GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL-CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

 

Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 2nd December 2009
PRESENT:             Cllrs. Ros Holt, Mike Sander, Peter Johns, Linda Bolchover, Barbara Small, Ann Guard and Gareth Evans.
ALSO PRESENT:      Clerk Serena Thomas
65 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Cllrs. Susan Jones, Mike Egan, Colin Staples, Gareth Morgan, Lynne Carey and John Fitzjohn.

66 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

One received from Cllr Ros Holt in relation to S137 grant aid request from Voices in Harmony.  Cllr Holt took no part in discussions around or relating to this financial assistance.
67 MEETING WITH:   
No meeting
68 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
None received.

 

69 COUNCIL MINUTES   - 4th November 2009

 

a)       the Minutes were accepted as a true record except to add that in minute no 63(A)3 Council approved cost of £500 for road closure in relation to the parade but this was not an optional payment, Council had no choice but to make payment as the alternative was to cancel the parade.  Council felt this charge was unnecessary and excessive.
b)       Matters arising: Noted.  The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.  Except to add that a letter will be sent to Chief Executive Paul Smith in relation to the repeated requests made in relation to the blocked drains within Gowerton.

 

70  REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER

 

Cllr Sue Jones sent the following report:

Sue has attended the following meetings:
Child and Family Overview and Scrutiny Board, Health, Social Care and Well Being Scrutiny Board,
Community Health Council, Housing Briefing with the Housing Officer regarding issues in Gowerton,
Planning Area 2 meeting and site visits, also a Task and Finish Group looking at how to improve the planning service offered to the residents of Swansea, Children and Young People Overview Board and a Special Council Meeting to have information on the Childrens Services and the alteration in the budget provision required.
Sue has been part of a panel to choose the “Carer of the Year” through the Fairways Funeral Service, and the presentation Evening.  This award winner was a lady from Carmarthenshire (Shirley Matthews)who was the overall winner.  A young lady(Miss Westacott) who worked in Campion Gardens was the Swansea region winner.
Sue has also attended  Helping Hands support facility , a 50+ Network A.G.M and has made a rota visit to  ‘Create Solutions’ which is a service to support people back to work who have suffered from a mental illness.
There have also been a number of issues in Gowerton:-
a)      Flooding in Brynymor Road,  Sue has had meetings with Carl Humphreys (Head of Highways) and residents looking for solutions. 
b)      Meetings regarding the proposed charging in the Mill Street Car Park.
c)      Meeting with Planning Officers regarding planning issues in Gowerton.
d)      Met with Officers in the woodlands area of The Mount with complaints from residents.
e)      Had discussions with Network Rail regarding work being carried out on the line.
f)        Discussions about the removal of lighting near the entrance to the Rugby Club.
g)      Discussions on behalf of the allotment association.
h)      Meeting with Officers and Sustrans regarding the continuation of the cycle track between Gowerton and Penclawdd.
i)        Discussions with First Cymru regarding the reduction in the bus service provision for Gowerton.
j)        Attended a Governors Meeting in the Infants School.
k)      Held a surgery in partnership with our Community Policing Team in the Library.
Sue has been saddened by the vandalism that occurred to the Library Building on Friday the 20th. Of November. 

 

71 PLANNING MATTERS

 
The Clerk commented upon her written report.  No registered applications received.

 

 

72  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Chairperson Cllr Ros Holt made the following report in relation to two events recently attended:

·     Nov 6th attended Remembrance Service in St Johns Church.  Very moving experience.  Cllr Holt wore Chain of Office to event, and several people in attendance had not seen it before.

·     Nov 21st attended Loughor town band concert at Welfare Hall, along with Mayors of Gorseinon and Loughor.  Cllr Holt stated she was very impressed with Council meeting room at rear of hall, pictures of all previous Mayors on walls, with wooden ‘thrones’ to sit on for Mayor and deputy.  The concert was very much enjoyed, and this was attended with Cllr Ann Guard/

 

 73 CLERK REPORT

 

(A) MISCELLANEOUS
1.   Invitation received for City Carol Service.  Noted.
2.   Letter received re: Elba Skate park noise. Noted
3.   Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority Annual Action Plan 2010-2011 and Improvement Plan 2009-2010. Noted.
4.   Letter received re: Youth Support Services in Swansea.  Noted.
5.   Edwina Hart AM unable to attend Arts and Crafts Exhibition.  Noted.
6.   Christmas parade progress specified and noted.
7.   Cllr Linda Bolchover made detailed report in relation to all action taken and progress made in relation to the Arts and Crafts exhibition, and made a request that if any Cllrs have any small cardboard boxes, she would be grateful to have them for exhibition set up for displays.

 

(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 Aug
33.00
Yes
b)
Clerk
 Office Allowance
130.75
Yes
c)
SLCC
Annual Subscription renewal
135.00
No
d)
Kingsbridge Print
Christmas Newsletter
248.00
No
e)
Lyn Llewellyn
Internal Audit Services
200.00
No
f)
Remmerprint
Raffle Tickets
29.50
No
g)
Gower Website
Annual maintenance and support for Gower Community Council Website
100.00
No
S137 grant aid request was made by ‘Voices in Harmony’ for contribution towards a new keyboard.  This request has been deferred until Clerk can clarify what happened to previous organ that council provided for this group in 2008.

 Cllr Ros Holt declared interest in this grant aid request and took no part in the discussions,

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

(C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

 

74    QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

 

1.   Drains - Repeated request, particularly Gorwydd Rd, Cecil Rd. They need to be cleaned/cleared urgently.  Clerk to advise highways again and contact Chief Executive.

2.   There is Japanese Knotweed growing in waste ground on Gorwydd Rd (by Dog bin dispenser).  Clerk to contact knotweed officer at CCOS.

3.   The rod that has previously been reported which is sticking up from a bank in Phase 2 car park on inner relief rd has still not been removed.  Clerk to chase up.

4.   Repeated request.  Mud on Elba St still an issue, Clerk to chase up.

5.   There is an accumulation of rubbish behind Classic Styles.  Clerk to request attention to area.

6.   The hedge by the Triangle is blocking visibility, Clerk to check with there are any constraints stopping Council getting this reduced by a foot.

7.   BT phone box by triangle has been vandalised.  Clerk to report.

8.   Dog bags requested for Temple and Williams Pet Supplies.

9.   There has been a recent act of car vandalism on Cecil Rd at 10.30am, a handbag was under the seat and car was broken into and bag was stolen.  It was reported to the Police.

10.  There have also been a spate of break ins on shed in the Brynymor Rd area.  Noted.

 

Meeting closed at 8.3opm

 

                                                                                                                                                           …………………………………
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chairman