CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th March 2007
Present
Mr D Evans (Chairman), Mr M Fennell, Mr N James, Mr R Jones, Mrs H J Spragg, Miss C Ashford, Mr G Roberts,
Mr B Evans, Mr F Hemmings, Mr D Richards, Mr R Smith, Mr M Maxfield.
Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
Two members of the public.
The Chairman proposed that agenda items 4 and 5 are dealt with first and this was agreed.
128. HERITAGE SITE NOMINATION.
The Chairman Dr Dawn Roberts and Del Roberts Jones of the Wrexham CBC’s Economic Development Department. Dr Roberts explained that her department was dealing with the authority’s World Heritage Bid and the circumstances in which she had followed to be signed up to the World Heritage Convention. A List of 25 potential sites being made for the UK with Wales having two sites nominated namely Blaenavon Industrial Site in South Wales and Pontcysyllte in North Wales – the latter being the one she was involved. Dr Roberts said each year 1 site goes forward and a case had been made out for Pontcysyllte. Information brochures were produced for this purpose and these and other informations met criteria set down and thus Wrexham CBC gave approval for Pontcysyllte to be put forward for nomination. This had achieved the nomination spot for 2008.
Dr Roberts that further work had to be done to produce documents to support the application including background details, management plans etc. It had been decided to make the Heritage Site to include not only Pontcysyllte but also the Llangollen Canal from the Horseshoe Falls through to Chirk Aqueduct – an 8 mile length in the confines of the canal. The application with all necessary information is to be submitted to UNESCO and this will be perused during the summer period and a decision made in 2009.
Dr Roberts said community consultation has to take place and this will be directed to local organisations.
Members were pleased to learn about the Heritage Site Bid and were glad to hear that the site had been extended to include the area of the canal in Chirk. It was noted that as a World Heritage Site there would be lots of benefits to the area from tourism and visitors to the area. It would also be a catalyst for new businesses and infrastructure to accommodate visitors.
After discussion the Council decided to
The Chairman thanked Dr Roberts and Del Roberts Jones for attending the meeting and explaining the procedures and complexities in making a bid for World Heritage Status for the Pontcysyllte and the 8 mile stretch from the Horseshoe Falls to Chirk Aqueduct that the Council fully supported.
129. COMMUNITY POLICING.
PCSO Rhiannon Plack and trainee PCSO Thomas Dewberry were welcomed to the meeting. PCSO Plack gave apologies for absence from Inspector Firth and PC Cullen.
Since the last meeting PCSO Plack reported there had been 13 reported crimes; 4 violent offences (not severe); 8 thefts; 1 theft from vehicle; 1 driving incident and 9 anti social behaviour incidents – 4 yellow cards had been issued.
PCSO Plack also reported on the “Operation Global” when during Friday and Saturday evenings high visibility patrolling of the Chirk area had taken place also the use of plain clothes officers and this had proved a deterrent for anti social behaviour.
PCSO Plack said she was going to inject more life into the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and recruit co-ordinators.
Members asked several questions regarding the PCSO’s duties and powers and success in their role.
PCSO Plack informed the Council that their role was to be seen in the neighbourhood to forge a good relationship with the public; to patrol the streets and deal with incidents. The officers would be able to issue parking tickets and for other minor incidents without recourse to their colleague police officers after April but had dealt with Anti social issues handing out 4 yellow tickets, dealing with parents after 2 youngsters caught shop lifting.
PCSO Plack said that contact telephone numbers were to be provided for the public as soon as mobile phones were made available for her and PCSO Dewberry (when his training period is completed successfully).
The Clerk reported receipt of notice of meeting of the Neighbourhood Police Meeting at Rhos on the 29th March 2007 and notice of meeting of the Police and Community Consultative Group at Wrexham on the 19th April 2007.
Members were invited to attend.
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130. MINUTES.
The minutes of the meetings held the 28th February 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.
131. MATTERS ARISING.
116/101. Youth Service in Chirk. The Clerk said that Jean Allen would be attending the next Council
meeting.
116/104. Local Members Reports. It was agreed to ask Cllr Terry Evans to give a report on dog fouling
assessment and the pedestrian crossing.
125/7. Footpath former Black Park Colliery Railway. It was agreed to ask the Rights of Way Officer to meet with
the Council’s two Volunteer Footpath Wardens at the site.
131. REPORT OF PARISH HALL COMMITTEE.
Members received a copy of the Committee’s report of the meeting held the 14th March 2007.
Following discussion it was agreed to accept the report.
It was further agreed to have an official opening of the refurbished parts of the hall to coincide with a meeting of the Northern Marches Cymru Executive Board on the 20th April 2007. The Clerk would make arrangements and send out invitations.
132. NIGHTINGALE HOUSE SPONSORED WALK.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Events Co-ordinator advising that a midnight sponsored walk in aid of the Hospice is to be arranged during the summer and asking permission to put up 9feet by 3feet weather proof banners in the area. After discussion it was agreed to allow the banners to be fixed to recreation ground fences.
It was further decided that only banners from other deserving causes would be considered on application for erection.
133. THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM OFF STREET PARKING ORDERS 2007.
The Clerk reported receipt of copies of the Orders dealing with the new parking fees for council car parks in Wrexham. These Orders were noted.
134. CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk reported receipt of the following: -
1 Letter from Rev Norman Price requesting permission to use the Chapel Lane recreation ground during 22 -26th August to enable Methodist Churches in the area to host a programme called “SportsReach” – a registered charity which runs soccer schools for boys and girls aged 7 – 14 years, teaching them Soccer Skills and Skills for Life. The Council agreed to give permission for the SportsReach programme to use the recreation ground.
2 Notice of the AGM of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership. Cllr Fennell reported on his attendance at the meeting in which Mrs Manford was appointed Chairperson. He gave a resume of what the Partnership had achieved and said it would now concentrate on working and helping local groups. The Chairman thanked Cllr Fennell for his report.
3 Letter from the Welsh Audit Office proposing that UHY Hacker Young continue the appointment as the Council’s external Auditors. The Clerk said he had replied with no objection to the appointment on behalf of the Council. The Council concurred with the action.
135. PLANNING MATTERS.
The Clerk gave a verbal report on the following: -
P/2007/0264 Single storey rear extension and smoking solution and wheelchair access/wc provisions.
Stanton House Inn, Chirk.
No objection
.
P/2007/0312 Alterations to remove flat roofs and replace with pitched roofs with room in roof and extension -Pen Y Waun, Castle Road, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/0324 Variation of condition No. 2 of planning permission Code No. 5/10572 to permit continuation of landfill operations until 6th October 2015 - Penybont Landfill Site, Penybont, Chirk.
The Council recommends that the application should be refused and the site closed and landscaped.
The Council considers that the residents in the area should not have to endure further nuisance from smell, dust, noise, vermin and heavy lorry traffic etc. associated with the dumping of waste.
P/2007/0341 Demolition of existing bungalow and coach maintenance building and erection of 11 No
dwellings and construction of new vehicular and pedestrian access - Land adjacent to Beverley, Chirk Green, Lloyds Lane, Chirk.
It was agreed to submit the same comments made on the previous application viz.
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135. PLANNING MATTERS (CONT).
The Council has concerns on the following matters that concern the development and also the community: -
1. Foul sewerage
The Council is aware that problems occur at times with the overloading and surcharging of the public sewerage system. There is need therefore for the Planning Authority to be assured that there is sufficient capacity in the public sewerage system to accommodate additional loading from the proposed residential development.
2. Surface Water
The Council notes that it is proposed to direct surface water from the development to either soakaways or to a ditch that runs along the western boundary of the development site.
The Council believe that the ditch referred to discharges within a short distance into a surface water sewer that runs through the Ceiriog Junior School site where there are problems. There is need therefore for the Planning Authority to be assured that the ditch and surface water sewer are able to accommodate the surface water from the site without problems. Also, that the ground conditions of the development site are able to deal effectively with the surface water. Consideration should be given to discharging the surface water to surface water sewer.
3. Vehicular and pedestrian access
The Council note the proposals for the new access but there is doubt that this can be achieved without reducing the width of Lloyds Lane along its length. It has been noted that the owner of the adjoining property has recently erected a new fence along his boundary to Lloyds Lane and there is therefore some concern as to whether the land to make the visibility splay and pavements is available to the applicant.
The Council recommends that the Planning Authority be assured that the development can take place as proposed and without reduction in the width of Lloyds Lane.
4. Site Boundaries
The Council note that a new fence is to be erected inside the existing North, West and South boundaries of the site. This appears to leave a strip around that part of the site as “no man’s land as does the triangular plot on the western boundary.
The Council recommends that the Planning Authority be assured that there is an owner for these areas for control and maintenance.
5. Public Open Space
The Council note that there is no mention of play facility. The Council therefore queries whether these amenities need to be provided.
The following certificates of decision were received and noted: -
P/2007/0149 Planning permission granted for single storey side/rear extension – 20 Maesyparc,
Black Park, Chirk.
P/2007/0028 Planning permission refused for residential development of land off Sycamore Drive,
Chirk.
P/2007/0054 Planning permission granted for a 5 bay warehouse extension at Kronospan Ltd, Chirk.
P/2006/1506 Planning permission granted for Retention of 2 No. single storey mobile classrooms at
Pentre School, Pentre.
136. ACCOUNTS.
1. Payments.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £64,715.85 were presented to the Council and were agreed.
Signed Dewi G Evans Chairman 25th April 2007
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