Present:  Cllr Mrs Sime (chairman), Cllr Muir, Cllr Blanchard, Cllr Mrs Allen, Cllr Ms Davies, Cllr Mrs Wynn, Cllr Owen, Cllr Mrs Wilson Butterworth, Cllr Jones, Cllr Mrs Moser, Ms Morris and clerk Miss Morgan.

Apologies:  PC Hughes

1)      Minutes. The minutes of the meeting held on 5.5.09, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

2)      Matters arising.

a)       Cadney Lane Bridge.  The railings on the bridge have now been repaired.

b)      Insurance renewal.  The clerk reported that she and Cllr Mrs Allen had met to discuss the insurance.  Cllr Mrs Allen had recommended taking out cover for libel and slander, which increased the premium quoted by Zurich to £505.18.  However, this was still the cheapest quote out of the three, and so they had decided to insure with Zurich.  This was a saving of over £200 on the Allianz premium and provided better cover.  The chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Allen and the clerk for their work.

c)      Town and Community Council Forum.  The clerk reported that she had submitted an agenda item prepared by Cllr Jones but has not had a response from Wrexham Council yet.

d)      Cllr Muir asked whether anything had been heard about the land owned by the couple living in Scotland, as nothing has been done about the drainage problem yet.  He requested that the clerk contact Wrexham Council to see if the couple had telephoned as promised.

3)      Police report.  PC Hughes had sent a report to the clerk, which said there had been two incidents in Penley since our last meeting, including the theft of a car.  There had been no incidents in Bettisfield.

4)      Streetscene.  Cllr Owen said that he had spoken to Mike Feely about the state of the grass in the lay-by at Penley after it was cut.  Cllr Owen has since cut it again himself to tidy it up and has also cut the grass by the Madras School.  The Bettisfield councillors said that the grass on the junction with the A495 needs cutting as it is restricting visibility.  The clerk will contact Wrexham Council.  The chairman suggested that a work party from Bettisfield could cut the grass.

5)      Planning.

a)       Application.  P/2009/0382.  Continued use as day care centre and retention of two temporary buildings at Unit 36, Penley Hall Industrial Estate.  No objections.

b)      Decision.  P/2009/0062.  Listed building consent for alterations to allow conversion to dwelling at Corner Barn, Overton Road, Penley.  Permission has been granted.

c)      Planning committee report.  P/2008/1147.  Substitution of house types on former Penley Hospital site.  The recommendation is that permission be granted.

d)      Other planning matters.

i)        Mr Bob Dewey, the Planning Control Manager at Wrexham Council, will conduct some training on planning issues for Town and Community Councils on 13.7.09 at the Guildhall in Wrexham.  Seven of the community councillors expressed interest in attending.  They are to let the clerk know if there are any particular topics that they would like covered.

ii)       Cllr Mrs Sime said that she believes that some of the houses on Penmere Park have been bought by a housing association.

6)      Tree Preservation Orders.  After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that, rather than try to protect old trees, it would be better to encourage the planting of new trees.  The chairman asked that this be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

7)      Purchase of Daffodil Bulbs.  Cllr Mrs Moser proposed that we order two 25kg sacks of bulbs, one for each village.  The price is £20, including delivery.  This was seconded by Cllr Blanchard and agreed unanimously.  The bulbs will be invoiced in July and delivered in the autumn.

8)      Welsh Assembly consultation on proposed changes to the Account and Audit Regulations 2005.  The clerk reported that she had read the consultation document and felt that the proposed changes would not affect us.

9)      Meetings attended by councillors.  Cllr Mrs Sime reported that she had attended a Northern Marches Cymru meeting.

10)  Payment of bills.  None.

11)  Correspondence.

a)       Thank you letters from Bettisfield Village Hall and Bettisfield Church for the donations.

b)      Letter from Wrexham Council about Dog Control Orders.

c)      Letter from Wrexham Council about the opening of a new cemetery in Wrexham.

d)      Copy of the 2008-9 Annual Report from Clwyd Community Health Authority.

e)      May 2009 newsletter from Nightingale House Hospice.

f)       Invitation to attend the Mayor’s Civic Visit to Church on 21.6.09.

g)      Details from Wrexham Carers Service about Carers Week 8^th – 14^th June.

h)      Health, Social Care and Well-being issues newsletter from AVOW.

i)        Details about Wrexham’s Big Day Out on June 6^th.

12)  Any other business. 

a)       The clerk announced that she wished to resign.  She said that she would like to leave within six months, as soon as a replacement clerk can be appointed.  Cllr Mrs Moser thanked the clerk for her outstanding work over the last five years.  The post will be advertised on the two village websites, on posters and in the local press.

b)      Cllr Owen said that street light number 3 in Penley is still not working.  The clerk will report it.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 20.34.