MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING HELD 26th JULY 2017

Present

Cllrs Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Mrs Jackie Allen (JA), Mrs Barbara Humphreys (BH), Ms Kirsty Cottam (KC),
 Mr Terry Evans (TE), Mr Michael Maxfield (MM), Mr Newman James (NJ), Miss Lynne Painter (LP),
Mrs Dot Griffiths (DG), Mr Brian Colley (BC) & Ms Eleanor Burnham (EB).
 PCSO Mr Dean Sawyer (DS) & Mr Shaun Jones (SJ), Clerk to the Council.

 

Not Present

Cllr Mr Gareth Baines,

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Mr Mark Holmes, Mrs Sarah Williams & Mr Mark Roberts.

 

Declarations of Interest

Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest made at this point

 

52.      TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A TRUE RECORD OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28th JUNE 2017.

The draft minutes for the Council Meeting held 28th June 2017 are now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings.  The motion proposed EB and seconded BH was passed unanimously.

 

53.      TO CONSIDER ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES RECEIVED ABOVE NOT REPORTED ELSEWHERE.

 

None.

 

54.      TO CONSIDER NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING MATTERS
PCSO Dean Sawyer was welcomed.  The usual statistics report has been presented to members and noted. Statistics for both Chirk North and South Wards show a Year To Date drop of 25% and 38% on reported crime figures.


TE – Parking by Stanton Pub on Holyhead Road causing obstruction by parking on the pavement.  Also a 40’ Trailer seen on pavement outside the Co-op.  So in summary the issue of parking in a dangerous and causing obstruction is needing action.  Mention of Jo Rodgers who heads the Enforcement Team in Wrexham made – someone to highlight this issue to.


JA – Under some thoughts on initiatives could there be scope for a cluster of Community Councils hiring their own Enforcement Officer(s) ?  Gresford CC have expressed an interest.  Need to sort out licencing – look to Wrexham CBC for guidance.  Tidy Town = Tidy Mind.  Suggest inviting Jo Rodgers to meet with Chirk Councillors.


EB – Some observation on noisy/aggressive dogs – seen on Chirk Recreation Ground, occasionally fighting.  Dog fouling in numerous locations in Chirk.  Also Cycling on pavements is a real hazard.  Some cyclists claim it is too dangerous to cycle on the road.  PCSO will give warning to any cyclists seen riding on pavements.  Finally a number of observations of inappropriate parking on Church Street – many simply not using proper parking provision in the town.


DG – Asked if any plans over solving the periodic poor parking seen on Colliery Road by the Take-Away outlets.  In fact at the nearby Hairdressers there was a recent occasion where customers were trapped in the shop unit because a vehicle had parked directly in front blocking the doorway.  In practice a 5 minute tolerance over such poor parking is given but using the car park nearby is certainly to be promoted.  Re-painting the double yellow line zone is suggested ?  NJ also stated that this is a bus route and the fire service require 24 hr access.


BC – also seen cyclists riding on pavement in Maes-y-Waun.  There is also a hedge causing some danger because it needs cutting back.  On Holyhead Road near to the AAA Sports and Social Club the hedge is needing to be trimmed.  Also grids cause a problem for cyclists.  There was a recent suggestion with the PCSO team of an Environmental Audit – could cycle paths be taken into account ?

 

55.      TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 19TH JULY 2017.

The draft report for the General Purposes Committee meeting held 19th July 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings.  The motion proposed LP and seconded JA was passed unanimously.
Matters arising – Item 4 to be covered at the end of this meeting.  Also a question over the policy for memorial benches. A visit at Chirk Cemetery undertaken by Councillors last Monday – overall they determined that all looked good.  Some discussion over plans for extending the burial ground – taking in drainage.  Potential to resurrect the Cemetery Committee to progress.

 

56.      TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.
 BH reported on the recent event at Chirk Court – Strawberry and Bubbly Evening, a fundraiser for the Residents Comfort Fund.  GB, DG and FH also attended

 

57.      TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM LOCAL MEMBERS – WREXHAM CBC.
 TE and FH just attended an event at Chirk Leisure Centre to commemorate the recent refurbishment work undertaken there.  LED lighting installed in Swimming Pool area, the new 3G Outdoor Football Pitch and New Gym and Weightlifting area.  It is suggested that a request for a visit by Chirk Town Councillors should be made.

TE reported:

·         Trevor Road – Double yellow lines not complete

·         Car Park in Longfield upgraded

·         Hedge trim by Trap and back

·         Hedge trim - Station Avenue

·         Disabled Access opp. Optician completed

·         Highways requested to install a Cyclists restrictor in Castle Walks.

 

FH reported:

·         Some delay in verge cutting due to the fact the contractor has been hospitalised.

·         Fence in Lodgevale – Lawrence Isted WCBC to visit.  Some 25 years elapsed.  Relates to Footpath 45.  Also rubbish in field moved.

·         Leisure Centre will have an additional 20-30 car parking spaces once improvements close to school are completed – usable in the evenings.

·         Dementia Friendly Swimming pilot is due to start in September.  Based in Chirk Leisure Centre, once per week while on trial.

 

LP reported to our WCBC representatives that there was an incident last Wednesday where the service bus 64 somehow lost a complete window smashing near the bus stop in the front of Lodgevale.  A lot of glass and this was cleared by residents ahead of Highways staff arriving (having been advised of the incident).  

58.      TO DECIDE UPON APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED.
 A request for financial support from St Mary’s Church Hand Bells – a project to restore the set of 19 handbells at St Mary’s Church Chirk.  JA proposed and BH seconded a donation of £200 be made.  Motion carried.

 

59.      TO CONSIDER FUTURE COUNCILLOR TRAINING.

The Clerk outlined that 2 One Voice Wales training modules, Chairing Skills and New Councillor Induction that are planned to be run at Chirk Parish Hall.  Provisional dates are 11th and 18th September respectively.  All Community Councils in the Wrexham area have been alerted and some take up has resulted in places being booked.  He encouraged Chirk Councillors to participate as higher levels of registration are needed to make running the course viable.  The cost is roughly £40 per attendee.

60.      TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR MANAGEMENT OF FLORAL DISPLAYS IN CHIRK.
 JA who is the current Chair of Chirk Community Forum stated the case outlined in her letter to the Council.  Volunteer recruitment appears stalled.  The small team propose to plant out but are unable to ensure the plants are watered throughout the season.  Councillors agreed that this matter should be brought to an upcoming General Purposes Committee to determine what further support Chirk Town Council can offer.

 

61.      TO RECEIVE THE ORAL REPORT OF THE CLERK – INCLUDES CORRESPONDENCE.
 SJ tabled the updated Ongoing Matters report which lists actions from previous meetings. 
With our new intake of Councillors the Clerk has been advised of 3 who wish to serve on the Planning Sub-Committee - EB, LP & DG and EB is willing to serve on the Chirk Environmental Liaison Committee.  Approval given and the Clerk will update the committee member records.
Minutes from the latest Chirk & Ceiriog Valley Partnership meeting have been received and particular note made of progress on their rollout of iBeacon – a plan to meet their team once our iBeacon Working Party has held the initial meeting with Cadwyn Clwyd consultant team.
The Citizen of the Year Reception event held 14th July 2017 was warmly received.
A Staffing/Policies Committee meeting to approve 3 draft policies is to be called shortly.
The offer for Councillors to take a walk through the Canal Wood area is set for 29th July 2017 at 2:30pm.
A new bank account mandate for the Chairman’s Account to be signed by FH and submitted to HSBC.


Correspondence:-

 

·        Community Health Council – Invitation to participate in consultation. Noted – for those with an interest to respond on an individual basis.

·         Jane Johnson – WCBC – Cllr. Geoff Edwards to be re-appointed to Standards Committee.  Noted – happy for the re-appointment.

·         Welsh Government – Invitation to respond to consultation on School Organisation Code. Noted – FH to review.

·         Welsh Treasury – Invitation to respond to consultation on Welsh Revenue Authority having access to criminal powers.  Noted - agreed to leave on table.

·         James Gibbs – Radioactive Policy – Invitation to Workshop, new date 27.9.17 Colwyn Bay. Noted - agreed to leave on table.

·         Marlene Jones – 2016 Citizen of the Year – Thankyou card after the reception on July 14th 2017. Noted.

·         Alma Owens – Sydney Roberts Poems – Letter of thanks after reception on July 14th 2017.  Noted.

·         Mandi Southern – Chirk Court – Letter of thanks for donation towards an iPad for residents.  Noted.

·        Welsh Government – Invitation to respond to consultation on Electoral Reform. Noted – for those with an interest to respond on an individual basis.

 

62.      TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 19TH JULY 2017.
 The draft report of the Planning Sub-Committee meeting held 19th July 2017 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings.  Councillors passed.
A recently received advice of a Planning Application was considered.
P/2017/0602 Change of Use of Agricultural Land to Equestrian and Erection of Stables and Storeroom
The Dingle Lower Halton Chirk
Comments – The Council has no objection raised to the proposal.

 

63.      TO REVIEW Q1 EXPENDITURE AGAINST BUDGET AND BANK RECONCILIATION REPORT.
 SJ presented both Bank Reconciliation (showing that expenditure totalled £34,559.95 and receipts £53,968.60) and Expenditure vs. Budget reports to 30th June 2017 and were both noted and approved.
 

64.      TO APPROVE PAYMENTS TO BE MADE AS ON LIST ATTACHED.
 A list of invoices and payments (to 26.07.17) amounting to £15,599.30 & £172.57 (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.

 

65.      TO PRESENT ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE NEXT AGENDA.

 

·      Closure of Royal British Legion Social Club and any impact on Annual Remembrance Service

 

TO REVIEW AND APPROVE ACTIONS OVER RECENT CEMETERY MATTERS.
 This item was discussed in camera – press and public excluded.

 

Meeting closed 9:08pm.

  

Signed                                    Chairman                                                                           27th September 2017