Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 30th October 2008 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman: Councillor E. Owens

Councillor Owens welcomed to the meeting Mrs. C. Lowey and Mr. P. Aubrey who wished to discuss with the Members the Planning Application, Reference; KYT/LA/044162, outline permission for the erection of a dwelling on land south of Highfield, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

Also, with reference to the absence at the meeting of PC. Gary Aldous the Chairman welcomed PCSO Andrea Ellis and PC James Lang who were both attending with respect to the Agenda Item; Police Matters.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ms. R. Morrell,

Mrs N. Matthews and PC. G. Aldous.

2. To Approve the Minutes of the September 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

3.3 With reference to the Flintshire County Council, Draft Report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and to the invitations extended by the Council to the Rights of Way Officer and representatives of the Rainbow Ramblers (Jane Owen and Graham Humphreys) to discuss matters relating to footpaths within and neighbouring to Gwernymynydd; the Chairman informed the Members he had been told that it was not the policy for Flintshire County Council Officers to attend Town/Community Council meetings regarding such matters and therefore as a result there was no need for Jane and Graham from the Rainbow Ramblers to come along to the meeting.

3.4 With reference to Cilcain Community Council receiving a substantial grant for a community project from the Minerals Division (WAG) the Chairman reported that the Clerk had gained the information as requested. Councillor Owens distributed to the Members extracts of the application form relating to the criteria needed to obtain a grant.

Members were requested to consider relevant schemes for discussion at a future Agenda Item, suggestions put forward related to amenity or historical projects, a new footway Cadole to Gwernaffield and community development of the former Carmel Chapel site.

3.7 At the previous meeting it was resolved to pursue the possibility of utilising the Council’s website for publishing the booklet A History of Gwernymynydd, however before the Clerk had the opportunity to invite Daniel Wilkie to a meeting of the Council to discuss the proposal, Councillor K. Taylor had been in contact with Daniel and the document was placed onto the Council’s website.

Councillor E. Owens informed the Members that he was meeting up with Daniel with the view to discuss the proposal of what improvements could be made to the website. Councillor Owens requested permission of the Members to have their names and contact addresses put on the website as a means of the Council being more interactive and contactable with the community. This was put to the Council and agreed.

3.8.2 Councillor Taylor informed the Members that the children’s Xmas Party would take place on the 22nd December 2008; with reference to financial support from the Council the Members approved a donation in principle, the actual amount to be determined following a formal application towards the cost.

3.8.5 With reference to vehicles speeding through the housing estates, a proposal to hold a meeting to discuss the issue and to resolve the problem still needs to be held.

3.10 With reference to replacing the commemorative sign on the gates of the NPFA field, the giving of the field to the community by the Waln family, Councillors

E. Owens and K. Taylor stated that they would pursue the matter and report back to the Council.

4. Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd

Councillor C. Bradshaw reported to the Members that the final submission date for Appeal to the High Court by D. P Williams (Holdings) Ltd against the Bryn Gwyn Quarry Prohibition Order was the 16th October 2008. To date no information had been received as to whether or not an appeal had been lodged. Sandy Mewies AM has been requested to seek information on the matter from the Planning Inspectorate.

Councillor Bradshaw stated his thanks to Sandy Mewies AM for all she has done in supporting Flintshire County Council and the local community in the endeavour to obtain the Prohibition Order.

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5. Gwernymynydd Development Plan

Councillor C. Bradshaw informed the Members that the respective sub-committee had met to discuss the Plan, as yet minutes had not been produced but these will be available by the Council meeting. Councillor Bradshaw by way of a reminder presented to the Council the main theme of the Plan.

Councillor Bradshaw drew reference to the Kelsall village website and the Kelsall Village Design Statement. This comprehensive document could be used as a baseline for the Development Plan; the Council being in a position to adapt the Design Statement for its own requirements.

6. Gwernymynydd Youth Club/Youth Council

Councillor E. Owens reported that attendance at the recent meeting of the Youth Club was disappointing. The Club needs the support of the youngsters and their parents to survive if this is not forthcoming then the Club will fold. Councillor Owens informed the Council that letters would be going out to the known Club Members to tell them of the situation; if there is no support then there will be no Club.

7. Reports

1. Police Matters

PCSO Andrea Ellis informed the Council that there had been only one incident reported in the Gwernymynydd area, this related to the theft of a vehicle’s licence plate. With reference to the criminal damage investigation reported at the previous meeting, PC G. Aldous is still awaiting information. PC J. Lang informed the Members that a Halloween watch would be taking place throughout the beat area.

Councillor C. Jackson reported an incident to the police where nuisance and verbal abuse was experienced; such complaints need to be reported as soon as possible in order to enable appropriate action to be taken.

Councillor C. Bradshaw reported that he had seen a muzzled dog in some distress; a request was submitted for PC Aldous to look into the matter.

Thanks were conveyed by the Members to PC J. Lang and PCSO Ellis for attending the Council meeting

2. Outside Bodies

With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee,

Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members. A reminder was given to the Members reference to the forthcoming concert on the 21st November 2008. Councillor Taylor informed the Council that an invitation will be forthcoming both to the Council and the Village Centre Management Committee to visit the Aberduna Quarry. Also, next year there will be 6 caravan rallies at the Centre and the Swan FC have organised a car boot sale in order to raise funds for the Club.

Councillor E. Owens related that he, Councillor C. Bradshaw and the Clerk had attended the newly formed Flintshire County Forum held at the Connah’s Quay Civic Centre. The Clerk provided information for the Members, the main issues being an attempt to improve relationships between the County and Town/Community Councils, Alcohol free Zones and Planning Matters.

3. Sub-Committees

There were no items for discussion.

4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole

Councillor G. Morris outlined his concerns with regard to the A 494 Footway Improvement Scheme, it would appear that Flintshire County Council have not only ignored the comments of the Council but also failed to inform it of the start date of the scheme and of the Principal Contractor. The Clerk was requested to write a letter of complaint to Flintshire County Council about the matter.

Also with respect to the above an explanation was given to the Members of the action already taken about the concerns prior to the meeting.

Councillor T. Barley informed the Council that the red tarmacadam patched warning section on the A 494 at Cadole had now been removed.

5. Gwernymynydd and Cadole; Area Reports

Cadole: Llys Enfys: Blaenwern: Swan Lane: Glyndwr Road: Tros y Wern: Ruthin Road; in all areas there were no items reported for discussion

8. Correspondence

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

Item 1; Flintshire County Council, a reply to the Council reference to A 494 Flashing Road Signs, Speed Indicator Displays, the Clerk was requested to write to Transport Wales re-iterating the concerns of the Council and of the need to have such traffic calming measures in place on the A 494.

Item 2; Post Office Ltd, a reply to the Council with regard to the Gwernymynydd Post Office, the Clerk was requested to write again to Post Office Ltd asking it to consider Gwernymynydd for Outreach Services.

Item 3; Flintshire County Council, Drafts Rights of Way Improvement Plan, Councillor Mrs. M. Thomson informed the Members that she had not received a reply to her letter of observations sent to Flintshire County Council, the Clerk was requested to pursue the matter with the County Council.

9. Late Correspondence

The following information was received by the Council:-

A request to the Community Council for financial assistance from the Gwernymynydd CP School PTA, the Council decided that additional information was needed before the Members could determine the request, the Clerk was asked to reply to the PTA accordingly.

A Review of Community Council Election Results, 2008; Fire and Rescue Service, the National Framework for Wales 2008-11; Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham (Clwyd) Health Council’s Annual Report, 2007-08; North Wales Police Liaison Meeting with County, Town and Community Councillors, to be held in Buckley Town Hall, 21/11/08; Castle Cement, Cefn Mawr Quarry Liaison Meeting to be held, 12/11/08. Flintshire County Council, A 494 Gwernymynydd Footway Improvements, notification of the starting date.

10. Planning Matters

Ref: KYT/LA/044162, Outline-Erection of a Dwelling located on land south of Highfield, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd

AGREED

A letter from Flintshire County Council dated 24th September 2008 was placed before the Council together with additional correspondence and the previous planning application.

The Council approved the application and disagreed with the comments made for refusal by Flintshire County Council, dated the 19th June 2008. Additional stopping and turning manoeuvres would not lead to conditions prejudicial to the safety and free flow of traffic on the A 494, the access road may well be classed as sub standard but it does not take an amount of traffic in and out to make the situation dangerous.

With regard to the comments received concerning the bus shelter the Council would welcome a more modern replacement in line with those being supplied and constructed throughout the county by Flintshire County Council. Relocation of the shelter to a more appropriate position would also be well received.

It was noted that the Council was pursuing Flintshire County Council for a replacement bus shelter and hopefully it would be successful, therefore this would also add weight for giving approval to the application submitted by Mr. P. Aubrey on behalf of Mrs. Lowey.

For emphasis, the Council does not object to the planning proposal for a dwelling adjacent to Highfield, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd, the Council views this application as meeting with the percentage increase in housing in the village as requested by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Council respectfully requested that Flintshire County Council accepts the opinion of its Members.

11. Finance

Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £582.97

With reference to the previous minutes, in response to the Chairman, Councillor E. Owens’ proposal that a new computer plus a printer be purchased in order that the Clerk could continue to undertake administrative duties economically, the Clerk reported that he had consulted with officers of Flintshire County Council’s IT Department and as such recommendations had been received as to what equipment should be purchased. The cost to the Council would be below the agreed budgeted amount of £700.

The recommendation regarding office equipment was put to the Council and agreed by the Members.

Chairman….........................................................................................................

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 30th October 2008.