Minutes of the Meeting of the Council,

 held at the Community Pavilion, Llys Ben, Northop Hall

on Tuesday, 9th December, 2008, at 7.00 p.m.

             Present: Councillors   K Hughes,  Mrs G Jones (Chair), Mrs H Lamb, J Lamb,

                          T Mallinson,  E Pierce & T Wallbank

1.     A P O L O G I E S :  Mrs C Hughes

2.     V I S I T O R S: Julie Green, Vice-Chair, Northop Hall C.P. School, P.T.A.

                                  Elaine Smith, Treasurer, Northop Hall C.P. School, P.T.A.

The Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the newly-elected school P.T.A. were anxious to bring the community together in a spirit of collaboration with the aim of staging a village fete in summer 2009.

Neither Julie nor Elaine was aware of the existence of the Scarecrow Committee, nor were they aware of any distinction in the past in relation to a ‘school fete’ and a ‘village fete’

Because the Community Council had been advised that the fete committee had been disbanded, the 2008 funding which had been set aside for the fete had been allocated to the Scarecrow committee for 2009 - an amount of £701.

It was suggested that the P.T.A. liaise with the Sacarecrow Committee, with a view to  staging  a village fete on the final day of the week-long Scarecrow Festival.

It was hoped that the event would be profit-making, and that surplus funds would go forward in support of a 2010 event.

Accounting arrangements in previous years had been vague, and Members stressed the need for details of financial management in the future.

Members were delighted that Julie and Elaine had approached the Council for support, and, although no further funding was necessarily required, it was  pointed out that there would be an opportunity to  apply for assistance, if necessary, from the 09/10 budget.

3.     M I N U T E S 

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council, of 11th November, 2008,  were approved; and signed by the Chairman.

4.     M A T T E R S   A R I S I N G 

Car Park Barrier

The barrier at the entrance to the Bowling Club Car Park had been repaired.

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Overhanging hedge

The occupiers of the property called ‘Keredine’ had been asked by an Officer from Flintshire County Council to cut back the hedge.

The Department were monitoring the situation, with a view to taking legal action, if necessary.

5.    M I N U T E S

The Minutes of the Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Council, of 2nd December, 2008,  were approved; and signed by the Chairman.

6.    M A T T E R S   A R I S I N G

A verbal undertaking had been given that the new steel columns would be adopted in the near future.

Members felt, however, that a more formal arrangement should be in place before the Community Council went to the expense of up-grading lights, which were still in reasonable condition.

It was agreed to request that Highways assist in putting together a programme  identifying ‘parcels’ of lights, and advising on the costing/upgrading/adoption of each.

Members were also concerned that the issues of energy costs and light pollution should not be overlooked. It was assumed that taller, brighter lights would mean fewer columns were needed.

The question of existing steel columns had not been addresseed. Could these be included in ‘parcels’ to be adopted.  Did they meet Flintshire’s standards?

7.   There were no C H A I R M A N ’ S   R E M A R K S

8.    C O U N C I L   M A T T E R S  

a)  CLERK’S REPORT

Model Publication Scheme

The freedom of Information Act, which came into force at the beginning of 2005, obliged every Public Authority to adopt an approved publication scheme. The Community Council’s website was set up in response to this obligation.

The Information Commissioner’s Office had now sent information relating to the Model Publication Scheme, which was required to be adopted. 

Further investigation was needed as to any further action required.

The Council Resolved,  to Adopt the Model Publication Scheme, with effect from 1st January, 2009.

     Corrrespondence Received

                       ·    07/08 Annual Report of the Adjudication Panel for Wales

                       ·    Request for financial assistance from MacMillan Cancer Support (help with   

            heating costs for cancer sufferers)

                       ·    Request for financial assistance from Urdd Gobaith Cymru

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                       ·    Request for financial assistance from Llangollen International Eisteddfod

                       ·    A set of Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Construction Newsletters, for

   distribution to Members - (A subsequent letter advised that offshore construction

   works had been suspended)

b) CONSULTATION

    WELSH ASSEMBLY

    Local Government Policy Division

     - Appropriate levels of remuneration for Assembly Members

    CLWYD COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL

    Proposals published on the internet for models, membership and functions of the

    7 NHS Local Bodies in Wales. (The body for North Wales to be known as Betsi

    Cadwaladr University Local Health Board)

FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Department of Environment & Regeneration - Planning Services

There were no objections to the following Planning Applications received and  circulated after the meeting of 11th November:

045485 - Retrospective application for the rear extension and garage & proposed

              extension of kitchen and dining room to side., at Avoca, Wepre Lane,

              for C. Bedford

045561 - Demolition of existing property and erection of 3 detached houses, at

              Chantal, Bryn Gwyn Lane, for Mr. D. Lefley

The Clerk had forwarded to the Planning Authority (copy to Highways) Cllr. Wallbank’s observation that a development on this site would afford an opportunity to provide pavement on Bryn Gwyn Lane. It was suggested that the provision of a pavement fronting the development could be extended (perhaps at a later date),  to cover the rest of the road from the Sidings  to Ellistand.

The Council also received an invitation to view amendments to the following

application on line :

045610  - Demolition of farm shop & house, and erection of 7 dwellings on land

               opposite Pentre Farm, Wepre Lane, for Mrs M. G. Roberts

         c)  HIGHWAY MATTERS

It was reported that work was being carried out on the highway at the top of St. Mary’s.

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The Clerk was asked to write to Highways and ask that the Council be kept informed of the purpose of works being carried out in the village.

      d) There were no routine LIGHTING MATTERS

   e)   There were no REPORTS

   f)    POLICE MATTERS

The Clerk was asked to write to Inspector Steele, and ask when the Beat Officer would be returning to village duties.

   g)  There were no matters relating to FOOTPATHS AND STILES

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

           (a)   In examining the budget statement, Members considered the use of

                  ‘development fund’ monies for improvements to the pavilion. It was noted,

                  for example,  that seating could be improved.  Storage was also discussed,

                  and, in particular, the problem of the room taken up by the scouts’ tents. It

                  was suggested that tents could be stored in a a container  located outside the

                  pavilion.

Cllr. Wallbank reported that a recent inspection, carried out by a surveyor from Flintshire County Council revealed considerable deterioration in the fabric of the building. There were leaks, poor insulation and condensation problems.  There was also a problem with the supply of hot water to the showers.

       The financial projection and budget statement were received.

     (b)  Resolved, that the Clerk’s salary be increased by 2.45% (an annual increase

           of £107), back-dated to 1st April, 2008, in accordance with the

           recommendations of the National Joint Council for Government Services  

     (c)  Accounts, amounting to £671.82 were approved for payment

10       A L C O H O L   C O N T R O L   Z O N E S

Members did not consider that there were any public places within the village where there was evidence of nuisance or annoyance to the public or any disorder associated with the consumption of intoxicating liquor

There were therefore no areas to submit for inclusion in the proposed order for the creation of alcohol control zones.

11.    D U R A T I O N   O F   M E E T I N G

       The  Chairman closed the meeting of Northop Hall Community Council of 9th

       December, 2008 at 8.37 p.m.

                                                                                    ------------------------

                                                                                                Chairman

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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 ,

D E C E M B E R,   2 0 0 8

                          PAYEE                                            AMOUNT

                  NWP                                                 £   163.25

                  Mrs A Greenland                                           £     94.06

                  Scottish Power                                             £   170.51

                  Mrs, G Jones                                                £   150.00

                  Society of Local Council Clerks                     £     94.00                            

                                                                   £   671,82

                                                                                 ------------------------

                                                                                          Chairman