Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Caia Park Community Council held on 11th September 2008
at Cartrefle, Cefn Road, Wrexham

Cllr P M Williams (Chair)
Cllr M. Allum (Vice Chair)

Cllr A K Gregory	Cllr C Lloyd
Cllr B Halley	*Cllr D G Mitchell
*Cllr J Howell	*Cllr C Powell
*Cllr N Hughes	*Cllr R Prince
*Cllr J M Humberstone	Cllr B R Pritchard
Cllr M A Humphreys	Cllr T Thomas
Cllr M King

*Absent
Also in attendance:
PCSO Bryn Roberts

47.	APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. J. Howell, N. Hughes, J. M. Humberstone, D. Mitchell, C. Powell, R Prince and Sgt. D. Jacks – N. Wales Police

48.

POLICE MATTERS It was reported that the large stones on the boundary of the car park by the Queensway Sports Complex were being moved to allow vehicular access to the playing fields. These were originally located there as part of a police initiative to restrict vehicular access on the fields. Members enquired if additional stones could be placed there, the brick wall rebuilt or a metal fence erected to act as a deterrent. A Member reported that there appeared to be a number of young people congregating and drinking in the Wynnstay Avenue/Deva Way area. Concerns were expressed over incidents of fly tipping particularly in the Moorland Avenue and Rose Grove areas. Members were advised to report any incidents to the Clerk who would pass the details to the Pride in Your Streets Team. Members were reminded that an Environmental Clean Up was scheduled to take place in the Spring Lodge area on 17th September. Concern was again expressed over irresponsible parking outside of the primary schools particularly at the start and end of school sessions. A Member suggested that at future meetings the police representative could provide a statistical analysis of crime, anti social behavior etc as a monitoring aid. Details could be provided regardless of who was able to attend as the police representative. It was agreed to mention this to Sgt Jacks at the forthcoming Neighbourhood Policing Panel.

49.

CHAIR & MEMBERS REPORTS Cllr B. Halley Cllr K Gregory - Both attended Smithfield Tenants & Residents meeting. Reported that there were serious concerns over the parking and traffic management issues as a result of the Eagles Meadow development. These were being progressed with the County Borough Council and future meetings with officers and councillors were scheduled. Changes had also been made to the proposed one way system on Greenbank Street following representations. Cllr. M Allum - Attended presentation by Wrexham CBC on decriminalized parking, community transport and public transport. Cllr P. Williams. Cllr M Allum Cllr K Gregory - Attended the Flood Defence meeting. Discussions took place regarding the culvert on Rivulet Road and the increasing number of supermarket trolleys found abandoned in the area.

50.	CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Resolved: That the minutes of the meetings of the Ordinary and Confidential Meetings held on 10th July 2008 be received and adopted as a correct record.

51.	REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS The Clerk presented a report on suggested changes to the Financial Regulations of the Council. Following discussion, it was Resolved: to modify the Financial Regulations as outlined in the report and adopt accordingly.

52.

INTERNAL AUDIT FINANCIAL YEAR 2007/08 The Clerk presented a report on the findings of the internal audit undertaken by Messrs JDH Business Services and advised that the accounts and supporting documents were now with the external auditors for examination. It was noted that there was only one minor point requiring action. It was Resolved: (i) To accept the recommendation made by the Internal Auditors (ii)To appoint Messrs JDH Business Services as the Council’s internal auditors for financial year 2008/09.

53.

STREET LIGHTING (PM37) The Clerk reported that all schemes submitted had been evaluated by the Lighting Engineer and estimated costings obtained. The following schemes were approved for 2008/09: Outside Nos. 1 & 2 Bryn Eglwys Road (1 new light) Sutton Drive (upgrade three existing lights) Whitegate Road Play Area (total of six new lights) Rose Grove / Almond Grove parking area (1 new light and 1 upgrade) Cerriog Road -Green area in front of nos. 1-10 (2 new lights) Cerriog Road – Near nos. 32-34 (1 new light) Greenbank Street (Upgrade 6 existing lights) Rosewood Avenue (2 new lights) Queensway (Provision of new floodlight) Field View (1 new twin lantern light and upgrade 2 existing lights)

54.

YOUTH SHELTER OFF PRINCE CHARLES ROAD
Concern was expressed over the derelict condition of the youth shelter off Prince Charles Road and the fact that it had been in this state of disrepair for a considerable time. The matter had been raised by various community agencies and it was generally felt that the matter needed to be addressed given the costs incurred with securing the site and associated monitoring by Wrexham CBC. It was noted that The Venture had originally constructed the shelter and had recently received financial support to carry out repairs. Cllr King advised that a work schedule and risk assessment had recently been carried out but felt that following repair, it would be necessary for outreach workers to take some “ownership” of the shelter to ensure it was not vandalized in the future. He envisaged work being carried out in the next 2/3 months.
Some Members felt that the lights on the multi use games area were rarely operational. This did not help, as the area was often in darkness. There was also a view expressed that the shelter would be best removed and not replaced or alternatively replaced with a purpose built conventional shelter. It was understood that the County Councillors for the area were to meet with representatives of the Environment Department from Wrexham CBC to progress matters. Following discussion it was resolved:

(i) (ii)

To discuss any progress at the December 2008 meeting. To write to the County Youth Service to enquire if outreach workers operating from Kingsley Circle Community Centre could be involved with monitoring the shelter once repaired, along with outreach workers from Caia Park Partnership.

55.

SUPERMARKET TROLLEYS Members expressed concern over the number of trolleys abandoned in the Caia area. Primarily the trolleys appeared to emanate from Asda and Tesco stores. These were often found in the river Gwenfro and created a “damming” effect, restricting the free flow of water. The trolleys are removed by the Pride in Your Streets team or by a contractor employed by one of the stores to retrieve them. The current numbers found littering the area are unacceptable and Members were advised that this was raised at the recent Flood Defence meeting. It was noted that Wrexham CBC are considering alternative strategies for dealing with this problem. Following discussion, it was resolved: (i)         To request the County Borough Council to progress any initiatives for dealing with this problem as a matter of urgency. (ii)        To raise the problem at the next Neighbourhood Policing Panel with a view to requesting the involvement of the Police.

56

SMITHFIELD YOUTH SHELTER (PM 36,25&18) The Clerk advised that Wrexham CBC had re-consulted with the nearby residents on this matter and to date had not received any adverse comments. A quotation had been received for the works including an amount of fencing along the pavement adjoining The Queensway. Following discussion it was resolved: To accept the quotation as outlined and request Wrexham CBC to arrange the necessary works.

57.

APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION
Members received details of the applications considered by the Chair and Vice Chair during the August recess and considered the following applications for planning permission submitted for their observations by Wrexham CBC:
Resolved: that no objection be raised on the following applications:

P2008/0888	Tesco Stores Ltd., Crescent Road, Wrexham Widening of exit to provide 2 lane exit and ghost island right turning lane to petrol filling station.
P2008/0899	Unit C8 Eagles Meadow, Wrexham Erection of new aluminium framed glazed shop front.
P2008/0901	1-3 Prince Charles Road, Wrexham New automatic sliding door to shop front entrance, new condenser unit to rear of premises and new back door.
P2008/0887	Tesco Stores Ltd., Crescent Road, Wrexham Erection of 2 no. lane indication signs.
P2008/0900	Unit C9, Eagles Meadow, Wrexham 2 no. fascia signs
P2008/0920	Unit B11B, Eagles Meadow, Wrexham. New shop front.
P2008/0921	Unit B11B, Eagles Meadow, Wrexham. 1 no. internally illuminated fascia sign and 1 no. internally illuminated menu box.
P2008/0947	St Joseph’s Convent, 12 derby Road, Wrexham Removal of epicornic branches on trunks on a height of 4m on ground level to be done annually for five years.
P2008/1009	Unit B2 Eagles Meadow, Wrexham. Erection of internally illuminated fascia sign.
P2008/0969	17 Greenways, Abenbury Fields, Wrexham Two storey gable extension

Resolved: that objections be raised on the following applications:

P2008/0949

34 Barons Road, Wrexham Change of use from print shop to fast food takeway.

Reason:                     The location is in a residential area already experiencing difficulty with congestion and on street parking. The use is incompatible with the residential nature of the area. The access statement relies on Tesco and Mecca car parks that are privately owned. There are already a large number of A3 uses in the area, these will be further increased by the opening of Eagles Meadow complex.

P2008/0905	Land at Tanydre, Wrexham Outline application for the erection of 3 bedroom special needs bungalow and new vehicular access and pedestrian access.
Reason	The proposal would affect the open character of the area and result in a loss of green open space. The land take for one bungalow is excessive and the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the nearby residential properties. (It is understood that this application may have been withdrawn)

58.

APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
It was unanimously resolved:
That the Council, in accordance with its powers under S137 and 139 of the Local government Act 1972, should incur the following expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in the interests of the area or its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with the expenditure:

(i)

Menter Iaith Maelor

- £50

(ii)

Marie Curie Cancer Care

- £200

(iii)

Wales Air Ambulance

- £50

59.

CORRESPONDENCE
The following items of correspondence were received and noted:

1	Wrexham CBC – notification of closure of Solvay Banks and Plas Madoc Household Recycling Centres.
2	Wrexham CBC – proposed changes to passenger waiting facilities in Market Street
3	Wrexham CBC – Notification of Mayor’s Charity Ball.
4	County of Clwyd – Notification of recruitment event (22.10.08) for potential Magistrates
5	Wrexham CBC – Details of Post Office Ltd Network Change Programme
6	Wrexham CBC – Invitation to Code of Conduct Training (18th and 22nd Sept 08)
7	Wrexham CBC – Invitation to Participatory Budgeting Workshop (23rd Sept 08) and Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum (30th Sept 08) – Chair and Clerk to attend.
8	Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Invitation to attend AGM on 9th October at Alyn Waters Country Park.

A letter was received from Caia Park Older People’s Forum advising that Deva House was undertaking a review of services having been open for some 18 months. The views of the Community Council were invited. Members were extremely complimentary of the services provided at Deva House and felt that the facility should be extended to enhance the service. Many Members had spoken to service users who spoke highly of the facility. It was resolved: To write accordingly in response to the letter and in addition, contact the funding agencies requesting that Deva House is regarded as a priority for funding in future years.

60.

COMMUNITY ADVICE SERVICE Statistics were presented for the financial year 2007/08 and for quarter ended 30th June 2008. Members were appreciative of the service offered noting that some £576,805 had been obtained in benefit to clients using the service. Members asked that the Clerk convey their congratulations and thanks to the Advice Service staff.

61.	FINANCIAL STATEMENT – July & August 2008 The Clerk submitted the provisional financial statements for period ending 31st July and August 2008. Resolved: That the financial statements be received and adopted.

62.	ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT Resolved: That the following accounts for August as approved by the Chair & Vice Chair be noted

					£ . p	Authority
D.D.	Vodafone	General Admin	*		13.99
D.D.	British Gas (elect)	Cartrefle	*	242.14
		St Peter’s Hall	*	55.47	297.61
D.D.	Pace Telecom	General Admin	*	17.84
		CAS	*	41.34	59.18
D.D.	Dee Valley Water	St Peter’s Hall			12.74
D.D.	Wrexham CBC	St Peter’s Hall			112.00	LGA 1972 s133
D.D.	Wrexham CBC	Cartrefle			687.00	LGA 1972 s133
5228	Petty cash	General Admin			50.00
5234	Austin Eames	St Peter’s Hall	*		40.00
5235	Graphic Office Systems	General Admin	*		18.59
5236	John R Boyle	St Peter’s Hall	*		56.40
5237	Caia Park Communities 1st	Environ/Amenities	*		600.00
5238	Rayworth Web Designs	General Admin			330.00
5239	JDH Services	General Admin	*		304.68
5240	North Wales Police	Environ/Amenities	*		2000.00	Police Act 1965
5241	City Elect Factors	St Peter’s Hall	*		31.69
D.D.	Dee Valley Water	Cartrefle			40.39
D.D.	Natwest Business Card	General Admin	*		31.71
5242	Viking Direct	General Admin	*	47.51
		CAS	*	90.01	137.52
	P. Emery (Salary cheque - Aug)	CAS
	G. Evans (travel Aug)	CAS
	K. Walker (Sal adj/travel Aug)	CAS
	P. Donellan (travel Augl)	CAS
	J. Francis (sal Aug)	CAS
	H.M. Revenue & Customs	Tax NI (Aug)
	FCC	Pensions (Aug)

(*Includes recoverable VAT of £139.87)