PEN-Y-FFORDD
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held in the War
Memorial Institute on
Wednesday 13th June 2018
Present: Councillors Mr J Priddin (Chairman of the Council) Mr
A Wight (Vice Chairman), Mr D Williams, Ms C Hinds, Mr D Walker, Mrs M Jones,
Mrs E Davies, Mr R Bestwick, Mr R Wakelam, Mrs L Vidamour and Dr Smith-Bellis
Absent:
In
attendance: Mrs S Hughes, Clerk
& RFO to the Council
Shelley Webber – FCC
Domestic Energy Team, Healthy Homes Healthy People & Warm Homes Fund
39. Election of Vice Chairman for the Year 2018/19
The
Chairman reaffirmed that Cllr A Wight and Cllr R Bestwick had both been
nominated for the position of Vice Chairman.
Cllr Wight agreed he would be willing to undertake this role and Cllr
Bestwick advised he would stand down.
The
Chairman therefore proposed Cllr Wight as Vice Chairman which was voted upon by
show of hands and unanimously agreed.
RESOLVED: Cllr A Wight be voted
as Vice Chairman for 2018-19, he accepted and signed the Declaration of
Acceptance of Office which was witnessed by the Clerk.
40. Apologies
Apologies
were received from Councillor Mr M Rothero.
The
Clerk advised the Council that she had received an email of resignation from
Cllr S Kenworthy with immediate effect as unfortunately, she felt that she was
unable to dedicate the time the role deserves.
The Clerk advised that in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1972
(Section 87(2)) she will display the Vacancy for a period of 14 days.
RESOLVED:
the Notice of Vacancy will be displayed and
Flintshire County Council informed. This
will be included on the July agenda.
41. Declaration of Interest – Members Code of Conduct
There were no Declarations of Interest
received.
42. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 9th May
and 1st June 2018
RESOLVED: these were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
43. Matters arising
Min 4 - Cllr Walker advised that he wished to resign
from the position as School Governor at Ysgol Penyffordd as he was unable to
attend the meetings. The Chairman asked
if any other member would be interested in the position. Due to the meetings being held in the
daytime, it causes a number of difficulties for members to attend. Cllr Williams advised that historical
meetings used to be held in the evening.
Cllr Wight feels that it is vitally important for the Council to have a representative
on the governing body especially given the development at the school. Cllr Wight agreed to cover the position on an
interim basis and as a councillor vacancy has arisen possibly the new member
may be interested in taking this role.
RESOLVED: the Clerk will write
to Ysgol Penyffordd to advise of the change in representation and also request
if the Governing Body would consider holding evening meetings.
Min 8 – Cllr Bestwick asked the
Clerk for confirmation of the amended Annual Insurance Renewal with
Zurich. The Clerk apologised she had not
provided this information and will pass the details to Cllr Bestwick.
44. Public Questions
Cllr Williams had been
asked by two local residents to raise; 1) concerns of grass cutting within the
village and 2) concerns of traffic in and around the new school build. There was an incident of a large wagon
arriving at the school during nursery pick up which hit the gate post when
entering the school, the driver had apparently commented that the access was
too narrow.
45.
Visitors
Shelley
Webber - Domestic Energy Team, Healthy Homes Healthy People and Warm Homes
Fund.
Ms Webber gave a brief
presentation to the council explaining that of the £3.5 million funding which
has been secured, there will be £2.7 million available for investment to assist
the most vulnerable residents of Flintshire (installation of central heating,
gas supply, fuel poverty, residents with children under 5 yrs of age, residents
who currently have storage heaters). This investment project will be undertaken
over the next 3 years.
There are two
categories; Cat 1 - on grid properties would be by way of; mains gas supply,
central heating. Outer skirts (rural areas); Cat 2 – would look at renewable
energy. There is two parts to the
funding 1- installing gas supply to the property and 2 – central heating and
costings.
SW explained all
properties whether private owned, rental or council. With investments made into
rental or private properties there would be a need for negotiations e.g if a
rental property required gas central heating, they would liaise with the
landlord to negotiate any further home improvements (if they are less than
standard condition) needed to assist the resident to live in a healthy and warm
home.
SW asked if members
could provide her with information on clubs and societies within the area, if
there were aware of areas or residents who could benefit from this scheme to
contact her team. For areas where it is felt residents could benefit from this
project SW and her team would initially do a leaflet drop in advance of making
house to house calls.
Cllr Wight asked SW to
provide the council with posters and a digital copy and they would put up on
the noticeboards and website.
Cllr Williams asked
about properties within Dobshill that currently do not have access to mains gas
supply. SW advised she is aware of these
properties and is currently looking into this.
The Chairman thanked Ms
Webber for her time and the presentation for a wonderful initiative.
* Ms Webber left the meeting at 6.55pm
46. Asset
Register
The Clerk
made the necessary amendments and presented the updated Asset Register for
approval.
RESOLVED:
the Asset Register was approved.
47. Annual
Return for the Year Ended 31 March 2018
The Clerk presented to
the Chairman all the supporting information to accompany the Annual Return for
certification.
RESOLVED: all supporting information was certified by the
Chairman and Clerk. The Clerk will now
officially submit the Annual Return to
the External Auditors.
48. Community
Transport/Bus Services
FCC have
extended the closing date to Town & Community Councils for the Consultation
on Flintshire County Councils Bus Network Review. A copy of the consultation was circulated
with the agenda.
Flintshire
County Council subsidises 24 bus routes through either standalone contracts or
agreements with commercial operators to provide services that are not
commercially viable, such as early morning, evening, via certain villages etc.
While some Local Authorities have stopped subsidising bus travel altogether,
Flintshire are not taking that approach. However, there is a need to ensure an
effective and integrated bus network into the future, and services must be
sustainable, affordable and meet the changing and prioritised needs of our
residents.
A full
review of the current bus network is being undertaken to establish current and
future demands on the network and create a sustainable, equitable and stable
transport system which fits the needs of local communities and the wider
employment and social sector demand.
The Council
has been asked to consider, within their area the demand for public transport
and which of the four proposed options would best suit the needs of their
community.
1. Stop
subsidising bus services altogether
2. Continue
to support the services currently subsidised
3. Support
services on the core bus network and implement Local Travel arrangements for
the non-core network
4. Support
services on the core bus network and implement a demand responsive ‘ring and
ride’ service
RESOLVED: the Council will provide a
response to the consultation supporting Option 3 - Support services on the core
bus network and implement Local Travel arrangements for the non-core network
49. Working Groups
Cllr Wight suggested this be
included on the July agenda and requested that the Clerk circulate to members a
copy of the Place Plan which details the headings of the Working Groups and
details of possibly actions to undertake.
These can then be reviewed to ensure if they are still applicable and to
appoint actions to the Working Groups.
RESOLVED:
this will be included on the July agenda.
Members will be provided with a copy of the Place Plan detailing a list
of actions under each Working Group heading.
50. Millstone
Playing Field
Cllr Hinds
reported that the old fencing has now been removed and the new fence nearly
completed. She thanked the 7 volunteers
she had assisting her with the work over the weekend. There may be a possibility of the need for an
additional skip to remove the remaining waste.
Also, there are areas that will require spraying with weedkiller, Cllr
Davies advised Mr S Davies will be able to assist with this.
Richard
Roberts informed the council of repairs required for the titan rope swing
together with a quote of £188+vat for parts only and FCC would arrange for
installation. He also raised the issue
of the surfacing under the titan and offered suggestions of a new layer of
grassmat surfacing on top of the existing or alternatively a wetpour surface
under the Titan, this would be the same finish as the new play equipment next
to the Titan.
Cllr
Williams requested the clerk to question what the warranty was on the equipment
and grassmatting? He had previously
obtained a quote for the groundworks under the titan which was in the region of
£1800.
The Clerk
agreed to ascertain the details of the warranty, but sought approval from the
council should the warranty have expired to proceed with the titan rope swing
to be repaired at a cost of £188.
The Clerk
reported that following reports of damage to the muga fencing, Ludus have
agreed to undertake these repairs free of charge. The work will be completed within the next
couple of weeks. She also advised that a
site meeting was had with Ludus, Cllrs Priddin, Hinds and herself to ascertain
alternative soundproofing options for the skate ramps. Andy Brown is reviewing the feasibility of
these options and will report back to the council.
Cllr
Wakelam asked the council to consider installation of additional benches and
dog bins on the area. Cllr Williams
advised as the council had agreed to a 50% contribution of purchasing a new
bench with the Youth Club he is liaising with the club to ascertain what they
would like.
Cllrs
Wakelam and Williams will site visit the Millstone to assess what additional
seating and bins would be required and will report back to the council.
RESOLVED: with regard to the titan play
equipment, the Clerk will request details of the equipment and grassmat
warranty. If the equipment is out of
warranty she will authorise Richard Roberts to proceed with the rope repairs at
a cost of £188.vat . This will be
included on the July agenda.
The report
on the fencing and muga was received and noted.
Cllrs
Wakelam and Williams will review the Millstone and report to the council what
additional seating and bins would be required.
51. Planning
Applications
a)
To review
and consider Planning Applications received.
i. Ref: 058467. Erection of first floor extension to rear of
dwelling. Rose Cottage, 2 Chester Road,
Penyffordd. Support
ii. Notification from
Wrexham County Borough Council of the extension of Public Consultation Deadline
regarding the Wrexham Local Development Plan.
Cllr Wight and Williams
asked if there were any other planning applications as they were aware of a
further three for the area. The Clerk
advised she had only received the one application and will enquiry with FCC
Planning.
RESOLVED: the above comments will be
reported to Flintshire County Council Planning.
b)
To receive
Notifications of Planning Decisions made by Flintshire County Council.
i. Ref:
058136. Change of use from 1no. dwelling
into 2no. dwellings and erection of a garage for dwelling 1 and garden store
for dwelling 2. Pheasant Fields, Lower
Mountain Road, Penyffordd. Approved
ii. Ref:
058187. Erection of garage. 2 Fairview, Penyffordd. Withdrawn
iii. Ref:
058117. Conversion of barn to 1no.
residential dwelling with associated parking.
Rhydd Farm, Rhos Road, Penyffordd.
Refused
RESOLVED: the above be received and noted.
c)
To
review Ongoing and Proposed Planning Applications.
i. Penyffordd Single Site
School
ii. Land at Chester Road,
Penymynydd
Cllr
Wight reported that Andrew Farrow, Chief Officer of Planning – FCC has
confirmed that their barrister is currently looking into this. AW and JSB have reviewed all the documents
and a judicial review is only able if there potentially has been failing in a procedural
or legal matter. AW has requested a solicitor to briefly review the documents
and his advice was there was nothing evident to which a case could be bought,
however, it is sincerely hoped that FCC pursue this matter further.
Cllr
Walker questioned the matter that was brought to the table at the extraordinary
meeting that members would consider a full council resignation? Members will not be making a decision until
they are aware whether FCC have requested a judicial review.
Cllr
Wight feels that the council needs to draw attention to the injustice of
this. Cllr Wight proposed that an
emergency meeting is requested with FCC within the next few days. There is a fundamental problem as there has
been two planning applications where the whole way the planning system works
has completed failed. He feels that
there is a duty of care from FCC to defend their authority in their patch, not
only for Penyffordd but for Flintshire. This
was agreed by the council and an invitation will be made to attend a meeting on
Monday 18th June to the following: Colin Everett – FCC, Andrew
Farrow –FCC, David Wisinger – FCC, Chris Bithell – FCC, Aaron Shotton, Bernie
Attridge, Mark Tami, Jack Sargent, Lesley Griffiths, Carwyn Jones, Llyr
Gruffydd. Cllr Williams will request a
meeting room at County Hall and will confirm with the Clerk asap.
Cllr
Wight reported that he is receipt of a copy letter from Mark Tami to Lesley
Griffiths which made reference to why the decision could not have waited under
the completion of the TAN1 consultation.
Cllr
Williams reiterated the correspondence received on 22nd May from
Welsh Assembly advising that it was unlikely that the decision would be made by
the indicative target date of the 24th May, however the decision was
issued on 25th May.
Cllr
Smith Bellis questioned whether a request could be made for Lesley Griffiths to
be deselected as it was felt that she was not doing her job in that of
protecting green spaces? And could the
council increase press coverage.
Cllr
Hinds advised that she has written to Lesley Griffiths, Carwyn Jones and Jack
Sargent and she has not received one reply.
iii. Rhos Road (Retirement)
iv. Rhos Road (40)
v. Vounog Hill
vi. Dobshill (former
Council Depot).
RESOLVED: ii) An
invitation will be made to attend an emergency meeting on Monday 18th June to
the following: Colin Everett – FCC, Andrew Farrow –FCC, David Wisinger – FCC,
Chris Bithell – FCC, Aaron Shotton, Bernie Attridge, Mark Tami, Jack Sargent,
Lesley Griffiths, Carwyn Jones, Llyr Gruffydd.
Cllr Williams will request a meeting room at County Hall and will
confirm with the Clerk asap.
A decision
on whether members will submit a full council resignation will not be made
until they are aware of whether FCC have requested a judicial review.
52. Youth
Club Building and Surrounding Site
Cllr
Williams reported that a meeting had been held at the Youth Club with FLVC to
discuss submitting an Expression of Interest.
Cllr Wight informed that they were advised of a similar building in Trueddyn
costing in the region of £12,000 per year to run, where as FCC have advised
this building costs in the region of £70,000.
Working at the £12,000 figure he felt that this was more realistic. If the Council were to submit an EOI this
would allow a more detailed report of costings.
He proposed that the Council submit a formal EOI which was agreed by the
council.
RESOLVED:
the Council will submit a formal expression of interest on the youth club
building.
53. Community
Council’s Year End Report & Newsletter
Cllr Williams advised that due to other matters arising he has
been unable to complete the draft report/newsletter. He will aim to complete and circulate to
members in advance of the July meeting.
RESOLVED:
Cllr Williams will finalise the draft report, circulate to members in advance
of the July meeting for the Council’s approval at the July meeting.
54. First
World War Centenary
Cllr Davies
reported that the Penyffordd Institute are looking to organise an event
including bands, singers, community choir to held on the Friday evening. Cllr Hinds reported that the school children
will be producing artwork which will be displayed in the institute.
As a
proposal Cllr Priddin has obtained costings for a Silent Solider from the Royal
British Legion for a cost of a donation for each design of £250 which includes
delivery.
The
Silhouettes come in Tommy, Navy, RAF, Commonwealth, Nurse, Munitions Worker and
Suffragette designs.
Cllr
Wakelam suggested a silhouette for each village.
RESOLVED:
the Council will purchase 3 silhouettes.
Tommy – to be located at Dobshill roundabout, Tommy – to be located at
the Millennium Clock Penyffordd and Nurse – to be located in Penymynydd (St
Johns Church, if approved).
55. Best
Kept Communities Competition
Due to the
length of the meeting members proposed to carry this forward to the July
meeting.
RESOLVED: this will
be included on the July agenda.
56. Telephone
Kiosk – Alyn Drive
Due to the
length of the meeting members proposed to carry this forward to the July
meeting.
RESOLVED:
this will be included on the July agenda.
57. Traffic
Management/Calming
Cllr
Wakelam reported that he had received a number of complaints and concerns
regarding the entrance to the Groves and also the number of HGV wagons
travelling, some at speed, past St Johns School (A5104)
Cllr
Williams advised that he would be meeting with Mike Eastwood tomorrow and he
would be looking at the entrance to the Groves estate.
Cllr
Wakelam made comment that since the ‘Gateway’ junction opened off the A55, this
has seen an increase of HGV’s taking a shortcut along the A5104, he asked if
the council would support a letter to FCC requesting that the road for HGV’s is
access only.
RESOLVED:
Cllr Williams will look at the entrance/exit concern to the Grove will Mike Eastwood. The council will write to FCC Highways with a
request of the A5104 being access only for HGV’s
58. GDPR
– Policies, Procedures and Notices
Following
the new GDPR which came into force on 25th May and the GDPR Audit
undertaken by Microshade, the Clerk present the council with all document which
will now be required. She requested that
these were reviewed, considered and adopted by the Council.
Due to the
length of the meeting members proposed to carry this forward to the July
Meeting.
RESOLVED:
this will be included on the July agenda.
59. Correspondence
The following correspondence was received,
acknowledged and noted.
·
Email from Darryl Peers, Play Scheme Area
Co-ordinator. He has taken the role of
supervisor and is always looking for areas to improve. Therefore, he would like
to ask for your opinion as to how you feel the Playscheme went last year, and
if you feel there were any issues that need to be addressed for the coming
summer?
RESOLVED: there
were no comments to report.
·
Correspondence from Taylor Wimpey with regard
to the Groves Play Area. They have
confirmed that they arrange a programme of works commencing 25 June for the
rectification of the multi-use play equipment.
Once the work has been completed they will liaise with FCC with regard
to adopted. This has been provisionally
agreed for 3rd July.
·
The next County Forum will be held on 19th June
at Leeswood Community Centre, 6.30pm
·
SLCC - the House of Commons has accepted a
Government amendment to the Data Protection Bill which, once the Bill has been
enacted, will exempt all town, parish and community councils from the
requirement to appoint a Data Protection Officer. All other requirements of the
GDPR will apply and will come into force on 25th May. Although the requirement of a DPO is exempt,
it is still considered best practice.
·
PCSO Ellis provided a police report.
RESOLVED: the
above was received and noted.
60. Members
Items (AOB)
·
Cllr Wight requested that Noticeboards be
included on the July agenda.
·
Cllr Priddin raised that the current Hanson
monitoring system at the bowling club is due to be removed due the age of the
system and a new digital one will be installed in the stack. Cllr Williams suggested writing to Natural
Resource Wales expressing concerns that the monitoring is not independent and
seek guidance.
RESOLVED: the
council will write to Natural Resource Wales to seek clarification and guidance
with regard to the monitoring systems being reviewed independently.
Chair…………………………………………………..
11th July 2018