CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

 

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th November 2007

 

Present

Mr Michael Williams (Chairman), Mrs Hilary J Spragg, Mr Richard Jones, Mr David Richards,

Mr Michael Fennell, Mr Dewi Evans, Mr Newman James, Mr John E Pierce, Mr Frank Hemmings,

Mr Barry Evans.  Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Miss Christine Ashford, Mr Raymond Smith, Mr Gwilym Roberts,

Mr Terry Evans and Mr Ian Roberts.

 

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and proposed that item 3 on the agenda be taken first and this was agreed.

 

77. COMMUNITY POLICING.

Sgt Darren Whibberley, PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager and PCSO Steven Griffiths attended the meeting and were welcomed by the Chairman.

PC Cullen gave details of reported crime during the past month, namely: -

8 anti social incidents, 8 criminal damage incidents, and 8 incidents involving vehicle crime.  PC Cullen said these statistics showed a rise over the previous month.

PC Cullen informed the Council that he and his colleagues at Chirk were being trained up in the use of speed cameras that would enable them to monitor speeding in residential areas in the community - more would be reported to the next meeting of the Council.

With regard to illegal parking PC Cullen said tickets continue to be issued though enforcement of this job would be transferred to Wrexham CBC in April 2008.

PC Cullen referred to the recent meeting of the Business Forum (mentioned by Inspector Firth at the last meeting of the Council) when local businesses agreed to consider installing CCTV to help deal with problems they are experiencing.

With regard to the suggestion to have signs to make drivers aware of their speed in built up areas as have been installed in other communities PC Cullen said the Police would support any application for such measures but the Council could help too.

It was reported for police attention that parking at Chapel Lane, Coronation Drive and the entrance to the Leisure Centre is causing hazardous circumstances especially on Saturdays when football matches are being played .

Mention was made of the concern about telephone calls received by some members from a company called SWIFT asking about police action in the locality.  PC Cullen said he would inform Inspector Firth about the concern of councillors about these telephone calls.

 

78. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meetings held the 31st October 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

79. YOUTH COUNCIL FOR CHIRK. Following further discussion a proposal by Cllr James and seconded by Cllr Fennell to allow the Wrexham Youth Service time to complete their investigations and report on this issue was carried without opposition.

 

80. APPEALS.

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

Homestart, Wrexham - It was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.

North Wales Deaf Association – it was agreed that this matter lie on the table.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru - It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Ltd – it was agreed not to sponsor an event at the Royal Welsh Show.

 

81. WREXHAM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN – PREFERRED STRATEGY PROPOSALS.

The Clerk referred to minutes of previous meeting of the Council dealing with this matter and gave a report on the deliberations of the Planning Committee in connection with the Preferred Strategy stage of the Local Development Plan 2011 – 2021 that dealt mainly with land use for housing and employment and included plans showing areas of land in Chirk that may be agreed for development.  The Committee had considered the various issues that were included in the Preferred Strategy document drawn up by the Planning Officers and recommended that the Council reply to the consultation as shown in the addendum.

 

 82. COMMERCIAL WASTE REMOVAL CONTRACT.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC advising that waste from the Parish Hall is designated Commercial Waste and as such collection and removal is chargeable.  The authority will continue to remove and dispose of the waste subject to a contract being agreed.  The Clerk indicated that the cost for a weekly service for one 240 litre container at present rates is £216.00 per annum.

After due consideration, the Council agreed to enter into a contract with Wrexham CBC for the removal of waste from the Parish Hall.

 

83. WREXHAM CBC SCRUTINY COMMITTEES.

The Clerk reported receipt letter from the Scrutiny Facilitator, Wrexham CBC with copies of the Forward Work Programmes of the Wrexham Council’s five Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The five Scrutiny Committees are: -

Children and Young People; Environment and Regeneration; Finance and Performance; Corporate Governance and Policy; Social Affairs, Health and Housing.
The Clerk said that the Scrutiny Facilitator indicated that suggestions for the committees to consider for inclusion as part of their work programmes will be welcomed.

This information was noted by the Council.

 

84. CORRESPONDENCE.

a.       Letter from the Chief Finance and Performance Officer with regard to the Precept Payment Schedule and Tax Base for 2008/2009.  The Council agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss the Council budget for the forthcoming financial year and set a precept.

b.       Annual Report 2006-2007 of the Adjudication Panel for Wales. Noted.

c.       Notice of proposed revocation of 40 mph traffic order.  Noted.

d.      Notice of Annual membership of the North Wales Play Association.  Agreed to continue the Council’s membership.

e.      Letter from the Chirk Celebrations Committee giving information on the events that have been organised the past year and for this Christmas time and next year. Also thanking the Council for the donations made towards the Christmas Lights and Street Entertainment and inviting members along to the Christmas Fun Afternoon on the 8th December.  Members voiced their grateful thanks to the Committee for the hard work that they put in to providing the very welcome events for the enjoyment of the Community especially the Christmas Lights.

f.        Letter from the Stanton FC thanking the Council for providing the new goal posts to allow their team to play in the Wrexham Sunday Football League. Noted.

g.      Email letter from Geldards, Solicitors confirming that the new lease for the Chirk ATC has been executed by both parties.  This information was noted and the lease approved as previously agreed.

 

85. PLANNING MATTERS.

1.      Report of Planning Sub-Committee.

a.       Planning applications

The Clerk gave a verbal report on the meeting of the sub-committee held prior to the Council meeting on the applications received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC in accordance with consultation procedures and dealt with as follows: -

P/2007/1023 Residential Development – Beverley, Chirk Green, Chirk.

It was agreed not to add to the previous comments made on this development application.

P/2007/1329 Installation of new refrigeration and air conditioning plant and new iron palisade fencing – Coop Store, 16 Church Street, Chirk.

No objection.

P/2007/1333 and 1335 (Listed Building Consent) Proposed Conversion of existing stable block and barns to 3 no. residential dwellings – Stables, The Lodge, Black Park, Chirk.

No objection.

 

b.      The Preferred Strategy Proposals for the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan 2011 -2021.

Please see report at minute number 81.

 

86.   ACCOUNTS.

Payments.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £13,094.85 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).

 

Signed Michael C Williams Chairman                                                                                   9th January 2008.