CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 25th July 2007
Present
Mr Michael Williams (Chairman), Mr Gwilym Roberts, Mr Barry Evans, Mrs Hilary J Spragg,
Miss Christine Ashford, Mr Richard Jones, Mr John Pierce, Mr Raymond Smith, Mr David Richards,
Mr Newman James, Mr Michael Maxfield
Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
Mr Ian Roberts and Mr Terry Evans, Local Councillors Wrexham CBC.
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and proposed that items 3 on the agenda be taken first and this was agreed.
22. COMMUNITY POLICING.
Inspector Paul Firth, PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager together PCSO Stephen Griffiths attended the meeting and were welcomed by the Chairman.
Inspector Firth reported that there was a 30% drop in reported crime. He hoped the team in Chirk would be seen more in the area. Inspector Firth said that the Chief Constable had made his environmental audit of the Chirk area and was impressed with what he saw but there were one or two issues he had noted.
Inspector Firth also said that during his visit The Chief Constable took note of the vacant former Council Housing Estate Office and will be considering moving the Chirk Police there to accommodate his staff probably in partnership with another organisation.
PC Cullen also referred to the Chief Constable’s recent visit and said that whilst the Chief found some faults he had remarked that the play area at Chapel Lane was the best he had seen in North Wales and he was impressed with the good state of the town. PC Cullen gave out some statistics on crime since the last meeting: -
4 anti social incidents; 1 (very) minor assault; 1 burglary (at commercial premises); 5 thefts
and 6 criminal damages.
Several queries were put to the officers, namely
The parking of vehicles on estate roads blocking entrances etc. The officers indicated that no action could be taken if vehicles are lawfully parked. However, if causing an obstruction officers would look into matters if incidents are reported to them.
The obstruction of driver’s vision along Colliery Road from uncut grass at visibility splays and parked vehicles. The officers said that visits would be made again to residents to encourage parking vehicles in a less dangerous manner.
The continuing problems of broken beer glass bottles, cans and other litter strewn on the recreation grounds. The officers said this would be dealt with as a priority in the Neighbourhood policing action plan.
PCSO Griffiths reported that a successful cycle marking day had been carried out. This was a preventative measure against cycle theft.
The Thanked Inspector Firth and his officers for their attendance and reports.
23. MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council meetings held the 27th July 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.
24. MATTERS ARISING.
13/10. Chirk Housing Estate Office. It was agreed to convene the sub-committee on Wednesday 1st August at the Parish Hall at 7pm.
18/h Dreamshed Theatre. The Clerk informed the Council that the performance of “The Comedy of Errors” had had to be cancelled due to the theatre props getting damaged in the very wet weather that had occurred – but it was hoped a new date could be arranged.
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25. REPORTS – LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.
Cllr Mr Terry Evans reported that it had been a busy month for the volunteers working for the Chirk in Bloom competition. He said one helper had been injured but the treatment received from the doctors and hospital had been second to none and praised them for their attention.
In relation to Chirk in Bloom, Cllr Evans said the judging had taken place and very good comments had been made by the judges particularly as to the lack of litter and the hard work that had gone into making the Chirk presentation.
The Chairman expressed thanks and congratulations of the Council to Cllr Evans and his colleagues on the Chirk in Bloom work group on the good work they had done.
Cllr Evans also said he had accompanied the Chief Constable on his environmental audit visit to Chirk and had made good comments about the area on his tour.
Cllr Evans also mentioned the opening of the new extension to the day centre at Chirk Hospital for the care of cancer patients and commented on this wonderful asset and the dedication of the staff.
With regard to the bussing of pupils to Ysgol Dinas Bran, Mr Evans said he had no further information to report.
26. MILLENNIUM GARDEN SUB-COMMITTEE.
Members received a copy of the report of the sub-committee held the 11th July 2007.
It was mentioned that there one or two original members of the Trust still and it was agreed that they should be contacted before taking matters further.
Thanks were expressed again to the Chirk in Bloom to Cllr Terry Evans and his colleagues on the work group for tidying up around the millennium garden area.
With regard to the Best Kept Gardens Competition run by the Chirk Gardeners Group it was reported that the Chairman attended the presentation evening for the winners of the competitions who had received gift vouchers from the Council as well as certificates from the Gardening Group.
27. APPEALS.
The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -
Black Park Community Centre – It was agreed to done £250.00 to the upkeep of the Centre.
Stanton House Football Club – it was agreed that the Council should deal with the provision of league approved goal posts and for the Clerk and Chairman to act in the matter.
28. PROPOSED WORLD HERITAGE SITE – PONTCYSYLLTE AQUEDUCT AND CANAL.
The Clerk informed the Council that the consultation draft document relating to the nomination and site management plan had been sent to the Council. He also said that such details were available at Chirk Library and that the deadline for comments on the proposals was the 31st August, 2007.
Reference was made to the visit of Dr Dawn Roberts who explained in detail the proposals of the nomination and the procedure to the Council and after further discussion it was agreed to reiterate the Councils support for this scheme.
29. PROPOSED RECYCLING AND RECOVERY PARK AND UPGRADES TO RECYCLING CENTRES.
The Clerk reported receipt of information from the Waste Recycling Group Ltd advising that following the public exhibitions that took place in May and their newsletter outlining their proposals an application for planning permission had been submitted to the Wrexham CBC Planning Authority to establish a new waste recycling and composting facility at Bryn Lane, Wrexham on part of the Wrexham Industrial Estate. Also with regard to improvements to household recycling centres at Plas Madoc and at Brymbo.
The information was received and questions were asked about the household amenity site at Chirk that needs up-grading.
30. WREXHAM CBC TRAFFIC CALMING LIST.
The Clerk reported receipt of this list drawn up updated by the County Borough Council for this year but also advising that no funds had been allocated to any scheme this year though consideration would be given to any schemes chosen and funded by Community Councils.
The Clerk said that in any case Chirk schemes included in the list did not have sufficient points to be given priority.
It was pointed out that to gain more points incidents of accidents or near misses must be reported.
31. MAYORS CHARITY BALL.
The Clerk reported receipt of an invitation to the Mayor of Wrexham’s Charity Ball on Friday 26th October 2007. The invitation was noted with thanks.
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32. CORRESPONDENCE.
a. The Clerk reported receipt of the agenda for the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership
meeting and minutes of their previous meeting. Also, a reminder that the Councils membership is due for renewal at a cost of £10.00. It was agreed to renew the membership.
b. Proposal to make the Wrexham CBC & Shropshire CC (Pontfaen Bridge, Chirk)(3T Weight Restriction) Order 2007. This information was noted.
c. Newsletter (Summer Issue) from AVOW. This information was noted.
d. Notice of meeting of Wrexham Town/Community Council Forum on Tuesday 25th September 2007. This information was noted.
e. Letter from the Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer, Wrexham CBC regarding an application to vary the licence issued to the Stanton House Hotel under the Licencing Act 2003. Noted.
f. Letters from George Jones and Allan Forrest regarding the Rural Development Plan 2007-13 and with regard to the Welsh Assembly Government’s approval of the application. This information was noted.
g. Letter from the Director of the Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Co Ltd with a progress report concerning the proposed to introduce a new inter-city style rail service from Wrexham and Shropshire to London. It was agreed that the Council support the proposal.
Copy of Wrexham Connect. It was noted that not all people in the Chirk community had received this free publication.
33. PLANNING MATTERS.
The Clerk gave a verbal report on the meeting of the sub-committee held prior to the Council meeting on the applications received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC in accordance with consultation procedures and dealt with as follows: -
P/2007/0814 First Floor Extension- Sunnyside, Shepherds Lane, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/0829 Creation of new site spur road, installation of all weather pitches and improvement of existing all weather sites – Lady Margaret’s Park Caravan Club Site, Chirk.
No objection.
(Cllr Barry Evans disclose his interest in the above two items and left the meeting while discussion proceeded).
P/2007/0869 Two storey side extension – 36 Offa, Lodgevale Park, Chirk.
No objection.
2. Certificates of Decision.
He following details of decisions on applications for planning permission were received from the Chief Planning Officer: -
P/2007/0616 Permission granted for an extension to side and front – 43 Maesywaun, Chirk.
P/2007/0213 Permission granted for a side extension – 61 Maesywaun, Chirk.
P/2007/0449 Permission granted for g f extension – 4 Forest Hills, Black Park.
P/2007/0453 Permission granted for single storey dwelling (outline application) – plot 8 land opposite New Houses, Pentre.
21. ACCOUNTS.
1. Payments.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £8240.17 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).
2. Internal Auditors Report.
The Clerk reported the auditor’s conclusions were “in our view the council’s system of internal controls is in place, adequate for the purpose intended and effective, subject to the recommendations reported in the action plan.
It was agreed for the Finance Committee to consider the report and action plan in due course.
Signed Michael C Williams Chairman 26th September 2007.
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