Minutes of the Meeting of the Council,

 held at the Community Pavilion, Llys Ben, Northop Hall

on Tuesday, 8th January, 2008, at 7.00 p.m.

      Present:  Councillors   Mrs C Hughes,  K Hughes, T. Mallinson (Chair),

                     E. Pierce & W Tait

1.     A P O L O G I E S  :  Mrs G Jones, Mrs H Lamb, J Lamb & T. Wallbank   

2.     P O L I C E   M A T T E R S

P.C. Schofield reported on the environment audit, which he had carried out in November, 2007.

Police Authorities have taken on the role of co-ordinators in relation to the undertaking of measures to improve the environment, and to prevent dereliction of sites by neglect.

One of the aims was to reduce/eleminate areas, which, by their unkemp appearance, tended to re-inforce a dis-respectful culture. 

P.C. Schofield explained that the policy was to ensure that repairs to broken windows  and vandalised ‘phone kiosks etc. were carried out promptly; and that general cleanliness was encouraged.  Dog fouling and litter would also be tackled.  Poor parking and noise were further examples of  activities which impacted on the enjoyment of the environment. 

The Community Pavilion was highlighted as a building particularly in need of urgent repair and  renovation.  P.C Schofield drew attention to the need to maintain the perimeter, including attention to weeds.

P.C. Schofield advised that his role was to identify problem areas, and to contact the relevant ‘empowerers’, in each category.

The ‘empowerer’ in the case of the Pavilion, was the Pavilion Committee; and P.C. Schofield had contacted Cllr. Bailey in relation to his report.

Other issues discussed  included the positioning of speed strips, speeding, speeding in relation to fatalities and positioning of cameras.

Recent crime in Northop Hall consisted of petrol siphoning, and one or two burglaries.

3.     M I N U T E S

The Minutes of the meeting of 11th December, 2007, were approved; and signed by the Chairman.

4.     M A T T E R S   A R I S I N G

SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

The school had re-opened after the Christmas recess, without a Governing Body.

Education Department had not replied to the Council’s letter, asking what arrangements were being put in place to ensure proper governance of the school.

Clerk to follow up.

SUMMER FETE - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE  

No details were available as yet.

5.    C H A I R M A N ’ S   R E M A R K S

Cllr. Mallinson wished those present a Happy New Year.

6.    C O U N C I L   M A T T E R S  

a)  CLERK’S REPORT

Correspondence Received :

                       ·     Information on the following training opportunities from ‘One Voice Wales’

1.  Land Use Planning for Community and Town Councillors

2.  In collaboration with Adam Peat, the Public Services Ombudsman for

     Wales - ‘Complaints Handling’ Seminar

3.  In collaboration with Ammanford Youth Council - ‘Delivering a Succesful

     Youth Council’

                                · Notice of Temporary Traffic Order, by which Oakenholt Lane and Smithy Lane would be closed for at least 4 weeks, from 7th January, to allow for improvements to the junction of these roads with Mold Road, B5126

                                · Request for financial assistance from North Wales Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

       b)   HIGHWAY MATTERS

                       ·     Another fatality had occurred on the B5126.  The accident had happened   

             before Christmas - cause unknown.

                       ·     There were now two areas of pot-holing - one sited outside the post office 

              (previously reported), and a more recent depression further along Village   

              Road.

       c)  LIGHTING MATTERS

            Cllr. K Hughes reminded Members that there were ten meetings left to decide

            whether to have Christmas lights in 2008!

d)   REPORTS

Police Consultative Council

The next meeting was scheduled for 27th January.

e)   FOOTPATHS & STILES

There were no matters relating directly to footpaths, but the attention of Members was drawn to access/hard standing for the kick back wall.

There was also discussion concerning renewal of play equipment for the younger children.

Cllr. Mrs Hughes agreed to report at the next meeting as to whether there was a need to draw the attention of Education Department to the condition of the play equipment.   

7.        F I N A N C I A L   M A T T E R S

   (a)  Accounts, amounting to £1242.97 were approved for payment

       (b)  The financial projection & budget statement were received

       (c)   It was Resolved, to increase the Clerk’s salary in accordance with the 

              recommendations of the National Joint Council for Local Government

              Services to £4383.45.

              There was lengthy consideration of the budget, during which time,  it

              was Moved, that the meeting be extended beyong 9.00 p.m. - Carried                   

              Following consideration of the estimated expenditures for 2007/8 and

              2008/9, it was Resolved, that the amount to be precepted by the

              Community Council from Council Tax payers in Northop Hall for the

              year 2008-2009 would be £17,600.  (Band ‘D’ property = £24.89)         

8.        DURATION OF MEETING

          There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting of Northop Hall

          Community Council of 8th January, 2008, at 9.50 p.m.

N O R T H O P   H A L L

C O M M U N I T Y   C O U N C I L

A C C O U N T S   F O R   P A Y M E N T ,

J A N U A R Y,   2 0 0 8

                          PAYEE                                      AMOUNT

                 Scottish Power                             £    170.04

                 NWP                                                     £    326.50

                  Mrs A Greenland                                 £    746.43