CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 25th February 2009 Present Mr Barry Evans (Chairman), Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs J Allen, Mr R Jones, Mr D Richards, Mr J Vant, Mr F Hemmings, Mr R Smith, Mr D Evans, Mr M Maxfield, Miss J Win-Jones, Mr J Pierce, Mr S Dineen. Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council. ApologiesApologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mrs C Gough, Mr N James, Mr I Roberts and Mr T Evans.Before opening the meeting for business the Chairman welcomed the newly appointed councillor for Chirk South Ward Mr Sean Dineen. The Chairman also welcomed Cllr Miss Jacqueline Win-Jones following her recent incapacity. 132. COMMUNITY POLICING. The Chairman welcomed PC Cullen and PCSO Griffiths. PC Cullen gave an update on crime statistics since the January 25th meeting as follows: - 5 Criminal damages (1 detected); 2 Shoplifting (both detected and offenders received fixed penalty tickets of £80. 1 Theft (detected); 1 Positive drugs warrant executed where small quantity of Cannabis recovered. Offender received formal Cannabis warning. 6 Anti Social – Snowball throwing calls 6 (no damage caused); He also said that he had received complaints about mini motos and had seized one machine and taken action on traffic offences. PC Cullen said that the traffic dept officers had been in Chirk on 3 occasions the previous week at various sites and locations and had caught 1 person for speeding and 2 for using mobile phones and these were dealt with by way of fixed penalty tickets (£60 and 3 penalty points). He also said that the two police horses had been about and about Chirk today. The Clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken to Paul Williams, Arrive Alive Education Research Officer who had offered to attend the next meeting of the Council to speak about traffic monitoring, traffic signs etc. The Council agreed to invite Mr Paul Williams to the next Council meeting. Members mentioned about the forthcoming road works on the A483 Newbridge/Ruabon bypasses. Concern was expressed that no notification had been received by the Council. Also, that speeding could be a problem on the diverted routes and asked for attention to be given. Members also commented that officers had been seen in the area and this was good for community spirit. 133. MINUTES. The minutes of meetings of the Council held the 25th January and the 4th and 11thFebruary were confirmed as a correct record. 134. MATTTERS ARISING. 124. Traffic Calming Scheme – Lodgevale Park. The Clerk reported receipt of reply to the Councils comments and concerns about the scheme and read out the reply from the Principal Traffic Engineer, Wrexham CBC explaining and answering the points made by the Council on the proposals and that funding was not available to do any more. 131. Community Policing. Members commented that the increase in the policing rate a few years ago was for the purpose of employing an additional 60 police offices. Whilst the rates had been increased the additional officers had not materialised and Chirk had been left without the officers promised. With regard to the new action plan, members expressed concern as to how it will be carried out when officers are off duty as had been the case in the recent past. 135. REPORT OF PARISH HALL COMMITTEE. Members received a copy of the report and following consideration thereof it was decided to accept the report and to the recommendations made. 136. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Cllr Dewi Evans reported on the his attendance at a meeting of the Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association when a presentation was given by Mrs Sheila Dee, Community Rail Officer giving news about services etc on the line. Also a presentation on the Wrexham/Marleborne Train Service that was followed by a film show about the Shrewsbury/Chester line. The Chairman thanked Cllr Evans for his report.
This meeting was attended by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Cllrs David Richards and Dewi Evans and the Clerk. The Chairman said that explanations were given about the recent problem of dust affecting areas of Maesywaun, Chapel Lane areas etc and read out a letter from Mr McKenna, Kronospan Director that explained the cause and the work in hand to prevent the failure in part of the plant occurring again. Also apologising for the trouble caused to the residents. The meeting also received reports from the Public Protection Officers and the Environmental Agency Officer. 137. APPEALS. The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -
138. CRAIG CLOSE PENSIONER’S CLUB. The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the treasurer of the Club asking the Council look to providing some financial assistance towards improving the street lighting in Rhosywaun. The Clerk said he had replied to the letter informing the Treasurer that Wrexham CBC were the Street Lighting Authority and that the Council had had reports previously about the lighting and the Clerk had met and spoken with the Street Lighting Engineer. The officer had said that his budget would not allow for new standards but that he would endeavour to improve the present units by replacing the light units with new type that give better intensity of light. The Council agreed to ask for an update from the Street Lighting Officer. 139. TIDY TOWN GRANT AIDED PROJECTS. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Environmental Officer, Wrexham CBC with regard to this years scheme and the need for applications to be submitted by 31st March 2009. The Council agreed to consider submitting an application in conjunction with the Chirk Community Forum. 140. THE FUTURE OF COMMUNTIY HEALTH COUNCILS IN WALES. The Clerk reported receipt of this consultation document from Paul Williams, Head, Department of Health & Social Services Chief Executive, NHS Wales that provides details on the proposed future number and functions of Community Health Councils in Wales. The existing 19 CHC’s will be reduced to 7 new CHC’s established to cover the same areas as the proposed seven new Local Health Bodies. The seven new CHCs will then be responsible for setting up area associations to cover the same areas as the local authorities within their boundaries. The proposals will come into force in October 2009. It was agreed to obtain further copies of the document for members of the Consultation Committee to consider and report back. 141. BORROWING BY TOWN AND COMMUNITY COUNCILS IN 2009-10. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Local Government Finance Division with regard to the arrangements for applying for borrowing approval this next financial year. Also with this letter was letter detailing the appropriate sum under section 137 Local Government Act 1972 that permits the Council to spend on activities for which there are no other specific powers – e.g. Donations. This information was noted. 142. THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM (PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING AND LOADING AND PARKING PLACES) ORDER 2009. The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of the proposed Order that involves an area of Castle Road, Chirk from beyond the junction with Castle Walks to the junction with the B5070 and will restrict parking of vehicles both sides of the road in these areas. It was agreed to have no objection to the Order. 143. THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM (CHAPEL LANE AND VARIOUS ROADS, CHIRK) (20MPH ZONE) ORDER 2009. The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of the proposed Order that involves Chapel Lane, Lloyds Lane and Coronation Drive, Chirk – (the area where the Traffic Calming Scheme is being carried out). It was agreed to have no objection to the Order. 144. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP SCHEME ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008. The Clerk reported receipt of this information document. This was noted. 145. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was received and dealt with: - a. Copy Issue 43 of Newsletter from AVOW. Noted. b. Copy of Issue 2 Spring Carer’s Issues for AVOW. Noted. c. Letter from Glyn Valley Trust asking for support for their proposal to incorporate coach parking on ground opposite the entrance to Canal Wood Industrial Estate. The Council agreed to support this proposal.
146. PLANNING MATTERS. 1. Planning Applications. The Clerk gave a report on the following applications received from the Chief Planning Officer in accordance with the consultation procedures that were dealt with by the Plans Committee: - P/2009/0063 Single storey extension to rear of property – Westwood, Holyhead Road, Chirk No Objection. P/2009/0089 OUTLINE APPLICATION for the erection of an agricultural workers dwelling – Forger Farm, Chirk. No objection. P/2009/0121 Construction of ramped approach to store entrance with handrail and other works at rear of the premises – Co-op Shop, Holyhead Road, Chirk. No objection.
P/20080515 Permission REFUSED for the erection of an agricultural workers dwelling at Forge Farm Chirk. (This refers to an earlier application not the one in item 1 above). 147. ACCOUNTS. 1. Payments. A list of invoices and payments amounting to £18,395.20 were given to the Council and were passed for payment (see addendum). Signed R Barry Evans Chairman 25th March 2009 |