DRAFT Minutes from the Hope Community Council Meeting
For the purpose of communicating as soon as reasonably possible to our residents, these are the draft minutes taken from the meeting for your information. These have not been passed to the Council for approval and therefore amendments may be made before submitting to the council for approval at our next meeting.
Hope Community Council
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Present: Councillors Mrs T Bowgett (Chair), Mrs C Cunnah, Mrs L Davies,
Mrs M Williams, Mr J Mead, Mrs J Arnold, Mrs C Sheibani, Mr B Hughes,
Mr A Parsonage, Mr M Taylor and Dr P Bevan
Also Present: Mrs S Hughes Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
209. Apologies for Absence
RESOLVED: Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllrs Oldham and Tilston.
210. Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest received.
211. Chairman’s Announcements
The Chair reported that both her and Cllr Sheibani thoroughly enjoyed judging this year Halloween competition.
212. Minutes of Council
RESOLVED: the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 2nd October 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
213. Minutes of Committees
RESOLVED: the minutes of the following standing committees be approved and adopted and confirmed as a correct record.
i. Planning and Highways – 2nd October 2024
ii. Leisure and Environment – 2nd October 2024
iii. Finance – 2nd October 2024
214. To Review any Matters Arising from the Minutes
Min 180 – no responses received relating to the Sports Centre
Min 183 – members were provided with correspondence relating to the Summer Playscheme. The Chair asked whether FCC could advertise that youths can be signed up to the scheme on the day? If this is not possible, the community council will communicate this to residents next year in the hope to increase attendance.
215. To receive any Public Questions/Correspondence
An email was received from a resident regarding speeding concerns on Hawarden Road Abermorddu.
RESOLVED: Cllrs Bowgett and Cunnah will raise these concerns at the meeting they are attending with the police tomorrow.
216. To receive the County Councillor Report from Cllrs David and Gladys Healey
Cty Cllrs David and Gladys Healey provided a report which included information on:
General issues - dealt with a wide range of enquiries from residents regarding Streetscene (including flooding), Housing, Social Care and Building Control. Fly tipping at Caer Estyn has been removed.
Council Finances - The new Council Leader has carried out a Cabinet reshuffle and there is now a rainbow coalition in control. The intention is for there to be more of a united front when controversial measures are forced through in the February budget so that the books can be balanced. This is deemed necessary to avoid a Section 114 Notice (effective declaration of the Council going bankrupt) which could trigger the intervention of Commissioners.
20 mph - FCC received over 1,000 requests for roads to be returned to 30 mph. The Council has two technical officers working on this so they are fully stretched. £645K has been received from Welsh Government to assist with the reversion to 30 mph. Many of the requests involved similar roads and there is now a total of 82 across Flintshire which are being considered. A public consultation will be carried out on a phased basis. Starting on 8th November the Council will release details of two roads which are being considered. Two more will be released each week durring November. The process will begin with A and B roads.
It is clear that officers cannot handle requests about other road speed issues until the colossal 20mph exercise is completed.
National Park - Hope Mountain, Caergwrle and Park in the Past are not in the Candidate Area for the new National Park for north east Wales. Indeed, the centre of gravity of the Park has shifted away from north east Wales towards Powys.
RESOLVED: the report was received and noted. The additional report on the National Park was very informative and appreciated.
217. Annual Return
The External Audit has now been received back and a copy was provided to all members.
There were no issues /recommendations.
RESOLVED: the Annual Return for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 was received and approved. In accordance with The Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014 the Notice of Conclusion of Audit and Right to Inspect the Annual Return has been published on the website and noticeboards for a period of 14 days.
218. Community Council Draft Estimates for 2025/26
The draft estimates for 2025/26 were reviewed and considered together with a report detailing variances. The Chair and Clerk went through the budget where Councillors were invited to comment on the estimates before them and discuss any amendments which they would wish to be included in the final budget.
The Clerk advised that the 2025/26 Precept letter has not yet been received from FCC and as a result, does not have the information on the current Tax Base of equivalent Band D properties.
RESOLVED: the minor amendments to the summer playscheme, staffing costs and defibrillators together with removing the £15000 budget for the re-lettering of the cenotaph will be made and re-submitted in December when it is hoped to have received the current Tax Base of equivalent Band D properties, allowing for an accurate calculation.
219. Councillor Vacancy
Members reviewed, considered and discussed the three applications received, all of which were of high standards and would be an asset to the council.
RESOLVED: Mr Allan Parry will be co-opted for the vacancy.
220. Flintshire Tourism Feasibility Fund
Cllr Bevan reported that the report is late in being issued, however, he has been privy to the contents which seems very good. It is hoped to have the report and recommendations in December.
He also advised that Cty Cllr G Healey is due to submit a proposal to the council in December regarding the National Park consultation which ends mid December.
RESOLVED: the report was received and noted and members will await the full report and recommendations for consideration.
221. Remembrance Day
Fr Paul Wheeler unfortunately has not confirmed the details, however, Cty Cllr D Healey advised that he understands they will be meeting at the former Halfway House at 9.30am.
222. Youth Representative
The Clerk reported that unfortunately no applications have been received.
223. National Pay Award 2024-25 and Home Office Allowance
The National Association of Local Council (NALC) have been informed that the National Joint Council (NJC) Salary Award 2024/25 has finally been agreed and the new rates of pay applicable from 1st April 2024. The pay award is a flat rate payment of £1,290 on each scale point with effect from 1 April 2024 and is pro-rota. As this is to be implemented and back dated as soon as possible and in accordance with the employee contracts, this was processed in the October payroll. The Home Office Allowance was also reviewed by the council.
RESOLVED: the pay award was received and noted. The council approved 3.21% = £4.33 per month increase to the Home Office Allowance which is to be back dated to 1st April 2024.
224. Clerks Report
The Clerk circulated the updated Issue Log detailing outstanding issues and details of progress. This report
is for information only and should any items require further discussion they will need to be included on a
future agenda (if not already on the current agenda).
The Clerk also provided a report on the work that has been undertaken and planned work of the groundsman.
Overgrown hedges were reported along the pathway from Ysgol Estyn to Willow Avenue which is a route to school and causing an obstruction for users.
RESOLVED: the report was received and noted and will be updated accordingly. The issue of overgrown hedges will be reported to FCC Streetscene.
225. Correspondence
The following correspondence was received and noted:
· OVW & Planning Aid Wales Training Courses and events.
· OPCC Newsletters #55
· Open Space Society Magazine
· FCC Budget Communication: Town & Community Councils
· One Voice Wales response to the Senedd Inquiry for Community and Town Councils
· After contacting the CAB about hosting an event in the community, they have responded to say they are really pleased to hear that other local councils would like to work with them with these events and would be very interested in holding further carbon monoxide / energy events in the future. Unfortunately they are unable to add any further events to their schedule this side of Christmas, however they will look at holding further events in the early new year.
226. Future Agenda Items
· Cty Cllr D Healey will be invited to attend the December meeting in relation to his proposal regarding the National Park Consultation.
The meeting of the Council began at 6.30pm and ended at 7.20pm
Hope Community Council
Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
held on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Present: Councillors Mrs C Cunnah (Committee Chair), Mrs T Bowgett, Mrs L Davies,
Mrs M Williams, Mr J Mead, Mrs J Arnold, Mrs C Sheibani, Mr B Hughes,
Mr A Parsonage, Mr M Taylor & Dr P Bevan
Also Present: Mrs S Hughes Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
227. To Receive Apologies for Absence
RESOLVED: Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllrs Oldham and Tilston.
228. To Receive any Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest received.
229. Minutes
RESOLVED: the minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 2nd October 2024, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
230. To review any Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising.
231. Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales – Draft Report 2025/26
Members reviewed the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales Draft Annual Report which has been published for consultation. Comments to be submitted by 29th November 2024.
RESOLVED: the report was received and noted. No response will be submitted.
232. Payments
To authorise accounts for payment up to and including 6th November 2024.
Payable to Details Amount
HSBC Monthly Bank Fee £5.00
Noticeboard Company 2x Noticeboards (Hope & Caergwrle) £3,442.68
Poppy Appeal Poppy Wreath £50.00
Flintshire County Council Summer Playscheme & banner £1,990.80
Flintshire County Council Street Light Repairs (rhyddyn hill) £463.80
Terra Quest - paid by Clerk Planning Drawings - Noticeboard £13.20
Mega Electrical Installation Xmas Lights - Caergwrle £663.00
Mega Electrical Installation Xmas Lights - Hope £969.00
Mega Electrical Installation Xmas Lights - Abermorddu £1,071.00
Noticeboard Company 1x Noticeboard (Abermorddu) £1,727.34
Mr J Ferrari Equipment, Travel etc £34.34
Staffing Cost 01/10/2024 (inc backpay) £2,728.91
Mrs S Hughes Stationery, Postage, Equipment, Travel etc £92.79
Mrs S Hughes Tesco Mobile - Monthly data package £10.00
Mrs S Hughes Halloween Competition Vouchers £100.00
Canda Copying Photocopier Rental £48.00
LiteMania/ Lumalite 8x new Christmas lights £4,152.00
RESOLVED: The above payments be approved. In accordance with the Financial Regulations, the schedule for payments was signed by the Chairman of Finance and/or the Chairman of the Council and countersigned by two bank signatories.
The meeting of the Committee began at 7.20pm and ended at 7.28pm
Hope Community Council
Minutes of the Planning & Highways Committee Meeting
held on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Present: Councillors Mrs L Davies (Committee Chair), Mrs T Bowgett, Mrs C Cunnah,
Mrs M Williams, Mr J Mead, Mrs J Arnold, Mrs C Sheibani, Mr B Hughes,
Mr A Parsonage, Mr M Taylor and Dr P Bevan
Also Present: Mrs S Hughes Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
233. To Receive Apologies for Absence
RESOLVED: Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllrs Oldham and Tilston.
234. To Receive any Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest received.
235. Minutes
RESOLVED: the minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 2nd October 2024, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
236. To review any Matters Arising from the Minutes
Min 198 – Mega Electrical approved 5 new lights up to Porch Lane and the remaining 3 new lights will be added to Hawarden Road nr The Willow.
237. Planning Applications
i. The following planning applications received for the Committee to consider.
RESOLVED:
a) LBC/000764/24. Listed building Consent for the construction of a swimming pool with enclosure, pump house and patio. HARTSHEATH, Pontblyddyn. Supported on the condition that the drainage details are acceptable and do not impact on the River Dee or Bala Lake.
b) FUL/000763/24. Application for the construction of a swimming pool with enclosure, pump house and patio. HARTSHEATH, Pontblyddyn. Supported on the condition that the drainage details are acceptable and do not impact on the River Dee or Bala Lake.
c) FUL/000761/24. Proposed single storey flat roof kitchen extension including small timber decking to proposed rear elevation forming modest seating and stepped access from same to garden area. Bay Tree Cottage, Gresford Road, Hope. Supported
d) ADV/000800/24. Erection of a community noticeboard (metal) for council and community information to be displayed. O/S rear of 77, Wrexham Road, Caergwrle. Supported
ii. To report on applications received which have been determined by Flintshire County Council.
a) FUL/000651/24. Demolition of Garage and rear conservatory - Proposed new 2 storey side extension and single storey rear extension. Proposed new widened drive access and dropped kerb. Mountain View, Hawarden Road, Caergwrle. Approved
238. CCTV
Members considered a quote from the Contractor to upgrade the cameras hard drives and to provide 4G connectivity.
It was commented that the quote was limited in detail and questioned how large were the hard drives?
It was debated whether any works should be undertaken before going out to tender, and that 4G connectivity and weekly inspections of the cameras should be included as a requirement within the tender.
RESOLVED: Cllr Mead to liaise directly with the contractor to obtain more technical detail which will be shared with Cllr Sheibani who will also make additional enquires to the service and cost.
239. Defibrillator
As the council has a budget for defibrillators, the clerk presented a report detailing costings to purchase and install a new defibrillator and asked members to consider suitable location(s).
Should the council be able to connect to existing electricity supply this would reduce the installation costs significantly and allow the installation of 2x defibs.
It was suggested the Transport for Wales be asked to install a defib at Hope Station as there is currently one at Caergwrle Station.
RESOLVED: the locations identified would allow to connect to an existing electricity supply: Heulwen Close Community Centre and Evangelical Church or Cost Cutters Garage. The council will initially seek permission from the owners before placing an order.
Transport for Wales will be asked to consider installing a defib at Hope Station.
The council will include a budget in 2025/26 for the purchase and installation of a defibrillator to be installed in a more rural location.
240. Highway Matters
· Issues with HGV’s parking outside of the Co-op.
· Pot Holes – Pigeon House land and Stryt Isa.
· Flooding – Pigeon House Lane.
· Footpath – requires resurfacing after damage caused be HGVS parking during the 2x new builds on Hawarden Road.
RESOLVED: the above matters will be reported to FCC.
The meeting of the Committee began at 7.28pm and ended at 8.00pm
Hope Community Council
Minutes of the Leisure & Environment Committee Meeting
held on Wednesday 6th November 2024
Present: Councillors Mrs M Williams (Committee Chair), Mrs T Bowgett, Mrs L Davies,
Mrs C Cunnah, Mr J Mead, Mrs J Arnold, Mrs C Sheibani, Mr B Hughes,
Mr A Parsonage, Mr M Taylor and Dr P Bevan
Also Present: Mrs S Hughes Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
241. To Receive Apologies for Absence
RESOLVED: Apologies for absence were received and approved from Cllrs Oldham and Tilston.
242. To Receive any Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest received.
243. Minutes
RESOLVED: the minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 2nd October 2024, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
244. To review any Matters Arising from the Minutes
There were no matters arising.
245. Play Areas
i. The council agreed £10,000 in the budget for additional seating at the play areas. Richard Roberts has provided suggested and suitable locations for both picnic and seating benches. The Clerk presented a report detailing locations, purchase and installation costs for 6-7 new benches.
ii. Willow Play Area - Cllr Williams informed members that she had reported to FCC a sink hole on The Willow field. Cones have been placed around the area but no formal response has been received from FCC. This area was the chosen location for the football goals to be installed which may now be impacted.
PRoW have installed a new gate on the dog walking area and there is remaining work to be undertaken to complete the works. The community council does have remaining funds from the play area match funding to undertake some fencing works within the area.
Queensway Play Area – the Chair and Clerk will be meeting with the contractor on Friday to discuss the Maintenance Contract and in particular the tree works.
RESOLVED:
i. The council will purchase and install the following benches:
a. Sarn Lane Play Area – Picnic bench
b. Crossways Play Area – Picnic bench and seating bench
c. Queensway Play Area – Picnic bench
ii. The report was received and noted and the council will request to be kept informed regarding the Willow.
246. Caergwrle Castle
The Chair wished to thank Cllr Parsonage for the creation and installation of a bench made from the old Castle entrance board.
247. Halloween Competition
Cllrs Bowgett and Sheibani undertook the judging and thoroughly enjoyed viewing all entries. There were many houses decorated and next year should be encouraged to enter the competition.
RESOLVED: 1st – 32 Rhyddyn Hill 2nd – 22 Llwyn Eglwys 3rd – 27 The Beeches
248. Christmas Lights Competition
RESOLVED: the competition will be launched with a closing date of Sunday 17th December. Cllrs Bowgett and Sheibani will undertake the judging between 18th – 23rd December.
Details of this competition and next year The Halloween Competition, will be shared with the local schools.
The meeting of the Committee began at 8.00pm and ended at 8.26pm