CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 26th May 2010

Present

Mr J Vant, Mrs H J Spragg, Mr M Maxfield, Mr R Jones, Mrs J Allen, Mr F Hemmings, Mr D Richards,

Mr N James, Mr S Dineen, Mr R Smith.

Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr B Evans, Mrs C Gough, Miss J Win Jones and Mr D Evans.

  1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.

One nomination was received. Cllr Mr John Vant was nominated by Cllr Jackie Allen and seconded by Cllr Mr Michael Maxfield. No other nomination was received and Cllr Mr John Vant was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

In handing over to Cllr Vant Cllr Mrs Hilary Spragg remarked that she was very pleased to have played her part during the year with the good work of the Council. She said it was an interesting and enjoyable year with several large issues being dealt with including School Transport, the proposed Gypsy site, some success but also some depressing results. Mrs Spragg said of particular note was the award of World Heritage Site Status for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal of which Chirk is a major part and for which she had signed the Concordat on behalf of the Council and looking forward is the exciting “Waking the Dragon” proposal to be erected in Chirk and at the entrance to Wales. Mrs Spragg said was also very pleased to be representing the Council at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party in July. The Council dinner went off very well and enjoyed very much by the members and wives that attended. Mrs Spragg thanked the Vice-Chairman and all her fellow councillors for their support, also, to the press for their reports of Council business and the issues confronting the Council in the year and to the Clerk for his guidance and help.

Cllr John Vant, Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Spragg for the way she had performed her good work for the Council over the past year. He also thanked members for their confidence in him and hoped he would be able to carry on his duties successfully.

The Clerk said it was necessary for the Council to agree that the Chairman’s Bank Account be continued with HSBC Bank plc and that the Bank is authorised to pay all cheques and other instructions for payment on behalf of the Council by the Chairman Mr John Vant or the Clerk to the Council. This was duly agreed.

 

  1. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN.

One nomination was received. Cllr Mrs Jacqueline Allen was nominated by Cllr Richard Jones and was seconded by

Cllr Frank Hemmings. No other nomination was received and Cllr Mrs Jackie Allen was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the coming year. Cllr Allen thanked members for appointing her as Vice-Chairman.

 

  1. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

The following committees agreed and members elected thereto: -

Parish Hall Committee.

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr D Richards, Mr R Smith, Mr B Evans, Mr M Maxfield, Mr D Evans, Mr R Jones,

Mrs C Gough, Mr F Hemmings.

Burial Ground Committee. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr M Maxfield, Mr D Richards, Mr F Hemmings.

Planning Committee.

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr D Richards, Mr F Hemmings, Mr N James, Mr D Evans, Mr M Maxfield,

Mr B Evans, Mrs H J Spragg.

Finance Committee.

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr F Hemmings, Mr R Smith, Mr B Evans Mrs H J Spragg, Mr S Dineen.

Recreation Grounds Committee.

Chairman, V/Chairman, Mr R Smith, Mr J E Pierce, Mr R Jones, Mr B Evans, Mrs H J Spragg.

Standing Orders Committee. Chairman, Mr J Vant, Mr F Hemmings, Mr R Smith

Special Committee.

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr D Richards, Mr D Evans.

Consultations Committee. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr D Evans.

Footway Lighting Committee.

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr S Dineen, Mr R Jones.

School Transport Committee – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr F Hemmings, Mrs H J Spragg with

Cllrs Ian Roberts and Terry Evans.

Chapel Lane Parking Committee – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr Frank Hemmings, Mr Sean Dineen,

Mr Dewi Evans, Mrs Clare Gough, Mr N James.


 

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES.

School Governors:

Ceiriog Junior School Chirk Mr R Smith Chirk Infants Mr F Hemmings. Pentre Controlled Mr F Hemmings.

Chirk Charities Mrs H J Spragg, Mr B Evans, Mr F Hemmings.

Chirk Environmental Liaison Group Mrs H J Spragg, Mr D Richards, Mr R Jones, Miss J Win-Jones,

Mrs J Allen.

Chirk Swimming Pool Trust. Mr B Evans and the Clerk.

Black Park Community Centre. Mr F Hemmings and Mr J E Pierce

OneVoice Wales, Wrexham/Flint Area Regional Committee. Mrs J Allen.

Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association. Mr S Dineen.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Mr F Hemmings

Chirk Air Training Corps. Mrs J Allen.

North East Wales Play and Playing Fields Association. The Clerk.

Penybont Liaison Group. Mr F Hemmings.

Chirk Youth Football Club. Mr M Maxfield, Mr N James, Mr B Evans and Mrs C Gough.

Footpath Liaison. Mr F Hemmings and Mr R Jones.

Chirk/Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Mr J Vant.

Chirk/Ceiriog Valley (Education) Liaison Committee. Mr N James, Mr D Evans and the Clerk.

Police Community Consultative Group. Mrs J Allen.

Chirk Celebrations and Lights Committee. Mr F Hemmings, Mr N James, Mr S Dineen.

Chirk Recreation Ground Trust. All members of the Council.

Chirk Youth Centre Management Committee. Mr F Hemmings, Mr N James, Mr R Jones, Mr M Maxfield.

Chirk Court Residential Home Management Committee. Mrs H J Spragg, (Deputy -Mr D Evans).

Chirk Community Forum. Chairman.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site Sub-Group. Mrs H J Spragg.

Wrexham CBC Community Council Forum. Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Clerk.

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust – Mrs J Allen.

Aqueduct Community Association – Mrs H J Spragg, Mr B Evans.

Wrexham Community Play Scheme – Chairman.

School Transport Committee – Chairman, Vice--Chairman, Mr F Hemmings, Mrs H J Spragg with

Cllr Ian Roberts and Terry Evans.


 

  1. NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING.

PCSO’s Griffiths was welcomed to the meeting.

PCSO Griffiths gave details of crimes reported since the last meeting.

Members mentioned the following matters of concern for the officers attention: -

Vandalism at Chirk Mount; fire being lit everywhere using spray cans; criminal damage – broken windows; cars parking both sides of Church Street; Dangerous rope swing on Chirk Mount; gangs of youth getting off trains (both directions) at Chirk Station.

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meetings held the 28th April 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.

  1. MATTERS ARISING.

169/155/142. School Transport. It was confirmed that the decision of the Wrexham CBC’s Executive Board that would only allow free school transport to the nearest suitable school had been accepted by the Scrutiny Committee following the decision being “called in”. Members were dismayed at this decision and agreed to carry on with the fight so that children from Chirk can attend Llangollen Ysgol Dinas Bran with free transport. It was decided that the School Transport Committee should meet to discuss further action.

169/158. Parking at Chapel Lane, Chirk. The Clerk informed the Council that he had spoken to the officer at Wrexham CBC who was dealing with this matter but to obtain costs and further information at this stage would entail making plans and detail of the work required that in itself would entail some cost.

Following discussion, the Council agreed that the Committee should discuss matters with the headteacher at the Infants School before taking matters further.

  1. STANDING ORDERS.

The Council agreed to maintain Standing Orders without alteration.

 

  1. DATES OF MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The following dates for the monthly ordinary meetings of the Council were decided upon for the coming year.

2010 June – 30th; July – 28th; September – 29th; October – 27th; November – 24th; December – 29th;

2011 January – 26th; February – 23rd; March 30th; April – 27th; May - 25th .

Due notice of meetings will be posted including any change of date.

 

  1. NOTICE OF AUDIT.

The Clerk reported receipt of the notice of audit of the Council’s accounts for the year ending 31st March 2008 that would take place on the 31st July 2010. The Clerk also said that notices of the audit will be posted in due course.

This information was noted.

 

  1. WREXHAM CBC –UPDATED STRUCTURE -YOUNG PEOPLE INCLUSION (INCLUDING YOUTH SERVICE).

Members had received a copy of the document that gave details of the officers that would control matters in the various areas of the county borough. This information was duly noted by the Council.

 

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

  • Glyn Valley Tramway Trust.

Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported on her attendance at a recent meeting of the Trust when an application for key funding was decided. Arrangements for the forthcoming fun day at Chirk and the Summer BBQ were also discussed.

  • Chirk Celebrations and Christmas Lights Committee.

Cllr Frank Hemmings reported that the problem with the Coronation Oak lights was to be put right. It appeared that the fault was due to the connection point being removed by contractors working on the new bus stop.

  • World Heritage Site Area Committee.

Cllr Hilary Spragg reported that arrangements were ongoing for the Fun Day at Trevor Basin in August and that tables and gazebos were available for local organisations to use without any cost.

Mrs Spragg also mentioned that a new group had been formed “Aquaducks – Friends of the World Heritage Site”.

  • Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Partnership had produced new information leaflets and were proceeding with an internet website.
 

  1. BIBLES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Cllr Hilary Spragg said that Vicar Rees had spoken to her about providing Bibles for children leaving junior education this year and that it was recommended that “British” type Bibles should be purchased. The Clerk said the cost would be £400.00. The Council agreed to purchase the Bibles and for the Chairman to attend the Presentation events.
 

  1. OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES – GUIDANCE - CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITY IN WALES.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Local Ombudsman for Wales together with several copies of the Guidance document for the attention of members. This information was noted.
 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

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

    1. ONE VOICE WALES. Notice of the Annual General meeting of One Voice Wales and the Annual Conference that will take place on the 10th October 2009 at Bont Pavilion, Pontrifendigaid.

The Council agreed to send two delegates to the meetings.

    1. Chirk Celebrations and Lights Committee. An invitation for the Chairman to “open” the Fun Day event on June 26th. The Chairman said he would be otherwise engaged that day and it was therefore agreed to request that the Vice-Chairman Cllr Mrs Allen attends in his place.

    2. Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Notice of meeting together with minutes of the previous meeting. Noted.

    3. A Shared Community. Letter from the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government with guidance on relationship building measures and charters for unitary authorities and community and town councils in Wales. Noted

    4. Wrexham Town and Community Councils Forum. Notice of meeting on 22nd June 2010. Noted.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE (cont).

  1. Tidy Town Initiative 2010-11. Confirmation from Wrexham CBC that Chirk’s Tidy Town Project has been

agreed and that the project will receive £5000.00 direct funding from the grant scheme. The Clerk said that the amount was somewhat less than the estimated cost of the submitted project and would be discussed with the Chirk Community Forum.

  1. Wrexham CBC – Mayors Civic visit to St Mary’s Cathedral. An invitation to appoint two representatives to attend the event. It was agreed that the Chairman and lady should attend on behalf of the Council.

  2. Chester/Shrewsbury Rail Partnership. Letter from Sheila Dee, Community Rail Officer with plan of proposed Bus/Rail Interchange at Chirk Railway Station. It was noted that the proposals included a bus pick up point at Station Avenue with wooden type bus shelters being erecting there and at a new bus stop on Station Road.

 

  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

    1. Planning Applications.

The Clerk reported to the Council that the Planning Committee had dealt with applications received from the Chief Planning Officer in accordance with the consultation procedures as follows: -

P/2010/0361 Kitchen and Bathroom extension to include Utility and WC - 12 Castle Crescent, Chirk.

No objection.

P/2010/0401 Single storey rear kitchen extension and alterations -111 Offa, Chirk. No objection.

P/2009/0374 Two storey extension – Argoed 6 Maesywaun, Chirk. No objection.
 

    1. Certificates of Decision.

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

P/2010/0169 Application withdrawn.

P/2010/0185 Permission granted for a first floor extension to 1 Middleton Terrace, Chirk.

(The Clerk informed the Council that the Chief Planning Officers report on this application had been received prior to the certificate of decision being received).

 

  1. ACCOUNTS.

    1. Payments.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £3,892.45 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (see addendum).

    1. Accounts.

The Clerk handed out sheets that gave details of the Council’s accounts to the end of March 2010. These showed payments amounting to£107,133.76 as against the estimate for the whole year to of £120665.81. These also showed a graph of the various headings of expenditure together with a Bank Reconciliation report.

This information was noted and the Clerk thanked for providing the report.


Signed John Vant Chairman 24th June 2010