(1) Meeting Opened:
CHAIRMAN OPENS MEETING: and welcomes Mr. Andrew Wilkinson and Mr DylanJones Conwy County Borough Council who will present proposed plans for the regeneration of Colwyn Bay’s town centre and Abergele Road to the Marine roundabout. These had been drawn up after consultation with our Town Council and Transport for Wales over the last 3 years. They were laid out for all present to examine and discuss. 20 residents signed the attendance sheet.
The focus was on the town centre and frontage to the rail station, improved access between the sea front and town and the redesigning of Station Road, Penrhyn Road, Princess Drive and Seaview Road in order to facilitate transit for all, including cyclists and pedestrians. Ivy Street car park was to be improved and the site of the old market used for parking. Pedestrian crossings to be improved, especially at Marine round about which caters for some 1,000 scholars from Bryn Eilian and heavier traffic if proposed new builds (some 500) are approved in Llanelian Road vicinity.
Carl, our Community Police Officer asked that the local people and the school(s) should be consulted regarding the uncontrolled crossing locations at the Marine Roundabout.
A resident wondered if the planners had business experience. Mr Wilkinson explained that they had tried to consider all frequenters of the town from the motorist to the youngster on a tricycle. Residents pointed to the difficulties in parking for the disabled and mothers with children who needed convenient parking for access to shops.
A resident hoped that if it was necessary to close the A55 for any reason that the town would be able to cope. We were told that there were consultations with the Road Agency. It was wondered how the project was to be funded. This was by grant funding, especially the Active Travel Fund. This is a government fund whose aim is to encourage more travel by foot and cycle in order to reduce carbon emissions and improve health.
It was agreed that dialogue would continue, and that when the design of the Marine roundabout was settled, that the Council officers would return to us. Andrew and Dylan were thanked for their time and the presentation with a round of applause.
(2) Apologies:
None
(3) Present:
Those present signed the attendance sheet.
(4) Police:
Carl told us that there were no major incidents in the area except for incidents of unruly behaviour, common throughout the County. Cheryl thanked Carl for his help in resolving the parking problem in Queens Road by construction vehicles.
(5) Treasurer’s Report:
(a) Defibrillator: £425.86p, (b) Graffiti £2,320.00p, (c) Remembrance Day Event £500.00p (d) OCRA £257.57p TOTAL £3,503.57p
Re Remembrance Day. Stephen told us that there were a few places left for the event to commemorate 100 years since the installation of our War Memorial at 2.30p., 11.11.23. at the Festival Church.
(6) Vacant Plots:
Cheryl told us that there was development on this front which would be reported at a later date. Monty Brian and Jason had attended Place Plan meetings to ensure that this issue (including others) is well on the agenda for the future. Watch this space?
(7) Minafon Flats:
Further meeting on 10.11.23. to be reported.
(8) Graffiti Project:
Near to going. Cheryl and Carl conferring with local youngsters and the artist.
(9) Christmas Fair:
Will proceed as reported. Next meeting at the Church in Berthes Road, where the fair will also take place: 7.0pm., 8.11.23.
(10) Min Y Don Park Upgrade
The grant applications are in and we atre awaiting results.
(11) False Grass:
Enquiries have been made, and it is said that the expenditure of £600,000p for this had not broken any rules. Do we need to look to the next hike in Council Tax? It was noted that £240,000p was to be spent on Consultants for advice on “How to sell property”. It was queried if those in charge of Council Finance had any outside financial experience and should this expenditure be subject to scrutiny?
(12) Working From Home:
No change here. Building at Coed Pella almost empty most of the time.
(13) Water Leak R.L. Davies Site:
Brenig, new owners, now bankrupt
(14) Invite Council to meeting:
Re: Replacement Local Development Plan(s) for new housing in Old Colwyn. Secretary to arrange.
(15) Loose Rocks at Plas Gwilym Quarry:
Natural Resources Wales attending to look into this.
(16) Rubbish Deposited at St John’s Church:
Secretary has contacted Council and they have declined to increase bin facilities there although it is virtually a public space.
(17) AOB:
(a) Laying of Wreath:
Trudy volunteered to present the wreath on Armistice Day on behalf of O.C.R.A.
(b) Flooding:
Neil and Cheryl had acted as Command Control during the recent flood in Beach Road where a house had been flooded. It is also important that we control the vegetation and rubbish to aid the flow of the Afon Colwyn.
(c) New Promenade Steps:
It was said that the new promenade concrete access steps would be in smooth concrete. This could be dangerous as algae and seaweed eventually create a slippery surface for pedestrians. Appropriate Council Dept. to be informed.
(d) Road Sweeping:
Cheryl told us that another road sweeper for the village had been requested.
(18) Meeting Closed:
at 8.45pm., and the next meeting would be here at 7.30pm., 5.12.23.