MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SALTNEY TOWN COUNCILheld at the ODDFELLOWS HALL, 65 HIGH STREET, SALTNEY on WEDNESDAY12 FEBRUARY, 2014.
PRESENT: The Mayor, Councillor E E Greensmith; Councillors H D Beddow; C Evans; T A Evans; V Gay;D A Hope; T R Lloyd;J Shallcross; M S Streeter; T Walkerand the Town Clerk.
115. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Councillors B J Marshall; A C Lloyd; A J Pearson and A V Rattigan
116. CODE OF CONDUCT – DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillor T R Lloyd declared and interest in item 10(2) on the agenda –school governor.
117.MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 January, 2014were confirmed as a correct record.
118. MATTERS ARISING
Under Minute 111, Councillor T R Lloyd reported upon the latest position with regards to the provision of the ‘Saltney Ferry’ signs and showed a ‘mock up’ of the design;
Under Minute 109, Councillor Gay asked if any Member had managed to obtain any examples of Council Newsletters.
119. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor reported that she:
- attended, with other Councillors, a photoshoot outside Morrisons when the results of the Pharmacy Appeal had been announced;
- attended a meeting of One Voice Wales;
- was holding a ‘Tea Dance’ at the Community Centre on the following day.
120. POLICE MATTERS
Because of the great storm PCSO Hughes was on duty elsewhere in the Town but the Town Clerk read an e-mail he had sent:
- due to the unfortunate theft of the CCTV camera from Carlton Avenue, the Police would now be doing monthly audits of all the cameras and a monthly update will be presented to the Council;
- having made a bid through the ‘Proceeds of Crime Participatory Budget Fund’, the Scout Group were one of two successful bids from North Wales and received funding of £3,500 towards the costs of replacing and restoring items lost due to the fire;
- PCSO Hughes would have a ‘Twitter’ account from 17 February. To follow him use NWPDanHughes.
Also included in his e-mail was an update from Inspector McCairn. Following
- Arising from a suggestion made at a recent Sub Committee meeting Members were asked to consider improving the communications between the public and the Town Council by issuing a newsletter on a quarterly basis probably via the internet. Members were generally in favour.
8. STREET SCENE
Mr John Griffiths will attend the meeting to address the Council and to answer any questions that Members may have.
9. PHARMACY AT MORRISONS STORE, SALTNEY
The Town Clerk will formally report the receipt of a letter, from the Welsh Government, informing the Council that they have determined that the existing level of pharmaceutical services in the neighbourhood of Saltney is inadequate for a proportion of the population, and it is therefore desirable to grant the application made by Morrisons to secure within the neighbourhood, the adequate provision of pharmaceutical services for those patients.
The letter acknowledges that the petition submitted by the Town Council has influenced their decision.
inter alia: Paragraph46. Whilst there was no evidence of formal complaints regarding the level of provision of existing pharmaceutical services having been made to the LHB, the Welsh Ministers did note the 700 signatory petition that had been submitted by the Town Council. It was acknowledged that the petition was not independent, but on balance, it was decided that the petition demonstrated there was a significant level of support for a pharmacy to be opened in the Morrisons Store.
The Town Clerk has written to Morrisons Head Office to enquire when they expect the pharmacy to open, but as yet, there has been no response.
10. APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS –SECTION 137
The Town Clerk will report that he has received the following applications for grants:
1. St Anthony’s Church – Centennial Celebrations;
2. Friends of Saltney Ferry CP School.
3. PHAB in respect of a lady who lives in Saltney.
11. FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL POLICIES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SALTNEY
There are a number of projects for the Town that require some policy decisions from the County Council. They include:
- plans for the Community Centre and its future;
- the future of the library service in the Town;
- the land at the Morrisons site;
- the use of the Police Station site;
- future use of the Clinic at St David’s Terrace;
- the schools programme;
and there may be other matters that concern Members.
Members are asked to consider inviting the Leader of the County Council and the Chief Executive to a Special Meeting of the Town Council in order to share views on these matters.
12. POST BOX – HIGH STREET – BY THE POLICE STATION
Members will be aware that for some considerable time Councillor T R Lloyd has been in contact with the Royal Mail regarding the replacement of the abovementioned post box on the High Street. The box was allegedly damaged in a traffic accident but was removed and not replaced without the issue of the required Statutory Notice. Councillor Lloyd will report further at the meeting.
13. NATURAL RESOURCES WALES – RIVER MAINTENANCE
1. The Town Clerk will report the receipt of a letter from Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside supporting the Town Council in their requests that the Natural Resources Wales should recommence the dredging of rivers, in particular the River Dee and the Balderton Brook.
2. The Town Clerk will report that following the recent PMQ, he had written to the Prime Minister thanking him for encouraging the Environment Agency/Natural Resources Wales to reverse their policy of non-dredging and drawing his attention to the fact that, dreadful though the floods on the Somerset Levels are, there are other areas of the Country where the rivers need dredging i.e. the River Dee and its tributaries including the Balderton Brook.
3. Having regards to the drainage of the Balderton Brook , Members are asked to consider the question of the removal of one of the two main water extraction pumps by the Natural Resources Wales at a crucial period of the year.
14. FLINTSHIRE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Town Clerk will report the receipt of the Annual Report of the Flintshire Standards Committee. Copies are available for Members.
15. FENCING AT PARK AVENUE PLAYING FIELDS
Further to the decision taken at the last meeting of the Town Council, the Town Clerk will report that a site meeting was held between Members and Officers of the County Council to agree the line of the fencing. He will report on the quotation for supplying and fitting the same.
16. LOCATION/PLANTING AND SPECIES OF TREES
Further to the decision taken at the last meeting, to consider the suggested locations and the species of trees to be planted.
17. MAYORAL REGALIA
The present Mayoral Chain is now complete insofar as having the names of Mayors inscribed on the blank tablets. Some while ago another band of tablets was fitted which has made the chain unbalanced and difficult to wear. Members are asked to consider a proposal to replace the regalia; provide a Deputy Mayors chain of Office and retire and mount the old regalia in a display box for a future Town Hall.
18. WELCOME TO WALES SIGN
The recently refurbished ‘Welcome to Wales’ sign, in the lay-by opposite the bank on the High Street, is in wrought ironwork and relies on a clear view through the sign for its legibility. The recent development of the former SAAB garage on the High Street has allowed a large advertisement hording to be erected almost immediately behind the sign obliterating the sight line for the sign. A number of complaints have been received and Members are asked to consider what action should be taken to remedy the situation.
19. RISK ASSESSMENT
In accordance with the agreed practice the Town Council has to review their risk assessment schedule annually. (Copy attached).
20. CCTV CAMERA CARLTON AVENUE
The Town Clerk will report the disappearance of the CCTV that was watching the play area on Carlton Avenue. The timetable for the disappearance is confused as it was first noticed by a resident in November 2013 who presumed it had been moved to another area. Despite diligent searches no one is accepting responsibility for its removal and it has been reported to the police with the assumption that it has been stolen. The Town Council’s Insurers have been informed and a quotation for a replacement with more secure attachments has been received.
21. GOVERNING BODY AT ST ANTHONY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Members will recall that there is a vacancy for a minor authority representative on the abovementioned Primary School. It was not possible to fill the vacancy at the time because of the mid-afternoon commencement of the Governing Body meetings. The Town Clerk will report that he has received notification from the Clerk to the Governing Body, that at their last meeting on 10 December, 2013, the Governing Body decided to hold its meetings in the early evening in the future and the next meeting will be at 6pm on Tuesday 4 March, 2014. In the light of the changed meeting times Members are asked to give further consideration to the appointment of a representative Governor.
22. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Town Clerk will report the receipt of the following planning applications for consultation:
Ref: 051499
PROPOSAL: Retention of existing B2 and B8 use together with all existing permitted uses at the site and change of use to include sui generis recycling, storage, processing and manufacturing of waste timber, paper, cardboard, plastics and food into biomass fuels for waste to energy use.
LOCATION: Laybond Products Ltd Riverside, Saltney, CH4 8RS
GRID REF: E337400 N365346
(Affects a right of way)
Ref: 051709
PROPOSAL: Erection of single storey front/side extension to provide downstairs shower room
LOCATION: 76 Alyndale Road, Saltney, CH4 8UQ
GRID REF: E337848 N364634
23. QUESTIONS
In accordance with Standing Order 23 to consider any questions to The Mayor or the Town Clerk from Members, of which due notice has been given.
22. INFORMATION FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Further to Minute 210 of 2008/9 Local County Council members, Councillor Richard Lloyd and Councillor Gay are invited to give any feedback they might have received from County Council meetings that may or will affect Saltney. Members of the Town Council who have attended meetings as representatives of the Town Council since the last meeting are also required to report back.
24. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
To authorise payment of the following accounts:
PayeeInvoiceAmount
A ThornileySalary + Office (£50.00) Feb £991.86
HMRCTown Clerk’s IT£235.40 NI£74.01 £309.41
A ThornileyPostages £150.20
Deeside Ldge Room Hire £18.00
BlachereInstallation and storage£3032.00
VAT£606.40 £3638.40
Scottish PowerEnergy to 31/12/2013£656.22
VAT£131.24 £78
RESOLVED: That the idea be approved in principle and a those interested form a Working Group and produce a ‘mock up’ for a future meeting.
110. FENCING ON LAND AT PARK AVENUE
FOOTPATH CONNECTING PARK AVENUE AND SALISBURY AVENUE VIA THE REC.
The Town Clerk reported that the two abovementioned schemes had been considered over a few years and, although admirable in their own rights, because of financial constraints, budget provision had not been made available. This financial year, although £10,000 was included in the budget for improvements at playgrounds, the Town Council had not been successful in making a bid for match funding from the County Council. This money was therefore available to fund one of the abovementioned schemes and the Council were requested to consider whether they wished either scheme to proceed.
RESOLVED: That subject to the approval of the County Council, the scheme for the provision of further fencing at Park Avenue Recreation Area be approved and the Town Clerk be requested to obtain an estimate from the Company who supplied the other fencing on the playing field.
111. SALTNEY FERRY SIGNS
Further to Minute 81 of the meeting in October, the Town Clerk reported that consultation had taken place with the officials of the County Council as to the best options. They had suggested, that in order to prevent any confusion, the ‘Saltney Ferry’ sign should be attached to the posts that already exist at the top of Saltney Ferry Road and another one should be placed on Flint Road coming into Saltney from Sandicroft and a finger direction sign for ‘Saltney Ferry’ be erected on the main road at the A5104 junction. Cllr T R Lloyd suggested that ‘Signworld’ should be approached to manufacture the signs.
RESOLVED: That the abovementioned suggestion be approved and the Town Clerk be authorised to approve the costs from within the budget provision.
112. QUESTIONS
There were no questions in accordance with Standing Order 23..
113. INFORMATION FROM THE LOCAL COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Further to Minute 210 of 2008/9 Local County Council members, Councillor Richard Lloyd and Councillor Gay were invited to give any feedback they might have received from County Council meetings that may or will affect Saltney.
Councillor Gay referred to a meeting between One Voice Wales and Communities First Group; Dignity in Care; Dee River Trust; Welsh Community Board of Transport; the new amenity site; problems with speeding along Sandy Lane and the need for some sort of barrier; a meeting with the Tree Officer to discuss the areas of the Town where trees might be planted and a bid to Cadwyn Clwyd for a ‘promenade’ at River Lane.
Councillor Lloyd referred to Planning Committee training; Boundary Commission suggestions on the change in the number of County Councillors; the commencement of the clearing of the site on the High Street for the new housing development; Post Box on the High Street and the increase in the offensive graffiti in the Bridge Street area.
114.. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: That the following accounts be authorised for payment:
PayeeInvoiceAmount
A ThornileySalary + Office (£50.00) Jan £991.86
HMRCTown Clerk’s IT£235.40 NI£74.01 £309.41
A ThornileyStationery and Postages £150.20
Deeside Ldge Room Hire £18.00
ICOData Protection Registration £35.00