GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 3^rd June 2009

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

ALSO PRESENT: Clerk - Serena Thomas. Residents -Mrs Margaret Killen, Jeff Zanazzi and Claire Kups.

15.1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Two received - Mike Egan and Sue Jones.

15.2 Election of Vice Chair -- Due to Cllr Guard withdrawing from Vice Chair a new proposal for this position is required. Cllr Gareth Morgan was proposed and seconded and will stand as Vice Chair for the Municipal year.

15.3 Election of Governor - Tregwyr Junior. Due to Cllr Carey resigning as Governor a new proposal for this position is required. Cllr Peter Johns was proposed and seconded and will stand as Governor for the four year term.

15.4 Election of Governor - Tregwyr Infant. Due to Cllr Guard withdrawing from Governor a new proposal for this position was required. (However due to Clerk error, this position is not up for re-election as the Governor previous to Cllr Guard still has three years left under the agreed term so Cllr Susan Jones will remain (three years remaining.)

16 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

None received.

17 MEETING WITH: None arranged.

18 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:

Resident - Mount Street

Mrs Killen - a resident of Mount Street advised members of anti-social behaviour in a neighbouring property which is causing her upset and stress. The Police have been informed several times in relation to this matter and as requested Mrs Killen is keeping a diary/log of any problems. Clerk to invite PC Barrow to next meeting to discuss in full.

Upper Gowerton Residents Association
Mr Zanazzi and Ms Claire Kups
Council were informed that the first meeting of the association was being held this evening, and that the costs of transportation which they have previously asked for financial assistance for is £245.00. To be discussed in next meetings financial report.

19 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.

20 REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Sue Jones gave her apologies for absence; however Cllr Jones emailed the following report:

‘This month started well and I would like to thank Peter and Betty for a lovely afternoon at their home to celebrate the end of Peters Chairmanship of the Community Council.
The governing body of Tregwyr Infants School sent in our objections and observation to the Education Departments consultation on the Amalgamation of the two schools to a single Primary School and I was part of a small group who put the response together.
The Mayor’s Inauguration took part on the 8th. Of May and I attended that. I also took along 4 residents from our area. Councillor Alan Lloyd is the person who will be Mayor for the coming year. Also attended the Civic Service in St.Mary’s Church which celebrated the 50 years since the rebuild after the church after the devastation of the bombing in the Second World War.
I held a surgery in the Library on the 9th. Of May and this was advertised in the Evening Post for the first time.(there were 4 people who attended this) The good news for the Library is that it closes on the 8th June for 6 weeks to allow work for the refurbishment of the Library.
There was a Football Tournament held up at the Comprehensive School with raised approx. £170 towards the Pelican Crossing Appeal. This was organised by Phil Barrow our Community Policeman and thanks to him for his continuing support. The appeal is in excess of £10,000 at the moment and we await news at the end of the month for the application for match funding which will be discussed by the cabinet .
I have attended many meetings with the new Child and Family Scrutiny and Overview Board which will meet the Intervention Board which has been set up by the Welsh Assembly to address the serious concerns of the Social Service Childrens Section to improve the delivery. I am one of the task and finish groups to look at Assessments. This has meant that I have received training and have met up with Principal Officers. This training has emphasised every councillors responsibility of Corporate Parenting.
The first meeting of the Task and Finish Group on the Planning Service has also taken place and I am part of that team. I have attended the A.G.M of the Community Health Council at Llandarcy. I have also attended many meetings at Longfields because the trustees are considering a merger with another organisation to improve the service delivered to those clients who attend the day service.
The ongoing things such as the chapel on Gorwydd Road, the ownership of the land at the side of Drovers Point, are still unresolved. The potholes near the Harvester and in Park Road have been filled. The installation of new litter and dog bins in the park is still not complete and I am in contact with the officer to address this. The situation of the Stadium House (Transition to Adult Preparation_ T.A.P) where we have two residents who attend this project under Tycoch College is being cut because of lack of funds and I have attended a meeting with the Principal alongside Parents to try and reverse this decision. I have also been involved with the Tower Restoration with the Con. Club and would like to invite 2 members of the Community Council to attend a meeting on the 16th. Of June 2009 at 7.30 pm. to reform the Group to organise fundraising to rebuild the Tower and include a functional clock. There are also individual cases where I have supported people to move because of health issues etc.
This afternoon I will observe the Cabinet where they make the decision of the amalgamation of the two schools. This evening I will be attending the first meeting to establish the Upper Gowerton Residents Association in the Welcome to Gower at 7.30 p.m. so please accept my apologies for your Community Council Meeting.’

21 PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED:

2009/0730 - 10 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton. Retrospective application for a garden shed - No Objection.

22 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

No report

23 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(A) MISCELLANEOUSE

RESOLVED that:

1.      Advertising in Newsletter progress made. The newsletter will be distributed to Councillors early July and will include any local businesses that have submitted adverts.
2.      Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority - Draft Plan. Available for circulation.
3.      PC Phil Barrow update. Currently away, however he reported that there have been no major issues. Clerk to invite to next meeting.
4.      Community Council Forum update. Feedback of information covered reported. Noted.
5. Proposed diversion of Footpath LC97. No Objection.

. (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)	Clerk	Mileage Allowance 50 miles @55.8	27.90	Yes
c)	SLCC	Local Council Administration Guidebook	53.60	Yes
d)	Bay Landscapes	Monthly grass cutting May	376.12	Yes
e)	Bay Landscapes	Monthly grass cutting June	376.12	Yes
f	Neat Ideas	General Stationary	51.80	Yes

(C) CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

24 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

a. Arriva conference was attended by Cllr Mike Sander. Improvements were summarized in conference and also any impending projects - including Swansea Station. Some stations will have ‘mono’ shelters (with no glass to deter vandalism). The Gowerton extra track development is delayed due to the financial downturn. Noted.

b. Bin removed in Woodlands - by cycle path. Base has spikes protruding from base. Cler to advise environment for removal.

c. New timetable is required for bus stops. Clerk to request.

d. Recent incident involving an elderly gentleman on Woodlands who collapsed. Ambulance took ¾ hour to attend. Clerk to advise Edwina Hart am to note concern.

e. Cars are turning in CK’s car park to avoid the lights causing danger to pedestrians. Clerk to contact Police to attend next meeting.

f. Drain/manhole ownership of drains within Gowerton are still needed. Clerk to chase up.

g. Recently ‘green man’ broke on traffic lights by Welcome to Gower. Within 2 hours it was fixed. Noted.

h. The white ‘H’ bars on Brynymor Rd need to be finished. Clerk to chase up.

i. Concern once again for Elba and high risk of an accident due to cars irresponsibly parked on double yellow lines at entrance. This situation is exacerbated by youths congregated by entrance and speed of car travel on Ffordd Beck. Traffic calming measures are needed. The problem times particularly are Fri/Sat evening. Clerk to contact Brian Hughes.

j.    Concern was also raised in relation to some youths in area causing problems.   It appears that more problems are being experienced; however the reporting of these crimes may not be done, so therefore crime figures do not reflect this. Many issues do not seem to be addressed and many Gowerton residents feel unsupported. Clerk to invite PC Phil Barrow to next meeting to discuss concerns further.
k.   Graffiti that was recently removed from lane by Woodlands is back up again. Noted.
l.     Inner relief Rd, particularly by Mill Street corner needs landscaping work urgently. The grass has now grown to such a level that is looks very untidy. Clerk to advise Terry Grove at CCOS to assist.
m. Tregwyr Junior School still has rough stone at entrance way due to recent building works. This needs to be removed. Clerk to advise environment.
n.   Bin smashed at entrance to Gowerton School (Park Rd side). Clerk to advise environment to replace.
o.   Youth Club in Gorseinon - St Catherines Church is under threat of closure. A Gowerton girl with disabilities attends this and has progressed a great deal under their care. Clerk to write letter to object to such a closure to relevant CCOS department.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm
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                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman