Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 24th April 2008 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman: Councillor K. Taylor.

With reference to the New Code of Conduct Undertaking, see below

As a consequence of a recent High Court Judgement, provision has been made in Section 183 of the Local Government Act and Public Involvement in Health Act, 2007 that amends Part 111 of the 2000 Act, to make it clear that the Code of Conduct can include provision that applies to members whilst acting in either their official or private capacities. There is provision that any order applying general principles of conduct, or a model code of conduct in Wales, is to have effect as if the amendment made by Section 183 had always had effect.

Councillor E. Owens signed the undertaking.

The Chairman informed the Council that Councillors Mrs. M. Bellis, Mrs. E. Parry,

J. McCormick and R. Astbury would not be seeking re-election in the Community Council Elections on the 1st May 2008. The Clerk was requested to write letters of thanks to the retiring Members for all the work undertaken during their term of office.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bellis, Mrs. E. Parry and J. McCormick

2. To Approve the Minutes of the March Meeting

The Minutes of the above had been distributed and were confirmed as a true record of the business transacted at the meeting.

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

3.5; Gwernymynydd Youth Club, Councillors Mrs. N. Matthews and E. Owens reported that although the Club had proved itself to be a success the attendance of youth at the last meeting was low in number, it was therefore recommended that the new Council, with reference to financial support, should monitor the situation.

The Clerk reported that he had received no information from Flintshire County Council with regard to Members complaints; car sales from a private dwelling on the Ruthin Road and the 30 mph located at Llys Enfys.

4. Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd

Councillor C. Bradshaw informed the Members that concern was being expressed with regard to the Inquiry Inspector allowing amendments to be submitted by D.P. Williams (Holdings) Ltd at the Public Inquiry. Councillor Bradshaw related that these alterations could seriously affect the decision to be taken with regard to the two test points; ‘No winning and working of minerals has been carried out to any substantial extent for a period of at least 2 years; and it appears that resumption of development is unlikely’. D. P. Williams (Holdings) Ltd appear to be determined to re-open the Quarry.

Councillors Mrs. N. Matthews and C. Bradshaw will be making statements against the re-opening of the Quarry at the Inquiry, 30th April 2008, and they requested that a representative of the Community Council also makes a similar statement; Councillors K. Taylor and E. Owens agreed to the request

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bradshaw for all his hard work and again appealed to the Council for helpers to come forward to set out the hall on the evening of the 29th April ready for the morning start of the Inquiry.

Members of the public were again requested to attend the Inquiry and to register their attendance in order to show to the Inquiry Inspector how much public opinion was against the proposal to re-open the quarry.

5. Gwernymynydd Development Plan

Councillors agreed to defer this Agenda Item until the June meeting.

6. Reports

1. Police Matters

The Chairman welcomed PC G. Aldous to the meeting, the Constable then proceeded to give his report to the Members. It was related to the Council that it had been a good month with no reported crimes. With reference to highway matters PC. Aldous informed the Members that he had acted upon complaints received regarding unauthorised usage by vehicles of the bus lane opposite to the Village Centre; a Traffic Regulation Order is to be implemented. The Constable reported that he had looked into a complaint of traffic noise in Cadole, the orange slow/araf road surface strip A 494, in the opinion of the Trunk Road Agency the ‘rumble’ noise will reduce with wear.

Investigations were still proceeding in relation to the stolen motor vehicle and also to the burglary.

The Twmpath, complaints had been received regarding fences being removed in the adjoining fields and the installation of gates blocking the right of way/road way. PC. Aldous reported that he had investigated the matter, he had pursued the issue with the CPS but in its opinion it was a concern for Flintshire County Council. He stated that he was in discussions with the respective Solicitor at County Hall.

For information Members reported that cattle had escaped from along the Twmpath and only by the action of vigilant and responsible residents a major incident on the A 494 had been averted.

PC. Aldous was pleased to report that a birthday party held in the village had caused no problems, the parents had acted responsibly.

A request was submitted by the Constable for a reminder to be printed in the village newsletter requesting motorists to slow down and be more aware of the dangers of travelling too fast in the local country lanes. This request is in response to a spate of single vehicle accidents in the locality.

Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews reported that motorists were using

Hendy Road/Weary Willy as a back route into Mold late at night and as such the vehicles were causing a nuisance, PC. Aldous stated that he would look into the complaint.

Concerns were again expressed regarding vehicles speeding along the A 494 through Gwernymynydd/Cadole; it was agreed that the Council writes to the Welsh Assembly Government, Highways, to request at least two Speed Indicator Displays to be sited along the Ruthin Road.

The Members thanked PC. Aldous for his report and for attending the meeting.

2. Outside Bodies

With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee,

Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members. At the Management Committee AGM held on the 10th April 2008 all Committee Members were re-elected into office and the Committee had appointed a caretaker for the Centre, a Mr. Jeff Williams.

Councillor G. Morris informed the Council that the Aberduna Quarry Liaison Committee is scheduled to be held this following Monday.

3. Sub-Committees

There were no items for discussion.

4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole

With reference to previous complaints regarding loose manhole covers, Members reported that there were still outstanding items for repair in Cadole.

Councillor G. Morris informed the Council that Flintshire County Council had undertaken work on the surface water gullies, hopefully the reported complaints would now be resolved.

5. Complaints received by Councillors

Councillor C. Jackson raised concerns regarding the parking of vehicles on the pavement apron by the entrance to the NPFA field; the vehicles obstruct vision from the exit at the Swan car park onto the A 494. PC. Aldous stated that he would pursue the complaint.

Councillor T. Barley reported that there was no bus time-table information at the bus stops, Gwernaffield/Cadole and Cadole (Ruthin/Mold). Also with respect to the former a bus stop sign is required near to the telephone kiosk.

With reference to the above complaint the Clerk was requested to write to Flintshire County Council in order to resolve the identified problems.

7. Correspondence

Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were received by the Council.

Item 1; The Clerk provided information on the New Code of Conduct which must be accepted by the Council before September 2008. It was resolved to have this as an Agenda item at the June meeting.

Item 4; Flintshire County Council, a request for nominations from Town/Community Councils to fill a vacancy on the Flintshire County Council Standards Committee, Councillor T. Barley was nominated by the Members.

8. Late Correspondence

The following information was received by the Council:-

One Voice Wales, a request for a representative of the Council for the Wrexham/Flintshire Area Committee. It was agreed to defer this nomination until the next meeting of the Council.

9. Planning Matters

Ref: ADW/044817; Erection of a new dwelling located on land at the side of Bryn Dedwydd, Glyndwr Road, Gwernymynydd.

AGREED

Ref: LEJ/044860; conversion of a conservatory to a sun room, a reduction in windows and a new tiled roof located at Hafod Grange, Hafod Road, Gwernymynydd.

AGREED

Ref: KYT/044856; erection of a kitchen/office extension to the rear, new entrance gates, wall and fence panels located at Ty Coch, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

AGREED

Ref: RB/LA/113120; the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999, Regulation 10, Scoping Opinion for a Review of Continued Quarry Working, Cefn Mawr Quarry, Cadole.

The Council raised no objections to the proposals set down in the Scoping Report. Members related that they had been in contact with the Quarry Management and following meaningful discussions gave full support to the proposals outlined in the Scoping Opinion. The Clerk was requested to respond to Flintshire County Council accordingly.

The Clerk reported to the Council the following planning determinations received from Flintshire County Council; erection of an extension at Cil y Coed, Swan Lane, Approved; retrospective alterations at 14, Bryn Eithin, Refused.

10. Finance

Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £1259.18

Before closing the meeting the Chairman allowed Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews to address the Council. Councillor Matthews thanked the Members for all the support given to her during her term of office as County Councillor, she very much appreciated the help and assistance so freely given.

Chairman......................................................................................................................

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 27th March 2008.