NERCWYS COMMUNITY COUNCIL CYNGOR CYMUNED NERCWYS Minutes of the Meeting held at Soar Chapel Schoolroom, Wednesday 31 st January 2018 at 7.00 p.m. CHAIR: Cllr. P. Roberts PRESENT: Cllrs: B.Roberts, C.Roberts, K. Bickerton, J. Price, C.Oldfield, C.Thomas, M.Morgan, P. Gerrard. IN ATTENDANCE: Sue Lyth, Clerk MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 2 Street light at Pant Y Betws Lane had been reported to Deeco Lighting and subsequently repaired. Street light on Ger Y Pistyll obscured by tree branches - still awaiting action by Leisure Services. Parking on Ger Y Pistyll The parking problem had been exacerbated by a recent incident where the school coach had not been able to get past due to a thoughtlessly parked car, which was removed by police. Agenda item for next meeting. 1. APOLOGIES - County Cllr K. Hughes ( Due to clash of meetings) 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - Cllr K Bickerton declared an interest in Item 8, Budget Setting, as Secretary of St Mary s Church Committee, who had requested a financial contribution towards the maintenance of the burial ground for the financial year 2018/19. 3. CHAIR S REPORT The Chair expressed sincere condolences, on behalf of the Council, to Cllr B. Roberts on the recent death of his mother. 4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 29 th NOVEMBER 2017 These were accepted as a correct record, with one amendment by Cllr Morgan, signed and dated by the Chair. 5. MATTERS ARISING Still waiting for Scottish Power to transfer the power supply from the old post to the new lantern outside Keeper s Cottage. Clerk has contacted Deeco but will remind them again as this is the last lamp to be replaced. 1
A formal reply dated 23 rd January had been received from the Parochial Church Council agreeing to the storage of two waste bins, for grass cuttings, in the church grounds. Another pile of hardcore and waste soils had been deposited again by the lane leading to Nerquis Hall. Clerk to notify Street Scene. 6. CORRESPONDENCE: RECEIVED AND NOTED. FCC - A letter regarding the Summer Play Scheme was read out. The charge for three weeks would be about the same as last year, 1309. However, a small amount of funding from the Welsh Government s Play Opportunities Grant would be passed on to those Town and Community Councils who committed to providing a play scheme in 2018. This would mean a contribution of 911 towards the cost. After looking at the attendance figures for 2017, which were slightly upon 2016, it was agreed to fund the play scheme for 2018, subject to confirmation that Nercwys Community Council would be eligible for the grant. Clerk would seek this assurance. Attendance should be encouraged and the Clerk would publicise through Nercwys News and the school. 7. ISSUES FROM PUBLIC MEETING Clerk would go to the Post Office to ask for a new information plate for the post box. Defibrillator Cllr Morgan had initially spoken to the donor and Air Ambulance. A group of volunteers would be set up; the Chair reiterated the willingness of Nercwys Community Council to pay rental for a meeting room, if required. 8. BUDGET SETTING AND PRECEPT Cllr Bickerton, having declared an interest, left the room. There were three applications for grants: St Mary s Church, maintenance of church burial ground - 1500. Nercwys News, production of quarterly newsletter - 150. Nightingale Hospice - 100. These were all agreed unanimously and would be paid at the April meeting. 2
The Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, presented the draft Budget Statement for 2018/ 2019. A table showing actual expenditure for 2017/18 with a forecast for the next financial was scrutinized and each item approved. The precept was agreed by all members and set at 17,000, an increase of only 500 or 2.4%. This amount was only to allow for general cost of living increases; costing each household 1.28 per year. The Chair and the Clerk signed the Precept Declaration form for return to Flintshire County Council. Clerk would add a summary to the agreed Budget Statement for circulation with the February agenda. 9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS 057727 -Tower No objections from NCC. FCC notified 06.01.18. 057761 - Five Acre Objections by NCC notified to FCC 31.12.17. 057763 - Nerquis Hall No objections from NCC. FCC notified 28.01.18. 057907 - Ty Coch No objections from NCC. FCC notified 28.01.18. 10. COUNTY COUNCILLOR S REPORT Cllr Hughes had sent apologies and the Chair conveyed the good wishes of the Council for his wife s full recovery from her current illness. In his unfortunate absence, Cllr Hughes had sent an email with updates on several outstanding matters: o Ty Melyn the enforcement Notice is to be served imminently by the Legal Officer. o Car parking, Ael Y Bryn - this is currently being dealt with by Housing who will inform Cllr Hughes of any decision with associated legal and financial implications. o Touring caravan site Cllr Hughes has had numerous approaches from residents vehemently opposing the plans. He had given them the relevant advice and contacts, while reserving his own opinion until the revised plans were available. o The introduction of a 30 annual fee for garden waste bins had been met with concern by many residents. It might have an adverse effect on recycling rates in the county. o Flintshire County Council was struggling to find ways of bridging the huge gap of 17 million in its budget deficit. This ultimately signalled a significant rise in Council Tax for the next fiscal year. 11. COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS REPORTS Cllr Price reported that the Over 60s Christmas Dinner on 21 st December at the Butcher s Arms had been, as ever, a very enjoyable function. 3
The dog waste bin at the rear of Church View by the garages was broken. Also, the old Public Footpath sign, recently replaced, had been left on the grass by the stile. Clerk would report both these issues to Street Scene. Dog fouling was still evident on the main roadand footpaths through the village. Cllr Price mentioned that the Women s Institute in Wales were embarking on an Urban Tree Project. More details would follow for discussion at the next meeting. Cllr Bickerton announced that a new teacher had been appointed to replace the former Deputy Head Teacher. The scheduled Governors Meeting for 18 th January had been postponed until 5 th February which, unfortunately, Cllr Bickerton could not attend. Cllr Morgan commented on the amount of litter on the Mold to Eryrys road. Clerk would add it to the list for Street Scene. As in previous years, the annual Carol Singing around the Christmas tree had been a success, followed by festive refreshments funded by the Council. Cllr P. Roberts would be requesting a new set of lights for next Christmas. 12. FINANCE At 31 st January: Current Account: 3117.57. Reserve Account: 3289.40. The Chair closed the meeting at 8.35pm.... Chairman 28.02. 2018. Bills for Payment Payee Amount Cheque no. E-ON 138.92 1142 Clerk s salary & expenses January 458.22 1143 Deeco Lighting 275.35 1144 Mr J. Caruana, Grass Cutting, 35hrs 350.00 1145 4
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