Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday  2nd November 2005

PRESENT:    Cllrs. Gareth Morgan, Barrie Guard, Ian Gibson, Linda Bolchover,
Mike Egan, Mike Sander, Barbara Small, Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Gareth Evans, Mike Nicholls left at 9pm.

ALSO PRESENT:   Clerk Serena Thomas  Ward Member Ron Thomas (from 7.35pm-8.00pm)
                                    Gowerton Residents - Jeanette Cousins, Anita Bowen

56  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:   Sue Jones, Anthony Yardley

57  DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 
(3 received) re: S137 Grants - Gowerton Rugby Club - Cllr Ros Holt & Cllr Ian Gibson
Planning - item 3 - 12 Gower Rise - Cllr Gareth Evans withdrew from discussions regards this application.

58 MEETING WITH : None attended

59 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:

Residents Jeanette Cousins and Anita Bowen.
Both residents expressed concern in relation to activities for youths in village.  They stated that in particular for girls there does not seem to much recreation for them in village.  Council advised that Cyberstation is no longer going ahead due to set up costs.
The residents also stated that is a youth club were to be set up they would be keen to volunteer to help supervise this facility.  They stated that there was an advert in the Evening Post offering £10,000 for start up for youth facilities.  Clerk to investigate.
Residents suggested possibilities for village Youth Club with darts, pool table, tuck shop etc.

Clos Helyg/Inner relief Rd
There have been four accidents in this area, most recently a young boy was knocked over who suffered injuries.  Council members all expressed concern in relation to speed of vehicles traveling on this road. Clerk to contact Highways to request Risk assessment for area, and suggest speed cameras that display speed driven on digital display.  Also concern was expressed due to lack of pavement from Clos Helyg to Tesco\'s Express.  There is no safe crossing to pavement on opposite side of road, which is a hazard to pedestrians, particularly children. Clerk to formally request some action taken for residents safety.

Cllr Sander stated that he had attended Rail forum.  The objective was to promote and involve the Community.  A new train timetable for Arriva will be in place from December.  This will result in more trains stopping in Gowerton, although this is very limited due to the single track system.  Discussions of putting a second track in place is in the pipeline, however funding is a problem.

Cllr Egan again brought to the attention of Council problems being encountered by Gowerton residents coming into Gowerton from \'Farm Shop\' in Garngoch, down by-pass to round about (by Swansea Sound) and up towards Gowerton  surgery on Mill Street.  Clerk to contact Highways a second time in an attempt to resolve this ongoing problem.

60 COUNCIL MINUTES   -   5th October 2005
a)  the Minutes were accepted as a true record.- subject to addition of the following Public representations - Ms Caroline Rauter. In minute 48 6th bullet point, should state Gowerton Carpets, not Elba Flooring, Minutes confirmed last meeting should state 7th September not 5th October.
b)  Matters arising: Noted.
The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.

61 REPORTS BY THE WARD MEMBER
Cllr Ron Thomas reported on the following
1. Sterry Road Lighting - New street lights by shops now operational.  Brackets have been put onto the wooden posts on opposite side for white lights
2. Woodlands - Car vandalism is on going problem, Funds of 17k were earmarked for problems but has now been withdrawn by national assembly.   Council members advised Cllr Thomas that currently a fire engine pass through Woodlands due to situation.  Cllr Thomas to chase this up.
3. Oakwood/Woodlands Lane - Lights for this area and bollards will be in place when funding is available. 
4. Cattle Market - Many residents are complaining about the development overlooking properties.  This is currently being looked into by City and Council of Swansea.
5. Chief Executive will be visiting Gowerton on 13th January 2006, walking around with Cllr Thomas.  Members requested whether Cllr Thomas would check whether any Community Councillors could also be a part of this tour.
6. Arts and Crafts Exhibition - Cllr Thomas and wife are happy to accept invitation.
7. Purchase of land at rear of Gorwydd Rd.  City and County of Swansea are currently looking into purchasing this land.

Council expressed concern to Cllr Thomas that many issues, particularly Highways are not responding or actioning issues that Community Council have raised.

62 PLANNING MATTERS
The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED that:

Registered Applications
.
1. 2005/2033 - Gowerton School, Cecil Rd -Proposed 2 storey science block - No objection
2. 2005/2205 - 53 Mount Pleasant, Gowerton, Single/Double side and rear extension. - No Objection
3. 2005/2199 - 12 Gower Rise, Gowerton. TPO work. Felling of 2 Large Ash trees. No objection, providing tree specialist deems this work necessary. Cllr Gareth Evans withdrew from all discussions in relation to this application.
4. 2005/2137 - 37 Oakwood Drive, Gowerton. Detached Garage No Objection providing there is sufficient parking for 2 cars.
5. 2005/1547 - Amended Plans - Land adjoining Cefn Bryn Uplands, Gowerton. No Objection

63 CHAIRMAN\'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman made the following announcements:
1. Notice Board - Notice board has been vandalised.  Possible solution to stop this happening again, would be to replace glass with sheet for shatterproof Perspex that can be locked into place.  Clerk to investigate costs.  Council members resolved that repairs can be carried out and a budget of £100.00 is authorised to action this.
2. Chairmans Charity - £50.00 to DEC Asia Quake appeal.

64 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(A)  MISCELLANEOUS
The Clerk further commented upon his report, previously circulated with the agenda. 

RESOLVED that:

a) Newsletter - This will be distributed to Councillors before the next Council meeting.
b) Community Team Audit - This has been copied and distributed to all Councillors, and if any feedback needed, Clerk to contact Safer Swansea Partnership in Council.
c) Eisteddfordd Presentation - Clerk to contact Katryn Stevens to confirm presentation can be made at next meeting.
d) City and County UDP - Clerk advised Councillors to look through plan, and advise her of any comments.  Cllr Bolchover requested the copy and would advise Clerk of comments in due course.

(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 28.69  Yes
b) Cross Station Photocopying of Oct Agenda 15.12  Yes
c) NTL Installation of new internet connection in Clerks office 50.00  Yes
d) Clerks expenses Mileage Allowance 18.97  No
e) Bay Landscapes Inv No 00123 461.00  No
f) Post Office 50 x 1st Class Stamps 15.00  Yes

Council Resolved to make grants in accordance with S137 of Local Government act to the following beneficiary:
British Red Cross.  £100.00
Gowerton Rugby Football Club - Juniors - £200.00 (Cllrs Holt and Gibson withdrew from all discussions in relation to this grant application)

(C)  CORRESPONDENCE
The   items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of the 4 additional items received. 

65 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
Following questions raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:

a) Parking Restrictions - Clerk to request from Highways at City and County of Swansea to re-instate .
b) Rainwater \'standing\' outside Conservative Club and in Car Park, does not seem to be any form of drainage in area - Clerk to request site survey from Highways.
c) 11 Mansel St - Outside this residence the drain is blocked.  Clerk to contact City and County of Swansea.
d) Flooding by Railway bridge - Clerk to request clearance from Highways.

Meeting closed at 9:25pm            …………………………………
                Chairman