GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 1st July 2009

PRESENT: Cllrs Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Lynne Carey, Barbara Small, Ann Guard, Colin Staples, Mike Sander, Gareth Morgan, Linda Bolchover and Mike Egan.

ALSO PRESENT: Clerk - Serena Thomas. PC Phil Barrow and Brynymor Rd - Resident - Malcolm.

25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Two received - Gareth Evans and Sue Jones.

26 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

None received.

27 MEETING WITH:   PC Phil Barrow
Several Councillors expressed serious concern about the village to PC Barrow, particularly in relation to Mount Street, Brynymor Rd and the Elba. Comments were made that whilst Council fully support PC Barrow, there seems to be a lot of crime around the area, even though this may not be reflected in Crime statistics, this is likely due to the fact that many don’t report the issues they have. There are youths causing problems, throwing stones at Welcome to Gower windows, however it is not just limited to youths, many walking home from pubs in their twenties or thirties are also causing problems, also anti-social issues on Bryneithin, and a resident on Mount street having severe issues with a neighbour.
>PC Phil Barrow stated that there is a handful of people from the village causing problems, mainly alcohol fuelled criminal damage is occurring. One resident on Mount Street has complained about problematic neighbours, and they have now been re-housed. A new PCSO has now replaced Jim - Matthew Langley which will help with supervision of area. Many warrants have been done in Gowerton, although these take a lot of time and effort to arrange.
Council commented on other issues such as congregating motorbikes on the Elba causing noise pollution and damage, also speed of vehicles on Mount Street is to a dangerous degree. Particularly problematic early morning 8.15-8.30am, it is a particularly dangerous road as it passes the school. There is a speeding issue on the road from Penclawdd to Gowerton.   Traffic calming measures are sorely needed in Gowerton. Also leaflet was distributed
>PC Phil Barrow stated that speed will be monitored to assess need for speed bumps, but people also do need to keep reporting speeding to the Police.   Further training will be taken on hand held speed cameras, and then some operations in the area will be mounted.   PC Barrow clarified though that whilst he will endeavor to make every effort to monitor speeds, it is a problem that affects everywhere, and it is not an issue that can be solved.

28 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:

Resident - Brynymor Rd

Resident encountering problem on Brynymor Rd, last Friday evening, front of bay window smashed. Police contacted. Good response received. Many residents are encountering problems. Also residents on Glanmorfa are feeling unsafe, as it is felt that the youths are intimidating. Impending holidays are coming residents concerned that this will exacerbate already problematic anti-social behaviour. Many people don’t come forward to report the problems.
>PC Phil Barrow commented two call have been received by the Police, they need for residents to report all issues at the PACT meeting, calls now have to be answered within 24 hours. It will be brought up for briefing to the Inspector to request more cover - especially early morning.

29 COUNCIL MINUTES – 3^rd June 2009

a) The Minutes were accepted as a true record. Except to correct that Gareth Morgan (not Evans) is on Planning Committee.
b) Matters arising: Noted.

30 REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Sue Jones sent the following report:

I started the month with a meeting at the Conservative Club to discuss the reinstatement of the Tower. The tower was taken down in 2001 resulting in a Health and Safety inspection. The group started fund raising in 2001 to put money aside to purchase a replacement. At that time Community Council agreed to put £2000 into the fund because as a result of a questionnaire many villagers missed the landmark. The fund at the present time has about £8500 in it(includes the £2000 from the Community Council). The group that met on June the 16^th decided to resurrect the fund raising and look to move forward to replace the tower and make the landmark the focal point again. A firm has been contacted, a visit to the village by a representative has been made and we await designs and up to date costing for the project.

I attended the Cabinet meeting when the Amalgamation of the Junior and Infants School was passed for consideration. The consultation period finishes on July the 9^th and I am a member of the group of governors that is going to place objections. The amalgamation of the two schools is going to go ahead on the same split site and we would like the Education Department to identify a site for a new school for the village.

Under the new Children and Family Scrutiny and Overview Board I have been put onto a Task and Finish Group which is looking at Core and Initial Assessments carried out by Social Services. This has resulted in many meetings with officers and other officials.

I have held another surgery in the Library where I had individual issues for some of the residents. My surgery scheduled for July the 4^th has been cancelled due to the refurbishment of the Library. The surgeries will continue in September when I am hoping to do joint surgeries with the Community Support Officers.

There have been many meeting with the Longfields Association, the merger with another charity is still being pursued.
I have attended presentations on
1.     Queens Award for Volunteering Group.
2.     Oystermouth Square.
   And Training on:-
1. Enforcement process in Planning.
2.Performance Management.(as a Governor)
3.     Community Health Council Induction Day.
4.     Equality training.
Also attended:-
1.     Fly a Flag for the Armed Forces at the Civic Centre.
2.     British Armed Forces Day at St.Mary’s Church.
3.     Planning Meeting and site visits.
4.     Full Council.
5.     Meeting accepting the Statement of Accounts.
6.     Met with the Estyn Inspectors who have been making observations on the Education Department.

I attended the Cabinet Meeting on the 25^th. Of June where the Pelican Crossing and the car park charges in the Mill Street car park which will be put out for consultation. Great News about the Pelican Crossing – its been a great effort by the organisations, groups and individuals from Gowerton, I have to give special thanks to Mrs. Ann Davies (Neighbourhood Watch) for leading on this project, our Community Police Team, All the Schools, and Maureen Saysell, Elaine and Gaynor Thomas and anyone else I could have missed for all their hard work.
I have also met with a member of the Gowerton Athletic Club with discussions on the parking problems around the entrance to the Rugby Club and am awaiting another meeting to be arranged.

The Upper Gowerton Resident Association has now been formed and work is in progress to arrange a Gowerton’s Got Talent Contest. This is to be held in the Conservative Club on the 4^th September 2009. The Chairperson is Mr. Jeff Zanazzi, and the Vice Chairperson is Mrs.Claire Kups.
There have also been many individual issues that have been brought to my attention and have been dealt with.

31 PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED:

2009/0850 The Pines, Uplands, Gowerton. No Objection.
2009/0783 22 Porth Y Waun, Gowerton. No Objection

32 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cllr Ros Holt reported she has attended the party for Davida Lewis in the Con Club. They were celebrated her receiving the MBE. It was a very enjoyable event and all were able to see the medal!

33 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(A) MISCELLANEOUSE

RESOLVED that:

1.      Community/Towns Council Forum update and invitation.
2.      Swansea Area Committee. Minutes received.
3.      Letters received in relation to Senior Awards evening at Gowerton School.
4.      Consultation on proposed changes to Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2005
5.      Ombudsman Annual Report 08/09. For circulation.
6.      Annual report of the County Archivist.
7.      Pelican Crossing Appeal. Match funding granted.
8.      Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr - Specialist teaching facility approved.
9.      Swansea Waste Forum Invitation. Read out and members advised to contact clerk if they wish to attend.
10.   Invitation to Twinning Association Welcome Reception.
11.   Interviews for Co-option to be arranged for prior to next meeting on Sept 2^nd.

(B) FINANCIAL MATTERS

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

a) the following payments are authorised:

	Creditor	Item	£ Amount	VAT inc

a)	Virgin Media	Telephone Adv. Charges	33.00	Yes
b)	Bay Landscapes	Monthly grass cutting	376.12	Yes
c)	Clerk	Office Allowance	130.75	Yes

S137 Payments - authorised

Upper Gowerton Residents Association - £245.00

Temple URC - £60.00

(C) CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

34 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

a. The Tower meeting was attended to start arranging fundraising. Noted.

b. Compliments received in relation to quality of hanging basked this year. Noted.

c. Complaint received due to state of road - Gorwydd Road, the road is cracked, and concern for bridge, as it appears that since all of the roadwork’s have been carried out, cracks have been occurring in the area.

d. Bin request - repeat - Bin required at front of Phase 2 car park. Clerk to request.

e. Cyclist dismount sign required for wall by Elba Carpets. Clerk to request.

f. Dead tree on boundary of Church/Inner relief rd, tree surgeon request to inspect.

g. The surgery car park has been reported to be in the future a charging car park. £4 per day or 50p per hour. However, there is an arrangement that residents of Mill street are allowed to park in this car park. Noted.

h. Christmas lights left over from previous years Christmas displays that are no longer within regulations to be disposed of by Clerk.

i. Drains blocked on Cecil Rd, Mansel Street and Mount Street. Clerk to advise Environment.

j. Pot holes need to be filled in by bridge on Pont y Cob road. Clerk to request highways inspection.

k. Traffic lights by surgery/inner relief rd still have an inconsistent timescale. Clerk to contact traffic management.

l. Positive feedback in relation to positive outcome for Gowerton Pelican Crossing Appeal, particular thanks given to Maureen Saysell, Elaine Thomas, Gaynor, Anne Davies and Phil Barrow.

Meeting closed at 9.25pm
…………………………………
Chairman