GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

 
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday  5th January 2008
 
PRESENT:                          Cllrs. Gareth Evans, Gareth Morgan, Anthony Yardley, Mike Egan,
Barbara Small, Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Linda Bolchover, Mike Sander, Sue Jones and Lynne Carey (arrived 8.05pm).
 
ALSO PRESENT:              Clerk Serena Thomas, Ward Member - Ron Thomas
 
76 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:   None Received
 

77 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: 

Ward Member disclosed an interest in all planning matters, and left meeting before any discussions took place.  Cllr Anthony Yardley made two disclosures of interest both in Planning matters - 2007/0390 and 2007/0392.  Cllr Yardley took no part in any of the discussion.
 
78 MEETING WITH:   None arranged.
 
79 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS:

None received

 

80 COUNCIL MINUTES   –   5th December 2007

a)       the Minutes were accepted as a true record.- except to declare 3 x declaration of interest from Cllr Anthony Yardley in respect of planning applications 2007/0390/0392/2647.  Cllr Yardley took no part in any of the discussions.
b)       Matters arising: Noted.

The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.

 

81      REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER

Cllr Ron Thomas reported the following:

He has received a email reference to spillages in the sewer works/treatment plant in Gowerton.  Significant problems have been reported in the Evening Post.  There should be no more that 10 spillages per annum, however the email advises Cllr Thomas that there have been in 2006-2007, 115 spillages.  Although treatments plant itself is not within the Gowerton Ward this does cause a problem for Gowerton.
Council stated to Cllr Thomas that there are currently are problems across many areas. 
Council to write to Environment Agency and Welsh Water to establish first, whether too many housing developments is overloading systems, and whether spillages are of a significant nature.
 

82      PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report.  RESOLVED:

 
1.      2007/2774 - The Spinney, Gorwydd Rd, Gowerton. Double Garage/first floor extension. No Objection
2.      2007/2713- 149a Cwmtrole Cottage, Cecil Rd. Single storey side extension. No Objection
3.      2007/2754 - 53 Brynymor Rd, Gowerton.  Single storey side extension.  No Objection
4.      2007/2772 - 4 Baytree Court, Cecil Rd, Gowerton.  Single storey rear extension. No Objection.


 

83      CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cllr Gareth Evans made the following announcements:

In relation to the Christmas arrangements, the Temple as an alternative to the Commercial car park worked extremely well, and this site would more than likely be available each year and more reliable as the weather conditions cannot be guaranteed.

The Arts and Crafts Exhibition went extremely well and Cllr Evans thanked Cllr Linda Bolchover for all of her hard work.

The Christmas service at the Temple was extremely enjoyable, and was effectively brought into the 21st Century. Clerk to check current arrangements for the services to clarify whether this is a request made in the past from Community Council.

The redundant Christmas lights need to be utilised within the village.

 

84      REPORT OF THE CLERK

 
 
(A)  MISCELLANEOUS

RESOLVED that:

  1. External Audit results. Noted
  2. Surgery calendars for all councillors
  3. Planning training seminar for community & town councillors - One Voice Wales - Cllrs Tony Yardley or Sue Jones to attend at a cost of £25.00 per delegate. Amount authorised by council.
  4. Lord Mayor’s Annual Charity Ball - 8th February 2008.  Noted
  5. Community Council Buffet evening - Clerk & Chairman - Tues 22nd Jan 08. Noted
  6. Governor request from City and County of Swansea - Cllr Sue Jones will be Govenor for Tregwyr infants, Cllr Lynne Carey will be clerk for Tregwyr Juniors.
  7. Buffet to be arranged for Community Councillors. To be organised at Councillors own expense at £5 per head for 20th February 2008.
  8. Community Service Award consideration.  Barrie Guard suggested.
  9. Possible improvements for Christmas 2008 festival - gates need to be open for Sleigh at the Elba, Mr X appeal to be advertised further, raffle to start earlier.
  10. PRECEPT AMOUNT.  The amount per household was increased by 5% to £16.95 per year,     making the total precept for year to £33,205.  Clerk to advise City and County of Swansea.

.

 (B)  FINANCIAL MATTERS
 

The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.  RESOLVED that:

a)       the following payments are authorised:       

                                                                                       VAT

a)
NTL
Telephone adv charges
31.99
 
Yes
b)
Kingsbridge Print
Raffle Tickets printed
97.53
 
Yes
c)
Man and a van
Extra pick up payment
40.00
 
Yes
d)
Clerk
Mileage Allowance
84.32
 
Yes
e)
Swalec
2006 Electric Bill - Xmas lights
212.93
 
Yes
f)
Mazars LLp
External Audit
334.88
 
Yes
g)
Temple
Annual Shed Rent
260.00
 
No
h)
CK’s Supermarket
Soft Drinks for Arts and Crafts exh
7.43
 
Yes
i)
Neat Ideas
General Stationary
8.41
 
Yes
 
S137 Payments

St Johns Ambulance - £150.00

Temple URC - £150.00 + £100.00

Parti Llwchwr - £100.00

Father Xmas - two bottles of wine

Harpist - £25 HMV Vouchers

Amount collected at this years raffle was : £201.84

 
 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

(C)  CORRESPONDENCE

The   items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of the 1 additional item received. 

 
 
85        QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS

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

 

a.    The Clock tower committee will be set up to enable rebuilding of tower in village.  Interested Councillors are:  Sue Jones, Ros Holt, and Lynne Carey.

b.   It appears that two of the lamp standard baskets are missing by Gowerton Station.  Clerk to check with Bob Seabright at City and County of Swansea.

c.    There are some street lights missing bulbs at entrance to the Elba.  Cllr advised that numbers would be needed off Lamp posts to contact council.

d.   There is some general maintenance and cutting back needed in area overhanging path to the woodlands dip.  Clerk to advise parks.

e.    For Sales sign is still on Pontycob land.  Clerk to contact John Francis estate agents for removal.

f.     Christmas lights need to be turned off early January so as not to increase costs.

g.    Enquiries need to be made as to whether Christmas lighting is able to be extended to Brynymor road area. Clerk to check.

h.    Pedestrian control box by Touch of Pink seems unstable in windy conditions.  Clerk to contact highways to advise.

i.      Leaves on Mount Street need clearing.  Drains in the area also need to be cleaned. Also ongoing problems with some of the gulley on Mount street as residents have filled in areas with cement, therefore causing problems with flooding and surface water.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Meeting closed at 9:40pm                                                                                               …………………………………
                                                                                                                                   Chairman