CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 27th May 2009
Present Mr Barry Evans, Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs C Gough, Mr D Evans, Mr M Maxfield, Mr R Jones, Mr R Smith, Miss J Win-Jones, Mrs J Allen, Mr J Vant. Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council. One member of the public.
Apologies
One nomination was received. Cllr Mrs Hilary Spragg was nominated by Cllr Mr Dewi Evans and seconded by Cllr Mr Michael Maxfield. No other nomination was received and Mrs Spragg was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Cllr Mrs Hilary Spragg thanked members their support and said it was a privilege for her and would do her best to continue the good work of the Council. Cllr Hilary Spragg also passed condolences to Cllr Barry Evans on the sad bereavement of his mother and thanked him for his Chairmanship of the Council in the past year.
Two nominations were received. Cllr Mrs Jacqueline Allen was nominated by Cllr Richard Jones and was seconded by Cllr Raymond Smith. Cllr John Vant was nominated by Cllr Jacqueline Win-Jones and seconded by Cllr Barry Evans. One being put to the vote Cllr John Vant was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council.
Cllr Vant thanked members for their confidence in appointing him as Vice-Chairman.
Parish Hall Committee.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. Finance Committee. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr F Hemmings, Mr R Smith, Mr B Evans. Recreation Grounds Committee. Chairman, V/Chairman, Mr R Smith, Mr J E Pierce, Mr R Jones, Mr M Fennell, Mr B Evans. 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 M Fennell, Mr D Evans.
School Governors: Ceiriog Junior School Chirk Mr R Smith Chirk Infants Mr F Hemmings. Pentre Controlled Mr F Hemmings.
APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES (cont). 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. Mr R Smith, Mr D Evans.(Mrs J Allen – Res) Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association. Mr D Evans. 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. Wrexham Sports Council. Mr N James. 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, 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. Chairman. Wrexham CBC Community Council Forum. Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Clerk. Chirk Estate Office Committee. The Council. Glyn Valley Tramway Trust – Mrs J Allen.
The Chairman welcomed Mr Steve Jones, Divisional Manager (Streetscene) Wrexham CBC. Mr Jones informed the Council that his Council’s Environment and Scrutiny Committee had set up a Task and Finish Group to review the current arrangements in relation to street lighting and in particular footway lighting. The Group had identified a number of issues as to how repairs, maintenance and energy costs are dealt with across the county borough are funded. Mr Jones mentioned most community councils pay these costs through the community precept. Chirk however did not pay any of these costs and they are borne by the County Borough Council. Mr Jones said the Task and Finish Group will be making their report to the Environment and Scrutiny Committee and are minded to recommend t that the cost of footway lighting should be borne by each community council. In the ensuing discussion members made comments and asked questions with regard to: - What is the difference between street and footway lighting? what is the standard for footway lighting? how many footway lights in Chirk? what is the cost of maintenance of the footway lights? The Chair and other members informed Mr Jones that this issue was raised by Wrexham CBC some time ago and following a meeting with members of this Council when anomalies in funding various services such as the Parish Hall, Chirk Cemetery, Recreation Grounds in Chirk that are funded by the Town Council whereas Wrexham CBC fund these facilities in other community council areas the County Borough Council decided not to burden Chirk Town Council with the costs of footway lighting. These issues still remain the same now and therefore there was still not a “level field”. Mr Jones said that he would take the comments to the Task and Finish Group and the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee. He also said that he would enquire as to representatives from the Council attending the Scrutiny Committee. Cllr Ian Roberts confirmed the comments made by town councillors and pointed out that the footway lighting in Chirk was not of a good standard and a lot of improvements and more lights are needed to bring it to an acceptable adoptable standard. The Council decided to inform Wrexham CBC’s Task and Finish Group and the Environment and Regeneration Committee of the Council’s concerns in this matter and to request that representatives from the Council are allowed to attend the meeting and be allowed to take part in the discussions.
PCSO’s Griffiths and Plack were welcomed to the meeting. PCSO Griffiths gave details of crimes reported since the last meeting, as follows: - Anti Social Behaviour – 6; Burglary dwelling – 0; Burglary other than dwelling – 1; Assault Violent crime – 1; Criminal damage – 2; Theft – 2. With regard to illegal parking PCSO Griffiths said that he and his colleague officer could not issue ticket fines but could report incidents to the Community Beat Officers. Traffic wardens can issue tickets. The Chairman asked the officers to take more notice of HGV’s that regularly park on the road outside the Co-op Shop at Rhosywaun with accompanying danger to other road users and the public attending the shop.
With regard to the police information cards, PCSO Griffiths informed the Council that new cards had to be produced with up to date officer information before delivery to all households in Chirk. PCSO Griffiths also informed the Council that PCSO 2878 Christopher Cheshire has been transferred to Chirk from Cefn Mawr
PCSO Griffiths told the Council that an environmental day had been organised and taken place when skips placed at Rhosywaun and Bronywaun amenity areas with officers, councillors and residents taking part in litter picking and getting rid of household waste, litter and graffiti . It was a successful day with full skips and truck loads being collected.
The minutes of the Council meetings held the 29th April 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.
170. Appeals Chirk Youth Football Club. The Clerk informed the Council that he had met with the Club Secretary and discussed the football kit needed. Cllr James said that the under 19’s team had won the cup and division. It was agreed to send congratulations to the team and club.
The following dates for the monthly ordinary meetings of the Council were decided upon for the coming year. 2009 June – 24th; July – 29th; September – 30th; October – 28th; November – 25th; December – 30th; 2010 January – 27th; February -24th; March – 24th; April – 28th; May - 26th; June - 30th; July - 28th. Due notice of meetings will be posted including any change of date.
Members had received a copy of the report that had dealt with items as The Millennium Garden; Longfield and Chapel Lane Recreation Grounds and litter picking. The report was duly noted by the Council and accepted.
Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Cllr John Vant informed the meeting that at the recent meeting of the Partnership a new “free” information leaflet had been produced for distribution in the area and outlets. He gave a copy to each member. Cllr Vant was thanked by the Chairman for his report and for the leaflets which had been very well presented. Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported on her attendance at a recent meeting of the Trust. There were now 85 members and plans are being made to attend the Chirk Fun Day with engine and stock etc. The Trust also asked for permission to put up signs about the railway under the Welcome to Chirk signs. The Council decided that it was not appropriate at this time for the signs and recommended the Trust leave the matter in abeyance. Cllr Allen said she would so inform the Trust. Police Community Forum. Cllr Allen reported on her attendance at a recent meeting of the Forum when representatives were informed that the crime detection rate had improved by 30% over the past year. Details of the “Quest Scheme” that is to be introduced by the North Wales Police for the taking and dealing with reported incidents was also given to representatives – (a matter touched upon by Inspector Surridge when attending a meeting of the Council). Representatives were also told that Wrexham CBC had now designated “Alcohol Free” Zones. Cllr Allen was thanked for her informative reports. Chirk Community Forum. Cllr Barry Evans reported on his attendance at a recent meeting of the Forum. He said that things were well on their way with the planting of flowerbeds, baskets and planters including those at the Parish Hall. Cllr Evans also mentioned that receipts from the community survey report were to be collated and a report is to be made for the local newspapers about the results. The Chairman thanked Cllr Evans for his report.
Cllr Terry Evans informed the Council that he and Cllr Roberts were to meet with officers of Scottish Power with regard to the proposed overhead electricity line and would be supporting the Council in it’s objection to the proposal and for the electricity line to be put below ground. Cllr Evans also reported on his meeting with Cllr Roberts with Mrs Garner Chief Executive Officer, Wrexham CBC in Chirk when problems of poor grass maintenance, the broken and damaged road surface and the pedestrian crossing in Church Street were pointed out to her as well as the faulty paving around the cenotaph and the condition of the horse chestnut trees. Photographs were taken and the CEO is to make a report to the appropriate meeting of Wrexham CBC. Cllr Ian Roberts that the School Transport issue had been taken up again by a Task and Finish Group who had received information about an Equality Impact Study and about financing. Their report would be considered by the Scrutiny Committee on the 14th June. The Executive Board would consider the report from the Scrutiny Committee at a meeting in July. Cllr Roberts called on members and parents to attend this meeting for which details will be posted throughout Chirk. Cllr Roberts also reported that the Chief Executive Officer had confirmed that road works at Sun Hill, Pentre were on the list for attention after August this year. Cllr Roberts said that the he was not happy with the positioning of the speed humps in the new scheme for Lodgevale Park – some were directly in front of accesses to houses and would cause nuisance to residents. With regard to the traffic calming scheme at Chapel Lane, Lloyds Lane and Coronation Drive Cllr Roberts said no hump proposed for the junction on Coronation Drive but road/line markings were to be completed soon. Cllr Roberts also said that pavements in Halton and some in Chirk were to be repaired in the coming months. The Chairman thanked both Councillors for their reports on important issues and in regard to the School Transport issue she said she was sure the community will be supporting them in trying to maintain the free transport for children attending Ysgol Dinas Bran.
The following appeal was received and dealt with: -Wrexham Self Voice Advocacy Group – lie on table.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from Vicar Rees advising the Council that the cost of Bibles for children leaving junior education would be about £5 each. The Council agreed to purchase the Bibles and for the Chairman to attend the Presentation events.
The Clerk reported receipt of 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. The Clerk also informed the Council that the Council’s membership was due for renewal the cost being £474.00. It was decided to renew the membership. The Clerk mentioned that Glyn Ceiriog Community Council were considering organising a coach trip to the Senedd in Cardiff and invited members to join the party. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman together with Cllrs Jacqueline Allen and Dewi Jones showed their interest and this would be given to the Clerk of Llantsantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council.
The Clerk reported receipt of invitation to members to attend a meeting/workshop to discuss this issue. The Chairman Cllr Jacqueline Win-Jones and Dewi Evans agreed to attend and for places to be booked for the event.
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. The Clerk also said that notices of the audit will be posted in due course. The Clerk informed the Council that he had prepared a Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2009 as required for the audit. He also confirmed that the Council needed to give a Statement of Annual Governance and read out the nine parts of the statement concerned. Following this the Council agreed to give the Annual Governance Statement and agreed that this and the Statement of accounts as prepared by the Clerk to be signed by both the Chairman and Clerk.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the Senior Environment Officer advising the Council that his authority had resolved to make Dog Control Orders that will come into force in July this year. Statutory signage will be provided and the Dog Control Orders will be implemented across the County Borough. Dog Exclusion Orders will be applied to fenced children’s play areas, the playing areas of marked sports pitches and bowling greens. Dogs on Lead by Direction Orders will be applied to all applicable land in the County Borough allowing officers to instruct owners to place and keep dogs on leads when necessary. The proposed introduction of Dogs on Leads Orders to all highways over which members of the public have a right to pass or re-pass has been deferred pending consideration of a further report. Dog Control Orders restricting the number of dogs on leads will not be applied at this stage. The Council noted the Dog Control Orders and were pleased that they will come in to force soon.
The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with:
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/2009/0340 Extension to garage for utility room and store and repair to existing garage roof - ! Ceiriog Bungalow Chirk. No objection. P/2009/0343 Two storey extension to side of property – 1 Fieldhead, Chirk. No objection. P/2009/0374 Two storey extension – Argoed 6 Maesywaun, Chirk. No objection.
The following certificates of decision were received from the Chief Planning Officer: - P/2008/0569 Permission granted for Change of Use of existing workroom and Offices to dwelling – Seventh Heaven Beds, Chirk Mill, Chirk. P/2009/0089 Permission refused for the erection of an agricultural workers dwelling – Forge Farm, Pontyblew, Chirk.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £9,633.77 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (see addendum).
Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 24th June 2009.
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