14 November, 2012
Dear Councillor,
COUNCIL MEETING 21 NOVEMBER, 2012
YOU ARE SUMMONED TO a meeting of the SALTNEY TOWN COUNCIL to be held at the ODDFELLOWS HALL, 65 HIGH STREET, SALTNEY on WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 2012 at 7.15 pm in order to complete the transaction of the following business.
Yours faithfully
Town Clerk
1. PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AT ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETINGS
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK
Members of the public are invited to address the Council on any item that appears on the agenda. This item is time limited to 5 minutes, with the Mayor having discretion to extend to 10 minutes, depending on the issue and the number of people attending the meeting.
2.APOLOGIES
To receive any apologies.
3. CODE OF CONDUCT – DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest or prejudicial interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda no later than when that item is reached.
4. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 October, 2012 to be confirmed as a correct record. (Copy attached).
5. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
To receive such communications as The Mayor may wish to lay before the Council.
6. POLICE MATTERS
A representative of the Police will attend, if available, for a short updating session.
7. HEALTHCARE IN NORTH WALES
Members have already received the letters that have been received from the Minister and the Community Health Council; the Town Clerk will report the receipt of a letter from Professor Merfyn Jones, Chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, assuring the Council that he has read our letter and that he will consider its contents carefully.
8. BRADSHAW AVENUE PLAY AREA
At the meeting of the Town Council in January approval was given to ‘match fund’ with the County Council a scheme for the further improvement of the Bradshaw Avenue Playground. The draft scheme has now been approved by the County Council and the Town Council are asked to consider the suggested improvements. A copy of the proposals will be available at the meeting.
9. IMPROVEMENTS TO PLAY AREAS
The Town Clerk will report the receipt of a letter from the County Council inviting the Town Council to nominate a play area for improvement in the financial year 2113/14. The cost would be ‘match funded’ by the County Council and the maximum contribution would be £10,000. In order to meet the County Council’s timetable for budget preparation the nomination is required by 1 January, 2013.
10. FOOTPATH LIGHTING
By Minute 66 of 2011/12 the Town Council approved the installation of lighting along the pathway leading from the High Street to Salisbury Avenue at an estimated cost of £5,200. The approval was subject ‘match funding’ with the County Council. In the event the County Council cannot find their share of the costs. Nevertheless the lighting of this pathway is of public concern due to the high incidence of ASB in this dark pathway.
There is in the Town Council’s budget a sum of £7,000 for New Lanterns and it is suggested that on this occasion the Town Council fully fund the cost of providing these new lanterns.
11. PROVISION OF BROADBAND SUPER FAST HIGHWAY
Members will be aware that Saltney was by-passed when the super new Broadband Highway was installed along the Flintshire Coast. Flintshire County Council was asked to ensure that the Town’s Business Parks were included in the next tranche of provision. This has still not happened and Businesses within the Town are suffering because of the lack of access to the system. Members are asked to consider what action can be taken to ensure that the Town is connected as soon as possible.
12. BALDERTON BROOK/DRAINAGE DITCHES
The Town Clerk will report that over 50 people attended the open meeting of the Environmental and Regeneration Committee at the Community Centre on Wednesday 14 November. People from Saltney, Chester and from Broughton were present. A full and frank discussion took place and the Officer representatives from the Environment Agency, from Cheshire West and Chester and from Flintshire County Council answered questions. Agreement was reached on a number of matters that are to be actioned within the next two weeks.
Following the meeting the Town Clerk has been in discussion with the representatives of the Environment Agency Wales. They have pointed out that Conwy CBC has set up a Conwy Drainage Group Meeting and suggested that, on a smaller scale we might do the same. Say the Balderton Drainage Group and include representatives of the Town Council; Broughton and Bretton; CWAC; FCC; Welsh Water Authority; Environment Agency; Flood Prevention Society and local farmers to meet on a quarterly basis to review problems and follow up maintenance etc.
RECOMMENDED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to approach the organisations above to see if they would agree to form such a Group.
14 BUDGET 2013/14
To give a first consideration of those items suggested by Members for inclusion in future budgets. Members are asked to consider whether the items should be included in the draft budget and if so, in what priority order. (copy list enclosed)
15. QUESTIONS
In accordance with Standing Order 23 to consider questions to the Mayor or the Town Clerk from Members, of which due notice has been given.
14. INFORMATION FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Further to Minute 210, County Councillors Gay and Lloyd are invited to give any feedback they might have received from County Council meetings that may or will affect Saltney.
16. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
To authorise payment of the following accounts:
Payee Invoice Amount
A Thorniley Salary + Office (£50.00) Nov £982.62
HMRC Town Clerk’s Income Tax £233.20
NI £74.74
£307.94
A Thorniley Travel and Office Expenses £217.96
Deeside Ldge Room Hire £18.00
NWP Maintenance Sep £245.84
VAT £49.17 £295.01
RBS Alpha Software Maintenance £104.00
VAT £20.80 £124.80
Scottish Pwr Energy to 30/9/12 £653.69
VAT £130.74 £784.43
Town Clerk, Alan Thorniley, 49 Meadowsway, Upton by Chester, Cheshire CH2 1HZ tel:01244 398829
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