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CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 24th September 2008
Present Mr Barry Evans (Chairman), Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs J Allen, Mr M Fennell, Mr R Jones, Mr N James, Mr R Smith, Mr J E Pierce, Mr J Vant, Mr D Richards, Mr F Hemmings. Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council. Cllr Ian Roberts, Wrexham CBC local member.
The Vice-Chairman on behalf of the Council expressed congratulations to Cllr Claire Gough on the birth of her twins also congratulations to the Chairman as their grandfather.
ApologiesApologies for absence were received from Mr D Evans, Miss J W Jones, Mrs Claire Gough and Mr T Evans.
The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.
53. COMMUNITY POLICING. The Chairman welcomed PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager who gave the following crime statistics for since the last meeting, as follows: - Anti-social behaviour – 13; Criminal damage – 10 (3 detected); Assault – 4 (all detected); Drugs offences – 2 (both arrested and dealt with); stolen goods – 2 (both arrested and dealt with); reported thefts – 5 (3 detected); 4 thefts from motor vehicles (none detected). PC Cullen referred to the VW Extravaganza event at Ley Farm that had taken place without incident. He said a number of vehicles were tested for red diesel misuse during the Sunday morning but no-one was caught!! With regard to Remembrance Sunday PC Cullen confirmed that he and his colleagues were able to patrol the event as done in previous years. PC Cullen referred to an environmental audit that had recently been carried out and due to the amount of litter noted it had been decided to include this item in the Neighbourhood Police Action Plan. He said PCSO Steve Jones had organised a litter pick during the following week with the local schools taking part. Other items noted for attention were then provision of a sign and painting of the goal posts at Pentre and the re-siting of the bench seat near the skate park in Chirk. Cllr Hemming said he would deal with the items for Pentre. In connection with the Neighbourhood Police Action Plan PC Cullen said that violent offences and theft crimes had been taken out of the plan. With regard to patrolling PC Cullen reported on the visit of the two Police Horses and their officers patrolling Chirk during the day in the past week. He said that it was hoped to arrange for them to visit the local schools. The local police had obtained 3 grants for the Chirk Youth Football Club under the anti-social behaviour programme. The problem of dog fouling was drawn to attention and PC Cullen agreed for this item to be added to the Neighbourhood Police Action Plan. The problem of cars parking outside the Chirk Infants School was brought to attention and PC Cullen said he would ask the PCSO to give it attention. Cllr Spragg said that she and her family were very grateful for the good and efficient way the police had dealt with a serious incident that affected her grand daughter. The Chairman thanked PC Cullen for attending the meeting and for his report.
54. MINUTES. The minutes of the Council meetings held the 30th July 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.
55. MATTERS ARISING. 43/40. Chirk Skip Site. The Clerk reported that he had put the Councils concerns to the Leader of Wrexham CBC and to the Chief Executive as well as the Chief Environment Officer including details of a reply from the Team Leader at the Environment Agency regarding pollutions issues, but there was no change to be made to the decision to close the waste amenity facility. 46. Chirk Community Forum. It was agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman together with Cllrs Fennell and James should meet with members of the Community Forum to discuss matters concerning the funding that may be needed for the next years programme for Chirk in Bloom. 1
55. MATTERS ARISING (cont). 48. Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Michael Fennell agreed to be the Councils representative on the Trust Board. The Clerk referred to the letter received from Deborah Bryce a copy of which had been given to members. After consideration it was agreed to note the contents and the reply sent by the Clerk advising that matters concerning the charity should be taken up with the Charity Commissioners.
56. REPORT FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES. a. Shrewsbury/Chester Rail User’s Association. Cllr Fennell said he had attended a recent meeting of the Association and one point of interest was that a feasibility study is to take place to see if the track can be altered at Chirk to accommodate timber trains more easily – they now have to go to Gobowen to turn round. b. Chirk Youth Football Club. Cllr James reported that 120 young persons had signed up for the current footballing year at the Club. Changing facilities were a problem and it is hoped that grants can be obtained to provide these essential facilities.
57. STANDING ORDERS. The Clerk had provided a report on the latest edition of Model Standing Orders received from NALC and One Voice Wales. This was considered in detail by the Council following which it was resolved to accept the amendments listed by the Clerk and adopt the Standing Orders with these amendments.
58. REPORT OF THE RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE. Members received a copy of the Committees report. Following some explanations by the Clerk the Council resolved to accept the report and act on the recommendations made. The Clerk reported on the receipt of a letter from the Head of External Relations Wales with an invitation to a forum to discuss the Post Office Ltd’s Programme of Change for the North Wales Area as part of it’s consultation exercise. This information was noted.
59. RECOGNISING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY. Cllr Smith drew attention to a report on this subject whereby the local council can recognise the efforts of people in the community who work and help voluntarily for the benefit of organisations or the community as a whole. It was agreed that this item should be given more consideration and for the matter to be included on the agenda of the next meeting of the Council for discussion.
60. APPEALS. The Clerk reported receipt of the following appeals for financial aid that were given due consideration and dealt with as follows: - a. Chester-Shrewsbury Rail Partnership – approved donation of £200.00 towards the Community Rail Officer post. b. WRVS – agreed for matter to “lie on the table”. c. Marie Curie Cancer care – it was agreed to make a donation of £100.00 to Marie Curie nurses/Chirk Community Hospital Day Unit. d. Hope House Hospices – approved donation of £100.00. e. Wales Air Ambulance – approved donation of £100.00.
61. CHIRK COMMUNITY FORUM. The Clerk reported receipt of Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Forum on Monday 6th October at the Parish Hall. This was noted.
62. CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN PUBLIC PLACES. The Clerk referred to a letter from the Solicitor, Wrexham CBC with regard to his authority’s decision to support the introduction of an Order controlling the consumption of alcohol in public places (alcohol control zones) across the County Borough. The Clerk said he had replied to the letter, as an answer was needed before the Council meeting, that the Council had previously recommended such an Order being made and if it could not be County Borough wide then for all Chirk to be included in it. Members noted this was in line with the recommendations of the Council and confirmed the Clerk’s action.
63. CHARTER “ONE WREXHAM”. The Clerk referred to the document received from Wrexham County Borough Council and to the summary that members had received giving information on the Charter that local councils, local organisations can sign up to. The information was received without further comment. 2
64. MAYOR’S CHARITY BALL. The Clerk reported receipt of an invitation to this annual event. It was agreed that the Chairman and his lady should attend the function on behalf of the Council.
65. RECRUITMENT EVENT FOR POTENTIAL MAGISTRATES. The Clerk referred to the letter from the Secretary of The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committees that gave advance notice of a recruitment event for potential magistrates to be held in Wrexham October 22nd. There is currently a shortage of applicants in the Wrexham area and the event is to give information to those persons who may wish to become a magistrate. This information was noted.
66. SETTING LOCAL SPEED LIMITS. The Clerk reported receipt of a consultation document that needed to be dealt with during the summer break. The document referred to guidelines and criteria for setting speed limits on public roads. The Council’s Consultation Committee had discussed the matter and a reply made on behalf of the Council with particular concern that 20mph limit should be the norm at schools and residential estates and for the Highways Authorities being provided with sufficient funding from the Welsh Assembly to introduce speed limits and to carry out the engineering work etc that needs to take place to make them effective.
67. ONE VOICE WALES. The Clerk informed the Council that the AGM was to be held on the 11th October but the Council’s appointed representatives were not able to attend. It was agreed to appoint Cllr Jacqueline Allen (who had volunteered) to attend the meeting and to vote for the various motions as thought right.
68. BLACK PARK COLLIERY MEMORIAL. The Chairman referred to the sketch of the proposed memorial and informed the Council that he had contacted Wrexham CBC with regard to the siting of it near to the site of the former Black Park pit and a meeting was to be arranged. The half winding wheel was to be made available by the County Borough Council. Members were pleased this matter was going ahead and thanked the Chairman for his efforts in the matter.
69. PLAS MADOC AND BRYMBO WASTE RECYCLING CENTRES. The Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC that the above-mentioned sites are to be closed for refurbishment, the latter from September 2008 to March 2009 and the former from March 2009 to September 2009 with the facility at Wrexham Industrial Estate remaining open
70. PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME – CHAPEL LANE AND LLOYDS LANE, CHIRK. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Principal Traffic Engineer, Wrexham CBC with Notice and plan of the scheme that will include the installation of round top and flat top road humps and other measures providing traffic calming for the whole length of both roads and in front of both schools. This information was noted.
71. TIDY TOWNS GRANT AIDED PROJECTS. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC advising that £121,000.00 has been awarded to Wrexham each year for the next three years for such projects. The Officer said that it is hoped to encourage local communities to participate with local residents, local councillors, businesses, schools etc to develop a scheme for the benefit of their community. The suggestions made for one of the types of projects to be adopted by each community are as follows: - · Supporting Wrexham’s Wales in Bloom. · Additional education activities in Country Parks. · Areas identified for major clean-up activity, (derelict land that may be brought back into use to benefit the community. It was agreed that this should be considered with the Chirk Community Forum for a community scheme.
72. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was received and dealt with: - a. Annual report from Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd. b. Letter from the Ombudsman for Wales with revise leaflets in connection with complaints procedures. c. Notice of meeting of SCRUA and reminder of membership being due. Agreed to renew membership. d. Annual 2007-08 Report from the Wrexham Local Health Board. Noted. e. A copy of the Wrexham County Borough’s “Caring for our Health 2008 – 2011”, the second Health, Social Care and Sell-being Strategy. Noted.
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CORRESPONDENCE (cont). f. The A5 Trunk Road (Halton Roundabout, Chirk Wrexham County Borough)(Temporary TrafficRestrictions Order. It was note that this referred to re-surfacing works to be carried out during night time. g. Letter from the Chief Transportation & Asset Management Officer, Wrexham CBC with notification of proposed bridge work repairs to Newbridge involving traffic lights controlling single lane traffic over the bridge. Noted. h. Notice of meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Noted. i. AVOW Newsletter July/August Issue. Noted. j. Copy of BT’s plan for phone box adoption. Noted. k. Notice of public meeting of the Wrexham Sustainability Forum 22nd October at Glyndwr University, Wrexham. Noted. l. Letter from the Business Counsellor, Wrexham CBC with regard to a new Business Support and Grant Funding Scheme for rural areas. Noted. m. Letter from the Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer with regard to the review of archive services in North Wales as commissioned by six North Wales councils. Noted. n. Notice of the AGM of the Local Boundary Commission for Wales on October 16 at Llandudno. Noted. o. Copy of a press release by Wrexham CBC with regard to their official response to the proposed closure of 10 Post Offices throughout the County Borough. Noted.
73. PLANNING MATTERS.
a. The Clerk gave a report on the applications for planning permission received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC under the consultation procedures. These were dealt with by the Chairman and the Clerk and the Committee in relation to the latter three applications, as follows: - P/2008/828 Rear conservatory extension - 15 Wern, Lodgevale Park, Chirk. No objection.
P/2008/0843 Demolition of existing bungalow, erection of 11 two storey dwellings, construction of new vehicular access and alteration to existing vehicular and pedestrian access – Beverley Lloyds Lane Chirk. Comments and recommendations made as per previous recent applications.
P/2008/0917 Stationing of mobile home for use as dwelling for a period of 3 years (to establish sustainable forestry enterprise) – Land at Coed Gelli, Pentre, Chirk, Wrexham The Council considers that the application does not in substance differ from the previous application Code P/2008/0374 and therefore the Council submit the same comments and observations as stated below. Also, members of the Council are aware and understand that complaints have been made to Wrexham CBC (Public Protection Department) from residents in the community about nuisances being caused from smoke and fume from the wood burning process taking place at the site. The Council are of the opinion that this is totally unacceptable development and contrary to the Development Plan for Wrexham. The entrance to the site is situated on a sharp “U” bend with very poor visibility on a particularly dangerous part of the main road with the entrance to the Waste Disposal site opposite that has numerous HGV visits each working day as well as normal traffic movements. The site access road has been made on a very steep embankment to the river Dee making it difficult to negotiate. The siting of a mobile home appears contrary to the Wrexham Development Plan in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The site does not have a water supply, proper drainage or other normally expected facilities for human habitation. The Council consider that the proposed Charcoal/forestry work not to be sufficient reason to require a residential/mobile home on site. Also that, emissions from the burner unit will cause nuisance in the neighbourhood and be a health hazard. The Council recommends that the application is REFUSED planning permission.
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PLANNING MATTERS (cont). P/2008/0960 Listed Building Consent for alterations to building and replacement of attached boundary wall and fencing – Parkgate Lodge, Chirk No objection.
P/2008/0961 Erection of a four bedroom dwelling with detached garage – Plot 2 RidgewayLodge, Chirk. No objection.
The following certificates of Decision by the Wrexham CBC Planning Authority were received and noted: P/2008/0515 Permission REFUSED for the residential development of land at Forge Farm, Pontyblew.
P/2008/0696 Permission granted for erection of cattle building – New Hall Farm, Chirk.
P/2008/0778 Permission granted for kitchen & dining room extension – 59 Maesyparc, Chirk.
The Clerk informed the Council that an appeal has been made to the Welsh Ministers in respect of the Wrexham CBC’s refusal of planning permission in relation to the Beverley, Lloyd’s Lane site, Chirk. This information was noted.
The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of the Chief Planning Officers report to his committee where he recommends refusal of the application to extend the dental surgery at the Old Post Office Chirk to provide 3 additional surgery areas. Noted this decision is against this Council’s recommendations.
74. ACCOUNTS. 1. Payments A list of invoices and payments amounting to £11,363.98 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).
Signed R Barry Evans Chairman 29th October2008
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