MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SALTNEY TOWN COUNCIL held at the ODDFELLOWS HALL, 65 HIGH STREET, SALTNEY on WEDNESDAY 9 JULY, 2014.
PRESENT: The Mayor, Councillor Alan Evans; Councillors H D Beddow; C Evans; V Gay; E E Greensmith; D A Hope; T R Lloyd; J Shallcross; T Walker and the Town Clerk.
31. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr M S Streeter and Cllr B Marshall.
CODE OF CONDUCT – DECLARATION OF INTEREST
The Mayor, Councillor T A Evans and Councillor Mrs C Evans declared an interest in the item relating to Requests for Grants – Douglas Place Luncheon Club.
32. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 June, 2014 were confirmed as a correct record.
33. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor reported that since the last meeting of the Council he had attended:
· a photo shoot with Councillor Streeter re litter picking within the Town;
· the County Councils’ Civic Service;
· a coffee morning at Douglas Place Community Centre where they had raised £500 plus;
· the Scouts Fun Day at the Community Centre where he had been invited to open the proceedings;
He reminded Members (1) that, following his encouragement, Network Rail would be holding a ‘drop in’ event in the Community Centre on Thursday 10 July 2014 to discuss the proposals for the Green Lane Level Crossing consequent upon the ‘dualling’ of the railway line between Chester and Wrexham. He encouraged all Members to attend and to make the event as widely known as possible. (2) that the Town Councils’ Civic Service would be held at 3pm at the Saltney Methodist Church; and (3) that the Summer Play Scheme would be commencing at the Youth Centre on 28 July between 10am and 12 noon on each weekday
The Mayor invited Mr Wayne Jones from the County Streetscene Department, who was present, to address the Council and take comments from Members who raised the following points:
· the problems that the removal of the skip on Sandy Lane was going to create especially now that anyone using a van or trailer for domestic rubbish would have to transport it many miles. There was no-doubt that fly-tipping would increase and Members were asked to report any incidences direct to Streetscene;
· request for a dog-poo bin to be installed at the Ewart Street end of the football field in Saltney Ferry;
· a request that the County Council consider removing the grass border and a widening of the road to the rear of the ‘odd numbered’ houses in North Street;
· a request for some grass cutting on footpath No 1; around the Community Centre and in Moss Grove;
· the hedgerow alongside the fence of St Anthony’s School is now inhibiting the use of the footpath and is in need of cutting;
· to investigate the positioning of the ‘white Stop line’ on the railway bridge on Saltney Ferry Road. At the present time it is too close to the traffic lights and the ‘restriction’ and causes problems when large vehicles meet at this point.
Members thanked Mr Jones for his attendance.
34. COUNCIL BADGES
The Mayor, Councillor T A Evans, had arranged for the preparation of ‘Councillor Badges’ by the same Company who had produced the new Mayoral Chain and Arms. He had funded the design and manufacture personally and, on presenting this new regalia to the Town Council, he took pleasure in presenting each Member present with their badge.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Evans be thanked for his generous gift and the badges be now listed in the Town Council’s insurance inventory.
35. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS – SECTION 85 LGA 1972
The Town Clerk reported that Councillor Rattigan had failed to attend any meetings of the Town Council since 8 January, 2014. Despite writing to her reminding her of her obligations as a Town Councillor no response had been received and therefore under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 she was now no longer a Member of the Town Council.
RESOLVED: That a casual vacancy be declared and the requisite Notice be issued.
36. POLICE MATTERS
PCSO Hughes attended the meeting and addressed Members on the following matters:
· CCTV cameras in the Town. This matter was discussed together with the next item on the agenda re the siting of the CCTV cameras. PCSO Hughes reported that following an inspection he could report that all the cameras were working correctly. A suggestion that the camera on Marley Way should be deployed elsewhere in the Town was not agreed because of its specific and unique power supply. Members felt that the camera should be returned to the Carlton Avenue play area as it had been redeployed elsewhere in the Town. PCSO Hughes requested that due to an ongoing investigation it remain in its present position. In order that the play area could be covered during the summer months it was agreed that the Police and the Town Clerk should make enquiries about a short term lease of a replacement camera.
· Members raised the question of parking within the Town and especially at the rear of St Anthony’s school. Although it was recognised that the enforcement of parking orders was now within the jurisdiction of the County Council, it was felt that the Police could be more pro-active with issuing tickets where an obstruction was being caused.
· There was still a problem with the residents who live opposite the junction of Green Lane and Boundary Lane parking their vehicles and causing an obstruction when the vehicle could be parked within the curtilage of the property.
· Persons riding a motor bike on the football field adjacent to North Street, Saltney Ferry.
37. CCTV CAMERAS
This matter was dealt with at Minute 36 above.
38. ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY AND TOWN COUNCILS
CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
Members gave further consideration to the Consultation Document, ‘Access to Information’ and its affect on the Town Council; consideration of which had been deferred at the last meeting –Minute 24 refers.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk respond in the terms now indicated.
39. PARK AVENUE FENCING-FOOTPATH
Following the installation of the new fencing at Park Avenue it had become necessary to move the entrance gate to the children’s play area. A footpath to link the old footpath and the new entrance was required and the Town Clerk reported that the quotation received was for the wrong length.
RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be requested to obtain further quotations and, if necessary, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee be authorised to approve.
40. DRAFT PROCEDURE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES – LOCAL GOVERNMENT (WALES) Measure 2011
The Town Clerk submitted a draft procedure for the appointment of Youth Representatives to the Council.
RESOLVED: That the procedure for the appointment of Youth Representatives be approved subject to an amendment to the Terms of Appointment and Remit to a term of one year from October 2014 until September 2015 inclusive.
41. USE OF ‘TWITTER’ AND ‘FACEBOOK’ – OFFICIAL TOWN COUNCIL SITES
At the last meeting the Town Clerk had been asked to prepare a paper on the use of the abovementioned ‘social media’ sites by the Town Council. As the paper was being prepared the Information Commissioner’s Office had issued guidance; in particular on the application of the Data Protection Act, with regards to these sites. After contacting One Voice Wales for advice and with the consent of The Mayor, this item was deferred.
RESOLVED: That the report be deferred to a future meeting
42. REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ON THE TOWN COUNCIL’S ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH, 2014.
The Town Clerk reported that the Town Council’s external auditors, UHY Hacker Young, had issued an unqualified audit certificate for the Council’s accounts for the year ended 31 March, 2014.
RESOLVED: That The Mayor and the Town Clerk be authorised to complete the necessary certification of the Annual Return.
43. FIELDS IN TRUST (F.I.T.) – QUEEN ELIZABETH II FIELDS CHALLENGE
The Town Clerk reported that all the legal documentation between the Council and the F.I.T. for the dedication of the playing fields at North Street had been completed. In celebration of this achievement a commemorative plaque had been provided by F.I.T. and the County Council were arranging for its installation at ground level in a suitable location in the North Street ground during July.
RESOLVED: That the report be received.
At this point in the meeting The Mayor and Councillors Mrs C Evans, Gay and Greensmith declared their interests in the following items and retired from the Council room.
As the Deputy Mayor was not present, Councillor T Walker was invited to take the Chair.
Councillor Walker in the Chair.
44 APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS
The Town Clerk reported the receipt of two applications for grants:
1. Douglas Place Luncheon Club – a request for £1,000 towards the cost of (a) paving of a section of the grassed area at the rear of the building to enable the use of garden furniture during the summer months and (b) the provision of a projector screen for the Centre;
RESOLVED:1) That a grant of £600 be approved made up of the full cost of providing the projector screen and half the cost of paving the patio.
The Mayor and Councillor Greensmith re-entered the room and The Mayor resumed the Chair.
2. Saltney 50plus Group – a request for a grant of £260 towards the cost of hiring coaches for transport to events.
RESOLVED:2) That a grant of £260 be made to the Saltney 50 plus Group.
45. PLANNING APPLICATION
The Town Clerk reported the receipt of the following planning application for comment:
Ref: 05298
Proposal: Dining Room Extension to rear of property
Location: 9 Eaton Grove, Saltney, CH4 8TL
Grid ref: E 338098 N
RESOLVED: That the County Council be informed that the Town Council have no comments
46. FLINTSHIRE CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU OUTREACH OFFICE
The Town Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from Buckley Town Council asking for help in funding the abovementioned office. In 2010 the Buckley Town Council had entered into an agreement with the Flintshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) whereby the Town Council funded in its entirety the provision of a one day per week attendance by the CAB in an office within the Town Council buildings. Originally the service had been expected to cover just Buckley; however the service had expanded over the past 4 years and now covered a much wider area. So far the costs to the Council had amounted to £22,955 in the last 3 years. They had received some financial support from Hawarden Community Council and Higher Kinnerton Community Council amounting to approximately 5% of the annual spends.
The service was in need of expanding and Buckley Town Council was asking all Town and Community Councils in Flintshire if they would be prepared to help by way of a small contribution.
Their Town Clerk submitted a report on the usage of the service. Of the 542 persons who have used the service over the past 3 years only one came from Saltney. (0.18%)
RESOLVED: That in view of the lack of use by Saltney residents the request be refused
47. NOTICE OF MOTION
Members were asked to consider a Notice of Motion in the name of Councillor Marshall ‘that the Town Council consider the creation of a War Memorial within the Town’. At present there is no memorial within the Township commemorating those who gave their lives in active service’. In the absence of Councillor Marshall the Motion was moved by Councillor T R Lloyd.
RESOLVED: That enquiries be made as to the existence of suitable grants for this purpose.
48. 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. Members of the Town Council who had attended meetings as representatives of the Town Council since the last meeting were also required to report back.
Councillor Lloyd referred to the erection of the new direction signs to Saltney Ferry; meetings re waste management – fuel and electricity investment; the sculpture that was to be placed on the newly created linear river park. He had managed to obtain from Dobbins some original unused ‘Henry Woods’ chain and Chester Chain Company had cleaned it up in preparation for it being draped over the shoulders of the sculpture; the fire at Lancashire Fuels and the permit and the enforcement notice – the Section 106 agreement had produced £5000 towards the river walkway; renewal of the permit for the portakabin on the car sales lot and the industrial action at County Hall.
Councillor Gay referred to meetings of the Mersey Dee Alliance; young readers at St Anthony’s School; story teller at Wood Memorial School; Williams Report; meetings with the Asset Manager and the County Council’s Policy on Community Asset Transfer; fencing on the ‘rec’ and the need for residents to take the lead in arranging the dawn to dusk opening of the gates etc.
49. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED: That the following accounts be approved for payment
Payee Invoice Amount
A Thorniley Salary + Office (£50.00) July £991.86
HMRC Town Clerk’s IT £235.40 NI £74.01 £309.41
A Thorniley Postages/Stationery/Mileage £177.63
Deeside Ldge Room Hire £25.00
Vaughtons Velvet Collar Insert
for Mayoral Chain £185.00 VAT £37.00 £223.00
Cll T A Evans Deputy Mayoral Duties and
Conference 125 miles @45p £56.25
Vaughtons Collar for Mayoral Chain £222.00
Cadwyn Clwyd Grant re riverside walk etc £10,000.00