Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 27th March 2008 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman:  Councillor K. Taylor.

The Clerk reported on the New Code of Conduct Undertaking.

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.

Members of the Council signed the undertaking.

1.         Apologies for Absence

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bellis, C. Jackson and E. Owens.

2.         To Approve the Minutes of the February 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 N. Matthews informed the Members that this application had now been withdrawn by the Developer, Persimmon Homes (Mercia).

3.5; With reference to Councillor E. Owens request for an update with regard to the village Post Office, Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews explained to the Members the situation to date, Eagles and Crawford would welcome a Post Office at the Rainbow Garage however any costs that would be incurred would be the responsibility of the applicant. From information available from the Post Office it is felt that these costs would be prohibitive to a re-opening of the facility.

4.         Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd

           Councillor C. Bradshaw informed the Members that the Public Inquiry would be carried over into the additional days allocated to the Inspector by the Planning Inspectorate. The allocated days being the 30th April and the 8th May 2008.

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’ are still to be considered by the Inspector.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bradshaw for all his hard work and 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.

It was agreed by the Councillors that ‘flyers’ would again be produced and delivered to the community in order to maintain the impetus against the re-opening of the quarry.

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 Youth Club

            Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews reported to the Council that the Youth Club was proving to be a success with the monthly meetings being well supported. Councillor Matthews expressed concerns regarding the funds available to meet the hire charge of the Village Centre and appealed to the Council for financial assistance to meet those costs.

            The Council unanimously agreed to help the Youth Club with their finances.

6.         Llys Enfys and Minffordd, 30 mph Speed Signs

 Councillor K. Taylor reported to the Council that he had received complaints regarding the positioning of 30 mph signs at the entrances to both Minffordd Fields and Llys Enfys. The question posed related to ‘were the signs necessary’? The Clerk informed the Council that following inquiries with Flintshire County Council’s Highways Department it was stated that the signs were a statutory requirement in relation to the A 494 Trunk Road.

The information was received by the Council, however with respect to Llys Enfys concerns were expressed with the location of the sign. It was the opinion of the Council that the sign could be better placed so as to not be a hazard to visually impaired people. It was resolved to write to Flintshire County Council to request the 30 mph sign to be re-located.

7.         Reports

            1.         Police Matters
                       
The Chairman welcomed PC G. Aldous to the meeting, the Constable then proceeded to give his report to the Members. A series of disturbing incidents has occurred within the community, the theft of hedgecutters from a garden shed, a stolen motor vehicle and a house burglary. Constable Aldous reported that all the incidents are being actively investigated the police having already received a few leads on the above crimes.

Parking in the housing estates was still being a problem area however the complaints will be investigated and hopefully resolved to satisfaction.

PC Aldous informed the Members that he had helped to set up a Young Farmers Group (similar to the Neighbourhood Watch Group), this initiative was proving to be a success and was well received.

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. The Management Committee AGM will be held on the 10th April 2008.
         
3.         Sub-Committees

                        There were no items for discussion.

4.        A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole    

           With reference to previous complaints regarding loose manhole covers, Members were informed that some had been identified and marked for repair. Councillor R. Astbury reported that there were still some that needed attention, these were located within Denbighshire. The Clerk was requested to write to Denbighshire County Council on the matter.

5.        Complaints received by Councillors        

            Councillor G. Morris raised concerns regarding a large rock which protruded from the grass verge into the highway at a section along Hafod Road, the rock could cause damage to vehicles and a possible accident.

            Councillor R. Astbury reported to the Members that car sales, contrary to planning consent, were taking place from a private residence along Ruthin Road, A 494.

            Councillor T. Barley reported that the litter bin located at the Cadole bus stop was not being emptied on a regular basis.

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

8.         Correspondence

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

With reference to item 3; One Voice Wales, Councillor J. McCormick related to the Members the main points arising out of the recently held Wrexham/Flintshire Area Committee meeting. Guest speakers were Councillor Diane Johnson, talking about the Clwydian Range AONB and John Talbot outlining what to look for in planning applications relating to requested observations of Town/Community Councils by the respective Planning Authority. Further information, Planning Aid Wales, to be provided to Member Councils on planning issues.

Councillor McCormick also informed the Members that Training Programmes for Councillors and Clerks will be available from May onwards, there will be a cost to the training the actual amount to be determined in due course.
          
9.         Late Correspondence

            The following information was received by the Council:-

             Draft Fire and Rescue National Framework consultation document; Welsh Assembly Government, Statutory Guidance Document, developing and delivering community strategies; Flintshire County Council, Draft document relating to Flintshire Children and Young People’s Plan, April 2008 to March 2011; Ombudsman, Principles for Remedy; One Voice Wales, clarification of dates following the Local Government Elections;

            Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews informed the Council that she had received complaints from local residents concerning the Twmpath, the definitive path being obstructed with fixed gates. The Council expressed concerns about these complaints and resolved to write to Flintshire County Council and the Ramblers Association on the matter.

 10.      Planning Matters             

              The Chairman, Councillor K. Taylor declared an interest in the following Planning Application and as such took no part in the discussions or the decision making process.

            Ref: KYT/044663; Retrospective application for the erection of a conservatory, decking area, replacement of existing monopitch roof with a flat roof over the rear door and provision of a covered area and fire escape to the rear of the dwelling via a bridge link to the decking area located at 14, Bryn Eithin, Gwernymynydd.

            With reference to the above the Council resolved to object to the proposal for the following reasons:-

1. The application is retrospective and as such needs to be treated as if it was a first time proposal, the fact that construction has taken place does not mean that it should be permitted development.

2. The decking area overlooks the neighbouring property thus depriving the occupants of their privacy.

3. The covered area/bridge is an over bearing structure not in keeping with an accepted residential amenity.

4. A fire escape of this design is not warranted in a residential property.

5. The replacement flat roof may be used as a leisure patio area and as such it overlooks the neighbouring property at a first floor level.

NOT AGREED

            With respect to the work being undertaken on the Gwernymynydd Development Plan, Councillor C. Bradshaw provided guidance on Local Development Plans for the information of Members.
 
 11.      Finance

            Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £413.29

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

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