(1) CHAIRMAN OPENS MEETING:
Chairman, Merfyn Thomas opens meeting at 7.30pm.
(2) Apologies:
Eric Mawson, Brian, Paul Marl, Cllr. Neil, Chris Turner, Cllr.s Jason Higgins & David Carr, Patricia & Richard. Patricia has not been well, and Cheryl has kept in touch with her.
(3) Police Report:
Incident at Wynn Gardens where paramedics were called, no further info. to date. Parking and litter issues near football club dealt with. Children moving new furniture at Min y Don Park.
(4) Home Start:
Rev. Gareth Erlandson spoke on behalf of Hugh Lomas who hopes to establish a regional unit of the national ‘Home Start’ organization which helps families with difficulties. They are currently based at Lavender house, but are looking for a central base in the village. With a £70,000.00p grant they will appoint a partially funded liaison officer. They sought the support of O.C.R.A. in forming a committee to achieve their aims. Cllr. Cheryl offered to become a Committee member and this organization agreed to give every support in this endeavour. She noted that there is a need for community involvement in these matters.
(5) Treasurer’s Report:
Defibrillator £425.86p Graffiti £2,320.00p Min y Don £1,269.00p O.C.R.A. £418.21p. Rent of hall is paid to date. Secretary due £91.22p re insurance. Cllrs. Sandra and Neil had contributed £250.00p from their expense allowances to OCRA.
(6) Peulwys Sub-Committee:
Secretary gave synopsis of meetings to date. Work continues to gather evidence from many sources including liaison with bodies dealing with flooding problems, active travel etc. Castle Green the builders who are not following planning guidelines at existing sites. We are in communication with the Language Commissioner regarding the lack of attention to the language and culture caused by inward migration and lack of affordable housing. Members of the Planning Dept. have visited the proposed site at our request. We feel that Old Colwyn has contributed more than enough to the national housing shortage.
(7) Graffiti Project:
Cheryl told us that our local police and Darren Ankers had got together several youngsters to be involved in this and they hope to start in early July on the Queen’s Road underpass. We need a few ideas of local scenes to feature perhaps of the former Old Colwyn Rail Station etc. Please get thinking caps on and let Secretary know. Important that pictures of the youngsters are not publicised.
(8) Min Y Don Park:
Furniture in place. Made of reconstituted waste, is very heavy. Youngsters have been moving it around though.
(9) Afon Conwy Weed Clearance:
Continuing to push for weed clearance. Secretary to contact Owen Conry, Council flood control officer.
(10) Public Toilet Availability:
Pubs & shops were being asked to make toilets available at ‘rent’ of £500.00p p.a. but were they advertised to public? Brian and Cheryl had been negotiating on toilet at newly repaired promenade.
(11) 25% Waste bin removal economy:
Survey is not yet complete. Noted that some have already been removed. New ones at Gwynant Park. Noted that litter and dog mess remains a problem. Fly tipping on private property; an increasing problem, will not be removed by Council. Owner’s responsibility.
(12) Litter Football Club:
Officials are aware, and dealing with this.
(13) Pot Holes:
Are being repaired at road leading to/from the arches. This corner is potentially dangerous as vehicles accelerate to negotiate the hill upwards in a place where people are liable to be crossing. Cllr. Sandra queried guidance from Cardiff re the 20mph limit. Research still ongoing. Uncontrolled crossings on promenade causing problems. They should not be more than 100mm high. Some vehicles being damaged. OCRA member claiming for damages to car.
(14) Plastic Turf Rugby Field:
The expenditure, now known to be £620,000.00p, not £600,000.00p, should have gone to full Committee, but didn’t. Why when expected life of plastic is about 10 years and grass eternally self regenerating?
(15) Any other business:
(a) Parking on new promenade.
Not to date known if there will be parking meters on new promenade.
(b) Marine Roundabout:
It has not yet been decided if there will be 5 pedestrian crossings at Marine roundabout as originally intended.
(c) Active Travel:
The plans from ‘Active Travel’ are likely to cause the loss of up to 50 parking spots in Abergele Road, especially near Stermat
(d) Lifebelts New Promenade:
Member noted that the lifebelt is poorly placed on the new promenade. Anyone assisting those in trouble on the sea side will have too far to travel to reach the location, or have to negotiate the rock protection.
(e) Lamp post Rhos Promenade:
The location of a lamp post was again mentioned as being dangerously located for cyclists at Rhos Promenade.
(f) Summer Picnic:
Arrangements for the ‘Summer Picnic’ are in hand.
(g) To be on Agenda for June meeting:
(i) Land next to Gillian’s Cafe, (ii) Old Colwyn ‘Action Day’. Clean up etc. (iii) Support for vulnerable people when BT effect changes to broadband etc. with back up batteries.
(16) Meeting Closed:
There being no other business meeting closed at 8.40pm., next meeting 4.6.24. same venue.