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CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th July 2010 Present Mr J Vant, Mrs J Allen, Mrs H J Spragg, Mr R Jones, Mr F Hemmings, Mr N James, Mr R Smith, Mr D Richards Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council. One member of the public.
ApologiesApologies for absence were received from Mrs C Gough, Mr B Evans, Mr D Evans, Mr S Dineen and Mr J Pierce.The Chairman recommended that items 5 and 4 are taken before other items on the agenda and this was agreed.
The Chairman welcomed together with Andrea Jackson and Mr Ian Jones, Wrexham Youth Service who referred to the written report on the activities at the Centre till the end of June. Members were pleased to hear that member number had increased over the past weeks and that a programme of activities is made for members to take part though items of equipment are needed as brought to the Councils attention in a letter from the youth centre members. In answer to a question Mr Ian Jones Youth Centre Manager said that the actual club room used for the Youth Centre was good but it was on the first floor of the Junior School building and the patrolling of the access and stair area was a problem. However, he said that he is able to debar unruly persons and has good relations with the local police team who frequently attend the centre and some formal action has recently been taken against the seven offenders. Youth members do go into the community and recently attended the Chirk Fun Day raising funds for the Centre and giving the opportunity for talk to parents about the Centre. Also, members are to go to Chirk Castle to work with Mr Owen the Community Engagement Officer. Mr Jones informed the meeting that a South Area Forum/Young Peoples Parliament had been set up to include all the Youth Centres in the South area of the County Borough. The meeting had been well attended but sadly no young person from Chirk had put their name forward as yet for the Committee Members were pleased with the report and the Chairman thanked both officers for attending the meeting and said the youth member’s request for funding would be given consideration by the Council.
PCSO Sawyer was welcomed to the meeting and read out the crime statistics for the past month. He also said that he and his colleagues had visited trouble Hot Spots when patrolling the area and had dealt with motor cycling at Brynkinalt Park. Members drew attention to the litter, bottles, cans left at the Canal basin on the weekend and where two needles had been found. Whist PCSO Sawyer had not had any reports about this he would bring the area into the Hot Spot area patrols. The damage to trees on Colliery Road was mentioned and PCSO Sawyer said the matter was being actioned by PC Cullen. The officer’s attention was drawn to the large van that is parked in the Chirk Cemetery parking bay with it overhanging over the pedestrian walk way and into the road making it difficult for the elderly and parents with prams get passed by having to walk in the road. PCSO Sawyer said he would look into the matter.
Mr Owen Dawson, Chirk Castles Community Engagement Officer attended the meeting and said his job is to engage with the local community to encourage more local use of the facilities at the Castle and to also support local endeavours. So far he has visited the local schools and Glyndwr University and is working with the Chirk Community Forum, Chirk Youth Centre, Glyn Valley Tramway Trust and officers of the World Heritage Site to get the word about and set things rolling.
Mr Owen would like local
people to contact him with ideas at his office at the Castle or by
phone (tel:01691776309), Members put forward several ideas for Mr Dawson’s consideration: -
The Chairman thanked Mr Dawson for attending the meeting.
The minutes of the Council Meetings held the 30th June and the 14th July 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.
11. Neighbourhood Policing – CCTV Camera. Cllr Hemmings said he had made arrangements to attend the CCTV office and would report back to the Council. 16. Chapel Lane Parking. The Clerk reported receipt of a reply from the Senior Engineer Traffic, Wrexham CBC that said a short term one way system and the imposition of waiting restrictions were not considered justified – “problems associated with congestion and parental parking are common at most schools and are only experienced for short periods. There are no schools located within the Borough where short term one way restrictions are operational solely at school times. Such action would be difficult to enforce and create confusion to other highway users, increase traffic speeds and as a result potentially increase hazards in the immediate vicinity. There would be no objection to the operation of a voluntary unsigned one way system initiated by the school and in cooperation with the parents but such a system would not be enforceable and rely totally on parental cooperation”. Members were concerned at receiving such a negative reply.
Cllr Newman James informed the Council that the club was busy repairing the football pitch at Chapel Lane in time for the new season that will start shortly.
Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported on her attendance at a recent meeting when the Trustees dealt with plans for their attendance at the Fun Day at Pontcysyllte. They also discussed a tree survey and work on track end engine repairs.
Cllr Hilary Spragg that she had had a very enjoyable visit to Landon and the Garden Party. It was a very special occasion and she was pleased to represent the Council. The weather was nice and warm and the Queen and members of the Royal family visited during the afternoon. The afternoon tea was special too and a visit inside the Palace was allowed. It was a very special memorable occasion for her and thanked the Council for allowing her to attend the occasion. The Chairman said it was pleasing that Cllr Spragg as a long serving member received the invitation and thanked her for representing the Council.
Cllr Ian Roberts said that it was disappointing that the Wrexham Executive Board had not heeded the full Councils decision to recommend that the School Transport Policy should include free travel to school that have historic and traditional links with communities and taken the decision that would mean children from Chirk having to attend Ruabon or for parents to pay the bus fares to attend Ysgol Dinas Bran. Cllr Roberts said he was invited to Ceiriog Junior School when eight businesses in the community had got together with the Princes Trust to install a garden and race for pupils to visit in their break times. It was a wonderful piece of creative work carried out in one day. He thanked all the firms that took part in the scheme. Cllr Roberts said that he and his colleague councillors were busty looking at budgets for the authority and the circumstances now faced by the authority would mean deep cuts would have to be faced – another depressing situation. Cllr Evans reported that major improvements had been carried out at Chapel Lane/ Highfield area and that work had started on the bus terminal at Chirk Station. Work on repairing the Irish Bridge at Pentre was being done the widening work etc at the ring Bronywaun is to be done this financial year. Cllr Evans also mentioned that the Street Lighting issue was being discussed by Wrexham CBC and that it was intended that Chirk Town Council should take over the responsibility for all the footway lighting in the community. More details about this issue were asked for and would be discussed in due course but it may well affect the Town Council budget next year. The Chairman thanked both members for their reports.
The Clerk reported receipt of the Internal Auditors Report that concluded “On the basis of the internal audit work carried out, which was limited to the tests indicated above, in our view the Council’s system of internal controls is in place, adequate for the purpose intended and effective, subject to the recommendations reported in the action plan”. The Clerk informed the Council that he had prepared a Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2010 as required for the audit and also confirmed that the Council needed to give a Statement of Annual Governance. Copies of these (parts1 and 2 of the Annual Return) were given to members. Following discussion the Council unanimously agreed to approve Annual Governance Statement. The Clerk informed the Council that the Annual report would now be sent to UHY Hacker Young, auditors appointed by the Welsh assembly Government.
The Clerk provided members with details of donations made to the various organisations over the past seven years. It was agreed that members would consider how to proceed with appeals for financial aid for the next financial year. The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with as follows: -
Cllr Mrs Hilary Spragg referred to the tragic accidents that had recently occurred on the bypass and the concern all felt for bereaved and their families. Action was taken by the Highways Authority to reduce the speed of traffic to 40mph and to impose a no overtaking restriction. However, these restrictions have now been removed and it is clear to see that traffic is again travelling dangerously along this stretch of the Bypass. Cllr Spragg recommended that the Council write to the Highways Authority to ask for the restrictions to be re-imposed. In the ensuing debate members voiced their opinions following which it was decided to ask the Highway Authorities to introduce a permanent 50 mph speed restriction on the length of the Chirk Bypass and for a “no overtaking” restriction on the length of the Ceiriog River Bridge.
The Clerk referred to information provided by the Senior Manager, Environment Department, Wrexham CBC with regard to the costs for the extension of opening hours of the three public toilets in Wrexham Town Centre. The Clerk said that this was a subject put forward to the meeting of the Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum by Offa Community Council in whose ward the toilets are situated and who had received complaints about them being closed early. The toilets are the responsibility of Wrexham CBC but the authority has no funds to extend the hours of opening but would consider the matter if the community council and all other community councils agreed to contribute each year to cover the costs as estimated at £8,892.00 for Sunday opening and an additional £1,197.00 for Bank Holidays. After a lengthy discussion it was proposed that the Council does not contribute to the costs of the proposed extended opening hours of toilets in Wrexham Town Centre and this was passed unanimously.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer regarding the Scores on their Doors National scheme that is to be introduced later this year. This is a scoring scheme in connection with the inspection of food premises that will show how good/bad conditions of the premises inspected by officers. The scheme will take over from Wrexham’s own scheme and the ratings/scores will be published on the Council’s website and businesses will be given stickers to display on their premises showing the results of the food hygiene inspection.. Members were pleased to hear that the scheme is to be introduced that will unify inspection rating procedures of authorities in Wales and that it will mean better hygiene standards will be found in all businesses supplying food to the final customer, not just in catering establishments.
The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with:
Plans Committee. The Clerk gave a report of the Plans Committee held 28th July as follows: -
P/2010/0548 Proposed Replacement Agricultural Building – Halton Farm, Chirk No Objection. P/2010/0596 Construction of Silage Clamp – Halton Farm, Chirk No objection. P/2010/0597 Raising of Pole Sign by 23m and adding a 24 hour appendage and replacement of Golden Arch Panel with Flat Faced Panel – McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd Chirk Park, Chirk. No objection. P/2010/0589 Erection of dwelling and garage – land North of Ridgeway Lodge, Chirk Green, Chirk. No objection. P/2010/0603 Extensions and alterations – McDonald’s Restaurant, Chirk Park Chirk. No objection. P/2010/0604 Extensions and alterations – McDonald’s Restaurant, Chirk Park Chirk. No objection. P/2010/0620Erection of Welfare Shelter – Coed Gelli, Pentre, Chirk. The Council objects to the proposed development. P/2010/0612 Single Storey Bedroom, Shower room and Kitchen extension – 15 Princess Avenue, Chirk No objection. P/2010/0621 Single Storey Extension – Tan y Coed, Chirk No Objection. P/2010/0628 Road Improvement (Widening and on Street Parking Lay-Bys) – Opposite Nos 117 – 133 Bronywaun, Chirk. No objection.
The following Certificates of Decision have been received form the Chief Planning Officer for information: - P/2010/0361 Permission granted for kitchen and bathroom etc – 12 Castle Crescent, Chirk. P/2010/0401 Permission granted for single storey kitchen – 111 Offa, Chirk.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Gordon Mytton Developments with regard to their intention to develop the Plas Y Waun site for houses. The Clerk reminded the Council that a developer of residential development has to secure planning permission and has to include play facilities in the proposals or as an alternative enter into a section 106 agreement with the planning authority to provide funds towards play facilities nearby. In this case the development site is close to the Chapel Lane Recreation Ground and on behalf of the Council the Clerk said he had replied to Gordon Mytton Developments and written to the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC confirming that Chirk Town Council has proposals for play area and recreation ground and asking for a section 106 agreement to be made. The Council agreed with the action taken by the Clerk in this matter. 37. ACCOUNTS.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £10,931.43 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (see addendum).
The Clerk provided members with details of expenditure to 30th June 2010 compared to the annual budget agreed by the Council. The Clerk also provided detail of the bank reconciliation showing that expenditure totalled £21,309.88 and receipts £34,259.00. The Council accepted the report and thanked the Clerk. Signed John Vant Chairman 29th September 2010 |