CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

 

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 29th April 2009

Present

Mr B Evans (Chairman), Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs J Allen, Mr R Jones,  Mr  J Vant, Mr F Hemmings,

Mr D Evans, Mr M Maxfield, Mr N James, Mrs C Gough, Mr D Richards, Miss J Win-Jones,

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

Mr I Roberts and Mr T Evans, Local Councillors Wrexham CBC.

 

Apologies

 

165. MINUTES.

The minutes of meetings of the Council held the 25th March 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

166. MATTTERS ARISING.

151. Street Lighting. The Clerk said that the Street Lighting had informed him he had no scheme for the improvement of the street lighting at Old Rhosywaun nor Princess Avenue, Chirk but he intended to carry out replacements to older lanterns within specific locations as and when replacements or repairs become necessary. The estimated cost of replacing lanterns was £250 while the installation of new light standards would be £1,500.00.  The officer also said that work would proceed faster should the Town Council contribute towards the costs.  

In the ensuing discussion it was pointed out that the Council was not the Lighting Authority and that responsibility was with Wrexham County Borough Council.  It was also mentioned that other funding sources were being investigated but in this regard Cllr Ian Roberts said that this source was not now available and if the Council could consider contributing to lighting improvements it would be of great benefit to the community.

To progress matters it was decided to form a sub-committee to look into the situation but in the meantime for the Clerk to contact the Street Lighting Engineer to arrange a site visit and consider suitable schemes for the two areas mentioned above.

 

167. COMMUNITY POLICING.

The Clerk informed the Council that PC Cullen had sent apologies as neither he nor the PCSO’s could attend the meeting but he had sent statistics of reported crime incidents that had occurred in Chirk during the last month.  These were as follows: -

“ASB reported incidents--12, as a direct result of two of those incidents two persons have been issued with £80 fixed penalty tickets.  

1 Burglary dwelling (Canal Boat which is someone’s home broken into).

1 Burglary other than dwelling (retail premises)

6 Criminal Damages.       3 persons arrested for drugs possession.     3 Thefts.

1 Theft of pedal cycle (detected).       1 Theft of motor vehicle

Other matters in the report are: -

PCSO Griffiths issued a £75 ticket to a person for a dog fouling incident;

PC Cullen has been out with the speed gun but everyone was within the limits, he did however catch two persons on mobile phones whilst driving (tickets of £60 & 3 penalty points issued) & three persons with no seat belts (£30 tickets)

In his report PC Cullen said that …..over the Easter weekend ….. the boot sale did not go well traffic wise,… the council have put into place a new system which worked better this weekend gone…..he will be in this Sunday 3rd to monitor it. PCSO’s Griffiths and Plack will be covering the Stunt & Daredevil show the night before, again at Ley Farm.

The first batch of "postcards" giving details of officers in area & contact numbers have been delivered by Rhiannon  & a police cadet, further areas will be covered in due course”.

 

 

168. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

  1. 1.Glyn Valley Tramway Trust.

     

Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported that she had attended a recent meeting the Trust and reported that Trust members had had a busy weekend doing line clearance work. She also said that Trust meeting were to be held at the Golden Pheasant in future to make savings on the use of the Parish Hall facilities.

  1. 2.Pentre War Memorial. Cllr Hemmings informed the Council that he with the help of Richard Lewis had replanted the garden area with new rose bushes.

     

The Chairman thanked the Councillors for their reports.

 

169. REPORTS – LOCAL MEMBERS.

Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that the housing grant funding to aid with the improvement of street lighting in the area had been discontinued.  He urged the Council to consider contributing towards the cost of improvement schemes.

With regard to the Ley Farm Car Boot Sales Cllr Roberts confirmed that the traffic movement was chaotic with many problems but a new traffic flow system was to be trialled this coming weekend.

In connection with the Schools Transport situation Cllr Roberts said that a further report on the issue was expected to be considered by the Wrexham CBC’s Scrutiny Panel in June.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Roberts for his report.

 

170. APPEALS.

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

    1. a.Chirk Youth Football Club- (Cllr Newman James Declared and Interest) – the Council decided to purchase a new football kit.

       

    2. b.Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – the Council decided make a donation of £100.00.

       

 

171. CORRESPONDENCE.

The following correspondence was received and dealt with: -

  1. a.SP Manweb Non Technical Environmental Statement for the Proposed 132kV Overhead Line between Legacy and Oswestry. The Council decided to object to the application being made to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. (see Planning below).

     

  2. b.Details of the Councils Annual Contract of  Insurance from Zurich Municipal for the financial year.  The Council agreed to renew the contract.

     

  3. c.Information from Wrexham CBC concerning nominations for this years Owain Glyndwr Scheme.  It was agreed to nominate Brynkinalt Park for the scheme.

     

  4. d.Letter from Beth Ditson the newly appointed Housing Enabler for Flintshire and Wrexham.  Noted.

     

  5. e.Clwyd Health Community Health Council’s response to the proposals on the future of  Community Health Councils in Wales.  Noted.

     

  6. f.AVOW Newsletters – Health, Social Care and Well-being, and Caring Issues.  Noted.

     

  7. g.Wrexham CBC’s Housing Standards & Strategy Newsletter.  Noted.

     

  8. h.Letter from the Chief Environment Officer replying to the Council’s request for the Chirk Skip Site to be restored whilst Plas Madoc Site is being improved.  Noted.

     

  9. i.Proposed Tenant and Resident Conference – Wrexham CBC at Glyndwr University on September 17th 2009.  Noted.

     

  10. j.Severn Dee Newsletter of the Shrewsbury Chester Rail Users Association.  Noted.

     

  11. k.Notice of meeting of the Wrexham/Flint Area Committee of One Voice Wales.  Noted.

     

  12. l.Thank you letter from Brenda Wilford for the Citizen of the Year Award and the Presentation Evening.  Noted.

     

 

 

 172. PLANNING MATTERS.

1.  Planning Applications.

The following applications received from the Chief Planning Officer in  accordance with the consultation procedures that were dealt with by the Council: -

P/2009/0246 Erection of Two Storey and single storey extensions, 140 Crogen, Chirk.

No Objection.

P/2009/0330 132 KV Single Circuit Flat Formation Overhead Line Reinforcement between Legacy Substation and Oswestry Substation

Legasy Substation to Pont-y-blew, Chirk, Wrexham (also within the Esclusham, Chirk and Erbistock Communities).

The Council decided to object most strongly against the proposal as done previously.

 

  1. 1.Certificates of Decision

     

P/2009/0121 Permission GRANTED for construction of ramped approach to store entrance and other works – Co-op Store, Holyhead Road, Chirk.

P/2009/0135(6)(7)(8) Consent GRANTED for Arboricultural work to trees Chirk Recreation Ground and Chirk Cemetery

P/2009/0148 Permission GRANTED for two storey side extension – 8 Middleton Terrace, Chirk.

 

  1. 2.Planning Appeal

     

The Clerk informed the Council that the appeals against the refusal of planning permission for the use of land at Coed  y Gelli, Pentre for the stationing of a mobile home for a period of 3 years will now be heard at the Guildhall Wrexham on the 22nd July, 2009. The Clerk said that the comments made by the Council on the application will be given to the Inspector.  It was agreed not to comment further.

  1. 3.Report of Chief Planning Officer

     

The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of the officers report to his Planning Committee with regard to the application for Outline Planning Permission for the erection of an agricultural workers dwelling at Forge Farm, Pontyblew, Chirk.  The Officer recommended the application is Refused planning permission.

 

173. ACCOUNTS.

1. Payments.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £21,127.82 were given to the Council and were passed for payment (see addendum).

 

  1. 2.The Clerk provided details of the accounts to the end of the financial year, 31st March 2009.

     

These showed payments amounting to£105,000.00 as against the estimate of £105.500 and a balance to carry over to the next financial year of £68,153.00.

 

This information was noted and the Clerk thanked for providing the report.

 

 

 

Signed                         Chairman                                                                                               27th May 2009