GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 6th May 2009

PRESENT: Cllrs Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Lynne Carey, Barbara Small, Ann Guard, Sue Jones, Gareth Morgan, Linda Bolchover and Gareth Evans.

ALSO PRESENT: Clerk - Serena Thomas. Residents - Jeff Zanazzi and Claire Kups.

1.            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - Two received - Mike Egan and Mike Sander.

2   TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE RETIRING CHAIRMAN
Cllr Peter Johns gave the following report:
It was an enjoyable year in Office which included events such as the fashion show and strawberry tea. Cllr Johns said he had received kind hospitality from the Chairs of both Loughor and Gorseinon, and has attended the Lord Mayor’s buffet evening with Clerk - Serena and Cllr Susan Jones.
Several Community Council Forums have been attended including a recent meeting which covered the potential of a Flu Pandemic.
Cllr Johns has had an active role in the Pelican Crossing Appeal and wished to thank Anne Davies and Maureen Saysell for their dedicated work towards the crossing.
The Chairman’s allowance will be given to - £250.00 - Gowerton Pelican Crossing Appeal and £250.00 to Water Aid.
Cllr Johns also reported that he has taken the position of Chair at the local PACT meetings and thanks go to PC Phil Barrow. The Arts and Crafts exhibition was also an enjoyable events, and thanks Linda and Steve Bolchover for their hard work.
Finally Cllr Johns thanked Cllr Sue Jones for keeping Council so well informed of issues and thanked Serena for her help and wished Cllr Ros Holt the very best wishes in her role as Chairperson.

3.   ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
          Cllr Ros Holt was elected as Chairperson.

4.       ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
            Cllr Ann Guard was elected as Vice-Chairperson.

5. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

Cllr Susan Jones declared an interest in any planning applications.

6. a) TO RECEIVE ANY PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS
Jeff Zanazzi - Representing ‘Upper Gowerton Residents Association’
Mr Zanazzi stated firstly it is not exclusive to Upper Gowerton Residents.
The following was reported by jeff Zanazzi to Council:
More facilities are needed by Mount Pleasant, however no-one seems to want to do anything.
Long term objective is to own the park.
They want to get families more involved in making village better. They are currently organizing a day out for the cause.
The organisation is trying to make an area at the end of George Manning Way a conservation area, and Mr Zanazzi has been in touch with Garden Organic and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Mr Zanazzi is requesting Community Council Support.

Ms Claire Kups
Ms Kups represented same organisation and added that they are waiting for the Welsh Assembly Government and County Hall to inspect Parks. Many people are backing this project, and hopefully park benches are being donated.

In response to letter handed to Clerk asking for financial assistance from this organisation, Clerk requested further information of costs being incurred for transportation.
Council thanked both representatives for attending the meeting.

b) MEETINGS WITH:
None arranged.

7 COUNCIL MINUTES
1nd April 2009
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.

8 CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE

The written report of the Clerk was noted. RESOLVED that in pursuance of S34 (5) Local Government Act 1972 the Chairman’s allowance for the forth-coming financial year is set at £500.00.

9(A) REPRESENTATION

RESOLVED
1. that the following Members represent Council on the following bodies:-
a) One Voice Wales Area Committee                                                                               Cllrs Sue Jones and Ros Holt
b) CCS / Community Council Forum                                                                                     Cllrs Ros Holt and Ann Guard
c) Area 2 Development Control Committee sites visits                 Cllr Linda Bolchover
d) Planning Committee (to be implemented only when timescale
does not allow before next meeting within consultation period)            Cllrs Ros Holt, Ann Guard and Gareth Morgan
e) Rechabite Community Hall Management Committee                   Cllr Gareth Evans
f) Governing Body – Tregŵyr Infant School                                                             Cllr Ann Guard
g)   Governing Body – Tregŵyr Junior School                                              Currently L Carey - deferred until next meeting
h) IMCO consultative meetings                                                                                                       Cllr Linda Bolchover
i) Carmarthen Bay SAC                                                                                                                                 Cllr Sue Jones
j) Gowerton Safe Routes Group                                                                                                  Cllr Linda Bolchover
k) Web site liaison                                                                                                                                     Currently M Egan - deferred until next meeting
l) Link person – Adopt a station scheme                                                             Cllr Mike Sander
m) Safer Swansea Partnership representative                                                             Cllr Sue Jones
n) Pelican Crossing Appeal Committee                                                                               Cllr Peter Johns
o) PACT Meeting Representative                                                                                                 Cllr Peter Johns

9(B) INTERNAL AUDITOR

RESOLVED:

that Mr. Lyn Llewellyn is asked to continue to act as internal auditor for the forthcoming financial year
the Chairman and or Cllr. Holt are delegated authority to act in financial maters of urgency.

9(C) FIX DATE AND TIMES OF MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR

COUNCIL MEETINGS 2009 / 2010

RESOLVED that, in accordance with Standing Order 1, that:

a) Ordinary Meetings of Council shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) at 7.30pm at the Rechabite Community Hall and that the next Annual Meeting is held in May 2010.

b) Special Meetings if required are held on the third Wednesday in September 2009 and February 2010 to consider applications for financial assistance and any matter of urgency.

(C) COMMITTEE STUCTURES and WORKING PRACTICES

RESOLVED that:

i)        a)             Standing Orders - No change
     b)    Equal Opportunities Policy - No change
     c) Racial Equality Scheme - No change
     d)    Health & Safety Policy - No change
     e)       External contracts - As per internal audit comments, the landscaping contract currently held by Council        was required to go to tender for 2009/10. Clerk arranged for three separate quotes to be submitted to Council (including current landscapers - Bay Landscapes) Further to quotes being received and discussed by Council it was decided that the Council would renew the contract with Bay Landscapes as the quote provided was the cheapest quote and work is of a good standard.

ii) the Working Party system continues on an ad-hoc basis.

10 COMMENTS by the INCOMING CHAIRMAN

Cllr Holt had no announcements.

11 PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written.
No registered applications received.

12 REPORT BY THE WARD MEMBER:

New ward member - Cllr Sue Jones reported the following;

Still dealing with the ex-Halifax office of Graham Price on Sterry Rd. Environmental health has inspected the state of building and has advised Cllr Jones that current state does not warrant an enforcement order. The shop had been leased in advance so nothing can be done currently.
The state of the Tabernacle Chapel on Gorwydd Rd is also being addressed.
Cllr Jones supplied Clerk with list of new parking charges for Swansea Car Parks.
There has been an extinguishments order for Footpath 74 - previously discussed by Council.
Cllr Jones has been put on board of Children and Family Services.
Finally Cllr Jones stated she has further details on work that is due to be carried out within Gowerton including Garrod Avenue, Mansel Street and Springfield Close.

13 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(1)               Miscellaneous
RESOLVED that:

a)      Community / Town Councils Forum - Thursday 21^st May 2009 at 5.00pm. Noted
b)      Guidance on - Managing the Safety of Burial Ground Memorials. Noted.
c)      Update of Pelican Crossing Appeal. Update read to council. Noted.
d)      One Voice Wales - Update including updated salary scales - (Public and Press excluded)
New salary scales and mileage rates received from One Voice Wales - applicable from 1^st April 2008 were adopted by Council. Council resolved that difference in salary to be backdated from 1^st April 2008 until present. Clerks current salary scale remains on LC1 - scp 25 - 22hours per week.
e)      Website Meeting - 12/05/09 - Clerk to attend.
f)      Local Council Administration - new edition released. Clerk to order when available.
g)      Press release - Swansea bus station. Noted.
h)      Extinguishment of Footpath 74. Noted.
i)       Arriva Train Vouchers - £150.00 received. Some were distributed to Councillors, Clerk will hold on to rest to give out if requested.
j)       European Election Notices - received. Noted.
k)     Letter from resident received in relation to proposed changes in Gowerton to traffic flow. Noted.
       l)    Proposed School Reorganisation - Tregwyr Infant and Junior School.
                        Council Resolved to Object to this application including the following grounds in formal objection:
·       Council support Primary Philosophy but not on spilt sites.
·       No safe crossings, main roads pose substantial risks.
·       It is not clear whether funding will be increased or reduced.
·       Staff are being reduced.
·       No commitment to a single site being identified in Gowerton.

Cllr Gareth Evans left meeting at 9.00pm due to a commitment.

13 (2) Financial Matters
The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted.    RESOLVED that:

the following payments are authorised:

	Creditor	Item	£ Amount	VAT inc

a)	Virgin Media	Telephone Adv. Charges	33.00	Yes
b)	Clerk	Mileage Allowance - (80 miles @ 58.7p per mile)	46.96	Yes
d)	Allianz	Annual Insurance Premium.	620.20	Yes

13 (3) Correspondence

The items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of no additional items received. RESOLVED that the report be noted.

14      QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
Following questions raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:
a)    Chairman’s Chain needs to be updated. Clerk to try to contact previous Clerk.
b)    Graffiti squad has been removing graffiti by lane by cycle track from Woodlands.
c)    Bin on Woodlands had been pushed over, bin is in poor state, Cllr Bolchover contacted Environment, was pushed over again, and then bin disappeared, new bin now needed.
d)    Pothole opposite Harvester, just by keep left sign.
e)    Timetable of Rechabite Hall events to be included in next newsletter.
f)     Bin needs to be put further back in new car park - behind Commercial.

           Meeting closed at 9.15pm                                                                                        ………………………………….………
                                                                                                                                   Chairman