CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN

 

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 30th JANUARY 2008

 

Present

Mr Michael Williams (Chairman), Mr Gwilym Roberts, Mrs Hilary J Spragg, Mr Dewi G Evans,

Mr M Maxfield, Mr Richard Jones, Mr Michael Fennell, Mr Newman James, Mr Barry Evans,

Mr Raymond Smith, Miss Christine Ashford.   Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.

Cllrs Terry Evans and Ian Roberts, Wrexham CBC.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Frank Hemmings, Mr David Richards, Mr John Pierce.

 

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and proposed item 4 on the agenda be taken first and this was agreed.

 

102. COMMUNITY POLICING.

PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager attended the meeting and was welcomed by the Chairman.

PC Cullen gave details of reported crime since the last meeting, namely: -

8 anti social incidents, 4 criminal damage incidents, 1 violent crime (detected), 1 shop unit burglaries (1 person arrested), 1 theft, 1 fraud offence and 2 drug offences (2 persons arrested).

PC Cullen also said that 2 persons were being questioned for with the previously reported shop burglaries.

PC Cullen informed the Council that an anti alcohol initiative is to be launched in Chirk.

With regard to the Neighbourhood Policing Plan PC Cullen advised that parking problems at Castle Road and Castle Walks had been added to the action plan for the Pc’s and PCSO’s.

Several areas where parking is a chronic problem were drawn to the PC’s attention by members namely: -

Chapel Lane (school times) and Saturday mornings (football matches);

Colliery Road (fast food shops, post office etc); double parking and on pavements.

Cllr Ian Roberts urged that car registration numbers and information on incidents are reported to the police as soon as possible. 

With regard to speeding PC Cullen was asked to monitor traffic entering Chirk up the “Trap Bank” and also HGV’s from Lodgevale Park end.  Also, speeding at Coronation Drive, Chirk.

With regard to anti social behaviour PC Cullen said several yellow cards had been issued under the new procedures that had been adopted.

Dog fouling was mentioned again at Maesywaun and the pavement from Maesywaun to the Butchers corner named for attention.  (Cllr Terry Evans informed the Council that the Dog fouling team will continue to monitor the area with zero tolerance).  He also said he would be obtaining a supply of doggy bags for distribution and incident report forms are available from Wrexham CBC’s Streetscene/Pride in Your Streets Department.

PC Cullen was asked about an incident at Maesywaun and he said he would ask the officer concerned to speak to the councillor.

 

The Clerk reported receipt of notice of a meeting of the Wrexham South Community Safety Group.

 

 

103. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meetings held the 9th and 16th January 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

 

104. MATTERS ARISING.

 

88/79. Youth Council For Chirk. The Clerk informed the Council that Jean Allen Wrexham CBC Youth Services Officer would attend the next meeting of the Council.

94. Local Member’s Report.  Cllr Evans reported that white lining at Highfields together with a sign will be carried out as well as dog fouling signs.

100. Estimates of expenditure. Cllr G Roberts mentioned that the President of the Chirk Branch Royal British Legion may be able to assist with regard to the work needing to be done to the Cenotaph.

 

105. GRASS MAINTENANCE.

The Clerk reported receipt of the contractor’s costs for the, namely: -

Chirk and Longfield Recreation Grounds - £3,307.00: Chapel Lane Recreation Ground - £1,838.00 and the Cemetery £4,618.00. The Clerk advised that additions had been made to the contract including more frequent cuts etc, enlarged cemetery area and also that depending on the weather additional cutting may be necessary this tear too.

In considering the matter, members mentioned how pleased they were with the good conditions at the cemetery and playgrounds agreed to the contractor’s costs. It was also agreed to extend the contract period for a further three years.

 

106. APPEALS.

The Clerk referred to the application previously reported to Council from Mrs T Hall, Old Vicarage, Chirk requesting assistance with the hire costs in relation to the Ballet Pod show put on at the Parish Hall on the 15th December and rehearsals during the week.

After consideration the Council agreed to make a donation of £50.00 towards the costs of the Ballet Pod Show.

 

107. INSPECTION OF PLAY AREAS.

The Clerk reminded members that Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents had in the past carried out inspections of the Council’s play areas - the next inspections being due in June this year.  After discussion it was decided to engage ROSPA to carry out safety inspections of play areas for which the Council is responsible.

 

108. LLANGOLLEN AND DISTRICT SCOUTS ANNUAL REPORT 2006-O7.

The Clerk reported receipt of the 2006/07 Annual Report that covered the six groups operating in the district including Chirk. Members were pleased that Chirk Scouts and Cubs were progressing and taking part in activities.

 

109. CARING for our HEALTH 2008-2011.

Members had received a copy of the Consultation Summary of this document that is the second Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy for the County Borough of Wrexham for the period 2008 to 2011.

The Clerk informed members that a reply to the consultation is due by the 21st March.

 

110.WREXHAM and DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU.

The Clerk reported receipt of the Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2007. He mentioned that the County Manager in her report pointed out that the year had been difficult with the number of clients increasing with subsequent pressure on the volunteer staff members. The Clerk also mentioned, that Community Councils in other areas having an Outreach Centre pay for this service.

 

111. CORRESPONDENCE.

a.      Draft consultation strategy for Wrexham CBC owned trees.  Noted.

b.      A copy of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site Nomination. Noted.

c.       Newsletter (Severn-Dee News) of the Shrewsbury-Chester Rail Users Association.  Noted.

d.      Notice of Meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership . Noted.

e.       Notice of re-surfacing works to the Chirk Bypass involving night time closure and local diversion through Chirk for two weeks commencing the 3rd February between 7pm and 7am. Noted.

f.       Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Chirk Community Newsletter on Wednesday February 13th 2008.  Noted.

g.      Early notice of the forthcoming production of “Charley’s Aunt” at Chirk Parish Hall on Wednesday 12th March 2008.  Noted.

 

112. 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/2008/0014 Outline application for the erection of two bedroom dwelling – land rear of 1 Middleton Terrace, Chirk.

The Council wishes to draw attention to the restricted area of the site

 

P/2008/0047 Single storey pitched roof extension to provide utility room – 34 Telford Rise, Chirk.

No objection.

 

P/2008/0026 Two Storey garage/bedroom extension – 16 Richmond Gardens, Chirk

No objection.

 

P/2008/0059 Extension to form kitchen and lounge/diner and conversion of existing garage –Isambards, Chirk Green, Chirk

No objection.

 

P/2008/0073 Primary Care Centre with ancillary car parking and landscaping –

Land at Colliery Road, Chirk.

No objection.

 

112. PLANNING MATTERS.

      b.  Certificates of Decision.

The following certificates of decision of the Wrexham CBC Planning Authority were received and noted.

P/2007/1329 Permission granted for installing new refrigeration and air conditioning plant and new iron palisade fencing _ Chirk Coop Store, 16 Church Street, Chirk.

P/2007/1372 Permission granted for the erection of a garden shed – 43 Highfields, Chirk.

P/2007/1023 Permission REFUSED for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 11 dwellings etc – Beverley, Lloyds Lane, Chirk.

P/2007/1333 Permission granted for the conversion of the stables block to 3 dwellings –

The Lodge, Black Park, Chirk.

 

113. ACCOUNTS.

Payments.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £5,235.63 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).

 

Signed Michael C Williams Chairman                                                                        27th February 2008.