CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

 

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th May 2008

 

Present

Mr Barry Evans, Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs C Gough, Mr M Fennell, Mr D Richards, Mr D Evans, Mr F Hemmings,

Mr M Maxfield, Mr R Jones, Mr R Smith, Mr N James.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

 

Before opening the meeting the Chairman mentioned the sad death of Cllr Gwilym Roberts and as a mark of respect all present stood in silent tribute.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr D Richards.

 

12    MINUTES.

The minutes of the Annual General meeting held the 14th May were confirmed as a correct record.

 

13    MATTER ARISING.

The Clerk referred to item 3 Appointment of Committee with regard to the Chirk Estate Office Committee that had been overlooked in the proceedings.  After short discussion it was agreed that all councillors should be appointed to this committee.

 

14    COMMUNITY POLICING.

PC Cullen was welcomed to the meeting and he gave a report on reported crime since the previous meeting: -

criminal damage -2 (1 person being detained); drink and drive -1; shop lifting - 4;  thefts - 5 (1 detected);  

theft motor cycle - 1 (recovered); anti-social. – 8.

PC Cullen informed the Council that the Neighbourhood Policing programme would now include criminal damage; theft and violent offences and that his sergeant would be sending details of new patrol pattern for him and the Chirk PCSO’s.

PC Cullen also reported on complaints he had received of traffic congestion and about the traffic problems occurring at the Ley Farm Car Boot Sales on Sundays and the action he and fellow officers, with Highways Officers and the Fire Service had recommended and carried out by the site owner creating one way traffic flow to and from the site.  He said the situation will be monitored to see if the situation improves and deals with the problem – though he also mentioned that Chirk Green, Bronywaun and Chapel Lane had seen increased traffic from these measures.

Councillors hoped that the problems can be settled as one Cllr Gough confirmed she was stuck in the traffic queue into Chirk for 50 minutes.

PC Cullen reported on a traffic speed check that he and colleagues had carried out on the 17th and 18th May at Lodgevale Park, Holyhead Road, Station Avenue and Lloyds Lane, Chirk.  A total of 604 vehicles passed through the test points during a total of 4 hours of recording and in all cases except one the average speeds were within the speed limit restrictions.

These results were surprising to the Councillors and hoped that PC Cullen and his colleagues will continue to monitor vehicle speed in the area at different times of the day.

With regard to parking problems PC Cullen said they had little input since the introduction of Traffic Wardens but Councillors were concerned about the continual illegal parking that occurs at hot spots and at particular times of the day. Councillors also reported parking on pavements stopping people on foot having to walk on the public road.

PC Cullen said it was unclear as to what PC’s can issue tickets for and would chase the matter up.

Members said as one that there had not been a police presence on foot in Chirk for some considerable time. 

PC Cullen informed the Council that he had been taken out on area car patrol duties.  The Council therefore decided to ask Inspector Lisa Surridge to attend a special meeting of the Council to explain and discuss policing in Chirk.

It was also decided to ask the Traffic Warden Manager to arrange an early meeting to explain the duties and programme of the Traffic Wardens.

In relation to a recent incident involving 20/30 youths PC Cullen said it was a minor incident that involved local and several youths from the Oswestry area and there was no major disturbance. He said the police had no powers to disperse when there is no nuisance/crime occurring.  It was mentioned that the gang then went into Maesywaun.

  

15    VACANCY.

The Clerk informed the Council that four eligible persons had replied to fill the vacancy.

The Council decided to ask the four persons to attend for interview at a special Council meeting.

 

16    REPORT FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

a. Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association

Cllr Fennell said he had attended a recent meeting of the association and he was pleased to report that passenger numbers on the line had increased by 12% in recent times. He said he had raised the question of disabled access to the up platform at Chirk station, but cost and demand was of prime consideration. However, he said that help line had been made available for the disabled to contact this being 08453003005.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Fennell for his report.

      b. Chirk Youth Centre.

Cllr James informed the Council that the management committee of which he was Chairman met at 4-6 week intervals and are well attended with the Wrexham Youth Service Officers and Police presence also.  The youth attendance and activities had gone from strength to strength with supporting reports from the Centre’s Youth Manager that included a month’s forward programme of activities and events.

He also advised that due to maternal leave the manager will be away and one other officer had left the service.

Members thanked Cllr James for his report and hoped the good work will continue at the Youth Centre.

c.       Chirk Housing Estate Office.

The Chairman informed members that he had spoken to the Chief Officer and had met with Mr Allan Forrest and Mr Haynes Business and had provided them with a copy of the list of ideas drawn up by the committee that had been submitted to Wrexham CBC several months ago.  He said the officers were keen to take matters on board and to produce a business plan for the use of the premises as included in the aforementioned list.  This would enable grants to be applied for and all looks good for the future of the building.

 

17.  REPORT OF RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE.

Members received a copy of the written report of the meeting held the 20th May 2008.

The report was duly considered and the Council agreed to accept the report and accept the recommendations made for dealing with the Millennium Garden.

 

18. WREXHAM CBC DOG CONTROL ORDERS.

Councillors had received a copy of the consultation paper with regard to proposed orders for the control of dogs.  In the ensuing discussion members mentioned various points particularly the action, monitoring and control to ensure the Orders are properly enforced.

The Council unanimously decided to recommend that the Dog Control Orders include every paragraph shown in the consultation paper i.e.

Fouling of Land by Dogs:

Dogs on Leads

Not keeping a dog on a lead when instructed to do so by an Officer.

Taking more that the specified number of dogs on to designated land.

Taking dogs on to land from which dogs are excluded including Parks and areas within; Children’s play areas; Marked playing fields.

Bowling greens.

 

19. ONE VOICE WALES.

      The Clerk reported receipt of Notice of the AGM and Annual Conference of One Voice Wales to be held at the  

      Bont Pavilion, Pontrifendigaid, Ceredigion on Saturday 11th October, 2008.

      The Council agreed to send the Council’s two representatives, Cllrs Hemmings and Smith to the meetings and  

      pay the fees of £140.00.

 

20. COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL.

The Clerk reported receipt of a consultation paper “Proposals for Changing the Structures of the NHS in Wales”. Also, an invite to a meeting to be held at Wrexham Maelor Hospital at 9.30am on the 9th June or at the Council Chamber, County Hall, Mold at 2pm.

      It was agreed that the Consutations Committee should have copies of the document and attend the meeting if

      possible and to have a meeting to decide what comments the Council should make on the proposals.

 

21. CORRESPONDENCE.

a.    Letter from the Messrs UHY Hacker Young with Notice of Annual Audit of the Councils Accounts on

       18th August 2008.  The Clerk said he would post the proper notices and inform the Council’s Internal 

       auditor JH Services to arrange their work in this matter.  This information was noted.

b.      Letter from the Chirk Young Firefighters for financial support to the forthcoming visit to the Somme area in France.  It was agreed to support the Chirk YFA and to ask for information as to what they need.

c.       Letter from Chirk Community Forum with regard to the Wales in Bloom Competition that the Council has entered three cayegories.

d.      Letter from the headteacher, Ysgol Dinas Bran with regard to the World Youth Skills Challenge 2009 that will be launched at the school on June 20th 2008 at 6pm. Aninvitation to attend was accepted By the Vice-Chairman.

e.       Copy of letter to Cllr Terry Evans from Wales and West regarding the proposed planting scheme for the estate.  It was agreed to donate £50.00 towards the costs.

 

22. ACCOUNTS.

·        Payments

 

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £7,578.57 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (see addendum).

 

  

Signed R Barry Evans Chairman                                                                                                        25th June 2008.