CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

 

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 27th FEBRUARY 2008

                                                                                  

Present

Mr Michael Williams (Chairman), Mrs Hilary J Spragg, Mr Dewi G Evans, Mr M Maxfield,

Mr Richard Jones, Mr Michael Fennell, Mr Newman James, Mr Barry Evans, Mr Raymond Smith,

Miss Christine Ashford, Mr Frank Hemmings and Mr David Richards.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

2 members of the public.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Gwilym Roberts, Mr John Pierce, Mr Ian Roberts and

Mr Terry Evans.

 

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and proposed items 4, 5 and 7 on the agenda be taken first and this was agreed.

 

114. CHIRK YOUTH CENTRE and CHIRK YOUTH COUNCIL.

The Chairman gave a warm welcome to Jean Allen, Ian Roberts, Shirley Jones and to Donna Dickenson (the newly appointed head of department) Wrexham CBC Youth Service.

Members were provided with a copy of the Youth Workers Report for November, December and January written by Shirley Jones the Centre Manager but due to her indisposition Mr Ian Jones gave a resume of the activities that had taken place.  Members were told that the Centre had received a grant of £500.00 from the North Wales Police Community Trust that will be used to support the Centres computer and general equipment.

The reports showed that the attendance at the Centre was very good and an initiative to attract the younger members is to be trialled for six weeks starting in April - this will be a weekly Junior Members Night each Wednesday.

A programme of activities for March and April was presented too.

The officers explained various aspects of the programme of activities and answered members’ questions.

With regard to a Youth Council Jean Allen confirmed that officers had visited a number of Youth Centres in the southern area of the county borough with a few more to be met and a report made before the matter of a Youth Council for the area is discussed at a meeting on the 12th March by Wrexham CBC. Mrs Allen also mentioned that Chirk Centre would be promoted to lead off the scheme.

Members made comments on this issue and hoped that the setting up of a Youth Council will be agreed in the near future.

The Chairman thanked the officers for their attendance and reports.

 

115. COMMUNITY POLICING.

PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager attended the meeting and was welcomed by the Chairman.

PC Cullen gave details of reported crime since the last meeting, namely: -

2 burglaries – 1 was detected the other being a distraction  burglary, 7 anti social incidents,  

3 criminal damage incidents, 1 drugs (person arrested), 2 theft, 1 car theft, 1 assault.

PC Cullen also said that at the drop in surgery held at the Parish Hall prior to the Council meeting 3 incidents were reported for his attention.

With regard to the alcohol initiative mentioned at the last meeting PC Cullen said that this was now in the planning stage.  He was pursuing whether bottles/cans of alcohol can be marked by the local shops so that after sales they can be identified and incidents followed up gaining evidence from CCTV cameras in the shops.

With regard to parking problems PC Cullen said the police would deal with obstruction offences but Wrexham CBC Traffic Wardens should deal with parking on double yellow lines etc.

The Chairman thanked PC Cullen for his attendance and report.

 

116. GLYN VALLEY TRAMWAY TRUST.

The Chairman welcomed GVTT Trustees David Cooper and David Dilnot who gave a background to the proposals of the Trust to open up the former Glyn Valley Tramway at Chirk Station and lay a kilometre of track as a start to run steam trains. Track would be extended to Chirk Trout Farm and Fisheries with the line taking a route in the woods of Chirk Castle Estate.

Members were very pleased to hear of this exciting project and wished to learn more.  It was therefore agreed to accept the offer of Mr Cooper and Mr Dilnot to attend the next meeting of the Council in order to give a more lengthy presentation.

 

117. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meetings held the 30th January 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

118. MATTERS ARISING.

108. Llangollen and District Scouts and Guides. It was reported that two leaders at Chirk were to retire after 29 and 20years service to the Scout and Guide movement in Chirk. These two persons were extremely good servants and would be missed by the group. However, it is hoped new leaders and helpers will be attracted so that the Chirk Groups can continue to flourish.

111(f). Chirk Community Newsletter AGM.  Cllr Ashford informed the Council she had attended the meeting.

 

119. APPEALS.

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

Black Park Community Centre - It was agreed to make a further donation of £250.00.

Wrexham and District Citizen’s Advice Bureau – it was agreed to make a donation of £300.00.

Wrexham Tri Club Chirk Triathlon – It was agreed to donate £100.00 for prizes for the local winners of the men’s and ladies competitors sections and purchase perpetual trophies for each event.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - It was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.

Radio Maelor – It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.

Wrexham Alzheimer’s Society - It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.

Wrexham Family and Friends  – It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.

Kidney Research Wales – It was agreed to let this matter lie on the table.

 

120. WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT – Local Government Act 1972s137 – Appropriate Sum

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Local Government Finance Division advising that the maximum the Council can spend in the next financial year on donations and activities not covered by other specific powers will be a total of £5.86 times the number of persons included on the electoral registers for Chirk.

The Clerk also mentioned receipt of advice from WAG’s Finance Division regarding borrowing by town and community councils for the next financial year per the Local Government Act 2003.

These informations were noted.

 

121. THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM (B5070 HOLYHEAD ROAD, CHIRK)

        (RESTRICTED ROAD) ORDER 2008.

        THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM (REVOCATION OF TRUNK ROADS)  

        ORDER 2008.

        THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM (B5070 HOLYHEAD ROAD, CHIRK)

        (RESTRICTED ROAD) ORDER 2008.

The Clerk reported receipt of the Orders revoking the Trunk Roads Order for the former A5 and making a new Restricted Road Order for the now B5070.

This information was noted.

 

 

122. CORRESPONDENCE.

a.      Draft Service Contract documents from Stannah Lifts Services for inspection of the Parish Hall lift.  It was agreed to enter into a Standard Contract with Stannah Lifts for the sum of £299.00 for the year.

b.      One Voice Wales , membership for the coming year.  It was agreed to continue the Council’s membership of the association at a sum of £450.00.

c.       Letter from the Operations Manager, Wrexham CBC saying he would be looking into the issues with regard to damage to the faces of the Cenotaph. Noted

d.      Letter from the Rambler’s Association with regard to a Basic Footpath Course to be held in Llandudno on Saturday 29th March 2008. Members were asked to inform the Clerk if they wished to attend.

e.       Letter from the Service Manager for Public Protection Wrexham CBC regarding information given at a Community Council Meeting about dog fouling.  Noted.

f.       Letter from the Chief Planning Officer drawing attention to public consultation on the North Wales Regional Technical (Draft) Statement on Aggregates.  Noted.

 

123. PLANNING MATTERS.

1.      Report of Planning Sub-Committee.

a. Planning applications

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/2008/0075 Extension to rear and side of dwelling – The Cherries, Halton, Chirk

No objection.

 

P/2008/0175 Outline application – Erection of three bedroom detached dwelling with detached garage – land former Ridgeway Lodge, Chirk Green, Chirk

No objection.

 

b.  Certificates of Decision.

The following certificates of decision of the Wrexham CBC Planning Authority were received and noted.

P/2007/1335 Listed Building Consent granted for restoration and conversion of stable block and barns to 3 dwellings – The Lodge Black Park, Chirk.

P/2007/1045 Permission REFUSED for the erection of 80 No. residential dwellings and associated works – Ley Farm off Sycamore Drive, Chirk.

P/2007/1484 Permission Granted for extension and alterations etc to grocery store – Co-operative Store, Holyhead Road, Chirk.

P/2008/0014 Permission REFUSED for the erection of a detached dwelling – 1 Middleton   

Terrace, Chirk.

 

124. ACCOUNTS.

Payments.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £7,990.08 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed Michael C Williams Chairman                                                                             26th March 2008.