CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 30th September 2009
Present
Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Miss J Win-Jones, Mrs J Allen, Mr N James, Mr D Richards, Mr R Jones, Mr R Smith, Mr J E Pierce, Mr F Hemmings.
Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.
Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
The Chairman recommended that item 4 on the agenda is taken first and this was agreed.
64. CHIRK YOUTH CENTRE.
The Chairman welcomed Mr Ian Roberts, Youth Leader and Mrs Andrea Jackson, Youth Zone Worker for Chirk.
Mr Jones handed out a written report to all members that gave an update on attendances at the Centre during June, July and August and the activities carried on during that time. Mr Jones elaborated on these items. He also mentioned that a new full programme is to be drawn up for the coming months after consulting with the members and management committee.
Members expressed their concern about the frequent changes in staff at the Centre leading to some loss of service and benefit to the young members. There was also some concern that Black Park Youth Club had been closed on what seemed a permanent basis without any consultation.
Mr Jones said he was not able to answer on staffing but reaffirmed his intentions Club leader to have a good well run club
The Chairman thanked both officers for their reports and for their efforts for the youth of Chirk and hoping that membership increases with activities well supported.
65.MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council meeting held the 29th July 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.
65.MATTERS ARISING.
44. School Transport Policy. The Chairman said she was very concerned at the decision taken by the Wrexham CBC Executive Board meeting at their meeting on the 15th September that would take away free school transport for children attending Ysgol Dinas Bran from Chirk.
Cllr Ian Roberts confirmed the loss of the vote but a lot of effort had taken place by Cllr Terry Evans and himself to change the views of members of the Executive Board. However, he said that there was still some hope the decision could be changed as there was now a 12week consultation to take place. HE said that parents should be encouraged to send letters giving their support to keeping free transport to Ysgol Dinas Bran and the school being their preferential choice for the children.
Cllr Roberts also referred to a round robin letter sent by the Head of Ysgol Dinas Bran to all parents about this issue.
It was proposed by Cllr Dewi Evans and seconded by Cllr Jacqueline Allen that a public meeting is called as soon as possible for the matter to be aired in the public domain. This was wholeheartedly agreed to and a sub-committee was set up to arrange the meeting at the Parish Hall with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, Cllrs Dewi Evans, Frank Hemmings, Jacqueline Allen together with Cllrs Ian Roberts and Terry Evans as members.
65.COMMUNITY POLICING.
No Police Officer attended the meeting.
The Clerk reported that he had received information from PCSO Cheshire about a CASH BACK grant scheme and that he had made an application on behalf of the Council for a grant towards the fencing proposal etc for Chirk Cemetery. The Chairman thanked the Clerk for his endeavours.
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65.REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
Glyn Valley Tramway Trust.
Cllr Jacqueline Allen reported on her attendance at two recent meeting of the Trust when members were told that the Trust had now been granted membership of the Heritage Railway Society. She also mentioned that the last phase of the feasibility study was to be completed this November and that membership of the Trust was still growing. The Trust was to have a stall at the forthcoming Pontcysyllte and Canal World Heritage Site Celebrations at Trevor.
Chirk Community Forum.
Cllr Jacqueline Allen informed the Council that at the AGM of the Forum new appointments had been made – the Chairman is Mrs Susan Williams and Secretary being Zoe Jade Gardner and she the Treasurer. She said a busy time is expected from the work programme that is to be carried out – help!!
Footpaths.
Cllr Frank Hemmings that he had met Sean Roberts, Footpaths Officer Wrexham CBC to look at footpaths and he had agreed to get some work done and to provide kissing gates on the path from Pentre to Whitehurst.
Chirk Youth Football Club. Cllr James passed on thank you messages from the Club to the Council for providing football kits to the under nines football team. The Clerk said that a photo shoot is to be organised in the near future. Cllr James also mentioned about dog fouling on the football pitches and Cllr Terry Evans said he would take the matter up with Wayne Hughes, Environment Officer.
It was also mentioned that some litter bins were without stickers to show that they can be used for placing bagged excrement.
The Chairman thanked the representatives for their reports.
65.REPORTS – LOCAL MEMBERS – WREXHAM CBC.
Cllr Ian Roberts mentioned that he and fellow Councillor Terry Evans had been on an environmental audit around Chirk and following this a litter pick had been organised and that both he and Terry with Jacqueline Allen had been out with 40 children from Ceiriog Junior School on an afternoons litter pick when several bags of litter had been collected. .Cllr Roberts also mentioned that Chirk had won the Tidy Towns competition run by Wrexham CBC and had also lost by one point to Tenby Town gaining 2nd place (silver gilt) in the Wales In Bloom Competition. These are remarkable achievements but he was sad that nothing had been said at recent meetings of Wrexham Council.
With regard to traffic matters Cllr Roberts informed the Council that the traffic Wardens are patrolling the town and have booked several offenders.
At Chirk Leisure Centre £200,000 had been spent on installing new cubicles in the changing rooms and wood block flooring and new equipment installed in the fitness suite (the first in Wales).
On roads Cllr Roberts said improvement were to be started down the Court Lane and some re-surfacing work in Black Park. He also mentioned that the street trees are to be pollarded soon.
Terry Evans informed the Council with much delight that after five years fighting the demolition of the former Council Offices the County Borough Council have decided to allow a Community Trust to be formed that will in the first 18 months draw up a business plan. £40,000 was to be spent and the car park opened for public parking for tourists and the World Heritage Canal Site and the employment of two part time officers.
The Chairman, thanked the two members for their valuable reports and expressed great pleasure hearing the news about the Council Offices saying this would be a opportunity to that will work for the benefit of the community. She also expressed grateful thanks on behalf of the Council to all those who had worked so hard to achieve the wonderful results in the Tidy Town and Wales in Bloom competitions – the town look lovely.
65.HALTON WOOD PROPOSALS.
Cllr Hemmings informed the Council that he had met with members of the Forestry Commission Management Officers regarding Pentre Wood. He said they had drawn up a plan of action and a public meeting at the Parish Hall, Chirk had been arranged to discuss matters. This would take place on Friday the 9th October commencing at 6.30pm. The Officers and land owners would explain the proposals and have a display for all to see. He urged all members and their friends to attend.
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65.REMEMBRANCE DAY.
The Clerk reminded members of the arrangements for the parade and service at the Cenotaph and said he had prepared a programme and had written to local organisations that usually attend.
65.APPEALS.
The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with as follows:
Phab Wrexham - it was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.
Wales Air Ambulance- it was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.
65.ONE VOICE WALES.
The Clerk had circulated a copy of the resolutions to be discussed at the forthcoming AGM. After consideration it was agreed for the two representatives to hear the discussions and make their vote.
The Clerk also requested confirmation from members wishing to attend the Welsh Assembly on the 22nd October – five members signed up.
65.AUDITORS REPORT.
The Clerk reported receipt of the auditors report in respect of the Council’s Financial Year 2008/09.
The letter from the auditor accompanying the report referred to it as a “clean report”.
The Clerk said that notice of the conclusion of Audit and Right to Inspect the Annual Return would be advertised as required on the Council’s notice board.
This information was noted with Chairman expressing thanks on behalf of the Council for the Clerk’s work.
65.MAYOR’S CHARITY EVENING.
The Clerk reported receipt of an invitation from the Mayor of Wrexham for the Chairman to attend this function on the 16th October. The Council that the Chairman should attend and thanked the Clerk for dealing with the booking.
65.LEGISLATIVE COMPETENCE ORDER.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Welsh Assembly Legislation Committee No.2 on a proposed Competence Order relating to community councils and councillor recruitment, retention and allowances. A Competence Order is a piece of legislation which transfers specific powers from Parliament to the Assembly and which is needed so that the proposals in relation to community councils can be added to and to enhance the Assembly’s current legislative powers.
This information was noted.
65.OFFA’S DYKE COUNTY REGENERATION PROGRAMME.
The Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Ruth Stanley Administration Assistant for Resources of Change who thanked the representatives of the Council for participating in the research for the Offa’s Dyke Strategic Regeneration Programme and advised that the project had been completed and a set of reports is available on internet. This information was noted.
65.WREXHAM LOCAL BUS STRATEGY.
The Clerk reported receipt of a copy of the Strategy that was endorsed by the Executive Board, Wrexham CBC. Cllr Ian Roberts said that at a meeting with the officer concerned he had found the proposals sensible. It was intended to improve the bus links for the Ceiriog Valley with Chirk being the “hub”. Also, for the bus timetable to be linked to rail services.
65.LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY WORKSHOPS.
The Clerk confirmed that Cllr Raymond Smith would be representing the Council at this event.
65.TIDY WALES WEEK.
Please refer to Cllr Ian Roberts’ report (item 69 above).
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65.AGE CONCERN NORTH EAST WALES.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter regarding the forthcoming TV digital switchover. It would mean TV’s would need retuning to receive freeview programmes. The Clerk said he had put up posters supplied on the notice boards as had been requested. This information was noted.
65.CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with:
1.Letter from J Peters Davies, President of the Adjudication Panel for Wales with his Annual Report for 2008/09. The Clerk said that only two cases had been referred to the Panel by the Ombudsman and one of these concerned an allegation of a breach of a council’s Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential information. Noted.
2.Letter from the Principal Traffic Engineer, Wrexham CBC with a copy of the traffic orders that are now in force. In Chirk, one of these referring to no-waiting restriction on Castle Road/ Church Street/Castle Walks and the other a no stopping restriction on Chapel Lane and Lloyd’s Lane, Chirk. Noted.
3.Walkabout Wrexham Programme – programme of walks around the County including Chirk. Noted.
4.Notice of meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership together with a copy of the minutes of the last meeting. Noted.
5.Annual Report 2008/09 of Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd. Noted
6.Notice of Standards Conference Wales 2009 to be held in Cardiff on October 15. Noted.
7.Annual Report 2008/09 Local Government Partnership Scheme. Noted.
8.Annual Report 2008/09 Wrexham Local Health Board. Noted.
9.Annual Report 2008/09 Clwyd Community Health Council. Noted.
10.Letter from the Policy Manager, Shropshire CC with regard to the consultation on the Shropshire Local Development Framework Core Strategy. Noted.
11.Notice of meeting of the Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum. Noted.
12.Letter from Petra Doelderer re “Nordic Walking” courses. The Clerk said that he had discussed the proposed and had suggested that Chirk Recreation Ground could be used for a Beginners Class. This was agreed by the Council.
13.July/August Issue of AVOW Health & Social Care and Well-being Issues. Noted.
14.SCRUA September Newsletter, Severn Dee News. Noted.
15.Letter from BT Connections with information for organisations to get on-line. A copy of the letter was handed to each member.
65.PLANNING MATTERS.
Report of Planning Committee
a.Applications for planning consent received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham County Borough Council Planning Authority under the consultation procedures and dealt with by the Committee.
P/2009/0774 Two Storey Extension – 8 Maes Y Berwyn, Chirk.
No objection
b.Certificates of Decision.
The following certificates of decision have been received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham CBC.
P/2009/00774 Permission GRANTED for Use of former Forestry Commission building for storage and distribution depot for highway salt. – Forestry Enterprise Depot, Black Park, Chirk.
P/2009/0601 Permission REFUSED for the Erection of dwelling for site owner to be used in conjunction with Fishery Business – Land at Chirk Fisheries, Glyn Ceiriog Road, Chirk.
P/2009/0602 Permission REFUSED for the Erection of Clubhouse to service existing fishery business and to cater for education programme including training for Centre, Shop and Ancillary Services – Land at Chirk Fisheries, Glyn Ceiriog Road, Chirk.
P/2009/0604 Permission GRANTED for the Demolition of existing garage and construction of new garage – Hillside, Pontyblew.
P/2009/0595 Permission GRANTED for a Single storey Hall/Cloakroom extension – 10 Linden Avenue, Chirk.
P/2009/0606 Wrexham County Borough Council has given APPROVAL for the Erection of Barn for the dry storage of band saw, planked timber, logs and kindling – Coed Gelli, Pentre, Chirk.
65.ACCOUNTS.
a.A list of invoices and payments amounting to £14,990.94 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum).
b.The Clerk informed the Council that the HID Bond with HSBC Had expired and that he had re-invested the same amount £50.000 in a new bond. The Council agreed to the Clerk’s action.
Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 28th October 2009.