CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN


MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 31st March 2010


Present

Mrs H J Spragg (Chairman), Mr J Vant, Mr D Evans, Mrs J Allen, Mr N James, Miss J Win Jones, Mrs C Gough, Mr B Evans, Mr R Jones and Mr R Smith. Cllrs I Roberts and T Evans, Wrexham CBC.

Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.


Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Mr S Dineen, Mr D Richards and Mr F Hemmings.

Before opening the meeting for business the Chairman commented on the tragic accidents that had occurred on the Chirk Bypass and bridge and expressed concerns about the safety of this major trunk road. Mrs Spragg referred to the fact that the Council had strongly recommended that the road should be dual carriageway at the initial consultation stage and thereafter but such was not accepted by the Welsh Office or the Ministry of Transport. Something needs to be done urgently to prevent more accidents occurring and this was echoed by the other members of the Council

  1. MINUTES.

The minutes of the Council meeting held the 24th February 2010 were confirmed as a correct record.

155. MATTERS ARISING.

140. Community Policing. Cllr Richard Jones said that he had not been able to get through to the Police using the 101 telephone number. This will be reported to the local police team.

142(131). School Transport. The Clerk reported receipt of reply from Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport, Welsh Assembly Government declining the invitation from the Council to meet a deputation to discuss the proposed new School Transport Policy for Wrexham County Borough as it would prejudice his decision if he needed to be involved at a future stage. Members expressed their dismay that a meeting would not happen at this time.

145. WCBC Play Development Team – Chirk Open Access Playscheme. The Clerk informed the Council that the Playscheme would start this Easter holiday for two weeks. It would take place on Mondays and Tuesdays at Chirk Recreation Ground, Wednesdays at Black Park Community Centre and Thursdays and Fridays at Longfield Recreation Ground.

The Clerk also mentioned that WCBNC Play Network were wishing to involve the communities in the area to come to Chirk on Sunday 9th May 2010 at Chirk Recreation Ground with their equipments to encourage parents and children to start such a scheme in Chirk as has been done in Caia Park, Brymbo, Plas Madoc. Rhos. The Clerk urged all members to attend the afternoon’s proceedings.

115(6) Equality of Opportunity Committee. The Clerk confirmed that he had replied on behlf of the Council to the consultation regarding problems at Chirk Railway Station.

156. WREXHAM LOW CARBON CHALLENGE.

The Clerk reported that Jeanie Sherwood, Sustainability Officer, Groundwork Wrexham and Flintshire was not able to attend the Council as funding to carry on with her appointment had not been agreed. She had informed the Clerk that she thought the Wrexham LCC would be put on hold. This information was noted.

Cllr Jackie Allen said that Cadbury’s were proceeding with their part in this matter having been involved for some time now.

157. REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Members received a copy of the report of the Finance Committee Meeting held 17th March 2010. This was accepted and recommendations agreed by the Council.

The Chairman commented on the nominations received and on Julie Fawcett being declared Citizen of the Year 2009. The Clerk said a Presentation Evening was to be arranged on Friday 30th April at The Parish Hall commencing at 7pm.

  1. PARKING AT CHAPEL LANE – CHIRK INFANTS SCHOOL

The Clerk reported receipt of communication from Mr Colin Simpson Operational Manager Traffic and Transportation, Wrexham CBC following a meeting on site with the Chairman and Cllrs Sean Dineen, Dewi Evans and the Clerk. Mr Simpson said he had discussed matters as had been agreed at the site meeting with his colleagues in the Property Section and also the Chief Learning and Education Officer but while reaching agreement there was no funding available to provide parking in front of Chirk Library. Members were dismayed that nothing would be done to overcome the dangers associated with the parking problems outside the school.

  1. REPORTS – COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

Ceiriog Junior School – Teachers from Italy, Turkey and Spain.

The Chairman informed that Council that she had visited the school on the 4th March and had met the teachers who were spending a week at the school. Mrs Spragg said she had passed on the good wishes of the Council to the teachers who had thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Chirk.

Pontcysyllte and Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site.

The Chairman said she had attended a Committee meeting at Bersham on the 19th March when arrangements were made for an “Open Day” to be held at the Aqueduct and Trevor Basin

Also a meeting of the Friends of the Aqueduct and Canal at Bryn Howel on the 22nd March when a plea for more to be involved was made to members.

Wrexham Executive Board.

The Chairman said she had attended a meeting of the Board on the 24th March when the Draft Local Development Plan was under discussion. Mrs Spragg expressed thanks to members of the Black Park/Halton Community and to Councillors for their attendance too and who heard the decision of the Executive Board to remove the proposed site for travellers at Black Park from the Local Development Plan proposals.

Chirk Junior Football Club.

Cllr James informed the Council that at a meeting of the CJF Club he had been asked to enquire whether the Council would allow the club the use of the Chirk Recreation Ground for 3 junior football pitches with permanent goal posts.

The Clerk said that the Council had previously granted permission for the Club to use the Recreation Ground though this could not be an “exclusive right” as it was a public facility. The Clerk also said that he had advised Cllr James of conditions that would be applied, namely: -

The area to use will be at the bottom end beyond the oak trees;

Chirk YFC will be responsible for ensuring the pitches are fit and safe to play;

Chirk YFC will have the pitches marked out and use their own equipment (including the goal posts);

Cars are not to be parked on Station Avenue as they cause obstruction.

It was suggested that Chirk YFC might look into Brynkinalt Park to use land for their matches.

Chirk Community Forum.

Cllr Allen said that at the Forum AGM a new Chair were appointed and all other posts filled by members being re-elected.

 

160. REPORT LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.

Cllr Terry Evans referred to the Pontfaen Bridge that is closed whilst repair works are carried out and where a temporary footbridge is to be erected.

Cllr Evans thanked the Council and the members of the Community in getting the gipsy site at Black Park removed from the Local Development Plan.

With regard to the former Council Offices Cllr Evans said that work on the parking area had started and a new bus shelter erected at Pentre.

The Street Lights in the area had been surveyed and only 6 lights found not to be working.

On finishing his report Cllr Evans congratulated Cllr Ian Roberts on being nominated for the post of Deputy Mayor of Wrexham County Borough Council for the forthcoming year.

Mrs Hilary Spragg, Chairman, thanked Cllr Evans for his report and expressed congratulations to Cllr Ian Roberts on his nomination – a “tremendous feat”

 

  1. LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION – REVIEW OF WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH

ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.

The Clerk gave a the following report on his attendance at a meeting at the Guildhall, Wrexham when the Local Boundary Commissioner explained the task of the Commission in reviewing the electoral arrangements of the Unitary Authorities in Wales and was now dealing with Wrexham County Borough and the consultation being made.

 

  1. LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION – REVIEW OF WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH

ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS (cont).

The Commissioner said that the Welsh Assembly Government had set down guidelines for the Commission to follow including: -

No authority should have less than 30 councillors;

No authority should have more than 70 councillors;

There should at least a ratio of 1750 electors to a councillor;

The Commission could not increase electoral districts;

The Commission could merge electoral districts and wards.

With regard to Wrexham in recent years the electoral districts had been split into wards generally single councillor wards and the general feeling at the meeting favoured this approach rather than have multiple councillors for the same district. However, whilst the Commissioner said that 1750 electors per one councillor was not set in stone it did seem that this was more than likely.

With regard to the effect on Chirk the Clerk said that the present Chirk North and South wards had approximately 3500 electors on the electoral rolls split into 1600 for the North ward and 1900 for the South ward and a councillor elected for each ward.

With the number of electors it would seem to ensure that Chirk would still have two councillors and hopefully two wards though this may not happen.

The Clerk said that the Council has been consulted in the matter and therefore needed to decide on a reply to the consultation.

Following discussion, the Council decided to support the view that single councillor wards would serve best for Wrexham County Borough rather that multi councillor ones as the public would not know which councillor was acting for them and therefore keep the electoral arrangements as they are.

  1. ADOPT A FOOTPATH SCHEME.

The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Divisional Manager, Environment and Project Development Department, Wrexham CBC referring to the completion of several Community {Path Projects around the County Borough in the last three years and that Chirk community has been identified as a possible area to cover as it is the Gateway to the Ceiriog Valley.

The Clerk said that the officer had offered to attend a meeting and give a presentation of the proposals and this offer was duly accepted by the Council with the invite to the officer attend the Annual Town Meeting on the 28th April 2010.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Clerk reported receipt of the under-mentioned correspondence that was considered and dealt with: -

  1. Letter form One Voice Wales informing the Council that the Chairman and guest had been invited to represent the Council at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on the 20th July this year. Members congratulated Mrs Hilary Spragg and she replied saying it was an honour to accept the invitation and to represent the Council at this official engagement which she was looking forward to.

  2. Notice from “Firebreak Wales” with invitations to members to attend their promotion Home Safety in our Communities: a shared responsibility? The meeting is to take place in Rhyl on Monday 10th May 2010. It was agreed that members would inform the Clerk if they wised to attend the meeting.

  3. Letter from Elwy Restoration Ltd with quotation for cleaning the Pentre War memorial in the sum of £648.00 plus VAT. The Council agreed to accept the quotation and for the work to be carries out.

  4. Contract document from Wrexham CBC with regard to waste collection from the Parish Hall. The Clerk said he had signed the contract on behalf of the Council and this accepted and noted.

  5. Letter from the Chief Environment Officer with regard to changes in Street Staff, namely: -

Area Manager South – John Walsh (office tel: 01978 729733);

Streetscene Area Supervisor – John Edwards (office tel: 10978 729752).

  1. Letter from One Voice Wales with details of membership for 2010/11 at a cost of £486.00. It was agreed to continue membership.

  2. Notice of AGM of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership together with minutes of the previous meetings. Noted.

  3. Letter from the Clwyd Community Chest regarding membership for the coming year. It was agreed to renew the Council’s membership at a cost of £35.00.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE (cont).

  1. Letter from the Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC inviting members to view the Wrexham Recycling Park at Bryn Lane Wrexham on Saturday 17th April 2010. This was noted.

  2. Letter from the Clerk, Ceiriog Uchaf Community Council advising that the Council had now decided to continue its support of the Annual Four Councils Meeting. Noted.

  3. Letter from the Company Secretary, Glyn Valley Tramway Trust asking for the Council for financial support to fund its planning application for phase one of the GVT restoration. It was agreed to let the matter lie on the table.

  4. Letter from the Divisional Manager, Environment and Project Development Department Wrexham CBC with regard to nominations for the “Owain Glyndwr Scheme”. It was agreed to nominate Brynkinalt Park for consideration.

  5. Letter from Mr Gallanders, AVOW with regard to a “Celebration of Volunteering” and asking for nominations to attend the event to be held at Llandudno. The Clerk said that as time was short he had replied on the Council’s behalf and put for the names of Katie Roberts and Daniel Fisher.

Newsletter, Spring Issue of AVOW. Noted.

  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

The Clerk gave a report from the Plans Committee on the receipt of the following applications from the Chief Planning Officer under the consultation procedures and dealt with as follows: -

  1. Planning applications

P/2010/0169 Erection of wall and prefabricated steel garage – 8 Maesywaun, Chirk.

The Council has concerns about the access and the high wall.

P/2010/0175 Listed Building Consent for Bridge Strengthening Works – Pont Faen Bridge, Chirk

The Council has no objection to the proposed works.

P/2010/0185 First Floor Extension – 1 Middleton Terrace, Chirk

The Council considers that the roof of the proposed extension should be taken up to match the roof line of the existing dwelling.
 

  1. Certificates of Decision.

The following Certificates of Decision have been received form the Chief Planning Officer for information: -

P/2010/0035 Permission granted for a two storey side extension and detached garage – 1 Crogen, Chirk.

P/2010/0038 Permission granted for single storey extension – 64 Church View, Chirk.

P/2010/0046 Permission granted for erection of garage – Bendith, Castle Road, Chirk.

  1. Electronic Consultation on Planning Applications.

The Committee considered a request from the Chief Planning Officer for the Council to re-consider accepting details of planning applications electronically and decided to continue to receive planning application by post.

  1. ACCOUNTS.

A list of invoices and payments amounting to £9,962.93 were given to the Council and were passed for payment. (See addendum)

Signed Hilary J Spragg Chairman 28th April 2010


 


 

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