GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR
 
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 5th July 2006
 
PRESENT:  Cllrs Mike Sander, Barbara Small, Sue Jones, Mike Egan, Lynne Carey, Ros Holt, Peter Johns and Anita Bowen
 
ALSO PRESENT:  Clerk - Serena Thomas, Sergeant Andy Roberts, Inspector Davies and Ward Member Ron Thomas.
 
 
26          APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Cllrs Anthony Yardley, Gareth Evans, Gareth Morgan, Linda Bolchover and Barrie Guard
 
.

27          DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

 One received minute number 35(1) - Cllr Lynne Carey - personal interest

Cllr Ron Thomas declared an interest in all planning matters, and left meeting before any discussions took place.
                               
28          PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS: 
 
Chairman invited two new Councillors to Community Council , and received official acceptance and declaration of Office - Cllr Lynne Carey and Cllr Anita Bowen. All relevant papers were signed accordingly and in presence of the Clerk to Council.
 
Resident Steve Roe
This resident advised Council of the following:
He lives on the Elba estate and his home backs onto the large bank surrounding the fields.  He is currently having to try and tolerate the following due to this:
Ø      Noise made by youths in cares with extremely loud sound systems
Ø      Bikes being used illegally, and causing damage to the grassed area
Ø      Youths sitting on the bank overlooking his back garden using, bad language, drinking, and throwing items onto the property.
He also stated that he has reported matters to the police, but with no presence of police at all when a report was made on 23.06.06.  He is also concerned that when he recently tried again to contact the police he was unsuccessful in getting through to any operator on 456999.   Mr. Roe also stated that he feels a fence would be a good idea to stop youths having access to this area.  Finally Mr. Roe stated that the residents don’t feel they can try to improve the situation alone, for fear of retribution from these youths.
 
29    Meetings With:
Police - Sergeant Andy Roberts and Inspector Davies
Both introduced themselves, Sgt. Roberts is the new Community Sergeant who is directly dealing with this area.  They are trying to deal with the Community’s quality of life, being in partnership with residents, shopkeepers and businesses. Each month they will be hosting a ‘Pact’ meeting which will be advertised to find out what issues are within the Community.  Inspector Davies stated that Gowerton is his home village, and whilst he will be unable to attend every meeting due to other commitments he is taking a keen interest in the Community, and brings with him 10 years Met. Experience.
Whilst the Police realize that when the recent event took place on the Elba playing fields (the Human Circus) there was a significant improvements in residents quality of life, they cannot afford to deploy this amount of manpower continually, however they think that a fence as the above resident mentioned would be a good idea.  He also stated that crime of this nature needs to be designed out.
The police assured council of their ongoing commitment to Gowerton and surrounding areas. 
 
Council reported the following issues to the Police:
Ø      Park on Park Rd , constantly being used by scrambler bikes, on footpaths even with children on back of bikes.
Ø      Drug problems in certain areas of Gowerton
Ø      Resident parking area, vehicles without permits are constantly being parked in these designated areas.  Also many without valid tax disks.
Ø      Gowerton Doctors surgery, many cars being vandalised in this area.
Council stated that they feel that CCTV would benefit the area considerably, but due to costs this request has been refused by the City and County of Swansea.
 
The Police advised Council that all issues raised will be brought up with all other Community Council issues in a meeting with other Police to progress and pursue these issues.
 
 
30            COUNCIL MINUTES
To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 7th June 2006:
            a)  the Minutes were accepted as a true record
            b)  Matters Arising:
            The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted.
 
31        TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER
 
Cllr Thomas advised Council he will set up a meeting with the head of leisure services and the Police to progress the issue of a fence for the Elba residents, and will contact Council to advise of arrangements.
 
Cllr Thomas advised Council he is pleased to attend the meeting and reported the following:
 
Ø      He has been dealing with many planning and housing matters, but cannot go into detail due to to these matters being confidential.
Ø      Cattle Market development was meant to have an entrance via mini-roundabout but has not been actioned due to design problems.
Ø      Swansea Housing development on old Magistrate Court site.  This development will consist of 12 2 bedroom flats, one for wheelchair use.  50% will be owned by Swansea housing the other 50% by local authority.  If council wish to know any more about this contact: Sarah Bennett - 01792 479281.
Ø      Complaints from Gorwydd Rd due to Drovers point residents parking on the main road.
Ø      Appeal for take-away on Sterry Rd has been granted.
Ø     Cllr Thomas advised he is currently dealing with complaints from Clos Morgan Owen due to non-residents parking outside houses in area.  Each house has parking area, but Cllr Thomas advised that Council have not adopted this land.  Resident parking is needed.
Council advised Cllr Thomas that they were concerned that the skating area in the Elba has been extended, even though Community Council had previously expressed concern about any extension.
Cllr Thomas advised Council that this was a Parks Department decision, and he was not informed of this himself.
 
Cllr Thomas left meeting before any further discussions took place.  Council thanked him for his report.

32      PLANNING MATTERS

 
The Clerk commented upon her written.  RESOLVED that:
 
2006/1318 - Caravan Club, Pont Y Cob Rd - No Objection
2006/1319 - 17 Bishwell - No Objection
2006/1274 - 121 Cecil Rd - No Objection
2006/1257 - 101 Ffordd Alltwen - No Objection
2006/1254 - 12 Clos Gwernen - No Objection
2006/1241 - 17 Clos Bevan - No Objection
2006/1244 - TPO - 14 Roper Wright Close - City must inspect site and deem necessary
2006/1385 - TPO - 1 The Mount - City must inspect site and deem necessary
2006/1451 - TPO - 12 William Bowen Close - City must inspect site and deem necessary


 

33      REPORT OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Mike Sander Reported the following:
He attended the temporary licensing meeting re: Human Circus on the Elba site.  Unfortunately only the Police could speak in relation to Crime and Disorder issues.
 

34 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(1)               Miscellaneous
  RESOLVED that:
 
a)        Notice of conference/Exhibition foe One Voice Wales. Cllr Sue Jones and Clerk to attend.
 
b)       One Voice Wales meeting minutes... Noted.
 
c)        PACT Meeting 19th July 2006. Noted
 
d)       La Gacilly email received from resident from France. Noted.
 
e)        Electoral Arrangements in Wales  - A Discussion Document - Clerk to advise of Council’s submission before 4th September 2006
 
f)        Better Health Services for Wales - Clerk to advise of Council’s comments by 28th July 2006.
 
34 (2) Financial Matters
The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.    RESOLVED that:
 
the following payments are authorised:
 
 
Creditor     
Item
£ Amount
VAT.
a)
NTL
Telephone advance charges
28.49
 
Yes
b)
Mileage allowance
April - June
72.73
 
Yes
c)
City and County of Swansea
Estate Rental - Land at Rear of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr
100.00
 
Yes
       
 
 
34 (3)  Correspondence
 
The 4 items of correspondence were noted - RESOLVED that the report be noted.
 
 
 
35      QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
 
Following questions raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:
 
1)     Footpath Parkwood - Cecil Rd:  Clerk to request litter pick
2)     Conservative Club -: Volunteers needed to re-instate the committee, to progress the repair and reinstatement of the clock tower. Noted  (Cllr Lynne Carey declared an interest in this due to personal interest)
3)     Eisteddfodd Fund Raising - Cllr Jones advised the fund raising committee has now been disbanded - with £6000 raised.  Noted
4)     New Vicar of St Johns Church: Reverend Dewi Roberts, inform of Pact Meeting.
5)     Hedges leading up to Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr Car park:  Hedges and bushes overhanging lane and scratching cars.  Clerk to advise Parks to request maintenance.
6)     Dog Bins :  Despite previous request for survey and extra dog bins, no action yet seen. Clerk to chase up.
7)     Skate park development: Clerk to contact parks to request re-siting of development so as not to impact on residents in surrounding area.
8)     Drain: Blocked under railway bridge.  Clerk to request maintenance.
9)     Mount Street: Opposite turning to Mansel street, gulley down side of road has been partially blocked by cement, causing surface water issues.
10) Parking on  Sterry Rd:  Restrictions need to be enforced. Clerk to pursue - ongoing.
 
 
 
 
           Meeting closed at 9.45pm  
 
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                                                                                                                                   Chairman