GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 3rd January 2007
PRESENT:  Cllrs Gareth Evans, Barbara Small, Anita Bowen, Barrie Guard, Linda Bolchover, Roz Holt, Anthony Yardley and Lynne Carey.
 
ALSO PRESENT:  Clerk - Serena Thomas
 
76          APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Councillor Mike Sander, Mike Egan, Susan Jones, Gareth Morgan  and Peter Johns.
.

77          DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

One received - Personal Interest - Cllrs Barrie Guard and Barbera Small - Planning app. 2006/1783
 
78          PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:  None received
 
79    Meetings With: No one
 
80            COUNCIL MINUTES
To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2006:
a)  the Minutes were accepted as a true record.
            b)  Matters Arising:
            The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.
 
81        TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER
Cllr Ron Thomas reported the following:
Ø      O2 mast site.  Cllr Thomas stated he had checked siting if mast and this was as according to the original plan. This will not be moved in the foreseeable future.
Ø      Talbot St.  The reversing of traffic flow was at the request of resident of this street, at a series of public meetings, primarily to stop large vehicles i.e. school buses using it.  Cllrs stated to Cllr Thomas this was causing considerable tailbacks to Cecil Rd.
Ø      Council asked Cllr Thomas whether the lay-by by Park Street is being used to turn the buses rather than them turning by going around Mount Street.  Cllr Thomas stated that whatever is done in Gowerton with the roads, another problem seems to arise from this, due to the amount of schools in a relatively small area (i.e. two comprehensives)
Ø      The crossing patrol man has resigned from Tregwyr Junior School.  Council made comments that this only adds to the already unsafe area by the junior school.  Cllr Thomas acknowledges that there is a problem and they are trying to fill the vacancy asap. Council stated they has previously contacted Jeff Green at the traffic safety department to address this area, but a reply was received that resourcing does not allow them to improve this area currently.
Ø      Willow Bank Footpath.  Resident of this area Mr Williams is currently encountering various acts of vandalism, resulting in 999 emergency calls being made.  Council advised Cllr Thomas a letter has been received from this resident and also copies of the letter received from the legal department at the City and County of Swansea, as there is currently an issue with an existing footpath and a proposed footpath.  This is ongoing and Cllr Thomas will update Council with any further information received.
Ø      Cllr Thomas stated that there are several issues with rights of ways in village, particularly by Bishwell and Mount Pleasant by the lame.  This is ongoing.
Ø      Elba Fencing - Cllr Thomas stated he has been trying to chase up further information on this, unfortunately he has also having a problem contacting Iwan Davies - Head of Leisure services.  It was also reported to Cllr Thomas that the fencing by the pumping station has already been damaged.
Ø      Council asked Cllr Thomas whether he was aware as to what type of access is being developed between Drovers Pont and Station Rd, Council explained that a petition from Station Rd residents has been received and passed on to planning as they believe that this will be used for vehicular access as opposed to the approved cycle access.  Cllr Thomas will investigate this, and Clerk will seek clarification from planning. Cllr Thomas stated he would be very concerned of this was meant for vehicular access.
 
Cllr Thomas Left Meeting.


 

82       PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED that:

1.   2006/2770 - 8 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton.   No Objection.

2.   2006/2773 - Cefn Golau Parc, off Cefn Stylle Rd, Three Crosses. No Objection

3.   2006/2764 - 8 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton.  No Objection

4.   2006/2688 - 4 Clos Helyg, Gowerton.  No Objection

5.   2006/2711 - 19 Llys Baldwin, Gowerton.  No Objection.

6.   2006/1783 - Land adjoining, 1 Cae Mansel Rd, Gowerton.  No Objection.  - Cllrs Barbera Small and Cllr Barrie Guard both declared an interest on this application and took no part in discussions for this planning application.

 

83      REPORT OF CHAIRMAN

Vice Chairman Cllr Gareth Evans reported the following:

Ø      Cllr Evans stated that he was going to specifically raise the Willowbank footpath issues, but discussions have already been made in Councillor Ron Thomas’ report.

Ø       A letter received from Cllr Mike Sander thanking Councillors/Clerk for hard work over Christmas in Arts and Crafts Exhibition.

Ø       Special thanks to Steve Bolchover for hard work and effort in helping Community Council over the festival fortnight.

 

84 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(1)               Miscellaneous
  RESOLVED that:
 
a)            Spotlight on Police - Meeting - Monday 29th January 2007 - Noted
b)            Community Council Forum Date - Tuesday 30th January 2007 at 5pm.  Noted
c)            Letter/Petition received from Station Rd residents.  Copy sent to planning department. Noted
d)         Lord Mayors Charity Ball - Friday 16th February.  Noted
e)            Meeting of the National Assembly for Wales. 2nd March 2007. Noted
f)          Safer Swansea Community Partnership - 6th February.  Noted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)      Financial Matters
The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.    RESOLVED that:
the following payments are authorised:
 
 
Creditor     
Item
£ Amount
VAT.
a)
NTL
Telephone advance charges
31.99
 
Yes
b)
Mileage Allowance
October/Nov
52.70
 
Yes
c)
Brisco Williams
Hire of van for Arts and Crafts    Saturday
                                                      Tuesday
52.00
42.00
 
Yes
d)
ND John Wine Merchants
2 x cases of wine for Arts and Crafts
138.00
 
Yes
e)
Kingsbridge Print
Raffle Tickets
97.53
 
No
f)
Dunelm
Calico material for Arts and Crafts tables
17.91
 
No
g)
Linda Bolchover
Ink/Printing costs for Arts and Crafts
10.00
 
No
       
 
S137 Payments - Council resolved to authorise the following amounts:

Deferred to February

 
PRECEPT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2007/2008

Council members considered budget commitments for year 2007/8 together with projected spending.  Currently precept stands at £15.75 per year per household for 2006/2007. 

Council resolved to increase this precept by 39 pence per household per year to £16.14 representing a 2.5% increase.

 
(3)  Correspondence
The items of correspondence were noted .RESOLVED that the report be noted.
 
85      QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
Following questions raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:
 
Comment was made whether there was as many residents attending the Arts and Crafts Exhibition this year.  Clerk advised the visitor book reflected that the attendance reflected that of previous years, however steps will be taken to increase number of attendees by use of advertising more extensively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           Meeting closed at 9.10pm  
                                                                                               …………………………………
                                                                                                                                   Chairman