Minutes April 2010 (Flint)

Minutes of QUARTERLY MEETING held at FLINT TOWN HALL on FRIDAY 16^th APRIL 2010

COUNCILLOR MR JOHN CONNAH (Vice Chairman) (Presiding)

 THE ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES LIST WAS AS FOLLOWS:

WELCOME BY THE MAYOR OF FLINT

The Mayor of Flint Town Council welcomed the meeting to the town.

The meeting was sad to hear of the passing away of Cllr Alun Barrett.  The meeting held one minute’s silence.

1346      MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting were signed by the chair as a correct record subject to the corrections regarding the attendance list.

1347      HEALTH AND SAFETY/EMPLOYMENT LAW

The meeting received a presentation from Ellis  Whittam who are recommended by One Voice Wales and the Society of Local Community Clerks.

The services offered are related to employment contracts, law, handbooks etc.

The services offered are also related to health and safety including risk assessments, notices etc.

As a guide a Council will say 5 staff may find that the annual fee for each service would be around £750.

A larger Council may find the annual fee for each service would be around £1,000-£2,000.

Training can also be available to Councils and Clerks.

The service offered is all embracing taking the onus off Town Clerks in these two areas of responsibility.

The contact email for Tony Crabb at Ellis Whittam is TomBerry@elliswhittam.com

1348      BOUNDARIES COMMISSION

The Secretary reported that the Boundary Commissioner was not able to attend today.

The Secretary did have a conversation with him to gain some ground rules that are being applied to the revision of boundaries:

Town and Community Council wards are not to change.

The wards for County Councillors are to be retained where there are in excess of 1750 electors

Where a ward is less than 1750 electors they could be added to an adjoining ward for County

Purposes.

There are cases where a County Councillor may cover wards covering more than one Town Council                                                                                                                        ward.

There are cases where wards can be combined (for County) and more than one County Councillor

represents that ward. (Larger wards)

The Boundary Commissioner is to attend the next meeting in July when a full discussion can take place.

1349      MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

The meeting was updated on the following:

Policing Matters

               Wind Farms

               North South Link Road for Wales

               Credit Union

1350      COMMUNITY TOILET SCHEME

This item is to be put on the next agenda when Llandudno Council can be present.

1351      COMMUNITY STRATEGY PARTNERSHIP

The meeting was made aware of the letter dated 13^th April from One Voice Wales seeking a nomination from NWALTCC to take up a place on the Conwy Community Strategy Partnership Group.

A member is sought from the Councils within the Conwy County Borough.

As quite a lot of members from these Councils were not present on that day the following election plan was approved:

Introduction

The election of a member for the Conwy Community Strategy Partnership is to be completed by postal/email vote.

Nominations from relevant Councils

Nominations are to be sought from the Councils of Bay of Colwyn, Llandudno, Conwy, Towyn and Kinmel Bay and Llanfairfechan.

Election papers

Upon receipt of nominations those so nominated shall be put onto election papers to be issued to the entire NWALTCC members.  Each member who is entitled to attend (Councillors only) may vote.

Election returns

The returns will show a result which shall be published and recorded.  One Voice Wales is to be informed of the process and result.

Election counting

The election votes shall be counted and confirmed by the President and Secretary.

Application

The same format shall be adopted for any other Community Strategy Partnerships that come up between NWALTCC meetings.

1352      DOG FOULING AND LITTER

The matter of Dog Fouling and Litter was one of those which were highlighted by most of the Councils at the last meeting.  The meeting was concerned that this subject is still so high on the priority list.

The meeting would like to see details of the policy and programme that each County Council has in place to combat the problem.

The secretary is to write to each County Council to gain this information for the next meeting.

1353       CONSULTATION WITH COUNTY COUNCILS

The subject of consultation between County Councils and Town/Community Councils as discussed with differing levels in each County area.

However, there was a feeling that even where meetings and forums were held the Counties were not actually taking much notice of any comments or requests made.

The secretary is to write to each County Council seeking the views of each on this topic for discussion at the next meeting.

1354        ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

The Accounts are to be circulated with the agenda for the next meeting.

1355        WEB SITE

The Web Site is at http://www.welshpooltowncouncil.com/NWALTCC.htm

1356        DATE OF NEXT MEETING (AGM AND QUARTERLY MEETING)

To be held at CONNAH’s QUAY at 10.30am on Friday 16^th July 2010

1357        GUESTS FOR NEXT MEETING

The guests due to attend the next meeting are:

Dyfed Powys Police – Chief Inspector

Boundary Commissioner

1358        ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN FORWARD FROM THE MEETING

               Ensure arrangements are in place for the Dyfed Powys Police visit

Ensure arrangements are in place for the Boundary Commissioner

Letters to be sent to the County Councils on Dog Fouling programmes.

Letters to be sent to County Councillors on Council Forums and Consultation.

Letter sent to WAG on a North South Road to be pursued.

Nominations to be sought for the Community Strategy Partnership.

Elections to be held for the Community Strategy Partnership with votes counted by the Secretary and

the President.