HOLYWELL TOWN COUNCIL
CYNGOR TREF TREFFYNNON
Minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Sub-Committee held in the Council Chamber, Bank Place Offices, Holywell on Wednesday 15 November 2017 at 1.30pm.
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PRESENT: Councillor E.B. Palmer (Chairman).
Councillors: M. Brooke, L.A. Carter, B. Scragg. P.A. York.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors J.M. Johnson (Mayor), A. Coleman, K. Davies, R. Dolphin, S. Johnson, P.J. McGarry and M.D. Phelan.
IN ATTENDANCE: J. Baker (Clerk), M.G. Fearnley (Community Engagement Officer).
TC13. MINUTE’S SILENCE – CARL SARGEANT AM
At the request of the Chairman, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn & Deeside, Welsh Government.
TC14. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
None.
TC15. STREETSCENE SERVICES – COMMUNITY OF HOLYWELL
Nigel Seaburg, Holywell Streetscene Team attended for this item and provided an update on current Streetscene matters affecting the town centre and wider local community. Members raised a number of issues for which Nigel provided comments; these were summarised as follows:
· Cleaning of bus shelters; this work was confirmed as completed.
· Provision of dog bins; still ongoing and to be confirmed.
· Litter/cigarette butt bins in the town centre; a cost estimate was confirmed for this work of £300 + installation per unit.
· Dog fouling and enforcement in the community.
· Condition of tarmac on footpaths along the coastal path.
· Re-location work completed on the town centre planters following adoption by the High Street traders.
· Christmas light switch on event support and arrangements.
· Condition of walkway to side of Flintshire Connects building re: Pigeon droppings.
· Condition of brick wall boundary to side of road down Well Hill bordering Greenfield Valley. This was considered a health and safety hazard by members.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Clerk writes to Nigel Seaburg to request:
· A breakdown of litter bin provision and costs incurred across Flint, Mold and Deeside.
· The progression of the installation of the litter/cigarette butt bins in the town centre.
· A quotation is prepared for the tarmac repairs to the coastal path.
2) That the Clerk writes to both Chris Wright, Operations Manager Greenfield Valley and Andrew Farrow, Chief Officer (Planning & Environment), Flintshire County Council, to report the condition of the boundary wall adjoining the Well Hill and request remedial action is undertaken.
TC16. HERITAGE/CONSERVATION – COMMUNITY OF HOLYWELL
Chris Rees-Jones, Conservation Officer, Flintshire County Council attended for this item and provided an update on conservation matters affecting the town centre including article four directions and enforcement. Members raised a number of issues summarised as follows:
· The condition of a number of shop frontages i.e. lack of maintenance or regular painting, signage.
· The condition of vacant premises such as Frank Beech and Jim Williams shops, members viewed this as an urgent matter due to the impact on the rest of the town centre.
· Landlords’ responsibilities to maintain premises.
RESOLVED:
That the Clerk writes to Andrew Farrow, Chief Officer (Planning & Environment), Flintshire County Council, to request a walk around survey of the town centre premises is undertaken. Members to accompany the County Council as required. An action plan to then be produced by the County Council to determine the appropriate remedial action required.
TC17. MUSEUM PROJECT – KINGS HEAD BUILDING
The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on progress made with the museum project thus far. Members discussed the future options for this project generally. Members referred to the draft lease for the Kings Head building prepared by Wales and West Housing. Members felt specialist knowledge i.e. a curator would be required to manage the museum effectively. Members felt a project/business plan was now required to drive this project forwards.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Clerk seeks legal advice on the content of the draft lease and reports back to members in due course.
2) That a Community Trust is formed to take the project forwards; the membership of this trust shall be made up of the key stakeholders.
TC18. ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING POINTS
The Community Engagement Officer provided an update on progress made to date on the electric car charging points project. A local supplier had been identified and funding had now been agreed with the County Council and through the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme. Members discussed potential quantities and locations and suggested Tower Gardens and Home Bargains car parks as suitable locations.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Clerk arranges a site meeting with Ruth Cartwright, Streetscene and Transportation, Flintshire County Council, to evaluate the suitability of the two suggested locations.
2) That the Clerk arranges a site meeting with the prospective supplier to discuss the location and connection to mains services.
TC19. GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Clerk provided an update on the Council’s recent grant applications through the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme. Successful grants have been obtained as follows:
· Installation of town centre electric car charging points £1,000.
· Provision of plaques for planters adopted by traders £2,000.
RESOLVED:
That members consider and put forward to the Clerk suggestions for future grant applications. Applications for the Tesco Bags of Help scheme are considered every two months with grant applications encouraged throughout the year.
TC20. WAR MEMORIAL, PANTON PLACE
The Clerk provided background to a request received from Mrs Rosalyn Rolfe to change an inscription of a relative on the war memorial gate posts at Panton Place. Evidence has been provided to the Clerk to confirm the validity of this claim. The County Council have been approached for assistance with this matter but have confirmed it does not fall within their remit. Hannah Blythyn AM has also been contacted to provide support in resolving this matter. Members were mindful of the length of time this matter has been ongoing and requested a prompt resolution. Members also referred to a further inscription amendment required on the old Town Hall building.
Members also referred to the sad recent news that Prestatyn Territorial Army Centre would be closing later this year. The Centre has provided valuable support and assistance with past Remembrance Day services in the town. Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, Armed Forces Champion, Flintshire County Council has confirmed his support for next year’s event.
RESOLVED:
1) That the Clerk, as a first step in resolving this matter, contacts the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to seek approval to make the amendment to the inscription; and also contacts a local Stonemason to provide a cost estimate to carry out the remedial works required.
2) That the Clerk writes to Prestatyn Territorial Army Centre thanking them for the support given to the Town Council and the Holywell Community over the years.
TC21. HOLYWELL BRANDING UPDATE
Members reviewed the design and colour options provided by the designer for the Holywell Branding project. A preferred option was agreed by members.
RESOLVED:
That the Clerk contacts the designer and informs them of the preferred option and to proceed with the final development work to finalise the branding.
TC22. CLOSE OF MEETING
The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.45pm.
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Chairman
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