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Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 31st May 2007 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd. Chairman: Councillor Mrs. E. Parry Before starting the proceedings the Chairman gave a brief eulogy for former Councillor and Chairman of this Council, Councillor M. Hayes JP and requested everyone at the meeting to stand for a minute’s silence in his memory. The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Members of the Public, the main issue of their concern being the Scoping Opinion for the Determination of a Scheme of New Conditions for Mineral Extraction at the Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd, requested by D. P. Williams (Holdings) Ltd. 1. Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T. Barley and C. Jackson 2. Election of Chairman, 2007/08 Councillor K. Taylor was proposed and seconded for the post of Chairman of the Gwernymynydd Community Council. Councillor K. Taylor was unanimously elected Chairman. Thanks were given by the Members to the retiring Chairman Mrs. E. Parry for all the good work done during her term of office. 3. Election of Vice-Chairman, 2007/08 Councillor J. McCormick was proposed and seconded for the post of Vice-Chairman of the Gwernymynydd Community Council. Councillor McCormick was unanimously elected Vice-Chairman. 4. To Approve the Minutes of the April Meeting The Minutes of the above had been distributed and were confirmed as a true record of the business transacted at the meeting subject to the insertion of the report given by Councillor J. McCormick in relation to Outside Bodies and to his attendance at a meeting of One Voice Wales.
5. Reports (2). Outside Bodies Councillor J. McCormick attended a recent meeting of One Voice Wales where Jane Evans the North Wales Development Officer gave a presentation with an aim for getting more people involved at a local level. Councillor McCormick reported to the Members that methods of communication to the respective communities were discussed and information was received regarding Council Insurance Policies. 5. Matters Arising from the Minutes Councillor Mrs N. Matthews and Councillor E. Owens updated the Council with reference to the setting up/organising of a Youth Council for the community. At a recent meeting in the Village Centre only a few youths were able to attend however bearing in mind the holiday period and the enthusiasm being expressed by the youngsters there are still positives to be noted. Further meetings have been scheduled. 6. Gwernymynydd Community Development Plan The Members resolved to discuss this Agenda Item at the next Council meeting. 7. Gwernymynydd Post Office Members discussed the situation of the Post Office and of the speculation and rumours that were being talked about within the village. Councillor Taylor informed the Council that in the event of a closure of the Post Office at the Rainbow Garage the Village Centre Management Committee would have no objection to a Portakabin being sited on the Centre’s car park to accommodate the facility. The issue of finding a new location for a Post Office away from the Rainbow Garage is the responsibility of the present Post Office Licensee, Members were informed that the present arrangement will cease in August. Councillor Bradshaw raised the question of the approved planning permission for the Garage development and the condition that space be available to accommodate a Post Office, the Council were of the opinion that the issue is one to be resolved between the two parties involved. A statement explaining the situation as suggested by Post Office plc to be put into the next Village Newsletter.
8. Reports 1. Police Matters 2. Outside Bodies With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee, Councillor R. Astbury and Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews gave a full account to the Council on the recently held Cefn Mawr Quarry Liaison Committee. The main points arising out of the meeting being; there may be an increase in the internal production rate, restoration work within the quarry will continue, all lorries leaving the quarry will be sheeted and an example of the fuel to be used in Kiln 4 was provided to the Committee Members. With regard to complaints received at the meeting concerns were raised about blasting, noisy vehicles, and vehicles speeding along the A 494 through Gwernymynydd. The quarry management stated that the complaints outlined would be closely monitored and action taken where necessary. 3. Sub-Committees There were no items for discussion. 4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole Councillor Mrs N. Matthews related to the Council that she had begun her traffic census count, A 494, this will continue and Members will be informed of the results when sufficient data has been acquired. 5. Complaints received by Councillors Councillor Mrs M. Bellis informed the Council that the Pelican Crossing, Councillor Mrs. M. Bellis informed the Council that no action had been taken with respect to the complaints received about Minffordd Fields. This matter of concern to be pursued with Flintshire County Council. Councillor G. Morris informed the Council that he had received complaints regarding overgrown trees/shrubs obstructing the footpath leading from Heol y Wern to the Tros y Wern play area and causing problems within the play area. The Clerk to pursue this complaint with Flintshire County Council. 9. Correspondence Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were received by the Council. Item 2, the Council resolved to enter the best kept village competition. Item 3, explanations were given by Councillors Mrs. N. Matthews and K. Taylor with regard to the action taken in trimming of shrubs/trees and the removal of some of them at Llys Enfys in the interest of safety and to ward off any possible civil claim for damages against Flintshire County Council. This decision was taken on the advice given in an arboricultural technical report commissioned by the Directorate of the Environment and Regeneration, Flintshire County Council. An additional letter received from Mr. G. Humphreys, Llys Enfys about the said ‘desecration of the hedgerow’ separating Llys Enfys from the Rainbow Inn was discussed by the Members along with his suggestion for the Council to replace the shrubs/trees. The Members resolved to write to Mr. Humphreys stating that it was not the responsibility of the Council to replace the shrubs/trees with more manageable types but it would pursue the matter with Flintshire County Council with the view to seeking an amicable and acceptable conclusion. Item 5, the Council resolved to renew its subscription with the Clwyd Community Chest. Item 6, the Council resolved to donate £200 to the Gwernymynydd Senior Citizens Social Committee. The following information was received by the Council:- A letter from Deeco Lighting which explained the difficulties and prohibitive costs of installing additional lighting in Cadole; A letter from residents in Cadole requesting the Council’s help to curb speeding vehicles in Village Road; Acknowledgement from Flintshire County Council regarding the Village road sign, A 494; Flintshire County Council, an invitation to the Chairman to attend the Civic Sunday from the Chairman of Flintshire County Council;
11. Planning Matters Ref: GMN/97382; The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) England and Wales, Regulations 1999, Regulation 10, Scoping Opinion for Determination of a Scheme of New Conditions at the Bryn Quarry, Gwernymynydd The Chairman, Councillor Mrs. E. Parry, informed everyone that she would take the observations of the Councillors first and then open up the meeting in order to hear the concerns of the public. In compliance with Local Government Standards Councillor Mrs. Nancy Matthews declared an interest to this agenda item and as such took no part in the proceedings. Mr. Gary Nancarrow from the Minerals and Waste Section of Flintshire County Council explained to everyone at the meeting the proposal by the Operator, D. P. Williams to obtain permission to start working the Bryn Gwyn Quarry. Mr. Nancarrow outlined the history of the planning permission relating to mineral extraction at the quarry and the proposal by the Operator to recommence work at the Quarry which has been closed since 1973. The proposed operations if permission is granted could result in a mineral extraction of 600,000 to 750,000 tonnes per annum and traffic movements of 109 to 136 vehicles per day in and out of the quarry. Flintshire County Council is opposed to the proposal and is seeking ways to prohibit the re-opening of the Quarry. This point of view was unanimously agreed by the Community Council and members of the public present at the meeting. It was resolved to object to Flintshire County Council to the proposal for the following reasons.
1. The local roads and lanes cannot take the heavy usage of vehicle movements that would result from the quarry operations. The roads and lanes would not be able to cope with the anticipated number of lorries laden with stone, the production out put proposed predicts vehicle movements of 109 to 136 in and out of the quarry. 2. There is already an overprovision of mineral extraction quarries in the locality; there is no requirement for further stone production as the present operating quarries have a service life exceeding 10 years and are able to fulfil the mineral needs of the construction industry. 3. The roads and lanes would be subjected to verge/hedgerow erosion caused by the extra traffic attempting to negotiate the narrow sections of the highway. 4. The re-opening of the quarry will have a huge visual impact on the locality in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 5. There are protected hedgerows, reference to the Hedgerow Regulations 1997, in and around the quarry, these hedgerows would be subject to a dilatorily effect of smothering due to fugitive dust emissions emanating from the quarry and passing lorries.
6. The conditions for operating a quarry dictate a buffer zone of 200 metres to nearby properties; this cannot be achieved at Bryn Gwyn due to the quarry’s location. 7. Local residents state that the quarry has archaeological value with respect to previous workings and its industrial history both quarrying and mining. 8. A public footpath runs through the quarry. 9. There are genuine concerns raised by the Council with respect to noise nuisance that would be produced at the quarry, from a pecker stone breaking machine, from crushers, from internal haul road vehicle movements and from blasting of the rock face. 10. There will be problems with dust as a result of the quarry workings; the proposed dust suppression methods would not in the opinion of the Council curtail the dust nuisance. 11. The quarry due to its long dormant state now has a varied natural habitat which has encouraged a host of flora and fauna to exist peacefully within the old workings. Lapwings, buzzards to quote just two types of birds can regularly be seen in the quarry area. 12. The quarry has become a wildlife amenity for visitors to the area and for local residents; this unique site must not be lost to stone quarrying operations that are just not needed for the construction industry. 13. The Council is of the opinion that the nearby reservoir and water course would be affected by the quarrying operations. 14. Taking the quarrying proposal in its entirety the impact that it would have to the locality is immense, the operations would affect Denbighshire and Flintshire residents and would completely spoil an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Council respectfully requested that its observations on the proposal be earnestly considered and that when the decision process was taken Flintshire County Council must be aware of the concerns of the community the quarrying operations would affect. The Community Council and residents in the village of Gwernymynydd do not want the Bryn Gwyn Quarry to re-open for mineral extraction; it was the wish of everyone that a prohibition notice be served in order to prevent quarrying operations taking place. KYT/043378, demolition of existing utility room and erection of a two-storey and a single-storey extension to the rear elevation, replacement porch to the front elevation and erection of a detached garage located at Tir-y-Coed, Ruthin Road, Cadole. AGREED LEJ/043188, erection of an external smoking shelter located at the Rainbow Inn, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd. KYT/043253, erection of a domestic garage and stable block located at Virginia Cottage, Hafod Road, Gwernymynydd. AGREED Information was received regarding the Public Inquiry into Flintshire County Council’s UDP, Inspectors have been appointed to hear the Inquiry and the Council has also appointed a programme officer to co-ordinate the Inquiry. A Pre-Inquiry meeting has been organised, 26th June 2007 at the Beaufort Park Hotel, New Brighton. Councillor R. Astbury stated that he would represent the Council at the meeting. 12. Finance Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £3,451.33 Presentation to Members the Council’s Accounts, 2006/07; the Clerk provided for Councillors the final financial statement for approval of the Council. The Council approved the Accounts 2006/07 and the Chairman Councillor K. Taylor signed the Audit Wales Office submission form with the approval of the Members.
Chairman......................................................................................................................
Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 31st May 2007.
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