MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD 28th SEPTEMBER 2016
Present Cllrs. Mrs Jackie Allen (JA), Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Mrs Suzanne Newell (SN), Mrs Barbara Humphreys (BH), Mr John Vant (JV), Mr Barry Evans (BE), Mr Brian Colley (BC), Mr Deryn Poppitt (DP), Mrs Claire Gough (CG), Mr Mark Roberts (MR), Mr Mark Holmes (MH), Mrs Sarah Williams (SW) & Mr Dewi Evans (DE). WCBC Cllrs. Mr Ian Roberts (IR) & Mr Terry Evans (TE). PCSO Mr Martin Griffiths 2532 (MG). Mr S Jones (SJ), Clerk to the Council.
The Chairman (JA) extended a warm welcome to Mrs Sarah Williams who was elected on Thursday 8th September 2016 to serve on Chirk Town Council.
Apologies Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Mr Michael Maxfield & Mr Newman James.
Declarations of Interest
Agenda item 13: Financial Appeal made by CoPE Group, Ysgol Dinas
Bran – Cllr Suzanne Newell.
Requisite form completed and Cllr. Newall took no part.
50.
CHIRK NORTH ELECTION RESULT 51. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD 29th JUNE 2016 & 17th AUGUST 2016 The draft minutes for the meeting held 29th June 2016 have been amended and now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings. Proposed SN and seconded FH. Carried. The draft minutes for the meeting held 17th August 2016 have been amended and now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings. Proposed DE and seconded FH. Carried.
52. MATTERS ARISING
SJ brought Councillors up to date on open matters arising from
recent meetings. 3 matters have been completed.
Minute 42
TE has recently written to BT over the lack of Superfast Broadband
in some parts of Chirk. Soon after he observed 5 vans outside the
Hand Hotel where a new Fibre Cabinet was being commissioned. BC
confirmed that Glyn Wylfa tenants have finally been connected to a
fibre service. FH - Still a question over when Pentre will have
fibre made available. IR – told 5 months back that all work had
been completed. 53. NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING Statistics for latest period: 4 assaults, 3 other than dwelling, 2 theft from motor vehicle, 2 theft, 5 criminal damage and 10 anti-social behaviour. The Go-Safe vehicle has been sited on Holyhead Rd and 14 detections were made as well as 3 of non-wearing of seatbelts in September. The residents close to the green space by Richmond Drive/Maes Hyfrydd have requested “NO BALL GAMES” signage. Age group of children playing there is 5 – 9 years. · FH – The Headmaster, John Roberts, of Ysgol Y Waun made unsuccessful attempts to raise PCSO’s on Thursday evening last. Called the mobiles of our 2 PCSO’s and 101 and got no response. · BH – Speeding Offences – how often does the Go-safe team visit ? Believed to be twice a month. · Richmond Gardens /Maes Hyfrydd. WCBC have been written to, to check on the ownership of the green space. TE wonders if it is subject to common ownership in the householders deeds, as is often the case ? · JV – noted a small child on a motorised 3 wheel tricycle on Brynkinalt Park. Councillors advised this park is overseen by Ty Mawr Country Park staff. · TE – noted a spate of graffiti in some parts of Chirk – mostly tags. Much has been removed, although there is more near to the bus stop on Station Avenue. · IR – It would be appreciated if it were possible to make comparison of statistics year on year to highlight trends. · MH – Top field(AAA) – mini pitches – broken glass. Anything noted on CCTV ? · DP – Roof contractors – poor parking causing concerns. IR will see if this can be looked into. · SW – saved her contribution as not strictly a police issue. · SN – ASB issues – have the <16’s been quieter ? PCSC responded that not really – still problematic. Instances of hanging around in groups has been seen less of late. · DE – Had comments passed by concerned residents over the Greengrocers having deliveries before 7am. Just a noise and mess issue. However then moves the lorry into St Mary’s Close and parks on double yellow lines and half on the pavement too. Sometimes there is a van also parked behind. An observer also concerned that these vehicles have been seen reversing into Church St – pretty dangerous. The display of produce on the pavement does impede pedestrians. The PCSO states that only Parking Enforcement Officers from WCBC can issue tickets for these parking infringements and that St Mary’s Close maybe be private land owned by Wales & West Housing Assn. · JA – Also concerned over increase in numbers – closely monitor. It would be nice to see year on year comparison.
54.
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
BE – Welsh Water have been contacted over the waste water smell in
Church St. This has been a problem for over 14 years. There is now
a promise that 2 man hole covers will be properly sealed down and
monitors will be installed in Chirk. JA – Attended a One Voice Wales officer meeting. They are keen to keep abreast of “Place Plans” as they evolve in Wales. Mention of some grant monies being made available by Police Crime Fund to support CCTV. SJ asked to investigate. Asked for experiences of the firms used to perform the external audit – BDO/Grant Thornton. How helpful were they. Next years audit will have a special look at PAYE scheme operated by Community Councils.
55.
REPORTS – LOCAL MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC Mention of graffiti in Chirk. Colliery Road, no idea when works there are expected to finish. Station Avenue is having pavement repairs undertaken. Happy to report that Chirk is receiving its fair share of the limited funds available.
Roof replacements ongoing Rhos-y-Waun but concern over the scaffolding erected and no lighting – danger. DP reports that the street lamps are c1920’s and should be updated/brought up to standard. The lights have been out for nearly 2 months and Scottish Power will put them back on next week.
Footway lighting repairs in general are well managed.
DP addressing IR and TE over the fact that there are 8 street lights – 2 of which are working serving 120 houses. With the fault mentioned and roofing repairs ongoing, matters are extremely dangerous. Should the roofing work be halted ? These are real health and safety concerns. An official complaint has been lodged via WCBC and Scottish Power have a contact – Nicola Sutherland who is liaising on the status of the repair work. The work is understood to be sub-contracted to Jones’. Should I publish on social media ? On the latter point it was thought prudent not to but if there is no positive outcome soon this advice could be revisited.
SN – darkness does facilitate unwelcome visitors and urged for action.
BE – 3 points, Footpath repairs along Colliery Road – already covered. Also Maesywaun has need for some foot path repairs. Hoping this will be picked up. Numbers of people sleeping rough in Wrexham Town Centre. Any figures on the numbers in the County Borough ? This is estimated at 40+. It is believed in the survey undertaken last year that some 10-15 persons were counted. It is a very upsetting sight. When a count is made, many move away to avoid being counted. There are beds available and not all wish to avail. There is some evidence that Wrexham is attracting rough sleepers from other parts of N. Wales.
JA – contributed that in Llandudno there is a Halfway House with 61 beds but 50 remain unused. Also the Dragon Kitchen. Often simply folks choose to sleep rough even if hostel accommodation is available.
IR – also anecdotally believes some even have their own homes, an example of a father and son who sleep rough by choice.
TE – The issue does require a multi-agency approach:- · Provision of a Day Centre · Breakfast offered · 5pm meal
Still the folks are on the streets all day – could something else be thought of ? A lot of work is going on. Not sure if solutions are all there.
FH – No care appears to be demonstrated by the team operating the WCBC Recycling truck. I personally have to sweep up after their visit. Maybe it could be regarded as fly tipping ? The new recycle containers (on trolley) are unfriendly. It is understood that the Welsh Assembly Government contributed 50% of the cost. They are not suited to all property types. One additional matter that Cllr. James asked me to raise, concerns the smelly drains in the vicinity of Hand Terrace. See minute 54 and statement by BE.
JV – Received a letter by post
concerning the new arrangements for re-cycling.
56.
SATURDAY MARKET – COLLIERY ROAD CAR
PARK
57.
ANNUAL RETURN 2015/16 – EXTERNAL
AUDITORS REPORT
58.
CONSULTATIONS
“Our Picturesque Landscape” – a Heritage Lottery bid for £1.3m. The project centres on the landscape of the Dee Valley and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.
BC agreed to attend the consultation event at Plas Newydd, Llangollen on October 6th. SJ to call Sue Haygarth to request survey and also consider inviting local business owners to participate as well.
The Wrexham We Want – consultation closes 24th October 2016 and an invitation to attend an event on Wednesday 12th October 2016 at Coleg Cambria, Yale, Wrexham. FH and SJ to attend.
Difficult Decisions Budget
consultation. In view of time limitations it was moved this be
added to the agenda of the next General Purposes Committee meeting.
Two further Consultations
covering Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Changes and
Affordable Fire & Rescue Services for North Wales were deferred
to be added to an upcoming meeting agenda as the closing dates are
some way off. 59. CLERK’S REPORT Due to time constraints much of what the Clerk wished to report has been deferred.
For the record SJ attended the following meetings/events since our last monthly meeting:- · Society of Local Council Clerks – Regional Meeting, Llandudno · Place Plans – Planning Aid Wales – Colwyn Bay · Quarterly meeting SLCC Clwyd Branch – Colwyn Bay · British Legion – Remembrance Sunday planning · Youth Provision – Wrexham CBC · Town & Community Council Forum – Wrexham CBC · Cemetery matter – family meeting
60. APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE · North Wales Deaf Association – proposed FH and seconded SN that this appeal be left on the table. Motion carried. · Year 10 CoPE Group, Ysgol Dinas Bran. SN declared a personal interest – form completed.
JV proposed that we repeat what was
done last year – the Council send a donation of £20 (the equivalent
of 2 ticket sales). Motion carried. 61. CORRESPONDENCE · Wendi Huggett – One Voice Wales – Training Courses schedule. Noted – there is interest in maybe Chirk TC hosting some bespoke Councillor training – SJ to investigate. · Helen Belton – Coedpoeth CC – Free car park but wish to make ticketed short stay. Noted and reply that Chirk Town Council are not in favour at present. · Karen Humphreys – Chirk AAA Ltd – Plans to hold a Bonfire evening on Sat. 5th November 2016. Noted · Christine Ashford – Friends of Chirk Station – Emails relating to her appointment as Chair of Governors for Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen and Crocus planting for Health & Well Being. Also recent RHS awards. Noted – if additional planting sites in Chirk are needed, it was proposed that some could be planted in the Cemetery – along the inside of the fence line (turn right upon entering the main gates). JV, SW & SN can be approached to assist. SJ to let Christine know. · Sheila Dee – Community Rail Officer – Update on signage renewal. Noted
The following applications for planning consent received from the Chief Planning Officer, Wrexham County Borough Planning Authority under the consultation procedures for consideration and comment was dealt with.
·
P/2016/0802 Removal of 2 No Trees – T1 Chamaecyparis and T2 Ash
(Protected by Chirk Conservation Area)
·
P/2016/0832 Replace Existing Timber Door with New UPVC Door
63. ACCOUNTS/PAYMENTS
·
Payments
64. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
·
FH - Just a mention of the upcoming Chirk Celebrations & Light
Committee organised event at St Marys Church this coming Friday.
Just £5 for a family of 4. · BH – the brambles need to be strimmed. · BC – for information, on 19th October 2016 the National BIG Lottery Awards will be hosted at Glyn Wylfa. · MR – reports that the land dispute has been resolved (Castle Walks area) and thanks TE for his assistance. Also the faulty street light has been fixed. · DP – repeating from last meeting, the brambles along the path known as the Glen needs attention. Also poor parking by the Take-Aways on Colliery Road. · SW – just to report while canvassing in Chirk North to discover such a beauty as the village of Pentre. · SN has concerns over limited visibility on junction behind where there is a bungalow being constructed on Maes-y-Waun. Requests for the youth provision special meeting to be convened sonnest.
·
BE has been contacted over the recent grass maintenance work at
Chirk Cemetery. SJ advised this was reported to him too and he
posted on This is Chirk group :-
·
FH one extra point to mention, the fact the new floodlights over the
skatepark are extending the ability to use the facility by some
hours each evening. Meeting closed 9.20pm.
Signed Chairman 30th November 2016
|