Your local council

How to contact your City Clerk

Your City Clerk is:
Mrs Jill Ellison
St Asaph City Council
PO Box 224
Llanfairfechan
LL57 9EQ

Phone: 07521 641 756
Email: clerk@stasaphcitycouncil.gov.uk

The clerk works part time from home. If you would like to meet with her, please e-mail clerk@stasaphcitycouncil.gov.uk or telephone 07521 641756 for an appointment.

North Wales Police Notice

PCSO Dave Jones will be at St. Asaph library on the second Wednesday of every month from 10:30am until 12 midday starting from Wednesday 13th February 2019 for a drop-in surgery.

St Asaph PCSO Library

Civility & Respect

Local councils across the United Kingdom are being asked to take the Civility & Respect pledge as part of a national project to drive up standards of behaviour in public life. The City Council was keen to be involved and at its November meeting it resolved to take the Civility & Respect Pledge to treat other councillors, clerks, all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their roles.

Your council

The Cathedral City of St Asaph was granted full City status by HM Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2012.

The City is divided into two electoral wards (East and West) by the River Elwy. There are 14 elected councillors, seven in East Ward and seven in West Ward, representing the community and each May, at its Annual Meeting, the Council elects a City Mayor and a Deputy Mayor. The City Mayor receives a small allowance to cover the costs involved in undertaking his duties. Although the remaining councillors are entitled to a small allowance, most choose to refuse this and act without payment. The Council employs one member of staff, the City Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer. You can find out more about your Councillors by visiting the “Your Councillors, Committees and Working Groups” page.

The Council meets every month, except for August, at 7.00pm on the second Wednesday in the month. At present, due to changes in Welsh legislation, the Council meets with remote attendance, via Zoom. We hope, once we have broadband installed, to be able to resume face to face meetings at the Council Meeting Room at Roe Plas, whilst also offering the option of remote attendance. Throughout the month numerous other committee and ad hoc meetings are held  to carry out more specific and often in-depth areas of work. The Council makes its agendas and minutes available on its website and the public can attend meetings.

Mission Statement

The aim of the Council is to act as a democratic voice, in a non-political manner, for the entire community of St Asaph. It will work towards securing a sustainable economic future in a safe and healthy environment for the community.

It also aims to improve the biodiversity by maintaining and sympathetically improving the natural environment of the riverside recreational areas.

Purpose

  • To represent the community’s views
  • To enhance the historic and cultural heritage of the city
  • To preserve and develop the natural environment of the city’s public areas
  • To develop and improve the biodiversity of the area
  • To work in partnership with other bodies and organisations to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community and promote the city in a positive manner

Method

  • To consult with and carry out the wishes of the community wherever possible
  • To promote sustainable policies which will improve the environment to the benefit of residents and visitors
  • To create a socially inclusive and caring community
  • To maintain a pleasant, clean and safe environment
  • To support local voluntary groups in assisting residents and visitors
  • To deliver quality and value for money services
  • To employ local tradesmen and businesses, wherever possible, within the constraints of legislation and financial regulations.

City Council’s Responsibilities

  • St Asaph City Council works closely with Denbighshire County Council to ensure the voice of local residents are heard at County level.
  • Give views on planning applications, on behalf of the local community
  • Work closely with North wales Police to achieve a welcoming and safe environment for residents and visitors
  • Work with outside agencies and voluntary groups to maintain a pleasant and safe environment, encouraging wildlife in the riverside areas of Roe Plas, Mill Race Meadow, the Common and land on the west bank adjacent to the surgeries.

Other Responsibilities

  • Maintenance of bus shelters on the High Street
  • Car parking areas at Roe Plas, west side of the Common and behind the Library
  • Maintenance and management of the Council’s land at Roe Plas and the Common for public amenity and recreation
  • Management of Mill Race Meadow, which is currently leased for grazing
  • Provision and maintenance of the Council & Community Meeting Room, the Football Pavilion and the Bowling Clubhouse
  • Provision of the football pitch and bowling green, which are let to the Football Club and Bowling Club to provide sports facilities
  • War Memorial
  • Mary Short Fountain
  • HM Stanley Obelisk
  • Wildlife woodcarvings along the river
  • Flagpoles
  • Play Areas – near the Bowling Green, MUGA/Tennis Court, Andrew Pirie (Llys Dyffryn), Bryn Gobaith, Trim Trail near the surgeries
  • Provision and emptying of litter bins in public recreational areas on City Council land
  • Provision and emptying of dog waste bins throughput the city
  • Grass cutting and land maintenance for riverside recreational areas from Pont Begard to Elwy Bridge and the east bank from Elwy Bridge to the south end of Mill Race Meadow
  • Provision and maintenance of seating in the riverside recreational areas
  • Maintenance of mature trees and planting of new trees in riverside areas from Pont Begard to Elwy Bridge and the east bank from Elwy Bridge to the south end of Mill Race Meadow
  • Provision of Christmas lighting
  • Maintenance and planting of High street flower planters
  • Events such as the Winter Fair and the Remembrance Sunday parade and service at the War Memorial
  • Distribution of grants – including contribution to the library

Published and Audited Accounts

All Community Councils in Wales are subject to an annual external Audit. During this process the accounts are available for public inspection. The Council also engages an independent internal auditor to strengthen its accountability to the public.

Does the Council give Value for Money?

The Council manages its finances carefully and considers that it provides value for money to its citizens. For 2021/22 the Precept via the local Council Tax is the equivalent of £66.49 for a Band D property and this equates to only £1.28 per week per household.

What It Doesn’t Do!

The City Council is limited in what it can do by law. It does not have the extensive powers of the Denbighshire County Council which is the principal authority responsible for delivering most of the essential day to day services within the city. Please refer to the Denbighshire County Council Web Site for more information.

Denbighshire County Council works with other major public sector organisations to deliver Health, Public Protection, Further Education and Environmental services in the area and has formed a Local Service Board to facilitate this.