
MINUTES
OF
ORDINARY MEETING HELD 28th JUNE 2017
Present
Cllrs Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Mrs Jackie Allen (JA),
Mrs Barbara Humphreys (BH),
Ms Kirsty Cottam (KC),
Mr Terry Evans (TE), Mrs
Sarah Williams (SW), Mr Michael Maxfield
(MM), Mr Newman James (NJ),
Mr Mark Holmes (MH), Miss Lynne Painter (LP), Mrs Dot Griffiths
(DG), Mr Gareth Baines (GB)
& Ms Eleanor Burnham (EB).
Mr Shaun Jones (SJ), Clerk to the
Council.
Apologies
Apologies for absence: Cllrs.
Mr Brian Colley & Mr Mark Roberts.
Declarations of Interest
Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest made at this
point
32.
TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A TRUE RECORD OF THE MEETING HELD
ON 31ST MAY 2017.
The draft minutes for the Council
Meeting held 31st May 2017 are now put to the Council as
an accurate record of proceedings. The motion proposed JA and
seconded KC was passed unanimously.
33.
TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A
TRUE RECORD OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19TH JUNE 2017.
The draft minutes for the Council
Meeting held 19th June 2017 are now put to the Council as
an accurate record of proceedings. The motion proposed JA and
seconded TE was passed unanimously.
34.
TO CONSIDER ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM
THE MINUTES RECEIVED ABOVE NOT REPORTED ELSEWHERE.
Minute 15 31.5.2017 Mention made of the recent news article
published in the Oswestry & Border
Counties Advertizer
highlighting Councillors concerns over Neighbourhood
Policing in Chirk and
included the issue of illegal parking on the zig-zag lines
outside the Spar on Church
Street. An initiative jointly with the Police Inspector
and Chirk Town Council is
underway to see if the street barrier could be
extended to discourage
inappropriate parking in this area.
Minute 21 31.5.2017 Collaboration with the Chirk & Ceiriog
Valley Partnership (CCVP) is anticipated.
SJ is to receive meeting
minutes from CCVP to assist with keeping members
regularly informed.
Minute 22 31.5.2017 A warm welcome was given by the Chair to the
4 newly co-opted members
following the Special
Meeting held on June 19th 2017. The Chair invited every
member to give a short
introduction to give the new Councillors an idea of who
is who.
Minute 24 31.5.2017 Footpath 45 remains a live issue. A Rights
of Way presentation would assist
members in a clearer
understanding of how to retain legal status of paths and
bridleways in Chirk North
and South Wards. SJ agreed to look into this.
35.
TO CONSIDER NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING MATTERS
No PCSO present this evening. The usual statistics report has been
presented to members. Note made of the 3 Assaults recorded with no
specific detail. JA suggested that if a prosecution is pending it is
not always possible to provide.
36.
TO RECEIVE REPORT FROM GENERAL
PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 19TH JUNE 2017.
The draft report for the General Purposes Committee meeting held 19th
June 2017 are now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed JA and seconded BH was passed
unanimously.
EB recently visited the Cemetery and reports the grass
has been recently cut. She also had a suggestion made by a resident
there that when a grave is re-opened the spoil be containerised
rather than put on a sheet adjacent thus temporarily blocking the
grave space. SJ will discuss with the regular contractor.
37.
TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM STAFF SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 20TH JUNE 2017.
The draft report of the Staff Sub-Committee meeting held 20th
June 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed JA and seconded FH was passed
unanimously.
Recommendations made are now put to Council, motion proposed
JA and seconded MH passed unanimously.
38.
TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 31ST
MAY 2017 & 20TH JUNE 2017.
The draft report of the Finance Committee meeting held 31st
May 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed KC and seconded JA was passed
unanimously.
The draft report of the Finance Committee meeting held 20th
June 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed JA and seconded BH was passed
unanimously.
39.
TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVES.
JA attended a National Executive Meeting of One Voice Wales in
Builth Wells her report will be taken under Agenda item 15.
The Open Day at Chirk Court on
16th June 2017 was attended by the FH, BH, MR and SJ. An
outcome is a request for financial assistance under Agenda item 12.
40.
TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM LOCAL
MEMBERS WREXHAM CBC.
Jointly given by FH and TE. It is understood another £13m has to be
taken out of the budget of Wrexham County Borough Council over the
next 2 years. Another look at the bin service (maybe reduce the
annual number of collections and grass cutting around the borough
are expected in an effort to save on costs. Mention of Footpath 45
which efforts to resolve are very long standing. Some re-route has
been agreed over WCBC and Hospital Trust land, however the matter is
not completely resolved. The area around Coronation Drive could
be considered for a one-way scheme that would allow for more street
parking. In collaboration with Freedom Leisure a pilot scheme to
provide Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions is due to start soon.
Up at Chirk Hospital the Dementia Support nurse is to take maternity
leave so FH is aware of an appeal for volunteers to play music or
sing. Mention of the Black Park singing group and GB mentioned
Consertina Music for the Elderly that should be contacted. Halton
Roundabout consultation, 21.6.17 Chirk Parish Hall FH and SJ
attended. Looking at making improvements but with an eye that
perhaps in the long term the A5/A483 is dualled from Ruabon to
Nescliffe. Measures to improve safety. NJ believes marked Police
cars slow people down. After the recent single vehicle accident on
the Ceiriog Viaduct adding concrete barriers (as a temporary
measure) were delayed because of teams working in London and
elsewhere. Kronospan have a Public Consultation event planned for
Thursday 6th July 2017 in the Council Chamber of Chirk
Parish Hall 1pm to 8pm.
41.
TO DECIDE UPON APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE RECEIVED.
An appeal from RAF Air Cadets 856 Chirk Squadron towards new
computer equipment for training. Mention of a Civilian Fund Raising
Committee made and that it has never been seen in Chirk. MH
proposed and SW seconded a donation of £100 be made. An amendment
was proposed by LP and seconded by TE that a donation of £200 be
made. The amendment was voted on first with 6 in favour and 6
against. The Chair used his casting vote in favour of the amendment
motion carried.
An appeal from Chirk Court residents for funds towards the purchase
of an iPad for Reminiscence TV and other online resources. JA
proposed and BH seconded a donation of £500 be approved. All agreed
motion carried.
42.
TO RECEIVE INTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT
AND ANNUAL RETURN FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2017.
The Internal Auditors report was thoroughly reviewed and
explanations by SJ provided when required. JA proposed and KC
seconded that the Audit report be noted all agreed. Thanks to the
Clerk for the work undertaken.
Then the completed Annual Return for 2016/17 was tabled. It was
moved by JA and seconded by LP that it is approved. Inspection by
electors is closing on 6th July 2017 and then all will be
submitted to Grant Thornton the External Auditors.
43.
TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT A DOCUMENT
RETENTION POLICY.
A model Document Retention Policy supplied by our Internal Auditors
has been tailored for Chirk Town Council and reviewed by the Finance
Committee on 24th March 2017. It was intended for this
to be brought to Full Council earlier but accidently got left off
the agenda. It was moved by JA and seconded by MH to adopt
the Document Retention Policy and for it to be regularly reviewed
along with other policies in place for Chirk Town Council. All
agreed motion carried.
44.
TO RECEIVE AN ORAL REPORT FROM CLLR.
ALLEN CONCERNING COMMUNITY COUNCIL CLUSTERING.
JA attended a recent National Executive Meeting of One Voice Wales
at the Showground in Builth Wells. Amongst matters discussed a
clear direction of travel that the Minister Mark Drakeford AM gave
over Community Council Clustering was emphasised. In fact some
£1.5m could be available to assist with establishment of schemes
across Wales. JA gave an example of perhaps Community/Town Councils
engaging Enforcement Officers to combat the nuisance of dog fouling
and traffic obstruction/parking issues. A cluster of 3 or more
Councils could collaborate. Any fines levied could assist with long
term financing of the scheme. JA as the current Chair of the
Wrexham & Flintshire Area Committee of OVW will sound out opinion
over the potential for collaboration along the lines stated.
KC left the meeting at 8:15pm
45.
TO RECEIVE THE ORAL REPORT OF THE
CLERK INCLUDES CORRESPONDENCE.
SJ tabled the updated Ongoing Matters report which lists actions
from previous meetings.
An offer to purchase a Notice Board at a discount of 40% has
presented itself. SJ advises an enclosed lockable example which
support 9 x A4 posters is offered for £478.20 plus VAT. Members
approved the purchase. It is to be decided where it should be
located likely Pentre as a replacement or possibly Black Park
where no Council Notice Board currently exists.
A New Councillor Induction training course put on by One Voice Wales
is slated for 13.7.17 in Gresford. It should be noted that SJ is
putting plans in place for one or two bespoke OVW training sessions
here in Chirk and both old and new Councillors are encouraged to
participate.
It was agreed that TE should be
the deputy CTC representative on the Chirk & Ceiriog Valley
Partnership committee JA remains the primary.
Correspondence:-
·
North Wales Fire & Rescue
Invitation to participate in consultation.
Agreed to participate.
·
Denise Tegerdine Woodland Trust
Protect trees in urban environment.
Noted.
·
Chirk Community Newsletter
Letter of thanks for donation of £500.
Noted.
·
Heritage Lottery Fund
Great Place Scheme Place Heritage at the Heart of Communities.
Noted.
·
Karen Holthofer AONB Communications Officer Become a Champion for the Clwydian Range & Dee
Valley AONB. Cllr. Burnham is happy
to be the CTC Champion.
·
Sean Hanratty Rights of Way
Chirk footpath 45. See minute 34
above.
·
Welsh Government Stakeholder Workshops
July 17 Colwyn Bay, Higher Activity Radioactive Waste Management
and Disposal. Noted.
·
Nicholas Roe Wrexham Area Civic Society
Annual Awards 2017 submit nominations.
An email reply to suggest possible
submission of the recent Chirk Court redevelopment.
·
Eilwen Jones Regional Emergency Planning Officer
Invitation to be a pilot area for developing a
Community Emergency Plan. Noted and
SJ will be meeting EJ tomorrow at WCBC Town & Community Council
Forum where she is presenting. NJ very much in favour of Chirk
having such a plan.
·
Christine Ashford Friends of Chirk Station
John Woods Wales in Bloom making a short visit
to Chirk on 10.7.17 invitation to Clerk and Chair to join the
welcoming party. Noted.
·
Christine Ashford Chair Ysgol Dinas Bran Governors Outlining senior management team
for 2017/18 academic year. Noted.
46.
TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 19TH JUNE 2017.
The draft report of the Planning Sub-Committee meeting held 19th
June 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed JA and seconded MM was passed
unanimously.
47.
TO CONSIDER AMENDED PLANS P/2016/1165
LAND ON NORTH SIDE OF STATION AVENUE, CHIRK.
SJ provided background to the history of this application and the
copied in response from a neighbour to the proposed development. TE
provided information on the response he has given and offered to
copy SJ. Members were wishing to echo the sentiments over their
strong wish to protect the Conservation Area. SJ will submit
additional comments back to WCBC Planners.
48.
TO CONSIDER PLANS P/2017/0504 THE
LODGE BLACK PARK, CHIRK.
Members were happy to leave to the Conservation Officer to determine
whether the applicants proposals are in keeping. Agrees to approve
on this basis.
49.
TO CONSIDER LODGING A COMPLAINT OVER
P/2015/0225 LAND WEST OF AND ADJACENT TO THE BUNGALOW, OLD BLACK
PARK ROAD, HALTON, CHIRK.
It was agreed to see if the Planning Consultant CTC engaged would
assist/advise on how to lodge a complaint but remain anonymous. SJ
to progress.
50.
TO APPROVE PAYMENTS TO BE MADE AS ON
LIST ATTACHED.
Payments
A list of invoices and payments (to 28.06.17) amounting to
£18,113.23 & £9.51 (using pre-paid creditcard) was given to the
Council and were passed for payment (see addendum). Proposed JA and
seconded LP for approval motion carried.
51.
TO PRESENT ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE
NEXT AGENDA.
·
Emergency Plan Pilot.
·
Children/Young People of Chirk Invite TNR Coaching Activities and
Training.
·
Longfield Recreation Ground propose improvements.
·
Butchers Corner poor drainage.
Meeting closed 9:03pm.
Signed
Chairman
26th July 2017
|