Old Colwyn East Residents’ Association
Annual Report for June 2009 / May 2010
This report is not exhaustive but covers the main issues addressed by the committee and members during the year.
Old Colwyn is a pleasant and in the main law abiding village.
This association has a regular attendance of an average of 23 persons monthly. Members are thanked for their support.
We have a committed group of County Councillors who visit and or report to our association regularly and deal with those matters which they can do. We also have a very committed Member of Parliament in David Jones and Assembly Member in Darren Millar who get deeply involved in local matters and keep us involved and informed.
Voluntary contributions at meetings from our members are accounted for carefully and reported each month and we are just ticking over financially. We have also been supported by North Wales Housing Association and Colwyn Bay Town Council. Our thanks to all concerned for these contributions.
Parks and Gardens Department has made big changes to Tan y Coed gardens and Min y Don Woodland and Min y Don Park. They have kept the area looking good.
Parks and gardens Department has supported our Association as a not for profit organisation in its care of St John’s Garden. This has been very important for the ongoing care of the garden. St John’s has been a true partner to Colwyn Bay during the year in supporting its entries for Wales in Bloom and Britain in Bloom.
Our Environmental Operatives are thanked for their work keeping Old Colwyn clear of rubbish. Chris Perry has continued to support St John’s garden and we thank him for his help.
Our Neighbourhood policing officers are thanked for their professional approach to their work. They have had to cope with their neighbourhood area being more than doubled to fit in with the Policing Pledge to have a policing team in each area.
It is a fact that throughout this past year there have been reported incidents of
antisocial behaviour and damage in particular to the environment, linked to on-
There have also been problems associated with drugs being sold openly on the street. This too has been targetted by police in partnership with this association, there has been a reduction of this behaviour due to police good work.
The association has a good relationship with the local police thanks to a professional approach taken by the officers.
During the year we lost PCSO Matthew Preston who had been sent here for a short while, he was withdrawn to cover another area.
The Council has provided bags for compostable material from St John’s and there is a compost bin on site which is also used, returning nutrients to the soil . Composting and recycling is a very important part of our stewardship of the garden.
It is a year when on 13th August 2009 we lost Cliff Prout MBE, a great friend of this association and of the environment. Cliff is fondly remembered in the public open green spaces that he helped to put in Old Colwyn.
The following recaps on the main issues in the year, talks are minuted and are available to read on our website www.oldcolwyneast.co.uk Computers can be accessed at libraries.
July 2009
Our speakers were Cllr Mike Priestley and Andrew Wilkinson of Conwy CBC, speaking on the subject of Kerbside recycling of food waste and plastic which is due to be rolled out in our area soon. There is a corresponding increase in the number of bins and bags however and it is hoped that this will not impact unduly on the environment.
Members reported that there had been a marked increase in police patrols in the last two weeks including patrols by the response officers. This had a beneficial impact on antisocial behaviour.
Dog fouling issues. Mr Rafferty told last months open meeting that the matter is being addressed. Many employees are being trained to issue tickets. PCSOs are taking a lead with the dog wardens
Vodaphone Radio masts in Abergele road opposite ALDIs. We heard that Vodaphone and
O2 are to collaborate on the use of masts in future. The matter is now under re-
Since the work was done under the Arches, the west bank was still wide open for people to climb on to the top of the bridges. This was reported as a dangerous issue the previous month. The Association made representations and a new high security fence was erected.
Council continuing to monitor bin nuisance. Enforcement notices had been issued. This remains an issue to date.
August 2009
Speaker ~ David Jones MP for Clwyd West spoke and answered questions from members. (Minuted)
101 – A new non emergency number for the police was introduced. To report incidents that do not require an urgent response.
Damage to plants and shrubs was still happening in Wynn gardens and other gardens as a sad indictment on a minority of people in society who have no concept of the work involved in the planting and care of the gardens by the council and others. The main cost of course falls to the taxpayer.
AWARDS for St John’s Gardens. The garden won the Churches section of Colwyn in Bloom. It was awarded a Green Pennant by the Civic Trust.
It was one of the gardens visited by the judges in support of Colwyn Bay’s representation of Wales in Britain in Bloom
The secretary reported that he was impressed by his first involvement with Quest, An officer attended his house to make enquiries and her message was important and professional when asked about the effects of Quest. She said that it gives the Response Officers time for policing. That is the message that the secretary reported from Chief Superintendent Gareth Pritchard at a recent Police Authority Consultation meeting.
September 2009
Speaker ~ Darren Millar AM spoke for some time and answered questions from members (Minuted).
St John’s Gardens, Wildlife Gardening Open Day.
On Saturday 19th September, St John’s Church and garden in Old Colwyn was the venue for a successful “Gardening for Wildlife” open day, in support of North Wales Wildlife Trust.
Over 120 adults and children attended during the successful day
High sided vehicles park on Wynnstay Road were reported parking right up to the junction of Heenan Road on the north side of the junction. This matter has since been addressed by the Council with double yellow lines.
Regarding Graffiti in Cefn Road, it has been removed, the police reported having a suspect. A member of the public phoned to report a man spraying on the street. CCTV cameras caught him getting into a vehicle. He has been spraying his own name. He had been spraying in Rhos on sea also. If the member of the public had not rung in, he may not have been caught. The Message if you see it report it ~ Make a difference.
There were problems reported with police staffing locally we had lost a PCSO.
The secretary commented that there had been a previous undertaking that CBMs would not be abstracted for Response duties, he noted 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.
This has been a trend all year.
Plans for the regeneration of Old Colwyn started to become apparent, a small working party from the Business sector had been working on the plans with our Councillors.
October 2009
Refuse wheelie bins stored on the street .
Many bins are wide open and untidy on the street for instance at the side of Bod Difyr and this is most unacceptable as a health issue as well as unsightly. Although they are on private ground they impact on the population of Old Colwyn as a whole.
Speaker Shane Wetton of the Bay Life Initiative spoke about regeneration of Colwyn Bay and how residents can give their views and make a contribution, (minuted)
The Councillors revealed and explained their ideas in a fourteen point plan for the regeneration of Old Colwyn.
November 2009
Britain in Bloom judges report for 2009. Colwyn Bay achieved Silver Gilt in the Coastal Towns section.
St John's Church garden received a mention from the judges; we were pleased to tell of the support that we have had from Conwy County Council Parks and Gardens Department which has contributed
to that mention.
Judges comments ~ Horticultural Achievement
The judges were particularly impressed with: The combination of sustainable plantings and wildlife areas blended into a perfect setting at St John’s Church.
Soap scum in Afon Colwyn ~ soap residue photographed in the river in Min y Don Avenue. Soap residue has been causing scum for quite some time now. There was a build up of leaves which had emphasised the problem. The Council and Environment Agency have made enquiries and are still seeking the source.
The Parks and Gardens Department commissioned a world class chainsaw carver Simon O’Rourke to make a public work of art from a large tree trunk in Min y Don Woodland, Beach Road.
Speakers ~ Councillors Cossey and Carlisle, who were present to
spoke about their ideas for the regeneration of Old Colwyn which had been gleaned from meetings of a Business Forum . Some persons had been to a similar public meeting the previous Monday at the Marine Hotel. There would be a search for another consensus of opinion at our meeting for the Councillors to take forward. (Minuted)
December 2009
1st December, two men stating that they were young offenders from Nottingham were visiting houses in Cliff Road and Station Road acting as pedlars without certificates. CBM Mike Williams was contacted by phone and told of their location, he and PCSO Martyn Lewis were already looking for them after another complaint in Coed Coch Road. Within half an hour, the men had been found. PCSO Martyn Lewis stated that five men from Nottingham had been identified and interviewed and were temporarily based in Rhyl area. Nottingham is where a firm is based that wholesales the articles sold by these people. The firm has been giving these and other men I/D cards to use whilst selling. The men have historically always done well in this area.
The men were warned that they were acting unlawfully by selling without a pedlar’s certificate and told not to return.
The firm has also been contacted by the police and warned that they are acting irresponsibly in issuing a form of i/d card which can be taken by vulnerable people as a reference as to good character. They are to review their policy.
We hope that this has had a major impact on what had been a source of concern for a very long time. The police are thanked for their response.
Sergeant Kirkham was very keen to have action days. These action days are based on the Community providing information for warrants to be executed and he asked for the information to keep coming in, the more the better. It is taken seriously and is and will be acted upon he said. In a recent action day near the end of November there were 84 arrests across North Wales.
On the drug side, 15 people have been arrested in Old Colwyn area for drugs offences.
Test purchases have been made for underage drinking. On the first one, one premises failed and a warning was issued. On the second occasion all passed in Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn.
It is a known issue that adults buy alcohol for young people. A confiscation had been made that day in the Dingle and a member of the public had been asked to buy it and had done so.
The Daytime nuisance drinkers ~ CBM Mike Williams and Martyn had seized alcohol from them, on a number of occasions.
Criminal Damage issue ~ a very good result, in the month, two officers saw two lads red handed, smashing the doctors’ surgery and car. As the police approached, the two lads ran off and identifiable property was left behind. They were arrested and admitted to forty offences of criminal damage in Old Colwyn.
One of the lads had been seen throwing a stone a few days before and was a suspect. More patrols were organised as a result and the arrest ensued.
The secretary commented on a brilliant operation to catch the offenders.
With reference to the pedlars issue spoken of earlier, the police are rolling out “No Cold Calling” areas to many more areas of Old Colwyn.
With reference to arson incidents, Martyn reported that there had been developments and a suspect was seen in possession of a petrol can. Enquiries were made and the incidents have stopped for two months.
Police non emergency number 101 costing 10p from any phone.PCSO Martyn Lewis asked people to remember the number.
An incident of attempt burglary occurred in Wynn Avenue a lady had been away for
the weekend. Three young males (14-
Martyn Lewis urged people to be vigilant and to take care when going away.
Sunday 6th December 2009 ~ The start of the Station Road wall issue ~ A large hole was made in a roadside wall after it was previously rebuilt. This was an issue over legal access to a property. Councillor Cossey has since negotiated an agreement with the party concerned and the issue will be dealt with soon we hope.
ALDI planning application. This association was supportive of the ALDI store moving to Old Colwyn. (Mark Hewlett spoke to our meeting on 14th November 2007) It has brought advantages to the village. There were however disadvantages to a family next door, due to noise from cooling equipment. The association made representations about planning concerns in support of local Councillors. This matter came to a reasonable conclusion following a Planning decision two months later, the equipment was to be replaced with quieter equipment.
Balance your Bobbies. www.balanceyourbobbies.com This is a new consultation initiative by North Wales Police. Inspector Ahari explained ~ Balance your Bobbies (BYB) is yet another means of communication. It does not replace our surgeries and is certainly not the only way to communicate your concerns to the police.... he said, It will, in time change policing priorities!
Parks and Gardens department commissioned the world class chainsaw carver Simon O’Rourke to make another public work of art, a “Leaping Trout” seat, from two tree trunks in Tan y Coed Gardens, Beach Road.
This took place at an event called Tree O’Clock held on 5th December in the gardens, many people attended and planted 121 trees to help towards a national attempt on the Guinness record for the highest number of trees planted in one hour.
January 2010
Reference toilets in Village. The Marine Hotel now has a public toilet having received a grant of £500. It now displays toilet signs and access is available without going through the bar. It is an excellent facility.
February 2010
Speaker ~ Superintendent Richard Brough introduced himself as the new Partnerships Superintendent for Conwy and Denbighshire. He gave a positive message about the way forward.
The Chair commented on the work done some months ago under the arches when the road
was closed for nine weeks. The concrete work is unsightly and less than professional.
It is dark concrete and has not been made smooth. Also the down-
Councillor Cossey replied that he sits on the North Wales Trunk Road agency and would bring the matter to their attention. This has now been earmarked for remedial attention
Chair spoke of a media report of Inspector Ahari highlighting the deep half pipe gulleys crossing pavements that cause difficulty for wheelchair users.
Several months previously the Chair had reported seeing a man almost pitch over onto his face on the footpath near the Post Office in Old Colwyn when his wheeled zimmer was caught and locked in a deep half pipe. He had reported it and been told that there were no funds left for such work. It is still a present danger to disabled residents. It has now been targeted for remedial work when funding is available.
March 2010
Damaged Fencing that was erected opposite the Catholic Church in Cliff Road had been mended and new shrubs have been planted in front of it behind a new lane of fencing. Thanks to all concerned for taking on our concerns. It has again been damaged.
Cliff Road parking signs. The yellow lines have been installed at the south end of the Road but not at the North end.
April 2010
Marine Roundabout unofficial greeting signs ~ As well as at the Marine, people had also now taken to draping sheets over the walls at Eirias park. It is unacceptable especially with Britain in Bloom approaching. This has since been managed effectively by the council. In particular the sheets are no longer left and discarded in the vicinity.
CBM Mike Williams reported that his role had changed due to temporary staff shortage. He is working evenings and his role is split between CBM in Old Colwyn and supporting Response policing.
The Chair suggested that Neighbourhood Policing is not working as it was supposed to do. Our officers have too large an area to cover in Neighbourhood terms and then the thin blue line on Colwyn bay is getting thinner and taking our officers away. It has been previously commented that we were having quiet times recently, perhaps it was lucky that was the case.
The situation had become busier recently with Summer Time and holiday periods and activity has increased.
We paid more in taxes for Community Policing and we are not getting the cover. Perhaps it is time for thought to be given to how policing is delivered.
Mike replied that the situation is temporary although there is no known timescale and though he understood feelings expressed, he is a Police Officer and has to go whjere he is required.
Meetings about SRA funding for Old Colwyn regeneration
SRA REGENERATION PLAN FOR OLD COLWYN ~ by Local Councillors
Councillor Cossey reported that it is possible for the publicly consulted plans for Old Colwyn regeneration to enter the Council Master plan, instead of the Community Cohesion route. He handed out copies of the plan which had been tuned by public consultation.
The following comments were made about the public consultation process and the updated plan.
Gateway to Old Colwyn ~ this had not been totally supported in consultation/ items such as gateways are street furniture and as such need to be painted and cleaned otherwise they can look scruffy.
Street furniture ~ comment was passed about the wording of the proposal which mentioned the enhanced “old fashioned theme” of the Conservation area. The originally proposed Victorian theme had not been totally supported in the consultation process and it had been resolved that the theme be left out and possibly a modern theme could be used, incorporating the upgraded shop verandas. Therefore the theme of the street furniture needs to be left more open than “old fashioned”
100% grants for shop front restoration ~ Once again the nature of the theme needs to be kept open to allow consideration of a more modern theme.
Community Hub ~ This had not been totally supported in consultation and there had been a commitment to using the existing facilities in the village more effectively rather than constructing a new facility. This was noted by Councillor Cossey as more of a village “Wheel” rather than a “Hub”
Traffic Calming Measures ~ Comment was made by the secretary that our association had a history of not supporting “sleeping policemen” type measures which tend to divert users to other routes. Chicane type measures are preferable.
These points were noted by Councillor Cossey for the inclusion in the new document.
Following the presentation, the Chair asked people to indicate their approval or otherwise of the new twenty point scheme.
There was full support for the plan.
May 2010
Promenade works, we were told that details of the work needed had 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. This work is now in progress. This is very important as Old Colwyn is a bottleneck when the Promenade is not accessible.
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 a recent Bank Holiday there was a particular bad incident where property was broken and 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 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 in tackling the problem organised an operation and there was an arrest of a young man carrying a knife in Old Colwyn. This person was known to be associated with a group causing antisocial behaviour and damage. The police are to be congratulated.
Hedges are a problem, with thorns overhanging some footpaths; this presents an obstacle for partially sighted persons in particular. If residents are troubled by such overgrowth, they can contact their Councillor or a member of the Committee or Mr Alan Thomas, Highways Dept.
This is the Association Annual report which is submitted for approval.
