Gowerton Community Council

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 7th September 2005

Present : Cllrs. Gareth Morgan, Barrie Guard, Ian Gibson, Linda Bolchover, Mike Egan, Mike Sander, Barbara Small and Peter Johns.

36 Apologies For absence

Cllrs. Sue Jones, Ros Holt, Anthony Yardley, Mike Nicholls and Gareth Evans

37 Disclosures of Interest From Members

One received : Cllr Peter Johns - Personal Interest = Planning application re: application no. 2005/1831 - Land adjacent to 97 Cecil Rd, Gowerton

38 Meeting with: PCSO Karen Garrington

A questionaire has been given to residents of Woodlands and Oakland\'s areas, particularly dealing with the ongoing problem of off-road motorbikes. Council questioned whether it would be possible to have specialist motorbike trained officers to \'man\' this area. Unfortunately due to costs and health and safety implications it is not viable at present.
It was reported to Council that in the Clos Helyg area, a bike hazard system is to be fitted. It was resolved that the Clerk should contact the Community Safety Team at the Guildhall to check whether these systems will be available elsewhere in the village.
PCSO Garrington advised Council that she is currently looking after Gowerton, Loughor and Pontardulais. She is actively targetting hot spots in these area\'s to allieviate anti-social behaviour. It was also advised that the Police are actively recruiting nationwide, and in time this will have a positive effect on the locality.
Council advised the PCSO of local problems including a dog that has been reported as causing a nuisance by Gowerton train station and problems with some anti-social behaviour by some youths in Talbot Street. PCSO Garringtonstated that there have been 30 reported crimes over the last month in Gowerton. She also explained that residents are encouraged to report all crim, in the long term this will also increase funding in the locality.
Council encouraged PCSO Garrington to come along to all Council meetings, and she stated she wanted to be as involved as possible and would attend every meeting whenever able. It was advised to Council that the police station will be manned on a rota basis between the hours of 6am - 12pm. It was also reported to Council that she has been supplied with a bike from the Police, unfortunately due to a lack of resources the heakth and safety kit (helmet etc.) has not been supplied. Council resolved to contact the relevant department to check whether any progress can be made on this.
The Police are currently encountering some problems with dogs off their leashes in the Elba area. PCSO Garrington stated that she currently does not possess the relevant power to apply fines, this is the responsibility of the City and County of Swansea. Council resolved to contact the cleansing department to request an increased amount of bins, and dog bag dispensers with bins in this area and including Brynymor Rd, and on School routes. Council advised the PCSO that to deter these problems enforcement of fines is needed.
The PCSO was thanked for her attendance and positive feedback.

39 Public Representations

Cllr Small reported that she has been approached by several residents in relation to the proposed increase in hours and licensing times for Tescos Express on Brynymor Rd. Council resolved that the Clerk should check the specifics of this application and contact Cllr Small directly in relation to this.
Cllr Guard advised of local residents advising of dogs off their leash at the Elba site and expressed concern regard the safety of children and the health and safety risks.
Council was advised of wall causing vision problems at the corner of the link road by Carpet Shop. Council resolved to contact Highways dept. for site survey to assess health and safety risks. Highways also to be contacted regards the re-appointment of lanes by Gowerton Surgery, as this is resulting in long tailbacks coming out of Gowerton, the traffic light timescales/synchronizations also needs to be addressed.

40 Council Minutes of 06.07.05

a) the minutes were accepted as a true record - subject to amending that Cllr Mike Egan did not attend the meeting and gave apologies, also minute 35(a) Cllr Linda Bolchover also attended the Gowerton Partnership meeting with the school.
b) Matters arising : min ref. 31 - Bin is owned by Council

41 Reports by Ward Member

None Received

42 Planning Matters

The Clerk commented upon her written report. Resolved that:
the decisions taken by the Planning Commitee regards the following application is ratified:
2005/1354 - Central Garage, Sterry Rd. Against until further info. supplied.
2005/1632 - Country Angling Suplies. No Objection
2005/1535 - 36 Mill Street, Gowerton. No Objection
2005/1686 - Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr. No Objection
2005/1547 - Garden of Llwyndyrys House - No Objection subject to tree survey
2005/1529 - 4 Ty Gwyn Place - No Objection
Registered Applications
2005/1769 - Former Magistrates Court - No Objection
2005/1831 - Land adjacent to 97 Cecil Rd. No Objection - subject to tree survey
Cllr Peter Johns withdrew from all discussions in relation to item 2 due to personal interest.

43 Chairman\'s Announcements

The Chairman made the following announcements:
Clerks furniture for home office - a budget of £360.00 was proposed and agreed by Council.
Clerks Wages - It was proposed and agreed by Council that in agreement with One Voice Wales/Nalc and SLCC guidlines of 01.04.2005 the Clerks wages and minimum hour allocation would be adjusted to National guidlines. No backpay to be awarded.
Newsletter - This matter needs to be progressed. Resolved to request information regards to advertisers from Cllr Nicholls to go forward.
Chairs Charity - A payment of £50.00 is to be donated to the Toby Lloyd Cockbain foundation Cancer Charity.

44 Report of the Clerk

(A) Miscellaneous
The Clerk further commented upon her report, previously circulated with the agenda.
Resolved that:
Grant from Police of £500.00 regards 89 Sterry Rd - to be returned
Council to adopt Safer Swansea Audit Comments
Account signatories for Co-operative bank to be updated to Cllrs. Gareth Morgan, Mike Sander, Sue Jones and Barrie Guard. Clerk to action.
(B) Financial Matters
the following payments are authorised
NTL Telephone advance charges £28.49
Pennard CCSLCC

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