HOLYWELL TOWN COUNCIL

CYNGOR TREF TREFFYNNON

Minutes of the Meeting of Holywell Town Council held in the Council Chamber, Bank Place Offices, Holywell on Tuesday 17 June 2014 at 6.30pm.

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PRESENT: Councillor E.B. Palmer (Mayor). Councillors: Mrs. M. Auty, P.J. Curtis, J. Griffiths, J.M. Johnson, D.W. Jones, P.J. McGarry, M.D. Phelan, H.G. Roberts (for minutes 25-30.3). B. Scragg, E. Watkinson and P.A. York.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors Mrs. K. Davies, Mrs. R. Dolphin, K. Roberts and Mrs. S.E. Wallbanks. M.G. Fearnley (Community Support Officer).

IN ATTENDANCE: D.C. Pierce (Clerk).

25. DEPUTY MAYOR OF HOLYWELL TOWN COUNCIL – COUNCILLOR PHILIP J. MCGARRY

The Deputy Mayor was invested with his Chain of Office by the Mayor. A Declaration of Acceptance of Office had already been completed as part of the Town Council’s formalities (countersigned by the Clerk).

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

27. HOLYWELL HERITAGE TRAIL – PROGRESS ON THE PROJECT AND ITS FUNDING

Representatives (Sarah Jones and Jo Danson) from Cadwyn Clwyd were in attendance and gave a final update in regard to the information and illustrations proposed to go on the new Holywell Heritage Trail panels. Supporting details were circulated together with a report on the overall project costs.

Members were asked to consider contributing to the production of leaflets to complement the Trail and its Panels. This cost was not covered by the grant funding. Flintshire County Council had already earmarked £1,000 and Cadwyn Clwyd £500 towards the required total of £2,500, which would cover the costs of the “pdf’s” and the leaflet print run. There was general support for the project and the benefits for the community and its visitors. RESOLVED:

(1) That the Council records its appreciation to the Cadwyn Clwyd representatives for the work carried out on the project.

(2) That the Council contributes £1,000 towards the production of Information Leaflets for the Holywell Heritage Trail.

28. MAYOR’S REMARKS

The Mayor reported that since the last meeting, he had attended the Annual Presentation Evening – Holywell Town Junior Football Club (3 June) as well as the Middlewich Folk and Blues Festival (15 June).

He thanked the Deputy Mayor for standing in for him at the Holywell/St. Gregoire Evening Celebration at St. Peter’s Church Hall (31 May) and Buckley Town Council’s Civic Sunday (1 June). Also, Councillor Peter York for his attendance at the lunchtime welcome for this year’s French delegation at St. Peter’s Church Hall (29 May).

The Mayor was also proud to announce that another two of the town’s people (Derryn Blanchard – for services to elderly people in Holywell; and Gordon Barnabas – for services to the community in Holywell) had been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

In closing, he informed Members of the following events that he had arranged so far:

Civic Sunday : St. Peter’s Church – 9.30 am 5 October; Charity Valentine’s Ball – Saturday,14 February 2015.

He referred to the forthcoming bowls challenge match v Whitford Community Council on Sunday 6 July (1pm for 2pm start) at Carmel Bowling Club. He hoped that the event would be well supported by Town Councillors.

RESOLVED:

That the Clerk send a letter of congratulations to Mrs. Derryn Blanchard and Gordon Barnabas on their well- deserved awards and that they be invited with their respective partners to attend at the beginning of the next appropriate Council meeting after their award ceremony to receive the Authority’s best wishes. 29. MINUTES

29.1. General

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the following meetings be approved and signed as a correct record by the Mayor/Chairman of the appointed Sub-Committee:

Annual Council Meeting held on 20 May 2014; Wales in Bloom Sub-Committee held on 28 May 2014.

29.2. Wales in Bloom Sub-Committee

Councillor J. Griffiths, Chairman of the Sub-Committee, summarised the matters covered at the meeting on 28 May, including the background to the decisions taken.

RESOLVED:

That the resolutions of the Wales in Bloom Sub- Committee at the above meeting be supported and approved.

30. PLANNING

30.1. Planning Application

Consideration was given to an application forwarded to the Town Council as part of the County Council’s planning consultation process.

RESOLVED:

That the following response be submitted to the Flintshire County Planning Authority.

052156 Residential development of a total of 45 one and two storey dwellings including ancillary parking, open space and new access from Halkyn Road – land off Halkyn Road, Holywell: for Wales and West Housing Association

No objection.

The Council, however, wishes to reiterate its concerns made at the time of application ref 048264 submitted by the former owners of the site, regarding the:  perceived access difficulties in relation to traffic using the A5026;  compounding of drainage/flooding problems due to lack of capacity of the existing sewerage system;  potentially inadequate infrastructure within the community at present to deal with the impact of a development of this size.

(Note: Councillors J.M. Johnson and H.G. Roberts did not vote on the above application).

30.2. Flintshire Local Development Plan : Submission/Acknowledgement of Candidate Sites

The Clerk reported briefly on the 9no. applications which had been prepared and submitted in the Town Council’s name in consultation with Councillors B. Scragg and P.A. York. An email acknowledgement of their receipt had since been received.

RESOLVED:

That the position be noted and that the Clerk enquire when the Council was likely to hear more about its submissions – this information to be circulated to all Members for future reference.

30.3. Derelict Houses on Greenfield Road, Greenfield, Holywell – Progress on planning application

Members had before them a copy of the email from the Senior Planner dealing with the above application. Members felt that the current position was a step in the right direction but wished to be further kept informed of developments.

RESOLVED:

That the Senior Planner be requested for a further update to report to the next Council meeting.

31. ACCOUNTS

31.1. Accounts for Payment

RESOLVED:

That payment of the following accounts be approved, the necessary audit checks having been undertaken in accordance with the requirement of the Audit Sub- Committee. Voucher £

5548 Chubb Fire & Security Ltd – Annual Inspection/Service of fire safety equipment 207.42**** 5549 M.G. Fearnley – Travelling 5/3/14-3/5/14 37.80**** 5550 Holywell Parochial Church Fund – Annual meeting catering and room hire 125.00*** 5551 Flintshire CC – Trade Waste Services 1/4/14-31/3/15 121.99**** 5552 British Gas – Supplies at Bank Place Offices 502.43**** 5553DDBritish Telecom – Business Bill 07436273793 to end May 31.58**** 5554DDBritish Telecom – Business Bill to May ’14 103.20**** 5555 Cadwyn Clwyd – Cash match funding contribution towards ‘Visit Holywell Project’ 3000.00^^ 5556 Copyrite Systems – Copier Charges 16/4/14-16/5/14 18.62**** 5557 Society of Local Council Clerks – Risk Reference Book 19.99^ 5558 Bernard Dykes & Son – Updating Town Mayor’s Board 43.20^ 5559 JDH Business Services Ltd – Internal Audit 2013/14 291.60^^ 5560 Councillor P.A. York – Travelling/ Subsistence April/May 141.00* 5561 D.C. Pierce – Salary – June 1,368.04*** 5562 M.G. Fearnley – Salary – June 1,103.75*** 5563 Mrs. M. Reed – Secretarial Expenses – June 40.00*** 5564 HMRC (Inland Revenue) – PAYE/ Nat Ins – June 1,008.03*** ______8,163.35 ______

Powers to make payments:-

* The Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Regulations for the remuneration of members and co-opted members of relevant authorities – Part 5 Community/Town Councils). ** Local Government Act 1972 S.137 *** Local Government Act 1972 S.112, 151 **** Local Government Act 1972 S.133 ^ Local Government Act 1972 S.111 ^^ Local Government Act 1972 S.144, 145 ^^^ Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 S.19 ^^^^ Local Government Act 1972 S.143 *^ Local Government Act 1972 S.140 **^ Local Government Act 1972 S.176 **^^ Local Government Act 1972 S.13 *^^* Local Government Act 1972 S.34 **^* Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1953 S.4 ^^** Local Government Act 1972 S.174 ^^^* Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 S.4 < Local Government Act 1972 S.124 # Local Government Act 1972 S.142 ## Representation of the People Act 1983 S.34

31.2. Income Received

Members received the schedule of income, circulated with the agenda, regarding income between 1 and 31 May 2014.

31.3. Annual Audit of Accounts – Year Ending 31 March 2014

Members had before them for consideration the Annual Return for the 2013/14 financial year, including the Clerk’s Certification prior to audit. The Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor – JDH Business Services Ltd of Pantymwyn had completed the Internal Audit Report/Section of the Annual Return. The minor points raised by the Internal Auditor, as reported by the Clerk, were noted and it was agreed that these items be further reported to the Audit Sub- Committee.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the Annual Return be received and approved as the Council’s confirmation prior to audit and that the Clerk be thanked accordingly.

(2) That the Council, being satisfied as to the accuracy and completeness of the information reported, authorises the Clerk to send a copy of the Annual Return to the External Auditor (UHY Hacker Young of Chester) with bank reconciliation and variance analysis.

(3) That the Annual Return be signed by the Mayor and Clerk, as appropriate. 32. COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER’S REPORT – 21/05/14 – 17/06/14

In the absence of the Community Support Officer (CSO), the Clerk presented the CSO’s report covering the above period.

RESOLVED:

That the CSO’s report be received with thanks.

33. NOTICE OF MOTION – USE OF SECTION 106 MONIES

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Phelan requested the Council to support the following Notice of Motion:

“That the Town Council requests that the ‘Section 106’ monies from the development of the old hospital (Lluesty) site be used for 2 crossings – one at the Pistyll end; and the other in the area opposite the Fire Station”.

The Clerk reported that:

(i) ‘Section 106 monies’ were contributions that could be sought from developers towards the costs of providing community and social infrastructure the need for which had arisen as a result of a new development taking place.

The tests were that it was: (a) necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms; (b) directly related to the development; and (c) fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development.

(ii) The County Planning Authority had indicated that a ‘Pistyll crossing’ was not a requirement in connection with the proposed development at the former Lluesty site; and

A crossing in the ‘area opposite the Fire Station’ was not directly related to the proposed development at the former Lluesty site.

RESOLVED:

That, for the reasons given, the Council does not support the Notice of Motion. 34. FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL: REVIEW OF COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES – FINAL PROPOSALS

The County Council’s recommended arrangements for Holywell Town Council (a reduction in Member seats from 17 to 15, one seat less in the Central and East Wards, with effect from the next round of local government elections in 2017) were noted. The background to the proposals as well as the report considering the Town Council’s earlier representations had already been circulated to all Members.

Members were of the view that the Town Council should reiterate its submissions to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales for consideration with particular reference to the projected electorate figures for the community in relation to the County’s third guidance principles.

RESOLVED:

That the Town Council opposes the changes recommended by the County Council for the community of Holywell following its Review of Community Boundaries in the County of Flintshire and that the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales be asked to consider the Town Council’s situation - It is submitted that the implications of projected electorate figures and the need to address a local anomaly (i.e. moving Chipwood Cottage from the East Ward to the Greenfield Ward) merit further consideration.

35. FRON PARK, HOLYWELL – REMOVAL OF PLAY EQUIPMENT

Consideration was given to the letters from the County’s Public Open Spaces Manager informing the Council that the play ship was being removed from Fron Park play area. It was over 21 years old and unfortunately had become uneconomical to repair. It had more than fulfilled its life expectancy. Once the item had been removed, the area would be made safe.

RESOLVED:

That the position be noted and kept in mind for the next round of match funding schemes by the County Council in respect of play areas.

36. REVIEW OF PUBLIC SPACE CCTV IN FLINTSHIRE

Further to his report to the Council meeting in December 20123, the Clerk reported that he had attended a joint meeting at County Hall on 5 June. Following a decision of the North Wales Regional Leadership Board not to take forward a North Wales regional integrated public CCTV system based on a twin monitoring centre model, a feasibility study had been undertaken by the County Council to look at potential collaboration with Wrexham County Borough Council. A decision had been made not to move forward with this and that CCTV would continue to be delivered within Flintshire.

A discussion had taken place regarding camera depreciation and potential investment required for further capital growth. A further, more detailed meeting, was to be arranged with individual Clerks in whose areas CCTV currently operated with a view to assessing future needs and estimated costings if systems were to be continued. The Clerk indicated that he would be reporting back to the Council/appointed Sub-Committee in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the position be noted.

37. HOLYWELL TOWN CENTRE ACCESS/STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS – UPDATE

The Mayor reported that arrangements were now nearing completion. Holywell would be transformed over the coming months when work would begin to regenerate the town centre. Following a period of consultation with Holywell Town Council, Holywell Town Partnership and the general public, the first phase of construction was due to start in July and last around three months.

Residents and local business owners were invited to meet staff from Flintshire County Council and the works contractor (GH James) to see the plans. Staff would be on hand at 'Holywell Connects', Holywell High Street on Tuesday 1 July from 3.30pm to 6.30pm to discuss any concerns they may have before the work took place.

The plans included improvements to key entrances into the town centre as well as a gateway feature on Whitford Street; an attractive steps based entrance leading into the town from Well Street; a general tidy up of the High Street and a plinth for the new sculpture in the town centre. A dedicated coach drop off zone would also be developed at the bottom of Tower Gardens as part of a new County Council tourism initiative to encourage visitors to Flintshire.

Funding for the project had come from the European Regional Development Fund and the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which was funded by the Welsh Government and the European Fund for Rural Development.

The Mayor added that it had been unfortunate that some of the Town Council’s proposals could not be accommodated but, to a large extent, these had not been possible because of the implications for underground services. RESOLVED:

(1) That the Mayor’s report be received with thanks.

(2) That the Clerk request a breakdown of costs in regard to the Improvement Scheme and that this information be circulated to all Councillors.

38. CHANGING TIMES : HELPING FLINTSHIRE TOWN CENTRES ADAPT TO A CHANGING WORLD – CLWYD ROOM AT THEATR CLWYD, MOLD ON MONDAY 14 JULY 2014 (9AM – 1PM)

RESOLVED:

That Councillor P.J. Curtis and M. Fearnley, Community Support Officer, be appointed to attend the abovementioned Workshop.

39. MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

In line with the previous year’s arrangements, the Clerk reported that the Chairman of the Committee, Councillor P.J. McGarry had agreed for the June meeting to be held on a separate date rather than immediately after the Council meeting. That date was Wednesday 25 June at 6pm at the Council’s Bank Place Offices.

RESOLVED:

That the arrangements be noted.

40. REPORTS ETC. RECEIVED

Members were informed that the following items had been received and unless otherwise circulated*, were available for perusal from the Clerk.

(a) North Wales Police: Summer Anti Drink Drive Campaign; National Volunteers Week 2014*; (b) Holywell and District Twinning Association: Letter of thanks for the Council’s support with the recent twinning visit of the St. Gregoire delegation*.

41. ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 (THE A5026 HALKYN ROAD, HOLYWELL) (40mph SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 201-

This item was not on the Agenda but was considered with the Mayor’s agreement in order to avoid delay in dealing with it, given that the reply deadline was before the next monthly meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Order be supported.

42. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS

None.

43. CLOSE OF MEETING

The Mayor closed the meeting at 8.05pm.

…………………………………….. Mayor