Old Colwyn (East) Residents’ Association
Minutes of the Open Meeting Wednesday 12th May 2010
Item 1.
Those present signed the register. There were 23 persons present.
Item 2.
Apologies – David Jones MP, Sgt Andy Kirkham, CBM Mike Williams, David Beasley, Cllr Bob Squire, Cllr Brian Cossey, Councillor Cheryl Carlisle, Councillor Glyn Jones, Eric Evans, Mark Chatham, Mary Hicks, Carol Poynton.
Item 3
The minutes of last meeting on Wednesday 14th April 2010 were read to the meeting by the secretary. They were proposed as a true record of that meeting by Monty Slocombe and seconded by Janet Gardner. They were unanimously accepted as a true record.
Item 4
Matters arising from last month’s minutes~
Councillor Cossey reports
Promenade works, details of the work needed has been agreed with Welsh Assembly. The Council’s engineers have designed a solution that can be incorporated into the new sea wall when it is built, rather than tons of cement. This will take another few of weeks for the work to be done so we have to be patient. The engineers are well aware of the amount of traffic that uses this road and will keep the closure to a minimum. The solution is part rock armour.
The Chair commented that we will have to be patient, it is at times as it was before the A55 was opened.
Item 5
Standing items~
Policing/Local Crime / Nuisance
On street drinking is still happening in Old Colwyn. The incidence of drinking on street is increased again; unruly groups of youngsters wandering around the village, some have caused nuisance. Over the bank Holiday there was a particular bad incident where fence panels from the Folly in Cliff Road were broken and together with two folding seats and two boxes of beer bottles, the wood was thrown into a border cared for by the Parks and Gardens. The police were informed. The police attended 30 seconds after the youths had left the area. It was apparent that there was some coordination about this via mobile phone. There was an arson associated with the same type of behaviour in Tan Y Coed gardens on 11.5.10 when a large pampas grass was destroyed by fire, the Fire Service had to put out the blaze. A tree has been cut down and a carved seat defaced with a knife. There has also been graffiti on walls.
The police are doing their best to tackle the problem.
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The work done by the Highways Agency when they closed the road for 9 weeks under the arches last year was not acceptable. Councillor Cossey reported that the Agency will make the work acceptable. He also pointed out that the downspout which is not channelling water away from the railway into the stream at that point belongs to Railtrack and so may take longer to resolve.
A resident commented that it would be good if the work could be done whilst the promenade was out of action at present, but that is too much to hope for,
Overhanging hedges are a problem, with thorns overhanging some footpaths; this presents an obstacle for partially sighted persons in particular. Councillor Cossey said that matters should be reported to Alan Thomas the Highways Inspector who will arrange for the Footpath Inspector to be told.
The Chair commented that if residents are troubled by such overgrowth, they can contact their Councillor or a member of the Committee or Mr Alan Thomas.
The issue has previously been discussed of deep half -
Councillor Cossey reported that he had had a meeting with the owners of the Yew tree cottage and they were agreeable to a plan to mend the wall in Station Road and construct a new access into Yew Tree Cottage land. It is now a question of arranging a time for it to happen.
Councillor Cossey recently spoke of the fact that complaints had been made about the state of the railings on top of the embankment of the promenade at Old Colwyn end towards Eirias.
Network Rail has asked Conwy to hand back the lease of the bank and they have said that they want to put a two metre fence at the bottom of the bank. The Council and our Member of Parliament are arguing that the fence should be replaced at the top of the bank.
Marine Roundabout ~ unofficial signs The secretary spoke of the fact that most of the time there are up to four sheets attached to the railings around the roundabout. This has recently been highlighted in the press recently. Posting has been seen recently but is now being managed by the Council.
Refuse wheelie bins stored on the street – The Council is taking this matter very seriously and letters have been sent to residents. There is research going on to deal with some of the issues.
A resident commented What happens when we have more bins for different waste, is this going to exacerbate the problem, they still have to be stored
Our Association Website -
April unique visitors 178 incomplete statistic
May up to the 10th 176
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Cliff Road parking signs. The yellow lines have been installed at the south end of the Road but not at the North end. Apparently, the north end was removed from the plan but then reinstated so it may be done later.
The Chair commented Highways may be waiting to see what happens with the old Church House.
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Item 6
Police Report.
Sorry but unfortunately I will be unable to attend the meeting tonight and I don't think Sgt. Kirkham or Martyn will be able to attend.
The main issue at the moment is ASB linked to youths drinking at local parks and causing criminal damage. At present I am liaising with the Insp./Sgt. and we are looking at putting an operation in place to target this area with extra staff at peak times. Martyn Lewis has been committed for the past three weeks on an out of the area enquiry, he is now back and will be more visible in the vicinity and hot spots. Hopefully we can get on top of this before it escalates during the summer months.
We have also had a second aggravated burglary in the vicinity of Voryn Avenue, Tan Lan. Three youths have been arrested and remain on police bail.
Once again my apologies for not being able to attend the meeting tonight.
CBM Mike Williams PC2393.
The Chair commented everyone should please be vigilant and inform the police of any wrongdoing or suspicion. Ring the police on 101 and report anything which may help. Report it even if you don’t want to get involved personally.
Item 7.
Any other business.
Mrs Prout and her family have arranged for the ashes of Cliff Prout MBE to be interred at St Cynbryd's Church Llandulas.
There will be a short service at St Cynbryd's Church, Llandulas at 2pm on Wednesday 19th May which will take the form of a celebration of Cliff's life. His ashes will then be interred. Mrs Prout has asked us to convey her invitation to anyone who would like to be there.
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St John’s Church Garden ~ to be judged at the end of the month by a Green Pennant judge
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This Sunday 16th May at 3.30pm ~ Joint Choir event (One from Netherlands and one from Cheshire) in St John’s Church. Tickets are £5 in advance. Nearly 100 people will be singing. Secretary still has tickets for sale.
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Monthly notice of amount of donations ~ Last month’s donations amounted to £26.42.
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Councillors report
Please accept apologies from myself and Brian for tonight. Please find below the list as promised of the meetings etc attended by the four Old Colwyn Councillors.
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We are continuing to press Aldi for a resolution to the shameful way the Jones family have been treated over planning issues, and will update as soon as we have any progress.
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Brian and I have nominated our wonderful operative Stan for a Pride of Conwy Award for his tireless work keeping Old Colwyn tidy.
A resident commented~ It is an invidious situation that Stan been singled out to be nominated for a Pride of Conwy Award? What about Chris Perry why hasn’t he been nominated, he does a good job too?
Another resident said there are three operatives that cover Old Colwyn to keep it clear of litter and rubbish; they should all be given an award, not just one.
We have had enforcement officers out to deal with many issues in this last month. The main ones being fly tipping off Fairy Glen, dog fouling in Llawr Pentre, Beach Road, Min Afon, and Station Road. Dog Wardens and enforcement officers are now patrolling these areas regularly for us.
We now have a new dog bin being fitted in Llawr Pentre, which will help a lot.
Many thanks, Councillor Cheryl Carlisle
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Dog Fouling ~ A resident commented that there is an increase in dog fouling along
the cycle-
A few people spoil it for everyone else.
Another resident asked what does a dog warden look like? Do they wear uniforms?
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David Jones MP ~ A resident commented that we should congratulate David Jones MP on his success in the elections.
The Chair commented that Mr Jones had been supportive to Mr and Mrs Jones recently over the ALDI heating fans planning issue.
There were comments that Mr Jones had been very closely involved in many local issues and supportive to local people having problems. He has also always been true to his word; if he does not know an answer he says so and promises to find out. He is an excellent MP for Clwyd West.
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ALDI cooling fans planning issue ~ A resident asked how the matter was progressing,
The Chair commented that the old fans had been removed and the Jones family were enjoying the peace at the moment.
A resident commented that the new fans are supposed to be new generation technology and will generate less noise.
The chair commented that it is reported to be 9 decibels less; the problem has always been vibration.
A resident commented that there are apparently horizontal as well as vertical piles under the house which would have been bound to transfer sound.
The Chair summed up the issue by hoping that what has been done will curb the problems for the family.
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Pier issues ~
Monty Slocombe commented that he was involved with the new steering group and that he believes the residents should maintain an interest in the pier.
The Chair commented that we would be pleased to hear of the issues from Monty and that our members have an interest as they live in the area. He personally felt that he would like to see the Pier stay in some form but it is paramount that the structure is safe for the public using the beach and the Promenade.
The secretary commented that there had been some ideas put forward, pull down the unlisted building on the listed pier and build a more useful modern building.
A resident commented that Mr Hunt should consider how much support he has in the light of the few votes that he gained in the recent Town Council elections for the Glyn Ward.
A resident said normally if a Council wants something they can compulsorily purchase it.
The reply was that the Council does not want it, they sold it to Hutchinson Leisure who again sold it.
The Chair answered that he hoped that they can find a way forward out of the stalemate that we are in. Possibly a charitable trust will be set up which can apply for funds.
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Colwyn Bay Football Club ~
A resident commented that our congratulations should go to Colwyn Bay Football Club on their recent win against Lancaster securing promotion to the NPL Premier Division. Their recent success means that their results will now be reported on BBC and Sky News.
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Old Colwyn traffic problems
A resident asked whether any thought had been given to traffic controls at certain times of day as it was difficult for people to get out of side roads into the traffic.
The Chair replied that where would the controls go? As long as people are courteous and sensible there are no problems except at the Marine roundabout where there are five roads converging. Often the traffic is queuing down to the A55. It is similar to how things were 30 yrs ago before the A55; if something could be done it would take too long to set up. It is a temporary situation.
Promenade signage on A55
A resident reported that when driving east on the A55 from Colwyn towards Old Colwyn, there should be a temporary sign informing drivers that the promenade towards Old Colwyn is out of use. The lack of such a sign has the effect that people exit and then have to queue and manoeuvre when they find the road is cordoned off.
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Item 8
The next meeting is Wednesday 9th June 2010 at 7pm. This will be our Annual General Meeting as we move into our eighth year as an association. Please make every effort to attend.
