GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 1^st March 2006
PRESENT: Cllrs. Gareth Morgan, Mike Sander, Barrie Guard, Anthony Yardley, Mike Egan, Barbara Small, Peter Johns, Gareth Evans, Sue Jones, Linda Bolchover, Ros Holt.

ALSO PRESENT: Clerk Serena Thomas, Sgt Tyrone Rees.

96 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Ron Thomas - Ward Member

97 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

Four received Received - Planning. Community Council declared personal interest re: planning matter (9), and three declerations of interest from Cllr Anthony Yardley re planning points (11-13), Cllr Yardley left room during all discussion.

98 MEETING WITH : Sergeant Tyrone Rees

Sgt Rees reported:
Ø      Crime in Gowerton is remaining low.
Ø      During cold weather, main problem in area were youths throwing snowballs.
Ø      New special constable to area - Aled Rees
Ø      Potentially four new PCSO’s will be coming to the area.
Ø      Currently working at cause of anti-social behaviour - ie alcohol.
Ø      Gowerton has one of the lowest crime rates in Swansea.
Ø      Gowerton partnership is having beneficial effect on relationships with schools.
Ø      Crime patterns with youths are around schools times, and these are being targeted.
Ø      Currently motorbike annoyance is the second highest in complaints. Currently the police are not equipped to chase the offenders. Safer Swansea have identified sites for legal use.
Sgt Rees was questioned by Council in relation to recent burgalaries in area. Clerk will contact Sgt Rees after meeting to collate information in relation to detection rates in the area.
Council also questioned re: outside Mansel Court, all green recycling bags lit on fire. Cllr Guard will contact Sgt Rees to discuss.
Parking restrictions on Sterry Rd, currently are not being enforced. Sgt Rees advised council that some signs are missing from the restricted area, therefore enforcement cannot be made, however the traffic warden will be keeping close eye on Sterry Rd. Clerk to contact highways to update signage in area.
Sgt Rees concluded by advising council that all issues reported will be dealt with, however major issues will always take priority.

99 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
Cllr Bolchover updated Council on objections in relation to the TIMET wind turbine proposals. A committee has been formed and a targeted newsletter has been distributed in the area. Public meeting has taken place. Council have deferred this decision until next month.

100 COUNCIL MINUTES – 1^st February 2006

a) the Minutes were accepted as a true record,. except on minute 90, letter received in response from Cllr Ron Thomas and contents noted by all members, and minute 92 should also include a point 4, regards to Timet planning application - Council objected to this application.
b) Matters arising: Noted.

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

101 REPORTS BY THE WARD MEMBER

None Received

102 PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED :

1.      2005/2538 - Amended plans - 38 Cecil Rd, Gowerton. No Objection
2.      2006/0395 - 31 Mount Street, Gowerton.. No Objection
3.      2006/0196 - Cefn Gorwydd Fawrs farm, Gowerton. No Objection.
4.      2006/0238 - Conservative Club, Sterry Rd, Gowerton. No Objection.
5.      2006/0264 - 32 Sterry Rd, Gowerton. No Objection.
6.      2006/0254 - 5 Clos Gwernen, Gowerton. No Objection.
7.      2006/0213 - 25 Elba Street, Gowerton. No Objection.
8.      2006/0315 - 55 Gorwydd Rd, Gowerton. No Objection.
9.      2006/0330 - Former railway track land, Gowerton to Penclawdd. No comment due to declared personal interest.
10. 2006/0325 - Island Farm, Pont y Cob Rd, Gowerton. Prior to any comments made, planning dept will need to clarify whether proposed nursery is for commercial or personal use, clerk to request information from planning department.
11. Councillor Anthony Yardley left room during all discussions in relation to points 11-13, due to personal/prejudicial interest.                                                              2006/0334 - Land at Gurnos House, Gowerton. No Objection subject to tree specialist survey
12. 2006/0342 - Land at Gurnos House, Gowerton. No Objection, subject to specialist tree survey.
13. 2006/0341 - Land at Gurnos House, Gowerton. No objection, subject to specialist tree survey.

103 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Elba Skate park. As yet no site survey has been attended, as all equipment has been dismantled. Chairman will feedback any progress made at next Council meeting.

2. In relation to ‘ super-surgeries’ and feedback from Cllr Bolchover, further information will be collated from Swansea local health board.

3. Job Description for Clerk Thomas, Currently looking into this and will progress this further.

4. No Chairman’s Charity donation this month, Chairman will make final donation at last meeting in term.

104 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(A) MISCELLANEOUS

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

RESOLVED that:

a) Spring Ball progress. Due to lack of interst members decided to cancel.

b) Community Service Awards. To arrange date for presentation at later date.

c) Newsletter articles. Any contributions welcomed. Noted.

d) Feedback from police forum. Noted.

e) Community Council forum date. noted

f) Feedback re:\\Party Wall - Edwina Hart, Chris Holley - noted.

g) Precept Payment dates for 06/07 - noted.

h) Borrowing by Community and Town Councils - Noted

i) Bay Landscapes quote. - Agreed to gather two further quotes for area for lawn cutting.

j) Traffic Warden contact. Noted

k) Local Government Partnership scheme - noted

l) Appropriate sum for S137. Noted.

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	February	21.61	No
c)	Neat Ideas	General stationary	21.71	Yes
d)	Bay landscapes	Invoice - 000135	4922	No
e)	Post Office	24 x 2^nd Class stamps	5.04	Yes
f)	Post Office	50x2nd class stamps	10.50	Yes
g)	One Voice Wales	Membership renewal	432.00	No

S137 Payments

The following were authorised for assistance:

Gowerton Senior Citizens - £200.00

Gowerton Bowling Club - £50.00

Llwchwr Choral Society - £25.00

WRVS - £50.00

(C) CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of the 1 additional item. received.

105 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

a) Walking festival Gower. Clerk to contact CCOS to request further copies.

b) Current alterations at Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr car park. Many mature trees are being effected. Clerk to check whether planning permission has been requested.

c) Sand Dredging - License has expired for Danish firm, contract is being considered for three times as much dredging. Clerk to write to relevant department advising Council is against this contract.

d) Excavating by 97 Cecil rd, road caked in mud. Clerk to request from Cleansing Dept.

e) Bus stop behind toilets by Cecil/Sterry Rd junction. Clerk to arrange litterpick by CCOS..

f) New car park on inner relief rd, at end over bank, area littered with cans and car tyres. Clerk to contact Cleansing.

g) Bottom end of Gorwydd Rd, by phone box, seat to be repaired. Clerk to contact CCOS to arrange.

h) Landscaping by inner relief rd. Once again request from parks to maintain. Clerk to arrange meeting with highways to maintain.

i) Highways. Currently there is a delay in response from CCOS. Clerk to pursue why delay is taking place in communication.