Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 31st January 2008 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman: Councillor K. Taylor.

1. Apologies for Absence

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

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

Ref: KSS/043076, Demolition of existing buildings and residential development of 24 dwellings and associated works including ground remodelling, located on land at Siglen Ucha, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd. Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews informed the Members that this application would now probably be heard by the Planning Committee, Flintshire County Council, in March. The concerns expressed by local residents with regard to surface water and to the sewage system had now been referred by the Planning Department to the Environment Agency for further investigative work.

With respect to the parcel of land at Llys Enfys, the Clerk reported to the Members that he had received the following information , Flintshire County Council would not fund a replanting programme on the site but it would not raise any objections to the Community Council obtaining and planting trees/shrubs there. This permission would be subject to the Council maintaining the said trees/shrubs so as to not cause nuisance. The Members considered the proposal and resolved not to pursue a replanting programme.

Councillor K. Taylor brought to the attention of the Members a newspaper article concerning the nuisance caused by aircraft flying low over Flint; Town Councillor, Ian Roberts was reported to be pursuing the complaint with the Civil Aviation Authority. The Council resolved to receive the information and to retain its interest in the complaint reference to probably the same aircraft flying low over Gwernymynydd.

4. Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd

Councillors resolved to hold the February meeting on Friday the 22nd, this would then provide the opportunity for the Council to hold a public meeting alongside the monthly Council meeting to emphasise to all concerned the issues surrounding the possible re-opening of the Bryn Gwyn Quarry. By taking this action it is hoped that members of the public will be well equipped with information and show a united front at the Public Inquiry which will be held the following week.

Councillor C. Bradshaw provided for the Members a copy of the proposed press statement, see attached. This would be given to the local newspapers in order to publicise to a much wider audience the concerns of the community to the proposed recommencement of mineral extraction at Bryn Gwyn Quarry. The proposed press statement was approved by all Councillors. In addition to the statement it was proposed and agreed that a ‘flyer’ telling everyone in the village about the Public Inquiry and of how the re-opening of the quarry would affect the community would be put in the Village Newsletter.

For the information of the Members Councillor Bradshaw related the issues concerning the reservoir which is located close to the Quarry, the salient points being the integrity of the pipework and of the water supply to the surrounding villages being put at an unacceptable risk. Welsh Water Dwr Cymru outlining its fears with respect to any workings within the quarry so close to its assets.

5. Reports

1. Police Matters

In the absence of PC G. Aldous Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews informed the Council of 3 serious road traffic accidents which had occurred in the Beat Area. These accidents had resulted in fatalities and consequently PC Aldous and his Superintendent were investigating means of reducing speeding vehicles along the respective roads.

2. Outside Bodies

With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee,

Councillor G. Morris provided an update of information for the Members. Decoration of the Centre will be the next project to undertake and the Management Committee are exploring the setting up of a Centre website.

3. Sub-Committees

There were no items for discussion.

4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole

With reference to the Agenda Item; 6. 3; the proposed junction improvements at Heol y Wern/A 494. The Clerk reported to the Members that he had received correspondence from Sandy Mewies AM which stated that she had received a letter from Ieuan Wyn Jones AM, Deputy First Minister confirming that the scheme would not now be undertaken.

5. Complaints received by Councillors

Councillor R. Astbury reported to the Members that there were 5 loose manhole covers along the A 494 which required attention. Also Councillor Astbury informed the Council that the gullies on the along this stretch of the A 494, Rainbow Inn to Loggerheads, could not take excessive surface water caused by heavy rainfall; the drainage system itself needs to be dealt with along with the gullies. The Clerk was requested to inform Flintshire County Council about the problems.

Councillor T. Barley informed the Members that vehicles parked on the footpath along Village Road, Cadole and speeding cars were still causing a nuisance to residents. Councillor Barley also requested the Council to investigate the possibility of an additional street light along Village Road.

Councillor C. Bradshaw informed the Council that the rut in the roadside, Glyndwr Road, needs urgent attention.

Councillor G. Morris drew the Members attention to a newspaper article whereby concerns were aired regarding the opening of e-mails, letters and listening in on private telephone calls were being undertaken by some local authorities; were Flintshire County Council doing this activity? Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews stated that she was not aware of such practices taking place but she would investigate.

The Clerk was requested to action the above.

6. Correspondence

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

With reference to Item 2, Flintshire County Council, Summer Playscheme, 2008, 21st July to the 22nd August. The Council resolved to support the scheme and to provide financial assistance as requested.

7. Late Correspondence

Letters received were dealt with under related Agenda Items.

8. Planning Matters

LEJ/044429; Erection of a two storey side extension to form a new first floor bedroom and ground floor living room located at Bryn Tirion, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

AGREED

KYT/CK/043378; Notification to the Council that in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 78, an Appeal had been submitted to the National Assembly for Wales in relation to Flintshire County Council’s refusal for planning permission for Tir-y-Coed, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

Notification received concerning a Retention Notice, Environment Act 1995, Hedgerow Regulations, 1997, on a hedge located at Llys Newydd, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd, being served by Flintshire County Council. The hedge has been surveyed and its historic nature researched on the Tithe Map. The hedge has more than 4 species per 30m and therefore a retention notice was served accordingly.

9. Finance

Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £814.32

The Clerk presented to the Council the Financial Statement 2007/08 and the proposed Budget for the forthcoming Municipal Year 2008/09 based upon the Council Tax base of 558.22 for Band ‘D’ equivalent properties. It was recommended by the Clerk that the Council should consider two Precept options as put forward in the Estimated Finances 2008/09, paper.

1. A Precept amount of £12,000.00

2. A Precept amount of £14,000.00

After full discussion by the Members on the submitted options the Council resolved to Precept the amount of £14,000.00 from Flintshire County Council.

With reference to the National Salary Award for Local Council Clerks, 2007/08, the Members after full discussion agreed to revise the Clerk’s Salary in accordance to the recommendations given by the National Association of Local Councils. A salary increase of 2.45% was approved by the Council.

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

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 31st January 2008.