Present: Cllr Mrs Sime (chairman), Cllr Mrs Wynn, Cllr Owen, Cllr Blanchard, Cllr Muir, Cllr Mrs Allen, Cllr Ms Morris, PC Evans, clerk Mrs Coathupe-Fox and a member of the public.

Apologies: Cllr Mrs Wilson Butterworth (hospital) and Cllr Jones (previous engagement).

1)    Minutes. The minutes of the meeting held on 1^st June 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

2)    Matters arising.

a)    Letter received from Nightingale House Hospice thanking us for the donation.

b)    The clerk confirmed with the bank that Cllr Blanchard is a signatory.

c)    Email received from Zoejade Gardner (WCBC) re the Tidy Towns Projects asking for preferred meeting dates.  Cllr Mrs Sime reported she had replied to the email and was awaiting confirmation.

3)    Police report.  PC Evans reported the following incidents.

a)    A number of properties on the outskirts of Penley had had scrap and garden ornaments stolen.

b)    The owner of Penley Bank Cottage had reported residents of Hill Crest, Penley had been chopping trees that bordered on their properties.

PC Evans asked if the incident emails he was sending were being received.  Cllr Muir asked PC Evans if he could provide information on cycling proficiency following an enquiry from a Bettisfield resident.

4)    Streetscene. 

·         Cllr Muir reported the yellow bin’s liner, at the wooden bus shelter in Bettisfield, was badly rusted away.  The clerk to request a replacement liner or bin from WCBC.

·        Cllr Muir reported that the hedge opposite Ashcroft and Sycamore had not been cut for six years and would WCBC be able to come and tidy it up.  After a brief discussion it was decided it wasn’t under WCBC’s remit to do so.

·        Cllr Blanchard reported pot holes in Knowls Lane, Bettisfield.  The clerk to report to WCBC.

·        Cllr Mrs Allen reported a large pot hole on Penley Bank was causing problems with traffic.  The clerk to report to WCBC.

·        Cllr Owen reported the ‘No Entry’ sign at the school end of Park Villas, Penley was broken.  The clerk to report to WCBC.

5)    Planning.

a)    Applications.

i)       P/2010/0469.  Submission of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning permission code no. P/2008/0458 (Access, Appearance, Layout and Scale) for the erection of one dwelling and garage.  Land adjacent to Oakwood House, Cadney Lane, Bettisfield.  No objections.

ii)     P/2010/0515.  Alterations and extensions to existing cottage and associated external works and siting of temporary static caravan (in retrospect).  Church Place, Overton Road, Penley.  No objections.

b)    Decisions.  None.

6)    Community Council vacancy and co-option of new councillor.  A letter has been received from WCBC re the Notice of Vacancy in Penley and to confirm they have not received a request to fill the vacancy by election.  Cllr Mrs Sime asked the Penley members to help in finding someone to fill the vacancy.

7)    Changes to Accounts and Audit Regulations and Capital Finance and Accounting regulations in Wales.  The clerk reviewed the changes and the only thing impacting on MSCC is under new regulation. Approval of the accounts and signing of the Annual Return will now take place after the audit is essentially completed.  The Accounts and Audit Regulations have been amended since the audit was called and UHY Hacker Young have been issuing guidance through the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and will also be in touch with clerks directly.

8)    Internal audit and payment of auditor’s fee.    The internal audit has been completed by JDH Business Services Ltd, two issues were raised 1) the bank reconciliation does not list the unpresented cheques and 2) no evidence that the clerk’s salary has been declared to HMRC.  The clerk reported that in future she would list all unpresented cheques and provide evidence that her salary has been declared to HMRC.  The invoice for the internal audit totalled £87.05, the same as last year.  Cllr Owen proposed the invoice be paid and was seconded by Cllr Muir.  Council reviewed the draft Annual Return, Cllr Mrs Allen proposed the approval and was seconded by Cllr Blanchard, the clerk as Responsible Financial Officer signed it.  The clerk to forward a copy of the Annual Return to the external auditor, UHY Hacker Young.

9)    The Code of Conduct for members of local authority in Wales.  Filed for future reference.

10) Wrexham Deposit Local Development Plan.  Bettisfield will pass the documentation to Penley for review. Any comments are to be submitted to WCBC before 16^th July.

11) Playground sub-committee report.  The site survey and quote from SMP (Playgrounds) has been received. The clerk is to meet with Playdale Playgrounds on 13^th July to finalise their site plan and quote.  Wicksteed Playscapes have been in touch with the clerk who will contact them this week. 

12) Meetings attended by councillors.  None.

13) Payment of street light maintenance invoice.  Not yet received.

14) Payment of bills.  None. 

15) Correspondence.

a)    Letter from the Fire and Rescue Service offering a presentation at a council meeting.  The clerk to write to request a presentation.

b)    Letter re Wrexham Town and Community Council Forum – next meeting 28.09.10.

c)    Bettisfield Newsletter.

d)    Letter from Wrexham Reuse Centre.

e)    Public Services Ombudsman for Wales – Annual Report 2009/10.

f)     Letter from WAG re Local Authority Byelaws in Wales – A Consultation Paper – Procedures for making, confirming and enforcing byelaws.  After a brief discussion it was agreed the consultation does not relate to MSCC.  The clerk to write to WAG.

g)    Email from Groundwork Wrexham re Community Garden Network.

16) Any other business.  

·      Cllr Mrs Allen is still concerned about the condition of the Dymock Arms.  It is still uncovered and not weather tight.  The clerk to email WCBC Planning Department to inform them and ask to be kept updated.

·      Cllr Owen reported that the temporary signs Morris Homes had attached to fencing on the edges of the development had changed to permanent signage.  The clerk to write and advise WCBC.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 21.02.