Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 29th June 2006 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman:  Councillor Mrs. E. Parry

1.         Apologies for Absence

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J. Rowley and PC. G. Aldous

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 Minffordd Fields and the concerns of the Council with regard to tree clearing and groundwork taking place in the adjacent woods, Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews informed the Members that she had approached Flintshire County Council again on the matter but unfortunately she had not received a reply. Councillor Matthews stated that she would still pursue the enquiry with the Planning Authority.

With reference to overgrown trees/shrubs on the Hafod Road Councillor Matthews informed the Members that no action by Flintshire County Council had been taken on the complaint at the moment.

Councillor R. Astbury requested an update of information with regard to the Carmel Chapel site and the respective Chapel Foundation Stone, in reply the Clerk informed the Members that the North East Wales Trunk Road Agency (NEWTRA) would still fulfil the promise made but it needed the dimensions of the bench the Council would be purchasing in order to put the concrete base down in the chosen location, the other works would be done at the same time. Councillors G. Morris and K. Taylor to provide the information for the Clerk to take forward to NEWTRA.

4.         National Eisteddfod, Mold, 2007

            The Chairman welcomed to the meeting two members of the Gwernymynydd (National Eisteddfod) Fund Raising Committee. An outline of the events planned in the village in order to meet the target amount of funds set by the National Eisteddfod organising body was provided for the Members. The Owain Glyndwr Festival, Gwernymynydd, 17th September 2006, was for this year being organised by the Committee to provide funds and garden parties in the village were also being run to contribute to the set target amount.

            The Members discussed the financial situation with regard to contributing to the Gwernymynydd (National Eisteddfod) Fund and resolved to provide support in principle;
            the final amount of financial assistance to be determined by the Council at a later date.

            The Chairman thanked the Members of the Gwernymynydd (National Eisteddfod) Fund Raising Committee for coming along to the Council meeting and explaining to the Councillors what needs to be done and how the village is responding to the challenge to support the National Eisteddfod.

5.         Reports

            1.         Police Matters

            In the absence of Constable Aldous the Council discussed local issues; it was reported that following the annual ‘gallon walk’ there were large amounts of broken glass on the pavement/A 494 roadside near to the Maeshafn junction.

 2.        Outside Bodies

            With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members; the Wind in the Willows show was a great success with all 105 tickets being sold. The Flintshire County Council/Gwernymynydd Playscheme will as in previous years use the Centre in times of inclement weather and the Centre Management Committee is awaiting news of a grant application for financial assistance towards the cost of the entrance/exit improvements to the car park.

            Councillor R. Astbury related to the Council the main points arising from the meeting of the Cefn Mawr Quarry Liaison Committee held on the 14th June 2006. There is now an increase in production at the quarry, an extension of the hours of working, although Kiln 4 at Padeswood is not fully operational, this has the effect of an increase in vehicle movement of the stone to the Cement Works. Members of the liaison committee were asked by the quarry management whether a single annual meeting would be an acceptable arrangement. The suggestion was put to the Council by Councillor Astbury and Members agreed to this provided avenues of communication were still open to receive complaints and to hold special meetings with the quarry management should the need arise.

            Councillor G. Morris raised the issue of dust pollution arising from the transport of the stone by lorries, the question posed being should the vehicles be sheeted to eliminate/reduce the fugitive dust? The Clerk was requested to write to the Alan Morris Company on the matter.

3.         Sub-Committees

                        With reference to the Tros y Wern play area improvement scheme and match funding the work with Flintshire County Council the Clerk informed the Members that the Play Unit required an additional £1500.00 to be able to accommodate a roundabout which was not in the original proposal. The opportunity to have the equipment at a low cost was one not to be missed.

                        The proposal was put to the Council and agreed.
            With regard to previous concerns about the proposed shelter, following on from the recent vandalism attack in the play area, after full discussion on the subject the Members agreed that the new and improved shelter would be an asset to the play area and should therefore remain in the project programme.

 4.        A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole    

            The Council is awaiting information from PC. G. Aldous on the use of flashing speed warning signs for the A 494.

            Councillor G. Morris informed the Council that the surface water gullies on the
            A 494 required attention, during spells of heavy rainfall the gullies could not cope with the downpour. Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews stated that she would pursue the complaint.

 5.        Complaints received by Councillors        

            Councillor J. Varley reported that a tree on the Heol y Wern/Godre’r Mynydd footpath was causing a nuisance and needed to be trimmed back.

            Councillor G. Morris reported that overgrown trees and shrubs in the Tros y Wern play area needed trimming back.

            The Clerk was requested to write to Flintshire County Council on the two matters.

            Councillor Mrs. E. Parry reported that there was a problem of litter on the
            Heol y Wern/play area path, the Clerk was requested to write to the CP. School asking for help and assistance in maintaining the path free of litter.

6.         Correspondence

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

            The Chairman informed the Council that she had received letters of resignation of office from Councillors J. Sherson and J. Rowley. The Council was saddened to hear about the resignations but however the Members respected the decisions made by the Councillors and wished both John Sherson and John Rowley all the very best for the future.

            A vote of thanks was proposed and seconded to both Councillors for all they have done for the Community of Gwernymynydd.
                    
7.         Late Correspondence

            The following information was received by the Council:-   

            A letter of thanks from the Gwernymynydd CP School for the kind donation given by the Council; National Eisteddfod, Proclamation Ceremony, a programme of events plus 2 tickets for nominated Councillors to attend; Clwyd Voluntary Community Chest, AGM; CrossRoads, Caring for Carers, AGM; A letter from the Social Inclusion Unit, Flintshire County Council with regard to financial assistance for the Village Centre.

8.         Planning Matters
       
Ref: LAB/041585;Erection of a coach valeting workshop located at the rear of the Rainbow Garage, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

The Council resolved to offer no objection to the proposal but the Members did express the following concerns.

1. Acceptance of the proposal would result in an increased number of buses entering and leaving the site thus causing an additional road traffic hazard to the busy A 494 trunk road. The entrance/exit is very close to a bend in the road and it is worthy to note that this location has been the scene of quite a few road traffic accidents/incidents.

2. The application states that the workshop would be constructed with steel profile cladding, silver in colour, the Council considers that the cladding should be painted green in order to blend more appropriately with the locality.
                                                                                                                        AGREED   

The Clerk was requested to write to the Planning Authority outlining the Council’s concerns about the proposal

            Notification of planning decisions:

            DGJ/040121, outline residential development located at Tros y Wern Farm, Gwernymynydd. Refused.

            DGJ/041118, erection of new livestock accommodation and a slurry tower located at Tros y Wern Farm, Gwernymynydd. Refused.

9.         Finance

            Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £1950.81

            The Clerk presented to the Council the Accounts 2005-2006 for observation/comments of the Members prior to submission to the Council’s Internal Auditor.

            The Council approved the Accounts and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman signed them off accordingly. The Accounts and supporting documents to be submitted to the Council’s Internal Auditor by the Clerk for scrutiny and final approval.
           
            Chairman..................................................................................................................................

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 29th June 2006.