GOWERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CYNGOR CYMUNEDOL TREGŴYR

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 7^th February 2007
PRESENT: Cllrs Mike Sander, Gareth Evans, Barbara Small,, Barrie Guard, Linda Bolchover, Ros Holt, Anthony Yardley, Mike Egan, Susan Jones, Gareth Morgan and Peter Johns.

ALSO PRESENT: Clerk - Serena Thomas

86 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillor Anita Bowen , Lynne Carey and ward member Ron Thomas.
.

87 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS:

Cllr Mike Egan declared a personal interest in discussions in relation to Elba Fencing. Cllr Egan took no part in discussion or any relating discussion.

88          PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS: None received

89    Meetings With: No one

90            COUNCIL MINUTES
To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd January 2007:
a) the Minutes were accepted as a true record except for some small spelling mistakes which are to be rectified..
            b) Matters Arising:
      The written report of the Clerk regarding matters arising and subsequent actions taken was noted. Minute 85 in reference to number of visitors to the recent Arts and Crafts exhibition, Cllr Linda Bolchover stated that she has checked over the visitor book and the number of visitors remains consistent with previous years, and it is agreed that more can be done to increase numbers.

91        TO RECEIVE THE REPORT OF THE WARD MEMBER
No report

92 PLANNING MATTERS

The Clerk commented upon her written report. RESOLVED that:

1. 2007/0158 - 2 x wall mounted displays, outside CK’s. No Objection.

2. 2006/2830 - Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr. Proposed teaching block. Object, due to traffic congestion, over development, lack of parking, restriction of public footpath, encroaching on land Community Council lease and this proposal will remove ‘green land’. Further non-planning issues raised by Council requesting further information on viability of project and number of students projected for block will be progressed via clerk to education department at County Hall.

93 REPORT OF CHAIRMAN

Chairman Mike Sander reported the following:

Ø Letter received from Arriva trains in relation to meeting on Saturday 17^th February in conjunction with the Adopt a station scheme. Chairman advised Council he will arrange to attend to bring up the fact the train does not stop in Gowerton sufficiently.

94 REPORT OF THE CLERK

(1)               Miscellaneous
RESOLVED that:

a)      Parking on link Rd, rear of Elba Carpets. Noted
b)     Wales this Week, TV interview. If invited to comment Clerk will represent Council on relevant issues.
c)      Reply received in relation to Elba fencing re initial contribution of £2000. Council agreed to increase this offer to £2,500 as a final offer. Clerk to contact Iwan Davies and advise. Cllr Mike Egan declared an interest in this matter and took no part in this discussion.
d)     Website meeting 12^th February 2007. Noted
e)     Complaint received re: Elba Anti social behaviour from Porth Y Waun resident. Noted and commented that ongoing project of Elba fencing should alleviate this problem.
f)        Letter received from Brownies thanking for contribution towards Spring in Bloom. Noted
g)     Bay Landscapes - quote 07/08. Accepted.
h)      Making the connections - booklet. Noted
i)        Information copies received of Edwina Hart/Martin Catons forthcoming surgeries. Noted
j)        Letter of thanks from Cllr Peter Johns. Noted
k)      Community Council Forum - date changed to Tues 6^th March at 5pm.
l)        Community Service Award - Winner Mr Phillip Morris, will accept award in April/May. Noted.

(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	31.99		Yes
b)	Mileage Allowance	Jan	18.97		Yes
c)	Cape Hire	Christmas crown control barriers	108.69		Yes
d)	Gower Timber	Chipboard for Arts and Crafts	24.68		Yes
e)	Neat Ideas	Invoice Number - HNV 05100	69.60		Yes
f)	Bay Landscapes	January grass cutting charge plus removal of fallen tree at Pont y Cob	529.38		Yes
g)	One Voice Wales	Annual Membership	458.00		No
h)	Bay Landscapes	February grass cutting	411.88		Yes

S137 Payments - Council resolved to authorise the following amounts:
National Coastwatch - £50
Gowerton Bowling Club - £50
Childline Cymru - £100
Longfields Association - £100

(3) Correspondence
The items of correspondence were noted .RESOLVED that the report be noted.

95      QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO COUNCIL BUSINESS
Following questions raised by Members it was RESOLVED that:

1)      Concern was shown by Council at the lack of attendance of the Police at the Council meetings. Clerk to request attendance at next Council meeting.
2)      Willow Bank Footpath. Resident who had previously complained to County Council in relation to vandalism. Resident has encountered a massive improvement but is still waiting for Council response.
3)      Pothole on Cecil Rd, by round about in the middle of the road.
4)      Xmas lights still on at night on betting shop. Clerk to arrange.
5)      Bin on Hill Street. Area has been cleaned but top tied together by rope. A second bin removed when area developed it has never been replaced. Clerk to chase this up.
6)      Lane by library is obstructed by parked vehicles, it is unsafe and cars go the wrong side of the keep left bollard because they cannot pass the other way.
7)      On behalf of Elba residents, Council is thanked for hard work in getting progress made with the Elba fence.
8)      Alcoa is proposing to close. Some developments may be made to site, Council have not notified members of any changes to be made. Councillors feel that more information should be communicated.
9)      Ex Councillor Jeff Lewis has resigned as governor for Tregwyr junior school.
10) New headteacher of Gowerton Comprehensive is Peter Harrison. Clerk to invite to next Council meeting as a welcome to the community.
11) New proprietor now at Thomas news. Noted.
12) Council are very concerned in relation to triangle of land of approximately 3m x 1m being taken without ownership by resident when developing their property. By footpath 69. Cllr has spoken to enforcement officer and they are not willing to pursue this any further.
13) Cllr Sue Jones has been asked to be a member of the Objective 1 related committee in relation to a local action group for the convergence of money from Europe.
14) Craft Market in St Johns. First Saturday of each month.
Comment was made whether there was as many residents attending the Arts and Crafts Exhibition this year. Clerk advised the visitor book reflected that the attendance reflected that of previous years, however steps will be taken to increase number of attendees by use of advertising more extensively.

           Meeting closed at 9.05pm
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                                                                                                                                   Chairman