GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL -CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 3rd Sept 2008
 
PRESENT:  Cllrs. Roger Harris, Colin Staples, Linda Bolchover, Mike Egan, Lynne Carey (left at 9.15pm), Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Mike Sander, Ann Guard, Barbara Small and Gareth Evans
 
ALSO PRESENT:              Clerk Serena Thomas
 
35 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Cllrs. Sue Jones and Gareth Morgan
 

36 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

Cllr Mike Egan disclosed a personal interest in planning application - 2008/1581 - 5 Clos Helyg - and Cllr Egan took no part in the discussions and did not take part in the vote for this application.
 
37 MEETING WITH:   
No meeting
 
38 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
No representations
 

39 COUNCIL MINUTES   - 2nd July 2008

 
a)       the Minutes were accepted as a true record.
b)       Matters arising: Noted.  The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.
 
40  REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Sue Jones had given a written report to the clerk prior to the meeting:

Monthly Report for July 2008.
There are a number of issues on Planning in the pipeline – the allotment, the Gorwydd Lodge, and the Footpath Diversion in the middle of the village.  Due to predetermination Sue will look at all sides before making her decision to support or oppose. She has also attended site visits for planning applications including the Llwynderw School – Monkey puzzle Tree, where the planning officers recommend cutting down this 150 year old tree for the safety of the pupils.
As a Council they appointed a New Director of Social Services – Mr.Chris Maggs.  This process was quite involved for the candidates and they decided as a full council which person was appointed.
There have been a few areas of Graffiti to sort out and she has taken photographs to illustrate the areas to the Graffiti Team. (footpath skirting the Comprehensive School and near the shop in Park Road) The graffiti around the Shop has now been removed and the shopkeeper has paid for the paint. During her quarterly meeting in the District Housing office in Gorseinon she has asked if they could encourage the establishing of a tenants association to work on the problems surrounding that area.
She have attended a meeting at Longfields.
Sue is  still pursuing the Fairwood Terrace Garage – very little progress.
During this month she has attended various Events e.g. Life Begins Event in Morriston Comprehensive, a production of Confusions by the West Glamorgan Theatre Group in Centrepoint Theatre, and a Mental Health Partnership Group.
The Children and Young People Overboard have met and have decided to investigate “Integrated Service Delivery for 8 – 13year olds which includes the Out of School Activities for Children and Young People.  This will entail the information gathering, visits to projects and interviewing people responsible and users of these services.
Also as a Member of the Scrutiny Board for Health Social Care and Well Being they are looking at the transport provision for service users through out the area and investigating whether provision is fit for purpose in ageing buses, is economical with the increase in fuel costs and whether we can make the pick ups more efficient and cost effective.
She is also still involved in the Swansea in Bloom and has judged the Front Garden Section of the competition.  The winner is a front garden in Pontardulais.
 
 
As Chairperson of the Swansea One Voice Wales Association she must report that sadly the Vice Chairperson John Mathias has passed away and that she attended his funeral.
 
 
Monthly Report for August 2008.
She has attended the Gower Show and the Pontardulais Show as an Independent Councillor.
Investigated an issue of privacy over a boundary in the Bishwell and the cyclepath, and arranged for a crime prevention officer to give advise to the resident.  There has also been an issue about the lights in Heol y gog , Cae Crwn and BrynEithin which was an underground fault and the electricity Board eventually remedied this after about 2 – 3 weeks.  The blocked gully in The Mount was remedied after a report by one of the residents.  The flooding of the road between Gowerton and Penclawdd was also of concern in the recent heavy rain – the county have been monitoring the situation, also the blocked gully in the Mount again during the heavy rain – the allocation of a reference job number and a commitment from County to address this issue.
Attended the Strawberry Tree in the new Canolfan Centre in Gorseinon supporting the charity event for the Mayor of Gorseinon.
As a member of the Community Health Council attended a meeting in Singleton Hospital and discussed the present situation with regard to the G.P’s  manning the minor casualty unit.  This system would prevent the present unpredictable closures at short notice of the unit.  The unit has been closed on a number of occasions over the last few months, which is unsafe for patients.  She is sure there will be public consultation on this matter in the next few months, but a decision will be made on the 16th. Of September in the meeting arranged at the Civic Centre.
Sue and an Environmental Health Officer have meet with the owner of the garage at Fairwood Terrace who has assured her that the rubbish will be removed in the next few weeks and arranged for the residents to ring him if they see people dumping on that site.
The Housing application on the allotments was refused planning permission and I spoke against it in County Hall. She thinks the whole of Gowerton will be pleased with this outcome.  There was also a refusal of the very large garage in Caemansel Road which was out of keeping for a residential area with the planning officers recommendation to refuse the planning application for 12 flats on the Gorwydd Lodge site.
The report about the railway “Hot spot” she has arranged with Network Rail to visit all the Schools in the village to highlight the dangers of playing on the railway.  Mr. Andrew Evans has contacted all the Headteachers to look at dates during the Autumn Term
There have been Councillors Forums on Post Office Closures, Air Quality and Tidy Towns initiatives that she has attended and she was amazed that even though there are horrendous traffic jams in the village Gowerton is not one of the areas to suffer from poor air quality.
The Pelican Crossing Appeal Committee have been nominated by the South Wales Police and there is an evening arranged in Port Talbot during September.
There was a Skateboarding / BMX competition with dance exhibition held in the Elba Sports Complex on Saturday 30.8.08 and she was invited to observe.  It was well attended with a participation of upwards of 74 Children and Young people.  The abilities of some of the BMX riders was amazing, their stunts were hair raising.  There were photographs of the whole day and if Community Council wished perhaps an exhibition of the photographs would be available for the Arts and Craft Festival in December. (Let me Know). She would like to place on record congratulation to Polly Gordon and her team (Events organiser from the Parks Department of County) for a well run, safe and popular event for the young people of the whole area.
 
 

41       PLANNING MATTERS

 

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

 
  1. 2008/1611 - ‘Glenholme’  46 Caemansel Rd, Gowerton.  Appli.ation for a certificate of lawfulness.
 No Objection
  1. 2008/1589 - 6 Clos y Porthmon, Gowerton.  Rear conservatory. No Objection.
  2. 2008/1581 - 5 Clos Helyg, Gowerton.  Single storey rear/side extension.  No Objection.
 
 
 
 
 

42  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Cllr Johns stated that he had recently attended a ‘strawberry tea’ in Gorseinon in the Canolfan Centre a

 new facility.  He stated he was very impressed with the nursery facilities and its Eco friendly nature.

 

Cllr Johns also reported his attendance at the Gorseinon fashion show, raising money for the lantern parade which he enjoyed.  Cllr Johns also advised that the clerk should formally invite the Mayor of Gorseinon and Loughor to the Arts and Crafts exhibition.

 

43  REPORT OF THE CLERK

 
(A)  MISCELLANEOUS

RESOLVED that:

 
  1. Letter of complaint received in relation to maintenance of walled bank by Mill Street end house. Clerk to contact CCOS to request attention. Noted.
  2. Letter received from Gregory Hopkins - Rights of Way officer - re: Proposed special diversion Order of LC60 footpath in Gowerton.  Noted
  3. Progress report in relation to ‘filled in’ gulley on Mount Street. It was reported to council that this has still not been solved, and this ongoing issue is causing a problem with surface water.  Clerk to advise highways.
  4. C.C letter received from Ward member in relation to crime issues of Gowerton railway/station. Noted
  5. One Voice Wales Conference - Saturday 11th October - Pontrhydyfendigaid - £70 per member.  No members present wished to attend however Cllr Sue Jones will go if she can get transport to the conference.
  6. A shared Community - Final Guidance Charter - for unitary authorities and Community/Town Councils.  Noted - available for circulation.
  7. Winter/Spring Hanging Basket Scheme 08/09.  Noted.
  8. Next Pelican Crossing Appeal meeting on September 17th 2008.  Noted.
  9. Community Council Forum Meeting - Tuesday 9th September - Committee Room 1, Civic Centre.  Clerk and Chairman to attend.
  10. Possible limitation of opening hours for casualty at Singleton Hospital.  Write to advise that this issue should be up for a public consultation.
  11. Invitation to AGE Concern AGM.  Noted.
  12. PACT meeting - September 15th 7pm.  Noted.
  13. Gowerton School.  Letter received re: provision of post 16 transport being removed by Education Dept.  Letter to be sent to Richard Parry to advise that Council oppose this, and letter to be sent to Debbie Lloyd to advise of action taken.
  14. Inspector Mitch Davies, leaving Gorseinon Police station.  Richard Jones will be taking his place.  Noted.
  15. Christmas Working Party.  Wednesday 17th Sept 2008.  All members will attempt to attend.
  16. Reviews of Electoral arrangements.  Noted.
 

.

 (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
32.00
 
Yes
b)
Office Allowance
Quarterly payment
124.52
 
no
c)
Bay Landscapes
Monthly Cutting Charge
384.30
 
Yes
d)
Zurich Municipal
LCAS Renewal
99.88
 
Yes
 
 
 
S137 Grant Aid Payments
 
Childline/NSPCC  - £100.00
The Woodland Trust - £50.00

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

(C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

 
 
44        QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

 

a)   Flooding issues due to drain blockages in several areas in Gowerton including, Gorwydd Rd, the Bishwell, Cedar Close, Cecil Rd and Woodlands.  Clerk to contact Highways to advise.

b)   On Mansel Street there is a large metal storage box on road which is a hazard as it has no warning lights.

c)   There appears to be a new building being built onto the entrance to the Junior school.  Clerk to check with planning office.

d)   Cycle path on corner of inner relief rd/elba carpets.  Lack of visibility due to high wall.  Clerk to advise highways.

e)   Trees overhanging pavement/cycle path on part of inner relief rd towards Penclawdd by Elba estate.  Clerk to contact footpaths.

f)      Dog Mess bin needed on Brynymor Rd.  Clerk to chase up with cleansing officer.

g)   Problems are being encountered by diversions and closed road - Mill St/Sterry Rd.  It appears that youths have removed warning and one way signs which has caused chaos.  Clerk to check when this will be completed.

h)   There are still timescale issues with main traffic lights by cross roads - surgery/ Mill Street.  Clerk to contact traffic control.

i)     There is a flooded drain underneath bridge on Victoria Rd.  Clerk to advise highways.

j)     The one way system on Mansel Street is being ignored, and some vehicles are driving incorrectly to Mount Street.  Clerk to advise police of issue.

k)   Cable ties are not being properly removed by people putting up notices on barriers.  Clerk to advise environment.

l)     Litter is still an on going issue.  Check with environment whether litter rangers are an option.

m) Constant speeding issue with cars going through Gowerton.  Motor bikes driving extremely fast going into Penclawdd.   This occurs until 2-3am and is disturbing many residents, and also concern is shown for the potential of accidents. 

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