Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 25th September 2008 at the Village Centre, Gwernymynydd.

Chairman: Councillor E. Owens

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ms. R. Morrell

and PC. G. Aldous.

2. To Approve the Minutes of the July 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 reference to Agenda Item 9; Flintshire County Council, Draft Report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan: With reference to the footpaths within and neighbouring to Gwernymynydd the Council resolved to invite Officers from Flintshire County Council and representatives of the Rainbow Ramblers to the October meeting to discuss the rights of way issue and the concerns of Members.

Councillor Mrs. M. Thomson informed the Members that Jane Owen and Graham Humphreys from the Rainbow Ramblers would be attending the next meeting of the Council.

4. Bryn Gwyn Quarry, Gwernymynydd

The Clerk related to the Members that he had received letters from Flintshire County Council and Sandy Mewies AM and a summary report from the Planning Inspectorate informing the Council that the Bryn Gwyn Quarry Prohibition Order, Flintshire, had been upheld and confirmed. The letters also informed the Council that an appeal against the decision was possible but to do so D. P. Williams (Holdings) Ltd have 6 weeks from the 4th September 2008 to submit the relative papers to the High Court.

Councillors C. Bradshaw and Mrs N. Matthews confirmed that they had also received letters and a summary of the report confirming the decision taken by the appointed Inspector.

All Members of the Council were pleased with the outcome of the Public Inquiry and as such the Council resolved to write to Flintshire County Council to congratulate the Officers concerned and to thank them for all the work undertaken to achieve the very welcome decision of the Planning Inspectorate.

With reference to the recent report concerning Cilcain Community Council receiving a substantial grant for a community project from the Minerals Division (WAG) the Clerk was requested to obtain information with the view to the Council pursuing a similar submission.

5. Gwernymynydd Development Plan

Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews informed the Council that a meeting had been arranged for Councillor C. Bradshaw to discuss with Mr. A. Roberts, Principal Planner, Flintshire County Council, the Council’s Development Plan; the meeting was productive and well received by Councillor Bradshaw and Mr. Roberts.

Flintshire County Council is keen to develop such plans with local communities as partners along similar lines to that of Cheshire County Council and Kelsall Village. Councillor Bradshaw outlined as a reminder the main elements of the Kelsall Village Plan.

Councillor Mrs. M. Thomson reported to the Council on the recently held One Voice Wales meeting. Information concerning the Flintshire County Forum was outlined, the agenda allows for discussion on the following subjects, Relationships and Communications, Scope for Joint Working and the Model Charter, Local Development Plan and Community Strategy. It is intended that the County Forum will be held several times a year to further improve working relationships between the different tiers of local government.

With reference to the Gwernymynydd Development Plan Councillor Bradshaw stated that the Development Plan Group needs to meet to produce a strategy to take forward to progress with Flintshire County Council; also the opinions of the community need to be included and members of the public need to be aware of the proposed Plan. It was put forward and accepted that the Village Newsletter would be a good vehicle to use to get the message across and hopefully get residents on board to help with the Plan.

6. Gwernymynydd Youth Club/Youth Council

It was resolved to discuss this agenda item at the next meeting.

7. A History of Gwernymynydd

Reference to the proposed re-printing of the booklet; Members outlined their concerns with regard to the costs that would be incurred by the Council if the booklet was to be re-printed bearing in mind that a minimum order of around 200 would be required at a price of approximately £640.

It was resolved to pursue the possibility of utilising the Council’s website for publishing the History of Gwernymynydd, the Clerk was requested to invite Daniel Wilkie to a meeting of the Council to discuss the proposal. Also the Members were informed of Daniel’s success in passing his exams; the Council resolved that a letter of congratulations be sent to Daniel.

8. Reports

1. Police Matters

An apology for absence was received from PC Gary Aldous; the Clerk reported that he had received an e-mail from PC. Aldous in which he stated there had been only one incident, this was in reference to graffiti at the Village Centre and he was awaiting the results of DNA analysis before pursuing the investigation further.

With respect to the visit to the Police Control Room Unit in St. Asaph on the 5th August 2008, the Members thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the experience and thanks were conveyed to PC. G. Aldous for taking them.

Councillor K. Taylor reported to the Council the main points arising out of the North Wales Police Forum which was held at the Daniel Owen Centre, Mold; frustration concerning the absence of the police being visible within communities was a common theme expressed by Town/Community Councillors at the meeting. A request for the police to be seen out and about and visibly undertaking enforcement was submitted.

2. Outside Bodies

With reference to the Village Centre Management Committee,

Councillor K. Taylor provided an update of information for the Members. Councillor Taylor reported that Gwernymynydd Swan FC was being supported by the Village Centre in their 1st year in the Deeside Sunday League, funds being low due to fees that had to be paid. The trimming of trees and bushes need to be undertaken, Flintshire County Council has these works scheduled to be done.

Councillor Taylor informed the Members that arrangements were in hand to revive the children’s Xmas Party, the licensee of the Swan would be taking charge and the party would be held at the Centre.

Councillor Mrs. M. Thomson outlined the following items arising from the One Voice Wales meeting; a need for training for clerks and councillors was identified by many member councils, costs to be around £15 per person with the training modules to be in the evening and about 2-3 hours in length. Minutes and Agenda of the member councils may be put onto the One Voice website, this proposal to be explored.

Councillor E. Owens reported to the Members on the recently held Post Office Consultative meeting, it was evident that the identified Post Office closures would go ahead, Gwernymynydd Post Office included.

Councillor G. Morris informed the Members that the scheduled Aberduna Quarry Liaison Committee meeting did not take place; the meeting will be re-arranged at a date in the future.

3. Sub-Committees

There were no items for discussion.

4. A494, Gwernymynydd/Cadole

Councillor Mrs. N. Matthews related that the problem of collapsing manhole covers was being dealt with, the North Wales Trunk Road Agency was progressing the matter.

5. Gwernymynydd and Cadole; Area Reports

Cadole; Councillor T. Barley reported that he had received complaints about vehicles travelling at speed through the village, PC. G. Aldous to be made aware of the problem, an up-date on a proposed street light was requested, the Clerk to pursue: Llys Enfys; there were no items reported for discussion:

Blaenwern; there were no items reported for discussion: Swan Lane; concern was expressed with regard to moss and mud on the road surface: Glyndwr Road; there were no items reported for discussion: Tros y Wern; Councillor Mrs. H. Roberts related her concerns with regard to the speed of vehicles travelling through the estate, PC. G. Aldous to be informed of the complaint, the pathway through the estate is obstructed by a tree/bush, Flintshire County Council to be informed of the problem: Ruthin Road; reports of litter around Hafod Road, the situation to be monitored.

The Chairman, Councillor E. Owens, commented on the common theme of vehicles speeding through the housing estates, a proposal to hold a meeting to discuss the issue and of a means to resolving the problem was put forward and agreed.

9. Correspondence

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

Item 3; Flintshire County Council, Welsh Assembly Consultation on the Setting of Local Speed Limits, Councillor E. Owens reported to the Members that he had replied on behalf of the Council, agreeing that 20 mph limits should be adopted on residential estates and in areas close to schools and colleges.

Item 5; a request to the Community Council for financial assistance from the Gwernymynydd CP School PTA; the Clerk reported that due to the local authority elections and the school holiday period the specific reason for asking was now out of date. The Council was sympathetic to the request for financial assistance and as such the Chairman agreed to speak personally to the PTA on the matter.

2008; 17

10. Late Correspondence

The following information was received by the Council:-

Flintshire Local Access Forum; Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, reference to appointments of Forum Members, a request is submitted to interested persons; Local Authority Boundary Commission for Wales, notification of the AGM 2008; Flintshire County Council, Business Week Events, 29/9/08 to 8/10/08; Postwatch Wales, a reply to the Council reference to Gwernymynydd Post Office and its proposed closure.

A note from former Councillor Mrs. M. Bellis with regard to the sign which had been in place on the entrance gates to the NPFA Field for many years, the sign commemorated the giving of the field to the community by the Waln family. Mrs Bellis asks for a replacement sign. The Clerk was requested to pursue the matter.

Gwernymynydd Swan FC, a request for financial assistance, the Council resolved to donate £150 to the football club.

11. Planning Matters

LEJ/045306; the erection of a detached stone outbuilding to store garden equipment located at Tan yr Odyn, Ruthin Road, Gwernymynydd.

AGREED

12. Finance

Payments were authorised and cheques signed totalling £801.79

The Clerk informed the Council that he had been notified of a BACS transfer of £50 from Flintshire County Council this being the prize money awarded to Blaenwern for the residents success in the Senior Citizens’ Estate Section of the Flintshire County Council Environment Competition.

The Clerk reported to the Members that the Council’s computer had broken down and that repair was not a viable cost effective option. The Clerk requested permission to dispose of the equipment. This was put to the Council and agreed by the Members. For information of the Members the Clerk related that the computer was purchased on the 25/5/2000 for £1,038.65 and had to have a fault repaired on the 30/9/04 at a cost of £100.

With reference to the efficiency of the Council’s service to the community the Chairman, Councillor E. Owens proposed that a new computer plus a printer be purchased in order that the Clerk could continue to undertake administrative duties economically. This was put to the Council and agreed by the Members.

With respect the allowed budget to purchase the equipment the Clerk was requested to obtain related computer, printer costs, a figure of around £700 was agreed.

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

Payments authorised at the meeting held on the 25th September 2008.