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CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 29th October 2008
Present Mr Barry Evans (Chairman), Mrs H J Spragg, Mrs J Allen, Mr R Jones, Mr N James, Mr R Smith, Mr D Richards, Mr D Evans. Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council. Cllrs Ian Roberts and Terry Evans, Wrexham CBC local members.
The Chairman referred to the sad death of Councillor Michael Fennell and all stood in silent tribute to a fine long standing servant of the community of Chirk.
ApologiesApologies for absence were received from Miss J W Jones, Mrs Claire Gough, Mr F Hemmings and Mr J Vant.
The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.
75. COMMUNITY POLICING. The Chairman welcomed PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager who gave the following crime statistics for since the last meeting, as follows: - Drug Offences – 1 (person arrested); Anti-social behaviour – 15; Criminal damage – 14; Motor vehicle theft/damage – 8; reported general thefts – 5; car theft – 1 (detected) PC Cullen wanted to highlight the need for car owners not to leave articles in their vehicles. PC Cullen said that he had asked for the police unit to patrol with cameras at various locations in the area.. Following the success of the litter pick day organised by PCSO Steve Jones it had been agreed to add dog fouling to the Neighbourhood Policing Plan. PC Cullen mentioned that Inspector Paul Firth had initiated “Operation Twilight” in respect of vulnerable persons and those over the age of 60 for officers to visit and give help and to offer special light bulbs with timer control so that homes are not left in darkness. PC Cullen informed the Council that new posters detailing the officers in Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley were to be put up and an information card delivered to each household in the area. PC Cullen’s attention was drawn to the parking of HGV’s at Rhosywaun; several cars located on the junction at Whitehurst Tollbar and the damage to the swings at Chapel Lane. With regard to the latter it was asked if a temporary CCTV camera could be located there as it is a regular hot spot for youths gathering.
76. MINUTES. The minutes of the Council meetings held the 24th September 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.
77. VACANCY. The Clerk informed the Council that following the sudden death of Cllr Fennell there was a vacancy in the Chirk South Ward and he would advise the Returning Officer accordingly. This information was noted.
78. REPORT FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES. a. One Voice Wales Conference. Cllr Allen informed the Council that she had attended the conference that was well attended and that she found it extremely good. The theme of the speaker was Global Warming and related carbon footprint. She said it was envisaged that by 2011 it would be carbon neutral! Other topics were energy saving; recycling; wildlife conservation. Cllr Allen said the motions debated were all passed by the conference except for the motion asking for the venue site of the conference to be moved around the Principality. She also said that increasing the powers of local councils had been mentioned during the conference. The Chairman thanked Cllr Allen for her report.
79. REPORTS FROM LOCAL MEMBERS. Cllr Terry Evans informed the Council a. That a start had been made on the erection of Old Peoples Bungalows on the vacant land adjoining the car park. b. That 8 Skips of rubbish had been collected on the litter pick action day. Problem areas were noted and several more litter bins are to be provided. c. That the alley way at Bronywaun had been cleaned up and the pathway tarmaced. d. That pegging out of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust line had commenced. 1
Cllr Ian Roberts reported
Cllr Roberts also mentioned the very successful “Halloween Party” that had been held at the Craig Close Centre.
Cllr Hilary Spragg referred to the newspaper article that stated only 17 visits had been made to Chirk during the past 6 months and that only 3 penalty notices issued by the Traffic Wardens. This appeared to point to the wardens not visiting regularly and not at appropriate times.
The Chairman thanked both Councillors for their informative reports.
80. FOUR COUNCILS ANNUAL MEETING. The Clerk informed members that the Annual Meeting was to be held at the Oliver Jones Memorial Hall Dolywern on Monday 24th November. This information was noted.
81. RECOGNISING PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. Cllr Raymond Smith had provided a written report for members and distributed at the last meeting. He referred to the point of the Council making some form of recognition of persons who have given their time, help and support in various ways in the community. Favour able comments were made by members in this subject following which it was agreed that the Councils Finance Committee should consider the matter fully and report back to the Council in due course.
82. APPEALS. The Clerk reported receipt of the following appeals for financial aid that were given due consideration and dealt with as follows: -
83. REPORT OF THE TIDY TOWNS COMMITTEE. A written report was given to members that dealt with the Tidy Town Project Scheme. A list of works that were to be included in the Chirk Project had been agreed by the Committee and an application made to Wrexham CBC for a grant. After discussion it was agreed to accept the report and the action taken by the Committee.
84. CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT – GUIDANCE FOR COMMUNITY and TOWN COUNCILS IN WALES. The Clerk reported receipt of this information and reference document that advised about littering, dog fouling etc and action that can be taken. This Guidance document was noted for further reference.
85. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY. The Clerk informed the Council that Rev Rees had agreed to give “the blessing” at the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph. He also confirmed that Rev Ben Parry the newly appointed Chaplain to the Chirk Branch of the Royal British Legion would officiate. The Clerk said arrangements had been made for the Ysgol Dinas Brand Band to play at the Service and that a public address system would be in place. The parade would be marshalled by Mr John Collins and the names of those who died in the wars would be read out by Mr Geoff Edwards and Mrs Ann Davies. The Clerk said he had produced a programme for the day and members had received a copy and 300 would be available for distribution. The Clerk also referred to the Remembrance Service that would be held at the Pentre Memorial.
86. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was received and dealt with: - a. Letter from the Chair of the newly formed Consumer Focus Wales a new organisation created by the merger of the Welsh Consumer Council, Postwatch Wales and Energywatch Wales. Noted. b. Newsletter from the Alzheimer’s Society Wrexham and District. Noted.
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CORRESPONDENCE (cont). c. Letter from Ffion Jacobsen, Community Development Officer of Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd. Noted. d. Autumn issue AVOW Newsletter. Noted. e. Notice of meeting of SCRUA 24th November at Wrexham together with Severn Dee Newsletter. Noted. f. Letter from the Secretary of the Local Boundary Commission for Wales in connection with a review of the 2008 Community Election results and implications. Noted. g. Annual report from the Clwyd Community Health Council. Noted. h. Copy of the Fire and Rescue National Framework for Wales from the Welsh Assembly Government. Noted. i. Letter from the Chief Finance and Performance Officer advising that he requires the Councils precept information by 31st December, 2008. Noted.
87. PLANNING MATTERS.
a. The following application for planning permission received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC under the consultation procedures was dealt with: - P/2008/1112 Rebuild overhead lines – near Chirk Fisheries/ Castle Mill Chirk. The Council had No objection to the proposals. 2. Planning Officer Report. The Clerk reported receipt of the planning Officers Report to his Planning Committee regarding the application number P/2008/0843 relating to residential development at Beverley, Chirk where he was now minded to recommend approval of the application. Also, application number P/2008/0917 for the Stationing of a mobile home for use as a dwelling for a period of 3 years on land at Coed Gelli, Pentre where he was minded to recommend refusal of the application. The reports were accepted and noted. 3. Certificates of Decision. The following certificates of Decision by the Wrexham CBC Planning Authority were received and noted: P/2008/0828 Permission GRANTED for a conservatory extension at 15 Wern, Lodgevale Park, Chirk. P/2008/0961 Permission GRANTED for erection of 4 Bedroom dwelling – Plot 2 Ridgeway Lodge, Chirk. P/2008/0917 Permission REFUSED stationing of mobile home for use as dwelling for 3 years – land at Coed Gelli, Pentre. P/2008/0865 Permission GRANTED for erection of building for Forestry based equipment and storage at Coed Gelli, Pentre.
74. ACCOUNTS. 1. Payments A list of invoices and payments amounting to £6,165.98 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum). 2. Accounts. The Clerk presented members with a report showing the amount of income and expenditure to the 30th September 2008 together with details of Bank Reconciliation. This showed expenditure of £42,382.00 and income of £370,911.00. Graphs were also provided showing the amount of expenditure under the various headings compared to the budget estimates for the financial year. The reports were noted and accepted by the Council with the Chairman thanking the Clerk.
Signed R Barry Evans Chairman 26th November 2008
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