
MINUTES
OF
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 29th MAY 2019
Present
Cllrs Mrs Jackie Allen (JA), Mr Brian Colley (BC), Mrs Barbara
Humphreys (BH), Mr Michael Maxfield (MM),
Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Ms. Eleanor Burnham (EB), Mr Gareth Baines
(GB), Mrs Sarah Williams (SW),
Mr Mark Holmes (MH), Mrs Dot Griffiths (DG), Mr Chris Burgoyne (CB),
Mr Terry Evans (TE)
& Mr Mark Roberts (MR),
Mr Shaun Jones (SJ), Clerk to the Council. Mr. Jack Butler, Press –
NWN.
Cllr. Chris Burgoyne joins Chirk Town Council as a co-opted member
representing Chirk North Ward. Both JA and BC welcomed Chris and
looked forward to working together.
1.
TO RECEIVE REPORT FROM RETIRING CHAIR.
Cllr. Jackie Allen thanked all members of the Council and the Clerk
for their support during his year as Chairman of the Council. JA
referred members to her report given at last month’s Annual Town
Meeting. Also thanks to the caretaking staff for all their hard
work and to Mr Jack Butler of the Border Counties Advertizer
throughout her period of office.
2.
TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF CHIRK TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2019/20 AND WITNESS THE
ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.
Cllr. Barbara Humphreys proposed Cllr. Brian Colley for the post of
Chair. This was seconded by Cllr. Dot Griffiths. No other
nominations were made and Cllr. Brian Colley was duly elected as
Chairman – motion carried - unanimous.
Cllr. Colley after signing the Declaration of Office and being
presented with the Chain of Office by Cllr Jackie Allen, he took the
opportunity to address the meeting and thanked Cllr. Jackie Allen
for all her hard work over the last year and hoped it was
enjoyable. He thanked the Councillors on being elected as your
Chair and stated it was an honour and privilege to serve.
3.
TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
THROUGH THE CLERK.
Apologies for absence:
Cllr.
Miss Lynne Painter & Mr Newman James.
4.
TO MAKE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN
ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
Declarations of Interest: No declarations of interest made at this
point.
5.
TO ELECT THE VICE-CHAIR OF CHIRK TOWN
COUNCIL FOR 2019/20 AND WITNESS THE ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE.
BC called for proposals for the post of Vice-Chair of Chirk Town
Council.
Cllr. Terry Evans proposed Cllr. Jackie Allen for the post of
Vice-Chair. This was seconded by Cllr. Dot Griffiths.
No other nominations were brought forward therefore Cllr. Jackie
Allen was duly elected as Vice- Chairman – motion carried -
unanimous.
Cllr. Jackie Allen signed the Declaration of Office.
6.
TO REVIEW AND DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF
PLACES ON EACH COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
SJ
referred members to the recently approved Terms of Reference for
Committees – all of which have advisory and not delegated powers.
At the time it was stated that for some committees the number of
members had increased over the May 2018 AGM allocation, in
particular the Planning, Finance and Staff & Policies Committees.
This agenda item was included ahead of making appointments to
committees for 2019/20 in order to allow members to make any change
to committee membership places. The decision made was not to
cap, but encourage members to join whichever committee that was of
particular interest to the member concerned.
7.
TO
MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES:
The following committees agreed and members elected thereto: -
General Purposes Committee.
The Full Council.
Plans Committee.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr Michael Maxfield, Mrs Barbara Humphreys,
Mr Mark Roberts,
Mrs Sarah Williams, Mr Mark Holmes, Mr Terry Evans, Miss Lynne
Painter, Mrs Dorothy Griffiths &
Mr Gareth Baines
Finance Committee.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr Mark Holmes, Mr Terry Evans, Mrs Sarah
Williams, Mr Gareth Baines & Mr Chris Burgoyne.
Special Committee.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman,
Mrs Sarah Williams.
Consultations Committee.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mr Mark Roberts.
Parish Hall Sub-Committee. Chairman,
Vice-Chairman, Mr Mark Holmes, Mrs Barbara Humphreys,
Mr Michael Maxfield, Mr Newman James, Mrs Dorothy Griffiths, Mr
Frank Hemmings &
Miss Lynne Painter.
Staffing & Policies Committee.
Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mr Mark Roberts, Mr Mark Holmes,
Mrs Sarah Williams, Miss Lynne Painter, Mr Frank Hemmings, Mr Gareth
Baines &
Mrs Eleanor Burnham.
SJ will update the Terms of Reference of Committees based on the
above membership and present for adoption to the Staffing and
Policies Committee in the near future.
8.
TO AGREE APPOINTMENTS OF COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVES ON THE FOLLOWING OUTSIDE BODIES
School Governors:
Ysgol Y Waun Chirk School
Mrs Sarah Williams.
Dee Valley Federation
Mrs Barbara Humphreys.
Chirk Charities
Mrs
Jackie Allen, Mr Newman James, Mr Mark Holmes and Mr Frank Hemmings.
Chirk Environmental Liaison Group
Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Mrs Sarah Williams,
Ms. Eleanor Burnham, Miss Lynne Painter, Mrs Dorothy Griffiths & Mr
Chris Burgoyne.
Black Park Community Centre.
Mr Frank Hemmings and Mrs Sarah Williams.
OneVoice Wales, Wrexham/Flint Area Regional Committee.
Mrs Jackie Allen & Mr Mark Roberts.
Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Association.
Mrs Jackie Allen.
Chirk Air Training Corps – Civilian Committee.
Mrs Jackie Allen.
North East Wales Play and Playing Fields Association.
The Clerk.
Chirk Youth Football Club.
Mr Michael Maxfield, Mr Newman James, Mr Mark Holmes and Mr Mark
Roberts.
Footpath Liaison.
Mr Frank Hemmings and Mr Brian Colley.
Chirk/Ceiriog Valley Partnership.
Mrs Jackie Allen (Deputy Mr Frank Hemmings).
Chirk Celebrations and Lights Committee.
Mr Frank Hemmings, Mr Newman James, Mr Mark Roberts & Mr Mark
Holmes.
Chirk Recreation Ground Trust.
All members of the Council.
Chirk Community Forum.
Mr Frank Hemmings
Wrexham CBC Community Council Forum.
Chairman, Vice-Chairman and the Clerk.
Glyn Valley Tramway Trust
– Mrs Jackie Allen.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Champion
– Mr Frank Hemmings
9.
TO AGREE DATES OF MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL 2019/20
The suggested dates for Ordinary Meetings in 2019/20 were presented
based on the usual last Wednesday in the calendar month apart from
December and no meeting scheduled in August. SJ has highlighted 2
dates that fall at the time of school half term holidays in October
and May. Members also heard that BC has leave planned for the end
of June so this date could also be reviewed. GB proposed,
seconded by JA that members adopted the suggested dates without
amendment –motion carried. These will be published on our
website.
In addition a list of dates for Key Committee Meetings was also
tabled for 2019/20. Members adopted.
10.
TO RECEIVE INFORMATION OF ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL
2018/19.
Details of Councillors attendance for 2018/19 presented for
information.
FH
commended the 3 members with 100% attendance, JA, DG & BH. EB asked
it to be noted that ill health prevented her attendance to two
meetings.
11.
TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A TRUE RECORD OF THE ORDINARY
MEETING HELD ON 24th APRIL 2019.
The draft minutes for the Council Meeting held 24th April
are now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings. JA
requested 5 minutes to read the minutes. The motion proposed JA
and seconded FH was passed unanimously.
12.
TO CONFIRM AND SIGN THE MINUTES AS A
TRUE RECORD OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 14TH MAY 2019.
The draft minutes for the Special Meeting held 14th May
are now put to the Council as an accurate record of proceedings.
The motion proposed FH and seconded BH was passed unanimously.
13.
TO CONSIDER ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES RECEIVED ABOVE NOT
REPORTED ELSEWHERE.
Minute 168 – First meeting of Tourism Sub-Group scheduled for June
18th 2019. Also EB strongly requested the Train
Excursion company be asked to consider a scheduled stop in Chirk for
future trips. SJ to action.
Minute 171 – Once meeting with Emma Williams has taken place the EV
Charging Point will be put on a General Purposes Committee meeting
agenda. Also suggested to look to Cadwyn Clwyd LEADER funding as a
source of grant monies.
Minute 174 – The broken step at the Millennium Gardens has been
repaired.
Minute 175 – The Accounts pack has been published.
14.
TO CONSIDER NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING MATTERS.
No PCSO present this evening however a report has been received
covering– 24/4 to 28/5.
Crimes - 9
2x Criminal damage
5 x Thefts (bank cards, shoplifting, trailer, bench/steel gate,
mountain bike)
2x Assault
ASB - 3
3 x neighbour disputes, motor bikes, Facebook
SJ outlined some further information about the 5 thefts that he
requested of the PCSO team. The bank cards were taken from a
vehicle, the shoplifting took place at the Co-op store, the trailer
was taken from a property, the bench/steel gate stolen from the Old
Golf Club/Chirk Marina and the mountain bike theft was reported as
part of a family dispute.
A query over why a known theft of a Camper Van in Pentre has not
been included in the above report. SJ to request clarification
from the PCSO team.
15.
TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM STAFFING AND POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 9TH MAY
2019.
The draft report for the Staffing and Policies Committee Meeting
held 9th May 2019 is now put to the Council as an
accurate record of proceedings. The motion proposed FH and
seconded MR was passed.
EB followed up with a concern over access to both paper based and
electronic information in case the Clerk/RFO was unavailable.
16.
TO RECEIVE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 14TH MAY 2019.
The draft report for the Finance Committee meeting held 14th
May 2019 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. The motion proposed JA and seconded TE was passed.
17.
TO RECEIVE REPORT FROM GENERAL
PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 14TH MAY 2019.
The draft report for the General Purposes Committee meeting held 14th
May 2019 is now put to the Council as an accurate record of
proceedings. SJ was asked to revise and represent the draft
report. Updates to item 5 and 6 requested.
Matters arising – Item 3 – SW had earlier raised a concern with BC
straight after his election (they both stepped out of the meeting
briefly). The is one of confidentiality as within 2 days of this
GPC meeting both MH and SW received a great deal of flack, and what
was attributed was inaccurate. JA stated the Code of Conduct
handles this, she added she supports SW. Matters discussed in
confidence should remain in the room. FH explains that use of
hearing some agenda items with no public present is allowed for. BC
commented that SW had made points well. Council members should work
as a team and if there is any repetition then the Code of Conduct
will be invoked.
Item 7 – SJ advises there has
been no reply to the invitation sent. (Post meeting an email had
been received at 18:03hrs that day. The invitation was accepted.)
Item 10 – SJ asked to invite the new
Police Inspector to hear first-hand concerns over drug use in
the area. DG praised PCSO Gareth Jones for his work since coming to
the area, he should also attend.
18.
TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM COUNCIL
REPRESENTATIVES.
JA reported that Chirk Community Forum had topped the Airbus
Community Awards 2019 securing a grant of £7,000 to support the
installation of a Wheelchair Swing. The announcement was made on
Tuesday 14th May, 2019. The grant working party is
working well and in addition to JA, TE and GB, BH has agreed to
join. GB advises that £10,500 is the running total of funds raised
or pledged.
The Shrewsbury Chester Rail Users’ Association (SCRUA) are meeting
tomorrow evening and JA is to attend.
SW reported on all the successes Chirk Youth Football have achieved
this season. Mark Evans is the recently appointed Chair of Chirk
Youth Football and is proving his worth. Over 180 youngsters are
participating. The U8’s participated at the Airbus Tournament and
won, U11’s picked up a plate at the same tournament and the U14’s
secured a league and cup double. In addition, the U19’s were
runners up in a new league.
19.
TO RECEIVE ORAL REPORTS FROM LOCAL
MEMBERS – WREXHAM CBC.
FH advised the land West of and adjacent to The Bungalow, Old Black
Park Road, Halton given permission to provide residential
gypsy/traveller pitches (7 plots) is being developed as planned.
Mention of drainage and sewerage being properly connected is
paramount. Potholes are an increasing problem right across Wrexham
County Borough. Cliff Davenport’s planning application for change
of use at the Drill Hall is before the WCBC Planning Committee next
Monday. New security gates have been installed at both Ysgol Y Waun
sites, Lloyds Lane and Chapel Lane.
TE advises budget constraint remains for the finances of Wrexham
County Borough Council. A further £12 million is to be cut in the
coming 2 years. Potholes in rural areas will not be repaired unless
they are a minimum of 17 mm deep, in the town the minimum is 15 mm.
There was a recent “lost” HGV along Court Lane, Pont-y-Blew. Now a
new road sign warning HGV drivers not to use Sat Nav has been
erected on the exit for Black Park. Butchers Corner (Colliery Road
onto B5070) has had a decent road repair completed. DG did comment
it seemed to take far too long and created unnecessary disruption
locally. Shop keepers were hurt because of the road closure. TE
advised that the future of Wrexham Library service is out for
consultation. Looking at other ways of running the service. LED
Lighting for Chirk footway lights is out for tender. What has been
installed in other wards, Trevor, Garth & Cefn, has not been well
received. So more work to ensure a decent LED light level is seen.
In his view, TE sees an increasing need for a handyman in Chirk
as WCBC Streetscene continue to cut back. There are numerous sites
in Chirk where weeds and grasses are growing unchecked and look
unsightly. JA seconds this idea and suggest it is put on a
future General Purposes Committee agenda. EB with a point to
TE, she queries the ever present problem of littering outside food
outlets. Can more be done to combat ? TE recently visited the Glyn
Valley Tramway Trust working party which are clearing the station
site in Chirk. They have uncovered the foundations of the old
ticket office. Buried bricks have been taken out. The work is
moving on rapidly. The group have been offered the free loan of
track and rolling stock.
20.
TO CONSIDER THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE
CHAIR’S CHAIN OF OFFICE.
FH requested this item be considered by Council. The Chain of
Office would benefit from some specialist repair and cleaning.
Perhaps consider replacing the ribbon and name bars with a chain.
SJ asked to bring forward some proposals to be considered at a
future General Purposes Committee meeting. Motion Carried.
21.
TO DECIDE UPON APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED.
·
Vic Studios, Wrexham – proposed JA, seconded BH to leave on table –
motion carried.
·
Chirk AAA Cricket Club – JA advised that she can pass on details of
other grant giving bodies for sports funding. Initially SW
suggested sponsoring a game for £120, however, GB proposed 2 games
£240, seconded by FH. – motion carried.
22.
TO RECEIVE THE ORAL REPORT OF THE
CLERK – INCLUDES CORRESPONDENCE.
SJ has received a request from One Voice Wales for contact details
of our Council’s representatives on Area Committee. Now the
appointments have been confirmed, see minute 8 above, details will
be provided.
Operation London Bridge – Webinar training. Preparation for the
passing of HM the Queen. SJ is happy to participate. Cost is £30
plus VAT and the course will run on June 19th. Proposed
GB, seconded MH for the Clerk to undertake, - Motion carried.
Correspondence:-
·
One Voice Wales
– Motions for 2019 Annual General
Meeting. JA will raise with OVW Area
Committee – Flintshire/Wrexham in case there is an issue which all
member councils can support for debate.
·
Hope House
– Letter of thanks for £200 donation.
Noted
·
Mr Andrew Shiel, Lodgevale Park
– Letter requesting for the goal posts on the playing field at Offa
be replaced. Members are clear this
matter is not the responsibility of Chirk Town Council. FH who is
the elected WCBC for Chirk North will take this up with the relevant
department at WCBC as this is their asset.
·
Insp. Darren Whibberley – North Wales Police
– Invitation to an inaugural meeting on Thursday 4th July
2019 at Eastern Divisional HQ, Llay.
BC and JA requested the email to be forwarded to them.
·
Notice of Pre-Hearing Meeting – LDP Independent Examination
– Tuesday 25th June
at 10:30am. JA will attend if
available. GB asks for details to be sent through. SJ can attend.
·
Christine Ashford – Friends of Chirk Station
– Email update on their recent activities and upcoming plans. –
Noted.
23.
TO APPROVE PAYMENTS TO BE MADE AS ON
LIST ATTACHED.
A list of invoices and payments (to 29.5.19) amounting to £12,739.81
& £308.48 (using pre-paid creditcard) was given to the Council and
were passed for payment (see addendum). Proposed JA, seconded SW to
approve – motion carried.
24.
TO PRESENT ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE
NEXT AGENDA.
1.
EB restated the request to invite the new Police Inspector to a
future meeting with Councillors.
2. DG would like Council to consider a request for tables and
seating on Longfield Recreation Ground.
3. JA is keen for the Chirk Parish Hall committee to meet in
June time. She will take minutes.
4.
SW
notes the three bollards installed on the road towards Chirk
Community Hospital. They didn’t take long to pop in. She thinks a
look at Colliery Road, which suffers from vehicles parking on the
pavement, for similar bollards to be put up.
It
was suggested a letter to Wrexham CBC, copied to TE & FH, as the
first step.
Meeting closed 9:03pm.
Signed
Chairman
26th June 2019
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