GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR Minutes of a Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 6th June 2007 PRESENT: Cllrs. Mike Sander, Gareth Evans, Barbara Small, Sue Jones, Barrie Guard, Gareth Morgan, Lynne Carey, Anthony Yardley, Anita Bowen Linda Bolchover, Peter Johns, Mike Egan and Ros Holt. ALSO PRESENT: Clerk Serena Thomas, Ward member - Ron Thomas, Chris Wheel, Peter Davies 16 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs Peter Johns, Ros Holt, Barrie Guard, Mike Egan and Anita Bowen 17 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS: Two received : Cllr Lynne Carey - planning application 2007/1073, Cllr Barbara Small - planning application 2007/0974. On both declarations they are of a personal interest. Both councillors took no part in any of the discussions or voting procedure for these applications. 18 MEETING WITH : No meetings arranged. 19 PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS: Representatives for Con Club and Gowerton Allotments: Chris Wheel and Peter Davies: Reported as follows: Previously have has dealings with the cCouncil in relation to restoration of the tower on the Con Club, would like to reestablish links once again to start restoration for benefit of Gowerton, as tower is a landmark within Gowerton. Ideally they would like Historical society, cCouncil and Con club to work together on this project. They currently have £4,500 in funds towards this project. Cllr Susan Jones advised they should also seek advise from rural developments officer - Adrian Bailey and SVCS. Council advised that when committee has been established to contact Clerk to establish which Council members will join committee as many are interested. Also it was reported that boundary fencing on allotments needs to be replaced for health and safety reasons. Currently in a state of disrepair, and also area of fencing is near to bee-hives that are kept, which poses a separate danger. Originally the fence belonged to British Rail, however this was taken over by Lliw Valley, and is now owned by City and County of Swansea. Clerk to also write to City and County of Swansea and request action. 20 COUNCIL MINUTES – 6th June 2007 a) the Minutes were accepted as a true record. b) Matters arising: Noted. The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted. 21 REPORTS BY THE WARD MEMBER Councillor Ron Thomas advised Council of the following: 1.Allotment fencing - This has been ongoing since building of inner relief rd, City and County of Swansea state that it is the responsibility of the allotment holders. 2.Flower Fountains - Unfortunately the area by Woodlands has shown to be an unwise area to put this item as vandals have ruined it. It is reported that the resident who actually witnessed the damage was goaded by the vandals. 3.Cllr Thomas stated it was good to see the wheat sheaf plinth outside the Library, also the Elba fencing has been completed and seems to be successful. 4.The Bethel chapel has been sold, and it is understood that there are plans to have this demolished. 5. Sad to hear of boy who sustained injuries on railway track recently. 6. Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr School developments: Cllr Thomas stated he cannot comment due to being on the planning committee, the application will be looked at in due course. Cllr Thomas summarized that he acts on behalf of the village when considering applications. Cllr Thomas stayed in meeting until Clerk Report, but declared interest in all planning applications and took no part in discussions for any application. 22 PLANNING MATTERS The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED : 2007/1070 - 6 Cefn Stylle, Gowerton. One two storey dwelling. No Objection 2007/1073 - 32 Mount Street, Gowerton. Side Conservatory. No Objection 2007/0974 - 1 Cae Mansel Rd, Gowerton. Amended Plans. No Objection 2007/0938 - Rear of 4 Ty Gwyn, Sterry Rd. Private dwelling. No Objection 2007/1133 - Land at 10 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton. Proposed new dwelling. No Objection 2006/2830 - Amended Plans - New teaching block at Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr. Object. 2007/1169 - 44 Cefn Stylle Rd, Gowerton. Detached dwelling and garage. No Objection 23 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS Cllr Gareth Evans reported the following: 1. Thoroughly enjoyed the Twinning Association meal on 19th of May. He noted that there was a harpist from local Welsh school, and meal was of a high standard. 2. An appointment will be made with new head teacher to build relationship between schools and cCouncil. 24 REPORT OF THE CLERK (A) MISCELLANEOUS The Clerk further commented upon her report, previously circulated with the agenda. RESOLVED that: 1) Newsletter - final date for entries - 10th June 2007 - Noted 2) Letter of notice re: 06/07 accounts for external auditors - Noted 3) Letter from Standards board re: Code of Conduct - Noted 4) Annual Report of the County Archivist - for circulation - Noted 5) Swansea in Bloom entry details - Noted 6) Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr land lease details - Noted 7) Library Chairs - Clerk to chase up reason for removal of chairs 8) Swansea in Bloom - Lampposts - Clerk advised Council that some lampposts have not been able to have usual baskets due to recent changes by British Steel. - Noted 9) Website meeting on 11th June 2007 - Once again this is coinciding with the PACT meeting and apologies will be given. 10) Community Council Forum meeting is on 14th June, all councillors encouraged to attend. Noted 11) Clerk advised of problems of vandalism encountered with flower fountains, and troughs being vandalised in Gowerton. Hopefully the other flower fountains can be re-located to Pont y Cob area at entrance to village as to date the fountain there has not been vandalised. Clerk to contact Rob Seabright at Singleton Farm for City and County of Swansea to arrange. All written reports were noted and offered for circulation for Councillors. (B) FINANCIAL MATTERS The written report submitted by the Clerk was noted. RESOLVED that: a) The following payments are authorised Amount £’s VAT a) NTL Telephone adv charges 31.99 Yes b) Office Allowance 117.48 No c) Bay Landscapes Monthly Cutting Charge 498.06 Yes d) Mileage allowance March - May 71.67 Yes e) Bay Landscapes Monthly Cutting Charge - June 498.06 Yes f) Bay Landscapes Work on flower bed 35.25 yes S137 Payments No requests received (C) CORRESPONDENCE The items of correspondence were noted and the Clerk informed Members of the 1 additional item received. 25 QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS Following question/issues raised by Members it was RESOLVED that: a) Problems are being encountered in Park Rd park with vehicles driving on grassed areas, there have been some near accidents and this is concerning to Councillors and residents alike. Clerk to contact Parks department to try and find solution to counteract problems. b) Fairwood Terrace garage. Lots of rubbish thrown in this area including some Calor Gas cylinders. Rhodri Williams to be contacted to get issue resolved. c) PACT meetings need to be publicized more. Clerk to Liase with Police. d) Park on Park Rd is in need of some new furniture, currently existing equipment is in a bad state. e) Recent Twinning visit was a real success and Council look forward to future events. f) There still remains a problem with overgrowth where toilets were by bus stop (Sterry/Cecil Rd) Clerk to contact environment/parks to try and resolve. g) Currently residents of Glanmorfa are encountering problems of motorbikes driving fast through the area. Clerk to advise PCSO’s in area to keep an eye on this problem. h) Wales Biodiversity week. Weekend following meeting an event is taking place outside the National Maritime museum, which includes input from Swansea Council and the Environment agency. This is for the celebration of nature and the environment. Meeting closed at 9.20pm Chairman