CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 24th June 2009

Present

Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Mr M Maxfield, Mr R Jones, Mr R Smith,

Miss J Win-Jones, Mrs J Allen, Mr S Dineen, Mr N James, Mr F Hemmings, Mr D Richards.

Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs C Gough and Mr B Evans.

The Chairman recommended Kathryn Cramer, Community Development Officer and Steve Robinson of the Economic Social Inclusion Team, Wrexham CBC give a report on the Chirk North Draft Community Profile that had been drawn up. This was agreed by the meeting.

39. CHIRK NORTH COMMUNITY PROFILE.

Kathryn Cramer referred to her previous attendance at the Councils November meeting when she gave members information about her role in particular reference to Chirk North Ward. She said that with her colleague officers a draft community strategy for part of Chirk North had been produced and copies of the report had been sent to members.

Ms Kramer said that Chirk North had been included in Wrexham CBC’s Economic Development Community Regeneration Strategy as being within the top 30% most deprived areas in Wales. The statistics shown in this draft community profile have been collated by the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, and indicate how this area ranks within the index. The area ranking for Chirk North (part) is 451 and lies within the top 30%. The statistics in the report confirm this.

The report also contains information about the area: -

Community Overview - Population; Housing; Health; Education; Affordable Child Care Provision;

Economic Activity; Transport Links; Community Safety; Financial Services; Community Advisory

Services; Existing Council Services.


       Active Community – Access to Recreational Facilities; Active Community Groups;

Community Council/County Council;

In the ensuing discussion it was evident that the Council members were not at all happy with the report and mentioned areas where the information was wrong and information not included leading to an unsatisfactory situation. The Council did not believe that the area of Chirk North differed in such a way from the remaining areas of Chirk that are not identified as a deprived area.

It may be that the statistics are out of date! The Council does not consider the area to be a Deprived Area. The question about what benefits would be derived from the report was asked and Ms Kramer said that there was no funding attached to this but the next stage of the process begins with wider community consultation, forming a local steering group and developing an action plan to address issues that have been identified as the priorities. She asked that forms relating to the Community Profile that were handed to members are completed with comments and amendments to the draft community profile.

It was pointed out that Chirk had already been through processes under several schemes drawing up action plans, had visioning work etc. There was a lot of community spirit being proactive to make things better for the whole population of Chirk.

The Chairman said that the Council would consider the matter.

  1. COMMUNITY POLICING.

Neighbourhood Policing.

PCSO’s Cheshire was welcomed to the meeting.

PCSO Cheshire informed the Council that he was newly appointed to Chirk being transferred from Cefn Mawr. He also apologised for the absence of PC Cullen who was on sick leave. He also said that the officer compliment at Chirk police Station was – 2 Community Beat Managers – 1 for Chirk and 1 for Ceiriog Valley and 3 PCSO’s – 2 for Chirk and 1 for the Ceiriog Valley.

PCSO Cheshire then gave details of crimes reported since the last meeting, as follows: -

Anti Social Behaviour – 7; Burglary dwelling – 1; Burglary other than dwelling – 1; Assault Violent crime – 2; Criminal damage – 1; Theft – 2 (1 for motor vehicle).

North Wales Drugs and Action Plan.

PCSO Cheshire mentioned that the Neighbourhood Policing Plan includes Road Safety, Drugs, Underage drinking, and Environmental Audit Process. He said there were also various action plans for the North Wales Police to act on, one being the N W Drugs Action Plan. Two warrants had been issued in Chirk in recent weeks for drug offences and monitoring was ongoing.

Members asked about the Alcohol Control Zone introduced by Wrexham CBC and PCSO Cheshire informed members that following a complaint he and PCSO 2922 approached 5 males who were in their late 20’s/early 30’s on Chirk Recreation Ground. It was a warm day and they were drinking bottles of Stella in what appeared to be a responsible, sociable manner giving assurances that they would dispose of their empty bottles in the proper manner afterwards.

PCSO Cheshire was informed that the following morning beer bottles (some broken), cans and cardboard cartons were found in the area he had described.

PCSO Cheshire explained that their alcohol control powers only apply to Anti Social Behaviour and there was absolutely no evidence to that effect in this instance. Furthermore this group did not possess any cans or cartons - as such what was found the following day was unlikely to have been left by them. PCSO confirmed that littering was anti social behaviour.

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the AGM of the Council held the 27th May 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

  1. MATTERS ARISING.

5. Street/Footway Lighting. The Clerk informed the Council that he had met with the Mr Geoff Edwards, Street Lighting Engineer, Wrexham CBC and visited Old Rhosywaun and New Rhosywaun areas and noting sites of the existing street lights. He had asked Mr Edwards to draw up a new lighting scheme for the two areas with estimated costs for the Council to consider.

8/170. Chirk Youth Football Club. The Clerk informed the Council that the cost of the football kit would be under £400 and that he had given the go ahead for the purchase. He also said that the new kit was for the under 9’s football team and will bear the Council logo.

Cllr James said the Club was particularly grateful and pleased for the Council’s sponsorship.

10. Recreation Ground Committee. The Clerk informed the Council that quotations were being sought from three companies that install play equipment for the Council’s consideration.

 

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

Offa’s Dyke Project Workshop. Cllr Hilary Spragg, Chairman informed the meeting she had attended a meeting with Cllr Jacqueline Win-Jones the concept of which was to revitalise communities along the border with benefits of cross border cooperation.

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust.

Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported on her attendance at a recent meeting of the Trust. She said that there were now 100 members of the Trust and that some were to visit the Chirk Car Boot Sales to bring more awareness of the proposals and attract volunteers.

Footpath – Halton Wood. Cllr Hemmings informed the Council that he had met officers from the Forestry Commission in connection with the unsatisfactory state of the footpath through the wood that is now badly overgrown and for which a programme of work is now to be drawn up. Cllr Hemmings also said that he was to meet the Footpath’s Officer from Wrexham CBC to discuss matters – he asked members to inform him of ant matter concerning footpaths so that he could pass these on to the officer.

 

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES (cont).

Chirk Youth Centre. Cllr James informed the Council that the Centre had been closed due to the loss of the level 2 leader. He said he was concerned that Wrexham CBC Youth Service had not yet appointed a replacement.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for their reports.

  1. REPORTS – LOCAL MEMBERS – WREXHAM CBC.

Cllr Ian Roberts referred to the meeting Cllr Terry Evans and he had with Mrs Garner Chief Executive Officer, Wrexham CBC on her visit Chirk when the unsatisfactory state of the streets, road surfaces, grass maintenance etc were pointed out to her. Cllr Roberts said not much had changed in the situation but he was hoping for more to be done soon.

With regard to the School Transport issue Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council of the successful outcome when it was debated by the Wrexham CBC’s Scrutiny Panel. The recommended decision of the Panel; would be to maintain the heritage links of Chirk with Ysgol Dinas Bran with free transport for school children from Chirk to attend there for their secondary education.

Cllr Roberts said he and Cllr Evans were well supported at the meeting by parents and thanked them for their attendance. He said the next hurdle was the Executive Committee meeting on July 14th when he hoped for continued support to carry the issue in favour of keeping free transport with Ysgol Dinas Bran being a first choice school.

Further discussion took place with members agreeing that parents should write letters to the Council Leader Cllr Aled Roberts to strengthen their support.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

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

  1. Letter from the Treasurer of Chirk & Ceiriog Valley Partnership with regard to the renewal of the Council’s membership. It was agreed to renew the membership at a cost of £10.

  2. AVOW Newsletter May/June Health, Social Care and Well-being Issues. Noted

  3. Letter from Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC advising of the grant of £4,500 to be awarded to the Council under the Tidy Towns Scheme. It was noted that the award was for the Chirk in Bloom programme of work.

  4. Letter from the Dept for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Welsh Assembly Government with an invitation to attend a workshop in connection with the draft Flood and Water Management Bill. Noted.

  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

    1. Certificates of Decision.

The following certificates of decision were received from the Chief Planning Officer: -

P/2009/0374 Permission granted for two storey extension – Argoed, Maesywaun, Chirk.

  1. ACCOUNTS.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £7,224.80 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).


 

Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 29th July 2009.