CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 25th April 2007
Present
Mr D Evans (Chairman), Mr M Fennell, Mr N James, Mr R Jones, Mrs H J Spragg, Miss C Ashford, Mr G Roberts,
Mr D Richards, Mr J Pierce
Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
Mr T Evans and Mr I Roberts, Cllrs – Wrexham CBC.
The Chairman proposed that agenda items 4 and 5 are dealt with first and this was agreed.
137. WREXHAM YOUTH SERVICE.
The Chairman welcomed Jean Allen and her colleagues Ian Jones and Shirley Jones. Mrs Allen said that staffing levels were up to compliment at the Chirk Young Peoples Centre (formerly known as Chirk Youth Club) and introduced Shirley Jones the newly appointed Centre Manager.
Mrs Allen also provided written reports and explained with the help of her colleagues about the centre and how it will be run; the opening of the Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays and the activities that will take place on those evenings – project evenings on Mondays and club nights on Wednesdays.
From April 12th Youth Workers will be doing detached work in and around Chirk and on alternate Thursdays will be providing opportunities for young people to participate in group activities and trips.
A programme of activities has been made with dates for the information of the members of the Centre.
Mrs Allen also reported on a bid for funds to run a summer scheme in Chirk during August and hope to run sessions as follows: - Swimming Pool – 4 sessions; Astroturf – 4 sessions; Nantyr Outdoor Activity Centre – 2 sessions; Trip to Chester Zoo; Circus Skills Workshop.
Members were very pleased to hear what work had been done in the recent weeks to improve the situation at the Centre and the way in which the programme of activities had been drawn up to give opportunities for the young people to take advantage of. Members hoped that the Centre will go forward and be successful and that the young people will benefit by taking part and enjoying the schemes and activities.
The Chairman thanked Jean Allen, Ian Jones and Shirley Jones for their reports and their efforts to encourage the youth in Chirk to join the club and make it something to be proud of.
138. COMMUNITY POLICING.
PC Danny Cullen, PCSO Rhiannon Plack, PCSO Thomas Dewberry and PCSO Stephen Griffiths were welcomed to the meeting. PC Cullen gave apologies for absence from Inspector Firth.
PC Cullen gave the following details of crimes since the last meeting: -
16 anti social – majority regarding mini motos (special operation intended to deal with this problem).
2 violent incidents (minor)
5 thefts (believed to be by persons from outside area doing selective pinching).
PC Cullen referred to the recent action in Llangollen where police produced letters and flyers asking for the help of the community in reporting crime that had received a good response. He said similar action would be done in and around Chirk.
The police Road Show was to visit Chirk and together with an Initiative dealing with mini motos and untaxed vehicles.
PC Cullen said that environmental audits were being carried out on a regular basis and the Chief Constable will be visiting all Community Beat Managers and will be in Chirk during July this year.
PCSO Rhiannon Plack introduced her two colleagues now based in Chirk and were dealing with environmental issues and in conjunction with Mr Merfyn Lloyd WCBC will be visiting areas in the Chirk area noting hot spots for special attention.
Members drew attention again to the problem of parking vehicles in bus bays, on double yellow lines, on pavements etc. Also mentioned was the graffiti incidents at Ceiriog School.
PC Cullen said that a date for the next meeting of the Chirk Police Forum was to be arranged soon.
The Chairman thanked the officers for their attendance and reports.
The Clerk reported receipt of notice of a further meeting of the North Wales Police Authority on Monday 14th May 2007 at the Erlas Centre, Wrexham with invitation for three members to attend. The Chairman and Cllrs Fennell and Jones agreed to attend on behalf of the Council.
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139. MINUTES.
The minutes of the meetings held the 28th March 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.
140. REPORTS BY LOCAL MEMBERS.
Cllr Ian Roberts advised that the PCSO’s are coming on stream in Wrexham where there will be more than in any other area in North Wales. They will be in uniform and DOUBLE Badged and will be managed by the Police but will also be doing work for Wrexham CBC.
Cllr Roberts said that the authority were in discussion with regard to equal pay status.
Cllr Roberts referred to the planning application regarding the Penybont Waste Disposal Site and was worried that the site was only half finished and needed to be filled, and with proper engineering capped and finished.
With regard to environmental problems in the Chirk area Merfyn Lloyd has now been appointed as the contact person to deal with them.
Cllr Terry Evans informed the Council that the Dog Warden has been to Chirk and has put up stickers rega5ding dog fouling and bagging waste.
Cllr Evans said he has been in contact with the Highways Department about Church Street road surface and the crossing. Road repairs are to be carried out but e new crossing will cost £50,000.00!
Members congratulated Cllr Evans and Cllr Roberts and others on the work being done tidying up the top side area of the Cemetery. A large amount of waste had been removed, the area levelled, seeded and made ready for new fencing along the boundary.
141. CHIRK COMMUNITY FORUM.
Cllr Christine Ashford gave a report on her attendance as the Council’s representative at meetings of the Forum.
She said that at the first meeting an Action Plan was approved for various projects in Chirk including Chirk News Letter and New Entrance Gates at Chirk Infants School. The second meeting the Chirk in Bloom scheme was discussed with a report in the Chirk News Letter.
She was concerned about the recreation ground where bottles, cans were found especially at the far corner end and the broken fencing to the AAA’s ground. Cllr Ashford also referred to the Millennium Gardens where vandalism had occurred a broken burnt out seat and untidy area.
The Clerk said that litter picking takes place on a regular basis and when broken glass etc. has been left around. Also at the Millennium Gardens. He said that the fencing was part of the AAA’s ground and the Millennium Gardens held in a Trust.
142. APPEALS.
The Clerk reported receipt of one appeal for the Wales Air Ambulance. It was agreed to donate £100.00 to the charity.
143. OLD RHOSYWAUN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Secretary of the Association inviting members to the official opening of the Old Rhosywaun Playground. This would take place on Friday 4th May when Wrexham Footballer Ryan Valentine will open the playground. Members commented on the work done by the residents to provide a safe place with new equipment for kiddies to play.
144. WREXHAM CBC – APPLICATION FOR DECRIMINALISED PARKING ENFORCEMENT POWERS.
The Clerk reported receipt of the draft application containing a detailed description of the authority’s policies to the proposed implementation of the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Powers. This will give power to the County Borough Council to enforce parking restrictions under the Road Traffic Act 1991 and will be intending to implement these on 1st March 2008.
This information was noted.
145. A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY – A WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT-LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY
STATEMENT.
Members had been circulated with a summary of the statement as provided by One Voice Wales. The Clerk said that a copy of the Statement had been received and was available for members. This information was noted.
146. ZURICH MUNICIPAL – LOCAL COUNCIL ADVISORY SERVICE SEMINAR 2007.
The Clerk reported receipt of an invitation to attend the seminar that will be held at Winsford at a fee of £60.00.
It was agreed for the Clerk to attend the seminar.
147. ONE VOICE WALES.
The Clerk reported receipt of Guidance for local councils on establishing a Complaints Procedure. This information, circulated to members has been drawn up by the Association and the Ombudsman for Wales. It was agreed that this matter will receive attention in due course.
148. WREXHAM CBC LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2006 -2021
The Clerk had provided members with a copy of the report giving a summary of the key findings from the series of engagement events held at Chirk and other areas in Wrexham. These views, together with other evidence, will inform the Plans preferred strategy. This information was noted.
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149. CHIRK HOUSING ESTATE OFFICE.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Divisional Manager (Asset Management Planning), Wrexham CBC asking for observations or interest in any possible future use of this building since it has remained closed after being the Chirk Housing Estate Office. After discussion it was agreed to arrange a special meeting to fully consider this important issue.
150. CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk reported receipt of the following: -
1 Letter from Peter Mullen, Committee and member Services Manager, Wrexham CBC with notice of meeting of the Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum on Tuesday 15th May at the Guildhall, Wrexham at 6.30pm. This was noted.
2 Invitation to the Annual Meeting of Wrexham CBC on Tuesday 23rd May at the Guildhall Wrexham. Noted.
3 Invitation to the Mayor of Wrexham’s Civic Visit to Church on Sunday 24th June 2007. Noted.
4 Severn Dee Newsletter of the Shrewsbury-Chester Rail User’s Association. Noted.
5 Notice from AVOW re: Volunteers Week Extravaganza at Queens Square, Wrexham on Saturday 2nd June 2007.. Noted.
151. PLANNING MATTERS.
The Clerk gave a verbal report on the following: -
P/2007/0366 Erection of Mast for non-operational Taxi Office – 24 Walden Crescent , Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/0444 Development of an office and multi-space Building B alongside approved scheme
(CHI P/2005/0877) and introduction of a bio-mass building to house the plant for the schemes renewable energy system – Estate Yard, Brynkinalt Estate, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/0449 Erection of a Ground Floor Games – 9 Parklands, Shepherds Lane, Chirk.
The Council considers that the proposed extension to the front of the existing house is not in keeping and detracts from the visual pleasing (front) aspect of the existing house and others in the residential site.
P/2007/0453 Construction of pitched roof structure to public car park to form designated smoking area Hand Hotel, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/00475 Extensions to side and rear – 1 Sycamore Drive, Lodgevale Park, Chirk.
No objection.
The following certificates of decision were received and noted: -
P/2007/0160 Planning permission granted for conversion of existing building into annexe for dependent relative
– Canal Cottage, Pentre, Chirk.
P/2007/0188 Planning permission granted for single storey extension to side of dwelling –
31 Offa, Lodgevale Park, Chirk.
P/2007/0120 Planning permission granted for erection of 5 bedroom dwelling –
Plot 2 Ridgeway Lodge, Chirk.
P/2006/1212 Listed Building Consent granted for dividing existing 2 dwellings into 3 separate residential units
and associated works including internal and external alterations –
The Lodge Country House, Parkgate, Chirk.
P/2007/0121 This application for variation in condition number 2 and 3 of planning permission code CHI CB02436 regarding car/bootsales/markets at Ley Farm, Chirk has been withdrawn.
152. ACCOUNTS.
1. Payments.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £3,467.47 were presented to the Council and were agreed.
Signed Chairman 30th May 2007
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