CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF Y WAUN
MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING HELD 31st October 2007
Present
Mr Michael Williams (Chairman), Mr Gwilym Roberts, Mrs Hilary J Spragg, Miss Christine Ashford,
Mr Richard Jones, Mr David Richards, Mr Michael Fennell, Mr Dewi Evans, Mr Raymond Smith,
Mr Newman James. Mr S A Hughes, Clerk to the Council.
Mr Ian Roberts and Mr Terry Evans, Local Councillors Wrexham CBC.
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and proposed that items 3and 4 on the agenda be taken first and this was agreed.
57. CHIRK YOUTH SERVICE.
The Chairman welcomed Jean Allen and Ian Jones, Youth Service, Wrexham CBC. Jean Allen apologised for Shirley Jones, Chirk Young Peoples Centre Manager not being able to attend the meeting but introduced Ian Jones who with Mrs Allen proceeded to explain the written reports drawn up by Shirley Jones the Centre Manager that had been handed to members. These included an annual report, August 2007 Summer Scheme Report, Youth Workers report for September 2007 and the October programme of activities carried out at the Centre. These were viable plans showing a wide variety of projects and activities for the youth to attend and take part in.
Apart from the usual club activities, pool, table tennis, table football, arts and crafts, games 4 project nights during September were occupied by the members revamping the club to make it more welcoming and inviting for the young people. A new youth worker has been appointed with the young people involved in the interviewing process and is due to start duties on the 12th November.
Young people are currently undertaking activities which will gain them accreditation via the Children’s University.
Members thanked the officers for their reports and were pleased that the Centre was entertaining a good number of young people from Chirk and the work of the Centre Manager and Youth Workers in creating a good vibrant atmosphere for the youngsters who are attending the Centre in greater numbers.
Mrs Allen informed the Council that the Youth Service was setting up a Youth Forum for the Wrexham South Area of the County Borough.
Mrs Allen also informed the Council that the youth centre at Black Park has been renovated and ready for opening to the youth.
Councillors expressed their grateful thanks to the officers and the youth workers for their tremendous efforts over the past year in creating a youth centre with such a good atmosphere and the various projects and activities in progress and proposed for the young people of Chirk who are attending the centre in bigger numbers. Also, their efforts at Black Park.
58. COMMUNITY POLICING.
Inspector Paul Firth, PC Cullen, Community Beat Manager attended the meeting and were welcomed by the Chairman.
Inspector Firth gave details of actual figures to the statistics for the previous year as reported last month and these were noted..
Inspector Firth said that from a policing point of view the lower crime figures have a lot to do with partnerships working on local issues.
Inspector Firth informed the Council that on Friday 16th November a “Safer Business Forum” is being launched at Chirk Golf Club at midday. It is for the business people in the southern area of the county borough with a presentation about terrorism.
In answer to questions Inspector Firth said businesses will be targeted via Business Enterprise and will include the farming community.
58. COMMUNITY POLICING (cont).
PC Cullen informed the Council that he had received a visiting party from the Buckley area to see and learn what has been done in the policing area of Chirk for them to take on board.
He then gave details of reported crime during the past month, namely: -
1 assault; 4 criminal damage - (2 culprits caught and dealt with); 3 thefts from motor vehicles – (all in one night);
2 thefts from premises; 4 anti social incidents – (drunken male person)
A new initiative to try to engage officers more with the public will to involve each of the Community Beat Managers and PCSO’s interviewing at least five persons in the community each month – this apparently is being introduced in several areas
With regard to Neighbourhood Policing Meetings, PC Cullen said that a new format was going to be tried by arranging drop in surgeries/sessions at the Parish Hall an hour before the monthly meetings of the Council.
The Chairman thanked the officers for their attendance and reports.
59. MINUTES.
The minutes of the Council meetings held the 27th September 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.
60. MATTERS ARISING.
37/27 Appeals – Goal Posts The Clerk informed the Council that the goal posts had been installed on the Chirk Recreation Ground and a grant of £996.00 had been received from the Wales Sports Council via the Wrexham Community Chest.
Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that Wrexham CBC would be fixing new goal posts at Lodgevale Park Playground.
37/29 Recycling Centres. The Clerk reported receipt of reply from the Chief Environment Officer, Wrexham CBC. advising that there is no room to place another skip at the site in Chirk and that traders should be challenged by the attendant regarding disposal of their waste – the skip is for household waste only. Also, that in the long term Wrexham CBC has agreed a contract with Waste Recycling Group that will result in Wrexham having three large household recycling Centres with Plas Madoc being rebuilt.
39. Chirk Housing Estate Office Sub-Committee. The Clerk informed the Council that the proposals recommended by the sub-committee for the future use of the premises for community use had been forwarded to Wrexham County Borough Council.
40. Rhyn Park School. The Clerk reported receipt of reply from the Chief Learning & Achievement Officer, Wrexham CBC advising that Wrexham LEA does not impose an embargo on the promotion of out of County schools.
43. Appeals – Chirk Infants School. Cllr Raymond Smith informed the Council that the continuation of the project at the school needed more funds.
51. Pride in Your Streets. The Clerk reported receipt of letter from the Operational Manager Streetscene and Highways with regard to periodic visits to the Council to discuss Streetscene and highway issues. It was agreed to recommend quarterly visits.
61. Chirk Youth Council.
The Clerk made reference to the part of the report from Jean Allen, Wrexham Youth Service that a Youth Council for Wrexham was presently under consideration by Wrexham CBC.
After discussion it was agreed to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting of the Council.
62. ALCOHOL CONTROL ZONE.
The Clerk referred members to the copy of the communication from the Community Safety Team Wrexham Community Partnership and the discussion at the previous meeting about Alcohol Control Zones.
The matter was discussed further and members were unanimous in their decision to inform the Wrexham Community Safety Partnership the Council agrees to support the designation of the entire community area of Chirk to be subject to an Order strongly believing the area is affected by alcohol related anti-social behaviour that has a serious impact of alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the community.
63. NEURO SURGICAL HOSPITAL PROPOSALS.
Members were aware of the proposals of the Welsh Assembly Government to make provision for the treatment of patients from North Wales in hospitals in Swansea and Cardiff. In the lengthy discussion on the subject members expressed their strong opposition to the proposal and that the Welsh Assembly Government should not allow this happen as it will be against the well being and quality of life to the communities of North Wales. Patients in North Wales now are able to be treated in hospitals directly over the border in the North West of England where expert professional services are readily and more conveniently available. Travelling time to these hospitals is far shorter and much less onerous on medical staff and patients where time is of the essence for life saving operations and treatments to be carried out.
63. NEURO SURGICAL HOSPITAL PROPOSALS (cont).
Treatment at these hospitals has been of an excellent high standard for many, many years and the facilities available to the medical profession at these specialist establishments are truly major benefits and much appreciated by the communities in North Wales. They must not be denied to the people of North Wales.
Following the discussion, the Council decided oppose the proposal as strongly as possible and to write to the Welsh Assembly Government in these terms. It was also agreed to advise all the areas MP’s and AM’s of the Council’s stance.
64. LOCAL MEMBERS REPORT.
Cllr Ian Roberts informed the Council that; -
· A Residents Association had been set up at Lodgevale Park.
· A tremendous amount of work had been carried out at Black Park Community Centre with the involvement of Wrexham Youth Service.
· A substantial sum had been received through lottery funding towards the provision of a television and a loop hearing system at Craig Close Community Centre.
· Planning permission had been granted for the Dentist’s Surgery at the former Chirk Post Office.
Cllr Terry Evans said he was pleased and privileged to attend the Wales in Bloom Ceremony at Caerphilly Castle where awards were presented to Chirk for being judged the Best Kept Rail Station in Wales and Chirk itself being runners up in the Principality’s Wales in Bloom 2007 competitions.
Along with this he had with residents planted spring bulbs at Lodgevale Park – there were still 1400 bulbs to plant in the area.
Cllr Evans referred to the party he had attended with residents at Craig Close Community Centre.
Mr Evans reported that re-surfacing the road at the Rhosywaun Shops was taking place as well as off street parking area at Coronation Drive Flats.
Cllr Evans said he was pleased to accompany visitors from Buckley to learn about the successful policing being a carried out in Chirk.
The Chairman thanked both members for their informative reports and the work they had done in the community especially with the planting of the spring bulbs.
65. REMEMBRANCE DAY
The Clerk reminded members of the arrangements agreed by Council with regard to the Remembrance Day Parade and Service at Chirk Cenotaph on Sunday 11th November.
66. CHIRK CENOTAPH.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from Mrs Margaret Parry drawing the attention of the Council to the state of the Cenotaph that is becoming discoloured especially around the corners.
In the discussion that followed, the Clerk mentioned that the Cenotaph had been renovated some years ago that included cleaning and re-lettering and pointed out that the Portland stone was rather porous that seems to why rain from the top of the memorials getting into the stone causing the discolouring. Members agreed that the Cenotaph should be examined and a report obtained as to the best way to deal with the problem and for general cleaning.
67. APPEALS.
The following appeals for financial aid were received and dealt with: -
National Eisteddfod of Wales - It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.
Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales – it was agreed to make a donation of £100.00.
Dangerpoint – North Wales Safety Centre for Children - It was agreed to make a donation of £50.00.
68. CHIRK AND THE CEIRIOG VALLEY FOUR COUNCILS ANNUAL MEETING.
The Clerk reminded members that the Council were hosting this years meeting that will take place at the Parish Hall on Monday 5th November 2007 at 7pm.
69. WREXHAM CBC’S LICENSING POLICY DOCUMENT.
The Clerk reported receipt of this document that reviews the authority’s policy after three years since inception. He said it dealt with licensing objectives regarding the safety of the public, crime and disorder fire safety etc that generally seemed to follow the previous policy.
70. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS – THE FIRE AND RESCUE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR
WALES.
The Clerk reported receipt of this document from the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Welsh Assembly Government that includes 4 performance indicators which will measure a Fire and Rescue Authority’s performance in exercising functions.
71. WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT – LOCAL VISION, PREPARING COMMUNITY
STRATEGIES and A SHARED COMMUNITY.
The Clerk informed the Council that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and he attend meetings of the Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum. The forum was set up by Wrexham CBC and is a way that topical items and various issues that affect local councils are able to be brought forward and discussed with the County Borough Council’s Leader and Officers. It is a way forward that is in line with the aims of the legislation from the Welsh Assembly Government. In time it may be that public services could be taken on by community councils should there be a consensus and a willingness so to do.
72. AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
The Clerk reported receipt of letter from Janet Ryder AM drawing attention to the intention of the Welsh Assembly Government to increase the quantity of affordable homes in areas for the local communities, especially for the younger people in a bid to keep their skills and talent. The Clerk referred to the Council’s comments following the first workshop associated with the proposed Wrexham Development Plan 2011 – 2021 that land should be developed for local needs rather than spec building so as to preserve land for the future of the community of Chirk. It was also mentioned that in any development low cost housing had to be included in schemes.
After discussion it was agreed to reply to Janet Ryder in this vein.
73. WREXHAM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2011 -2021.
The Clerk referred to the current stage of consultation by the Wrexham Planning Authority in the Plan preparation process “the Preferred Strategy”. Workshops and Drop In venues had been arranged by the authority to inform the communities of the proposals. He said he had collated some of the information and this was being considered by the planning sub-committee. Of special note was the information on parcels of land that had been designated for development and others that had been proposed by developers, land owners and the sub-committee decided to consider matters further before recommending comments on this stage of the development plan.
74. CORRESPONDENCE.
a. Notice of meeting of the Chirk and Ceiriog Valley Partnership with a copy of the agenda and minutes of the previous meeting. Cllr Fennell remarked that his report to the last meeting of the Partnership should read that Wrexham CBC Streetscene initiative will be divided into five operational areas throughout the county borough with Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley being in one of them. This was noted by the Council.
b. Notice and invitation to the Annual Meeting of the Wrexham and District Citizen’s Advice Bureaux on Wednesday 12th December 2007 at Alyn Waters Country Park at 11am. Noted.
c. Letter from Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd with regard to Regional Waste Plans – North, South East and South West Wales in connection with waste recycling and meeting the targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government. This information was noted.
d. An invitation to councillors to an “Awareness Raising Event” that is being held at Chirk Infant School on Thursday 8th November 2007. This was noted by members.
e. Notice of meeting of the Wrexham Flint Area Committee of One Voice Wales on Thursday 1st November, 2007. Noted.
f. Letter of reply from the Principal Engineer Traffic, Wrexham CBC with regard to Traffic Control Residential Streets advising the Council that with the imposition of 20mph speed limits it is a requirement that these should be self-enforcing and only introduced in connection with physical traffic calming features that his authority has no budget for this year. The officer also mentions that the National Criteria for all speed limits is currently being reviewed by the Department of Transport and that revised guidelines will shortly be published that will recommend Local Authorities to review all speed limits within their area before 2011. This information was noted.
75. PLANNING MATTERS.
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/2007/1053 Single storey room extension (amended plan) – 27 Highfields, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/1140 Outline application for erection of two bedroom dormer bungalow – Plas Dyffryn, Pentre.
The proposal is contrary to policy H5 of the Wrexham Development Plan.
75. PLANNING MATTERS (cont).
P/2007/1211 Porch Extension – 15 North View, Chirk.
No objection.
P/2007/1248 Rebuild Overhead Line – Caeau Gwynion, Chirk
No objection.
P/2007/1251 Erection of 3 Bedroom dwelling – 131 Crogen, Lodgevale Park, Chirk.
No objection.
Please see report at agenda item 73 above.
The following details of decisions on applications for planning permission were received from the Chief Planning Officer: -
P/2007/0938 Permission granted for the installation of an ATM at McDonald’s Chirk.
P/2007/1042 Permission granted for a single storey extension – 1 South View, Chirk.
76. ACCOUNTS.
1. Payments.
A list of invoices and payments amounting to £4,974.53 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 2007 together with details of Bank Reconciliation. This showed expenditure of £65403.00 and income of £74,971.00.
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 Michael C Williams Chairman 28th November 2007.