 and gave consideration to the contents.
Following consideration the Council agreed to accept the report and the recommendations made by the Committee.
114.REPORT – FINANCE COMMITTEE
Members received a copy of the report of the Committee meeting held the 9th December 2009 and gave consideration to the contents.
Following consideration the Council agreed to accept the report and the recommendations made by the Committee.
114.REPORT – RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE.
Members received a copy of the report of the Committee meeting held the 9th December 2009 and gave consideration to the contents.
Following consideration the Council agreed to accept the report and the recommendations made by the Committee.
114.ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2010 – 2011.
The Clerk pointed out that the tax base for the Council this coming year had decreased again a little to 1648.
The Clerk provided information sheets (addendum 1 and 2) on expenditure for last year, this year and with estimates for next financial year. These were discussed with the Clerk explaining the various items included.
After considering matters the Council agreed to accept the estimates as put forward.
This would make a net total estimated expenditure amount of £89,134.00 for the financial year 2010/2011.
114.PRECEPT.
Following the decision made for the Councils expenditure for the coming financial year including the need to provide keep some funds for future renovations to the Parish Hall it was decided to precept an amount of £88,168.00 for the coming financial year. This would represent a possible £53.50 Community Charge for band D properties.
114.REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
School Transport. The Chairman informed that Council that at the meeting of the Committee it was decided to send an “open” letter to the Chief Executive and to the Leader of the Council, Wrexham CBC pointing out the concerns of the Council at not being included in the list of consultees in connection with the consultation taking place on the School Transport Policy. This was reiterated by Cllr Ian Roberts who said the Council and the people of Chirk feel badly let down. Mr Roberts said that the Council had received a shameful response from the Chief Executive via the Chief Early Learning and Achievement Officer to the letter of complaint about this issue sent by the Clerk as instructed.
The Council agreed that the Chairman should send her open letters and that the CEO should be written to and advised that the Council does not appreciate such tone of reply from a Chief Officer.
The Chairman also informed the Council the Committee had decided to recommend that a meeting is held with members of Llangollen Town Council and their respective County Councillors.
The Council agreed with the Committees decisions.
Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Mrs J Allen said the Trust had organised a Christmas Raffle and had obtained some coal from the Black Park Colliery Company.
Wrexham CBC Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.
The Clerk informed the Council that he had attended a recent meting of the Committee when an item for discussion dealt with Street Lighting and Footway Lighting. The debate by the members of the Committee followed a report by a Task and Finish Group that recommended amongst others that community /town councils should be responsible for paying the costs of footway lighting in their respective areas. This would mean that Chirk Town Council would take on the responsibility for the cost of maintaining 286 existing footway lights including electricity costs and replacing old units and providing new. Payment would be by way of a community council precept on Chirk.
The Clerk said that he had informed the Committee that Chirk Town Council did not own nor had installed any Footway Lights as was inferred in the Task and Finish Groups report and that in his opinion the fairest way to resolve anomalies was for the County Borough Council to take on the responsibility for footway lighting throughout the County Borough.
However, the Scrutiny Committee resolved to accept the recommendations of their Task and Finish Group as mentioned above and no doubt the Council will receive formal notification in due course.
Councillors voiced concern in this matter but would need to wait for details from the County Borough Council.
122. REPORT LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.
Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that the Dee Valley Water Co had completed their pipe laying work etc at Pentre and that re-surfacing of the roads would take place though no date had been given.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Roberts for his report.
123.THE CODE OF CONDUCT – DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICES – OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES.
The Clerk reported receipt of this consultation draft document that he had given copies of the Consultations Committee. He also mentioned that the Chief Administration and Monitoring Officer had drawn attention to the document and said that he would let community councils have a copy of his report in due course.
123.FOUR COUNCILS ANNUAL MEETINGS.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Clerk to Ceiriog Ucha Community Council that said the Council had decided, after only 13 attended the last meeting, that the meetings served no useful purpose and their continuation is not justified and sought the opinion of Chirk TC.
Members acknowledged that the meetings were not always well attended but did recommend that if they were not to continue that a link is kept open so that meetings can be arranged to discuss important matters that affect Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley area.
123.APPEALS.
The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -
Chirk Community Newsletter – it was agreed to make a donation but to ask what the publication costs for an issue will be.
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru – The Clerk reported receipt of letter that confirmed that the Eisteddfod is due to come to Wrexham County Borough in 2011 and that £300.000 is needed to be raised in the whole area towards an estimated cost of £3million to host the event. The Clerk said for this purpose 19 local committees are to be set up each with an amount to be raised – for Chirk this amount is £8000.00. The Clerk said so far no committee has been formed for Chirk but the funding period will start after July this year and that the Council will be involved especially with financial help during the next two financial years.
123.CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with: -
1.Parliamentary Report from Martyn Jones MP. Noted.
2.Invitation to Mayor of Wrexham Charity Evening – it was agreed that the Chairman and escort should attend the event.
3.Letter from Groundwork Wrexham & Flintshire with booklet detailing walks in the County Borough including Chirk. Noted.
AVOW Newsletter for November/ December. Noted.
123.ACCOUNTS.
a.Accounts.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £8,382.59 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).
Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 27th January 2010