Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 26th July 2007 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman: Councillor K. Taylor

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs M. Bellis,

E. Owens and R. Astbury

2. To Approve the Minutes of the May 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 respect to One Voice Wales the Clerk reminded Councillors of the forthcoming AGM. Nominations to attend the meeting were requested, Councillors able to go should contact the Clerk.

Concerning the grass verge at Llys Enfys, the Clerk was requested to pursue the matter with the County Council.

Item 6.0: Councillor Mrs. E. Parry again related her concerns to the Council regarding noise pollution caused by an increase in passenger aircraft flying over Gwernymynydd. The Clerk reported that he had contacted other local Councils about the matter but their respective Clerks had not received such complaints of nuisance. Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews provided further information on the matter and the Council resolved to write to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to seek their comments on the issue of noise nuisance relating to the increase in air traffic.

Item 5.0: The request for traffic calming in Cadole; Councillor Mrs N. Matthews informed the Council of the discussions she had had with the Highways Department of Flintshire County Council, to resolve the matter and to outline possible solutions to the problem of speeding vehicles a site meeting was requested. Councillor Matthews stated that she would pursue this request.

Councillor C. Jackson reported to the Council that problems were again being experienced with the Pelican Crossing; the Clerk was requested to purse the complaint with Flintshire County Council.

4. Gwernymynydd Community Development Plan

Councillor C. Bradshaw presented to the Council the main theme of the Plan, he provided a handout document for the Members which outlined by means of a flow diagram the guidance to be followed.

As previous, Councillor Bradshaw related what the issues were and requested feedback from the Members on the points given. The Council will ultimately have an overview of the Development Plan with the aim to achieve a proactive approach as to what is desirable for the Community of Gwernymynydd. Initially the topic of Planning Issues and how they relate to Flintshire County Council’s UDP to be in the forefront as identified through the consultative procedures that are already in place. It is hoped that the guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government where Town/Community Councils are to be considered for more individual responsibility that the stated initiative will help the Council in its endeavour to formulate the Development Plan along lines that are being actively pursued in England, the Village Design Statement was quoted as being an excellent example of the Local/County and or Unitary Authority in England working together for the benefit of the community.

Members were requested to consider the information given for further discussion.

The Members thanked Councillor Bradshaw for the presentation and for the large amount of work he had put into the Development Plan, the Plan to feature as a regular Agenda Item.

5. Gwernymynydd Youth Council/Youth Club

A letter received from the Gwernymynydd Youth Forum/Youth Council reference to the re-formation of the Gwernymynydd Youth Club. A request for financial assistance was submitted to the Council. The total costs were outlined in the letter and a commitment was given by Flintshire County Council to cover half the costs, the Community Council was asked to provide £1326.66 per annum.

Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews related to the Council the positive points that had arisen out of the meetings held with the youths of the village and as such asked the Members to give their support. A letter received from Councillor E. Owens endorsed the comments of Councillor Matthews and as a result a proposal to give financial support to the venture was put to the Council for deliberation.

The Council unanimously agreed to provide full financial support to the Youth Council.

Councillor E. Owens’ letter to the Council also included information regarding possible grant funding from the Clwyd Community Chest to help with the Youth Council; this was obtained from the organisation’s AGM which Councillor Owens had attended on behalf of the Council.

Also, the Members considered that meeting with the Youth Council would provide valuable information for them to help with the formation of the Youth Club; it was there resolved to invite representatives of the Youth Council to the September meeting of the Council.

6. Site of the former Carmel Chapel, A 494, Ruthin Road (Cllr. K. Taylor)

Concern had been expressed about the untidy and unkept appearance of the compound that was the former Chapel. The area has since been tidied up, the grass cut and debris removed by Flintshire County Council however the broken sign belonging to North Wales Trunk Road Agency still remains. The Clerk was requested to contact the Agency with the view to completing the tidy up operation by replacing/removing the sign.

With respect to previous discussions about the purchase/placing of a bench at or near the site it was proposed and agreed in Council that when appropriate the bench would be dedicated to Councillor M. Hayes JP.

7. Reports

1. Police Matters

The Chairman welcomed PC G. Aldous to the meeting and the Members were pleased to learn from the Constable that he had signed an extension of his contract for a further 2 years. PC Aldous related to the meeting the recent crime figures and incidents concerning Gwernymynydd. Councillors asked whether any progress had been made regarding the problems of parked vehicles experienced at Loggerheads and Cadole last winter. Councillors were aware that some motorists had been ‘booked’ this summer and wanted to know whether this action would be continued throughout the year and especially during the winter months when snow would be on the ground. Constable Aldous stated that the issue of parking in this area would be closely monitored and action taken where needed.

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 G. Morris provided an update of information for the Members. The recently held FLVC meeting was a success and construction work on the hard standing area would be starting in August. The ‘heavy’ tables had now been sold and lightweight replacements bought. Tickets were now on sale for the concert on the 22nd November 2007 and again it was hoped that the event would be a success.

Councillor K. Taylor informed the Members that the final meeting of the Gwernymynydd (Eisteddfod) Fund Raising Committee had been held and that the amount raised came to £10,000.67.

3. Sub-Committees

There were no items for discussion.

4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole

Councillor G. Morris informed the Council that apart from one the depressed gullies in the roadway had now been repaired. The outstanding gully repair to be done as soon as possible.

5. Complaints received by Councillors

Councillor J. McCormick related his concerns about the ‘give way’ road markings on the estate roads, Heol y Wern, Uwch y Dre, Godre’r Coed: Councillor Mrs. E. Parry also highlighted the problem of overgrown hedges and shrubs at the Hafod Road junction.

Councillor C. Bradshaw reported that along Glyndwr Road vehicles had caused deep ruts in the roadside verge.

Councillor Mrs. O. Sweetman reported that she had received complaints from residents with regard to a possible breach of planning consent in relation to the mast/aerial on Godre’r Coed not being retracted when not in use.

The Clerk was requested to pursue these complaints with Flintshire County Council.

8. Correspondence

Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were received by the Council.

Item 5, Flintshire County Council, siting of the requested dog bin in Hafod Road, Gwernymynydd, details of the location were asked for; Councillor G. Morris provided the information for the Clerk following consultation with local residents.

9. Late Correspondence

The following information was received by the Council:-

Copy of a letter sent to Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews from John. B. Jones, aged 12 of 6, Erw Fron, Gwernymynydd, requesting that tennis courts be constructed within the village. The Members acknowledged the contents of the letter and agreed that if it were possible then the Council would wholeheartedly support the construction of tennis courts in the village. The Clerk was requested to reply thanking the youngster for his valued comments.

Broughton and Bretton Motor Club, notification of the forthcoming ‘Firefly’ Rally, the 8th and 9th September 2007; An e-mail sent to the Council’s website reference to a request for information about Mr. Edward Christopher a former gamekeeper on the Hafod Estate.

10. Planning Matters

There were no items submitted to the Council.

11. Finance

Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £998.25

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

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 26th July 2007.