GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 4th November  2009
 
PRESENT:  Cllrs Peter Johns, Ros Holt,  Gareth Morgan, Barbara Small, Ann Guard, Sue Jones, Mike Sander,  Linda Bolchover, John Fitzjohn and Mike Egan.
 
ALSO PRESENT:  Clerk - Serena Thomas, resident - Mostyn Richards.
 
55 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Gareth Evans and Lynne Carey
 

56 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

Cllr Susan Jones declared an interest in all Planning matters and to the discussion on agenda item 58, re - planning application - Cllr Jones left meeting for duration of all planning discussions, and public representation.
 
57 MEETING WITH:   
None arranged.
 
Councillor Sue Jones left meeting for all discussions on item 58.
 
58 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:
Mr Mostyn Richards reported the following to council:
Mr Richards bought bungalow in 2006 at 48 Cefnstylle, and when renovating discovered it was structurally unsound.  They then decided with advice given at the time that the ‘new build’ route would be his best option, however as he has discovered since, this was not the best advice to follow.  The bungalow was demolished, and an application was put in for the new build; however he was advised by the Planning office that it was likely to be refused as this would be classed as building in ‘open countryside’, even though there are properties either side of the plot, and it is only replacing a dwelling that was already there.   Mr. Richards stated that he has been in touch with Edwina Hart AM and Martin Caton, and both have written letters of support to his application.  He also added that the application he has submitted is of a similar ‘ground footprint’ to the existing property, and it has been designed in a very eco-friendly way.
 
Clerk to write letter of support to planning office before consideration, to encourage a common sense approach.


 

59 COUNCIL MINUTES   –   7th October 2009

 
a)      The Minutes were accepted as a true record.  
b)      Matters arising: Noted. 


 

60 REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Sue Jones reported the following:

 
Cllr Jones has been attending the following meetings, has visited and is dealing with the following issues in the village:
  • Planning site visits
  • Community Health Council meetings
  • New children’s ward at Morriston Hospital
  • Gorseinon hospital - west wing has been renovated.
  • Gorseinon youth club visited - with excellent facilities, although children of Gowerton have access to the club, there is no way of getting there easily.
  • Several meeting attended with - CSIW office, QED 20/20, challenge for child poverty, Police, Vale of Charter for Community Councils and Health and Social care board.
  • Also involved in looking at the POVA report looking at vulnerable adults.
  • Sue ran a surgery on 24.10.09 at library.
  • Also been looking at Pelican crossing plan for Gowerton.
  • Sue had some fireworks display tickets given to her and has distributed these to the community.
  • Neat team have been in village for three weeks from 19.10.09
  • Finally event information was circulated to councillors for their perusal.
 
Councillor Sue Jones left meeting for all discussions on Planning.
 

61       PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

2009/1440 - Penygraig, Gowerton.  Single storey rear extension.  No objection.


 

62  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cllr Ros Holt reported that she has attended One Voice Wales meeting with Cllr Sue Jones, and has discovered that several other Community Councils are having same issues with drains.  Cllr Holt also advised Councillors of the up and coming village remembrance service on Friday evening at St Johns Church.
 

63  REPORT OF THE CLERK

 
(A)   MISCELLANEOUS

RESOLVED that:

1.      Quote for radical hedge cutting on triangle.  The quote of £350 was accepted for the reduction in the hedge, however before any arrangements are made, Clerk to check on the terms of the adoption of land from City and County of Swansea, to ensure this is possible.
2.      Letter received from Alun Cairns AM re: sand dredging off Gower coast.  Noted.
3.      Christmas working party.  All updates advised.  Also councillors advised that the CCOS are charging £500.00 for the road closures.  Council approved this cost for 2009.  Judging of school arts and crafts entries are to take place on Sun 6th December by Linda Bolchover, Barbara Small and Ros Holt at 10.30 at the Rechabite Hall.  Mr X will be advertised on the newsletters.
4.      Dog bags are required for the Grooming parlour on Sterry Rd.
5.      Cllr Lynne Carey has donated a meal for 2 at the Con Club for the raffle.
6.      PACT meeting will take place on Monday 9th November 2009 at 7pm at the Rechabite Hall.
 
(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)
Space right
Stands for Arts and Crafts Exhibition
380.33
 
Yes
c)
Neat Ideas
Stationary order (including new phone)
102.87
 
Yes
d)
Bay Landscapes
Monthly Cutting Charge
376.12
 
Yes
e)
Bookers
Christmas Parade Chocolates
85.68
 
Yes
 
No S137 payments authorised.
 
 
C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The items of correspondence were noted.

 
64         QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

a.     Drains that have been repeated requested for cleaning by highways have still not been cleared.  In many cases there is grass/trees growing from the drains.  Clerk to chase up again.
b.     Drain outside 24 Sterry Rd blocked.
c.     Bin has gone missing from Hill Street.  Clerk to check with Environment what they intend.
d.     Footpath from Park rd Park that joins with the lane by Mount Pleasant is not being maintained.  Clerk to contact footpaths/parks department.
e.     Pavement on Elba Street covered in mud, is still in a terrible state.  Clerk to make repeated request for inspection.
f.      Mansel Street - Residents parking extended - For information.
g.     On cycle path towards Dunvant, two metal benches need to be maintained.  Clerk to advise Parks to inspect.
h.     On Pontycob Rd, before bridge, left hand gulley needs to be filled in, and it causes considerable potential risk.  Clerk to request from Highways.
i.      Cllr Fitzjohn stated that he has a mobile speed display available for Community Councils use, and also advised of some raffle prizes he will be donating to the Christmas raffle.
j.      Drains on Cecil Rd - outside number 95, is full of grass.  Request to be cleaned.
k.     Memorial in St Johns church, in a state of disrepair - Clerk to check whether Community Service would take this on.  Contact name supplied - Jeff Davisson.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meeting closed at 8.55pm
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                                                                                                                                                                          Chairman