Old Colwyn (East) Residents’ Association
Minutes of the Open Meeting on Wednesday 9th September 2009
The Chair commented before the meeting.
The recent death of Cliff Prout
Before we progress the business of the meeting, we should take a minute to reflect on the inspirational work and commitment of Cliff Prout MBE who died on the 13th August. Cliff was a regular visitor to our meetings and a supporter of our work, aims and objectives. There was a celebration of his life on 21st August at St John’s Church, attended by many people. Tributes were made by a number of people who shared their memories of Cliff; most of them included humour. He will be missed by us all but he will always be around in his projects; he was such a central figure in environmental work in Old Colwyn and elsewhere. There are plans to dedicate an Old Colwyn River Walk to Cliff; this is being led by the Environment Federation, Councillors and Conwy County Council Parks and Gardens Department.
Item 1. Those present signed the register
Before the meeting started Councillor Carlisle asked and was allowed to give a joint monthly report from herself and Councillor Cossey on issues they have dealt with.
Deeply saddened by Cliff's death and working hard on a river walk to be named after him.
Busy organising graffiti cleaning at side of Atlas Taxis.
Arrange repairs to wall outside Bod Difyr.
Police meeting with Inspector Ahari about drug dealing issues in Llawr Pentre.
Arranging with Health Board respite care for elderly at Bryn Hesketh.
Arranging for Young carers from Conwy to get free pass to Leisure Centre.
Heavily involved in planning issues at ALDI over re-
Dealing with Glan Clwyd hospital over waiting times for treatment for cancer patients from Old Colwyn.
Involved in regeneration of Colwyn Bay Town centre. Also involved with Old Colwyn Regeneration in the final preparation of plans for a funding bid. They hope to redo the Victorian shopfronts and upgrade the shops to attract investment, subject to everyone supporting the idea. The councillors are arranging a walkabout with the Chief executive of Conwy CBC to show him
trouble spots and what they want to be done.
Involved on Sea Defence committee.
Dealing with Pier issues.
Liaising with MP and AM over some issues.
Brian is on Highways Committee looking at issues of highways and roads.
More Disabled parking is being sought at the surgery.
The secretary brought forward an item from standing items for the councillor before she left.
Refuse wheelie bins stored on the street. The matter is being progressed. Some have been moved.
It is quite obvious in some known cases of storage on or near the Highway that no thought is given by the owner, to the appearance of bins for other residents and visitors. This is a visual but also a HEALTH ISSUE.
Many are regularly overfull with the lids raised and plastic waste is also evident inside them. So this indicates that recycling is for the majority but the minority can do what they like.
Some bins have to be stored on or in full sight of the highway; we are told that for some there is no choice. If that is the case then they should always be tidy and closed as a minimum requirement.
Item 2. Apologies – Monty Slocombe, Eric Evans, Peter Lawrence, David Jones MP, Cllr Brian Cossey, Cllr Bob Squire who reported, I wanted to be there for Darren Millar AM but I will be in Cardiff as part of team from North Wales pursuing a grant of £1m for CCTV. I’ll update the meeting next time round.
Item 3 Minutes of last meeting on Wednesday 12th August 2009 were read by the secretary. They were proposed as a true record of the meeting by Gwynfor Jones and seconded by Janet Gardner. All members were in favour of acceptance.
Item 4 Matters arising from last month’s minutes~
Item 5 Standing items~
Policing/Local Crime / Nuisance
Reminder ~ there is a new non emergency number for the police -
On street drinking and purchasing for underage people is still an issue in Old Colwyn.
Drugs drops have been witnessed and reported to the police during the month by various residents and councillors. It is important that we keep on top of it. Keep reporting issues to the police.
Graffiti – There has been a case of graffiti about 4 feet high in Back Abergele Road opposite Somerfield. This has been reported by secretary to police who have referred it for removal.
Our Association Website -
August/ September unique visitors 496
Cliff Road parking. The installation of yellow lines will happen, we are told but progress seems to have slowed.
Item 6. Any other business.
St John’s Garden has been entered in the Tidy Wales Award 2009. If successful the presentation is in Llandudno later this year.
St John’s Gardens, Wildlife Gardening Open Day. September 19th 10am until 4pm.
There will be various items of interest relevant to wildlife gardening. It is the first of many to be hosted by volunteers associated with Snowdonia Wildlife Gardening Competition across North Wales; you will recall that St John’s won the Community Garden section on two occasions.
Please visit the exhibition at some time during the day and help to make it a success.
High sided vehicles park on Wynnstay Road right up to the junction of Heenan Road on the north side of the junction. This presents a dangerous situation with vehicles having to drive out of Heenan Road into Wynnstay Road which is a fast Road, without a view to the North (towards the promenade). The secretary added to CBM Mike Williams that he had received several complaints about the issue. Mike replied that he had also had complaints.
Item 7 Police report ~ CBM Mike Williams
PCSO Matthew Preston who was assigned to Old Colwyn has been re-
Regarding the Graffiti in Cefn Road, it has been cleaned off today, the police have a suspect. A member of the public phoned up to tell police that a man was spraying on the street in Abergele Road. The cameras caught him getting into a vehicle. He has been spraying his own name. He will receive a visit soon. He has been spraying in Rhos on sea also.
If the member of the public had not rung in, he may not have been caught.
The Golf club has been targeted and buggies stolen.
Mopeds stolen.
There have been a number of burglaries in Beach Road, about three weeks ago mainly breaking into sheds and outbuildings. Not a lot stolen, bits of tobacco, a torch. May be someone sleeping rough.
Alcohol seizures by the police have decreased on the street. Mike acknowledged that it is still a problem but said that the people must be finding new places to go.
Drug dealing is a problem everywhere; the police are striving to make a difference. He asked that people tell the police any information may be useful.
There will be a Police Surgery at the Interchange 2pm to 4pm on the last Wednesday in every month.
Mark Chatham asked if the removal of PCSO Preston was a temporary measure.
Mike replied that he did not know but at this stage it is probably permanent.
Rhiw Ward has two CBMs and two PCSOs. They have now lost a CBM who may not be replaced and Matthew has gone there.
Colwyn bay is struggling for officers with maternity leave, sickness. There are three new officers coming to Colwyn Bay in the next few weeks so hopefully that will address some of the problems. If Response is short of officers he sometimes gets called to that duty away from Old Colwyn. It is not ideal but officers are part of the bigger team.
The secretary commented that there had been a previous undertaking that CBMs would not be abstracted for Response duties. That undertaking has obviously gone now.
Mike replied that it had not gone completely, Colwyn bay is luckier than other places. Llandudno CBMs get used quite a lot on response. Where officers are short and there is nobody else to do response, CBMs have got to go. Hopefully with the new officers, things will improve.
Item 8 the Chair welcomed the speaker – Darren Millar AM for Clwyd West who gave a very interesting talk before answering questions. A separate minute of the talk will be produced as soon as possible and circulated and posted on the residents’ website. The talk was very well received and there was a round of applause.
Item 9. The Chair thanked members for attending. The next meeting is October 14th 2009 at 7pm.
