GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

 
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday  1st February 2006
PRESENT:  Cllrs. Gareth Morgan, Mike Sander Barrie Guard, Anthony Yardley, Mike Egan, Barbara   Small, Peter Johns, Gareth Evans, Sue Jones, Linda Bolchover.
 
ALSO PRESENT:              Clerk Serena Thomas, Mr Edryd Jones - Parkwood Resident plus 7 neighbours.
 
 
86  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:   Ron Thomas - Ward Member
 
 

87  DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

None Received
 
88 MEETING WITH :  No meetings arranged
 
89 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:

Mr Edryd Jones - Resident - 21 Parkwood, Gowerton.

Mr Jones is currently objecting to a planning application of his next door neighbour.  In the representation Mr Jones reported the following:
Ø      He is currently in a state of worry and stress in relation to the planning application, he has previously attempted to find out when application has been submitted but stated the planning department would not speak to him.
Ø      Cllr Ron Thomas has attempted to help Mr Jones by arranging a meeting with the head of the planning department, but they are still waiting to hear about this.
Ø      Mr Jones feels he is protecting his environment and locality of Parkwood.
Ø      He has met with Mr Martin Caton at his surgery, and has discussed the 1996 Party Wall Act.
Ø      Mr Jones stated that on this occasion the Party Wall Act is being used as a ‘blunt instrument’, Mr Martin Caton stated this was not the intention of the act.
Ø      Mr Jones stated he is not being unreasonable, and said that if his next door neighbour wanted to have a rear extension he would not object.
Ø      He stated that he would hate anyone else to go thorough this kind of stress.
Ø      The main reasons for his objections are, the overdevelopment of site, blocking of light, infringes on Environment and the extension is obtrusive and out of character with the rest of Parkwood.
 
Clerk advised Council that members have objected to this application.
 
 

90 COUNCIL MINUTES   –   4th January 2006

a)       the Minutes were accepted as a true record,. except on minute 83, Chairman’s Announcements, insert the word ‘disappointment’ in front of lack of attendance, and S137 payments amended to £100.00 for Penclawdd Town Band.
b)       Matters arising:  Noted.

The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.

 

91      REPORTS BY THE WARD MEMBER

None Received

 

92      PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED :

 
1.      2005/2644 - Site off Fairwood Tce, Gowerton - Object due to insufficient space for proposed development and insufficient car park space.  Restricted access for emergency vehicles.
2.      2005/2659 -  19 Parkwood, Gowerton. Object due to proposed extension being out of character and size with all surrounding residences.  Overbearing impact on neighbouring property (21)
3.      2005/2663 - Mewslade, Mount Pleasant, Gowerton.  No Objection


 

 

93      CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.      Resignations have been received from Mike Nichols and Ian Gibson both due to increased workloads. Council will be advertising the two vacancies in due course. Clerk to write and thank both members for their contributions over the years to Gowerton.

2.      Spring newsletter will be produced by end of March, so any Councillors with articles for this need to pass the details to clerk asap.

3.      Notice board has been vandalised again, further info given in Clerks report.

4.      Elba Skate Park -  The City and County of Swansea have been in contact as Gowerton have been offered equipment that had previously been vandalised at the Phoenix Centre - Townhill. They will renovate this equipment and have given Gowerton the first refusal.  It will cost £12,000 to do, and they are looking for a £2000.00 contribution from Community Council for this.  Council members present stated that the position of this equipment would need to be looked at before this is agreed to ensure that it is well away form residents, also some form of age restriction and safety measures will need to be taken into consideration. Council resolved to look into this further and also look into park events put on by the City and County of Swansea for the summer months. Chairman will arrange a site visit of this equipment.
 
 

94      REPORT OF THE CLERK

(A)  MISCELLANEOUS

The Clerk further commented upon her report, previously circulated with the agenda. 

 

RESOLVED that:

a)     Safer Swansea Community Safety Partnership Meeting 08.02.06.  Noted

b)     Cancellation of Gowerton Visit by Chief Executive. Noted

c)     Spring Ball for Community Service Award of 2005 location -  The Conservative Club was agreed.

d)     Health Challenge Wales - Noted

e)     Response from highways re: various Gowerton related issues. Noted.

f)       Work at Shaws Wood. Noted

g)     Swansea in Bloom advertising in Gowerton Newsletter - Noted and agreed.

h)     Newsletter input required by end of February - Noted

i)       Pont Y Cob Phase II - Budget needed of £4850.00 approx - Agreed to go ahead.

j)       Position of information point. Safer Swansea offered that due to constant vandalism of existing notice board, they would replace Community Council’s with one of their own they could maintain, the old one was resolved to be put outside the Rechabite Community Hall. This will then have from Perspex repaired, which has been donated by resident Stuart Watson. Council agreed to this as CCOS will maintain this board at no further cost to Council.

 

All written reports were noted and offered for circulation for Councillors.

 
(B)  FINANCIAL MATTERS

The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.  RESOLVED that:

a)       the following payments are authorised:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             VAT

a)
NTL
Telephone adv charges
28.49
 
Yes
b)
Mileage Allowance
January
52.70
 
No
c)
Bowen Hopkins
PIR Light for Police Station
96.00
 
Yes
d)
Cape Hire
Crowd Control Barriers - used for Christmas Parade
108.69
 
Yes
e)
Neat Ideas
General Stationary
41.10
 
Yes
f)
Penclawdd Town Band
Xmas Parade - CCouncil were invoiced for £150.00  (previously authorised £100.00 s137)
150.00
 
No
g)
Bay Landscapes
Removal and Disposal of Xmas tree
80.00
 
No
h)
Neat Ideas
Invoice HC679501 - includes purchase of printer
176.24
 
Yes
i)
B&Q
Extension lead needed for Xmas Lights at Parade
21.98
 
Yes
j)
Portacover
Hire of lifting equipment for erection of Xmas Tree
94.99
 
No
k)
Bowen Hopkins Limited
Installation, maintenance of Xmas Lights
1410.00
 
Yes
l)
City and County of Swansea
Hire of Xmas Sleigh
134.99
 
Yes
m
South Wales Police
2 x delegates for Police Forum
14.00
 
No
 
S137 Payments

The following were authorised for assistance:

Alzheimers Society - £50.00

Macmillan Cancer Relief - £50.00

Gowerton School also requested grant assistance for forthcoming sporting tour.  Clerk to substantiate whether anything particular is needed as previously members have purchased ties for all students.

 
(C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The   items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of the 0 additional items received. 

 
 
95        QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

Following question/issues raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:

 

a)      Mud on road by Ck’s and new development sites. Clerk to contact cleansing at CCOS.

b)      Parking restrictions on Sterry Rd currently not in force.  Clerk to contact Gorseinon Police station to arrange traffic warden attendance.

c)      Bollards needed outside shoe-shop on Talbot St due to obstructed vision when vehicles are parked in this area. Clerk to contact highways

d)      Litter pick needed on Park rd/Cecil Rd footpath also boundary of school.  Clerk to request from Cleansing Dept.

e)      Lorry mounting cycle path to rear of Elba Carpets damaging grass verge.  Clerk to advise highways.

f)        Bus stop requested in Ffordd Altwen area.  Clerk to contact bus station to request.

g)      Dog mess getting worse and new disposal units needed. Clerk to contact cleansing and request.

h)      Park Rd Park and surrounding grassed area. Clerk to contact Parks department and request attention in this area, and Police to report off-road bikes in area.  Clerk to write and thank resident for bringing this to Community Council’s attention.

i)        Talbot St one way system, Council previously advised this would be reversed. Clerk to check whether this system is permanent.

j)        Right turn outside library, at junction of Mansel St and Cecil Rd, keep right bollards obstructing vision when pulling out of junction.  Clerk to contact highways and request site visit and improvements.

k)      Crime figures needed for last few months to see Gowerton’s crime figures. Clerk to Contact Police and request.

l)        New company setting up on Brynymor road with large signage. Clerk to check with planning on what planning restrictions apply to erection of signage.

m)    Lighting needed for cycle track by Woodlands and Oaklands. Clerk to pursue.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meeting closed at 9:15pm                                                                                               …………………………………
                                                                                                                                   Chairman