CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 24th February 2010

Present

Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Mrs J Allen, Mr M D Maxfield, Mr N James,

Miss J Win Jones, Mr R Smith and Mr S Dineen. Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr B Evans, Mr R Jones, Mr D Richards, Mr F Hemmings,

Mrs C Gough and Mr J Pierce.

The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.

140. COMMUNITY POLICING.

The Chairman welcomed Inspector Iwan Jones on his first visit to the Council with, PCSO’s Steven Griffiths and Dean Sawyer the latter taking over duties from PCSO Cheshire who had moved to the Ceiriog Valley area.

PCSO Griffiths gave a report on crime statistics during the last month that included: - Violence – 1; Criminal damage – 6; shoplifting – 1; theft – 1; Theft from motor vehicle – 1; ASB – 7 (3 related to snowballing).

PCSO Griffiths informed the meeting he and his colleagues were liaising with the enforcement officers of Wrexham CBC and will report to them with regard to parking and other offences that they come across during their rounds. PCSO Griffiths also informed that Council that a further meeting had been arranged for 22nd April to see if there had been an improvement in the traffic issues at Chirk Car Boot Sales following the introduction of new traffic control measures.

Members were also advised of a new non-emergency enquiries contact telephone number - this being 101.

Inspector Jones informed the Council that PCSO Cheshire had decided to reduce his working hours and that gave the opportunity to engage PCSO Dean Sawyer as a fulltime officer for Chirk. Members expressed appreciation of PCSO Cheshire’s work in the community and his attendance at Council meetings and gave a warm welcome to Inspector Jones on taking up his post in this area and to PCSO Sawyer.

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meeting held the 16th December 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

  1. MATTERS ARISING.

131. School Transport The Chairman thanked those members who distributed leaflets around the area and to Mark and Ian for the articles in the local papers and hoped this would encourage people in the community to write letters of objection the County Borough Council.

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

Parking at Chirk Infants School. The Chairman informed that Council that she together with Cllrs Dewi Evans and Sean Dineen and the Clerk had met with Colin Simpson, Operational Traffic Manager, Wrexham CBC at Chapel Lane and noted the problems with parking there at the end of the school day with parents collecting their young children from school.

The Clerk reported that following the site visit Mr Simpson had forwarded a copy of his report to the Chief Learning and Achievement Officer and the Chief Traffic and Transportation Manager advising them of the problems.

With regard to solving the problem the officer said that

  • parking restrictions are unlikely to solve the problem but simply displace it.

  • A school travel plan encouraging pupils/parents to walk to school with lift sharing would reduce the number of vehicles parked but there are limited opportunities when dealing with young children.

  • The alternative solution and the one promoted by Town Council Representatives was the provision of additional off-street parking where the options are to use the area in front of the Library.

  • As a temporary measure the vacant land at Plas Y Waun.

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Mrs J Allen said the Trust were assessing a feasibility study with regard to an application for grant aid.

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES (cont).

Chirk Youth Football Club and Chirk Young Peoples Centre. Cllr N James reported on his attendance at the AGM of the Chirk YFC and also mentioned that during December numbers of young people attending the Centre had reduced. He also mentioned that better security arrangements were being looked at particularly cameras for outside surveillance.

One Voice Wales. Cllr R Smith reported on his attendance at the OVW Area Committee when a presentation on Training Opportunities was received. Cllr Smith also mentioned that he had raised the matter of School Transport and had asked for the support of association. Cllr Smith said that the meeting also received a presentation on the subject of Carbon Community Challenge/ Carbon Event Wrexham.

Wrexham CBC Planning Committee. Cllr Hilary Spragg informed the meeting that she had attended the meeting with Cllr Allen and residents of Black Park and Halton when the draft Wrexham Local Development Plan was to be discussed with particular reference to the inclusion of a proposed Traveller’s Site at Chirk Park. Cllr Spragg said that an objection to the proposal had been sent on behalf of the Chirk Town Council but in the debate the objection was defeated by just one vote.

Mrs Spragg said that the Local Development Plan was to be considered by the WCBC Executive Board at a meeting on the 24th March when again she and councillors will attend to support the objection.

Further, the Plan will be out for public consultation in June/July this year when the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposals in the whole draft plan.

Street Lighting. The Clerk informed the Council that he had attended a meeting of the Wrexham CBC Executive Board of Wrexham CBC when a report on Street Lighting was presented to members. This followed on from previous meetings of the Scrutiny Committee and Task and Finish Group and their reports. Despite hearing sound comments and recommendations from Cllr Ian Roberts and several other councillors the Executive Board decided to accept the report and recommendations – that, with regard to footway lighting the authority will ask the Community and Town Councils to be responsible for this service in their community.

The Clerk said that Wrexham CBC Officers will be writing to the Council in due course.

144. REPORT LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.

Cllr Ian Roberts said work has begun on the parking bay at Princess Avenue and further off street parking is to be provided at Longfield and some road widening works at Bronywaun. Also to be tarmaced to are the drying areas at Craig Close and fencing is to be put up at Princess Avenue bungalows and at Black Park and graffitti has been removed from the garages at Old Hospital Drive.

Cllr Roberts said that he had visited Penybont Waste Site and was surprised to find the site so full being level up to the roadway – the hole is now full!

With regard to dog fouling Cllr Roberts said the wardens are out and about and have been fairly successful issuing fines. He said the same goes for parking where wardens again have been busy.

Cllr Roberts mentioned the footway lighting issue and said that Wrexham CBC are determined that Community and Town Council take responsibility for this service provision and more will be heard about this.

Cllr Roberts expressed thanks to the local press and to all who delivered leaflets about school transport and hoped there would be a good response from the community.

The Chairman thanked both Councillors for their reports.

  1. .WCBC PLAY DEVELOPMENT TEAM – CHIRK OPEN ACCESS PLAYSCHEME

The Clerk informed the Council that an agreement for the playscheme for Chirk as approved had been signed on behalf of the Council the cost for this being £3,750.00. The scheme would run through the school holidays throughout the year (except Christmas). The starting date will be the coming Easter break. It will be advertised, posters will be put up, and schools informed. Three locations will be visited during the weeks – two mornings at Chapel Lane Recreation Ground, one morning at Black Park Community Centre and two mornings at Longfield Recreation Ground.

The Clerk said the playscheme will be supervised by play leaders and also with volunteer helpers taking part.

The Council confirmed the Clerk’s action with members commenting that the scheme should be well received and attended.

The Clerk reported that an invitation had been received from the Wrexham Play Network to their meeting to be held at the Guildhall, Wrexham on the 9th March. The agenda will include an open day event that is to be held in Chirk to provide a chance to see what outside play is about and a chance for those interested to form a group as has been done in Wrexham , Rhos, Brymbo etc.

  1. REVIEW OF COUNCILLORS ALLOWANCES REGULATIONS

Councillors had been provided with a copy of the correspondence from the Head of Democracy Branch, Local Government Division, Welsh Assembly Government. It was agreed that the Finance Committee should deal with this matter and reply to the questionnaire.

  1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SURVEY.

The Clerk reported receipt of an email document from the Chief Executive One Voice Wales that he had forwarded as requested to members with email addresses. The questionnaire was from the British Council who are working with One Voice Wales and in partnership with Cynnal Symru –Sustain Wales to support Community and Town Councils who wish to work towards building a sustainable and resilient future. The aim is to identify one/two councillors within each Council and enable them to access the assistance and support necessary to develop community led responses to the challenges facing our planet and her people.

Cllr Smith informed the Council that Wrexham had set up a Low Carbon Community Challenge that addresses sustainable development and suggested that contact is made with Groundwork Wrexham.

It was agreed that the Council confirms interest in this matter and to contact Groundwork Wrexham to obtain more information.

  1. THE ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT (WALES)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2010.

The Clerk reported receipt of a consultation on the Regulations and said that most of the consultation will not impact specifically on the Council. However, the Clerk said the amended Regulations will come into force from 1st April 2010 and that several changes that will take place for the Councils Audit of Accounts that he will be able to deal with. This information was noted by the Council.

  1. BORROWING BY COMMUNITY AND TOWN COUNCILS.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Local Government Finance Division, Welsh Assembly Government advising on procedures for obtaining borrowing approval. The Clerk said the procedures were the same as previous years. This information was noted.

  1. APPEALS.

The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -

  1. Chirk Triathlon 2010 – it was agreed to provide a £50 prize for both the male and female local winner of the event, as done last year.

  2. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – It was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.

  3. North Wales Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus – It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.

  4. Family Friends – It was agreed to let this request lie on the table.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with: -

  1. Housing Standards & Strategy Newsletter from Wrexham CBC. Noted

  2. Details from Piers Warburton about an Otter and Mink survey and a series of walks along the 11miles of the canal within the World Heritage Site – the Chirk walk will take place on 9th April at 10am. Also, a talk on Thomas Telford will take place at the Chirk Parish Hall on Friday 26th February at 7pm. Noted.

  3. Notice from Shropshire CC inviting representations on the Shropshire Local Development Framework: Core Strategy. Noted.

  4. Details of the Welsh National Opera “Open House” on Saturday 13th March at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Noted.

  5. Letter from the Bridge Manager, Wrexham CBC Transportation Services advising that Pontfaen Bridge will remain closed for 3 months for repairs to be carried out. Noted.

  6. Letter from the Equality of Opportunity Committee advising that the Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the accessibility of railway stations in Wales and inviting comments on problems. It was agreed to reply to the invitation regarding the need for disabled access for the up platform; for toilet facilities; for the large space between platform and train carriage to be rectified.

  7. OWL – an Online Watch Link to support and invigorate Neighbourhood Watch and other similar schemes. Noted.

  8. Letter from the Secretary advising that the Local Boundary Commission for Wales are to review the electoral arrangements for the County Borough Of Wrexham. It was agreed to place matter on the agenda for the next Council meeting.

  9. Severn Dee Newsletter of the Shrewsbury Chester Rail Users Association.

  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

The Clerk gave a report from the Plans Committee on the receipt of the following applications from the Chief Planning Officer under the consultation procedures and dealt with as follows: -

Planning applications

P/2010/0046 Erection of detached garage – Bendith, Castle Road, Chirk

The Council notes that there is restricted access into the proposed garage within the site

due to its positioning close to the front boundary wall that will make manoeuvrability of a

car rather difficult.

P/2010/0051 Lateral crown reduction by 2.5 metres of branches over garden and reduction of damaged branch by 2.3 metres (t1) (TPO WCBC N0. 22) – Yew Tree Cottage , Chapel Lane, Chirk.

No objection.

  1. Planning Appeal.

The Chief Planning Officer has advised that an appeal against the decision to refuse planning permission for an agricultural workers dwelling at Forge Farm, Pontyblew. The appeal is to be heard on the 3rd March 2010. The comments made by the Council on the application will be disclosed to the parties at the appeal.

  1. Wrexham Local Development Plan.

A letter has been received from The Chief Planning Officer regarding the process for preparing a new Local Development Plan for Wrexham. Paragraph 2 refers to involvement by community councils (including Chirk Town Council). The Committee agreed to show an interest in the procedures.

  1. ACCOUNTS.

    1. Accounts.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £3,741.89 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).

Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 31st March 2010