(1) CHAIRMAN OPENS MEETING:
Chairman, Welcomes all to the meeting.
(2) Apologies:
Carol, Ian Mawson, Cheryl, Dennis & Pat Clowser, Cllr. Jason.
(3) Police Report:
None
(4) Treasurer’s Report:
Defib.: £425.86p, Graffiti: £2320.00p Min y Don: £322.80p Association’s £428.03p.
(5) Peulwys Sub-Committee:
Sub Committee continues to meet, but little more may be achieved until we know the details of the County Council Planning Meeting, due shortly.
Their ‘Code of Conduct’ advising Councillors not to adopt a parochial ‘interest’ when considering planning matters does not seem to apply to parish or town Councillors. No movement on brown sites or empty building use.
Dr. Emma Ratchford has informed Betsy Cadwaladr that no more patients will be taken on at Cadwgan surgery.
Dave Beardmore has drawn the attention of the Planning Department to Castle Green Home’s failure to adhere to plans or in some cases, not completing as required. Planning say they do not inspect or monitor developers as they have insufficient staff. This situation appears to be normal in all Councils.
We note the housing shortage, but also note that there seems to be no shortage for holiday homes or houses to rent. The Government Price Indicator notes the increase of house values at 2.2% in the 12 months to May 2024 and 9.2% in rent charges over the same period. Are more needy people locked in a high rent trap where hope of purchase is nil?
Over 50% of the value of property lies in the agricultural land being consumed. Where does that hidden value go and why are brown sites ignored? Contrast this with 1946 and Atlee’s New Towns Act where we had a real affordable housing need after the war. The government purchased the land, and supervised its sale and use. The intangible property (land & views) locked in houses therefore went to the people.
Old Colwyn has contributed far more than its fair share to the ‘wider society’ especially with the pollution of the A55 making land attractive for speculators. The countryside moves further away as fields are consumed.
One of the falsely imprisoned Post Masters in Anglesey was also an Anglesey County Councillor member of their planning committee and witness to their then corruption. He is now a broken man. No one would compare our Council to that of Anglesey at that time but it does seem that there is a divide between ordinary local people in need of an affordable home and developers, landlords and their attendant business facilitators aiding sales. The Housing Associations are not supplying the real affordable houses once supplied by our Councils.
Housing is a recognised basic need, as is water now being used as a profit source for the few.
Our Vice Chair, Merfyn then outlined a proposal he had tried to implement when he was a member of the Planning Committee whereby the Council could purchase land then let it out on leasehold with the condition that houses should be sold only to people living or working in the area who could only sell it on to someone under similar conditions for 10 years. This would retain the intangible value in the land and emulate the principles outlined in the 1946 Act outlined above. The people would therefore possess the value locked in the property rather than the developer.
(6) Graffiti Project:
Was to commence on 4.7.24. but has not yet.
(7) Waste Bins:
No further information.
(8) Active Travel:
Plans still under consideration. It was thought that it might be subject of ‘Tick Box Syndrome’ whereby where money is available: plans go ahead with insufficient thought as the priority is to obtain the grant, rather than practical considerations. Look before you leap. One such thought: what happens when the A55 is closed and there is extra traffic in town? Proportion of elderly or disabled in relation to the young?
(9) Life Belts On Prom::
Cheryl looking into this. Work started on access steps to beach.
(10) Summer Picnic:
Will be at St John’s Church on 5.7.25. and the Xmas Fair hopefully on 30.11.24., same location.
(11) Action Day Litter Pick:
Will get this when growth is finished in September, when scouts and guides return to schedule.
(12) BT Help for Elderly Dealing With Changes:
B.T. Have this in hand.
(13) Unused Building Mochdre:
It is thought that an offer has been made to purchase.
(14) Defibrillator:
Council have agreed to locate near Rail Bridge but want £1,330.76p to install. Our funds for this are only £425.86p. Surprising as this is a public service. Secretary has made several requests for help. Brian will obtain application form from Town Council. County Council considered the unit too heavy for the lamp standard, originally planned location. New location is also further from the sea elements.
(15) Speeding & 20mph limit:
Results of enquiry out in September. Reports of horn blowing against drivers observing 20mph speed. Also cyclists overtaking cars. Speed humps cause annoyance for residents living near them. Shouldn’t drivers be paying attention to people in towns, rather than the ever changing speed signs?
(16) ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
(a) Flooding Afon Colwyn:
Advice re flooding of Afon Colwyn now on record. Any future flooding will thereby be open to questioning
(17) There being no other business, meeting closed at 8.35pm.
Next meeting will be held on 3.9.24.