MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING HELD 25th APRIL 2018

 

Present

Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Mrs Barbara Humphreys (BH), Mr Terry Evans (TE), Mr Michael Maxfield (MM),
Mr Gareth Baines (GB), (SW), Mrs Dorothy Griffiths (DG), Mr Mark Holmes (MH), Mr Mark Roberts (MR),
Miss Lynne Painter (LP), Ms Eleanor Burnham (EB) & Mr Brian Colley (BC).
Mr Shaun Jones (SJ), Clerk to the Council, PCSO Dean Sawyer (DS) and 0 Members of the Public present.

 

Apologies

Apologies for absence: Cllrs. Mrs Jackie Allen, Mrs Sarah Williams, Ms. Kirsty Cottam & Mr Newman James.

 

Declarations of Interest

No declarations of interest noted based on the published agenda.

 

165.    TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A TRUE RECORD OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 28th MARCH 2018.

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

 

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

None.

167.    TO CONSIDER NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING MATTERS

PCSO Dean Sawyer was welcomed and reference to his report on Chirk Crime and ASB Figures since last meeting made. 

• 3 ASB – 2 Neighbourhood dispute, 1 Offroad complaint.

• 10 Crimes – includes 3 Theft, 1 Fraud, 2 Criminal Damage

• 1 Drugs – Male in Possession.

Of Interest

• 1 Drink driving offence

• 1 Dangerous Dog complaint.

.
Also tabled statistics of March and April Go-Safe tickets issued – 7 and 12 respectively in Chirk.

DS then took questions from Members.  EB questioned the merit of siting the Go-Safe vehicle on the B5070 while roadworks were being undertaken nearby.  On that day choosing a different site to operate may have been more beneficial.  DS could not comment as this activity was independent of his.  DS did state that the Go-Safe had also monitored the A483 between Gledrid and Halton and 22 tickets issued.  LP suggested a Go-Safe site near to the Afon Bradley farm – this has been used in the past.  Mention made by some members of a suspicious White Van seen on frequent occasions in the town – registration number not known.  Also some instances of people sleeping in cars in the locality.  The visit by Councillors to the 101 Call Handling Centre in Abergele is arranged for May 1st – offers of car sharing made.  DG made reference of her concern of a reported attack on an old lady in Rhosymedre last week.  BH requested the PCSO to attend outside Pentre school around 3pm – too many instances of double parking – should be a deterrent.


 

168.    TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES.

An Area of Natural Beauty meeting arranged for 23rd April 2018 with FH expecting to attend.  In the end this was not possible but SJ has received follow up information. EB has agreed to assist the Ceiriog Valley iBeacon project with reviewing the Welsh translation of the published pages.  She also noted the upcoming Library Open Day and a concert this Friday at Black Park Chapel @ 6:30pm.

169.    TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM LOCAL MEMBERS – WREXHAM CBC
 TE gave a summary as part of the Annual Town Meeting agenda and has nothing more to add.

FH commented on the recent World Heritage site consultation events.  Networking seen as very good.

 

170.    TO RECEIVE AN ORAL REPORT ON CHIRK/CEIRIOG VALLEY AMBULANCE CALL OUT TIMES AFTER MEETING WITH WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE.
 The meeting took place in Wrexham.  Lots of issues raised by Ceiriog Valley Councillors/Residents.  A recent incident of someone collapsing in a nearby wood highlighted problems when the callers mobile went flat and a second call restarted the process – wasting valuable time.  Trevor Bates is spearheading a visit to the Ceiriog Valley of Welsh Ambulance Trust to give them a better understanding of where problems lie.  There is recognition of the issue. 
Contact with all Community Councils in the Ceiriog Valley has been made and a Four Councils meeting should be arranged once the WAT have made their site visit.  A Tuesday or Wednesday is preferred.

 

171.    TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND TO HOW COUNCILLORS ORGANISE THE CHIRK CITIZEN OF THE YEAR SELECTION – CURRENTLY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE PLAYS A KEY ROLE.
 After a brief discussion it was proposed by EB and seconded by GB that future decisions on the award of Citizen of the Year should be made through the General Purposes Committee – as all members serve on this committee.  Put to the vote all members agreed – motion carried.

172.    TO RECEIVE THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL AUDIT 2017/18.
 SJ advised that the Internal Auditor is to attend his office on Tuesday 12th June 2018.  Work in preparation of this visit is underway.  Grant Thornton who are the External Auditors have written to advise when our Annual Return and supporting papers should be made available for public inspection.  Between June 22nd to July 19th 2018 and notices put up on 8th of June 2018.  The Annual Return will be reported on and should be signed off by 30th June 2018.  Grant Thornton wish to be in receipt of the completed Annual Return and supporting information by 23rd July 2018.

 

173.    TO DECIDE UPON APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED.
 One request received – from 3 x Year 8 pupils of Ysgol Dinas Bran who outline their Curtain Up Appeal (refurbishment of the school hall).  Members considered the fact the target is £50,000 and as many families in Chirk send their children to the school support should be given.  TE proposed a donation of £500 and this was seconded by MR.  All members agreed – motion carried.
On the matter of Community Halls, GB informed members of the project at nearby Moreton Hall School where a new Community Hall is to be built.

 

174.    TO RECEIVE THE ORAL REPORT OF THE CLERK – INCLUDES CORRESPONDENCE.
 SJ informed members of the upcoming One Voice Wales/Society Local Council Clerks Joint Event on 16th May 2018 in Llandrindod Wells.  It was agreed that SJ should attend and the conference fee of £75 plus VAT was approved by members.
The Wrexham Local Development Plan – Deposit Consultation 9th April to 31st May is underway.  A drop in event on 31st May 2pm – 5pm is to be held at Chirk Parish Hall – all members welcome to attend.  The documents are available for viewing at Chirk Library right now.
A request from Chirk Community Newsletter group for help with delivery of the Newsletter in Chirk – 4 times a year.  If you wish to volunteer the Clerk will pass on your details.
Cleaning of Chirk Cenotaph – SJ with the help of Stephen Edwards has selected and engaged Stone Central to undertake the work in September.  The purchase order for £1,364.10 plus VAT has been completed.  Members approved the expenditure, proposed FH, seconded BC – motion carried.
Chirk Cemetery Expansion Study – also a selection for an initial report by Harrison Design Development, Mold.  This will be undertaken at a cost of £502 plus VAT.  Members approved the expenditure, proposed FH, seconded BC – motion carried.
Correspondence:-

·        Llangollen International Eisteddfod – Offer of 2 Tickets. Noted and FH to apply.

·        WCBC Adult Social Care – CA Funding confirmation. Noted.

·        Alzheimer’s Society – Thanks for Donation of £100. Noted.

·        Elector enquiry – Dog exercise area. Noted – email exchange and signs have clarified.

·        Insp. Steve Owens - NWP – Manning for Remembrance Sunday. Noted – meeting to plan.

·        Welsh Government – Principal Authority re-organisation proposals. Noted.

·        Welsh Government – Historic Environment Consultation launched. Noted.

·        North & Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent – Notice of works. Noted.

 

175.    TO REVIEW Q4/YTD EXPENDITURE AGAINST BUDGET AND BANK RECONCILIATION REPORT.
 Both reports were received and approved.
The motion proposed FH and seconded BC was passed unanimously.

 

176.    TO APPROVE PAYMENTS TO BE MADE AS ON LIST ATTACHED.
 A list of invoices and payments (to 25.04.18) amounting to £8,105.99 & £44.36 (using pre-paid creditcard) was given to the Council and were passed for payment (see addendum). Proposed GB and seconded EB for approval – motion carried.

 

177.    TO PRESENT ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE NEXT AGENDA

·        Consider the reinstatement of goalposts on Recreation Ground owned by Wrexham CBC at Offa, Lodgevale Park.

·        Pen-y-Bont Landfill Site – proposed re-development – site visit for members being arranged.
  

Meeting closed 8:45pm.

Signed                                    Chairman                                                                           30th May 2018