GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL-CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 4th March 2009
 
PRESENT:  Cllrs. Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Mike Sander, Mike Egan, Gareth Evans, Ann Guard,
   Linda Bolchover and Barbara Small.
 
ALSO PRESENT:  Clerk Serena Thomas.
 
95 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Cllrs. Lynne Carey, Colin Staples, Sue Jones and Gareth Morgan.
 

96 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

One received.  Cllr Ros Holt declared a personal interest in minute no - 103 (B) - S137 grant aid request for ‘Voices in Harmony’ Gowerton Choir.  Cllr Holt took no part in any of the discussions.
 
97 MEETING WITH:   
No Meetings arranged.
 
98 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
None received.
 

99 COUNCIL MINUTES   -4th February 2009

 
a)      the Minutes were accepted as a true record.
b)      Matters arising:  Highways should be thanked by clerk for quick response to recent pothole complaints being dealt with so efficiently. Noted. 
 
100  REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER
 

Cllr Sue Jones sent the following report of issues currently being dealt with:

·       Cllr Jones has attended several meetings and dealt with various issues within her role as County Councillor such as looking at ways to reduce costs for rent collection, looking at the future of Swansea University, promoting the Swansea Bay region, setting the budget and several Councillor Forums.  Sue has also attended the regular planning meetings for Area 2 and under her role as a member of Community Health Council has discussed re organisation of CHC’s.

·       As a trustee of Longfields there have been meetings looking at the future of the day centre.  Also due to recent issues in recent media in relation to social services, a special order may be introduced by the deputy minister, and there are likely to be several meetings to discuss.

 

Issues in Gowerton:

·       The garage in Fairwood Terrace - the owner has been lighting unattended fires and fire brigade has been called.  Also smoke from the area is causing problems for asthma sufferers so Sue has arranged for a pollution officer to look at problem.

·       A meeting has taken place with the Youth service, Leisure service and Police to investigate what activities could be put on for children e.g. street dancing.

·       Many complaints have been received in relation to dog fouling along Brynymor Rd, and a clean up has been arranged.  A repeated request has been made to put a dog bin in the area.

·       The litter from the shop at the top of Park Rd to Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr has been a source of complaint, and Sue is attempting to arrange a litter pick/  Some needles have been found which have passed on to the police.

·       There has been an increase in Graffiti again around the Comprehensive School and this is being looked at to identify the culprit.

·       Finally, Cllr Jones has attended the Joint Governors Meeting of Tregwyr Infants and Junior School looking at the proposal of creating a Primary School on a spilt site.

101       PLANNING MATTERS

 

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

 
1.     2009/0252 - 47 Oakwood Drive, Gowerton, Swansea.  Demolition of a single-storey integral garage and side extension and the construction of a replacement two-storey side extension (and associated alteration works)
No Objection.
 
2.     2009/0140 - 6 Hill Street, Gowerton.  Garage enlargement with workroom addition, and car port.
No Objection
 
3.     2009/0172 - 8 Roper Wright Close, Gowerton.  Work to trees subject to a TPO. Object.                                 All members stated that the reason for application was alleged health and safety risks which are taken extremely seriously by all members; however no expert professional evidence was supplied by the applicant to reinforce these claims.  If a qualified tree surgeon deemed this tree to be a risk and the work necessary, then Council would welcome back the application to reconsider in view of the new evidence.  If no professional evidence is supplied with this type of application, it sets a dangerous precedent for the area and necessary tree work.
 
4.     2009/0042 - AMENDED PLANS.  4 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton.  Detached dwelling house with integral garage.  No Objection.
 
 

102    CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

     Chairman Cllr Peter Johns reported that the Gowerton sign coming from Dunvant has been replaced.

 
103
(A) MISCELLANEOUS
 
1.     Email received from Highways in relation to recent enquiries made by Council.  Noted.
2.     Safer Communities Fund - 2009/10 from Welsh Assembly Government.  Noted.
3.     Gorsfawr Bridge - Swansea/Gorwydd Rd - scheduled completion date is 4th April 2009.  Noted.
4.     E-mail received re: outside painting of business premises in area.  Noted.
5.     ‘Have your say’ posters - for posting on notice boards.  Noted.
6.     Implementation of the new Certificate in Local Council Administration, a qualification specifically designed for Clerks who work for Welsh Town and Community Councils.  Council stated that if Clerk wishes to pursue this qualification, they would fully support her decision.
7.     Swansea in Bloom - Summer order form received.  Noted.
8.     One Voice Wales - Swansea Area Committee minutes/agenda.  Next meeting 9th April 2009.  Noted.
9.     Precept Payment Dates for 09/10.  Noted.
10.  E-mail received re: proposal for 19 Wind Turbines at Mynydd Y Gwair in North Swansea.  For info.
11. Co-option of West Ward Councillor
An email from Electoral Officer - Amanda Bebb has been received confirming that the 14 day legal requirement has now expired for any 10 names to call an election to fill the vacant seat on the West Ward of Gowerton Community Council.  There have been no requests and hence the Council may now co-opt.  If any Councillors know of anyone who wishes to join Council, advise them to contact the Clerk.
12. Borrowing by Community and Town Councils in 2009-10
The arrangements for applying for borrowing approval in 09/10 will be the same as last year.  Community and Town Councils have the option to repay a loan over any period up to 26 years and in some cases (50 years).  If any member request further more detailed information of terms/approvals related to this, handouts can be distributed.  Noted.
13. Appropriate sum under section 137(3) of the Local Government Act 1972
S137 of the Local Government Act 1972, permits a community council to spend on activities for which it has no other specific powers if the council considers that the expenditure is in the interests of and will bring direct benefit to their area or any part of it or all of its inhabitants, providing the benefit is commensurate with the expenditure.  For the financial year 2009-10 the discretionary expenditure limit has increased by 5.0% from £5.86 t0 £6.15 per elector. Noted for accounts information.
14. Specialist teaching facility at Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr
Notification has been received that as an objection has been received it will now be for the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning Skills at the National Assembly for Wales to consider the proposal.  The minister could subsequently accept, reject or modify the proposal.  A response should be expected by 18th June 2009.  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)
Bay Landscapes
March monthly cutting charge
Incorrect VAT amount charged for Jan/Feb, so Clerk has received a £16.36 refund to rectify.
376.12
 
Yes
c)
Bowen Hopkins Ltd
Maintenance of Christmas Lights
162.73
 
Yes
d)
City and County of Swansea
Lottery Registration Renewal
20.00
 
No
e)
Clerk
Mileage Allowance (40 miles @ 55.8p per mile)
22.32
 
Yes
 
S137 Payments
 
Twinning Association - £200.00
 
Voices in Harmony - Gowerton Choir - £300.00
(Cllr Ros Holt declared a personal interest in this request and took no part in the discussions)
 
B)  The Budget Commitment update advising all spending to date was noted by all councillors.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

(C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

 
104         QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

 
  1. Comments made confirmed that necessary pothole work had been carried out efficiently. Noted.
  2. Dog Fouling sign has been erected by Glanmorfa.  Noted.
  3. New car park - off inner relief rd.  Barriers have been erected right at end of car park, and waste bin is hidden behind.  Clerk to request bin to be moved in front.
  4. Outside no. 3 Woodlands, raised ‘bobbly’ pavements are uneven, this need to be re done.  Clerk to request with highways
  5. Litter is building up outside CK’s shop and building up on Gorwydd Rd.  Clerk to request litter pick.
  6. Road cleaning / Pavement cleaning does not seem to be carried out often enough.  Also drains need a thorough clean, particularly on Gorwydd Rd.  Clerk to advise highways.
  7. Footpath between Woodlands/ Oakwood Drive, the fencing and walls have been vandalised with grafitti.  Clerk to advise Council.
 
Meeting closed at 8.40pm
 
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                                                                                                                                   Chairman