Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 25th January 2007 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman:  Councillor Mrs. E. Parry

1.         Apologies for Absence

            An apology for absence was received from Councillor R. Astbury.

2.         To Approve the Minutes of the November 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

With reference to the site of the former Carmel Chapel and to the concerns raised by Councillors with regard to the condition of the enclosed area following works undertaken by the North Wales Trunk Road Agency, the Clerk informed the Council that further improvements on the A 494 were planned at this location by the National Assembly and as such the area would not be landscaped. With regard to the seat/bench and its position on the site the Clerk reported that he had sought assistance from Flintshire County Council for both the purchase and installation. Flintshire County Council was most willing to help the Council in this matter but advised that it would be better to wait until the proposed improvement works on the A 494 were completed. This was put to the Council and accepted by the Members.

The Clerk reported to the Council that the area of highway (grass verge) where contractors working for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water had left spoil/debris would be cleaned up as a matter of urgency. The Company apologised to the Council for the mess left by their contractor.

Councillor Mrs N. Matthews and Councillor E. Owens reported to the Council the progress made reference to the setting up/organising of a Youth Council for the community. A letter is to be sent out into the community, targeting 11 to 18 year olds, to meet with Councillors with the view to obtaining the opinions and needs of the youths in the village. The proposed date of the meeting is the 24th February and it will be held in the morning at the Village Centre.

4.         Minffordd Fields

            Councillor Mrs. M. Bellis reported to the Members that she had received requests from residents on the housing estate for the Council to pursue with Flintshire County
            Council the adoption of the roads, pavements and lighting as a means of effecting necessary repairs and removing the respective hazards.

            Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews provided the Members with an up date on the situation; Flintshire County Council is taking action against the Developer in order to rectify the problem. The Council resolved to write to the County Council to express its deep concern on the matter.

5.         Pelican Crossing, A 494

            Councillor Mrs. O. Sweetman related to the Members the details of an incident at the crossing whereby a partially sighted resident was put at risk due to the failure of the lights and bleeper. The Council resolved to write to Flintshire County Council about the problem and to request a more regular inspection regime in order to prevent the fault reoccurring.

6.         Reports

            1.         Police Matters
                       
PC G. Aldous reported to the Council that to date there had been only 1 crime committed in the community; this related to abusive and threatening drunken behaviour and was dealt with accordingly. The offenders were fined £80 and warned about their behaviour to members of the public.

 PC Aldous also reported that speed checks will continue to be undertaken on the A 494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole and that he had obtained the use of the ‘Arrive Alive’ vehicle to help as a deterrent to speeding motorists.

The Chairman thanked PC Aldous for his report and for attending the   meeting, it was much appreciated.

2.         Outside Bodies

With reference to the recently held South Flintshire policing area consultation meeting, Councillor C. Bradshaw provided for the Council a full and comprehensive report, please see the attached document.

            With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members. Councillor Taylor also reported that roof repairs had been completed at the Centre, however there were still some outstanding works to be done and hopefully these would be attended to in the next financial year.   

3.         Sub-Committees

                        There were no items for discussion.

4.        A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole    

            Councillor K. Taylor outlined to the Council his concerns with regard to the Llys Enfys/A 494 junction, motorists wishing to turn into Llys Enfys, travelling from the Mold direction and uphill, are faced with a difficult manoeuvre because there is no road splay at this point. With road improvements being considered for the A 494 in this area the Council resolved to write to Flintshire County Council requesting that the Llys Enfys turning be altered.

5.        Complaints received by Councillors        

            Councillor E. Owens related to the Council his concerns about the amount of litter to be found in Swan Lane. Councillor Owens requested the Council’s support in organising a community litter pick to tidy up the lane. The Members were fully supportive in the proposed endeavour and requested the Clerk to assist Councillor Owens in obtaining suitable equipment from Environmental Services, Flintshire County Council. The litter pick is scheduled for Saturday, 10th February.

7.         Correspondence

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

            With reference to1; Flashing Road Signs (Speed Indicator Displays) and to the replies received from both Flintshire County Council and the North Wales Trunk Road Agency, the Council resolved to write to North Wales Trunk Road Agency for details of any proposed traffic management schemes for the A 494, Gwernymynydd and Cadole.
                    
8.         Late Correspondence

            The following information was received by the Council:-   

            One Voice Wales, notification of the next meeting of the Wrexham/Flintshire Area Committee; Flintshire County Council/Gwernymynydd Playscheme, a request, as in previous years, to continue the scheme, the cost to the Council this year is £812.67, this was put to the Members and agreed.

9.         Planning Matters

Ref: DGJ/042573: Conversion of stone outbuildings to form a dwelling at stables/workshop located adjacent to Virginia Cottage, Hafod Road, Gwernymynydd.

            The Council resolved to object to the proposal for the following reasons.

1. There are descriptive inaccuracies concerning the site and the proposal.

2. The outbuildings are not structurally sound; they are in a bad condition and are not capable of conversion without significant rebuilding.

3. A detailed independent structural survey should be undertaken.

4. To convert the outbuildings into a dwelling would constitute a new building in the open countryside.

5. The conversion of the outbuildings into a dwelling could only be achieved through extensive alterations and significant extension.

6. To undertake the proposed conversion would result in the loss of a workshop and a local amenity.
NOT AGREED

The Chairman reported to the Council the outcome of the recently held site meeting at the Rainbow Garage. Councillor Mrs E. Parry related to the Members that it was pleasing to note the positive response of Flintshire County Council to the concerns expressed by the Council with regard to traffic hazard issues

Ref: LAB/041585: (As Amended) The erection of a coach valeting workshop and relocation of a coach hire business on land at the Rainbow Garage, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd

The Council was pleased to note that the newly amended plans now took into account the concerns of the Council with regard to the issue of road traffic hazards on the busy A 494 (the Developer to pay for the road improvements) in addition to making provision on the site for a shop and Post Office.
AGREED

            Ref: LEJ/042611, Outline permission for the erection of a dwelling on land   adjoining Bryn Dedwydd, Glyndwr Road, Gwernymynydd.
AGREED
10.       Finance

            Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £1,384.06

            The Clerk presented to the Council the Financial Statement 2006/07 and the proposed Budget for the forthcoming Municipal Year 2007/08 based upon the Council Tax base of 550.71 for Band ‘D’ equivalent properties. It was recommended by the Clerk that the Council precepts the amount of £12,000.00 from Flintshire County Council.

After full discussion the Council resolved to accept the above Precept recommendation.

The Clerk informed the Council that he had received the Audited Accounts, 2005/06 from the external Auditor, Hacker Young, with no adverse comments; the Auditor related a clean audit.

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

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 25th January 2007.