CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 27th January 2010

Present

Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr D Evans, Mrs J Allen, Mr B Evans, Mr R Jones, Mr D Richards, Mr F Hemmings.

Miss J Win Jones, Mr R Smith and Mr J Pierce. Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Vant, Mr N James, Mrs C Gough and Mr S Dineen.

The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.

128. COMMUNITY POLICING.

The Chairman welcomed PCSO Cheshire who gave a report on crime statistics during the last few weeks that included: - S47 Assault – 1; Burglary – 1; Criminal damage – 1; ASB – 6; Theft -2; Theft from motor vehicle – 1.

PCSO Cheshire informed the meeting that there had been changes in the establishment in the Insp Iwan Jones was to replace Insp Surridge at Rhos Police Station.

PCSO Cheshire said that with regard to environmental audits these had now been planned for 24th March and the 22nd September this year. He also mentioned that WR8 is the area code for this area and regular meetings with County Borough Councillors are to be arranged. PCSO Cheshire also said that leaflets about the On-line Watch Line (OWL) - an extension of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme are to be distributed around the area..

PCSO Cheshire informed the Council that a “Strengthening Families Programme” was being introduced that will give an opportunity for parents and children to attend programmes in the scheme that will also accept referrals for attention. The scheme is aimed at 10 -16yr olds as becoming a teenager is a challenging time for young people and parents. Leaflets about the programme were distributed to the members.

On speeding PCSO Cheshire said that he and his colleagues are out and about with their speed gun but so far have not had any offence in and around the estates and perception of speed in these estate areas is deceptive. Monitoring will continue and officers will also use section 59 powers for related offences.

A comment was made about reducing the speed limit in these areas and PCSO Cheshire referred to the area at Chapel Lane and Lloyds Lane at the Infants and Junior Schools where the 20mph limit and traffic calming had been introduced – these areas being particularly part of an approved scheme.

Several members drew attention to the continuing parking problems and whilst PCSO Cheshire confirmed that Traffic Wardens now have the power to deal with offences he agreed that officers should liaise with the Traffic Wardens to help solve the parking problems.

With regard to mini motorbikes PCSO Cheshire confirmed that action had been taken and several motorbikes had been seized over the course of 3 years and in recent actions taken under Sec 59 officers gave offenders a warning in line with procedures.

The Chairman thanked PCSO Cheshire for his report and comments which were appreciated.

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meeting held the 16th December 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

  1. MATTERS ARISING.

122. Cllr Mr Ian Roberts reported that the resurfacing work had been completed at Pentre following the water mains maintenance work.

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

School Transport. The Chairman informed that Council that an “open” letter had been sent to the Chief Executive and to the Leader of the Council, Wrexham CBC and that members of the Committee had met with Llangollen Town Council that had agreed to reply to the consultation. Cllr Mrs Spragg also mentioned that the Committee had decided to ask for a deputation to meet the Minister responsible for school transport issues at the Welsh Assembly and for leaflets to be distributed throughout the area to ask parents and all concerned to write to Wrexham County Borough Council with their objection to the proposed School Transport Policy.

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Mrs J Allen said the Trust members and volunteers were carrying on doing clearance work along the route of the railway line and that applications for planning permission were being drawn up together with speaking to land owners.

World Heritage Site. Cllr Mrs J Allen reported that an Independent Friends of the Canal Committee is to take on the organisation of events along the canal route.

132. REPORT LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.

Cllr Terry Evans reported that some potholes had been attended to and there were still more to be done including manholes etc that have been affected by the bad weather.

He also said that Wardens had fined 4 persons in relation to dog fouling.

Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that Chirk Park was included as one of three sites to be considered to provide accommodation for Travellers in the Chief Planning Officers report on the proposed Local Development Plan that is to be discussed by Wrexham CBC in a week’s time. Councillors were astounded to hear such a proposal and totally agreed that this site was not suitable for such use. It was unanimously decided to send a letter of objection to the proposal. It was agreed that site should be used for light industry – as it has all the necessary services ready for such use and is the last piece of suitable ground for this purpose.

Members were annoyed that there had been no consultation in this matter despite the Council and members joining in meetings and workshops dealing with the process for a new Local Development Plan.

Cllr Hemmings drew attention to littering and dog fouling (including doggy bags) of the cycle track/towpath along the canal from Pentre to Fron. It was agreed to ask British Waterway and Wrexham CBC to provide litter bins to deal with the problem.

The Chairman thanked both Councillors for their reports.

  1. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2009.

The Clerk informed the Council that preparations were in hand with regard to this years award and that he had made posters for distribution and each member received one. The Clerk said letter had been sent to 30 or so local organisation and a press statement given to the reporters in attendance. The last date for the receipt of nominations was the 26th February.

The Chairman thanked the Clerk for making the preparations for this event.

  1. THE CODE OF CONDUCT – DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICES – OMBUDSMAN FOR WALES.

The Clerk reported informed the Council that he had received a copy of the Chief Administration and Monitoring Officer’s report on this draft consultation document and that members of the Committee would receive a copy in due course for consideration.

  1. APPEALS.

The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -

  1. Chirk Community Newsletter – after further discussion it was agreed to agree to pay for the next issue of the Newsletter that will cost in the region of £500.00.

  2. Urdd Gobaith Cymru – It was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.

  3. Kidney Wales Foundation – It was agreed to let this request lie on the table.

  4. Clwyd Crimebeat – It was agreed to let this request lie on the table.

  5. Gresford Colliery Bowling Club. It was agreed to let this request lie on the table.

  6. Black Park Chapel – (Cllr John Pierce declared interest and left the meeting). The Clerk read a letter from Mrs Drukker advising that to complete the application that is being made to WREN to help with the scheme for the Chapel she needs to obtain third party funding and asking the Council to consider agreeing to make a monetary contribution for this purpose. After discussion, the Council decided that as a privately owned scheme the Council should not accept the invitation to be a third party contributor and declined the request.

  1. 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter form the Divisional Environment & Project Management advising that the Royal Air Forces Association are planning events for the 70th Anniversary during 2010 and asking for the support of the Council to consider supporting the Association by making floral displays in the areas. The Clerk said he had sent details to the Chirk Community Forum and Cllr Jackie Allen informed the meeting that the Forum had agreed to take the matter on board. Members discussed the matter further and it was resolved that the Council would pay the costs of making a display(s) and asked that the Forum bring ideas and costs for further consideration. It may be part of the Tidy Towns Project and the Wales in Bloom and Best Kept Village/ Community Competitions.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

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

  1. Details from Piers Warburton about “In the Pink” Partnership Package for the Waterway Walks along Llangollen Canal for Breast Cancer. Noted.

  2. AVOW Carer’s Winter’s Newsletter issue. Noted

  3. Notice of new meeting date for the Wrexham/Flint Area Committee One Voice Wales on 1st February 2010. Noted

  4. Details of Walk for Life for Kidney Wales Foundation on the 28th March 2010.

  5. Letter from the Chief Learning and Achievement Officer Wrexham CBC advising that his Colleague the Operational Manager Traffic and Transportation will attend a site meeting with members. It was agreed that the Chairman, the Clerk and Cllrs Sean Dineen, Frank Hemmings and Dewi Evans with CBC Cllrs Ian Robers and Terry Evans meet with the officer at an early date.

  6. Winter issue of the “in focus” newsletter of the Wrexham Civic Society. Noted.

  7. Notice of meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Noted.

  8. Letter from the Divisional Manager Environment and Project Development advising that the sites accepted for the Owain Glyndwr Nominations 2009 are at Marford, Rhostyllen and Bronington. The Clerk said the nomination by the Council for Brynkinalt Park was not accepted this time round.

  9. Notification from “Tomorrow’s Wales” regarding meetings arranged across Wales to establish supporter group to start on the work of raising awareness of the need for the Assembly to have more powers. The nearest meeting is at Caernarfon on February 3rd 2010. Noted.

  1. PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk reported receipt of the following applications from the Chief Planning Officer under the consultation procedures and dealt with as follows: -

    1. Planning applications

P/2010/0035 Two storey side extension and detached garage – 1 Crogen, Chirk.

No objection to the proposed development.

P/2010/0038 Single storey dining room extension – 64 Church View, Chirk

No objection to the proposed development.

    1. Certificates of Decision.

The following certificates of decision have been received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC.

P/2009/0884 Permission Granted for a rear and side extension – 2 Linden Avenue, Chirk.

P/2009/0907 Permission Granted for use of existing car park as public car park etc -

Glyn Wylfa, Castle Road, Chirk.

P/2009/0934 Permission Granted for an on street parking bay opposite 45 to 50

Princess Avenue, Chirk.

Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that the appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a mobile home etc at Gelli Wood Pentre had not been successful and the applicant given 12months to vacate the site. This information was noted.

  1. ACCOUNTS.

    1. Accounts.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £16,078.14 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).


Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 24th February 2010