MINUTES OF THE HENLLAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 7TH MARCH 2023 IN THE CHURCH INSTITIUE, HENLLAN AT 7.30 PM
PRESENT.
Councillors Nicky Bassett-Powell (Chair), Mrs Amanda Lawson-Stoner, Ian Carrie, Jackie Jones, Nia Bellis, Geraint Williams, Clwyd Spencer, Gwyn Roberts, Denbighshire County Councillors Delyth Jones and Pauline Edwards together with the Clerk.
1: WELCOME.
The Chair welcomed all present to the March 2023 meeting of the Council.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Councillor Cerian Jones together with Denbighshire County Councillor Geraint Lloyd-Williams.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
None declared
4. DISCUSSION ON THE WORKS REQUIRED ON THE HENLLAN WAR MEMORIAL.
The Chair welcomed Mrs Angeline Lawson BEM (Representing St.Sadwrn Church) to the meeting and provided the Council with the following report:-
“Unfortunately, due to the War Memorial being sited within the church grounds, no works can be carried out until I have applied for a faculty from the Church in Wales, which you may be aware is an ecclesiastical license which gives permission to make physical alterations. I anticipate meeting with the church building inspectors next week which will then allow me to apply for the faculty.
I have attached photographs of the war memorial and quotes that I have received.
When I was asked to seek quotes for this project, my understanding the scope of the works to be carried out on the war memorial were as follows:
Special Clean all Stonework on the monument
Refurbish lead letter work.
Suitable contractors must demonstrate experience with this type of work.
You will note from the 4 quotes that I have received; none are consistent with the works that are required even though they all received the same scope of works.
I have met with North West Stone Masonry on site, who was extremely knowledgeable and experienced in specialist cleaning War Memorials, they have restored several war memorials in our local area. Their quote attached, please refer to their website for additional information.
North west Stone Masonry advise the project should be quoted in two parts, a) specialist cleaning and b) refurbishment of lead letter work.
Two of the attached quotes advise that some of the lead lettering is missing. I met on site with a contractor who physically manged to remove some broken lead lettering. This contractor advises that once the war memorial is cleaned there is every chance other lettering will be become dislodged.”
Members resolved:
A: To accept Mrs Lawson’s report and for the required works to be carried out per Mrs Lawson’s report and guidance
B. To accept Northwest Stone Masonry quote.
C. The Community Council will grant aid the project.
5. CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING.
Members confirmed 7th February 2023 minutes as a true record and signed by the Chair.
6. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT APPEARING ON THE AGENDA.
A: Discussion about getting the minutes out within a timeframe for agreement. However, discussed they could not be formally agreed until the next meeting as a true record. Therefore, not able to do what was intended. However, discussed the potential that we could look at the contents ahead of the meeting.
Councillor Geraint Williams discussed that a Welsh translation should also be available at the same time. Maybe a summary of the minutes in publications i.e., Parish Magazine. It is about telling people what we are doing as Henllan Community Council i.e., making a Facebook page, list of what we are doing within the community, actions, funding. Different communication methods available.
Do a summary of each meeting for the public and for comments out. I.e., decisions that have been passed.
List of actions as part of the minutes – maybe change to the format. Translate by Councillors Nia Bellis and Delyth Jones. Councillor Amanda Lawson-Stoner to do summary with Councillors Nicky Bassett-Powell and Jackie Jones and the summary to be shown to other councillors. Timeframe of by the end of the week to get the summary out and 1 week to agree or make comment
B. Councillor Ian Carrie provided a synopsis of the police visit from the last visit for Delyth and Pauline – discussion around the speeding vehicles throughout the vehicle – advised that where possible take the number plates of the vehicle and report them, police will have an informal visit. Speed monitoring at various points in the visit. If we wanted their help, they are here to support and advise. Henllan is one of the safest communities. In the summary, to put about in the summary that speed throughout the village will be monitored. Speed in village will be changed to 20MPH in August.
C. Ochr y Bryn and pothole just past Copy Hill – Copy Hill pothole is done. No response about Ochr-y-Bryn yet.
D. The general bad state of the Ochr-y-Bryn road need urgent attention.
E. Meifod Road is an issue with potholes and general surfacing.
7. ROAD SAFETY AND ACTIVE TRAVEL UPDATED REPORT.
Councillor Ian Carrie provided an updated report.
A: Filled in appropriate forms and submitted to Denbighshire County Council Officers Rebecca and Ben.
B. Quotation from SP for Power supply to site, however, problem – if we get a permanent supply to site, dcc do not want to pay for this. DCC had agreed to handle the maintenance, however, this was only for the solar powered ones. Councillor Carrie asked for agreement as to whether we have the solar ones, which DCC purchase for us then invoice us for payment. We then own the sign, but DCC maintain it.
C. Waiting for approval for company in village to install as this was FOC.
Members resolved to accept Councillor Carrie’s report.
8. YSGOL GYNRADD HENLLAN PRIMARY SCHOOL JOINT MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL.
A: Received email from the Head Teacher of Ysgol Henllan with dates to meet during daytime in term time. Councillor Gwyn Roberts to agree the preferred meeting day between the School and Community Council representatives.
B. Councillor Gwyn Roberts showed the posters that had been designed by the children. Looking to place by the park, football field, outside pub, Llindir and the triangle (speed indicator).
9. INITIATIVE LIAISON OFFICER’S REPORT.
Councillor Amanda Lawson-Stoner reported:
A: Still awaiting Biographies for the Council’s Website from some Councillors.
B. Looking at producing the Council’s Facebook Page and Logo for agreement.
10. FLOWER BEDS UPDATE.
A: Councillor Jackie Jones reported that the land earmarked for the spare Flower Bed on the Parc-y-Llan Estate in Henllan is no longer available for the Council’s use.
B. Plas Meifod location discussed. Councillor Clwyd Spencer spoke to Mrs Eleri Wynne, who agreed on the proviso that the Flower Bede doesn’t go on or near their crocuses which are growing nicely.
C. Flower beds at Bronllan – agreed that Mrs Eryl Davies will be reimbursed costs of the plants and for Councillor Amanda Lawson to write to Mrs Davies and thank for works already done and agreed to pay going forwards.
11. ONE VOICE WALES TRAINING COURSES UPDATE.
A: One Voice Wales are now stating it is not compulsory to attend the Training Courses, however, only advisory. Some incur a cost. All webinars. They recommending that we attend.
B. The Clerk will sending a list of courses out for people to look at and choose whether to attend. Code of conduct is compulsory to attend. Denbighshire County Councillor Delyth Jones will be sending details of someone to come to us for this. Potential to put out to other community councils for them to attend. There are other statutory ones to attend (Modules 1 to 5 inclusive).
12. FINANCE UPDATE.
A: To receive the updated annual financial statement covering the period from 1st April 2022 to 28th February 2023.
B. Bank balances:-
1. HSBC Current Account £10,990.35.
2. HSBC Saver Account £25,097.98.
B. Authorised bill payments:-
1. Caretaker’s salary for the quarter ended 31st March 2023 £108.56.
2. Clerk’s salary for the quarter ended 31st March 2023 £420.00.
3. One Voice Wales 2023/24 Annual Membership Fee £158.00.
4. Church Institute for the meeting room hire £30.00.
5. Clerk’s expenses for the year ended 31st March 2023 £617.86.
6. HSBC monthly fee £5.00.
C. Next month review Caretaker salary.
D. The clerk has not had pay increase since 1999 and falls below the national minimum wage. Councillor Clwyd Spencer proposal to provide the Clerk with a pay increase. Councillors Nicky Bassett-Powell and Jackie Jones to go away and discuss the pay going forward and backdated to the relevant legal date.
13. COUNCILLOR’S ANNUAL ALLOWANCES CLAIM FORM.
The Clerk provided all Members with the “Allowances Claim form” to be completed by all Members and return to the Clerk.
14. PLANNING ISSUES.
A: No planning applications received.
B. Councillor Clwyd Spencer asked about the planning for EC Evans site and whether the planning is still live. Timeframe for planning and them elapsing is stated at five years.
15. CORRESPONDENCE.
The Clerk discussed whether anyone would like to be a One Voice Wales representative for Henllan Community Council and attending quarterly meetings.
16. DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES.
County Councillors Pauline Edwards and Delyth Jones reported:
A: Council Tac uplift agreed and letter will be issued – 3.8% plus additional costs – lowest amount in the regions and work hard to keep it to a minimum, but still maintain level of services, additional for police and town councils.
All services should remain deliverable for the year and stable – they have agreed to -1% as departments to balance the books so to speak.
B. End date for houses at Copy hill – now looking at July 2023 for completion.
All new LDP (Local Development Plan) sites will be out soon for feedback and review / consultation. Traveller’s issue raised by Merfyn – NBP meeting at Llindir arranged for tomorrow night. Also looking for land for business and residential. Nothing agreed but looking for different opportunities.
C. Councillor Nicky Bassett-Powell fighting fund from last meetings regarding the LDP land in Henllan. Meirion Jones has been holding the money – the meeting tomorrow is to discuss that money and what could possibly happen with that money. Henllan Community Council cnnot legally hold that money. Money belongs to the community.
D. Recycling facility: RLD: New bins: DCC already put mitigation measures in place already i.e., paying subbies direct. They have already ordered the bins. All looking on time
E. Councillor Nicky Bassett-Powell reported that residents from Llannefydd road down to the mill – never had proper recycling bins. Councillor Bassett-Powell and residents asking for proper facilities for segregating waste. Vehicles now have a point to move and turn. The previous issue has been the turning points for vehicles. Access needs to be re assessed.
17. URGENT BUSINESS UNDER SECTION 100B (4) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972.
A: Plaque from the arch at top parc – Sian Owens: Plaque missing since Christmas. Write to the trustees ask if they know where the plaque has gone – maybe ask others i.e., Chris B if they know and what the wording is.
B: Earlier start meetings – maybe to accommodate Councillor Cerian Jones: maybe hybrid. Everyone to think of a solution.
C. The Chair gave advance notice for not attendance at the April 2023 meeting of the Council.
18. NEXT COUNCIL MEETING – TUESDAY 4TH APRIL 2023 IN THE HENLLAN CHURCH INSTITUTE AT 7.30 P.M.
