CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th April 2010


 

Present

Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Mrs J Allen, Mr N James, Mr B Evans,

Mr R Jones, Mr F Hemmings, Mr D Richards, Mr J Pierce. Cllrs I Roberts, Wrexham CBC.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr S Dineen, Mr MN Maxfield, Mr R Smith, Mrs C Gough and

Mr T Evans.

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meeting held the 31st March 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

  1. MATTERS ARISING.

155/140. Community Policing. PCSO Stephen Griffiths reported that the new non emergency telephone number 101 was now in full operation. This was reported to Cllr R Jones.

155/142(131). School Transport. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Learning and Achievement Officer, Wrexham CBC that the Executive Board Meeting to discuss the Revised School Transport Policy had been deferred to the 11th May 2010.

158. Parking at Chapel Lane, Chirk. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Operational Manager Property and Planning, Wrexham CBC informing the Council that his authority had set processes to assess requests for use of Council property and these can be undertaken if Chirk Town Council wish to pursue the matter further. As part of the processes the officer said he would consult with the Chief Leisure, Libraries and Culture Officer and the Legal Department. However, the Officer also mentioned that there was no funds available for any works and therefore the matter of who is to fund the works and any costs associated with the works required needed to be resolved before matters go further. He also said that any agreement to utilise the Library car park would be of a temporary nature.

Members noted that the Council had not requested to use WCBC property but as the Operational Manager had indicated the processes to pursue matters it was agreed to ask for further information about the works required and costings.

 

  1. COMMUNITY POLICING.

The Chairman welcomed PCSO Steven Griffiths who gave a list of crime statistics for the past month that were as follows: - Violence -1; Burglary (other than Dwelling) – 1 (garden shed); Criminal Damage – 4; Shoplifting – 1; Theft – 2; Anti Social Behaviour (Youth related) – 5.

PCSO Griffiths confirmed that he and fellow PCSO together with Community Beat Manager Danny Cullen were the Chirk neighbour Policing Team and that PC Anne and PCSO Chris Cheshire while based in Chirk were the neighbourhood policing team for the Ceiriog Valley.

Cllr Newman James asked for police support at Chirk Youth Centre and the Chair thanked the Officer for prompt action concerning a rope swing that was a danger to young persons.

PCSO Griffiths confirmed that the Canal Wood was being monitored since repair works had been carried out to the footpaths surfaces to make them safe.

The Clerk reported receipt of an invitation to members to attend a meeting at the Stiwt, Rhos when a talk on Community Reassurances for Older People will be given. This information was noted and Cllr Jackie Allen volunteered to represent the Council.

  1. WREXHAM CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC with regard to the project to reduce the carbon footprint of the street lighting service in Wrexham. This follows from a meeting of Town and Community Council on the 2 March 2010 when details of the scheme were given to representatives and as was mentioned by the Clerk at the last meeting. The aim is to replace all street lighting units with new efficiency lanterns throughout the whole of the County Borough. However, Wrexham CBC are asking all Town and Community Councils to consider making a financial contribution to the project. The potential carbon saving per year is 56kg and a potential annual saving per former 35watt residential footway light will be £5 - £7.50.

Following discussion the Council decided to ask for more information about the scheme particularly in relation to footway lighting and bearing in mind that Chirk Town Council is not the lighting authority.

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  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. Cllr Jackie Allen said she had attended the last meeting of the Trust when it was full steam ahead for organising the Trust’s presence at Chirk’s Fun Day in June. The Trust was also preparing details for inclusion in their application for planning permission the cost of which is extremely high. The Trust was to use a building at Ley Farm for a repair/maintenance workshop.

PACF Meeting.

  • On the Beat. Cllr Jackie Allen reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Police and Community Forum when the Police Inspector agreed to look into the lack of police on the beat that was of concern to all Council representatives. Cllr Allen mentioned the launch of OWL the neighbourhood watch computer scheme that allows persons to register and log on to the website and to report and obtain up-to-date information about crime.

  • Road Traffic Dept. Cllr Allen said that there was to be concentration on drivers not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones when driving.

  • Police Road Show. Cllr Allen mentioned that the Police Teams Roads Show was an interesting topic where officers would visit places in the area and give the public an opportunity to learn more on what the police do.

Chirk Air Training Corps. Cllr Allen informed the Council that the cadets were to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of he Battle of Britain by planting a flower garden.

Pontcysyllte and Llangollen Canal World Heritage Area Committee. Cllr Mrs Allen said she attended the meeting at which the arranging of a Fun Day in August at Trevor was being discussed. She said it seemed that there were to be 30 number stalls of which she hoped that voluntary organisations from Chirk would take advantage of.

Chirk Triathlon 2010. Cllr Hilary Spragg said that she was delighted to attend the Presentation Ceremony for this years event that attracted 500 competitors from all over the country including international personalities. It was a good day for the event that went off without accident – the local winners were


The Chair thanked Cllr Allen for her reports on her attendance at the various meetings representing the Council.

  1. APPEALS.

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

G Davies 75 Offa, Chirk in connection with her son’s summer workshop at the National Youth Theatre – the Clerk advised that the Council is not allowed to donate/grant monies to individuals.

Chirk Youth Centre – It was agreed to ask for more information about what is needed by the young members.

Radio Maelor – agreed donation of £50.00.

Nightingale House Hospice – agreed donation of £100.00.

Hope House Hospice – agree donation of £100.00.

  1. BETSI CADWALADR (NORTH WALES)COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL.

The Clerk referred to a letter from the Community Health Council (a copy of which had been sent to all members) that gave information about the reorganisation that had taken place from the 1st April 2010. There is now one integrated Community Health Council for North Wales but having six local committees in each of the county areas. The CHC provides a worthwhile service that has volunteer members whose aim is to improve the quality of health services. To help with this the CHC asks for members of the public to let them have their comments about any part of the health service. This information was noted.

 

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

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

  1. Leaflet from the Welsh Assembly Government regarding Bilingual Wales and their Welsh language policy and leglistation update and public meetings that are to be held. Noted.

  2. Wrexham CBC Strategic Housing Services Newsletter Spring 2010 issue. Noted.

  3. Letter from One Voice Wales with a copy of their response to the consultation by the Welsh Assembly Government on the Review of the Planning Application Process. Noted.

  4. Letter from the Executive Committee, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Wrecsam a’r Fro with an invitation for two representatives to attend the Proclamation Ceremony on Saturday July 3rd 2010. Noted.

  5. Letter from the Community Rail Officer, Sheila Dee advising that the Glyn Valley bus stop is to be move lower down Station Avenue and will be provided with a shelter. Noted.

  6. AVOW - Wrexham Carers Service Newsletter Spring Issue. Noted.

  7. Notice of the AGM of the Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association on the 18th May 2010 at Gobowen Station. Noted. It was agreed to renew the Councils membership – fee £10.00.

 

175.CORRESPONDENCE (cont).

  1. Letter from Mr McKenna, Director, Kronospan Ltd asking for complaints to be made as soon as possible to the factory so that prompt action can be taken and a feedback given to the complainant. Noted.

  2. Letter from Wrexham CBC AGE Concern with advice about a grant to stimulate the development of a lunch club. Noted.

  3. Letter from the Chief Planning Officer regarding arrangements for community council involvement in drop in sessions for the Wrexham Deposit Local Development Plan. Noted.

 

  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

  1. Local Development Plan.

The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from the Chief Planning Officer regarding arrangements for

community council involvement in drop in sessions for the Wrexham Deposit Local Development

Plan. Noted.

 

  1. Certificates of Decision.

The following Certificates of Decision have been received form the Chief Planning Officer for information: -

P/2010/0051 Permission granted for arboricultural work to tree at Yew Tree Cottage, Chapel Lane, Chirk.

P/2009/0900 Permission granted for erection of attached dwelling – Glenwood, Station Avenue, Chirk.

P/2010/0046 Permission granted for erection of garage – Bendith, Castle Road, Chirk.

 

  1. ACCOUNTS.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £13,587.38 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum)

Signed Chairman 26th May 2010